The Office of Multicultural Affairs works in conjunction with a range of student organizations and administrative colleagues to organize multicultural graduation ceremonies that celebrate the accomplishments of students that have engaged in many areas of diversity at Columbia University. 

• OMA Graduation Cords
• Lavender Graduation
• Latino(a) Graduation
• Black Graduation
• Asian Graduation

OMA Graduation Cords

***SPRING 2013 NOMINATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED***

Presented by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the OMA Graduation Cords are given to graduating seniors in Columbia College, Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, and School of General Studies who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to diversity, social justice, and multiculturalism through the OMA, campus leadership, community involvement, academic endeavors, and/or personal dedication.

Worn in the various graduation ceremonies, the graduation cords are also a powerful visual symbol of our new graduates’ ongoing commitment as alumni in continuing and sharing the office's mission of advancing the strength within communities, acknowledging diversity in the different aspects of their lives, working toward social justice, honoring our different and intersecting legacies of struggle and survival, and building meaningful coalitions across different identities.

Nominees Must Meet the Following Criteria

• Current graduating senior in CC, SEAS, or GS
• A student in good standing at Columbia University
• Positive impact on fellow students
• Willingness, openness, and commitment to be an ally to other communities
• Great ability to advocate, organize, and follow-through on related projects and initiatives
• Significant dedication of time to related projects and issues throughout his/her time at Columbia
• Demonstrated outstanding leadership and constructive contributions to diversity, social justice, and multiculturalism on or off campus while a student at Columbia

SPRING 2013 Timeline

2012 OMA Graduation Cord recipients:

 2011 OMA Graduation Cord recipients:

2010 OMA Graduation Cord recipients:

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Lavender Graduation

Lavender Graduation is a cultural ceremony that celebrates our graduating LGBTQ and allied students. First started at the University of Michigan in 1995, the ceremony is now conducted at hundreds of universities nationwide including Princeton, Duke, MIT and NYU. The color lavender, adopted by the gay movement in the 1960's, is the main color of Sayville (Gayville), NY. Sayville is near Fire Island where the veterans of Stonewall hung out. This history of New York is honored during the ceremony as our graduates prepare to make history of their own.

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Latino(a) Graduation

Latino(a) Graduation has a long standing history within the university and is a celebration of the accomplishments of CC/SEAS and Barnard Latino graduates. Latino Graduation was first initiated by students who wanted the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments and recognize the important role that Latino students have played in shaping the landscape of Columbia.  Latino Graduation is co-sponsored by The CC/SEAS Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Latino Alumni Association of Columbia University, University Development and Alumni Relations, the Barnard College Activities Office and the Latino Graduation Committee.  This Rites of Passage ceremony provides an intimate setting for family, friends, alumni, faculty, staff, and students to recognize the accomplishments of the graduates while embracing their new important roles as Columbia and Barnard alumni.

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Black Graduation

This ceremony serves as an intimate gathering for family, friends, and members of the black Columbia community to celebrate the culture and accomplishments of the undergraduate graduating class.

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Asian Graduation

The Asian Graduation Reception is an annual celebration recognizing the achievements of our graduating Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American communities on campus. In collaboration with the Columbia Alumni Association and the Asian Columbia Alumni Association, we honor the legacies of heritages and histories, the voices that have individually and collectively impacted the University, and the invaluable network of shared strength and support among fellow Columbians – past and present.
As they prepare for commencement, graduating students are presented at the reception with a gift to wish them continued success in their future endeavors.

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