Celebrating Legacy, Stories, and Impact at Columbia Reunion Weekend

Columbia School of General Studies welcomed alumni, students, faculty, and friends back to Morningside Heights for Reunion 2026, a weekend filled with celebration, reflection, and renewed connections across generations of the Columbia GS community.

"Reunion is always a moment of connection: between classmates, across generations, and across the many different paths that bring students to the School of General Studies," said Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch ‘90GS during the annual Reunion Dinner. "Looking around this room, I am reminded again that the strength of GS has always come from the people who believe in its mission, live its values, and carry its spirit forward."

Throughout the weekend, attendees participated in a variety of programs that highlighted the unique history and spirit of GS. Alumni explored the School's legacy through a special tour of Butler Library featuring GS archival materials, attended faculty lectures and programming about veteran support, celebrated student talent at the annual Celebration of the Performing Arts at Miller Theatre, and reconnected at class-year gatherings and alumni mixers.

A highlight of the weekend was the presentation of the 2026 Owl Award, the School's highest alumni honor, to Larry J. Lawrence '69GS, ‘71BUS. In presenting the award, Dean Rosen-Metsch described Lawrence as "someone who has had, and continues to have, a transformative impact on our school, on our students, and who defines what it means to be consequential."

Lawrence's decades of leadership and philanthropy have left an indelible mark on GS. A longtime member and Chair Emeritus of the GS Board of Visitors, he has advised multiple generations of School leadership, mentored student veterans, and championed scholarship support for nontraditional students. Through the Larry J. Lawrence Matching Fund and other philanthropic initiatives, he has helped open doors for countless GS students. Today, Lawrence stands as the largest donor to financial aid scholarships in the history of the School.

The weekend also showcased the remarkable breadth of the GS alumni community. Nearly every anniversary class—from alumni celebrating their 5th reunion to those marking their 55th—was represented. Among the attendees were Karen Braun '63GS, an enthusiastic (and longtime) Reunion participant; Richard Cantor '71GS, celebrating his 55th reunion; and Hillary Beyer '76GS and Alain de Lotbiniere '76GS, both marking their 50th reunion year.

One especially meaningful moment came from Elizabeth Bellak '55GS, an alumna of one of earliest GS graduating classes. In an intimate and emotional conversation with Dean Rosen-Metsch, Bellak enthralled guests with the remarkable story behind the publication of “Renia’s Diary,” a book written by her sister during the Holocaust. At age 95, her presence offered a powerful bridge between generations of GS students and alumni alike.

Reflecting on the Reunion Weekend, Cameron Joyner '22GS summed it up beautifully: "I always love having a reason to come back to campus and meet others who have shared experiences in GS."

Learn more about Reunion and view photos from this year.