The first commencement at Columbia University was held on June 21, 1758, when the university, then known as King's College, conferred seven degrees upon its first graduating class. Today, the university graduates several thousand students each year from its several undergraduate colleges, graduate schools, and affiliated institutions. University Commencement traditionally takes place on the third Wednesday of May.

"Stand, Columbia" is the official alma mater of Columbia University in New York City, New York. It was written in Gilbert Oakley Ward for the university's 1902 Class Day ceremonies, and is sung to the tune of Joseph Haydn's "Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser", which served as the melody for the Austrian national anthem until 1938, and was adopted as the German national anthem in 1922. The hymn is traditionally played at the university's baccalaureate services and commencements.