Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business celebrated the graduation of over 300 students Thursday, September 1, in Matthews Arena, conferring diplomas in 12 master's degree programs.
Remarks were made throughout the ceremony by Northeastern President Joseph E. Aoun, commencement speaker Sy Sternberg, ME'68, H'12, and student speaker Yuliya Bass, MBA'16.
Sy Sternberg, retired chairman of the board and CEO of New York Life Insurance Company and chairman emeritus of Northeastern's Board of Trustees, chose to share three life lessons during his speech, reminding each graduate of the opportunity they share ahead.
“This country can't succeed without your skills,” he said. “This country does not move forward without you.”
Student speaker Yuliya Bass, MBA'16, Finance Track, completed her corporate residency at a financial services firm, her experience at D'Amore McKim wholly shaped by classroom and real world experience. She encouraged her fellow graduates to continue to learn and use their common sense for good as the next generation of world leaders.
“I hope we will never stop learning and being intellectually curious. I hope that common sense will rule our decisions and help us concentrate on real issues facing us as a new generation of leaders,” said Bass.
Many graduates have already received and accepted full-time offers of employment from the firms they worked at during their corporate residencies; D'Amore-McKim School of Business Dean Hugh Courtney highlighted their accomplishments.
“Thank you for bringing so much passion and drive to our university, your employers, and, in many cases, your own ventures. It has truly been a privilege to teach you but also to learn from you,” said Courtney.