Transcript:

0:07: Welcome back to Chronversations. 

 0:09: I’m your host, Levi Libson. 

 0:14: For those students new to Columbia College Chicago, welcome. 

 0:17: And to those who are just returning after a well-deserved break, time to tune back in. 

 0:22: Today, Friday, the September 4th, is new student convocation. 

 0:25: With the start of nearly everything new, there are always conflicted feelings about what’s to come. 

 0:30: On today’s episode, we are speaking with new students to get a better understanding of what’s going through their heads. 

 0:36: My name is Gavin Willis. 

 0:37: My pronouns are he/him, and my major is audio arts. 

 0:42: Hi, my name is Miley Sherwood. 

 0:44: I am she/her. 

 0:44: I’m a freshman this year. 

 0:46: My major is acting for stage and screen, but I’m also minoring in radio, and, yeah. 

 0:53: My name is Landon Blanck. 

 0:54: My pronouns are he/him. 

 0:55: I’m a musical theater major. 

 0:58: I’ve been doing theater for basically my whole life and I’ve just really been. 

 1:02: Into singing and acting and performing and telling a story specifically on stage. 

 1:08: If there was one thing that you would want to accomplish in your time here at Columbia, what would it be? 

 1:12: Trying to connect with people to help me further my career and future since everybody is kind of intertwined with all the different communities, all the professors. 

 1:25: So I’m hoping that I can connect with someone. 

 1:29: In the field and try to further my knowledge so I can be able to get out there and do what I can do best 

1:38: To network and I think that Columbia is a perfect place for that, you know, I want to be able to, you know, make connections with people in so many different forms of industry because we’re all here to make. 

 1:47: One piece of art and it takes so many different types of people to do that and I think networking is something that I definitely want to accomplish while here at Columbia. 

 1:55: Yeah, absolutely. 

 1:56: I mean, I don’t know how much you know about it. 

 1:57: We do a lot of like study abroad programs too. 

 1:59: Those are amazing for networking. 

 2:01: Have you considered any of those? 

 2:02: Absolutely, I would give anything to go back to Europe. 

 2:06: And a lot of them are from what I’ve seen super, super influential on what path a person takes in their education or career, even. 

 2:15: I don’t know. 

 2:18: Just, get to know people and be involved and have fun. I think are like the main things right now. 

 2:25: So yeah, I guess that’s that. 

 2:28: Are you from Chicago? 

 2:29: No, metro Detroit area. 

 2:32: Have you, how have you been liking the city? 

 2:35: It’s good. 

 2:36: I mean, I was a little nervous at first, but I think I’m kind of warming up to it, so

 2:41: Chicago is very loud. 

 2:43: Chicago is really big, but the food’s good. 

 2:46: No, I’m from Minnesota. 

 2:47: You know, it hasn’t been crazy, because like I’m from the suburbs of Minnesota, so like around the Twin Cities. 

 2:57: Chicago sometimes to me just feels like a bigger Minneapolis. 

 3:01: So like I don’t know, I feel fine and I’ve visited here, you know, plenty of times while, you know, choosing the school. 

 3:08: So I don’t know, I love it personally. 

 3:12: I love being able to, you know, walk everywhere. 

 3:13: I love being able to take the train everywhere and I’m just really looking forward to being in the city. 

 3:17: What clubs have interested you so far? 

 3:20: So actually when I first like applied to Columbia, I thought I would have to give up my opportunity to play sports, which I play a lot of sports, and walking around here today, I was able to see that we actually do have a lot of sports opportunities like basketball and volleyball and soccer and all of these different things, but I also think that some of the audio aspects of clubs here are really cool as well. 

 3:40: There’s so many different ones. 

 3:42: I was just going to go look at some of the clubs. 

 3:45: I’m really particularly excited for a D&D club. 

 3:49: I want to look into that because I love Dungeons & Dragons, and I feel like it would be a great way to make friends with people. 

 3:53: So if you had a message for yourself in four years from now, what would it be? 

 3:58: Right now? 

 3:58: I feel like just, be open to a lot of things and try new things. 

 4:04: I don’t know, be comfortable where you are and just be, just be outgoing. 

 4:08: I would say, I heard a lot today about being a multifaceted creator, and being someone who can do multiple things, even if, like, you know, it doesn’t matter how much you take on or how ambitious people say it is. 

 4:25: So I think I would say something along the lines of that to my future self and just be like to just keep doing the things that. 

 4:34: Want you to keep going, you know, keep doing the things that you want you to keep creating, I think is the main thing. 

 4:39: You shouldn’t have sat in the corner and waited for people to come talk to you. 

 4:44: Like, go out there, get out there. 

 4:46: Make the most of your time here. 

 4:48: At the start of convocation, our own President Bolton gave an important speech which perfectly plays into the conversation today’s podcast explored. 

 4:55: How throwing yourself into a new city, new school, and new experience overall can feel tough, but often will yield great results. 

 5:03: We’re gonna ask you to collaborate with others who think differently than you do. 

 5:08: And you’re gonna get some feedback, some that you don’t like and something you’re going to produce is likely to fail. 

 5:17: You may even have a moment when you wonder, am I good enough to be here? 

 5:23: And when that moment comes, I want you to remember this. 

 5:28: Growth rarely happens inside the boundaries of what already feels comfortable. 

 5:35: Your job here is not to arrive already knowing exactly who you are. 

 5:40: Your job is to discover who you can become. 

 5:46: Make sure to stay up to date with campus and Metro news at Columbia Chronicle.com. 

 5:50: I’m Levi Libson. 

 5:51: Thanks for listening. 

Copy edited by Antonio Chaves

Gallery
10 Photos

Zachary Cramer

Students laugh and cheer as confetti scatters, marking the end of Tammarow’s performance at Convocation’s main stage at the Student Center on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.

Columbia welcomed its new students to the college on Friday, Sept. 4 at New Student Convocation and Connections, giving students the opportunity to connect with their peers, student organizations and faculty before the fall semester starts next week. 

Columbia President and CEO Shantay Bolton repeated a simple message in her address to hundreds of students gathered in the parking lot next to the Student Center: “Let them know.” 

The phrase was lifted from rapper T.I. ‘s single, “LET ‘EM KNOW,” and she had students repeat it in response to several questions, including “Are you ready to find your voice?” 

Last year, at her first Convocation, Bolton did another call and response, having students chant “Hell yeah,” saying she’d apologize to their parents later.

On Friday, Bolton told students to use their years at Columbia to find their community, voice and to learn from their mistakes. 

“Four years from today, I want us to look back on this moment and barely recognize the people to your left and right,” she said. “Not because they lost who they are, but because they discovered how much more that was inside of them. So go boldly, go fearlessly. Take some risks, make some mistakes. Fall down and get back up. Build something meaningful.”

Columbia alum Tamar “Tamarrow” Mitchell performed his winning Manifest 2026 song, “I Am Enough,” which first-year musical theatre major Jayla Miller watched as she reflected on Bolton’s speech. 

“There is a lot they expect from us here, so I just truly want to be the best I can be,” Miller said. 

Columbia reported an increase in incoming students for the fall semester, with a new class of about 1,100 new students compared to 632 first-time, first-year students last fall, the Chronicle previously reported.

First-year animation and computer graphics major Kalia Fason said she was excited as the momentum for the school year has built. Though she was feeling nervous at first, attending Convocation helped her feel more excited as she socialized.

“At first I was pretty nervous because I didn’t really know anyone here and it’s a new setting,” she said. “But I’m getting to know people now and I’m feeling more comfortable.”

The first-year and transfer students began the morning with Connections, where they met students and faculty from their major.

Keyera Strickland, a first-year interior architecture major, said she had a good time hanging out with her friends and getting to meet new people. 

“It’s a lot going on and it’s really bringing my spirit out,” she said. “You get to surround yourself with like-minded people, you get to know your campus, get to know your teachers and more about your major,” she said.

The Student Organization Expo on the fifth floor of the Student Center was lined with booths, letting new students explore passions they aren’t majoring in through the many clubs and organizations at the college. 

“I’m excited to join all the clubs and do things I didn’t really get to do in high school,” said Lily Perry, a first-year film and television major. 

For some incoming first-year students, like film and television major Chandler Williams, attending college in a new city and state has been a welcomed culture shock.

“I’m used to having to drive everywhere, and now here I can walk everywhere,” said Williams, who is from Greenbrier, Arkansas. “I was a little scared for the change, but I’m excited for what comes next and how my journey unfolds in Chicago.”

First-year music business student Hannah Jurkowski was eating her lunch provided by Frannie’s Cafe on the first floor of the Student Center. Jurkowski said that she chose Columbia because of the vibe from both the students and especially the staff.

“It just seemed like everyone was down to earth, especially the teachers, they were very knowledgeable about the profession,” Jurkowski said. Columbia seemed “like it wasn’t a school where you just go to learn stuff, you actually do it and get the opportunities and meet the people.”

Rachel Horton, senior director of Student Success, encouraged students to come to the newly-opened Center for Student Success, where they can meet with staff to talk about financial aid, see an academic advisor and get help on filling out their FAFSA application. The center is located on the first floor of 33 E. Ida B. Wells Dr. 

“My only ask of you is that you see us at least one time by October. Come see me before Halloween. That way we can check in, make sure you’re having a good semester, and get you set up for the spring,” Horton said. 

Faculty Senate President David Gerding, associate professor in the School of Design, also encouraged students to reach out for support.

“All these folks are working together to bring you the kind of education and learning experiences you deserve,” Gerding said. “So keep taking advantage of that. Keep asking for help. Whenever you’re in doubt here, connect with somebody.”

Danielle Lang, executive vice president of Student Government Association, reflected on the myriad of changes the college has faced in the last year, ensuring students that no matter what further changes occur, Columbia will continue to serve its students. 

“I think for the basis of all of us students, the year’s going to look pretty much the same at a glance. If there’s any moments where people are concerned for changes in who our directors of each school are, it’s not going to look any different for us,” said Lang, a junior musical theatre major. “We’re going to basically have the same Columbia experience, authentic, everything like that.”

Additional reporting by Guadalupe Loza-Sanchez, Venus Tapang, Ava Simone-Forster, Jenna Kottke, Angel Cal, Isaac Russo, Nico Waugh, Mia Smith, Serenity Burgos, Julia Martinez Arroyo, Camila Verzino, Samantha Mosquera and Aaron Guzman. 

Copy edited by Venus Tapang

Resumen en español

Columbia dio la bienvenida a sus nuevos estudiantes el viernes 4 de septiembre durante su evento de convocación y conexiones, donde tuvieron la oportunidad de conectar con sus compañeros, organizaciones estudiantiles y miembros del cuerpo docente de sus facultades antes de empezar el semestre de otoño. 

La universidad dijo que ha habido un aumento del número de nuevos estudiantes para el semestre de otoño, con una nueva clase entrante de aproximadamente 1.100 estudiantes, en comparación con los 632 estudiantes de primer año y de nuevo ingreso del otoño pasado, según informó el Chronicle anteriormente.  

Resumen por Guadalupe Loza-Sanchez

“I’m an overthinker, so I’ve thought as much as anyone possibly could about where my stuff will go and how it will fit in my room,” Meyers said. “I spent lots of sleepless nights this week thinking about it, so I think I’m ready. I feel ready.” 

Across Columbia’s three residence halls on Monday, Aug. 31, students and their families arrived with boxes, bags and a mix of nerves and excitement as they settled into a new academic year. For first-year students, the day marked the beginning of college life, and for returning students, it meant finding their way back to campus and settling into a new routine.

“I feel a little unorganized,” said Lily Czach, a sophomore interior architecture major from Schaumburg. She was moving into the University Center after living in Dwight Lofts her first year.

“I just kind of threw everything in bags because I have so much stuff, but I’m excited to make it pretty and everything,” she said.

The college is expecting more than 1,000 new students this fall and projects to reach an enrollment of 4,500 by Fall 2027 after a historic decline this past spring.

Xander Simone, a first-year audio arts major, signed an independent lease with Dwight Lofts after being on a waitlist so close to the start of the semester. 

“We didn’t know if we were gonna get a room or not,” Simone said. “At orientation, they told us, ‘Hey, you might not get in,’ so we decided to sign privately.”

The waitlist formed after Columbia decided not to renew its agreements with Dwight Lofts and The Arc at the Old Colony after the Spring 2026 semester. Within two days of general room selection opening in April, all 550 beds reserved for continuing students in the remaining housing options had been taken, the Chronicle previously reported.

Columbia announced a one-year agreement with the 16-story Dwight Lofts in May that added six floors of additional housing for the Fall 2026 semester. 

Last week, the college said it expected to clear the waitlist in time for move-in day.

Ryan Sanhamel, a senior film and television major from suburban Woodridge, moved into the University Center with the help of his family. After living off campus previously, he opted to return to campus because it better accommodated his need for a 6-month lease before doing a Semester in LA in the spring.

“When it was my turn to sign up for housing, I was able to get this,” Sanhamel said. “I feel like it was pretty smooth, pretty simple.”

Faculty and staff were at the residences on Monday helping students move into their dorms and taking shifts to welcome, direct and unpack vehicles. 

“It’s very energizing to see the energy of our students as they’re exploring this new phase of their life. It’s really fun,” said Greg Foster-Rice, associate provost for Student Retention Initiatives, who was helping students move in at the University Center.

“It’s a way to appreciate the transition that our students are going through, that they’re changing their lives in an entirely different way,” said Foster-Rice, associate professor in the School of Visual Arts.

Foster-Rice noted excitement and a “first-day, new-car smell,” seeing students express identity through wearing band T-shirts and carrying room decor. 

Lisa Gonzales, an associate professor in the School of Theatre and Dance, was among the Columbia faculty and staff who helped students move into Dwight Lofts. For her, there were a lot of “positive feelings” surrounding families during the move in. 

“As a faculty member, it’s nice to remember that these students, that I don’t know, have parents that are dropping them off for the first time,” Gonzales said. “You can feel the energy, both the nerves and excitement of the students and the parents.” 

Not only did she help first-year students with their move in, but she also saw returning students from the summer break. 

“At this time in their lives, every experience they have is formative,” she said. “So when I see them again in the classroom, they’re literally different than who I last saw in May.”

Meyers, who laughed and joked with her family in front of 30 E. Balbo Drive, said she was excited to start her second year at Columbia. From Indianapolis, she quickly fell in love with the city and her new friends. 

“I really liked my classes last year. I love the teachers I had. I love the people I met here, and I just also love the city so much,” she said. 

Additional reporting by William Blakley and Sofía Oyarzún

Copy edited by Katie Peters

For nearly five decades, PortmanteauZone frontman Joseph Lapsley has been part of the punk scene.

Through the DIY punk rock band he formed after the death of his partner in 2018, Lapsley, an adjunct faculty member in Columbia’s School of Communication and Culture, channels his experiences into politically charged songs that blend activism, humor and personal storytelling.

At a recent open mic in suburban Palatine, the band performed two original songs: “Revulsion,” which comments on purity culture and religion, and crowd-pleaser “Mr. Potato Head Gender Reveal Party,” which pokes fun at transphobic rhetoric.

The audience responded with enthusiastic applause, with several attendees approaching the band afterward to say how much they enjoyed the performance.

“I really liked rock music and all that kind of stuff, and being on stage and doing that seemed like the thing to do,” said Lapsley, who started teaching at Columbia in 2008. “But it was also something to give me something to do that was a real project.”

This isn’t Lapsley’s first time in a punk band. In 1984, he created the punk/hard rock band Neighborhood Texture Jam, which emerged from another turbulent time in Lapsley’s life. He had just dropped out of college and started hitchhiking around the U.S., eventually living in Taiwan for a couple years. 

In a way, Lapsley found some semblance of order from the band. After returning to the U.S., the band managed to find some success when their song “Funeral Mountain” got reviewed in Rolling Stone magazine. Neighborhood Texture Jam would later be signed to two labels but was eventually dropped. 

“I was in my 40s where I was like, ‘I want to do this the most. I want to learn how to write songs. I want to play guitar as well as I can.’ And that keeps you going,” Lapsley said.

Like Neighborhood Texture Jam, PortmanteauZone’s sound is rooted in hard rock and punk rock, similar to artists like Frank Zappa and Iggy Pop. For Lapsley, song inspirations come from anywhere ranging from his own life experiences to movie soundtracks from spaghetti Westerns like “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.”

“The Allen Ginsberg Dream” is based on his experiences from hitchhiking, combining “Howl” author Allen Ginsberg and Lapsley’s ideas on whether U.S. society will continue to progress. 

Another song, “Force Gestation Nutjob,” comes from Lapsley’s experiences of being an abortion clinic escort and having to deal with anti-abortion protesters firsthand.

Lapsley’s history education also blends in with his music for PortmanteauZone. This fall, he is scheduled to teach the “LGBTQ+ History” course.

Lapsley said he tries to talk about his band whenever possible during his classes. Occasionally, students will show up to his performances.

Tabitha Hollowed, a student at Loyola University Chicago where Lapsley also teaches, went to one of his shows in April in Evanston.

“I really like Professor Lapsley. I think he’s just a really funny guy, and he has a lot to say,” Hollowed said. “He would always talk about his band and their songs. They just sounded really interesting and really funny. You get to learn something while listening to music, and I think that’s really cool.”

The name of the band is a bit of a pun in itself, according to Lapsley. “Portmanteau” derives from French, meaning blending two words together to create a new word, and the word itself is blended with the word “Zone.”

Lapsley would find the original bass player for the band, Julian Ross, at his local coffee shop and the drummer, David Conklin, off an app called BandMix. Conklin was the only one who auditioned for the band, and the two became close friends over the years through their shared opinions on music.

Conklin had been playing drums since he was young, but he said that being in the band allowed him to work on his drumming skills and also build a strong friendship with Lapsley. 

“My drumming is about the best it’s been ever, there’s one piece of it. The other piece is the camaraderie that I have with Joe,” Conklin said. “Joe is like a brother to me.”

Ross eventually left the band and was replaced by Jake Kearley, who was recommended to Conklin by a co-worker. Kearley was a part of his school’s band throughout elementary and middle school, and for him, being in PortmanteauZone reminded him of when he’d perform live.

“What I realized is how much I missed playing live music with other people,” Kearley said. “It’s just crazy how much more natural it feels when you’re playing with other musicians and being able to communicate with them on the spot.”

For Lapsley, PortmanteauZone has allowed him the opportunity to continue to fan the flames of songwriting he’s always had since he was a teenager in the ‘70s.

“I’ve been writing songs for a long time,” Lapsley said. “Having a band, knowing that anything I write, I can take and teach to these guys, and they’ll play it — that helps too.”

PortmanteauZone mainly plays at open mics in the Chicago area, but has recorded the EP “Teaued At Owners Expense” and the album “Part of the New Sensitivity.” All music and performance dates are available on the band’s website.

Copy edited by Antonio Chaves

This story also appears in the Chronicle’s back-to-school issue, available Sept. 1.