Across the back wall of the Conaway Center, at 1104 S. Wabash Ave., a new mural depicting legs walking on their next path illuminates the space. Surrounding the legs are the two women who founded Columbia, Mary Blood and Ida Riley, along with vibrant flowers, a CTA train and a group of students.
The mural was unveiled on Tuesday, Feb. 11 during an anniversary party hosted by the college.
Mac McGuire, a 2024 graduate who painted the mural, hoped to capture the idea of growth and blooming in her piece. To do so, she highlighted a literal “path forward” to depict where Columbia came from and what’s in store for the future.
“I think it’s a really big deal to have made it 135 years in the city of Chicago with how many competitive universities there are. It’s a really, really exciting thing,” McGuire told the Chronicle.
At the event, which had about 70 people in attendance, McGuire described her experiences in the city and at Columbia, tying it back to lessons she had learned along the way and expressing gratitude for her time at the college.
“I have been privileged, and I have truly enjoyed everything that I have learned, but the mural that we are here today to celebrate was actually my first mural as the lead artist,” she explained. “So saying that, it’s a very, very big deal for me and I could not have been more honored to be a part of it.”
Jenna Davis, president of the Student Government Association, who also spoke at the event, expressed the importance of celebrating this milestone for the college.
“It’s something that we need to celebrate, especially because there has been a rich history of creatives within those 135 years, so I’m excited to especially celebrate that now,” Davis said.
In her speech, Davis mentioned how proud she was to be a student here, in a “one of a kind” community that fosters creativity and has an impressive student body.
“No matter what year it is at Columbia, each deserves to be celebrated. This institution would not be the amazing colorful place it is without each and every student. So as we celebrate the college this year, let us celebrate the talent that is flourishing every day in each and every classroom. “
Other speakers included interim President and CEO Jerry Tarrer, Lamont J. Robinson, alderman of the 4th Ward and Senior Vice President and Provost Marcella David.
During Tarrer’s speech, he reminded the attendees that Columbia was founded for creatives who “see the world as it is and instead imagine the world as it could be” and added that this framework of thinking is needed today.
“We’re particularly proud of the fact that for so many years this institution has made accessible a creative education to students from less privileged social economic backgrounds that many of whom otherwise might not have had the opportunity to pursue a career in the creative industries,” Tarrer told the audience.
When Robinson took the stage, he encouraged a round of applause for the “ long lasting legacy of creativity and excellence” that Columbia has fostered for 135 years. He continued on to say how grateful he is that in a “challenging” world there is an intuition as world renowned and diverse as Columbia.
“I have no doubt that Columbia will continue to build on the legacy it has created as a leader in the world of fine arts and social justice, and I hope it will serve as a beacon for those looking for encouragement, hope, direction, and inspiration,” Robinson said.
The anniversary celebration took place in the midst of a challenging time for Columbia, which is facing declining enrollment and a $17 million deficit. In December, the college’s Board of Trustees voted to merge or eliminate nearly half of its academic programs, and in January, the college announced that 23 full-time faculty would be laid off at the end of the spring semester, a historic dismissal that is part of a major overhaul of academic programs.
But like her fellow speakers, David echoed a sense of pride for Columbia, adding how creatives can help “design solutions” for problems in the world and find ways to effectively communicate.
“I’m really proud of Columbia College Chicago for being a space where that can happen,” David said. “I’m really proud of Columbia College’s tradition and history over 135 years of reinventing itself time and time again to meet new challenges and new opportunities.”
Marty Kane, a Columbia alum and business systems analyst for Enrollment Management, reflected fondly on his time at Columbia. Though a lot has changed since he graduated in 2006, he is grateful for Columbia’s role in shaping who he is today.
“It feels important to celebrate the milestone, the history that we heard today, but also our student work, like we heard from our muralist, just to really put celebration behind, not the number, but the people and what we’re trying to do moving forward and what this place means for us and for the city of Chicago,” Kane said.
For Katherine Lewis, a 2011 graduate, Columbia helped her have real world experiences even as a student. As for the 135th anniversary, Lewis saw it as a sign of growth.
“Honestly, I think it shows how much Columbia has staying power, that it has weathered the storms and I mean it started in such an untraditional way with two women starting the college back when women barely had any kind of rights and we’ve been through a lot of different transformations over the years, but it’s still a pillar and something that folks look to, so I think the 135th celebration just kind of solidifies our presence even more.”
Copy edited by Manuel Nocera
Resumen en Español:
Columbia celebró su 135º aniversario con la inauguración de un mural que simboliza el crecimiento y la creatividad, realizado por la exalumna Mac McGuire. Oradores, incluyendo líderes de la escuela y exalumnos, destacaron el legado de innovación artística y resiliencia de Columbia.
A pesar de los desafíos financieros, el evento resaltó el impacto duradero de la institución. Los exalumnos reflexionaron sobre su papel en la formación de carreras, y Katherine Lewis enfatizó su presencia perdurable y su capacidad de adaptación a lo largo del tiempo.
Resumen en Español por Manuel Nocera
Texto editado por Doreen Abril Albuerne Rodriguez
