Convocation

graduates around a table

Speakers

PhD Keynote Speaker:
Nim Tottenham
Professor and Chair of Psychology at Columbia University

MA Keynote Speaker:
Joseph R. Slaughter
Associate Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University
Executive Director of the Institute for the Study of Human Rights

We are pleased to recognize the recipients of awards given annually by the Graduate School and the University.

Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching

2024 Awardees to be announced. 

Columbia University Faculty Mentoring Award

2024 Awardees to be announced. 

Dr. Devon T. Wade Mentorship, Service, and Advocacy Award

The Dr. Devon T. Wade Mentorship, Service, and Advocacy Award recognizes an Arts and Sciences master’s or doctoral student whose work reflects the exceptional commitment of the late Dr. Devon Wade (’18PhD, Sociology) to scholarship, teaching and mentorship, and service and advocacy on behalf of vulnerable communities.

2024 Awardee to be announced. 

The Campbell Award

In 2016, the Columbia University Trustees and the Columbia Alumni Association (CAA) established The Campbell Award, which is presented to a graduating student at each school who shows exceptional leadership and Columbia spirit as exemplified by the late Bill Campbell ’62CC, ’64TC, Chair Emeritus, University Trustee and CAA co-founder. 

2024 Awardees to be announced. 

All students and alumni of Arts and Sciences programs who meet the criteria below are also eligible to participate in GSAS Convocation and University Commencement

PhD/DMA students

You are eligible to participate in both the May 2024 Doctoral Convocation and the May 2024 University Commencement if:

  • Your degree is conferred in October 2023 or February 2024, or
  • You complete deposit of your dissertation by the deposit deadline for the May 2024 conferral, or
  • You expect to complete deposit of your dissertation by Friday, October 11, 2024, the deposit deadline for the October 2024 conferral. In this case, you may choose to participate in either the May 2024 or May 2025 graduation ceremonies. Please note: The names of students whose degrees will be conferred in October 2024 will be printed in the Convocation booklet in May 2025.

If you are planning to participate in GSAS Convocation and University Commencement in 2024, you must verify your eligibility and register for GSAS Convocation by Sunday, March 24, 2024.

MA students

You are eligible to participate in both the May 2024 Master’s Convocation and the May 2024 University Commencement if:

  • Your degree is conferred in October 2023 or February 2024,
  • You expect your degree to be conferred in May 2024 and you file an application for the MA with the Registrar, or
  • You expect your degree to be conferred in October 2024 and you submit a program-approved Graduation Ceremonies Participation Petition to the GSAS Office of Student Affairs by April 1, 2024. (Note: This petition form does not substitute for the mandatory application for the MA degree, which you must still file with the Registrar by its deadline for the October degree conferral.) Please note: The names of students whose degrees will be conferred in October 2024 will be printed in the Convocation booklet in May 2025.

If you are planning to participate in GSAS Convocation and University Commencement in 2024, you must verify your eligibility and register for GSAS Convocation by Sunday, March 24, 2024.

Note: Participation in GSAS Convocation and University Commencement does not constitute conferral of a Columbia degree.

If you are planning to participate in GSAS Convocation and University Commencement, you must verify your eligibility and register by Sunday, March 24, 2024. GSAS uses this registration information to identify students who are eligible to access the ticketing system and to send you important details regarding GSAS Convocation, including how to ensure that your name is pronounced correctly during the Convocation ceremony.

For more information about ticketing, please visit the GSAS Convocation FAQ and consult the Ticketing & Registration dropdown.

Yes. Please refer to the Convocation FAQ page and consult the Regalia dropdown tab for more information.

    Name cards are required for GSAS Convocation and are used to announce your name as you cross the stage. After you register for GSAS Convocation (see above), you will be able to provide notes on the proper pronunciation of your name. Professional photographers will also use these name cards to identify the student in each photograph.

    You may pick up your name card in person in 107 Low Library the week prior to Convocation (May 8 and 9, 9:15 am - 6:00 pm; May 10, 9:15 am - 5:00 pm). If you are unable to collect your name card in advance, or have forgotten or lost your name card, you may obtain a copy at the designated table in Lerner Hall on the day of Convocation. Please note that you will receive instructions on how to confirm that your name is correct and to provide a preferred name or pronunciation notes before April 17, 2024. Any graduate who does not have a preprinted card with their preferred name when approaching the stage at Convocation will have their name read by a live reader, and their name will not appear on the jumbotron screens or the video of Convocation.

    Diplomas will be mailed following graduation to the "Diploma (DP) Address" that is on file, based on each graduate’s degree conferral date. Verify or update your DP address on Student Services Online (SSOL). Please contact [email protected] with any additional questions.

    A professional photograph of each degree recipient will be available for purchase from Island Photography, the official event photographer. Island Photography will contact graduates via email in the days following Convocation. To ensure that you receive your link to view and purchase your photograph, please click on the relevant link below to register with Island Photography:

    GSAS Convocations will be livestreamed by the University at this link on the University Commencement website.

    You can find information about Columbia University COVID-19 protocols for Commencement-week events here.