All photos by April Renae for CUIMC.
Students across CUIMC gathered on Oct. 16 in the 50 Haven Ballroom for this year's Homecoming on Haven, which included plentiful food, lively entertainment, ebullient school spirit, and numerous University- and school-sponsored information stations.
Visitors were greeted by the sounds of a Top 40 playlist, the hugs of Roar-ee the Lion, and traditional homecoming fare of hot dogs, pretzels, and popcorn. In addition, visitors and their friends could sit for any of the three caricature artists.
"We wanted the event to have the look, the feel, and the smells of a homecoming fair," commented Emily Hines, events specialist of CUIMC Events, which hosted the event. "I think the vendors and all our partners did a great job."
Homecoming on Haven has an informational side, too. Kathryn Rojas, student services administrative assistant at the School of Nursing, answered questions about financial aid, support groups, student organizations, and other resources and programs.
At the same time, she appreciated the vibe of the event. "Graduate students are more stressed than undergraduates, and there aren't a lot of opportunities to just hang with friends," Rojas said. "With events such as Homecoming, we're bringing some of the joy and spirit of undergraduate life to the medical campus."
The Columbia University Department of Public Safety also had a station, which provided hand-outs and tri-folds describing safety measures, self-defense classes, and emergency contact numbers available to students in and around the medical center.
Meeting and greeting hundreds of students, Ricardo Morales, assistant director of crime prevention, was emphatic: "We want every student from every school to feel that they are part of the Public Safety family and that we are a resource for them in the event they ever need us."
