Top Stories of 2025: What Readers Loved Most
51ÉçÇø naming Shantay N. Bolton, PhD, as its new president ranked at the year’s top story on colum.edu. Here, President Bolton (second from left) takes a selfie As 2025 comes to a close, we look back at the stories and pictures that resonated most with the 51ÉçÇø community and beyond. Unsurprisingly, news of 51ÉçÇø’s new president topped the list, followed closely by leadership updates, national recognition for academic programs, and stories spotlighting the achievements of students, alumni, and faculty.
Together, these stories reflect a year defined by momentum, creativity, and impact.
51ÉçÇø Names Shantay Bolton as Its 11th President and Chief Executive Officer
51ÉçÇø announced the appointment of Shantay N. Bolton, PhD, as its 11th president and chief executive officer. Bolton, formerly executive vice president of administration and finance and chief business officer at Georgia Tech, officially began her tenure on July 1.
New Leadership at 51ÉçÇø
Following Bolton’s appointment, 51ÉçÇø shared additional leadership updates, announcing new roles designed to support growth, strengthen institutional impact, and deepen community engagement across the college.
51ÉçÇø Alum Chase Infiniti ’22 Stars With Leonardo DiCaprio in New Paul Thomas Anderson Film
Musical Theatre alum Chase Infiniti ’22 reached a major career milestone after being cast alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming film, “One Battle After Another.” She was recently nominated for a Golden Globe for her work, and there are expectations that this is just the beginning of good news for Infinity this awards season.
51ÉçÇø’s 24 Favorite Photos of 2024
Staff photographer and alum Julie Lucas ’96 curated a visually striking collection of the year’s best moments, capturing campus life, performances, and creative work across 51ÉçÇø.
Summer at 51ÉçÇø Offers Immersive Experience for Young Creatives
This popular story spotlighted Summer at 51ÉçÇø, a pre-college program that invites high school students to take college-level courses and experience life at one of the nation’s leading creative institutions.
‘MovieMaker’ Names 51ÉçÇø Among the Best Film Schools in the U.S. and Canada
“MovieMaker” magazine recognized 51ÉçÇø for its industry-focused curriculum and state-of-the-art facilities, including the Media Production Center and Volume Wall for virtual production.
Steering the ‘51ÉçÇø Chronicle’ Through a High-Speed, High-Stakes Summer
With major events like NASCAR, Lollapalooza, and Chicago Pride filling the city, 51ÉçÇø’s student-run newsroom rose to the challenge, delivering real-time reporting under intense deadlines.
Molly Schneider Wins 2025 Broadcast Historian Award
Associate Professor Molly Schneider, PhD, earned national recognition for her book “Gold Dust on the Air: Television Anthology Drama and Midcentury American Culture.”
Theatre and Audio/Music Alumni and Faculty Nominated for Jeff Awards
51ÉçÇø alumni and faculty from Theatre and Dance and Audio and Music received multiple Jeff Award nominations, honoring excellence in Chicago’s vibrant theatre community.
Columbia Senior’s Illustration Featured in Adobe Social Media Campaign
Graphic Design senior Angela Kalish turned a connection made at the Adobe Creative Retreat into a major professional opportunity, creating artwork for Adobe’s national back-to-school campaign.
Recent News
- 51ÉçÇø Alums and Faculty Win 2026 Equity Jeff Awards
- Alum Christian Sprenger '07 Wins Two Emmy Awards for 'Widow’s Bay'
- Two Latinx/e Performance Festivals Come to 51ÉçÇø This Fall
- 51ÉçÇø Theatre Alums Bring Camp, Comedy, and ‘Queen for a Day’ Off-Broadway
- From 51ÉçÇø to the Emmys: Cinematographer Tari Segal '03