Although we are still reminiscing about the beaches of our exotic Spring Break destinations, it is not too early to start thinking about the activities surrounding graduation. Following a one-month break after EC final exams replica breitling, second-year students will return for Graduation Week 2006.
The official events of Graduation Week kick-off Monday, June 5, with section reunions and dinners, followed by the SA Graduation Gala at the Tremont Hotel June 6. On Wednesday, June 7, HBS will hold its annual Class Day ceremony, which in essence is a precursor to graduation.
Nearly 3,500 people, including HBS students, families and faculty will gather to reflect on their experiences at HBS, celebrate achievements and look forward to life post-HBS. The event will be highlighted by remarks from a keynote speaker, a selected student speaker and the outgoing SA Co-Presidents replica watches uk. Awards will be given to faculty members who have made outstanding contributions to the HBS learning environment for the Class of 2006.
The Class Day Committee is excited to announce that Hank Paulson (HBS ’70), CEO and chairman of Goldman Sachs, will be this year’s keynote speaker. He was chosen from a long list of impressive individuals, based on the responses to a poll collected from the Class of 2006 last spring. We are confident that Mr. Paulson’s words of wisdom and lessons of experience will be much appreciated.
The Faculty Awards are an integral part of the Class Day tradition at which honors are bestowed upon teachers who have made particularly exceptional contributions to the HBS experience. Since their inception, these awards have carried a significant degree of prestige and recognition for faculty members.
This year awards will be presented to two Required Curriculum (RC) and two Elective Curriculum (EC) professors. In order to ensure fairness, the winners will be selected on the basis of the greatest number of votes, relative to the number of students taught. The Class of 2006 will be asked to take part in an online election in early April. In past years, over 95% of the graduating class participated in the awards selection, using the following six criteria to decide which faculty to vote for:
Inspiration:
transfers their passion for the subject matter to the students
Knowledge Transfer:
makes difficult course material accessible to all students through clear explanations and demonstrated relevance
Accessibility:
available to students outside the classroom on a personal and professional basis
Career Guidance:
helps to identify industry contacts and evaluate potential career options
Quality of Life:
helps to improve the quality of life on campus
Feedback:
provides feedback that contributes to professional and personal development
Later this spring, the Class of 2006 will elect one member of the class to speak at Class Day June 7. The speaker will reflect on the class’ time at HBS and the road that lies ahead. Every member of the Class of 2006 is eligible to compete. The speaker will be selected after two rounds of competition.
During the first round of competition, each candidate will speak in front of a panel of volunteer judges representing each section. Speakers will be judged on their ability to address the audience, presentation skills, creativity and overall general impression.
Selected finalists will enter the second round of competition, also judged by a panel of volunteer judges representing each section in the class. The Class Day Committee will email more details regarding this process. In addition, you can find more information on the myHBS.com “Commencement” tab.
Preliminary schedule for Graduation Week:
As published on the myHBS “Commencement” tabMonday, June 5
Section Reunions and Dinners (organized by section social reps and section presidents)
Tuesday, June 6
SA Graduation Gala at the Tremont Hotel includes cocktails and dancing. Tickets are required and will be sold by SA Social. Open to students, families and guests.
Dress: black-tie optional.
Wednesday, June 7
2:30 – 4:00 p.m. – Class Day Ceremony
Open to students, families and guests. No tickets required. Speakers and faculty award presentation.
4:00 -5:00 p.m. – Ice Cream Social sponsored by MBA Program and Student Association Ventures.
Thursday, June 8
6:15- 6:30 am – Graduating students gather in front of Kresge.
*7:00 a.m. – Students depart promptly for Harvard Yard.7:30 a.m. – Students arrive at Harvard Yard and must carry Harvard ID and lanyard.
9:00 – 11:30 a.m. – Commencement Exercises (outdoors, rain or shine).
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – HBS Luncheon in Kresge Tents. Tickets are required. Each student will be provided with 5 tickets, including his or her own ticket.
12:30 – 2:30 p.m. – HBS Diploma Ceremony on Baker Lawn (rain or shine). No tickets required.
2:30 – 4:00 p.m. – HBS Reception in Kresge Tent (rain or shine).
*6:45 a.m. – Gates open at Harvard Yard. There is limited seating, so arrive early to assure seating. For those who don’t get in, there is an air-conditioned telecast video of the event in Burden, Spangler Auditorium and the Grille. Tickets are required for the live ceremony. Each student will be provided with 2 tickets, in addition to his or her own ticket.
Alternatives: Harvard University is holding optional concurrent event with HBS.
2:00 p.m. – Harvard University Alumni Meeting, Harvard Yard.For further details, please refer to the Commencement tab on myHBS.
If you have any additional questions regarding Class Day or Graduation Week, please feel free to contact any of the Class Day Committee members: Committee Chair: Pooja Kapadia (OB), Abhishek Agrawal (OC), Sean Hazlett (OF), Fabrice Ndjodo (OA), Kate Lavin (NJ), Tracy Mathews (NI), Owen Patrick (NB), William Shimer (NE) and Kelly Diamond, Associate Director of Student and Academic Services.
