It has been more than a month after Columbia’s grand Commencement ceremony and I am yet to come to the reality of the present day!
Columbia’s main Commencement took place on Wednesday, May 20th, 2026, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. A Commencement ceremony is when the President of the University confers the degree to the students of all schools after the Deans of the different schools addresses the audience. The students are not individually called on stage during the Commencement program. The program promptly began on time, and it has been a long time since I have seen this type of punctuality.
I almost thought we visited a King’s coronation by the grandness and the splendor of the Commencement Day! 🙂 Since the Commencement was for all schools in Columbia, a huge crowd was expected and therefore there were only limited tickets given to each family. Luckily, we got tickets for all of us, and we arrived at the venue promptly on time. Since a huge number of guests were expected, parking information was adequately sent to all invited. Streets were cordoned off and every guest was given appropriate entry directions.
Bouquets were being sold at exorbitant rates (when compared to India for sure) outside the campus (from 35$ – 50$!)
It was ironically a brutally hot day even though it was only towards the end of May. The son was seated in front of the ‘Alma Mater’ in his Columbia regalia, and it was indeed a great privilege to be seated in front of her to get the degree. Security was tight and we were thoroughly frisked before we could get inside the campus.
Did you know? A small owl is hidden in the robe of the Alma Mater as a symbol of wisdom and knowledge.
As we sat in our seats, the program promptly started at 10:30 a.m. The Deans of different schools (including the Dean of Fu Foundation School of Engineering) arrived in their regalia, and they addressed the students and guests.
Commencement history:
For the uninitiated, Columbia University is located in New York City in Upper Manhattan. Being a very old University, Columbia University has a rich history filled with traditions. It was initially King’s College (and hence a lot of practices were from England) and classes were originally held in Lower Manhattan. As New York City grew, Columbia University moved Midtown before moving to the current Morningside campus in 1897.
Columbia’s Commencement ceremony has also evolved over time and ages. In the 1700’s, the ceremony was held in Lower Manhattan. The first ceremony was held in 1758 at George’s Chapel on Beekman Street. Columbia’s commencement then moved to the Morningside campus in 1898. It was first held in the University gymnasium, but it was later moved outdoors to the Low Plaza from 1926.
Did you know? The Pulitzer Prize is administered by Columbia University and funded by the legacy of Joseph Pulitzer and it is one of the most prestigious honors in Journalism, Arts and Literature. The first Pulitzer prize was awarded in the year 1917 under Columbia’s administration.
The following is a picture of the Columbia mace and is seen at the beginning of Commencement ceremony beautifully gleaming in sunlight. Once upon a time it was an authoritarian symbol in British courts, today, it represents leadership and this mace is carried forward every Commencement.
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The following are video snippets of the Deans, the Professors and other dignitaries and their arrivals in their fine academic Regalia!
The Deans wore the Regalia of different Universities. They all spoke for a few minutes each and at the end of the speech, they requested the President to confer the degrees on the students.
Columbia students wear regalia that is different from traditional black gowns. They are one of the few Universities who have been given a national exception to the traditional black gown. The Master’s degree students wear blue robes with small Columbia crowns at the chest. Their robes also have oblong sleeves.
Did you know? The undergraduate students of Columbia University are one of the few who do not wear hoods in the Ivy League set of colleges.
During the graduation festivities, we could also see the SEAS (School of Engineering and Applied Science) graduates carry inflatable red hammers to signify the tools of their trade. Each school carries their mascot like Roare-es, giant Bs or racing flags.
Towards the very end, the President conferred the degree on the students, and the Columbia Class of 2026 was introduced!
The afternoon wound down sharply at 12 p.m. and the crowd was dispersed in an orderly fashion. We returned back with our hearts full after having attended a magical Commencement!
References:
- Our History | Columbia University in the City of New York | Columbia University in the City of New York
- Commencement History | Columbia University Commencement
- What Every Element of Columbia’s Academic Regalia Actually Means and the History Behind It | Columbia News
- University Commencement 2026 – Graduate Schools Ceremony | Columbia University Commencement