GS Celebrates the Class of 2021 at Class Day Ceremony

The School of General Studies celebrated the accomplishments of the 663 members of the Class of 2021 on Wednesday, April 28 at GS Class Day via a virtual ceremony.

May 03, 2021

The ninth Dean of the School of General Studies, Lisa Rosen-Metsch '90GS, welcomed more than 750 virtual guests, who joined faculty and administrators in recognizing the accomplishments of the graduates.

Dean Rosen-Metsch began the ceremony by welcoming University President Lee C. Bollinger, Keynote Speaker Elegance Bratton '14, and distinguished faculty and guests. The Dean then reflected on the success and resilience of the Class of 2021.

"Whether GS students are first generation college students, former or current actors, parents, fashion models, filmmakers, or community college graduates, musicians, entrepreneurs, international students, or students who have simply overcome challenging life circumstances, they receive the same superb education as all other Columbia undergraduates—and they excel."

President Bollinger spoke next, expressing gratitude for the presence of the GS student body in the Columbia undergraduate classroom, especially during such a difficult year.

Whether GS students are first generation college students, former or current actors, parents, fashion models, filmmakers, or community college graduates, musicians, entrepreneurs, international students, or students who have simply overcome challenging life circumstances, they receive the same superb education as all other Columbia undergraduates—and they excel.

Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch

"I have said on many times, on many occasions, that I believe there is a genius in the School of General Studies. It is unique in higher education. It should not be, but it is. We know that academic talent and educational ambition come at different points in life for different people. And you would think we would design our institutions of higher learning to accommodate that reality. We do with the School of General Studies. We benefit enormously from your presence. You have been the classic nontraditional student in the most nontraditional of times. We are grateful for your presence with us," President Bollinger said.

Dean Rosen-Metsch next introduced keynote speaker Elegance Bratton '14, an award-winning filmmaker, photographer, and author who has been featured in the New York TimesThe Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, and Variety, and whose films have played in nearly 150 film festivals worldwide, including Sundance, Outfest, and the British Film Institute’s London Film Festival. Elegance was selected as one of Indiewire’s 25 LGBT Faces to Watch in 2019, and is the winner of the 2021 Truer Than Fiction Award.

We benefit enormously from your presence. You have been the classic nontraditional student in the most nontraditional of times. We are grateful for your presence with us.

President Lee C. Bollinger

Bratton reflected on the connection of the GS community, urging graduates to "take heart in the fact that while we are not [physically] in the same space, we are all still connected. Those long hours studying, those crises of faith before finals, and the camaraderie we formed supporting each other through—it all is still present even if we are apart. As you will come to find out in the years to come.

"The GS community is vast and extends far beyond the numbers attending today. We are connected through the history of this institution and the mission we all accept by turning our personal legacies over to it. That mission as far as I understand it, is to use our GS experience as a tool to inspire and direct a more equitable future for people like us. To do that we must take ownership of our unique life path so that others can be inspired by our journey."

Dean Rosen-Metsch went on to introduce the GS Class of 2021 Valedictorian, Christopher Thompson, and Salutatorian, Qimeng Shi. She also acknowledged several award winners. The Campbell Award, given to a student leader who shows exceptional leadership and Columbia spirit as exemplified by Bill Campbell '62CC, '64TC, was awarded to Jonathan Criswell. The Alumni Key Award, given to a graduating senior for exceptional achievement and ongoing commitment to leadership and service to the School of General Studies community, was awarded to Safia Southey. The Dean's Citation, given to a graduating student who has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to outstanding leadership and service to the School of General Studies community throughout their academic tenure, was awarded to both Christopher Thompson and Roberto Uribe. 

We are connected through the history of this institution and the mission we all accept by turning our personal legacies over to it. That mission as far as I understand it, is to use our GS experience as a tool to inspire and direct a more equitable future for people like us. To do that we must take ownership of our unique life path so that others can be inspired by our journey.

Keynote Speaker Elegance Bratton '14GS

The graduating class also heard remarks from Dean of Students, Marlyn Delva '98BC, '99TC, '13TC.

"This year has been one of many challenges and successes. Through it all, this class stood with one another—offered support and overcame all that was thrown at them…. This class is phenomenal, amazing, resilient, powerful, brilliant, and many more adjectives that describe who they are, and all they have achieved. We know they will succeed in whatever they set forth for themselves."

Dean Delva then went on to present each member of the graduating Class of 2021 by name, after which Dean Rosen-Metsch closed the virtual ceremony by addressing the graduates one last time. 

"Congratulations to the graduates of the Class of 2021, your families, loved ones, and friends. You will always hold a special place in my heart. We have weathered great adversity together and I have been so proud to witness your resilience and grit in the most difficult moments. I am honored to be your dean now and for years to come as you join our strong Columbia GS alumni community. You embody in a spectacular way the mission and vision of GS and Columbia," Dean Rosen-Metsch said.


Demographics

Class of 2021 infographic—see below for a text version of demographic info

Class of 2021

  • 663 graduates
  • Age range: 21-72
  • 174 international students
    • Representing 57 countries
  • U.S. citizens and permanent residents hail from 35 states
  • 307 Pell Grant recipients
  • 108 U.S. military veterans
  • 186 first-generation college students
  • 51 Phi Beta Kappa (PBK) inductees
  • 174 GS Honor Society inductees
  • 131 graduates of GS's International Dual Degree Programs
    • 79 graduates of the Dual BA Program with Sciences Po
    • 14 graduates of the Joint Bachelor's Degree Program with City University of Hong Kong
    • 38 graduates of the Joint Program with List College of the Jewish Theological Seminary

Ceremony Video