Honoring Veterans and Lifelong Dedication at Columbia University's Annual Military Ball

On Friday, November 10, more than 500 veterans, leaders, scholars, and guests celebrated Columbia University's veteran community at the annual Military Ball. This year’s Military Ball featured remarks by Columbia University President Minouche Shafik and honored Walter and Shirley Wang as recipients of the Peter J. Awn Lifetime Service Award, in recognition of their generous support for military veterans and service members.

Established in 2010, the Military Ball is the premier event uniting veterans across the University community. Proceeds from the event help underwrite academic and career transition programming for all veterans and military family members nationwide, provide financial aid for veteran students at Columbia University, and support veteran student and alumni programming.

The ceremony began with introductory remarks from Grayson Noyes '23GS, former President of MilVets, and an invocation from Jewelnel Davis, University Chaplain, Associate Provost, and Director of the Kraft Fellows Program at Columbia University. This was followed by a toast from Ebonnie Goodfield '24GS, former Vice President of MilVets.

After the invocation, Lisa Rosen-Metsch '90GS, Dean of the School of General Studies (GS), remarked on the diverse educational paths that the nearly 500 student veterans at GS have chosen to pursue and the growing synergy between academic enrichment, transition, and the integration of veterans at GS. “Over the last 20 years, especially, GS has connected to its past in direct and meaningful ways, explicitly working to attract talented women and men exiting military service to Columbia,” Dean Rosen-Metsch said.

Following Dean Rosen-Metsch, President of Columbia University Minouche Shafik highlighted the wealth of knowledge that veterans bring to the communities at Columbia and emphasized our collective obligation to invest in their well-being.

President Shafik, joined by Dean Rosen-Metsch and President of MilVets, John Graziano ’26GS, presented the Peter J. Awn Community Service Award to Walter and Shirley Wang. Their donation of 2.5 million dollars is the largest gift dedicated to student veterans that Columbia has ever received and has allowed Columbia GS to cover 100% of tuition and fees for student veterans for the first time since the introduction of the Post 9/11 GI Bill in 2009.

Accepting the award, Shirley Wang began by thanking the veterans for their service and echoing that commitment to their country was an inspiration to everyone. Shirley Wang addressed the veterans by saying, “By protecting our country, you give us all hope for bigger dreams and for a better tomorrow.” Walter Wang followed by speaking about the celebration of life and appreciation for all fellow human beings. Walter Wang said, “Knowing how precious life is makes me especially appreciative that you, as veterans, were willing to put your life, the most precious thing that you have, on the line for others.”

The ceremony concluded with closing remarks from John Graziano ’26GS, President of MilVets, and a toast by the Board of the MilVets.

The event is co-hosted by the Columbia Veterans alumni organization, the Military Veterans of Columbia University student group, the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration, and the Columbia University School of General Studies

Event Slideshow