2025 Honorands and Awardees

2025 Honorands and Awardees

Each year at University Commencement, Columbia recognizes individuals and faculty members whose achievements and service embody the University’s highest values.

Honorands

Meet the Honorary Degree Recipients of 2025. Honorary degrees are awarded to distinguished individuals from a range of fields whose scholarly, artistic, or societal contributions reflect the University’s ideals. This is the highest honor the University can bestow on an individual, and the Trustees endeavor to ensure recognition for achievements across all of the various areas of study and fields of academia. For more information about this award, visit Office of the Secretary.

Darren Walker
Darren Walker

Philanthropic Leader
Doctor of Laws

Zvi Galil
Zvi Galil

Computer Scientist and Dean Emeritus of the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science
Doctor of Letters

Claudia Goldin Headshot
Claudia Goldin

Nobel Laureate and Economist
Doctor of Letters

Daniel Kahneman Headshot
Daniel Kahneman

Psychologist
Posthumous Doctor of Letters

Barney S. Graham
Barney S. Graham

Immunologist, Virologist, and Vaccinologist
Doctor of Science

Teaching Awards

Presidential Awards for Outstanding Teaching are given to faculty and graduate student instructors who have significantly influenced the intellectual development of Columbia students. For more information about this award, visit Office of the Provost

Mentoring Awards

Faculty Mentoring Awards, inspired by the incredible mentoring legacy of Columbia Business School Professor Katherine W. Phillips, are given to senior faculty who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the professional development of their junior colleagues. For more information about this award, visit Office of the Provost.

Service Awards

The Faculty Service Award recognizes full-time faculty whose extraordinary and creative voluntary service has contributed significantly to the University’s inclusion and belonging efforts. For more information about this award, visit Office of the Provost.

Alumni Medalist Awards

CAA Alumni Medalists are recognized for their outstanding commitment to building Columbia's community. The medal is the highest honor given by the Columbia Alumni Association (CAA) and is bestowed in recognition of 10 or more years of distinguished service to the University. Recipients are honored at University Commencement and at a celebration during Columbia Alumni Leaders Experience.

Reed D. Auerbach
Reed D. Auerbach

1981 IF, 1982 MIA International and Public Affairs
1985 JD Columbia Law School

Albert Berger
Albert Berger

1983 MFA School of the Arts

Courtney Nicole Cesari
Courtney Nicole Cesari

2004 BA Columbia College

Eric H. Holder, Jr.
Eric H. Holder, Jr.

1973 BA Columbia College
1976 JD Columbia Law School

Mary A. Kuo
Mary A. Kuo

1992 BA Columbia College

James A. Lipton, DDS, PhD
James A. Lipton, DDS, PhD

1971 DDS College of Dental Medicine
1980 PhD Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Ariel Milo
Ariel Milo

2003 BA School of General Studies

John M. Mullervy
John M. Mullervy

2000 BS Engineering

Lena Papalexopoulou
Lena Papalexopoulou

1989 MIA, SIPA

Rich Richman
Rich Richman

1972 JD Columbia Law School
1973 MBA Columbia Business School

Campbell Award Winners

In 2016, the Columbia University Trustees and the Columbia Alumni Association established the Campbell Award. The award is presented to a graduating student at each of Columbia’s nineteen schools and institutions who shows exceptional leadership and Columbia spirit as exemplified by the late Bill Campbell ’62CC, ’64TC, University Trustee Chair Emeritus and Columbia Alumni Association co-founder.