Columbia Homecoming Weekend kicked off bright and early with the Dean’s Breakfast and Faculty Lecture at the Center for Veteran Transition and Integration in Kent Hall. Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch ’90GS welcomed guests before Dr. Elif Duman, Associate Professor of Biopsychology, gave a fascinating talk on how sociocultural and genetic factors shape who we are. Hosted by the GS Office of Development and Alumni Relations, the event set a warm and thoughtful tone for the day ahead.
By late morning, the festivities moved uptown for Lunch Under the Tent, where Columbia alumni, students, and families enjoyed a lively celebration with food, fun, and plenty of school spirit. The beer garden and buffet kept everyone fueled for rounds of giant Jenga and cornhole, while cotton candy and face painting added a playful touch. And of course, GS showed up in style with plenty of swag to go around!
For many, Columbia Homecoming is more than a game—it’s a tradition. Bailee Rivera, daughter of alumni Brittne Rivera ‘15GS (Co-chair of GSAA) and JJ Rivera ‘22GS, shared: “Both my parents were students at Columbia when I was eight, so I’ve been coming to Homecoming for as long as I can remember. My little brother and I used to count down the days every year, the games, the food, the music, the sea of blue, it always felt like the whole Columbia community came alive. It wasn’t just my parents’ alma mater anymore; it became a part of our family story.”
The afternoon’s main event, the Columbia vs. Penn football game, kicked off at 1:30 p.m. Despite a hard-fought effort, Columbia fell 35–21, but the energy and camaraderie never waned.
The weekend captured the true Columbia spirit—a celebration of family, tradition, and the connections that continue to unite the GS community across generations.
