Countless Columbia Engineering 2025 reunion attendees posing for a photo with a flag that reads "2015"

Alumni

Reunion 2025: Catching Up and Looking Back

Columbia Engineering alumni return to campus to reconnect with classmates and the School, sharing milestones and memories.

June 13, 2025

Columbia Engineering alumni from around the country and around the world came to Morningside Campus to celebrate Columbia Reunion from May 29 to June 1. 

The weekend of dinners, faculty presentations, and networking gatherings, brought together more than 500 alumni, from the Class of 1960 to the Class of 2020.

On Thursday, May 29, Reunion kicked off with the Engineering Dean’s Alumni Welcome Dinner and Columbia Engineering Alumni Association (CEAA) Awards Presentation. 

Each year, the CEAA awards three medals of distinction: the Michael Pupin Medal, the Thomas Egleston Medal, and the Samuel Johnson Medal. Following a reception, guests heard speeches from the three winners at a dinner in the Rotunda Low Library. Acting President Claire Shipman CC’86 SIPA ‘94 attended the event and presented the Pupin Medal. Thursday evening also featured Class welcome receptions and meet-ups. 

The Reunion agenda included an All Years Reception, a special reception for master’s and doctoral students, a party at Chelsea Piers, as well as featured faculty talks, including a panel on education in the age of AI, a lecture on quantum computing, and a tour of the Columbia Plasma Physics Laboratory. On Saturday, May 30, the Society of Columbia Graduates hosted its Great Teachers Awards reception. Special Class Receptions included the Golden Lions Class of 1975 reception for alumni celebrating the 50th anniversary of their graduation from Columbia Engineering. Each alum received a Golden Lions pin, which marked their entry into the Golden Lions Society. 

Scenes from a Memorable Weekend

Credit: Columbia University

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Four people dressed in semi-formal attire posing for a photo
Three CEAA awards medals resting in red boxes atop a table
Reunion officially kicked off with the Engineering Dean’s Alumni Welcome Dinner and CEAA Awards Presentation.
An alum shares his Class Day photo with Dean Chang at the CEAA Awards Dinner reception.
An alum shares his Class Day photo with Dean Chang at the CEAA Awards Dinner reception.
John Szymanski receiving a pin in his jacket lapel from CEAA President Reid Ellison
At the pre-dinner reception, CEAA President Reid Ellison BS’08 presented the Crossed Hammer award to John Szymanski, Class of 1980, for distinguished service to the CEAA.
Zvi Galil standing at a podium and addressing a crowded banquet hall.
Computer scientist Zvi Galil, dean emeritus of Columbia Engineering, received the Michael Pupin Medal. (L to R: Galil, Shipman, Ellison, Pupin Committee Chair Melissa McInerney BS’02, MS’05; and Dean Chang)
Columbia Engineering Dean Shih-Fu Chang, Thomas Caulfield, Ana Rodriguez, and Reid Ellison posing for a photo
GlobalFoundries Executive Chairman to the board of directors Thomas Caulfied BS’82, MS’84, EngScD’86 received the Thomas Egleston Medal. (L to R: Dean Chang, Dr. Caulfield, Egleston Committee Chair Ana Rodriguez BS’86, MS’88; and Ellison)
Shih-Fu Chang, Savio Tung, Dan Libby, and Reid Ellison posing for a photo
Savio Tung BS’73, chairman of Investcorp Technology Partners, received the Samuel Johnson Medal. (L to R: Dean Chang, Tung, past President of CEAA Board of Managers Dan Libby BS’82, MS’84; and Ellison)
10 people posing for a photo at a dinner table adorned with flowers, candles, and drink glasses
Seven alums of Columbia's chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers posing for a photo
Alumni of Columbia’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers reconnected at the CEAA Awards Dinner. Pictured with Prof. Christine Hendon (far left).
Columbia Engineering alums eating finger food and conversing around a table
Alumni at the All Class Reception on Friday.
Five Columbia Engineering alums posing for a photo in front of a Columbia Engineering backdrop. Each of them holds up number signs to read "2000"
Two people posing for a photo
Columbia Engineering Dean Shih-Fu Chang standing at a podium in a crowded room
On Saturday, Dean Chang presented updates on the School at the Dean’s Breakfast and State of the Union address.
Four Columbia Engineering alumni sitting around a table and posing for a photo
Six people standing around a table with flowers and drink glasses
A big screen reads "The Class of 2035: Reimagining Education in the Age of AI" in front of a crowded auditorium
Attendees gathered for a discussion on preparing the next generation of learners in the age of AI with Vishal Mirsra, vice dean of computing and AI and professor of computer science, and Matthew Connelly, vice dean for AI initiatives.
Bonnie Silvera, Hardeep Johar, and Dan Libby posing for a photo in front of a window looking out at trees. Hardeep holds the Great Teacher Award trophy
Hardeep Johar, senior lecturer in industrial engineering and operations research, received the Great Teacher Award from the Society of Columbia Graduates. (L to R: CEAA Board member and Johnson Medal Committee Chair Bonnie Silvera BS’97, Johar, and Libby)
22 Columbia Engineering class of 1975 alums posing for a photo
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