Congratulations to the Class of 2020!
Class of 2020 Award Winners
Valedictorian and Illig Prize – Emma Schechter
Salutatorian – Pranav Shrestha
George Vincent Wendell Prize – Albert Tai
Morton B. Friedman Memorial Prize for Excellence – Negar Reiskarimian
Graduate Student Life Leadership Awards – Ashritha Eadara and Sheila Misheni
Doctoral Graduate Student Life Leadership Award – Christopher Mosher
Faculty Award Winners
Edward and Carole Kim Award for Faculty Involvement -
Shiho Kawashima, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics
Janette and Armen Avanessians Diversity Award -
Allie Obermeyer, Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering
Columbia Engineering’s Class of 2020 gathered virtually May 18 and 20 for a Class Day and Commencement unlike any in the university’s history. Watching worldwide with family and friends, the new graduates marked the milestone with remarks from peers, faculty, and Class Day keynote speaker Ya-Qin Zhang, a pioneer in online video as both engineer and executive.
“My young friends, this is the defining moment for you extraordinary Columbia engineers to rise, to shine and to answer the historic call of duty,” said Zhang, formerly chair of Microsoft China and head of Baidu Inc. “With not only your talent, spark and innovations, but also compassion, courage and humanity.”
Viewers heard reflections from class president Sambhav Jain, valedictorian Emma Schechter and longtime Engineering Graduate Student Council leader Arvind Srinivasan, in addition to Dean Mary C. Boyce and Columbia University President Lee Bollinger. Plus, Senior Vice Dean Souleymane Kachani and Vice Dean Barclay Morrison highlighted recipients of the School’s most prestigious awards.
“You entered Columbia as among the best and brightest of your generation,” Boyce said. “We can’t wait to see what you do!”
Scroll down to watch the Class Day Ceremonies on YouTube.
Check out the celebration on social media
Watch faculty congratulate the Class of 2020
Congratulations Class of 2020
Read about how our graduates plan to SEAS the World
Watch the Class Day ceremony on Youtube
Columbia Engineering honored the Class of 2020 at Virtual Commencement Ceremonies on Monday, May 18 at 10 a.m. EDT.
Columbia Engineering Class Day 2020: Undergraduate Degrees
Columbia Engineering Class Day 2020: Graduate Degrees
Watch the Columbia University Commencement ceremony on Youtube
Columbia University Commencement 2020