SIPA: School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University

Endowed Lectures and Prizes at SIPA

Thanks to the generous support of alumni and friends of the School, the following lecture series and graduation prizes have been endowed here at SIPA.

Gabriel Silver Memorial Endowed Lecture Series
The Fund was established by a gift from Mr. Leo Silver in 1949 in honor of his father, Gabriel, to provide lectures at Columbia University on the subject of world peace and international relations.  The first lecture was given by then President of Columbia, Dwight D. Eisenhower, the most recent by Pascale Lamy, Director General of the World Trade Organization. 

Raphael Smith Memorial Prize
Established in 1995 by family, friends and classmates to honor the memory of Raphael Smith, this prize is given at graduation to the SIPA student who best exemplifies his ideals.

M. Moran Weston II Endowed Fund for Urban Research and Policy
Established in 1998 via the generosity of many donors, the fund is named for Dr. Weston who, as a minister, banker, developer and tireless advocate for housing and community development issues, and Columbia’s first African-American trustee, helped reshape the communities of Harlem and Morningside Heights and created new opportunities for underprivileged individuals and families. 

The fund supports a Lectureship, which brings distinguished policy practitioners to the School to deliver a lecture focusing on urban issues such as housing and community development.  Lecturers to date have included U.S. Representative Charles Rangel, Ambassador Felix Rohatyn, and Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education Joel Klein.

Investcorp Distinguished Endowed Lectureship in International Affairs
Established in 2000 by a gift from Investcorp, the fund supports an annual lecture series at SIPA with a focus on international finance and business, which permits the School to invite distinguished international business leaders to speak to its students.  Lecturers to date include Nemir Kirdar, Mohammad Yunus, Patricia Cloherty and Michael Klein.

Ambassador and Mrs. Donald Blinken Endowed Lecture Series
The fund was established in 2001 by a gift from Ambassador and Mrs. Donald Blinken to provide a permanent mechanism of support for one or more lectures per year on an international subject at the discretion of the Institute for the Study of Europe and the School of International and Public Affairs.  Lecturers to date include Ambassador Richard Holbroke and Senator Joseph Biden.

Harvey Picker Prize for Public Service
Established by SIPA Dean Emeritus Harvey Picker, the Picker Prize for Public Service is awarded to the student(s) in the MPA program that demonstrate a commitment to public service.