Photos Fresh Off The Press: Relive The 2019 Commencement Ceremony

Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2019, who celebrated their Commencement on Saturday, 8 June 2019. Graduates, friends, family and staff all arrived with smiles on their faces and excitement running through their veins. As awards and certificates were handed out, cameras flashed, smiles shone and tassels were passed from left to right. Speeches promoting the idea of risk-taking, open-mindedness, and innovation motivated graduates on their new journey into the world as “the most educated, ethnically diverse, balanced generation to be entering the work force”, according to Lydia Siebler, Valedictorian and MBA graduate.

Lydia Siebler gave an inspirational speech on her personal journey taking on new challenges by stating, “Set your goals, build your dreams, run after them with unbridled passion.” She then concluded by stating “So go out there and make this world better than you found it,” urging NEC graduates, students, friends and families to not be afraid of making a difference in this world or being authentic. Thank you, Lydia, for not only uplifting the young women and men in the audience but also for not being afraid to show who you are and encouraging others to do the same.

Special congratulations to the NEC students who won awards: Edin Muslic was awarded with Best Bachelor Student award, Yuliya Kim was presented with the Best Master Student award, Laura Driuzzi was given the award for Best Thesis, and last but certainly not least Lydia Siebler was awarded with Best MBA Student award. Chancellor Liebhardt marked the occasion with inspiring words, “Class of 2019 – Hooray you have made it! You are ready to leave the comfort zone and embark on the journey into your exciting future.”

NEC lecturer Vittorio Tagliabue was subsequently awarded the Lecturer of the Year award, which sets the benchmark for the faculty of New European College. Vittorio received the highest student rating a lecturer could achieve (there is no harder jury than students!) and accepted the award with honour. His following remarks were a true testament to his passion for business education and inspiring teaching style. Larry Schulz, President of the American German Business Club (AGBC) also received special recognition for his relentless efforts to support New European College and bring the real world into the classroom. As Larry will be retiring from the AGBC this year, New European College presented him with a special student scholarship which will be given in his honour.

Thorsten Robert, Vice President of Nokia, followed with an insightful speech on advanced mobile network solutions, inviting students to challenge themselves and take on new opportunities as they come. He also gave an in-depth introduction to the dynamic history of Nokia and how it has become a leading technology company on the front line to drive the 4th industrial revolution, with 5G and IoT as key enablers

Chancellor Liebhardt gave an emotional speech to NEC graduates in which he stated “Many believe that happiness comes with success. And then run from success to success, but happiness eludes them. As already stated by Albert Schweitzer, it is exactly the other way around: Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. For many this has always been a sweet quote, yet more and more scientific research underlines that there is a lot of truth in this. And according to Harvard’s longitudinal study on what is the secret of a long life, it turns out to be happiness. And the basis of happiness, according to this research, is love.”

Congratulations, New European College of 2019! Your accomplishments are just the start, and we look forward to welcoming you back as part of NEC’s alumni community.