School colors

The Blue and White (Mark Holden C '09)

Columbia's official color's are "Columbia Blue" and White. Both colors were originally drawn from the two literary societies that were at the heart of student life in the 19th century- Philolexian Blue, and Peithologian White.

There is no official acknowledgment of the co-option on the University's part, and in fact the Philolexian Society maintains, in mock indignation, the position that the colors were in fact stolen. In 1986, one member of the society wrote a letter to the President of the University demanding restitution. [1]