Letter from the Alumni Association Presidents

Dear Fellow Columbia Engineers,

It’s hard to believe, but another academic year is well under way. This fall, Columbia Engineering welcomes the undergraduate Class of 2018 and  a new crop of graduate students. We’re excited to continue working alongside Dean Mary C. Boyce, now in her second year at Columbia Engineering.

It’s truly an exciting time at Columbia Engineering. Whether it’s the growth of the new Institute for Data Sciences and Engineering or the interdisciplinary collaborations occurring in the Northwest Corner Building, every day sees groundbreaking and remarkable happenings at the School. Also, our alumni community has never been more vibrant—alumni from around the globe are reconnecting with the School and with each other through events and programs organized by CEAA, CEYA, and our partners in the Columbia Alumni Association. If you haven’t yet become involved with the School, now’s the time! Regardless of your location, you can access the global Columbia network to make new connections, reconnect with classmates, or support the School.

Lastly, as you know, 2014 marks the 150th anniversary of our School’s founding as the Columbia School of Mines. In February, during Engineering  Week, Dean Boyce, students, alumni, faculty, and staff put on a number of commemorative activities—both on and off campus—to kick off the yearlong anniversary celebration. Spring events, such as the Senior Design Expo, Class Day, and Reunion, were also 150th themed and filled with  heightened excitement as a result. This fall, the celebration will culminate with marquee events around Founder’s Day on November 15. But, between now and then, there will be more events to engage you with the School and the greater University community. In the meantime, please update your contact information in the alumni directory (engineering.columbia.edu/alumni-directory) so you will receive invitations to these events and other communications.

We look forward to seeing you during the fall semester as we kick off another academic year and wrap up the 150th anniversary celebration of Columbia Engineering!

Hitoshi Tanaka
BS’63, MS’65, EngScD’76
President
Columbia Engineering Alumni Association

Whitney Green
BS’10, ’13TC
President
Columbia Engineering Young Alumni