Famous Columbia Students
This famous alum and namesake for one of Columbia's most iconic buildings is also the inspiration for one of Broadway's biggest hits.
Alexander Hamilton
What was Columbia University's original name?
King's College
Name the athletic conference in which Columbia competes and all other competitors in that conference.
The Ivy League: Dartmouth, Harvard, Cornell, Princeton, Yale, UPenn, Brown.
Which Core Curriculum course was added in the 1940s to emphasize the importance of the scientific method and has since evolved to include discussions on modern scientific issues?
Frontiers of Science
What was the first colonial name for what is now New York City?
New Amsterdam.
This New Jersey Native left Columbia after the second album by her music group, the Fugees, went #1.
Lauryn Hill
How many students were a part of Columbia's first ever graduating class? (within 5 bonus points for a perfect answer)
5 Students
What intercollegiate sport did Columbia University ban from 1905-1915 for being "brutal and abominable" and "an academic nuisance?"
This Core Curriculum course, known for its rigorous discussion of major works of Western literature, was originally called "General Honors" before it was renamed in 1937. What is the current name of this course?
Literature Humanities
What is the name of the iconic cafe in Morningside Heights frequented by authors, faculty, and students alike?
The Hungarian Pastry Shop.
This Columbia dropout went on to become one of the world's most famous and groundbreaking aviators, before meeting a tragic but unknown fate.
Amelia Earhart
Columbia was the first University in what would become the United States to grant what prestigious professional degree?
An MD (from the medical school)
In what sport did Columbia play on 17 May 1939 in the United States' first ever televised sporting event? Bonus points for their Ivy League opponent.
Baseball vs. Princeton
List all Core Requirements
1. LitHum
2. FroSci
3. CC
4. Art Hum
5. Music Hum
6. UW
7. PE
8. Global Core
Which iconic Harlem theater is known as the "Soul of American culture," due to its enormous impact on American jazz, soul music, dance, and more.
The Apollo Theater
Name 3 of the 4 presidents who attended Columbia (bonus points for all 4)
Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Barack Obama.
DAILY DOUBLE:
In what year did Columbia students found the Columbia Queer Alliance, the oldest LGBTQ+ Student Organization in the WORLD? (within 3 years)
1967
What Columbia Women's Basketball legend recently made history as the school's first WNBA draft pick?
Abbey Hsu '24
What year was Columbia’s Core Curriculum officially established, making it one of the oldest core programs in the United States? (guess must be within 3 years)
1919
This leader of the Harlem Renaissance, known for his poetry, activism, and writing, attended Columbia for one year before dropping out due to racial discrimination from his peers and the University.
Langston Hughes.
How many Columbia alums have won any sort of Nobel Prize (guess must be within 3)
46
Which campus building and class room houses Columbia's iconic lecture hall, which has been featured in countless movies such as "Spiderman" and "Ghostbusters?" Must provide both the building and exact room number.
Havemeyer Hall, room 309
In what sport did Columbia have the most Olympians in Paris (both alumni and current students included)?
Fencing
This Columbia University professor, who taught in the Core Curriculum and was known for his influential work in philosophy and social theory, was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2010. Who is he?
Cornel West
Before Columbia's relocation in 1897, what is now Columbia's campus and much of Morningside Heights was occupied by what?
An insane asylum (the Bloomingdale Insane Asylum)