Columbia Celebrates Its 135th Anniversary by Honoring 25 Distinguished Alumni for ‘25 in 2025’
Columbia unveiled the 25 honorees as a celebratory start to the 2025 fall semester, marking a new chapter in the school’s long legacy as a leader in creative arts education. This recognition comes at a pivotal moment in the college’s history, as Shantay N. Bolton, PhD, joins the college as the 11th president and first female in nearly 90 years to lead the institution.
“It is an absolute honor to showcase the brilliance and breadth of our alumni through 25 in 2025,” says Dr. Shantay N. Bolton, president of ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ. “These trailblazers are living proof of the power of a Columbia education—where creativity meets purpose, and passion becomes profession. Their stories reflect not only individual excellence but also the bold, transformative spirit that defines our institution.”
Columbia’s 25 in 2025 class includes a multifaceted group whose careers span a wide range of industries — from post-production and music supervision to entrepreneurship, costume design, and network television. Many launched their careers while at Columbia, leveraging the college’s hands-on curriculum and industry connections.
The 25 honorees’ career paths represent the diverse areas of study Columbia offers — including film, theater, music, visual storytelling, digital media, fashion, and communications. Organizations such as ABC 7 Chicago, Harper’s Bazaar, Disney, HanesBrands Inc., and The Mather Group are just a few examples of where Columbia alumni continue to make their mark.
Deana Lewis ’05 is one of the 25 honorees and works as the Senior Director of Marketing at The Mather Group, a wealth management company based in Chicago. She attributes her success to the career-focused education she got at Columbia’s arts, entertainment, and media management program.
“Columbia really laid the foundation for what it takes to be successful in the real world,” says Lewis. “Not just in industry, but how to have good business skills, how to communicate, and how to look for opportunities. This place was amazing toward setting me up for success.”
Lewis joins the list of distinguished alumni who were chosen to be a part of 25 in 2025 with the goal to build community and industry connections between students and alumni.
“It is such an honor to be named in 25 in 2025 because I think more people need to know how great this place is,” says Lewis. “It really produces champions.”
25 in 2025 selects members of the Columbia Community for their professional achievements and dedication to the creative arts and media beyond their academic careers. Columbia emphasizes a career-ready curriculum that prepares students to thrive in their chosen fields.
“This celebration is a testament to the power of a Columbia education,” Bolton adds. “Our alumni are shaping culture, innovating in their industries, and proving what’s possible when creativity meets purpose.”
Read more about how the 25 in 2025 honorees fuel the creative economy in ways that make an impact at home in Chicago and across the nation.
Tiffani Alexander MAM ’07, Executive Director of Editorial Services at Howard University
Jonathan Binder ’08, Head of Communications at HanesBrands Inc.
Bianca Betancourt ’15, Digital Culture Editor for Harper’s Bazaar
Alexa Borden MFA ’16, Composer for Film and Theater
Ashley Fischer ’12, Photographer
Brian Galati ’11, Entrepreneur and Executive at Machine Hospitality Group
Cooper Justus MFA ’15, Post-Production Services Manager
Justin Kamps MAM ’09, Music Supervisor
Maral Karagozian-Voutsinas ’01, Sr. Manager of Education and Development Communications, No7 Beauty Company
Brad Kemp ’12, Composer and Music Producer
Deana Lewis ’05, Senior Director of Marketing at The Mather Group
Resa B. Mac-Luster ’12, Brand Manager at Large, Luster Products, Inc.
Gustavo Martin ’12, Independent Filmmaker
Savana Nix ’20, Theatrical Costume Professional
Diane Pathieu ’01, ABC 7 Chicago Traffic Anchor
Kwame Patterson ’04, Strategic Communication Leader
Brent Palmer ’13, Film Producer
Dan Polyak ’11, Graphic Artist and Creative Director
Chris Rejano ’97, Cinematographer
Jacey Rhorer ’00, Milliner and Owner of Rhorer Couture
Nathan Ross ’08, Founder of an AI-powered Platform
Vershawn Sanders-Ward ’02, Director and Choreographer
Norman Teague ’12, Designer and co-founder of blkHaUS Studio
Julianne Turkel ’19, Late Night Television Writer
Neal Weisenberg ’92, Creative Director of Motion Design at Disney