Columbia University has announced its 2026 award recipients, recognizing students, faculty, and distinguished individuals for their leadership, teaching excellence, and contributions to the university and society, alongside details for this year's commencement ceremonies.
Nineteen graduating students received the Campbell Award for exceptional leadership and Columbia spirit, honoring the legacy of Bill Campbell. Additionally, eight faculty and graduate student instructors were honored with Presidential Awards for Outstanding Teaching, acknowledging their significant impact on students' intellectual growth.
On May 20, Columbia will confer honorary degrees to distinguished individuals for their scholarly, artistic, or societal contributions, along with the University Medal for Excellence. Alumni Medalists were also recognized for their efforts in building the Columbia community. George Deodatis received the Faculty Mentoring Award, and Elora Mukherjee was honored with the Faculty Service Award for her contributions to inclusion and belonging.
This year's University Commencement will take place on the Morningside campus across two ceremonies. This format echoes a tradition from 100 years ago, in 1926, when Columbia first celebrated Commencement as "an out of doors exercise."