Columbia Grad Grams

   "Confidence and humility cannot be taught, but can be learned. Know that you will make mistakes in life, as we all do, but learn from them through careful thought. You will slowly acquire wisdom thereby, which in turn will lead you to success."

-Ben Janowski '59CC

You have done it! What seemed impossible is now a fond memory. But keep pressing on because you have a duty now that no one ever warned you about: you now have a duty to be of service to someone else with the gift you have been given. Because we stood and stand on the shoulders of giants, it's your duty to lift as you climb. No one goes it alone. Welcome to the Pride. 

-Shondrea Thornton '15CC

You don't have to leave the Columbia gates knowing exactly where you're going. Don't be afraid to let new knowledge and experiences change the path you thought you would be on. 

-Liz Orozco '16CC

Never give up on your dreams. Stay focused and they will come true. 

-Audrey Douglas '17SPS

Go out on a limb. It will fill you with uncertainty today and reward you with conviction tomorrow. 

-Max Taffel '08CC

Take a breath to explore your passions. You will do great things! 

-Connie Qiu '11SEAS

Be excited about yourself and what you have to give, grow and explore. Discover and stay true to your authentic self. You will be surrounded by peers doing great things. You will do great things too. Honoring your own journey is the best way to get to where you want to go. 

-Jessica L. Johnson '11CC

Take advantage of every opportunity presented to you. Always be the best person you can be. Stay true to who you are. 

-Danielle Alio '16JRN

Never live someone else's life. Make your life decisions based on your own interests, passions and dreams. It won't be easy, but eventually you'll be where you want to be. 

-F. A. '12CC

When you graduate from Columbia, which i did in 1970, be sure you get a job that you will love, not just make money at, this is the key to everlasting contentment. if you don't love it, then you've got to leave it.

-Ned Cherry '70, '71GSAPP

With your incredible intellect, ambition, diligence, and a little bit of luck, you have graduated from a superb university. Pride in this accomplishment will carry you for the rest of your life. Congrats!

-Maureen Pflum '84GSAS

No matter what happens, do not give up on your hopes, dreams, and passions!

-Joel Mintz '70CC, '82, '89LAW

As you make your first foray into the workforce, don't be afraid of failure. Appreciate how little you know about how to do your new job and use that to ask as many questions as possible. Relish and grow comfortable with the unknown and seek to learn as much as possible as you immerse yourself in a new experience.

-Rowland Yang '11CC

Dear Columbia new graduates: Now that you have graduated from this prestigious ivy league university, you are entering a new world. Stay true to your identity and high qualities, such as good work ethic, honesty, and kindness. Remember to share all of this with the world.

- Brian Tabaroki '10GSAPP; CEO, Candelabra Group

There are erasers on pencils for a reason. Go forward without fear!

-Lois Jackson '73BC, '77, '80DM

Congratulations, Graduates, and welcome to the world of Columbia Alumni! Be Successful, Be Plentiful, Be Conscientious, and Be Intelligent. BUT, please also be compassionate caretakers of our Earth, considerate fellow citizens of all Americans, respectful cohabitants to and co-workers with all other humans of Earth in all nations. You will be remembered by what you leave behind -- so, start thinking forward NOW! Thank you, and congratulations!!!

-James Sharp '88BUS

Do the things that should be done, when they should be done, without being asked or told to do them.

-Dave Palamar '92BUS

Begin your days in the greater world pursuing what you really want to do, not what you think you ought to do

-Donald Lindeman '76GSAS

Always be courageous and willing to advocate for yourself like you would advocate for your clients. You are important and your clients and allies depend on you; how well you take care of yourself and stick up for your own rights and well-being impacts everyone around you.

 -Paul Busby '16SW

Champion team work and acknowledge contributions of other people.

-Karen Serafin Rockoff '86BUS

Never be afraid to re-invent: especially yourself! You will not be the same person in 5 years 10 years, 50 years that you are today. Embrace that possibility of growth and change. Write down today what you think you'll be doing on your 30th birthday -- open it then and have good laugh. Best of luck in all you strive to do.

-Karen Lacovara Patterson '91CC

If it feeds you and your family, do it.  If it feeds you but doesn't feed your soul...do it until you find something that does. 

-Saira Hamidi '06GSAS

When you look for a job, identify a good boss or mentor who will teach you. More than the company you work at, or the designation they give you, it's the people you learn from who are more important.

-Indrani Basu '14JRN

Communicate, it is the blood of every functioning society.

-Erzen Sogut '13SIPA

As you go through life you will seek to fit in with all kinds of social and professional groups. Being part of something like a cause, a team, or a group is important in the life of every person.  However, you should always remember that you should never let others define who you are. In the end, only you can define yourself.

-P.J. Louis '81SEAS

Establish a goal of lifelong learning. Rapid growth in AI and robotics are changing the shape of the economy and require individuals to be flexible and agile.

-MJ Shores '93SIPA

Congratulations. If you want something, go for it and don't give up. You will attain your goal.

-Martin Stahl '57GSAS

Make sure you keep your relationships built over your time at Columbia in fresh contact. Remember, working together, You can accomplish whatever you plan to achieve! Friendship is essential to the soul!

-Zachary Husser '73CC

If you keep the faith with your desires and goals, you may not end up where you now expect, but you will arrive where your desires take you.

-Thomas Wm. Hamilton '60CC

Stay positive, you will undoubtedly have negative events that affect your life but don't let them deter you from achieving the goals that you set for yourself.

-Ira McCown '68CC

Don't be afraid to ASK--either about something you don't know or are not sure of, about an idea you have that you think would improve the environment you work in, and FOR things--you'll be surprised by how many people say yes.I can help you with that. Internships and jobs are often what you make of them.

-Sonia Sasson-Forzano '81SW

Be recognized for having really mastered something worthwhile before you hit forty, then self-esteem will take care of itself, so will most everything else.

-Jason Gettinger '67LAW

Feel empowered to take on your next challenge whatever it may be! Don't forget to enjoy yourself in the process! You've earned it!

-Donna MacPhee '89CC

Stay true to yourself. Don't be afraid to think differently and offer opinions of dissent. Most breakthroughs come from disagreeing with the status quo. Remain ever vigilante to create a a life your future self desires to live.

-Cheryl Westbrook '91BUS

Make sure you always care about the health of this nation and the world!

-Kris Krail '79PH

Keep rereading the Core.

-Dan Davidson '57CC, '59LAW

Enjoy your life. Do something you love. Life is too short to be unhappy.

-Wendy Weill '76SEAS

Whatever you do, do things which you are passionate about and remember the race is not always won by the swiftest but by the one who continues to plod along.

-Peter Broido '63CC

Never stop learning. Years at school have taught you how to learn, or at least how to study. With this down, you can continue to either teach yourself, or find others ways of learning. The world doesn't stop changing once you get out of school, and will continue to present things to be mastered, solved, conquered and enjoyed. Also, if you haven't yet made learning your best friend, it's not too late to do so. Keeping up with events at school, in the city and elsewhere is one way to continue to expand horizons. The more you get to meet people with narrower horizons, the more you'll come to realize how valuable a resource this particular school is, one not to be dropped just because of a little graduation.

-Mary Riley '78LAW

Follow your heart. Be courageous. Be your beautiful self. This beloved earth needs you, as do all who live here.I may never know your name or face, but I am grateful you are here, an architect of a peaceful present and a bright future.

-Noelle King '84SIPA, '85GSAS

Congratulations on your achievements. Be proud of yourself with a lot of humility but with self respect. Embrace your successes and learn from your failures. Remember nothing is permanent so be strong and stable. Have daily moments of silence with yourself and never forget your true identity, your permanent imperishable being. Have a great journey full of happiness, love and peace.

-Naji Sayegh '83SEAS

1. Learn a second and/or a third language by taking an immersion course and keep using it resolutely until you have demonstrated effort and respect to listeners/employees.

2. Take at least one job/posting overseas - - and not just in a 'comfortable' country.

3. Engage in the foreign business and show that you ENJOY/RESPECT it.

4. Learn something of the language and culture - - respect and enjoy it.

5. Never forget your task is to "build the business" and develop a local successor.

ENJOY IT ALL.

-Martin L.B. Walter '61BUS

Use your education as the start of a lifetime of adventure. Find success in areas that you love with a passion. Get paid to do stuff you really enjoy. Seek new places to explore. Your adventure is just starting.

-Janet Widell '67NRS

Press on through the press regardless of the pressure because this moment is not your life. It's just a moment in your life.

-Edna Simbi '16GS, '16SIPA

Life is the opposite of school. No one is out to reward you for being smart. From here on out, it's diligence and networking that matter. Smart can be made to serve you or drive you and everyone around you crazy: that choice is yours.

-Dan Morenoff '96CC

Be yourself.

-Jobin Kadapurath '17SPS

Congratulations! Welcome to the wonderful world of social work. Have confidence that your Columbia training and degree has true value in the world of work. Venture into territories you find most challenging - there you will find the most growth and knowledge. All the best to you in the journey ahead.

-Julie Ridge '94SW

Don't let the ideology of the day close your mind to contrasting positions. Even if you're sure they're wrong, there's no harm in hearing them out.

-John Liftin '67LAW

Never give up on your dreams but you persist with a strong work ethic for them to come true.

-Gabriel Kerr '12CC

Take full advantage of your contacts -- friends, acquaintances, as well as family. You never know when a conversation can lead to great things.

-Jim Bryant '62JRN