48 donned the coveted cap & gown for the Executive MBA graduation

On Saturday, 10 June 2017, the newly minted Executive MBA graduates donned their hats and gowns to receive their long-awaited and well-deserved diplomas. It was a proud and emotional moment for graduates and families alike as the two EMBA classes walked in procession onto the stage in Ovnhallen at Copenhagen Business School to take their seats.

Director of CBS Business, Louise Seest gave the key note speech where she invited the graduates to partner with CBS in building bridges between CBS and the business community. “CBS and the business community share the same goal – to dare to invest in the future”, she said as she congratulated the EMBA graduates on the momentous achievement of completing the MBA while working full-time.

CBS Professor and EMBA Associate Dean Jesper Rangvid had the joyous task of handing over the proof-of-degrees.

“You will look at your job and company in a new way. You will see different dimensions to your current job, and you will want to change things” he said, addressing the two graduating classes. “You are simply better prepared now to face future professional challenges and possibilities. And, remember, most often when there is a challenge, there is also a possibility.”

Charlotte Fly-Andersen, Executive Vice President for Rosendahl Design Group and Chairman of the CBS Alumni Society, took the opportunity to welcome the graduates into the MBA afterworld:

“The ability to look at a company through holistic MBA glasses is a valuable skillset that all of you will possess for life, in addition to a lifelong network of fellow graduates; the biggest MBA network in Scandinavia.”

She also presented the winners of the Student-of-the-Class awards. This accolade went to one student from each class; Jeppe Allert Madsen from Sweco (Global Executive MBA) and Andries Boone from Leroy Somer (Executive MBA). They had both been elected by their respected classmates for their extraordinary contributions in creating a positive learning environment.

In his thank-you speech, Jeppe Allert Madsen honored his fellow students and their commitment to making it a remarkable and worthwhile journey. Despite the relief of having completed 20 tough months, he was sure they would miss each other.

“We can make a change. There is hope. Hope, not because of what we have done, but what we can do. We have the power in our hands to make a change, commit our talent to the frontier of tomorrow. We have the possibility to travel to new dreams and new hopes.” said Andries Boone as he thanked his fellow EMBA students for making the MBA an outstanding experience. “So it is time to set sail. Good luck and safe travels”.

The teaching awards granted by the graduates went to Professor of Corporate Finance, Ken Bechmann (Global Executive MBA) and Professor of Financial Statement Analysis, Thomas Plenborg (Executive MBA) for their outstanding teaching methods and engagement in the classes. "I sincerely enjoyed the motivation from the students, the energy in the class room and the great dialogue with everyone” said Ken Bechmann, who was teaching the Corporate Finance class for the first time.

As tradition would have it, the graduates were asked to move their tassels on their hats from the right to the left, signaling that they were now in possession of the universally respected three-letter affiliation that is the MBA degree. After the traditional group photos and throwing-of-the-hats, they re-joined their friends and families for a celebratory reception.  

In his closing remarks, CBS MBA Director Poul Hedegaard reminisced on his own MBA journey: “Nothing will ever be as tough as when you were doing your MBA”, he said, as he wished the graduates good luck in their future endeavors.