Although it seems we just got back from Spring Break, it’s not too early to start thinking about the activities surrounding graduation. On June 4th, HBS students, families and faculty will gather for Class Day, an event that gives us time to reflect upon our experiences here at HBS and to celebrate our upcoming commencement. The day will consist of a ceremony with a guest speaker, an elected student speaker, and a few awards for faculty members who have made outstanding contributions to the HBS learning environment. The following is a general schedule for the event:
Schedule – Wednesday, June 4th
As published on my.hbs
9:00am-5:00pm
Commencement Ticket Pick-up, MBA Student & Academic Services, at the counter on the 2nd Floor Spangler Hall (bring HBS ID)
9:00am-5:00pm
Pick up Class of 2003 gift from the Alumni Association (CD includes classcards, toolkit, class of 2003 video, and more). Pick up 2nd Floor Spangler Hall (graduates only)
2:30pm-4:00pm
Class Day Ceremony, (Class presidents, faculty awards, student speaker and guest speaker) Baker Lawn. All welcome.
4:00pm-6:30pm
Faculty speech in Burden Auditorium (guests of graduating students)
4:30pm-5:30pm
Section reunions in your old section classrooms (graduating students)
Evening
Student Association Event (Details to follow)
Faculty Awards
A tradition started in 1997, the faculty awards are an opportunity for the EC class to recognize professors who have made an exceptional contribution to the HBS learning experience. These awards are an important part of the Class Day ceremonies and are considered among faculty members to be a great honor.
In early April, EC students will be asked to cast their votes in an online election to select two RC professors and two EC professors to receive the faculty award. To ensure fairness, the award winners will be those who have the greatest number of votes as a percentage of the number of students they taught over the two years. In years prior, over 95% of the EC student body has voted in the faculty award election, a number which we hope to duplicate or better this year. The selection criteria for the award are:
Inspiration: The faculty member transfers passion and enthusiasm for the subject matter to the student body.
Knowledge Transfer: The faculty member explains challenging course material in a relevant and understandable way, making even difficult subjects accessible to the entire class.
Accessibility: The faculty member is available to students beyond classroom interactions on a personal and professional basis.
Career Guidance: The faculty member helps students to assess career choices and identifies potential industry contacts.
Quality of Life: The faculty member strives to improve the quality of life on campus.
Feedback: The faculty member gives constructive feedback that assists in personal and professional development.
Student Speaker
Every year, an EC student is selected to address the graduating class on Class Day with his or her reflections on the HBS experience and outlook for the road ahead. The EC student is selected through two rounds of student speaker competitions that will begin in April. Every member of the Class of 2003 is eligible to participate in and compete in the student speaker selection process:
1st Round – Candidates will speak for 3 minutes. Their speeches should be representative of their prospective address at Class Day. A group of EC student volunteer judges representing each section will assess which candidates will move to the next round. The judges will use the following criteria to assess 1st round candidates: presentation skills, creativity, content, ability to address the audience (Class of 2003 and their families), and overall general impression.
2nd Round- The top five finalists will speak for 5 minutes in Burden auditorium. The speeches are open to the entire Class of 2003 and will also be recorded and posted online. All EC students will vote on their preferred student speaker. More details about this process will be emailed shortly.
Guest Speaker
The Class Day committee has been working on obtaining a guest speaker for the event since the end of last year. The speaker is a “surprise” and will be introduced in a Harbus article at the end of April along with the student speaker. Suggestions for the guest speaker were solicited in a poll that was sent out to all RC students at the end of last year.
Questions
If you have any questions regarding Class Day, please refer to the “Commencement” tab on my.hbs or feel free to contact the Class Day Committee members: Darren Jackson (OH), David Russell (OD), Erin Russell (OC), Tara Hahn (OI), Rob Barlick (ND), Majid Jafar (NB), So-Young Kang (NA), Jeff Yurcisin (NG), and Kelly Diamond, Associate Director of Student and Academic Services.
