Baccalaureate Service

Sunday, May 19, 2013
9:30–11:00 a.m.
St. Paul's Chapel, Morningside Campus

Guest Tickets Needed: No, but registration for students is required. 
Seating: Will begin at 8:30 a.m.
Academic Attire: Required of participating graduates
Live Webcast: No

The tradition of the Baccalaureate Service at Columbia University began after the move to Morningside Heights in 1897. The Baccalaureate Service is now an interfaith, intercultural service celebrating the completion of each undergraduate's academic career. 

This event features a procession including undergraduate degree candidates from Columbia College, Columbia Engineering, the School of General Studies, and Barnard College. The University chaplain, school deans, faculty, and administrators also participate.

Highlights of the service include hymns and musical selections performed by student musicians and choirs, a Senior Reflection, a Family Tribute, and readings.

For more information about this event, please visit the University Commencement website.

Columbia Engineering Class Day

Monday, May 20, 2013
5:00–7:30 p.m.
Seating will begin at 4:00 p.m.
South Lawn, Morningside Campus

Guest Tickets Needed: No
Seating: Unlimited
Academic Attire: Required of participating graduates
Live Webcast: Yes

The Columbia Engineering Class Day exercise is a school-specific ceremony that celebrates the accomplishments of the Columbia Engineering Class of 2013.

Following the academic procession, the ceremony will feature remarks from Interim Dean Goldfarb, President Bollinger, and the president of the Columbia Engineering Alumni Association. Several student leaders will also address the graduates.

The ceremony will include a brief awards ceremony to honor individual students’ exceptional academic and cocurricular achievements. Lastly, students’ names will be called as they process across the stage and receive a class pin from alumni.

Columbia College Class Day

Tuesday, May 21, 2013
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Seating will begin at 8:30 a.m.
South Lawn, Morningside Campus

Guest Tickets Needed: No
Seating: Unlimited
Academic Attire: Required of participating graduates
Live Webcast: Yes

The Columbia College Class Day exercise is a school-specific ceremony that celebrates the accomplishments of the Columbia College Class of 2013.

Following the academic procession, the ceremony will feature remarks from Dean Valentini, President Bollinger, and the president of the Columbia College Alumni Association. Several student leaders will also address the graduates.

The ceremony will include a brief awards ceremony to honor individual students’ exceptional academic and cocurricular achievements. Lastly, students’ names will be called as they process across the stage and receive a class pin from members of the Columbia College Class of 1963.

University Commencement

Wednesday, May 22, 2013
10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Morningside Campus

Guest Tickets Needed: Yes, and registration for students is required.
Seating: Limited
Academic Attire: Required of participating graduates
Live Webcast: Yes

Commencement is the University-wide event celebrating graduates of all Columbia schools and its affiliates. The ceremony begins with the academic procession, and includes the awarding of honorary degrees, the President's address to graduates, and the conferring of degrees by school.

For more information about this event, please visit the University Commencement website or send an email to the Commencement planning team. 

That night, from dusk until after midnight, the spire of the Empire State Building will be lit in blue and white in honor of Columbia’s graduates.