Dear Members of the TC Community,

Today ends a week with much pomp and circumstance. A total of four TC Convocation ceremonies were held over two days at the United Palace Theater in Washington Heights, enabling us to recognize each of our graduates from masters and doctoral programs. Columbia University’s commencement exercises took place on the campus lawn, where not even the blazing hot sun could deter the enthusiasm of our graduates waving their TC balloons. Our Breaking New Ground ceremony was held right here at TC, where we celebrated families and graduates in a more intimate setting with stories, tributes and more than a few joyful tears. Many graduates there were marking the occasion of being the first in their families to earn a post-secondary degree or other “first” milestones. 

There are often universal themes in graduation remarks, but one thing was particularly striking across the medalists and graduate speakers and the letters we had the honor of hearing this week: each reflected on people who changed the trajectory of their lives, the deep human connections that propelled them forward, and the responsibility that they each felt to continue those connections for others. 

Beyond the skills attained through scholarship, we were reminded again and again of the value of our humanity and its impact, in their own words: by creating a space to be seen, challenged and begin to have “a sense of possibility;” on “allowing our full, authentic selves to stand up,” and on maintaining “stubborn hope.” We heard how a single relationship can let us know “we belong in rooms for learning, leadership and change;” that “a genuine stake in others’ wellbeing lays the groundwork for changes in policy and practice” that improve lives for all—and that without it, “progress quietly unravels.” We saw how our community met our students “with care, with presence, and with the kind of attentiveness” that changed how they saw themselves, and taught us “to ask ourselves what’s right?” We heard how a professor can help us “see something true” and then we can refuse to unsee it as we advocate for change. 

I encourage you to watch all of our speakers. I know you will feel as inspired as I was. And most heartening to me is that these points are all consistent with the type of community we seek to uphold at TC. I was so proud to see that reflected throughout each of the ceremonies.

As always, I am filled with gratitude for our community, with special appreciation this week for our College Events team and the 100+ staff volunteers who took time from their days and helped in all manner of things, from faculty robing to graduate line-up, to getting children into the right hands so they, too, could cross the stage with their proud parents. Everyone helped to ensure these celebrations were successful, joyful and especially meaningful for our graduates, whom we sent off in style and with our warmest wishes.

As we head into the Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of summer, this will be my last bi-weekly community email for the year. I have already begun to greet our summer students on campus and I wish for everyone some time for relaxation, rejuvenation and continued learning over the next few quieter months.

Best,

Thomas Bailey
President 
Teachers College, Columbia University