The Scoop: Columbia president responds with poise amid commencement boos

Claire Shipman stepped up to the podium at a Columbia University graduation ceremony Tuesday and was immediately hit with a wall of noise. Chants of “Free Mahmoud” echoed through the crowd, calling attention to graduate student Mahmoud Khalil who was detailed by ICE.

Shipman, Columbia’s acting university president, didn’t react. She waited. Then she spoke – calmly, deliberately and without flinching.

“Good morning, Class of 2025. I know that many of you feel some amount of frustration with me, and I know you feel it with the administration,” she said, drawing another round of boos. Then, with a dry note of humor: “We have a strong, strong tradition of free speech at this university. And I am always open to feedback, which I am getting right now.”

Shipman didn’t acknowledge the chants directly. She didn’t raise her voice or rush to finish. Instead, she paused when the chants resumed – giving space for students to express themselves – and only continued once they quieted.

None of that happened by accident. Her team knew commenting on the situation involving Khalil  wouldn’t be appropriate for a commencement address and definitely wouldn’t have helped things. They crafted her remarks to carry a message without escalating the moment.

Why it matters: Shipman wasn’t just delivering a speech. She was managing a live, high-stakes reputational moment. Cameras were rolling. Protest was inevitable. Saying too much could’ve made headlines. Saying nothing at all would’ve sent a message, too.

So Shipman and her comms team struck a careful balance. The message wasn’t about Khalil. It was about tone, presence and control. By acknowledging frustration without diving into controversy, Shipman showed needed restraint. By pausing for chants instead of speaking over them, she showed she was listening – not backing down but not provoking.

Moments like this demand more than a well-written script. They require rehearsal, situational awareness and delivery that fits the environment. Leaders need to know what to say, how to say it and how to react if/when things go sideways. That means building in pauses, preparing for interruptions and rigorous media training to stay calm and confident under pressure.

It’s also crucial to align messaging with the event’s purpose. Commencement wasn’t the place to debate policy or address protests directly, but it was a chance to send a broader message: we hear you, and we respect your voice. Shipman’s team prepared her not just with words but with a strategy to demonstrate listening.

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Casey Weldon is a reporter for PR Daily. Follow him on LinkedIn.