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Class of 2010 Parties at Senior Dinner
A massive tent on South Field was the site of the annual Senior Dinner, where nearly 1,000 soon-to-be graduates celebrated after their final day of
classes. Dean Michele Moody-Adams channeled her inner Billy Crystal and told the seniors, “You look mah-velous!”
Photos: Carlos Aloya
Nearly 1,000 members of the
Class of 2010 marked their
last day of classes by getting
dressed up and partying in a
huge tent on South Field at the Senior
Dinner on May 3, renewing what has
become one of the most joyous traditions
of graduation month. Dean Michele
Moody-Adams, who experienced the
raucous dinner for the first time, drew
laughs and cheers by reminding attendees,
“Columbia College Class of 2010, I
have two words for you: swim test.”
As the seniors whooped and hollered,
Adam Bulkley ’10, chair of the Columbia
College Senior Fund, proudly announced
that the Class of 2010 had set a record not
just for Columbia but for all Ivy League
liberal arts colleges with a participation
rate of 92.5 percent, a figure that climbed
to 92.7 percent by Class Day. By surpassing
its goal of 91 percent, the Class of
2010 earned a matching gift of $50,000
from Board of Visitors member Charles
Santoro ’82.
Class President Cliff Massey ’10 welcomed
the seniors to the dinner, which
was co-chaired by Ruqayyah Abdul-
Karim ’10 and Robyn Burgess ’10. Student
Council President Sue Yang ’10 introduced
the dean, and Brian C. Krisberg
’81, chair of the CC Alumni Association,
added brief remarks.
Community Impact Honors Wittens
Columbia’s Community Impact and its students presented the eighth annual
“Making a Difference” Service Award to University Trustees Vice-Chair
Richard Witten ’75 and his wife, Elizabeth ’97 TC, at its 18th annual Spring
Benefit Auction, which was held on May 10 at JP Morgan Chase in midtown.
Witten is senior managing director of The Orienta Group, an investment and
advisory firm. His wife is an Executive Committee member of the Hunter College
Foundation and a director of the Fresh Air Fund. CI honored the Wittens
for their “steadfast support of CI and their efforts to support education, public
health and social services in the Columbia community.” Said Witten at the ceremony,
“Community Impact is a core part of a Columbia education and a core
part of Columbia’s responsibility to our neighbors. It’s not just altruism; it’s life
experience.”
Through CI, 900 Columbia and Barnard students are directly improving the
lives of more than 8,000 low-income residents of Harlem, Washington Heights
and Morningside Heights. All proceeds from the event benefited Community
Impact’s programs. To learn more, visit www.columbia.edu/cu/ci.
Left to right, President Lee C. Bollinger; Sonia Reese, executive
director, Community Impact; Richard Witten ’75;
Elizabeth Witten ’97 TC; and University Trustee Emeritus
George Van Amson ’74, CI board member and master of
ceremonies.
PHOTO: MICHAEL DAMES
july/august 2010
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