For Alex Jasiulek, CC ’13, dining with three generations of Columbia College students Thursday night was about more than just networking.
“I might be in the same position in a few years—I need to step it up,” Jasiulek said of meeting alumni at this year’s first Bridge Dinner for the Classes of 1963, 1988, and 2013. “I think it’s more of a personal responsibility level as opposed to thinking, ‘OK, now you’re going to get me a job in your industry.’”
Fourteen undergraduates, three 1988 alumni, and three 1963 alumni dined together at the Columbia Alumni Center as part of a program aimed at connecting classes 25 and 50 years apart. All three classes will attend future reunions together, and this was the first opportunity for the class of 2013 to connect with these fellow classes.
“I was interested in coming to the dinner to see what the alumni had to say about their experiences at Columbia because we’re only in our third semester,” Serena Dasani, CC ’13, said, adding that it was helpful to learn from older generations of Columbia alumni.
Though Karishma Habbu, CC ’13, said she came primarily for the free dinner, ultimately she appreciated the alums’ stories. “I thought they had really valuable things to say, were an incredibly lively group, and I really enjoyed my time here.”
Administrators launched more student-alumni events in response to a lack of alumni attendance at reunions and minimal interaction between the Office of Alumni Affairs and the Office of Student Affairs, said Kathryn Wittner, senior associate dean of student affairs.
“We, the staff, hadn’t really done our job in helping the students understand the rich variety of alumni that are here and what they could add to an undergraduate’s education,” Wittner said.
For the alumni in attendance, the dinner was a chance to look back and explore the ways in which Columbia and the neighborhood have changed.
“We all share the Columbia experience, and it’s fun to compare not only the differences between experience, but also it’s fun to be able to plant a little of our cumulative wisdom on what the outside world is going to be like,” Paul Neshamkin, CC ’63, said.
“I also think how the neighborhood has changed for the better,” Jonathan Roskes, CC ’88, said. “I loved it then in the ’80s, but it’s improved, and it’s definitely better now.”
Patrick Killackey, CC ’88, said that despite improvements in the student experience, returning to campus makes him nostalgic for his college days—even his low-quality dorm. “It’s a dump. And I can say that I miss that.”
COMMENTS
Comments will be moderated in accordance with our comment policy