Retiring Columbia College president addresses graduates
May 4, 2017
Elizabeth Dinndorf, Columbia College president, addressed 181 students from the Women’s College, evening and online programs at commencement April 29th at Township Auditorium.
The college also recognized 20 students in afternoon commencement exercises in Spears Concert Hall on campus.
Calling attending a Women’s College a “transformational experience,” Dinndorf told graduates “If you are not slightly terrified or at least anxious about that new job or graduate school, you might not have reached far enough.”
She offered three lessons:
- take a leap even when you think you are not quite ready
- Learn from mistakes and move on
- Be intellectually curious and hungry to learn
Dinndorf retires from the college June 30th and will be succeeded by Dr.Carol Moore as interim president. Moore currently serves as executive vice president and provost.
Ranked among the best in the nation by National Survey of Student Engagement, the Kellogg Foundation and the Women’s College Coalition, Columbia College ranked 28 in the Best College Reviews Small Colleges top 50 for 2017-2018 and 47th out of 146 public and private universities from 12 southern states for 2017 by U.S. News and World Report.
Founded in 1854 by the United Methodist Church, Columbia College is one of the nations oldest women’s colleges. Men also attend the evening, online and graduate programs.
