In honor of Columbia’s 20th University President Minouche Shafik, there is a small exhibition in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library’s Chang Octagon on the traditions related to the installation ceremony. The “Charter and Keys” exhibition highlights the two symbols in the transfer of power: incoming presidents receive a copy of the 1754 Charter of […]
Category: Columbia University Archives
Installation Sights and Sounds
As the Columbia community prepares for the installation of President Minouche Shafik on Wednesday, October 4, we can look back to see and hear her predecessors’ ceremonies. The Columbia University Libraries’ Time-Based Media Initiative focused on converting to digital those at-risk, unique audio and moving image content on analog media. From the Columbia University historical […]
In Between Inaugurations
It’s been 21 years since President Lee C. Bollinger was installed as Columbia University’s President in October 2002. In anticipation of the inauguration of Columbia’s 20th University President, Minouche Shafik, on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, we look back to when the Columbia community waited an even longer time in between these community celebrations. […]
Special Event (9/19) Amitav Ghosh on the Low Family and the Opium Trade
Please Join the Columbia University Libraries and the Columbia University and Slavery Project for a conversation with author Amitav Ghosh on his forthcoming book, Smoke and Ashes: Opium’s Hidden Histories, which traces the linkages between the Low family’s participation in the opium trade and their leadership of Columbia University. […]
Presidential Installations 101
President Minuoche Shafik will be installed as Columbia’s 20th President at the ceremony scheduled on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. As Columbia gets ready to come together for President Shafik’s inauguration, we look back at the history and traditions of this ritual. […]