The Low Down

At age 40, Mel Schwartz '94SW wanted more meaning and purpose in his life.

"Many years before, someone had asked me, 'What do you love to do?'" Schwartz told The Low Down. "I love to help people think about things differently."

Each year, hundreds of alumni offer their inspiring advice to the newest Columbia graduates. Read on for some highlights from this year's Grad Grams campaign. Congratulations, Class of 2018!

By Alveena Bakhshi '03SIPA

Bakhshi, a finance and technology expert, is an advocate for Child Soldiers International, a group that aims to end all recruitment, use, and exploitation of children by armed forces. She also is an adviser to the School of International of Public Affairs (SIPA) Dean's Public Policy Challenge Grant. In a follow-up to her 2017 piece about her work with the organization, she shares details about the latest technology the group is using in its efforts.

The close partnership between newly-appointed Columbia University Board of Trustees Co-Chairs Lisa Carnoy '89CC and Jonathan Lavine '88CC spans more than half of their lives.

Congratulations to the six talented Columbia alumni who received a prestigious Pulitzer Prize this week! Read more about their work below.

(Award descriptions courtesy of Pulitzer.org.)

Each year, Crain's New York Business recognizes 40 individuals under 40 who are making their mark on the city through their pioneering work in science, journalism, entrepreneurship, and more. 

This year, four Columbians made the prestigious list. Learn more about them below.

(Images courtesy of Crain's.)

Three alumni secured a coveted spot on Forbes' "30 Under 30" Asia list. According to the publication, the list, currently in its third year, seeks to recognize "young innovators and disruptors" who are "driving change across this diverse region." 

Read on to learn more about the Columbians featured on the list. Congratulations!

Images courtesy of Forbes.com.

If it wasn't for his father convincing him to check out Columbia at the last minute, Dr. Michael Jones—a 1990 Columbia College and 1994 Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons alumnus—would have been a Hoya.

Recently we told you all about Winifred Edgerton Merrill, the first woman to receive a degree from Columbia University. In honor of Women's History Month, we'd like to celebrate a few Columbia women who were first graduates of their respective Schools or who took the lead in founding some of Columbia's undergraduate and professional Schools. Read on for a short list of the Columbia women who made academic history.

On the podcast Why CBS, host Fahad Ahmed '17BUS talks to students, faculty, and alumni about their experiences before, during, and after Columbia Business School. Launched in the fall of 2017, it is the new and official podcast of the Business School.