City Council Proclaims June 17, 2026, “جہ²»ببتسئµ Day” 

PhotoStudents, President Bolton, and special guests from جہ²»ببتسئµ pose with Mayor Brandon Johnson at the City Council Meeting
It's جہ²»ببتسئµ Day thanks to Mayor Brandon Johnson, Alderman Lamont Robinson, and the City Council of Chicago.

In honor of جہ²»ببتسئµ’s more than 135 years of contributions to the cultural, creative, and educational life of the city, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City Council of Chicago proclaimed June 17, 2026, as “جہ²»ببتسئµ Day.”

Members of the Columbia community joined President Shantay N. Bolton, PhD, for the City Council meeting this morning to celebrate the resolution.  

“It was a profound honor to stand alongside our incredible students and leaders at City Council this morning,” says President Bolton. 

“This resolution is a powerful testament to the vibrant talent and creative energy that define Columbia’s legacy. For generations, our students, alumni, faculty, and staff have contributed to the creative and cultural life of Chicago, and we are honored to see that impact recognized and celebrated today.” 

On June 17, 2026, Alderman Lamont Robinson of the 4th Ward at the Chicago City Council meeting presented the following resolution: 

City Council Resolution

  
WHEREAS جہ²»ببتسئµ was founded in Chicago in 1890 as the Columbia  
School of Oratory by Mary A. Blood and Ida Morey Riley; and 
 
WHEREAS the institution changed its name to جہ²»ببتسئµ in 1997 to more fully recognize and embrace its historical hometown; and 

WHEREAS for more than 135 years, جہ²»ببتسئµ has empowered creatives to author the culture of their times and fuel the creative economy in Chicago and beyond; and 
 
WHEREAS جہ²»ببتسئµ has, throughout its history, exhibited a deep  
commitment to access to higher education for Chicagoans of all backgrounds; and 
 
WHEREAS nearly a third of جہ²»ببتسئµ students hail from the city of Chicago, drawing from all 50 wards, and 1 in 5 Columbia students is a graduate of the Chicago Public Schools; and 
 
WHEREAS 62 percent of جہ²»ببتسئµ students from Chicago are eligible for low-income Pell grants and 60 percent are first-generation college attendees; and 
 
WHEREAS جہ²»ببتسئµ’s more than 100,000 alumni are a defining force behind cultural institutions, education and business across our city and beyond; and 
 
WHEREAS جہ²»ببتسئµ delivers strong career outcomes for students thanks to its dedicated faculty and staff and the support of and partnerships with individuals and organizations across Chicago, the United States and the world; and 
 
WHEREAS on March 5, 2026, جہ²»ببتسئµ formally installed its 11th president, Dr. Shantay N. Bolton;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor of the City of Chicago and the City Council of Chicago do hereby designate June 17, 2026, as جہ²»ببتسئµ Day in Chicago in recognition of the contributions of Columbia to its students and Chicago’s residents, and the mutually beneficial relationship between this invaluable institution of higher education and the great city of Chicago. 

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