As many of you might know, Alexander Hamilton was a student at what would become Columbia University, but left before graduating to ultimately serve under General George Washington during the Revolutionary War. However, did you know about Captain Franklin Van Valkenburgh who earned a MS in engineering at the University in 1917 and later received the Congressional Medal of Honor? Today there are over 300 prior-enlisted men and women earning their undergraduate degrees at Columbia, and almost another 300 active duty and veteran men and women earning graduate degrees!
On May 22nd, 2014, Columbia’s first Navy ROTC cadet was commissioned at Low Library; NROTC has in fact returned to Columbia University.
Columbia University, its students, faculty and alumni have a rich history of military service.
If you’d like to help our research efforts by volunteering your knowledge, time, energy or resources it would be greatly appreciated. Please check out the volunteer page, donate page or contact us directly to help.