Commencement

Dental students at commencement.

This May, commencement ceremonies will be held at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. 

University Commencement

The university-wide commencement will take place on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 10:30 am  -12:00 pm. For more information, please review the commencement website here. 

College of Dental Medicine Ceremonies

Predoctoral Class Day recognizes students in the graduating class who are receiving special honors.

  • Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
  • Time 4:30– 6 p.m. (guest admittance begins at 3:30 p.m.)
  • Alumni Auditorium

Reception in the Schaeffer Gallery immediately following the ceremony

The Predoctoral Graduation Ceremony celebrates the accomplishments of graduating predoctoral students from the College of Dental Medicine. In preparation for our upcoming graduation ceremony, we are partnering with Tassel to streamline various aspects of the event, including ticketing, name pronunciation, and the selection of your hooder(s). Tickets will be required to attend the school ceremony and must be obtained through Tassel. Graduates will be sent an email when the portal is live for registration.

  • Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
  • Time: 10:30 AM (students should arrive at 9:30 AM; guest admittance also begins at 9:30 AM)
  • Location: The Armory, 216 Fort Washington Ave at 168th Street
Livestream Predoctoral Graduation Here

Students who require assistance for guests with mobility needs or disabilities should contact Disability Services at access@columbia.edu or 212-854-2388. For more information, visit Columbia University Disability Services: https://commencement.columbia.edu/content/disability-services

 

Commencement Speaker: Dr. Rena D'Souza, DDS, MS, PhD 

Graduation Speaker Headshot

Dr. Rena D'Souza, DDS, MS, PhD, is a visiting professor in the Section of Oral, Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Sciences, Division of Periodontics, Columbia University CDM. 

Dr. D'Souza is an internationally recognized researcher in craniofacial biology and genetics with a distinguished career spanning more than forty years. She earned her DDS, her Master's in Pathology and Biomedical Sciences, and her PhD from the University of Texas Health Science Center. Her work has been dedicated to advancing fundamental knowledge of dental and oral health and translating those findings into treatment strategies that improve health outcomes across lifespans.

Notably, she served as the ninth director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research at the National Institutes of Health, where she guided national research priorities aimed at improving oral health.

She has more than 150 publications and book chapters to her credit and has received numerous honors, including the prestigious Columbia University College of Dental Medicine Birnberg Research Medal in 2016.

 

She is leading a monthly research seminar program, “Building Bridges for Oral Health Research,” a part of the Dean's Distinguished Lecture Series, designed to guide a collaborative research project involving students. The inaugural seminar is titled “The Oral Health Profession Today: Big Challenges and Bigger Opportunities.” In addition to these seminars, she will lead a research project with our students and serve as a mentor to our tenure-track faculty.

 
 

 

The Postdoctoral Graduation Ceremony celebrates the accomplishments of graduating postdoctoral students & residents from specialty programs and NYP residency programs at the College of Dental Medicine. In preparation for our upcoming graduation ceremony, we are partnering with Tassel to streamline various aspects of the event, including ticketing, name pronunciation, and the selection of your hooder(s). Tickets will be required to attend the school ceremony and must be obtained through Tassel. Graduates will be sent an email when the portal is live for registration.

  • Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
  • Time: 4:00 PM (guest admittance begins at 3:00 PM)
  • Location: The Armory, 216 Fort Washington Ave at 168th Street
Livestream Postdoctoral Graduation Here

Students who require assistance for guests with mobility needs or disabilities should contact Disability Services at access@columbia.edu or 212-854-2388. For more information, visit Columbia University Disability Services: https://commencement.columbia.edu/content/disability-services

Commencement season is a time to celebrate our students' accomplishments. To honor our students and guests, audience disruptions and interruption of speakers are not permitted.  All participants and guests attending Commencement season events understand and agree to follow the responsibilities outlined in University policies, including the Rules of University Conduct, Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy,  and Standards and Discipline. Those found in violation will be asked to discontinue and may be asked to leave the venue.

Postdoctoral Graduation Program

 

 

 

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