Page 40 - Columbia College Chicago Student Handbook 2024-2025

38 America. Columbia conducts education in close relation to a vital urban reality and serves an important civic purpose by active engagement in the life and culture of the city of Chicago. TRADITIONS AND CELEBRATIONS New Student Convocation Friday, August 30, 2025 New Student Convocation is Columbia’s welcome event for new students in the fall semester. This annual event features Columbia’s president, student leaders, a student services exposition, performances, games and more. All new students should plan to attend their departmental Connections Sessions before joining us for Convocation. Stay tuned for more information on how to attend this festive kickoff event! Wicked Week Late October Wicked Week brings together the campus community to celebrate Halloween through dance parties, pumpkin carving, a haunted house, reptiles, psychic readings, Scary-oke, concerts, and other spooky encounters. ShopColumbia Holiday Market shop.colum.edu Early December ShopColumbia, Columbia College Chicago’s art boutique, hosts a month-long showcase of one-of-a-kind items designed and created by Columbia artists. The Holiday Market features over 150 student, alumni, faculty and staff artists selling unique gifts, fine art, photography, paintings, clothing, fashion accessories, stationery, music, zines and more! Manifest Arts Festival www.colum.edu/manifest Friday, May 16, 2025 Manifest is Columbia College Chicago’s signature event that shows graduating senior and graduate student work. As an annual tradition and defining ritual, Manifest brings the entire community together to celebrate our creative spirit and develop long-lasting, memorable relationships and connections. www.colum.edu/commencement Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18, 2025 Columbia College Chicago celebrates its graduates with a uniquely festive and creative Commencement event each spring. For continued updates and information about commencement, visit the All Things Commencement group in the Engage App or monitor the website. Commencement