From April 21–23, more than 2,300 alumni and guests from the classes of 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012, and 2016 flooded back to Uris and Warren Halls to celebrate their Columbia Business School reunions. 

The weekend featured numerous educational panels and discussions, two keynote addresses — one titled “How to Be True to Yourself: The Practice of Authenticity in Life and Leadership” with Professor Hitendra Wadhwa, and one titled “Globalization: What’s Next?” with professors Bruce Greenwald and Joseph Stiglitz — a Manhattanville Campus update, and evening receptions and dinners. 

Friday and Saturday were packed with lively alumni panel discussions and presentations on topics ranging from healthcare and family business management to entrepreneurship and private equity. On Friday afternoon, Marcelo Velez, vice president of Manhattanville Development at Columbia University, offered an update on Columbia University’s expansion into Manhattanville, 17 acres located primarily west of Broadway between 125th and 133rd Streets. 

Stanley Trotman ’67, who is serving on his reunion class committee and whose son, Nicholas Trotman ’00, is also a Columbia Business School grad, said he most looked forward to Saturday’s panel discussions and comments from Dean Hubbard, as well as learning what’s going on at the School and reconnecting with a few friends. “I've always felt very strongly about Columbia,” he added. “It's had a lot to do with my career path.” 

Another reunion volunteer, Doug Pardo ’07, said: “The community was the highlight of my experience at CBS, and any community starts with the people. My friends and clustermates were extended family for those two years, and many still are. The opportunity to head back for a milestone reunion and see the friends, clustermates, and classmates that made it such an incredible experience is something I would never pass up.” Pardo added that serving on his reunion class committee “is a way to give back to a program and community that has given so much to me as a student and over the years as an alum. Plus, ... it’s our classmates that can drum up the most support and excitement; I wanted to be a part of that energy and effort.” 

Next year’s Columbia Business School Reunion will take place April 13–15, 2018.

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