Introducing Columbians in Film

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Ilene Markay

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In case you missed it, Graham Moore ’03CC delivered an inspiring speech when he accepted his Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Imitation Game on Sunday. The thousands of Columbians working in the film industry, like Graham, have inspired us to create a new series program to engage alumni.

Columbians in Film, a worldwide program that extends across the University and the CAA ecosystem, launched at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, where more than 300 alumni and industry professionals gathered on the CAA’s Blue Carpet. Trustee Ann Kaplan and Peter Farrelly ’86SOA — one half of the screenwriting-directing Farrelly brothers team — joined the party. We’ve used content from this event across our social media channels (photos here) and on the CAA Arts Access website to engage other alumni and highlight alumni and faculty filmmakers.

The next program in the Columbians in Film series will be at the Tribeca Film Festival, where we plan to offer special access to an alumni film screening and a post-screening talk back. Columbians in Film will continue to grow as we build partnerships with regional club volunteers and shared interest groups, alumni with significant involvement in all aspects of the film industry and film festivals, and the Global Centers. In time, we plan to bring Columbians in Film events to Toronto, Hong Kong, Berlin, Cannes, Istanbul, Los Angeles, Barnard’s Athena Film Festival, and the New York Film Festival.

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$75K Supports J-School’s Documentary Film Program

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Meghan Berry

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This week, Ethan Phillips ’09JRN, ’13SIPA reports that Charles and Clydette deGroot have given $75,000 to support Columbia Journalism School’s documentary film program.

Last year, with encouragement from friends who support the Journalism School, the deGroots gave $20,000 to the documentary program. This gift helped fund partial scholarships for two students, several student documentaries, and extracurricular activities. The documentary Born Into This was named the Joyce A. deGroot Memorial Film, recognizing it as the best film among those supported by deGroots.

After visiting Columbia, meeting students, and watching their films, the deGroots extended their support, pledging $25,000 per year to the documentary program for the next three years. Their gift will directly support scholarships for students and offset costs associated with shooting and producing films.

“This is an emerging program at the Journalism School, and the deGroots’ support enhances what documentary students are able to do,” said Phillips. “It’s so rewarding to see the caliber of these films — the complex issues being addressed through powerful storytelling. It makes me proud to be part of this great program.”

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Get Ready for the All-Staff Meeting!

Posted on February 18, 2015 by John Budner

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On Thursday, February 26, we will be getting together as One Columbia for the All-Staff Meeting. As a special treat this year, we have Amy Herman, former head of education at the Frick Collection, joining us to talk about her program, The Art of Perception, which uses works of art to challenge the way we perceive what we see and hear. The Navy Seals, the CIA, NYPD detectives, and emergency room doctors across the New York City metro area have used Amy’s innovative approach.

Her presentation will set the stage for the brainstorming session that will follow. We’ll be diving deeper into some of the topics from last summer’s retreat. Be sure to arrive ready to brainstorm the following topics:

  • One Columbia: What does it mean for us?
  • Creating more synergy between fundraising and alumni relations
  • Internal communications: How can we improve?

The retreat will be held in the Roone Arledge Auditorium in Lerner Hall from 9 a.m. to noon on February 26. I look forward to seeing you there! Please register here.

Amy Herman, our special guest, is pictured above. Photo/Amy Toensing

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Taub Family Pledges $7M to Support Alzheimer’s Research

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Meghan Berry

2014_Gift-og-the-Week_StripThis week, CUMC reports that the Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation has pledged $7 million to advance the study and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders, renewing their remarkable commitment to the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain.

This gift will support the development and implementation of four core research platforms and an innovation grants program that will foster collaboration and increase efficiency within the institute’s research program. These operational improvements will contribute to the continued stability and strong reputation of the Taub Institute as a nationally recognized research center.

The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation has supported Alzheimer’s research at CUMC for two decades, establishing a center for research in 1995 and this Institute in 1999.

“We are deeply grateful for the continuing friendship and support from the Taub family. Their generosity has truly transformed Alzheimer’s disease research here at CUMC,” said Natasha Requena, executive director of development. “This gift will not only ensure that the Taub Institute remains the destination of choice for the brightest minds in science and medicine, but will also continue Henry Taub’s legacy and vision to find a cure for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders.”

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Joining Forces in Columbia Magazine

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Timothy McGowan

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February has already been an exciting month for Columbia Magazine, the one publication that reaches alumni of all of our schools. We welcomed Sally Lee, our new editor in chief, and the winter issue hit campus newsstands and more than 300,000 mailboxes worldwide.

This edition takes us from West Africa to Paris to Harlem and into outer space, profiling members of our community who are joining forces to address some of today’s biggest issues in quintessential One Columbia fashion.

In “The Ebola Web,” writer Paul Hond explores the ways Columbia alumni and faculty are working to curb disease transmission. Later in the issue, you can read about students who developed low-cost, technology-driven solutions to the Ebola crisis. Managing Editor Becca Shapiro takes an in-depth look at the Romare Bearden art exhibit. Astronomer Caleb Scharf discusses why we are now closer to knowing whether or not extraterrestrial life exists. And we feature essays on globalization by Indian writers who participated in the World Writers’ Festival hosted by the Columbia Global Center in Paris.

Sally, who joins us most recently from the United Nations Foundation and has vast editorial experience at a number of lifestyle magazines, is looking across schools for One Columbia stories. Right now, she’s working on a feature about the rules of professional networking and how opportunities at schools and through the CAA link our community. “The article will appeal not only to recent graduates — this is the issue tied to Commencement — but to readers of all ages who value career development,” she said.

Pictured above is an illustration by Michael Morgenstern that accompanies the magazine’s cover story on Ebola. 

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