Despite temperatures in the nineties, thousands of graduates, faculty, and guests flocked to the Morningside Heights campus for a day of remarks and celebration.
Graduates were easy to spot as they made their way to the big event on the 1 train.
This year’s roster of honorary degree recipients included some high-profile faces: Michael Novak ’09GS, ’26HON, artistic director of the Paul Taylor Dance Company; news anchor and political commentator George Stephanopoulos ’82CC, ’26HON; actress and producer Amanda Peet ’94CC, ’26HON; and musician Jon Batiste ’26HON.
Jon Batiste ’26HON — the recipient of eight Grammys, an Oscar, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, and now an honorary Columbia degree — treated the Class of 2026 to a surprise performance.
Fellow Columbia College alumni George Stephanopoulos ’82CC, ’26HON and Amanda Peet ’94CC, ’26HON caught up inside Low Library.
In the morning ceremony for Columbia’s graduate schools, MPA grad Jin Park ’26SIPA sang the National Anthem, and in the afternoon event for undergrads, Sarafina Belafonte ’26CC, a Columbia neuroscience major and the granddaughter of singer Harry Belafonte, proved that vocal chops run in the family.
The Metrotones, one of several campus a capella groups, also took the stage for a spirited performance.
Friends and family were welcome at the big event — including those with four legs and a tail.
Roar-ee found a pride of lions to hang with.
…While stopping for countless photo ops.
Some grads posed with — or even on — the OG Roar-ee (climbing campus sculptures is not recommended).
…While others took advantage of the Instagrammable backdrops placed around campus just for Commencement.
Graduates of Columbia’s College of Dental Medicine showed off their smiles with a giant toothbrush.
And the international alumni of Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs continued the annual tradition of waving their home-country flags. This year, 140 nations were represented in the Class of 2026 across the University.
Some caps were decorated with optimistic messages.
…And others were tossed into the air to mark a new beginning.
