Beanies and Beginnings: Welcoming the Class of 2028
The long-lasting tradition of distributing commemorative beanies to first-years marks the beginning of their four-year journey.
Columbia Engineering’s first-year students, pictured with Dean Shih-Fu Chang and Vice Dean Barclay Morrison III, throw their beanies in the air, celebrating the start of the academic year.
Some beanies may be ordinary. But at Columbia Engineering, they mark the beginning of an extraordinary journey.
The Academic Assembly – informally known as the “beanie ceremony” – held in Lerner Auditorium on Aug. 28 officially welcomed 350 first-year students, each receiving a commemorative beanie at the event. The ceremony included presentations and words of encouragement from Columbia Engineering Dean Shih-Fu Chang and fellow faculty, current students, and alumni.
Students donning the traditional Columbia Engineering beanie, given to first-year students at the beginning of their Columbia journey.
In opening remarks, Dean Chang emphasized the mission that drives engineering students at Columbia, stating that “our school vision, Engineering for Humanity, guides everything we do. We have more than 270 world-class faculty doing research that you can be a part of, with opportunities in the most exciting areas of our time.”
Vice Dean of Academic Programs Barclay Morrison III introduced faculty speaker Matei Ciocarlie, associate professor of mechanical engineering. Ciocarlie gave an overview of his research at the Robotic Manipulation and Mobility Lab, which focuses on robot motor control, the design of mechanisms and sensors, and improving planning and learning to demonstrate complex motor skills.
Alumni speaker, Deborah Owolabi BS’16, MS’17, meets new students during the academic assembly. She emphasized the importance of community as an undergraduate.
After learning about the cutting-edge research at Columbia, the Class of 2028 heard remarks from alum Deborah Owolabi BS’16, MS’17 who emphasized the importance of being a valuable member of the Columbia community. A recent Harvard Business School graduate and venture capitalist, Owolabi encouraged students to continue exploring things that inspire them. “I am so proud of you because you have made it into this amazing university in this amazing city – and now, over these next four years, you get to shape who you want to be and what you want to do.”
Guest student speaker Anthony Ayala BS’25 shared his journey navigating his time at the School. Appreciating the community he has built at Columbia, Ayala advised students to find a community for support. “Reflecting on my three years of school, I hope each of you takes home the message that just because it isn’t easy, it doesn’t mean you have to do it alone.”
Once a mandatory accessory that students had to wear for their initial year, the beanie now serves as a memento to remind first-years of the academic journey they’re about to embark on. Prepared with advice from engineers at different stages in their careers, the Class of 2028 has officially joined a community of faculty, alumni, and students who will support them throughout their time at Columbia.