Class Day & Commencement
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| Class Day Student Speaker Brendan McGeever (MBA ’03). More Class Day and Commencement photos. Photography by Stuart Cahill and Thomas J. Fitzsimmons |
Conditions were cloudy and cool but the mood was festive on June 4 as members of the Class of 2003, their families, and guests assembled on Baker Beach to celebrate Class Day. After opening remarks by Student Association Presidents Annemarie Jensen and Sal Kahn (both MBA ’03), David Russell (MBA ’03) presented the Student Association Faculty Awards for outstanding teaching to Visiting Professor Marc Bertoneche (Finance), Professor David Moss (BGIE), Associate Professor Das Narayandas (Marketing), and Associate Professor Frances Frei (TOM), who also won the award last year. Next up was Student Speaker Brendan McGeever (MBA ’03), whose humorous address touched on the subtext of life at HBS, the achievements of HBS alumni, and the potential for his classmates to do similarly great things.
Guest speaker A.G. Lafley (MBA ’77), chairman, president, and CEO of Procter & Gamble, provided some insights from his personal life and his 26-year career at P&G. Lafley said there is one overarching lesson he has come to understand: “Life is full of twists and turns. It’s important to accept them. Learn from all life’s experiences and move on.” He then offered ten guidelines, ranging from knowing one’s self (as a professional, spouse, parent, friend, and citizen) to respecting the customer. He also extolled the virtues of strong values, mentorship, and leadership and the need to embrace change, master skills and strategy, and follow one’s passion.
“In the 21st century,” Lafley concluded, “men and women who lead companies will need to be better leaders than any generation before. You are the next generation. Please go forth and make our world a better place.”
The festive mood and rain-free skies continued the following day when HBS Commencement was held on the Baker Library lawn. Before bestowing 2 DBAs and 882 MBAs on the Class of 2003, Dean Kim B. Clark took time to reflect on the graduating students and the last two years.
“The terrorist attacks of 9/11 took place just days after classes began in 2001,” noted Dean Clark. “The weeks and months that followed were a time of heroism and courage, compassion and inspiration. Everyone in the community — students, faculty, and staff alike — reached out and found ways to support one another, through acts of kindness both large and small.” He then highlighted the accomplishments of this year’s Dean’s Award recipients (see sidebar, page 8) and recognized other student leaders who made significant contributions during their time on campus.
Clark’s remarks centered on the importance of community, family, trust, and giving back. “The path ahead may be difficult. It will be full of risk and great reward,” he told the graduates and their guests. “We need leaders who will make a difference in the world, leaders who are firmly grounded in the highest standards of integrity and respect and personal accountability, leaders who are not afraid to set their sights high, who will dream and hope and believe in themselves and in those around them.”
Photography by Stuart Cahill and Thomas J. Fitzsimmons
