Today was Commencement for the entire University, where all graduates were made official and all deans made nerdy inside jokes about their schools.  Read on for memorable quotes, pictures, and videos.

Remember: tonight the Empire State Building will be lit up Columbia blue and white. And more importantly, Bwog is proud of you.

PrezBo:

• “It is a well-known fact: the smarter you are, the more you can procrastinate.”
• “I sometimes imagine I’m president of a dating service.”
• “Being at a university means never saying ‘well that’s just what I believe.’” … “Imagine how different the world would be if people entered conversations willing to change their opinion.”
• “I believe no generation has faced a world with more promise than yours right now.”
• “I hope you will always remain the brilliant students you have been with us.”

Deantini: “The pen is mightier than the sword, but we know Columbia College students are mighty good with both the pen and the sword.”

Goldean: “They are the hardhatted, hammer-waving students who will lead the world in engineering and applied sciences.”

DSpar: “The brilliant, the bold, the dazzling, and the ever beautiful women of Barnard College.”

Dean Awn: “These students are deeply indebted…..to the faculty!”

George L. Van Amson (Chair of CAA): “Stand Columbia as Columbia stands with you.”

Pics and vids after the jump

The man himself

GS students just learned the details of their class day speakers. The keynote speaker will be Professor Nicholas Dirks,  Chancellor Designate of the University of California at Berkeley and the Executive Vice President and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Columbia University from 2004 through 2012, among other distinctions. Dean Awn says:

Throughout his tenure at Columbia, Professor Dirks has played a leading role in the advancement of the School of General Studies.  He is a true friend and supporter of GS, and I am honored that he will be addressing us at our Class Day.

What will he talk about? Well, he’s currently working on a book concerning the last years of British rule in India and the growing role of the United States in South Asia, as well as a book entitled, The University and the World: The Opening of the American Mind.  Should be interesting.

There will be three other speakers at GS’s Class day: Valedictorian  Ben Shababo, and two Salutatorians, Damian Harris-Hernandez and Tiekka Tellier.

Read Dean Awn’s full email after the jump

Today was the first day of the rest of your lives, or so we hear. For your own records, enjoy this photographic evidence that you did in fact put on the robes and get the degrees. Also, you can watch all 167 minutes here.

Send your own photos to tips@bwog.com, and we will add them!

Choice Quotes from PrezBo and the Deans

• “It’s a well-known fact that the smarter you are, the more you procrastinate.” – PrezBo
• “Standing before you in sections eight and nine, which must be an indexing error because Columbia College students only sit in section one…” – Deantini
• “If you ask me what makes Columbia great, I have a very, very long list.” – PrezBo
• “Under the watchful eye of Nike, with the leadership of Athena, in the splendor of the Diana, and with the wisdom that comes from at least nine ways of knowing…” – DSpar
• “I’ll wait for another day to make the case that Columbia is now the greatest university in the world.” – PrezBo
• “[GS grads] are deeply indebted to the Columbia faculty, and to their banks, for this superb education.” – Dean Awn
• “You, the class of 2012, are the most intelligent and attractive graduation class we have ever seen. Definitely the most attractive, in any event.” – PrezBo

Apparently in response to outrage over the rescheduling of GS Class Day, Dean Awn sent out an email late this afternoon announcing a “modest fund” that will attempt to relieve those families “most significantly affected” by costs incurred from late changes to travel/lodging arrangements.

Dean Awn saving the day

Awn’s email is posted in full below.

Dear Graduates,

Together with President Bollinger and Barnard President Debora Spar, I have established a modest fund to help graduating seniors manage the additional travel expenses incurred due to the change of date for GS Class Day.

If you would like to be considered to receive such funds, please submit the following to gsclassday@columbia.edu by Friday April 30, 2012 at 12 noon.

• Graduate’s first name, last name, and CUID number (Example: C123456789)
• A written letter of appeal that describes why this change will either prevent your family from attending GS Class Day or create an excessive financial hardship.
• Number of people affected and relation to graduate
• Documentation of original expenses and new expenses projected or incurred (airline or train change-fees) will eventually have to be provided. If documentation is already available, please forward a copy with your request.

Because funding is limited, we appreciate your patience and understanding while we work to help the families most significantly affected.

Once again, I apologize for the inconvenience this late but unavoidable change has caused. We at GS are working hard to make 2012 Class Day the memorable event you deserve.

Please consult www.gs.columbia.edu/graduation for updates regarding travel tips, hotel accommodations, and everything you need to know regarding graduation week.

Sincerely,

Peter J. Awn

Dean