Ping-pong matches filmed live, impromptu poetry written on typewriters and student-designed fashion moving through the halls transformed Columbia’s Student Center into a showcase of student work during celebrations surrounding the investiture of President and CEO Shantay Bolton.
Students from each of the college’s eight schools hosted interactive “activations” highlighting the creative disciplines taught across campus.
“Every institution has its own personality, but this definitely felt uniquely different,” Columbia alum and former trustee Michael Wojcik told the Chronicle. “Every time I come into this building, it’s just full of energy.”
The activations replaced programming that typically takes place during the college’s annual Persistence Scholarship Gala, which raises funds for student scholarships. The gala, originally scheduled for the evening of Bolton’s investiture, was postponed, and organizers incorporated the student showcases into a daylong celebration marking Bolton’s investiture as president, which included a formal ceremony, speeches from alumni and faculty and campus programming.
Each activation was run by students selected by their school to represent the work happening within their majors.
Junior music business major Emma Graveen showcased her work for the School of Business and Entrepreneurship activation, which presented photos and information on artists she helped book events through class projects.
“We typically work with each other, and we work and make work to show our professors or people in our specific fields,” Graveen said. “I think it’s really important to showcase how much we do to people outside of the school, and people outside of our specific profession or our specific program.”
Each school received a $2,500 budget for materials needed for the live programming events. Students who staffed the activations received gift cards.
The School of Fashion took a different approach to its activation, with student designers walking around the Student Center accompanied by a model wearing their work. Jacqueline Franklin, a senior fashion design student, showcased a design inspired by Afro-surrealism.
“We are just here to display some of our work, showing what the creative experience can look like and being a student at Columbia,” Franklin said.
Her design is one of seven outfits that will be displayed in the Manifest fashion show in the spring.
On the first floor of the Student Center, students performed hip-hop freestyles and stage combat routines for the School of Theater and Dance activation.
As part of the School of Design activation, senior game and interactive design major Lisa Creveling showcased a series of video games made by Columbia students, set up for attendees to view and play.
“We wanted to make sure that we’re showcasing different styles of games and making sure that we had a wide breadth to notate that we’re not just working on one type of game,” Creveling said.
Columbia alumni Kiera Ellis came to celebrate the college’s first Black woman president.
“I know that Columbia has had a bit of a tumultuous time over the last decade, so I’m really looking forward to this new chapter,” Ellis said. “I thought the theme of ‘Renaissance Rising’ throughout was very strong and resonant, and it was just amazing to come back to my Columbia roots.”
The live creativity displayed through student activations reminded Ellis of why she chose to go to Columbia and why she continues to stay connected to the community.
“These activations are the best of Columbia,” Ellis said. “It is really amazing to be able to see students working in their element, doing what they do best.”
Copy edited by Venus Tapang
