Stanford GSB Honors the Class of 2020 with an Online Celebration

The Stanford GSB community gathered virtually to reflect on the accomplishments of the Class of 2020.

June 24, 2020

 

On Sunday, June 14, Orlando Bravo, JD/MBA ’97 and the planned Class of 2020 diploma ceremony speaker, congratulated the Stanford Graduate School of Business Classes of 2020. “I know this is not exactly the graduation you expected,” he said. “At the same time, today’s adversity makes your class a truly historic one.”

During the celebration — which did not take the place of Stanford GSB’s traditional diploma ceremony — students and their families logged in from all over the world to receive congratulations and words of wisdom from faculty, staff, and prominent alumni. Dean Jonathan Levin encouraged the Class of 2020 to measure their success by the way they treat others and the opportunities they create for them.

“You are graduating at a time when it is important to face facts bravely, to correct flaws in our system, to rebuild,” Levin said. “I know each of you has the capacity not just to make your way, but to rise high. And don’t leave it at that. Help rebuild in the way that raises others. Set yourselves the task of remaking a better world around you.”

After tuning in together for the celebration’s livestream, students joined breakout sessions to receive personal congratulations from faculty, directors, and alumni and to watch slideshows and videos looking back at their time at Stanford GSB. Watch more of those celebration videos below.

MBA Class of 2020 Celebration

“As you stand on the precipice of new endeavors, I will not offer congratulations, though they are richly deserved. Instead, I want to offer you something more. Frederick Douglass said, without a struggle there can be no progress. So I wish for you a good life, a life of beautiful struggle, I wish for you a life filled with purpose in the pursuit of deep and lasting meaning.” — Senior Associate Dean Brian Lowery

 

MSx Class of 2020 Celebration

“Now more than ever the world needs innovative and thoughtful leaders. You make me optimistic about the future.” — Associate Dean Margaret Hayes

 

PhD Class of 2020 Celebration

“You came in as a student, and you leave us as a colleague.” — Senior Associate Dean Lawrence Wein

 

Award Winners

The top 10% of the MBA class based on GPA were recognized as Arjay Miller Scholars.

The Henry Ford II Scholar, selected for academic achievement, was earned by Nate Segal.

Ryan Youra was recognized as this year’s Ernest C. Arbuckle Award winner, chosen by his peers for having contributed most to the fulfillment of the goals of the school by his actions within the school and society.

The Alexander A. Robichek Student Achievement Award in Finance was earned by Tim Brown.

The recipient of the George G.C. Parker Prize for academic achievement in the MSx class was Abhishek Garg.

The top 10% of the MSx class based on GPA were recognized as Robert L. Joss Scholars.

— Jenny Luna

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