Students graduating from the Weatherhead School this spring experienced a number of activities marking the special occasion.
Both graduate and undergraduate students participated in the second annual New Alumni Welcome Ceremony on May 17th. Co-Deans Andrew Medvedev and JB Silvers shared words of congratulations along with Professor of Organizational Behavior Ellen Van Oosten who shared uplifting advice with the graduates regarding their futures and the value of relationships. Executive Director of Alumni Relations Brian Breittholz led the stolling process, where each graduate received a stoll, followed by a champagne toast.
Gary von Lehmden (MGT ’81), traveled (with his family) from London to serve as the commencement speaker on Saturday, May 18. Lehmden is current CEO and Chairman of Summerhill Capital Investors, LLC. And previously served as Chairman and Head of EMEA Corporate Banking and as the Chief Lending Officer for Citibank N.A. in EMEA.
During his graduation remarks, von Lehmden shared, “What I often told my own people during reviews is “If you want something, you should ask for it. People can’t read your mind. You might not get what you are asking for (or at least not right away), but at least they have fair warning about how you feel and after some due consideration, things might just go your way.”
He added, “Through past experiences, I've come to believe that success often comes down to how you navigate the unexpected twists and turns. Life has a way of presenting challenges and opportunities in equal measure. It's how you respond to them - with resilience, adaptability, and a growth mindset - that will define your path.”
Along with the formal ceremonies, there were plenty of personal stories of achievement and life-changing moments. Among them was the new direction of Yucui Dong, who, before stepping on stage to receive her diploma for a Master of Supply Chain Management, was married.