Convocation

Convocation

2021 Ceremony Dates

GSAS will hold our virtual Convocation ceremonies for master’s and doctoral students virtually on Thursday, April 29, 2021. After the ceremonies are broadcast, full recordings will remain available online for you, your family, and your friends to view. Each graduate will have the opportunity to be recognized with an official downloadable slide featuring your photo, which can be shared on social media.

A second broadcast of the Master's Convocation, to include all master’s students whose degrees are conferred on June 30, will occur on June 30, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. EDT. A second broadcast of the Doctoral Convocation, to include any remaining doctoral students whose degrees are conferred in May 2021 and all doctoral students whose degrees are conferred on June 30, will follow at 10:00 a.m. EDT.

April 2021 GSAS Convocation June 2021 GSAS Convocation 2021 University Commencement
Thursday, April 29 Wednesday, June 30 Friday, April 30
  • Master's Convocation Ceremony: 9:00 a.m. EDT
  • Doctoral Convocation Ceremony: 10:00 a.m. EDT

University Commencement: 10:30 a.m. EDT

Annual Awards

An important part of our Convocation ceremonies is the recognition of the recipients of the Graduate School's annual awards.

Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching

Daniella Cádiz Bedini
Graduate Teaching Fellow and PhD Candidate
Department of English and Comparative Literature

Miguel Ángel Garrido
Graduate Teaching Fellow and PhD Candidate
Department of Statistics

Christopher Medina-Kirchner
Graduate Teaching Fellow and PhD Candidate
Department of Psychology

Columbia University Faculty Mentoring Award

Jenny Davidson
Professor of English and Comparative Literature
Department of English and Comparative Literature

Joseph A. Massad
Professor of Modern Arab Politics and Intellectual History
Department of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies 

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. PhD student Christopher Medina-Kirchner (’21 MPhil, Psychology; ’17 Columbia Bridge to PhD) has been selected as this year’s recipient because of his demonstrated and consistent accomplishments in and across all of the areas recognized by this award.

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. The GSAS recipient for 2021 is:

Elise Myers
PhD Candidate in Earth and Environmental Sciences

How do I verify my eligibility?

All students who meet the criteria described below are eligible to participate in University Commencement.

PhD/DMA students: You are eligible to participate in the April 2021 Doctoral Convocation Ceremony if:

  • your degree was already conferred in October 2020 or February 2021, or
  • you expect your degree to be conferred in May 2021

You are eligible to participate in the June 2021 Doctoral Convocation Ceremony if:

  • you meet the criteria for the April 2021 Doctoral Convocation Ceremony, or
  • your degree is conferred in May 2021, or
  • you expect your degree to be conferred in June 2021 

MA students: You are eligible to participate in the April 2021 Master’s Convocation Ceremony if:

  • your degree was already conferred in October 2020 or February 2021, or
  • you expect your degree to be conferred in May 2021 and you have already filed an application for the MA with the Registrar

You are eligible to participate in the June 2021 Master’s Convocation Ceremony if:

  • you meet the criteria for the April 2021 Master’s Convocation Ceremony, or
  • your degree is conferred in May 2021, or
  • you expect your degree to be conferred in June 2021 and you have already filed an application for the MA with the Registrar

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

Do I need to order regalia?

Academic regalia is not required to participate in the GSAS Convocation and University Commencement virtual ceremonies.

  • Master’s students who wish to purchase regalia can order online directly through Oakhall by Thursday, April 1. A limited amount of regalia is in-stock for purchasing.
  • Doctoral degree students who wish to rent regalia can order online directly through Oakhall by Thursday, April 1. A limited amount of regalia may be reserved through April 17 without incurring a late fee; please email bkscolumbia [at] bncollege.com (Tom Spalango) at the Columbia Bookstore to make necessary arrangements.
  • The Columbia Bookstore has guaranteed that all regalia orders will be refunded upon request as long as it is unopened. Please contact the bkscolumbia [at] bncollege.com (Columbia Bookstore) to initiate this refund and for all additional questions.
Why are the ceremonies being held online this year?

Due to COVID-19, all Columbia University class days must take place online. GSAS will hold our virtual Convocation ceremonies for master’s and doctoral students on Thursday, April 29. After the ceremonies are broadcast, full recordings will remain available online for family and friends to view.We are planning this online celebration of 2021 graduates so that you may share this important milestone with your family, friends, and community.

How can I obtain my Columbia University Class of 2021 Grad Kit?

The University is offering each member of the Class of 2021 an official graduation kit. Each kit will include a University-branded pennant, photo booth props, decorative mortarboard toppers, a face mask, and a commemorative 2021 tassel. You can download the digital portions of the kit here, and submit this form to receive the rest of the kit by mail.

How can I watch the ceremony?

The MA ceremony can be viewed here, and the PhD ceremony can be viewed here.

View the digital booklet for the master's ceremony here.

For viewers in China, all videos will be available on Panopto at the following links: