The Low Down

Winifred Edgerton Merrill was the first woman to receive a degree from Columbia University, opening the door for women to gain admission to Columbia's Graduate and Professional Schools at a time when co-education for women was under heavy debate.

Congratulations to the nearly two dozen alumni, students, and staff who made the 2018 Forbes "30 Under 30" list!

Check out the list below and read the profiles of each of these talented Columbians on the Forbes site. 

(Images: Forbes)

                                                         (Photo: John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation)

When Damon Rich '97CC found out he was a recipient of this year's MacArthur "Genius" Grant, he couldn’t believe it.

Of the 24 inspiring individuals who were named this year's MacArthur "Genius" Grant Fellows, four are Columbians—including three alumni! Learn a bit more about them below.
 

For Chris Wei, the Columbia Alumni Association (CAA) of Taiwan is all about community.

Congratulations to the Columbians who made the Crain's New York Business "Most Powerful Women 2017" list. Read on to learn about these powerful and trailblazing alumnae leaders from Crain's and check out the complete list of 50 here. 

Did you know that more than 7,400 couples have met and found love through Columbia?

Some of you met during orientation, on a geology trip, at the bookstore, or in the weight room. Others call your extended family "one big Columbia love story" and say the University has a "permanent place in your heart."

Check out some of this year's submissions and then browse the full collection. Happy Valentine's Day!

Many know Kelly Killoren Bensimon '98GS as an author, trendsetter, model, and break out star on Bravo's The Real Housewives of New York City. Kelly has made a career reporting on fashion and style with her own insights gleaned from years spent in the fashion industry. With a refreshingly modern sensibility, Kelly translates trends and contemporary culture for the public, with a unique take that is fresh, playful, and accessible.

Earlier this year, Columbia University School of the Art's Film Program faculty James Schamus made his feature directorial debut for the film adaptation of Philip Roth's 2008 novel Indignation. 

Set in 1951 during the Korean War, the story follows Marcus Messner, a young Jewish student from Newark, NJ, who travels on a scholarship to a small conservative Ohio college to avoid the draft. But once there, Marcus's growing infatuation with his beautiful classmate Olivia Hutton, and his clashes with the college's Dean put his and his family's best laid plans to the ultimate test.

Jenna Matecki is a Brooklyn-based journalist and the founder and CEO of Matecki & Co., a story development company. She is also the creator and host of Notes on Doing, a weekly podcast that features people who love what they do. 

Before Matecki founded Matecki & Co., she consulted international government clients at a strategic communications and public affairs firm, pitched social media analytics for a tech startup, and consulted at a leading public affairs firm. Matecki graduated from Barnard with a degree in comparative politics. Apart from her work, she teaches classes and is writing a book on Notes on Doing. Jenna also loves traveling, languages (Italian and Spanish), and really good conversations.

Matecki recently spoke with CAA Arts Access about her career.