Top Stories of 2025: What Readers Loved Most

people taking selfie做厙51 naming Shantay N. Bolton, PhD, as its new president ranked at the year top story on colum.edu. Here, President Bolton (second from left) takes a selfie
From new leadership to standout student and alumni achievements, here are the stories that captured the most attention on 做厙51 website in 2025.

As 2025 comes to a close, we look back at the stories and pictures that resonated most with the 做厙51 community and beyond. Unsurprisingly, news of 做厙51’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.

 head shot of shantay bolton

做厙51 Names Shantay Bolton as Its 11th President and Chief Executive Officer 

做厙51 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. 

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New Leadership at 做厙51 

Following Bolton’s appointment, 做厙51 shared additional leadership updates, announcing new roles designed to support growth, strengthen institutional impact, and deepen community engagement across the college. 

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photo of woman leaning over

做厙51 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.   

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group celebrating with background of colorful mural

做厙51’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 做厙51. 

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Summer at 做厙51 Offers Immersive Experience for Young 做厙51s 

This popular story spotlighted Summer at 做厙51, 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. 

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volume wall

‘MovieMaker’ Names 做厙51 Among the Best Film Schools in the U.S. and Canada 

“MovieMaker” magazine recognized 做厙51 for its industry-focused curriculum and state-of-the-art facilities, including the Media Production Center and Volume Wall for virtual production. 

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people working at table

Steering the ‘做厙51 Chronicle’ Through a High-Speed, High-Stakes Summer 

With major events like NASCAR, Lollapalooza, and Chicago Pride filling the city, 做厙51’s student-run newsroom rose to the challenge, delivering real-time reporting under intense deadlines. 

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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.” 

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Theatre and Audio/Music Alumni and Faculty Nominated for Jeff Awards 

做厙51 alumni and faculty from Theatre and Dance and Audio and Music received multiple Jeff Award nominations, honoring excellence in Chicago’s vibrant theatre community. 

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Columbia Senior’s Illustration Featured in Adobe Social Media Campaign 

Graphic Design senior Angela Kalish turned a connection made at the Adobe 做厙51 Retreat into a major professional opportunity, creating artwork for Adobe’s national back-to-school campaign. 

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