50 School of General Studies students were recently named as 2020-21 fellows -- three of these fellowship winners are the first GS students to receive their respective awards.
For many years, Gianna Paniagua enjoyed success as a freelance sculpture artist despite her childhood dream of becoming a doctor. As an infant heart transplant recipient, she had been advised by her team that a career in medicine would be too strenuous on her body. After undergoing several treatments and procedures as an adult, though, her team gave her the green light, and Paniagua enrolled in the Columbia University Postbac Premed Program soon after.
GS alumnus Pavan C. Surapaneni was named as one of this year’s 2021 Columbia Alumni Medalists in recognition of his commitment to building Columbia’s community. He graduated from the School of General Studies in 2006 as salutatorian of his class with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and Middle Eastern languages and cultures. He went on to receive his Juris Doctor degree from Harvard University.
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.
The Columbia University Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program celebrated Class Day on Tuesday, April 27 via a virtual ceremony. Faculty, administrators, fellow students, friends, and family honored the Class of 2021 for completing this important step on their journey to medical school and beyond.
On Monday, April 26, the New York Delta Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society virtually initiated 51 GS seniors at its annual Induction Ceremony.
On the morning of Thursday, April 29, Columbia GS celebrated the academic excellence and outstanding leadership of students at the Academic Prizes and Student Leadership Awards Virtual Ceremony.
Since 1977, this prestigious honor has been awarded in recognition of students’ exemplary public service work and leadership and offers students like Daniels support for graduate or professional school in preparation for a career in public service. Daniels, who enrolled at GS in the fall of 2019, following his own incarceration, has become a prominent advocate for criminal justice reform through his work with the Columbia University Center for Justice, Columbia University School of Social Work, and beyond.
Aedan Macdonald's emerging career in fashion unexpectedly came to halt when he was incarcerated for a drug charge he had been involved in nearly five years prior. After setting his sights on the Ivy League and later, enrolling at GS, he founded Justice Through Code, a program designed to help others find fulfilling work post-incarceration by learning to code.
On Thursday, April 8, the New York Delta Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society announced the names of 51 GS seniors who will be inducted into Phi Beta Kappa later this month.
Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch has announced the featured speakers for the 2021 Columbia University School of General Studies Class Day ceremony, which will be held on Wednesday, April 28 at 11 a.m. EDT. The Class Day Keynote Speaker is Elegance Bratton '14. The Class of 2021 Valedictorian is Christopher Thompson. The Class of 2021 Salutatorian is Qimeng Shi.
Dean James Colgrove has announced the featured speakers for the 2021 Postbaccalaureate Premedical Class Day ceremony. The Class Day Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Ashley Paige Oliver. The Class Day Student Speaker will be Chelsia Melendez.