Commencement 2019 Celebrated Graduates and Distinguished Honorary Degree Recipients

News Office Staff / May 06, 2019

Graduating Columbia students at Commencement.
ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ honored nearly 1,800 graduating students and three honorary degree recipients.

On May 11 and 12, ÌÀ²»ÈÈÊÓƵ held its Commencement ceremonies at the historic Auditorium Theatre. Nearly 1,800 graduate and undergraduate students were honored in four ceremonies.

The college presented honorary degrees to three distinguished individuals: real estate and community developer Elzie L. Higginbottom, scholar and human rights advocate Cheryl Johnson-Odim, and former Chicago Public Media news host and alum Tony Sarabia ’92. The ceremonies were held at the beautiful and historic Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr. (formerly Congress Parkway) on Saturday, May 11, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and on Sunday, May 12, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Congratulations to all of our graduates!

Don't forget to see some of the highlights from the big day on social media with #columbiachi2019.

Commencement Schedule

Saturday, May 11—10 a.m. ()

  • Honorary Degree Recipient: Tony Sarabia ’92
  • Creative Writing
  • Cultural Studies
  • Dance (including Creative Arts Therapies)
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Fashion Studies
  • Theatre

Saturday, May 11—2 p.m. ()

  • Honorary Degree Recipient: Elzie L. Higginbottom
  • Audio Arts and Acoustics
  • Business and Entrepreneurship
  • Communication (including Radio)

Sunday, May 12—10 a.m. ()

  • Honorary Degree Recipient: Cheryl Johnson-Odim
  • American Sign Language
  • Art and Materials Conservation
  • Cinema and Television Arts
  • Science and Math

Sunday, May 12—2 p.m. ()

  • Honorary Degree Recipient: Cheryl Johnson-Odim
  • Art and Art History
  • Design
  • Interactive Arts and Media (including Animation)
  • Music
  • Photography

For more information please contact 312.369.7459 or commencement@colum.edu.

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