GS Celebrates February 2023 Graduates
On Tuesday, December 13, students, alumni, faculty, staff, and guests gathered at Faculty House to celebrate the accomplishments of 124 students who will graduate from the Columbia University School of General Studies this February.
On a wintery Tuesday evening, a festive celebration of the 124 students who will graduate from the Columbia University School of General Studies this February took place at Faculty House. The reception was also available virtually so that graduates and loved ones could tune in from across the country and globe.
"Both before coming to GS and during your time here, you graduates have led impressive, inspiring lives that have enriched the experiences of your fellow students across all the undergraduate schools at Columbia," said Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch '90GS in her opening remarks. "You are some of the most talented, resilient, and certainly interesting undergraduates in the university classroom today."
"Your successes will change the world for the better at a time when we need dedicated, thoughtful, innovative professionals and citizens more than ever, and we are so proud of you." -Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch '90GS
Graduates majored in 28 academic subjects and 38 are members of the GS Honor Society. They range in age from 22 to 61 years of age, and among the February 2023 graduates are 28 U.S. military veterans, 34 international students, and 36 students who are the first in their family to attend college.
Following Dean Rosen-Metsch's remarks, General Studies Student Council (GSSC) Senior Class President Garrett Gregor-Splaver spoke. "I stand humbled and in awe at the years of hard work, copious amounts of caffeine, and collective effort of our community that was needed for us all to be here in this room," shared Gregor-Splaver with a smile. "You surmounted incredible odds to get to Columbia in the first place, and you persevered right up until the end." He added, "today is merely the beginning of the influence you will accumulate and extend over the world as academics, professionals, and everything in-between."
"Today is merely the beginning of the influence you will accumulate and extend over the world as academics, professionals, and everything in-between." -GSSC Senior Class President Garrett Gregor-Splaver
Christopher Thompson '21GS, Co-Chair of the GSAA Recent Alumni Committee, former GSSC (General Studies Student Council) President, and Valedictorian of the GS Class of 2021 officially welcomed the February graduates into the GS alumni community. "Graduating was a little bittersweet," shared Thompson of his own experience, acknowledging that as satisfying an accomplishment as graduation is, it also represents a closing of a big chapter in each graduate's lives. However, Thompson added "the good news is, you are a member of the alumni community for the rest of your life. This is a supportive and diverse alumni community, and I encourage each of you to take advantage of all the resources that it offers you on your journey."
Following Thompson's speech, Dean of Students Marlyn Delva then introduced each graduate by name, congratulating them on their achievements as each came to the front of the room and received their alumni pin from Dean Rosen-Metsch. To close out the ceremony, Dean Rosen-Metsch reiterated the exciting ventures that await the February 2023 graduates: "Your successes will change the world for the better at a time when we need dedicated, thoughtful, innovative professionals and citizens more than ever, and we are so proud of you."