Columbia History, Traditions, and Celebrations
Columbia is a community rich with non-traditional traditions, history and celebrations. Yes, Columbia has fun traditions like events. A notable example being Manifest, a massive end-of-year celebration that forefronts the work of graduating undergraduate and graduate students all wrapped up in a festival! Also, take some time to get to know the history behind the college. It is always inspiring to know what made this college what it is today.
PS: Columbia was founded by a woman. Just sayin’.
HISTORY
Columbia College Chicago was founded in 1890 as the Columbia School of Oratory by Mary A. Blood and Ida Morey Riley, graduates of the Monroe Conservatory of Oratory, now Emerson College, in Boston, Massachusetts. The school focused on the teaching of elocution, public speaking, and physical culture.
In 1904 the school changed its name to the Columbia College of Expression and in 1927, the college aligned with the Pestalozzi-Froebel Teachers College, adding coursework in education, broadcasting, and dramatic arts. The school left this partnership in 1944 with a revised name, Columbia College, adding new disciplines that returning WWII veterans wished to study: television, advertising, film, and business.
Columbia was awarded full accreditation in 1974 by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and soon thereafter purchased its first building, 600 S. Michigan Ave its permanent College home. In 1997, the school officially changed its name to Columbia College Chicago, underscoring its relationship with the city.
Building on its heritage of creativity, innovation, and strength, Columbia College Chicago continues to challenge its students according to the school’s motto, “esse quam videri” – "to be rather than to seem". The college encourages its students to author the culture of their times, with Columbia College Chicago graduates possessing the agile and flexible skills necessary to thrive in their careers as creatives.