Columbia University is celebrating a range of achievements, from the accomplishments of its Class of 2026 graduates to a historic NCAA championship bid for its Women's Rowing team. The university also spotlighted an alumna's success in media composition and upcoming community events.
Emmy-nominated composer Sara Barone (CC’17) is making her mark in TV and video games, creating music for productions like BBC's Planet Earth III and the Netflix series The Beast in Me. Barone, who began pursuing media composition as an undergraduate, emphasized the importance of New York City as part of her program. Theodore Davidson (BUS’26) advised incoming students to invest in relationships and utilize the city, adding, “give yourself permission to not have everything figured out.”
The CUIMC and NewYork-Presbyterian will host a Cancer Thrivers and Survivors Day on Wednesday, June 10, at 1:00 pm, offering a restorative experience with healing music, art therapy, and support resources. This event aims to connect individuals impacted by cancer, from diagnosis through survivorship.
In a historical note, the original King’s College seal, designed by its first president Samuel Johnson in 1756, disappeared during the Revolutionary War after being sent for use as a model for a new seal. It was eventually recovered in 1910 by George H. Parke, whose grandfather had purchased it, and was bought by the Board of Trustees in 1914 for $250, now residing in the University Archives.
Further celebrating alumni success, Olivia Newman (SOA’12) premiered her new feature film, "Remarkably Bright Creatures," on Netflix on May 8. Additionally, Columbia Women’s Rowing earned its first-ever NCAA Division I Women’s Rowing Championship bid for May 29-31, 2026, a “great accomplishment” according to director Tom Terhaar.