Class of 2024, we look forward to celebrating your hard work and accomplishments at Class Day! To honor your achievements, an entire week of celebrations, ceremonies, and special events is planned for you.
We look forward to proudly marking this milestone with you, your family, your friends, your classmates, your faculty, your advisors, your dean, and the entire Columbia community. So many people are waiting to recognize this major accomplishment.
Graduation Events
Columbia College Class Day – May 14
A celebration of the accomplishments of all bachelor’s degree candidates of Columbia College.
Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 8:30 – 11:00 a.m.
South Lawns, Morningside Campus | General Admission
Learn more about Class Day.
Columbia Engineering Class Day — May 13
A celebration of the accomplishments of bachelor's degree candidates of the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
Monday, May 13, 2024, 11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
South Lawns, Morningside Campus | General Admission
Learn more about Class Day.
Columbia University Commencement Ceremony — May 15
A commencement ceremony for all eligible April, May, and June 2024 degree candidates, and February 2024 and October 2023 graduates, from undergraduate schools and colleges affiliated with Columbia University, as well as family and friends.
Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 10:30 a.m.
Morningside Campus
Limit 4 guest tickets per undergraduate student. The process for reserving tickets is expected to open after spring break.
Learn more about University Commencement.
What is the Difference Between Class Day and Commencement?
Class Day is the graduation ceremony hosted by your school, when your name will be read aloud by the dean and you and your classmates will be individually recognized for your outstanding achievements. You will hear remarks from the University President, your school dean, alumni and student leaders, and a special keynote speaker. Columbia College and Columbia Engineering each host their own Class Day, on separate days. All family members and guests are welcome to attend Class Day.
Commencement is a University-wide ceremony in which the President officially confers degrees to the graduating students en masse. Graduating students from all of the undergraduate schools of Columbia University participate. Attending the University Commencement ceremony is not required to graduate from the University and receive your diploma, but it is a rich, deeply symbolic tradition that graduates and their families have enjoyed for over a century.
Other Services and Celebrations
Baccalaureate Service
Sunday, May 12, 2024, 10:00 – 11:15 a.m., St. Paul's Chapel
The Baccalaureate Service is a multifaith service celebrating the completion of each undergraduate's academic career from Columbia College, Columbia Engineering, the School of General Studies, and Barnard College. Service highlights include hymns, musical selections, readings, reflections, and speeches by students.
The Baccalaureate Service is believed to have originated at Oxford University in 1432 when each bachelor was required to deliver a sermon in Latin as part of his academic exercise. Columbia University began this tradition in 1897.
Learn more about the Baccalaureate Service.
Jewish Life Graduation Celebration
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Columbia/Barnard Hillel will celebrate the Class of 2024 at this annual Commencement Brunch. Family, friends, and loved ones are welcome. Jewish dietary laws will be observed.
Learn more about the Commencement Brunch.
Multicultural Graduation Celebrations
In honor of Columbia’s diverse student community and complementing the school- and University-wide graduation celebrations, we are proud to also offer Multicultural Graduation Celebrations, which provide a more intimate setting for students who self-identify in a variety of ways. These events invite community members to reflect on personal growth and community experiences that have impacted their time as students through to graduation. All undergraduate students are invited to participate in these celebrations.
- Multicultural Affairs Graduation Cord Ceremony: Tuesday, April 30, 2:00–4:00 p.m.
- Lavender Graduation Celebration (LGBTQIA+ community): Thursday, May 2, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
- Asian Graduation Celebration: Wednesday, May 1, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
- FLI Graduation Celebration (First-generation and/or low-income community): Monday, May 13, 5:00–6:30 p.m.
- Black Graduation Celebration: Tuesday, May 14, 2:00–4:00 pm
- Latinx Graduation Celebration: Tuesday, May 14, 6:30–8:30 pm
- Native Graduation Celebration: Wednesday, May 15, 2:00–4:00 p.m.
Each ceremony has a corresponding regalia accessory (stole, medallion, pin, or tassel). Advanced registration is required to receive your regalia accessory. Additional details will be shared in the weeks ahead.
Leadership and Excellence Awards
Wednesday, April 24, 2024, Presidential Ballroom (3rd floor), Faculty House (64 Morningside Dr, New York, NY 10027)
At the end of each academic year, Undergraduate Student Life and partner offices recognize students with awards and honors for leadership, co-curricular accomplishments, and noteworthy contributions to the Columbia community.
Department Receptions
Details to be announced.
From toasts and salutes to award presentations and fond farewells, almost every Columbia College and Engineering department hosts its own, unique end-of-year celebration to recognize their graduating seniors.
International Graduation Celebration
Friday, April 26, 2024, 6:00–8:00 p.m. Lerner 555