Vol. 29, No. 16 June 11, 2004 Columbia Celebrates Commencement on 250th Anniversary

BY COLIN MORRIS

t was Columbia’s second rainy commencement in a row. But Ia few showers did nothing to dampen the celebratory spirit of the University’s 250th-anniver- sary graduation, with some 40,000 students, alumni, faculty, family and University guests attending the May 17 ceremony. As each school’s graduates offi- cially received their degrees, stu- dents roared or followed time- honored traditions (SIPA students, for instance, waved their flags of national origin). It was one of the largest classes in Columbia’s his- tory—10,909 candidates partici- pated this year—and the joy was contagious. Columbia granted eight hon- orary degrees and presented the University Medal for Excellence. And in moving recognition of the 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the Universi- ty marked the role played by four civil rights attorneys in the semi- nal Supreme Court ruling: Robert Carter, Oliver Hill, Louis Pollak and Jack Weinstein were all PHOTO BY CHRIS TAGGART awarded honorary degrees. An eagle-eye view from atop Low Library conveyed the enormity and significance of the May 17 commencement ceremonies. (Continued on Page 6) Three Columbians Elected Lenfest Gives $15 Million Gift to Earth Institute

To Prestigious American niversity Trustee Gerry “Our foundation is delighted to Lenfest, Law’58, recent- join in a partnership with Philosophical Society Uly granted a gift of $15 Columbia’s Earth Institute that million to Columbia’s Earth will have a tangible impact and INSIDE Institute. Provided through the bring distinction to Columbia as olumbia’s President the Washington Post Co.; Lenfest Foundation, the gift will a global university.” Lee C. Bollinger, Colin Lucas, vice chancellor of endow the first Earth Institute A prior $15 million gift from CTrustee Gerry Lenfest University of Oxford; and professorship, promote sustain- Lenfest allowed the Law School and Acting Vice President and author and historian David able development, and advance to open a new student residence Dean of the Faculty of Arts McCullough. solutions to two of the most in 2002. and Sciences Ira Katznelson The American Philosophical pressing issues of our time: glob- “Gerry Lenfest’s extraordi- were recently elected members Society, which was estab- al climate change and acute glob- nary new gift addresses two of of the prestigious American lished in 1743 by founding al poverty. his personal priorities that also Philosophical Society. father Benjamin Franklin, is “These are urgent issues, and are of great significance to the This year, the organization the oldest learned society in the world’s leading scientists and University, strengthening top announced 42 new American the United States. Chartered experts will be drawn together by centers of research and making a members and seven foreign for the purpose of “promoting the Earth Institute to find practi- difference in the world today,” members. The inductees were useful knowledge,” early cal solutions,” Lenfest said. said President Lee C. Bollinger. appointed to five classes: members included George “To that end, Columbia and its mathematics and physical sci- Washington, John Adams, world-renowned Earth Institute Queen Elizabeth II ences; biological sciences; Thomas Jefferson, Thomas are uniquely positioned to wed social sciences; humanities; Paine, James Madison and honors the Marconi science and public policy to Foundation presi- and the arts, professions and John Marshall. solve some of the world’s most 3 dent, John Jay Iselin. leaders in public and private Other notable members have complex and daunting environ- affairs. The society honored included John James Audubon, mental problems.” both Bollinger and Lenfest, Robert Fulton, Charles Darwin, “With the Lenfest Foundation Students garner chairman of the Lenfest Foun- Thomas Edison, Albert Ein- as a strong and generous partner, $110,000 in awards dation (see story, this page), stein, Robert Frost and George the Earth Institute aspires to pro- 4 at Columbia Univer- for their lifetime accomplish- Marshall. vide practical and timely sity Film Festival. ments as leaders in public and Today the society has 909 answers to some of the world’s private affairs and Katznelson elected members, 765 of them most pressing problems,” Earth College Dean Austin for his contributions to social from the United States and Institute Director Jeffrey Sachs sciences. 144 from more than two dozen Quigley discusses his said. “Our scientific base is very new book. Other members elected this foreign countries, representing strong, our network is wide and 5 year include Stephen Breyer, the leading thinkers of the deep throughout the world, and associate justice, Supreme times. Since 1900, more than our New York base is ideal for Top researchers Court of the United States; 200 members of the society global consensus building. We gather at Lerner for Donald Graham, chairman have been awarded the Nobel are grateful to Gerry Lenfest for 12 “Brain and Mind” and chief executive officer of Prize. symposium. Gerry Lenfest (Continued on Page 8)