Winning Teams

MakeCU’s first-place winning team, Dormmate.
MakeCU’s first-place winning team, Dormmate.
The second-place winning team, Sator.
The second-place winning team, Sator.
Third-place winning team, AutoDump.
Third-place winning team, AutoDump.
Judges from MakeCU’s Hackathon, from left to right: Josh Elijah, CEO and Founder of BotBlox, Ali Al-Bustami from Robify, Tony Dear, senior lecturer in the CS department at Columbia, and David Watkins, research scientist at the RAI Institute.
Judges from MakeCU’s Hackathon, from left to right: Josh Elijah, CEO and Founder of BotBlox, Ali Al-Bustami from Robify, Tony Dear, senior lecturer in the CS department at Columbia, and David Watkins, research scientist at the RAI Institute.
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This year’s winners all received electronic prizes. Find out more information about the MakeCU submissions here. 

Lead Photo Caption: First place-winning team, Dormmate. The team’s smart doorbell system allows you to remotely unlock your door, even when you’re not home.

Lead Photo Credit: Columbia University Robotics

Highlights from Orientation Week

Credit: Tim Lee Photography/ Diane Bondereff/ Columbia Engineering

students, vp, and dean in photo
stars and columbia university pennant
new students
first day event
panel speakers
engineering student leaders
group of students on columbia university campus
seas alumni
deans and faculty
dean shi fu chang addressing
columbia campus at night
passing out beanies
class throwing beanies in the air
new students holding IDs
student speaker
student speaker
beanies
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Academic Assembly

Columbia Engineering’s Academic Assembly held Aug. 27 marked the start of the academic journey for the engineering Class of 2029. Also known as the “Beanie Ceremony,” students receive a custom “Class of 2029” beanie as a part of a longstanding tradition. “First-years in the engineering school had to wear their beanies all year until they weren't first-years anymore,” said Vice Dean Morrison. “We won't make you do that, though. Wear them today. Maybe hold on to them, pull them out at graduation. It'll be a fun memento of your time here.”

The assembly also featured remarks from Assistant Professor of Computer Science Brian A. Smith, recent alum Alex Moreno BS’23, MS’24, and the Engineering Student Council President Janie Zhang BS’26. They each offered words of advice for the first-year students. 

“Columbia presents so many opportunities for you to discover your niche, but you have to take advantage of them to reap the rewards,” said Moreno, who was the School’s 2023 Campbell Award recipient. “I wouldn't be where I am today without approaching every day with curiosity and the motivation to learn more about what I could do with my education.” 

“[Engineering for Humanity] means that we as engineers have a responsibility to the planet and the people we build for,” advised Zhang as she closed off the assembly. “In practice, it looks like staying informed, being curious, asking hard questions – even if you might not know or like the answer –  and most of all, staying empathetic.” 

The day before Academic Assembly, Columbia Engineering also welcomed transfer and combined plan students to campus in a special ceremony. 

Caption:  Columbia Engineering Dean Shih-Fu Chang and Senior Vice Dean of Academic Programs Barclay Morrison III take a selfie with new graduate students. 

Credit: Tim Lee Photography/Columbia Engineering 

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