“In Matters of Religion”

In honor of Columbia’s 20th University President Minouche Shafik, there is a small exhibition in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library’s Chang Octagon on the traditions related to the installation ceremony. The “Charter and Keys” exhibition highlights the two symbols in the transfer of power: incoming presidents receive a copy of the 1754 Charter of […]

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Installation Sights and Sounds

As the Columbia community prepares for the installation of President Minouche Shafik on Wednesday, October 4, we can look back to see and hear her predecessors’ ceremonies. The Columbia University Libraries’ Time-Based Media Initiative focused on converting to digital those at-risk, unique audio and moving image content on analog media. From the Columbia University historical […]

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In Between Inaugurations

It’s been 21 years since President Lee C. Bollinger was installed as Columbia University’s President in October 2002. In anticipation of the inauguration of Columbia’s 20th University President, Minouche Shafik, on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, we look back to when the Columbia community waited an even longer time in between these community celebrations.  […]

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Columbia’s Plot at Green-Wood Cemetery

A short notice in the New York Times on September 6, 1858 announces that the faculty of Columbia College, the graduating class of 1858, and friends of David Ledyard Mallison “are requested to attend his funeral, on Tuesday September 7.” Just a few months after what should have been his graduation, Columbia College held a […]

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