A couple of late-breaking picks (including one with Judith Rodin) from SIPA, plus an artist exploring the South, Jeffrey Sachs’s latest on sustainability, the improvisations of scientists, and the future of cybersecurity. What in the world is going on at Columbia? Just about everything! 

February 25
6 – 7 p.m.
School of International and Public Affairs
The Resilience Dividend: Being Strong in a World Where Things Go Wrong
A conversation with Judith Rodin, president of The Rockefeller Foundation, about her new book on the importance of resilient planning—among cities and organizations—in handling current and future threats and challenges. Moderated by Dean Merit E. Janow (SIPA). International Affairs Building, Room 1501

February 26
6 – 8 p.m.
School of International and Public Affairs
The UN at 70: Past Experiences and Future Opportunities
A discussion on the United Nations 70th anniversary. UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson will reflect on the UN’s progress since its founding and discuss the road ahead in light of new challenges. There will be Q&A session followed by a reception. CUID and registration required. International Affairs Building, Room 1501.

February 27
6:30 p.m.
School of the Arts
Ralph Lemon Ceremonies Out of the Air
Lemon’s exploration of the American South in his interviews, publications, performances and exhibitions uncovers the complexity of geography, history, memory and the body. A Mellon Visiting Artist, Lemon will present new and old work about the South followed by a discussion with English and Comparative Literature Professor Saidiya Hartman. RSVP here. Schermerhorn Hall, Room 501.

March 2
4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Earth Institute
Book launch: The Age of Sustainable Development with Jeffrey D. Sachs, director of the Earth Institute. His latest publication is based on his twelve years as the director of the Earth Institute, his thirteen years advising the United Nations secretary-general on the Millennium Development Goals, and his recent presentation of these ideas in a popular online course. Lecture followed by a reception. Morningside Campus, Casa Italiana.

March 10
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Wallach Art Gallery
Improvisation in the Sciences
A discussion with Martin Chalfie (biological sciences), George Lewis (music), and Michael Shadlen (neuroscience) about the universality of the two themes of Romare Bearden’s Black Odyssey – art and life as improvisation, and the urge, need, and desire to return home. The event will explore how these creative concepts apply to scientific research. Register here. Earl Hall.

March 12
6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Engineering | Columbia Alumni Association
NYC Entrepreneurship Night: Cybersecurity
A discussion on next generation security protocols and technologies. Moderated by Dean Mary C. Boyce (engineering) with Benjamin Fried, chief information officer at Google, Salvatore Stolfo, professor of computer science, and David Aronoff, general partner at Flybridge Capital Partners. Followed by a reception with drinks and snacks and featuring new ventures by students, alumni, and faculty. Purchase tickets here. AXA Event & Production Center, 787 Seventh Ave.

Highlighted above are general interest campus or NYC events of possible high interest to alumni, donors, and prospects. This listing is highly selective by design — regrettably, much more is omitted than featured. For RSVP, ticket availability, and other details, follow the links. As always, I appreciate hearing from you about future events!

Stars and storms, decoding confidence or cancer, the arts and the art of governing–March will come in like a (Columbia) lion. 

February 18
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
University Programs and Events
A Discussion with Claire Shipman and Katty Kay
Journalists Claire Shipman ‘86CC and Katty Kay will discuss their New York Times best-selling book The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance—What Women Should Know. Moderated by Alondra Nelson, professor of sociology and gender studies and dean for social sciences. Followed by a Q&A session and reception where Shipman and Kay will be on hand to sign copies of their books (which will be available for purchase). RSVP required. Rotunda, Low Memorial Library.

February 19
3:30 p.m.
Columbia University Medical Center
How Cancer Research is Transforming Cancer Control with Harold Varmus, M.D.
Nobelist Varmus, director of the National Cancer Institute, will speak on the frontiers of cancer treatment in the Distinguished Lectures in Precision Medicine series. CUMC Alumni Auditorium, 650 West 168th Street, 1st floor. (Reminder)

February 23
6 p.m.
The Earth Institute | Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory | Executive Vice President for Research
Preparing for Extreme Weather: Global Lessons from Sandy
This World Leaders Forum will launch the new Columbia Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate. With Michael Gerrard, Andrew Sabin Professor of Professional Practice and director, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law; Lisa Goddard, director and senior research scientist at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society and adjunct associate professor of earth and environmental sciences; Cynthia Rosenzweig, co-chair of NYC Panel on Climate Change, head of the Climate Impacts Group, and senior research scientist at the NASA-Goddard Institute for Space Studies and the Earth Institute; and Daniel Zarrilli, director of New York City Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency. RSVP required. Rotunda, Low Memorial Library. (Reminder)

February 25
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Weatherhead East Asia Institute | Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
Birds of Metal in Flight: An Evening of Poetry with 5+5
This event is a goodbye to the much-beloved exhibit, “Phoenix: Xu Bing at the Cathedral” (on view through the end of February). Featuring readings by ten premiere poets: Bei Dao, Ouyang Jianghe, Xi Chuan, Zhai Yongming, Zhou Zan, Charles Bernstein, Mei-Mei Berssenbrugge, Pierre Joris, Afaa Weaver, as well as the Cathedral’s poet in residence, Marilyn Nelson. Register here. The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Avenue.

February 27
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Astronomy Department
Neutron Stars
The Stargazing and Lecture Series are public lectures complemented by a Q&A session with real astronomers, 3D Wall, astrophotography slideshows, and an observatory tour followed by guided stargazing with telescopes (weather permitting). Pupin Hall.

March 4
4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
School of International and Public Affairs
Global Mayors Forum with Michael Nutter, Mayor of Philadelphia
Mayor Michael Nutter will speak about his innovative approaches to school reform and community policing partnerships with vulnerable communities, and his longstanding commitment to making Philadelphia become the greenest city in America through GreenWorks. Register here. International Affairs Building, Room 1501.

March 13 – LOOKING AHEAD…
7:30 p.m.
Heyman Center for the Humanities
Art Spiegelman and Phillip Johnston: Wordless!
Named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, Art Spiegelman is a noted historian, Pulitzer prize-winning artist, and theorist of comics who changed the definition of comics forever. Phillip Johnston, the critically acclaimed jazz composer, will be performing live with his sextet in “WORDLESS!” — a program combining slides, talk, film, and musical performance. As Spiegelman explores “the battle between Words and Pictures,” he smashes at the hyphen between High and Low Art in a presentation featuring new work drawn specifically for this project called “Shaping Thought.” Purchase tickets here. Miller Theatre.

Highlighted above are general interest campus or NYC events of possible high interest to alumni, donors, and prospects. This listing is highly selective by design — regrettably, much more is omitted than featured. For RSVP, ticket availability, and other details, follow the links. As always, I appreciate hearing from you about future events!

A Valentine’s Day special for those in love, or at least in love with chocolate. And there’s plenty more on the menu if your passions run to history, medicine, science, or innovation. 

February 11
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Maison Française
Les Chocolats de Saint Valentin
This Valentine’s Day, join culinary historian and chocolate expert Alexandra Leaf for a tasting and talk in the Maison Française kitchen celebrating the French tradition of dark chocolate. Taste a selection of single origin French-made bars and handmade, award-winning bonbons from Chocolat Moderne, along with champagne. Tickets are $45 and seating is limited. To request a ticket, please e-mail [email protected]. Buell Hall, Morningside campus.

February 12
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Asian American Studies | Department of History
“The Chinese Question and Global Politics in the Nineteenth Century”
This University Lecture will consider the broader implications for thinking about the relationship between the local and the global. Mae M. Ngai, professor of history and Lung Family Professor of Asian American Studies, will discuss local politics in the gold-mining regions of the United States, Australia, and South Africa, where Euro-Americans first encountered large-scale Chinese immigration, the differences in politics among them, and the dynamics that brought them together into an idea with global force and reach. Hosted by President Lee C. Bollinger and Provost John H. Coatsworth with a Q&A session followed by a reception. RSVP required. Rotunda, Low Memorial Library. (Reminder)

February 19
3:30 p.m.
Columbia University Medical Center
How Cancer Research is Transforming Cancer Control with Harold Varmus, M.D.
Nobelist Varmus, director of the National Cancer Institute, will speak on the frontiers of cancer treatment as part of the Distinguished Lectures in Precision Medicine. CUMC Alumni Auditorium, 650 West 168th Street, 1st floor.

February 23
6:00 p.m.
The Earth Institute | Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory | Executive Vice President for Research
Preparing for Extreme Weather: Global Lessons from Sandy
This World Leaders Forum will launch the new Columbia Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate with a panel discussion on the risks to human life and property from extreme weather events and on developing solutions to mitigate those risks. Panelists include: Michael Gerrard, Andrew Sabin Professor of Professional Practice and director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law; Lisa Goddard, director and senior research scientist at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society and adjunct associate professor of earth and environmental sciences; Cynthia Rosenzweig, co-chair of NYC Panel on Climate Change, head of the Climate Impacts Group, and senior research scientist at the NASA-Goddard Institute for Space Studies and the Earth Institute; and Daniel Zarrilli, director of New York City Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency. RSVP required. Rotunda, Low Memorial Library.

March 2 – 3
Columbia Business School | Center on Global Brand Leadership
BRITE ’15 Conference: brands, innovation, and technology
BRITE ’15 will bring together over 500 leaders from business, technology, media, and marketing to discuss how innovation and shifting social trends are transforming the ways companies build and sustain great brands. Participants will come to think differently about the changing global landscape brands face today, and connect with a best-in-class group of innovators, marketers, entrepreneurs, and champions of social enterprise. Register here. Roone Arledge Auditorium, 1st floor, Alfred Lerner Hall.

March 3
6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Zuckerman Institute
In Darwin’s Footsteps: Witnessing the Origin of a New Species in the Galapagos
Columbia journalism professor and Pulitzer Prize winner Jonathan Weiner tells of a team of biologists that has been observing the evolution of Darwin’s finches on a desert island in the center of the Galapagos archipelago for more than forty years. Their work throws light on many aspects of the science of life — including the science of the brain. The lecture is part of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Brain Insight Lecture series of the Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute. Register here. Graduate School of Journalism, Lecture Hall.

March 4
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
School of Continuing Education | College of Physicians and Surgeons
Narrative Medicine Rounds: Peter Nicks, Author
Narrative Medicine Rounds are lectures or readings presented by scholars, clinicians, or writers engaged in work at the intersection of narrative and health care. Nicks is an Emmy award winning documentary filmmaker whose projects for network, cable and public television explored topics such as immigration, journalism, and technology. Reception to follow. CUMC Faculty Club, Physicians and Surgeons Building, 4th floor.

Highlighted above are general interest campus or NYC events of possible high interest to alumni, donors, and prospects. This listing is highly selective by design — regrettably, much more is omitted than featured. For RSVP, ticket availability, and other details, follow the links. As always, I appreciate hearing from you about future events!