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'{{Short description|Undergraduate school of Columbia University in New York City}}{{Infobox college | image = Columbia University School of General Studies logo.png | established = 1947 | type = [[Private school|Private]] | name = School of General Studies <br/> Columbia University | caption = [[Heraldry of Columbia University|Coat of arms]] | motto = ''Lux in Tenebris Lucet''<ref name="ReferenceA">http://gs.columbia.edu/gs-at-a-glance</ref> | mottoeng = The light that shines in the darkness | country = [[United States|U.S.]] | students = 2,603 (Fall 2019) | affiliations = [[Albert A. List College]] ([[Jewish Theological Seminary of America]]), [[Sciences Po]], [[Trinity College Dublin]], [[Tel Aviv University]], and [[City University of Hong Kong]] | campus = Morningside Heights Campus,<br>urban, {{convert|36|acre|km2 sqmi}} | website = https://gs.columbia.edu/ | dean = Lisa Rosen-Metsch | address = 408 Lewisohn Hall | logo = [[File:Columbia University School of General Studies logo.svg|300px]] | city = New York City }} The '''School of General Studies, Columbia University''' ('''GS''') is a [[liberal arts college]] and one of the [[undergraduate]] [[colleges]] of [[Columbia University]], situated on the university's main campus in [[Morningside Heights]], [[Borough (New York City)|New York City]].<ref>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/columbia-university-2707</ref> GS is known primarily for its B.A. degree program for non-traditional students, such as those who have had an academic break of at least one year or are pursuing dual-degrees. GS students make up almost 30% of the Columbia undergraduate population (including [[Columbia College (New York)|Columbia College]], the [[Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science|School of Engineering and Applied Sciences]], and GS). GS offers dual-degree programs with several leading universities around the world.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=School of General Studies|url=https://gs.columbia.edu/}}</ref> It offers dual degrees with [[List College]] of the [[Jewish Theological Seminary of America|Jewish Theological Seminary]], [[Sciences Po]] in France, [[Trinity College Dublin]] in Ireland, [[Tel Aviv University]] in Israel, and [[City University of Hong Kong]].<ref name=":2" /> It also offers the BA/MA Option<ref>{{Cite web|title=BA/MA Option|url=https://gsas.columbia.edu/degree-programs/admissions/bama-option}}</ref> with the [[Columbia Graduate School of Arts and Sciences|Graduate School of Arts and Sciences]], the Combined Plan<ref>{{Cite web|title=Combined Plan Program Experience|url=https://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/learn/academiclife/engineering/combined-plan-program}}</ref> and the MS Express program<ref>{{Cite web|title=SEAS MS Express Program|url=http://bulletin.columbia.edu/general-studies/academic-policies/study-within-graduate-professional-schools/ms-express-program/}}</ref> with the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and five-year joint degrees<ref>{{Cite web|title=Columbia Dual Degree Programs|url=https://sipa.columbia.edu/academics/dual-degree-programs/columbia-dual-degree-programs}}</ref> with the [[School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University|School of International and Public Affairs]]. GS offers the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program, the oldest and largest program of its kind in the United States.<ref name=":2" /> Notable alumni include [[Nobel Prize]] winners [[Simon Kuznets]], [[Baruj Benacerraf]], and [[Louise Glück]], as well as [[Kelly Killoren Bensimon]], [[Isaac Asimov]], [[J.D. Salinger]], [[Amelia Earhart]], and [[Princess Firyal of Jordan]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Notable Alumni|url=https://gs.columbia.edu/content/notable-alumni}}</ref> ==History== [[File:Lewisohn Hall, Columbia University.jpg|thumb|Lewisohn Hall at Columbia University, home to the School of General Studies]] ===Predecessor institutions=== GS's evolutionary ancestor is the now-defunct, all-male Seth Low College, named for former Brooklyn mayor and President of Columbia [[Seth Low]]. It was established in [[Downtown Brooklyn]] in 1928 to help alleviate the flood of Jewish applicants to [[Columbia College of Columbia University|Columbia College]]. The entrance requirements for Seth Low Junior College were reportedly the same as those enforced in Columbia College.<ref name="spectatorarchive.library.columbia.edu">[http://spectatorarchive.library.columbia.edu/cgi-bin/columbia?a=d&d=cs19280403-01.2.7 ''Columbia Daily Spectator'', Volume LI, Number 119, 3 April 1928]</ref> Following completion of the two-year program, graduates could complete their undergraduate degrees at the University's professional schools, such as the [[Columbia Law School|School of Law]], [[Columbia Business School|Business School]], or [[Columbia School of Engineering and Applied Science|School of Engineering and Applied Science]] (all of which conferred terminal bachelor's degrees at the time) or earn B.S. degrees in the liberal arts as University Undergraduates.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F39SJn66jF0C&q=%22university+undergraduates%22+%22columbia%22+%22seth+low%22&pg=PA271 |title=Stand, Columbia: A History of Columbia University in the City of New York ... – Robert A. McCaughey – Google Books |access-date=2014-01-05|isbn=9780231130080 |year=2003 |last1=McCaughey |first1=Robert A. }}</ref> Seth Low Junior College was closed in 1936<ref>[http://www.columbia-current.org/seth_low_junior_college.html "Columbia for Jews? The Untold Story of Seth Low Junior College"] by Leeza Hirt, ''The Current'', Fall 2016. (Retrieved January 18, 2020)</ref> due to the adverse economic effects of the [[Great Depression]] and concomitant popularity of the tuition-free [[Brooklyn College]] in 1930. Henceforth, its remaining students were absorbed into the Morningside Heights campus as students in the University Undergraduate program, which was established by [[Nicholas Murray Butler]] in 1904. University Extension was responsible for the founding of the [[Columbia Business School]], the School of General Studies and the School of Dental and Oral Surgery (now the [[Columbia University College of Dental Medicine|College of Dental Medicine]]). The School of Continuing Education (now the [[Columbia University School of Professional Studies|School of Professional Studies]]), a separate school, was later established to reprise University Extension's former role.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www8.gsb.columbia.edu/centennial/about-centennial/deans-columbia |title=Archived copy |access-date=2017-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202201514/http://www8.gsb.columbia.edu/centennial/about-centennial/deans-columbia |archive-date=2017-02-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>http://library-archives.cumc.columbia.edu/finding-aid/college-dental-medicine-school-dental-oral-surgery-records-1892-1915-1976</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://spectatorarchive.library.columbia.edu/cgi-bin/columbia?a=d&d=cs19420602-01.2.16&srpos=12&e=------194-en-20--1-byDA-txt-IN-%22university+undergraduates%22---- |title=Columbia Daily Spectator 2 June 1942 — Columbia Spectator |publisher=Spectatorarchive.library.columbia.edu |date=1942-06-02 |access-date=2014-01-05}}</ref> ===The Establishment of the School of General Studies=== With an influx of students attending the University on the [[GI Bill]] following the resolution of World War II, in December 1946, the University Undergraduate program was reorganized as an official undergraduate college for "qualified students who, because of employment or for other reasons, are unable to attend other schools of the University." Columbia University pioneered the use of the term "General Studies" when naming the college, adapting the medieval term for universities, "Studium Generale."<ref name="gs.columbia.edu-2">{{Cite web |url=http://www.gs.columbia.edu/gs-history |title=History of the School of General Studies |access-date=2011-02-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719175113/http://www.gs.columbia.edu/gs-history |archive-date=2011-07-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="spectatorarchive.library.columbia.edu-2">{{cite web|url=http://spectatorarchive.library.columbia.edu/cgi-bin/columbia?a=d&d=cs19461210-01.2.2&srpos=2&e=-------en-20--1-byDA-txt-IN-%22general+studies%22----# |title=Columbia Daily Spectator 10 December 1946 — Columbia Spectator |publisher=Spectatorarchive.library.columbia.edu |date=1946-12-10 |access-date=2014-01-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://spectatorarchive.library.columbia.edu/cgi-bin/columbia?a=d&d=cs19461206-01.2.5&srpos=1&e=-------en-20--1-byDA-txt-IN-%22general+studies%22---- |title=Columbia Daily Spectator 6 December 1946 — Columbia Spectator |publisher=Spectatorarchive.library.columbia.edu |date=1946-12-06 |access-date=2014-01-05}}</ref> Thus, the School of General Studies bears no semblance to general studies or extension studies programs at other universities in the United States. In December 1968, the University Council permitted GS to grant the B.A. degree instead of the B.S. degree (over the objections of some members of the Columbia College Faculty).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://spectatorarchive.library.columbia.edu/cgi-bin/columbia?a=d&d=cs19681219-01.2.2&srpos=29&e=-------en-20--21-byDA-txt-IN-%22general+studies%22+%22b.a.%22-ARTICLE---# |title=Columbia Daily Spectator 19 December 1968 — Columbia Spectator |publisher=Spectatorarchive.library.columbia.edu |date=1968-12-19 |access-date=2014-01-05}}</ref> ===Merging of Columbia College and School of General Studies Faculties=== In 1991, the Columbia College (CC), School of General Studies (GS), and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) faculties were merged into the Faculty of Arts & Sciences, which resulted in the complete academic integration between the School of General Studies and Columbia College.<ref>http://fas.columbia.edu/home/about-faculty-arts-and-sciences/history</ref><ref name="columbiaspectator.com">http://columbiaspectator.com/2014/02/26/gs-eliminate-bs-degree-option-may-2014</ref> As a result, both GS and CC students receive B.A. degrees conferred by the Trustees of Columbia University through the Faculty of Art & Sciences,<ref name="columbiaspectator.com"/> and GS is recognized as an official liberal arts college at Columbia University. == Academics == GS students make up almost 30% of the Columbia undergraduate population and in 2013 were reported as consistently collectively earning the highest average GPA among undergraduates at Columbia University.<ref name="s3.amazonaws.com">https://s3.amazonaws.com/BWARCHIVE/2013/may13.pdf</ref><ref name="bwog.com">http://bwog.com/2013/05/18/paying-it-forward-student-debt-at-gs/</ref> Approximately 20% of GS students are part-time students who have significant, full-time work commitments in addition to their academic responsibilities.<ref>https://gs.columbia.edu/program-overview</ref> Numerous GS students have gone on to win prestigious fellowships, including the [[Rhodes Scholarship]], the [[Gates Cambridge Scholarship]], and the [[Fulbright Scholarship]]. The School of General Studies confers the degree of [[Bachelor of Arts]] in more than 70 majors.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> All GS students are required to complete the [[Core Curriculum (Columbia College)|Core Curriculum]], which includes University Writing, Literature/Humanities, Contemporary Civilization/Social Science, Art Humanities, Music Humanities, Global Core, Quantitative Reasoning, Science, and Foreign Language.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gs.columbia.edu/the-core |title=The Core &#124; General Studies |publisher=gs.columbia.edu |access-date=2014-01-05}}</ref> GS offers dual degree programs with [[Sciences Po]], the [[City University of Hong Kong]], [[Trinity College Dublin]] ([[University of Dublin]]) in Ireland, and List College of the [[Jewish Theological Seminary of America|Jewish Theological Seminary]].<ref name="http://gs.columbia.edu">http://gs.columbia.edu</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">https://gs.columbia.edu/sciences-po/glance</ref> It also offers dual degree programs with the [[Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science|School of Engineering and Applied Sciences]], the [[School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University|School of International and Public Affairs]], and [[Columbia Business School]]. GS has a Post-baccalaureate Premedical Program, the oldest program of its kind.<ref name="ReferenceB">https://gs.columbia.edu/sciences-po/glance</ref> ==Admission== Admission to Columbia GS requires an online application, official high school (or GED) transcripts, SAT or ACT test scores within the past eight years or a score on the General Studies Admissions Examination,<ref name="GSAE">{{Cite web |url=https://gs.columbia.edu/admissions-exams |title=Archived copy |access-date=2017-07-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620205227/https://gs.columbia.edu/admissions-exams |archive-date=2017-06-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref> an essay of 1,500-2,000 words, and two recommendation letters.<ref name="http://gs.columbia.edu/applying-gs">http://gs.columbia.edu/applying-gs</ref> Interviews are conducted in person and over phone. The acceptance rate into GS was 35% in 2020, compared to 6% for Columbia's main college, Columbia College.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.petersons.com/college-search/columbia-university-school-of-general-studies-000_10000456.aspx |title=Columbia University School of General Studies Overview |publisher= [[Peterson's]]|access-date=2021-06-28}}</ref> The much higher acceptance rate has led some to call GS a "back door" to Columbia University "for less competitive students,"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/education/edlife/general-studies-moves-to-the-mainstream.html |publisher=[[New York Times]] |title= General Studies Moves to the Mainstream|author=Eric Platt|access-date=2021-06-28}}</ref> but others strongly disagree. ===Eligibility=== Prospective Columbia undergraduates who have had a break of a year or more in their education, have already completed an undergraduate degree (and intend to pursue studies in a different discipline), or are pursuing dual undergraduate degrees are considered non-traditional and eligible to apply to GS. Applicants in extenuating circumstances which preclude them from attending Columbia College full-time are also eligible.<ref name="http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/">http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/ask/faq?body_value=general+studies&field_question_topics_tid=All</ref><ref name="http://columbiaspectator.com/">http://columbiaspectator.com/2012/03/07/gsjts-students-feel-caught-between-two-worlds</ref> GS students have the option to attend part- or full-time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gs.columbia.edu/program-overview |title=Program Overview &#124; General Studies |publisher=Gs.columbia.edu |access-date=2014-01-05}}</ref> ==Dual degree programs== ===Joint Program with the Jewish Theological Seminary – Albert A. List College=== Since 1954, the [[Jewish Theological Seminary of America]] (JTS) and the School of General Studies have offered a joint degree program leading to a B.A. from Columbia University and a B.A. from [[List College]]. Professor Lisa Rosen-Metsch, Dean of the School of General Studies, is an alumna of the Joint Program. ===Dual BA with Sciences Po Paris=== The Dual BA Program is a unique program in which undergraduate students earn two Bachelor of Arts degrees in four years from both Columbia University and Sciences Po, one of the most prestigious universities in France and Europe.<ref>http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/studying-in-france/presentation-1988/articles-from-actualites-en-france/article/elite-paris-institut-d-etudes</ref> This program is geared towards traditionally-aged applicants in high school, and is one of the most selective undergraduate programs in the nation.<ref name="gs.columbia.edu faq">https://gs.columbia.edu/sciences-po/faq</ref> Students spend two years at one of three Sciences Po campuses in France (Le Havre, Menton, or Reims), each of which is devoted to a particular region of the world. At Sciences Po, undergraduates can pursue majors in political science, economics, law, finance, history, among others. After two years at Sciences Po, students matriculate at Columbia University, where they complete the Core Curriculum and one of over 70 majors offered at Columbia. Graduates of the program are guaranteed admission to a Sciences Po graduate program.<ref name="gs.columbia.edu faq"/> ===Joint Bachelor's Degree with City University of Hong Kong=== This program is open to top-ranked undergraduates enrolled at the [[City University of Hong Kong]] and allows graduates to receive two bachelor's degrees from the City University and Columbia in four years. Undergraduates spend their first two years at the City University and their final two years at Columbia, where they complete the Core Curriculum and choose one of 70 majors offered at Columbia.<ref>https://gs.columbia.edu/cityu-hk/academics</ref><ref>https://gs.columbia.edu/cityu-hk/admissions</ref> ===Dual BA Program with Trinity College Dublin=== The Dual Bachelor's Degree Program with Trinity College Dublin is a unique program in which undergraduate students earn two Bachelor of Arts degrees in four years from both Columbia University and Trinity College Dublin ([[University of Dublin]]). Trinity College Dublin is the oldest university in Ireland and is widely considered to be its most prestigious institution. This program is geared towards traditionally-aged applicants in high school.<ref>https://gs.columbia.edu/tcd</ref> ===Tel Aviv University and Columbia University Dual Degree Program=== The Tel Aviv Columbia Dual Degree Program allows undergraduates to earn two bachelor's degrees over the course of four years. Students spend the first two years of their undergraduate careers at Tel Aviv and then spend their final two years at Columbia while completing the Core Curriculum and major. Tel Aviv University is considered to be one of Israel's leading and most prestigious institutions. This program is geared towards traditionally-aged applicants in high school.<ref>https://gs.columbia.edu/news/columbia-university-launches-dual-degree-program-tel-aviv-university</ref> <ref>https://tau.gs.columbia.edu/</ref> ===Combined Plan with the School of Engineering and Applied Science=== GS students are eligible for competitive admission to the [[Columbia School of Engineering and Applied Science|School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS)]] through the Columbia Combined Plan program, under the condition that they complete the necessary pre-engineering courses with a high GPA and obtain recommendations from 3 instructors. Students in the program receive a B.A. in a liberal arts discipline from GS and a B.S. in an engineering discipline from SEAS. Students may apply for the Combined Plan program in their junior (3-2 program) or senior (4-2) year of undergraduate study. ==Notable alumni== An asterisk (*) indicates an [[alumnus]] who did not graduate. ===Academia=== *[[Herbert Aptheker]] (1933), American [[Marxist historiography|Marxist historian]] and political [[activist]] *[[Simon Kuznets]] (1923), Nobel Prize-winning economist.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Notable Alumni|url=https://gs.columbia.edu/content/notable-alumni|website=Columbia University School of General Studies|access-date=May 20, 2020}}</ref> * [[Isaac Asimov]] (1939), [[science fiction]] writer and biochemist, professor of [[biochemistry]] *[[Baruj Benacerraf]] (1942), Nobel Prize-winning immunologist. *[[Allen Forte]] (1950), professor at [[Yale University]], [[music theory|music theorist]] and [[musicologist]]{{Citation needed|reason=I can only find sources that he attended Columbia University, not GS or its predecessors|date=May 2019}} * [[Jehuda Reinharz]] (1964), President of [[Brandeis University]]<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Jewish cultural center - Events|url=http://jcc.ru/en/activity/cat-/item-666/|website=jcc.ru|access-date=2020-05-21}}</ref> *[[Edward Cecil Harris]] (1971), Creator of the [[Harris matrix]]<ref name=":0" /> * [[Roger Pilon]] (1971), Constitutional scholar and legal theorist. * [[Alfred Appel]] (1959), scholar on [[Vladimir Nabokov]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010|title=In Memoriam|url=https://gs.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/News/columbia-gs-owl-magazine-2010.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=July 6, 2021|website=Columbia University School of General Studies}}</ref> * [[Gershon Hundert]] (1968), Canadian historian of [[Jewish history]] at [[McGill University]] * [[Barbara Ransby]] (1984), professor at the [[University of Illinois at Chicago]] and president of the [[National Women's Studies Association]] ===Politics=== * [[Philippe Reines]] (2000), Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs and Senior Advisor to [[Secretary of State]] [[Hillary Rodham Clinton]]. * [[Patrick Gaspard]]* (1994–1997), [[United States Ambassador to South Africa]] (2013-2016), White House Political Affairs Director for [[U.S. President]] [[Barack Obama]], former Executive Director of the [[Democratic National Committee]] * [[Mike Gravel]] (1956), Former [[United States Senator]] from Alaska and candidate for the 2008 Democratic nomination for [[President of the United States]]. Released full [[Pentagon Papers]]. * [[Howard Dean]] (1975), Former [[Governor of Vermont]] and Chairman of the Democratic National Committee. * [[Peter H. Kostmayer]] (1971), [[United States Congressman]] from [[Pennsylvania]]. * [[Seymour Halpern]] (1934), [[United States Congressman]] from [[New York (state)|New York]] * [[Gale Brewer]] (1997), 27th [[Borough president]] of [[Manhattan]] * [[Stewart Rawlings Mott]] (1959), American lobbyist and philanthropist, son of [[General Motors]] co-founder [[Charles Stewart Mott]] * [[Patricia Robinson]] (1955), [[Trinidad and Tobago|First Lady of Trinidad and Tobago]] from 1997 to 2003 * [[Perezi Kamunanwire]] (1969), former ambassador of the Republic of [[Uganda]] to the United States and Germany; permanent representative at the [[United Nations]] * [[John Paton Davies Jr.]] (1931), American diplomat, [[Medal of Freedom (1945)|Medal of Freedom]] recipient, and one of the recognized [[China Hands]] who took part in the [[Dixie Mission]] * [[Zoltan Istvan]] (1998), American transhumanist who ran for President of the United States in 2016 * [[Ethan Gutmann]] (1986), [[China watcher]] and human rights advocate * [[Julian F. Harrington]]* (1924), [[United States Ambassador to Panama]] from 1955 to 1960<ref>{{Cite web|title=Catalogue. v. 1920/1921 1897.|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nnc2.ark:/13960/t1hh7704c&view=1up&seq=518&q1=Harrington,%20Julian|access-date=2020-08-13|website=HathiTrust|language=en}}</ref> ===Literature and arts=== * [[J. D. Salinger]]* (1939), Writer, ''[[The Catcher in the Rye]]'' * [[Federico García Lorca]]* (1929), Spanish poet and dramatist; influential member of the [[Generation of '27]] * [[Barbara Probst Solomon]] (1960), American author, essayist and journalist * [[Louis Simpson]] (1948), [[Pulitzer Prize]]-winning American poet * [[Ingrid Bengis]] (1996), American writer * [[Sasha Frere-Jones]] (1993), American writer, music critic, and musician * [[Alicia Graf Mack]] (2000s), American dancer * [[Ted Rall]] (1991), Syndicated cartoonist, president of the [[Association of American Editorial Cartoonists]] from 2008 to 2009 * [[Simi Linton]] (1977), author, consultant, public speaker who focuses on [[disability studies]] * [[Edward Klein]] (1960), Author. * [[Kevin Brown (author)|Kevin Brown]]* (1990), biographer, essayist, translator * [[Joy Leftow]] (1983), poet, fiction writer, essayist * [[Mykola Dementiuk]] (1984), American author; twice winner of the [[Lambda Literary Award]] * [[Lee Siegel (cultural critic)|Lee Siegel]] (1980s), [[cultural critic]] * [[Cecil Brown (writer)|Cecil Brown]] (1966), African American writer and educator * [[John Rousmaniere]] (1967), American sailor, author on sailing and yachting history * [[Castle Freeman, Jr.]] (1968), author, ''[[Go with Me]]''; contributor to ''[[Old Farmer's Almanac]]'' * [[Raymond Federman]] (1957), French–American novelist and academic; author, ''[[Double or Nothing (Federman novel)|Double or Northing]]'' * [[Hunter S. Thompson]]*, (1959). Writer, founder of the [[Gonzo journalism]] movement * [[Herbert Kuhner]] (1959), Austrian writer and translator * [[Donald Clarence Judd]] (1953), Artist. * [[Dolores Dembus Bittleman]] (1952), American fiber artist * [[Louise Glück]] (attended), poet, recipient of the 2020 [[Nobel Prize in Literature]], former [[United States Poet Laureate]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Louise Glück 2020 Winner of Nobel Prize in Literature|url=https://arts.columbia.edu/news/louise-gl%C3%BCck-2020-winner-nobel-prize-literature|access-date=2020-10-09|website=Columbia - School of the Arts|language=en}}</ref> * [[Alexandra Ansanelli]] (2010-), American ballet dancer for [[The Royal Ballet]] * Arlene Shuler (1977), President and CEO of the [[New York City Center]] ===Technology and entrepreneurship=== * [[Thomas Reardon]] (2008), creator of [[Internet Explorer]] * [[John W. Backus]] (1949), Developer of [[Fortran]], the first true computer language, winner of the 1977 [[Turing Award]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=John Backus|url=http://www.columbia.edu/cu/computinghistory/backus.html|access-date=2020-11-10|website=www.columbia.edu}}</ref> * [[Scott Brinker]] (2005), [[computer programmer|programmer]] and [[entrepreneur]] * [[Chris Dixon]] (1996), [[angel investor]], co-founder of [[Hunch (website)|Hunch]] and [[McAfee SiteAdvisor|SiteAdvisor]] * [[Lovens Gjed]] (2019), Founder of [[MEnvesti|MEnvesti.com]] ===Activism=== * [[Jane Jacobs]]* (1940s), author ''[[The Death and Life of Great American Cities]]'', urban theorist and activist. * [[Florynce Kennedy]] (1949), Feminist, Civil Rights advocate, Social activist * [[Susan Mesinai]] (1965), activist, founder of the [[Ark Project]] that aimed to find out information on non-Russians taken prisoner by the former Soviet Union * [[Matthew Lipman]] (1948), founder of the [[Philosophy for Children]] movement * [[Irwin Kula]] (1978), co-president of CLAL, [[National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership]]. * [[Park Yeon-mi]] (2020), North Korean defector and human rights activist * [[Cameron Kasky]] (2023), student activist who founded [[Never Again MSD]] and organizer of [[March for Our Lives]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Profiles of the Fall 2019 Incoming Class|url=https://gs.columbia.edu/news/profiles-fall-2019-incoming-class|access-date=June 22, 2020|website=Columbia University School of General Studies}}</ref> ===Music=== * [[Ira Gershwin]]* (1918), Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer. * Heather D’Angelo (2012), member of the pop band [[Au Revoir Simone]]. *[[Leonard Cohen]]* (1957), Musician and poet * [[Jason Everman]] (2013), former member of [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]], [[Soundgarden]], the [[United States Army Rangers|Army Rangers]], and [[Special Forces (United States Army)|Green Berets]] * [[Yonatan Gat]] (2014), Musician, producer, founder of [[Monotonix]] and solo artist * [[Gil Shaham]] (1990), Violinist. * [[Lena Park]] (2010), Korean-American singer * [[Robin Pecknold]] (2016), American musician and frontman of Seattle indie folk band [[Fleet Foxes]] * [[Pat Boone]] (1957), Singer and actor. * [[Tamar Kaprelian]] (2016), Singer. * [[Ben Platt]]* (2016), Broadway actor and singer, ''[[Pitch Perfect]]'', ''[[The Book of Mormon (musical)|The Book of Mormon]]'', ''[[Dear Evan Hansen]]'', transferred from [[Columbia College (New York)|Columbia College]] * [[Lipa Schmeltzer]]* (2018), singer, "the Lady Gaga of [[Hasidic]] music" ===Film and entertainment=== * [[Joseph Gordon-Levitt]]* (2000–2004), American actor and director * [[Robert Sean Leonard]]*, American actor * [[Jonathan Taylor Thomas]] (2010), Actor * [[Kristi Zea]] (1974), American production designer, costume designer, art director, and director * [[David O. Selznick]]* (1923), Hollywood producer, ''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]'', ''[[Gone with the Wind (film)|Gone with the Wind]]'' * [[Telly Savalas]] (1946), Actor, Emmy-award winner and Oscar nominee. * [[Sarah Ramos]] (2013-), American actress, ''[[American Dreams]]'', ''[[Parenthood (2010 TV series)|Parenthood]]'' * [[Michelle Rejwan]] (2008), Senior vice president of [[Lucasfilm]], producer of ''[[Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker]]'' * [[Eric Shaw (screenwriter)|Eric Shaw]] (2003), [[Emmy Award]]-winning writer for ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]'' * [[Ossie Davis]] (1948), Actor and social activist, Emmy- and Golden Globe-award nominee * [[Adriana Ferreyr]] (2011-), Brazilian film, television and stage actress, ''[[Marisol (Brazilian TV series)|Marisol]]'' * [[Julia Bacha]] (2003), Brazilian documentary maker, director of ''[[Budrus (film)|Budrus]]'' * [[Larysa Kondracki]] (2001), Canadian film director, ''[[The Whistleblower]]'' * [[Donald Richie]] (1953), Film Critic * [[Anthony Perkins]]* (1954), Actor and writer known for his portrayal of [[Norman Bates]] in [[Alfred Hitchcock]]'s [[Psycho (1960 film)|''Psycho'']]<ref>{{Cite news|last=Myers|first=Steven Lee|date=1992-09-13|title=Anthony Perkins, Who Mastered a Frightening Role, Is Dead at 60|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/13/nyregion/anthony-perkins-who-mastered-a-frightening-role-is-dead-at-60.html|access-date=2020-08-08|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> * [[Frank Sutton]] (1952), actor, ''[[Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.]]'' * [[Famke Janssen]]* (1990s), Dutch actress, ''[[GoldenEye]]'', the [[X-Men (film series)|''X-Men'']] series, [[Hemlock Grove (TV series)|''Hemlock Grove'']] and ''[[How to Get Away with Murder]]''<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Owl|url=https://gs.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/News/columbia-gs-owl-magazine-2009.pdf|access-date=June 25, 2020|website=Columbia University School of General Studies|page=26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=King|first=Susan|date=2000-08-26|title=Actress Famke Janssen May Get the Roles, but Not Always the Guys|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-aug-26-ca-10592-story.html|access-date=2020-06-25|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref> * [[Taylor Black]] (2014), American actress, ''[[All My Children]]'', winner of [[Miss New York Teen USA]] in 2009 * [[Elegance Bratton]] (2014), filmmaker and photographer *[[Chloe Bridges]] (2020), actress, [[Freddie (TV series)|''Freddie'']], ''[[Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam]]'' ===Media=== * [[R. W. Apple]] (1961), ''[[The New York Times]]'' associate editor. * [[James S. Vlasto]] (1950s), American editor, public relations consultant for [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt Jr.]] and [[Herman Badillo]]; press secretary for [[Governor of New York]] [[Hugh Carey]]; father of [[Chris Vlasto]], executive producer of ''[[Good Morning America]]'' * [[Jacques Pepin]] (1970), internationally recognized French [[chef]], TV personality, dean at the [[International Culinary Center]] * [[Mary Helen Bowers]] (2008), celebrity fitness guru, entrepreneur, former [[New York City Ballet]] dancer * [[Ray William Johnson]]* (2008), [[YouTube]] celebrity best known for his show "[[Equals Three]]" * [[Trish Regan]] (2000), [[Fox Business Network]] anchor * [[Steve Hofstetter]] (2002), comedian, host, and executive producer of "Laughs" on Fox television stations * [[Erik Courtney]] (2000) [[Bravo (U.S. TV network)|Bravo]] TV personality [[Newlyweds: The First Year]] * [[Mark Rotella]] (1992), senior editor at ''[[Publishers Weekly]]'' * [[John Horgan (journalist)|John Horgan]] (1982), American [[Science journalism|science journalist]], known for his 1996 book, ''The End of Science'' * [[Howard G. Chua-Eoan]] (1983), News Director, ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' * [[Jamal Dajani]] (1988), Palestinian-American journalist, [[Peabody Award]] winner, and former aide to [[Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority]] [[Rami Hamdallah]] * [[Eytan Schwartz]] (2001), Israeli [[Reality television]] personality * [[Matt Sanchez]] (2007), journalist and former [[United States Marine Corps|Marine reservist]] * [[Mitch Swenson]] (2014), American freelance reporter and designer of video game ''[[1000 Days of Syria]]'' ===Athletics=== * [[Red Auerbach]]* (1937–39), legendary basketball coach of the [[Washington Capitols]], [[Tri-Cities Blackhawks]], and general manager of the [[Boston Celtics]] * [[Kimberly Navarro]] (2004), [[ice dancer]], 2008 & 2009 [[United States Figure Skating Championships|U.S. bronze medalist]] and 2008 [[2008 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships|Four Continents bronze medalist]]. * [[Trent Dimas]] (2002), Olympic champion [[gymnast]] * [[Gillian Wachsman]] (1994), former skater; 1985 [[NHK Trophy]] champion and 1986 [[U.S. Figure Skating Championships|U.S. national]] champion * [[Sandy Koufax]]* (1955), Hall of Fame pitcher for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers * [[Troy Murphy]] (2015), former NBA player * [[Sasha Cohen]] (2016), [[Figure skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics|Olympic Silver medalist]] in [[figure skating]] * [[Silvia Hugec]] (2023), figure skater and [[Slovak Figure Skating Championships|Slovak national champion]]<ref name=":1" /> ===Fashion=== * [[Gerard W. Ford]] (1957), Founder of the [[Ford Modeling Agency]]. * [[Mary McFadden]] (1959), Fashion Designer * [[Rachel Williams]] (1994), American model, landscape designer, daughter of architect [[Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects|Tod Williams]] and sister of filmmaker [[Tod Williams (filmmaker)|Tod Williams]] * [[Kelly Killoren Bensimon]] (1998), model, author, socialite, ''[[The Real Housewives of New York City]]'' * [[Sara Ziff]] (2011), American supermodel, president and founder of [[Model Alliance]] * [[Cameron Russell]] (2013), model and activist, daughter of [[Zipcar]] founder [[Robin Chase]] * [[Abby Stein]] (2014 - attending), model and activist, direct descendant of the Hasidic [[Savran (Hasidic dynasty)|Savran]] dynasty * [[Alexandra Waterbury]] (2021), ballet dancer and fashion model ===Miscellaneous=== * [[Amelia Earhart]]* (1920), American aviator and early female pilot * [[Steve Brozak]] (1982), investment banker, retired marine * [[Princess Firyal of Jordan]] (1999) Jordanian princess, socialite, and philanthropist * [[Yitzhak Aharon Korff]] (1969), Rebbe of the [[Mezhbizh (Hasidic dynasty)|Mezhbizh]] and [[Zvhil (Hasidic dynasty)|Zvhil]] dynasties, and ex-husband of [[ViacomCBS]] heiress [[Shari Redstone]] * [[Menachem Mendel Schneerson]] (1962), Rebbe of the [[Lubavitch| Chabad-Lubavitch Dynasty]]{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}} * [[John Tauranac]] (1963), Chief designer of the [[New York City Subway map]] of 1979 * [[Josh Waitzkin]]* (1999), Child chess prodigy and author, whose life inspired the movie ''[[Searching for Bobby Fischer]]'' * [[Gabby Gabreski]] (1949), American [[flying ace]] during World War II and the [[Korean War]]; headed the [[Long Island Rail Road]] * [[Farahnaz Pahlavi]] (1986), eldest daughter of [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]], last Shah of [[Iran]] ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== * [http://gs.columbia.edu/ Official Website] {{columbia}} {{coord|40.809163|-73.962941|type:edu_globe:earth_region:US-NY|display=title}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Columbia University]] [[Category:Educational institutions established in 1947]] [[Category:Universities and colleges in Manhattan]] [[Category:Universities and colleges in New York City]] [[Category:1947 establishments in New York (state)]]'