Located in the heart of The Big Apple and the birthplace of the Pulitzer Prize, Columbia University is a coveted university that students from around the globe dream of getting into. With its high-tech teaching facilities, student infrastructure and an absolutely other-world experience for its students, it drives and awards achievements in the fields of literature, newspaper, magazine and online journalism and musical composition. It is no wonder that many of the famous faces we see and famous minds responsible for iconic creations are Columbia University’s notable alumni.
Why Columbia University | Columbia University’s Notable Alumni
Columbia strives to be at the heart of the university experience. Be it politics, research activities or campus affairs students are encouraged to be a part of it all and take away from these experiences to shape their futures. Some of Columbia University’s notable alumni that we applaud today have been able to forge such powerful paths for themselves can be attributed to the university culture Columbia promises.
Columbia fosters diversity. Unlike its counterparts, Columbia is represented by students from a multitude of countries, races, ethnicities and cultures. This mixed bag of people makes up some of Columbia University’s notable alumni. It helps embrace difference, which is something highly required in such future-defining institutions.
Student life at Columbia is highly rewarding and like something you’ve never experienced before. Be it extracurriculars or just enjoying university and blending in with the blur that is New York, Columbia promises an experience like no other. Some of Columbia University’s notable alumni still fondly recall their days at university and how it has impacted the rest of their life curve.
Speaking about New York, there are barely any universities around the world that parallel Columbia’s enviable locale. That places the university at the centre of international goings-on and in a place where a small change can make a big difference. This makes Columbia a truly global university.
Columbia University’s Notable Alumni
Did you know some of your favourite actors and musicians and highly celebrated political figures and entrepreneurs are on the list of Columbia University’s notable alumni? This article lists the most famous names in various fields that are noted as Columbia University alumni.
- Alexander Hamilton – An American revolutionary and among the United States’ founding fathers, Hamilton fought in the American Revolutionary War and helped draft the country’s constitution. He was also the founder of the American financial system.
- Amelia Earhart – The courageous aviator who became the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic ocean. Alas, her journey to circumnavigate the globe in 1937 proved fateful as she disappeared someplace over the Pacific.
- Kathryn Bigelow – Another among Columbia University’s notable alumni, she has bagged an Academy Award for Best Director for her film The Hurt Locker and garnered critical acclaim for her film Zero Dark Thirty which portrays the capture of infamous terrorist Osama bin Laden by the CIA.
- Barack Obama – America’s most popular president as voted by its people, Obama served as the 44th President of the United States. During his tenure, he strived to provide affordable and accessible healthcare for the American people, empower the country’s education system and was among the few presidents who shed light on the harrowing effects of climate change and urged people to come together for the betterment of the planet.
- Neil deGrasse Tyson – Everyone’s favourite science guy, Tyson also belonged to Columbia University’s famous alumni. An author, astrophysicist, planetary scientist and most famous for being the narrator of his television series, Cosmos: A SpaceTime Odyssey, Tyson was awarded the Public Welfare Medal. The highest of its kind, he was recognised for his contribution and extraordinary use of science for the public good.
- J.D. Salinger – Salinger of The Catcher in the Rye fame, spent 10 years writing the book only to regret his most famous publication. The book is highly controversial and banned in many schools throughout the United States due to its offensive language, sexual content, violence and drug and alcohol use.
- Jake Gyllenhaal – Once upon a time America’s favourite heartthrob calls Columbia University his alma mater. Recognised for his acting prowess and unusual film choices, Gyllenhaal has starred in over 50+ productions with Brokeback Mountain, Prisoners, Nightcrawler, Southpaw and Zodiac being his most popular and critically acclaimed films.
- Alicia Keys – Famous singer and songwriter, Keys began composing songs at the age of 12. At 15 years old, she was signed by Columbia Records and there was no looking back for her. The hitmaker gained a scholarship to Columbia University.
- Anthony Perkins – A famous figure in pop culture, Perkins played the iconic role of Norman Bates in Hitchock’s Psycho in 1960. Initially typecast in romantic roles, Perkins made the switch to horror and 30 years after his death is known for his contribution to spooky cinema.
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I have done Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts from India and completed my graduation in the year 2022 .I am 22 years old. After graduation, I have done 1 year paid internship from USA .Now, I would like to take occupational experience and learn culinary skills and also do masters in Culinary arts.How can I find the college n best course / country where I can persue studying further