THIRTEEN to Premiere Treasures of New York: Columbia University, 9/21

As the oldest institution of higher learning in New York State and the fifth oldest in the nation, Columbia University is a place dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and the birth of new ideas. As students make their way back to universities across the country, the history of the school is revealed in Treasures of New York: Columbia University premiering on Sunday, September 21 at 7 p.m. on WLIW21 and Monday, September 22nd at 9 p.m. on THIRTEEN.

Featuring select music by Columbia alumni and Grammy Award-winning rock band Vampire Weekend, and told through archival images and interviews, this one-hour documentary reveals a rare and intimate portrait of the Ivy League school whose history and growth, from its founding in Trinity Church's schoolhouse 260 years ago to its position today as one of the world's leading research universities, is inextricably linked with that of New York City itself.

Treasures of New York: Columbia University features interviews with Columbia President Lee Bollinger, actress Amanda Peet, architect Renzo Piano, Nobel Prize winner Eric Kandel, bestselling author Caleb Carr, Oscar-nominee and Columbia University professor Jamal Joseph, and the 5th Great Grandson of Alexander Hamilton, Doug Hamilton,among many others.
After the initial broadcast, the full episode will be available for online streaming at thirteen.org/treasures. The Treasures of New York website also offers past episodes about some of New York's greatest institutions.

Treasures of New York: Columbia University is a production of WLIW LLC in association with WNET. WNET is the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21, New York's public television stations and operator of NJTV.

Amanda Kinsey, a Barnard College and Columbia Business School alumna, is producer. Hillary Sieber is associate producer. Diane Masciale is general manager of WLIW21 and executive producer of local production, including the Treasures of New York series. Executive-in-Charge is John Servidio.

Treasures of New York: Columbia University is provided by the Cheryl and Philip Milstein Family, with additional support from Rosalind P. Walter, The Mark and Anla Cheng Kingdon Foundation, Dianne and David Stern, Lisa Landau Carnoy, Irwin & Margi Hirshberg and the Metropolitan Media Fund.

About WNET
As New York's flagship public media provider and the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, WNET brings quality arts, education and public affairs programming to over 5 million viewers each week. WNET produces and presents such acclaimed PBS series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, PBS Newshour Weekend, Charlie Rose and a range of documentaries, children's programs, and local news and cultural offerings available on air and online. Pioneers in educational programming, WNET has created such groundbreaking series as Get the Math, Oh Noah! and Cyberchase and provides tools for educators that bring compelling content to life in the classroom and at home. WNET highlights the tri-state's unique culture and diverse communities through NYC-ARTS, Reel 13, NJTV News with Mary Alice Williams and MetroFocus, the multi-platform news magazine focusing on the New York region. WNET is also a leader in connecting with viewers on emerging platforms, including the THIRTEEN Explore iPad App where users can stream PBS content for free.

Website: thirteen.org/treasures-of-ny

Facebook: wnet-thirteen / WLIW21

Twitter: @ThirteenNY / @WLIW21