Commencement 2016 Celebrates Graduates and Distinguished Honorary Degree Recipients

Photo: Phil Dembinski (BFA '08)
Columbia College Chicago honors more than 2,000 graduating students and five honorary degree recipients

On May 14 and 15, Columbia College Chicago held its commencement ceremonies at the historic Chicago Theatre. More than 2,000 graduating students were honored in five ceremonies.

Commencement 2016 on Instagram

This year, the college presented degrees to five honorary recipients who are leaders in their fields: Columbia College Chicago alum and film producer Paul Garnes (Middle of Nowhere, Selma, “Being Mary Jane,” “Queen Sugar”); Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actress and former Chicagoan Jane Lynch (Hollywood Game Night, Glee); Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Award recipient Diane Warren (“Til It Happens To You,” “Because You Loved Me,” “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”); Pulitzer Prize-winning author and poet Tracy K. Smith (Ordinary Light, Life on Mars); and Carlos Tortolero, founder and president of Chicago’s National Museum of Mexican Art, the first Latino museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

Columbia’s commencement ceremonies were held on Saturday, May 14, at 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., and on Sunday, May 15, at 12 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Congratulations to all of our graduates! Don't forget to share your big #ColumCommence2016 day!

Commencement Schedule

Saturday, May 14, 10:00 a.m.
Advertising and Public Relations
American Sign Language
Creative Writing (Undergraduate and Graduate)
Humanities, History, and Social Sciences: Cultural Studies
Education (Undergraduate and Graduate)
English
Journalism (Undergraduate and Graduate)
Radio
Honorary Degree Recipient: Tracy K. Smith

Saturday, May 14, 1:30 p.m.
Audio, Arts and Acoustics
Music Technology
Creative Arts Therapies (Graduate)
Dance
Science and Mathematics: Arts and Materials Conservation
Television
Theatre
Honorary Degree Recipient: Jane Lynch

Saturday, May 14, 5 p.m.
Business and Entrepreneurship (Undergraduate and Graduate)
Fashion Studies
Interactive Arts and Media
Honorary Degree Recipient: Diane Warren

Sunday, May 15, 12:00 p.m.
Cinema Art and Science (Undergraduate and Graduate)
Photography (Undergraduate and Graduate)
Honorary Degree Recipient: Paul Garnes (BA ’96)

Sunday, May 15, 3:30 p.m.
Art and Art History (Undergraduate and Graduate)
Design
Interdisciplinary Arts (Graduate)
Music (Undergraduate and Graduate)
Honorary Degree Recipient: Carlos Tortolero