Freeman diploma ceremony largest in school history

Over the course of two pomp-and-circumstance-filled days, nearly 1,000 new graduates — hailing from 24 countries and representing over a dozen different educational programs — received their diplomas, an all-time high for the Freeman School.

“As I’ve told many alumni groups, Freeman is one of the fastest growing business schools in the country, but just as important is the fact that we’re growing in quality,” said Dean Ira Solomon. “It’s an honor to recognize these outstanding students as they join the distinguished ranks of Tulane University and Freeman School of Business alumni.”

Commencement 2016 officially kicked off on Friday, May 13, with the Freeman School’s Graduate Programs Diploma Ceremony in Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse on Tulane’s uptown campus. This year, the Freeman School awarded well over 500 graduate degrees to students completing degree requirements between June 2015 and May 2016. That number includes 207 Master of Finance degrees, 145 Master of Business Administration degrees, 106 Master of Accounting degrees, 31 Master of Management in Energy degrees, 28 Master of Management degrees, 10 Master of Global Management degrees and nine Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

Brenna Lynn Benson (MBA ’16) received the Marta and Peter Bordeaux Scholastic Achievement Award, presented to the graduate of the MBA program with the highest cumulative GPA, as well as the Roger L. Cornelius Award, which recognizes the graduating MBA student who exemplifies the highest standards of business scholarship and leadership.

In addition, Grace Elizabeth Cammack (MBA ’16) and Coleman Collier Russel (MME ’16) received the Tulane 34 Award, a very prestigious university-wide recognition that honors Tulane graduates who have distinguished themselves for exemplary leadership, service and academic excellence throughout their collegiate lives.

Following the ceremony, the Po Boys Brass Band led a traditional New Orleans second line out of Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse to the Lavin-Bernick Center, where graduates, their families, guests and Freeman faculty and staff joined a reception. The university’s annual Wave Goodbye celebration followed the reception.

On Saturday, May 14, the festivities continued as Freeman School student Carlos Wilson (BSM/MACCT ’16) took the stage at Tulane’s Unified Commencement Ceremony in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome to deliver this year’s student address.

Wilson, who will join PricewaterhouseCoopers in New York following graduation, urged his fellow graduates embarking on their careers to “trust the process.”

“You have been prepared,” Wilson said. “You have been shaped, molded and have persevered through years of trials and tribulations. You have made it this far today because you trusted the process from the moment you set foot on this campus. As you leave here today, just remember: You are ready and no matter where you are or where you are not, you are right where you need to be. Just trust the process.”

Following the unified ceremony, Dean Solomon presided over the 2016 Freeman School Undergraduate Diploma Ceremony, which recognized graduates of the rapidly growing Bachelor of Science in Management programs. This year, the Freeman School awarded 414 BSM degrees to students completing their degree requirements between June 2015 and May 2016. In addition, 82 students who expect to complete their degree requirements this summer also participated in the ceremony.

Nushrah Naveed Malik (BSM ’16) received the BSM Scholastic Achievement Award, which recognizes the undergraduate student with the highest cumulative GPA, and Malik along with classmates Richard Donovan Carthon, Charles C. Cuccinello, Daniel Louis Lawrence received the Tulane 34 Award.

“To each of our graduates, I extend the heartfelt appreciation of the Freeman School, Tulane University and the city of New Orleans,” Dean Solomon concluded. “I wish you the very best in all of your personal endeavors. We look forward to following your careers and watching you as you contribute to building a better world.”

To view photos from the Graduate Programs Diploma Ceremony, visit the Freeman School's Flickr page.