History of Columbia University in Timeline
Columbia University, an Ivy League research university in New York City, was founded in 1754 as King's College. It is the oldest higher education institution in New York and the fifth-oldest in the U.S. Located in Manhattan, Columbia is a private university renowned for its academic programs and research contributions.
1903: The Mischief Maker Premiered
In 1903, The Mischief Maker, written by Edgar Allan Woolf and Cassius Freeborn, premiered at Columbia University.
1906: The Mischief Maker Premiered at Madison Square Garden
In 1906, The Mischief Maker, written by Edgar Allan Woolf and Cassius Freeborn, premiered at Madison Square Garden as Mam'zelle Champagne after premiering at Columbia University in 1903.
1909: Notes and Keys A Cappella Group Founded
In 1909, Notes and Keys, the oldest a cappella group at Columbia University, was founded, marking a significant development in the university's performing arts scene.
1919: Establishment of a Modern Application Process
In 1919, Columbia established a student application process which The New York Times characterized as "the first modern college application".
1920: Fly With Me show performed
In 1920, Fly With Me was performed on campus at Columbia University.
1928: Establishment of Seth Low Junior College
In 1928, Columbia University established Seth Low Junior College to reduce the number of Jewish applicants to Columbia College.
1934: Completion of Butler Library
In 1934, Butler Library, the largest in the Columbia University Libraries system, was completed.
1934: Institute for Social Research Affiliates with Columbia
In 1934, the Institute for Social Research, exiled from Goethe University Frankfurt due to the rise of Nazi Germany, affiliated with Columbia University.
1936: Closure of Seth Low Junior College
In 1936, Seth Low Junior College was closed due to the adverse effects of the Great Depression. The students were taught at Morningside Heights, though they did not belong to any college but to the university at large.
May 17, 1939: First Televised Regular Athletic Event
On May 17, 1939, NBC broadcast a doubleheader between the Columbia Lions and the Princeton Tigers at Columbia's Baker Field, marking the first televised regular athletic event in history.
1946: Butler Library Renamed
In 1946, the Columbia University library was renamed to Butler Library.
1946: Founding of the School of International and Public Affairs
In 1946, the School of International and Public Affairs was founded at Columbia University in response to the growing importance of international relations after World War II.
1947: Reorganization as School of General Studies
In 1947, the program was reorganized as an undergraduate college and designated the School of General Studies in response to the return of GIs after World War II.
1948: The Streets of New York show performed
In 1948, The Streets of New York was performed on campus at Columbia University.
1950: End of Affiliation for Institute for Social Research
In 1950, the Institute for Social Research's affiliation with Columbia University ended, after being affiliated since 1934.
1954: Columbia University Bicentennial
In 1954, Columbia University celebrated its bicentennial.
1954: The Sky's the Limit show performed
In 1954, The Sky's the Limit was performed on campus at Columbia University.
1961: Columbia Journalism Review Founded
In 1961, the Columbia Journalism Review (CJR) was founded under the auspices of Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. It examines press performance and the forces affecting it.
1963: Streets of New York Opened Off-Broadway
In 1963, Streets of New York opened off-Broadway, after having been revived three times at Columbia University.
1964: Streets of New York Awarded a Drama Desk Award
In 1964, Streets of New York was awarded a Drama Desk Award, demonstrating its widespread acclaim.
1967: Student Homophile League Founded
In 1967, the Student Homophile League, now known as the Columbia Queer Alliance, was founded at Columbia University. It represents the LGBTQ+ student population and is the oldest gay student organization in the world.
1968: Student Protests and University Senate Establishment
During the spring of 1968, student activism at Columbia reached a climax with building occupations, leading to the resignation of President Grayson Kirk and the creation of the University Senate.
1979: Merger into the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
In 1979, the faculties specializing in Political Science, Philosophy, and Pure Science were merged into the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
1983: Columbia College admits women
In the fall of 1983, Columbia College first admitted women after failed merger negotiations with Barnard College.
1983: Start of Columbia Football Losing Streak
The Columbia Lions Football team's 44 game losing streak began in 1983. Between 1983 and 1988, the team continued to lose, setting a record for the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision.
October 8, 1988: Columbia Football Team Ends Losing Streak
On October 8, 1988, the Columbia Lions football team ended their 44-game losing streak with a 16–13 victory over Princeton University. This was the Lions' first victory at Wien Stadium.
1991: Creation of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences
In 1991, several schools including Columbia College, the School of General Studies, and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences were merged into the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, leading to centralized governance.
1994: Angels at Columbia show performed
In 1994, Angels at Columbia was performed on campus at Columbia University.
1995: Reorganization of the School of General Studies
In 1995, the School of General Studies was again reorganized as a full-fledged liberal arts college for non-traditional students, and the Division of Special Programs was established to reprise the former role of University Extension.
1998: Tree Lighting Ceremony Inaugurated
In 1998, Columbia University inaugurated the campus Tree Lighting ceremony, illuminating the trees lining College Walk before finals week.
1999: Columbia University Organization of Rising Entrepreneurs (CORE) Founded
In 1999, the Columbia University Organization of Rising Entrepreneurs (CORE) was founded. This student-run group fosters entrepreneurship on campus through various events and competitions.
2003: CampusNetwork Created by Adam Goldberg
In 2003, CampusNetwork, an on-campus social networking site that preceded Facebook, was created and popularized by Columbia engineering student Adam Goldberg.
2003: World Leaders Forum Established
In 2003, the World Leaders Forum at Columbia University was established by university president Lee C. Bollinger. It provides a platform for students and faculty to hear from leaders in various fields.
2005: Columbia Military Society Renamed
In the 2005-06 academic year, the Columbia Military Society, Columbia's student group for ROTC cadets and Marine officer candidates, was renamed the Hamilton Society for "students who aspire to serve their nation through the military in the tradition of Alexander Hamilton".
2006: CORE Awards Seed Capital to Students
As of 2006, CORE had awarded over $100,000 in seed capital to graduate and undergraduate students, supporting their entrepreneurial ventures.
2006: Columbia Alumni and National Academy Members
As of 2006, there were 101 National Academy members who were alumni of Columbia University, showcasing the university's contributions to science and academia.
2006: Establishment of Office of Environmental Stewardship
In 2006, Columbia University established the Office of Environmental Stewardship.
2006: Columbia Earns Substantial Revenue from Patents
In the 2006 fiscal year, Columbia University earned more than $230 million from patent-related deals, making it the top-earning university in the world for such revenue, highlighting its success in translating research into commercial products.
April 11, 2007: $400 Million Donation from John Kluge
On April 11, 2007, Columbia University announced a $400 million donation from alumnus John Kluge to be used for undergraduate financial aid.
April 2007: Purchase of Manhattanville Site
In April 2007, Columbia University purchased more than two-thirds of a 17 acres site for a new campus in Manhattanville.
December 2008: Approval of Eminent Domain for Manhattanville Expansion
As of December 2008, the State of New York's Empire State Development Corporation approved the use of eminent domain for the Manhattanville expansion.
2008: Columbia Manages Numerous Patents and License Agreements
As of 2008, Columbia Technology Ventures manages approximately 600 patents and more than 250 active license agreements, showcasing the university's robust technology transfer and commercialization activities.
2008: Establishment of Publius Journal
In 2008, Publius, an undergraduate journal of politics, was established at Columbia University. It is published biannually.
May 20, 2009: Approval of Manhattanville Expansion Plan
On May 20, 2009, the New York State Public Authorities Control Board approved the Manhanttanville expansion plan.
June 14, 2010: NYC Media Lab Launched
On June 14, 2010, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg launched the NYC Media Lab at the New York University Tandon School of Engineering. It is a consortium including Columbia University aimed at promoting innovation in New York's media industry.
2010: School of International and Public Affairs Becomes an Independent Faculty
In 2010, the School of International and Public Affairs became an independent faculty, previously being a part of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
2010: Adoption of the Common Application
In the fall of 2010, Columbia's undergraduate colleges began accepting the Common Application.
2011: Columbia Alumni and Pulitzer Prizes
As of 2011, 125 Pulitzer Prize winners had attended Columbia University, highlighting the university's impact on journalism and literature.
2011: Columbia Alumni Prominent in Film Industry
As of 2011, Columbia University alumni had achieved significant recognition in the film industry, collectively winning 43 Academy Awards. Notable alumni include directors Sidney Lumet and Kathryn Bigelow, screenwriters Howard Koch and Joseph L. Mankiewicz, and actors James Cagney, Ed Harris and Timothée Chalamet.
2011: College Sustainability Report Card Rating
In 2011, Columbia University received a "B+" rating by the College Sustainability Report Card for its environmental and sustainability initiatives.
2011: Columbia Ranked Among Top Universities for Forming CEOs
In 2011, Columbia University was ranked as the third best university in the US and 12th worldwide for forming CEOs, according to the Mines ParisTech: Professional Ranking of World Universities, highlighting its success in producing business leaders.
January 2013: Campbell Sports Center Opens
In January 2013, the new Campbell Sports Center opened at the Baker Athletics Complex, providing updated facilities for various sports programs at Columbia University.
2015: Undergraduate Tuition cost
In 2015, annual undergraduate tuition at Columbia was $50,526 with a total cost of attendance of $65,860.
2016: Columbia University Ranked Second Worldwide for Billionaire Graduates
In 2016, Columbia University was ranked second worldwide, following Harvard, in terms of the number of living billionaire graduates.
2016: Undergraduate Tuition cost
In 2016, annual undergraduate tuition at Columbia was $50,526 with a total cost of attendance of $65,860.
2019: Columbia University Ranked Among Top Research Universities
In 2019, Columbia University was ranked in the first tier of American research universities, along with Harvard, MIT, and Stanford, as indicated in the report from the Center for Measuring University Performance, underscoring its significant contributions to research and innovation.
2020: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Ranking
According to U.S. News & World Report's "2020-21 Best Hospitals Honor Roll and Medical Specialties Rankings", NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is ranked fourth overall.
2020: Columbia's Library System Volume Count
As of 2020, Columbia's library system includes over 15.0 million volumes.
2020: Columbia University ranking
Columbia University is ranked 15th among U.S. colleges for 2020 by The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education.
2020: Columbia University's Student Demographics in 2020
In 2020, Columbia University had a student population of 31,455, with 8,842 undergraduate students and 22,613 postgraduate students, with 45% identifying as a minority. Also, 26% had family incomes below $60,000, 16% received Federal Pell Grants, and 17% were first-generation college students.
2020: Columbia's Architecture Program Ranked Highly
In 2020, Columbia's Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation was ranked as the second most admired graduate program by Architectural Record, highlighting its excellence and reputation in the field of architecture.
December 2021: Alumni, Faculty, and Staff Accomplishments
As of December 2021, Columbia's alumni, faculty, and staff included a distinguished group of individuals, including 7 Founding Fathers, 4 U.S. presidents, 34 foreign heads of state or government, 2 UN secretaries-general, 10 Supreme Court justices, 103 Nobel laureates, and numerous other accomplished figures.
2021: Class of 2025 Application Statistics
In 2021, Columbia University received 60,551 applications for the class of 2025 (entering 2021) and admitted approximately 2,218 students, with an acceptance rate of 3.66%.
2021: Columbia University World Ranking
In 2021, Columbia University was ranked seventh in the world by Academic Ranking of World Universities, sixth in the world by U.S. News & World Report, 19th in the world by QS World University Rankings, and 11th globally by Times Higher Education World University Rankings, solidifying its place as a top-tier academic institution.
2021: Columbia University Faculty Statistics
In 2021, Columbia University's faculty included 4,381 members, among them 70 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 178 members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and 65 members of the National Academy of Medicine. In total, the Columbia faculty has included 52 Nobel laureates, 12 National Medal of Science recipients, and 32 National Academy of Engineering members.
2021: Individual Colleges and Schools Ranking
Individual colleges and schools were also nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report for its 2021 edition. Columbia Law School was ranked fourth, the Mailman School of Public Health fourth, the School of Social Work tied for third, Columbia Business School eighth, the College of Physicians and Surgeons tied for sixth for research, the School of Nursing tied for 11th in the master's program and tied for first in the doctorate nursing program, and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science was ranked tied for 14th.
2022: Columbia's Ranking Data Criticized and Unranked
In 2022, Columbia University's reporting of metrics used for university ranking was criticized by Professor Michael Thaddeus for being inaccurate. Consequently, U.S. News & World Report "unranked" Columbia from its 2022 list of Best Colleges due to unverifiable data.
June 2023: Columbia University Ends Participation in U.S. News & World Report Rankings
In June 2023, Columbia University announced that its undergraduate schools would no longer participate in U.S. News & World Report's rankings. This decision follows similar actions by its law, medical, and nursing schools, citing concerns that such rankings overly influence applicants and simplify a university's profile into data categories.
2023: Columbia University ranking
Columbia University is ranked 12th in the United States and seventh globally for 2023–2024 by U.S. News & World Report.
January 2024: Accusations of Chemical Attack on Pro-Palestine Demonstrators
In January 2024, former IDF soldiers were accused of attacking pro-Palestine demonstrators with noxious chemicals, leading to an interim suspension of one student.
April 2024: Suspended Student Sues Columbia
In April 2024, a student suspended for allegedly attacking pro-Palestine demonstrators with noxious chemicals sued Columbia, alleging biased misconduct proceedings and claiming he used novelty fart sprays instead.
April 17, 2024: President Shafik Questioned on Antisemitism; Renewed Protests
On April 17, 2024, Columbia president Minouche Shafik was questioned by the House Committee on Education and the Workforce about antisemitism on campus. Student activists began renewed protests, leading to a "full-blown crisis" over tensions.
April 22, 2024: Move to Online Classes
On April 22, 2024, Columbia University moved all in-person classes online in response to campus tensions and protests, with President Shafik aiming to de-escalate the situation.
August 2024: Resignations in the Wake of Campus Protests
In mid-August 2024, three deans and Columbia University president Minouche Shafik resigned following campus protests.
October 2024: Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize Proven to be a Nobel Prize precursor
As of October 2024, 55 of the 117 Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize recipients have gone on to win either a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine or Nobel Prize in Chemistry, indicating that the prize is considered an important precursor to the Nobel Prize.
2024: Columbia University ranking
Columbia University is ranked 12th in the United States and seventh globally for 2023–2024 by U.S. News & World Report.
May 2025: Suspension Through May 2025
In January 2024, one of the students suspected in the attack was initially placed on interim suspension before later being suspended through May 2025.
2025: Statistics on acceptance for class of 2025
Columbia University received 60,551 applications for the class of 2025.
