VOL. 22, NO. 21	APRIL 18, 1997

By Kim Brockway

From left: Baruj Benacerraf, R. W. Apple Jr., President George Rupp, General Studies Dean Gillian Lindt, Jacques Pepin and Mary McFadden. Photo by Steve Friedman.

hey may have pursued careers in fields as diverse as medicine and fashion design, or journalism and haute cuisine, but the five accomplished alumni honored at the School of General Studies' 50th anniversary dinner agree that their Columbia educations have had a lasting impact on their personal and professional lives.

  Dean Gillian Lindt welcomed guests to a celebration "of a key dimension of the success of General Studies, the sense of community, of shared interests and curiosity among alumni, faculty and students."

  After updating guests on fundraising efforts (the endowment available for scholarships has been increased to more than $7 million), Lindt remarked that her optimism for the future of the school "is rooted in the knowledge that it already has the three keys for success: a committed alumni constituency, a superb faculty and outstanding students."

  Lindt introduced President George Rupp, who began by noting that the School has been "fortunate to have at its helm such a creative and forward-looking dean as Gill Lindt," who is concluding her service as dean of the School.

  He reminded the audience that "Columbia's commitment to adult education, the roots of General Studies, extends back 167 years when the first course was offered for non-traditional students, emphasizing science and modern languages."

  Rupp then briefly traced the school's history, from the early 1900s when programs were housed in the Extension Division and credit was applied toward a B.S. degree, to the map making and trench warfare courses offered during World War I, and finally, to the explosion in enrollment that followed the passage of the G.I. Bill, for "it was these veterans," he concluded, "who provided the core constituency that led to the creation of the School of General Studies in 1947, 50 years ago."

  After receiving special 50th Anniversary Owl Awards from Lindt and Rupp, the five alumni honorees delivered remarks that illustrated their deep affection for the School.