Freeman honors more than 700 at graduation ceremonies

Dean Paulo Goes addresses graduates at Freeman’s 2022 undergraduate diploma ceremony. Nearly 500 bachelor’s degree candidates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas from Dean Goes at the ceremony, which took place on Friday, May 20, at Avron B. Fogelman Arena in Devlin Fieldhouse on Tulane’s uptown campus.

Tulane University’s A. B. Freeman School of Business recognized more than 700 degree candidates at its spring 2022 undergraduate and graduate diploma ceremonies. The ceremonies took place on Friday, May 20, in the Avron B. Fogelman Arena in Devlin Fieldhouse on Tulane’s uptown campus.

The festivities kicked off at 10 a.m. with the undergraduate ceremony. Freeman School Dean Paulo Goes presided over the event, leading his first graduation ceremony since joining the business school in August.

In his opening remarks, Goes described the volatile business environment awaiting the class of 2022, filled with challenges including the ongoing pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, climate change and disruptive automation. Despite these obstacles, Goes told graduates they would thrive thanks in large part to their time at Freeman.

“The differentiator is what you are taking away from the Freeman experience,” Goes said. “The entrepreneurial spirit, the quest for innovation and all the attributes that make you successful — problem solving, collaboration, communication, critical thinking. But above all, you will succeed because you will bring passion to everything you do. Tulane and passion, passion and Tulane. They go together!”

Bridgitte Anillo (BSM ’22), Hannah Goldstein (BSM ’22) and Jared Ryback (BSM ’22) received the BSM Scholastic Achievement Award, which recognizes the graduating Bachelor of Science in Management student (or students in the case of a tie) with the highest cumulative grade point average. Spencer Campbell (BSM ’22) was honored with the Evelyn and William Burkenroad Award, which is chosen by the senior class on the basis of scholarship, integrity, amiability and contributions to the professional, social and academic quality of the business program.

Six undergraduates received the Tulane 34 Award, which is presented annually to 34 graduates from across the university in recognition of exceptional academic achievements, student leadership and community service. Receiving the Tulane 34 Award were Sorrel Brown, Zachariah Geduld (BSM/MACCT ’21), Blake Geisler, Nicole LaCour, Grayson McCall, and Tatiana Poggi.

The Dean’s Service Award, honoring students who have, in the opinion of the administrative staff and the dean, added dimension to the school through outstanding contributions of time and effort, was awarded to 22 graduates: Alexa Authorlee, Dima Bazzi (fall 2021), Kaitlyn Gocan, Elise Gjertson, Bethany Gleiser, Jake Kovacs, Claudia Menziuso, Rachel Menziuso, Remi Weinstein, Sorrell Brown, Tatiana Poggi, Dynah Jones, Abigail Stein, Alex Kemppainen, Sarah Carter, Nicole LaCour, George Ingrish, Stefan Andres Garcia Schober, Hope Juzon, Mary Emily Lauver (fall 2021), Regan Lambeth and Blake Geisler.

The Wall Street Journal Award, which recognizes BSM students whose academic performance in the area of finance is considered exceptional, was presented to Hannah Goldstein, Bridgitte Anillo, Erin Kelly, Amanda Blady, Bethany Gleiser, Grayson McCall, Matthew Oppenheim, Yihan Lu (fall 2021), Rochelle Rader and Jared Ryback.

The graduate diploma ceremony followed at 3 p.m., recognizing graduates of the Freeman School’s Master of Accounting, Master of Business Administration, Master of Business Analytics, Master of Finance, Master of Global Management, Master of Management, Master of Management in Energy and Doctor of Philosophy programs.

Nushrah Naveed Malik (MBA/MD ’22) received the Marta and Peter Bordeaux Scholastic Achievement Award, which recognizes the graduating MBA with the highest cumulative grade point average. Marguerite Claire Robert (MBA ’22) received the Roger L. Cornelius Award, which recognizes the graduating MBA who embodies the highest standards of business scholarship and leadership.

Amy Mitchell-Smith (MBA ’22) received the Allen R. Vorholt Memorial Award, which honors graduates of the executive MBA program who demonstrate leadership, scholarship, the ability to balance priorities and a strong sense of civic obligation.

Five graduate students received the Tulane 34 Award: Michael Harry Frantzen (MBA ’22), Zachariah Seth Geduld (BSM/MACCT ’21), Sergio Joseph Ingato (MBA/JD ’22), Russell Joseph Ledet (MBA/MD ’22) and Lloyd Levell Lyons (MBA/MHA ’22).

The Dean’s Service Award for graduate programs went to Corinna Jost Zengel (BSM/MACCT ’22), Lloyd Levell Lyons (MBA/MHA ’22), Roland Arturo Lugo-Arroyo (MFIN ’21).

The Freeman Leadership Award, established by the Graduate Business Council in 2019-20 to recognize students who exemplify engagement through leadership in student organizations and commitment to improving the business school experience for fellow students, was awarded to Michael Harry Frantzen (MBA ’22).

The Tulane Association of Business Alumni Award, which recognizes graduates who rank in the top 10% of their classes and who display exceptional intellectual ability, leadership, self-motivation and responsibility to peers, the school and the community, was presented to Allison Dana Geller (BSM/MACCT ’22), Melissa McCormick Lanrdy (MBA ’22), Nushrah Naveed Malik (MBA/MD ’22), Natalie M. Nasrallah (MBA ’22), Victoria Adams Phipps (MBA ’22), Erica N. Bush (MANA ’22), Yao Xie (MFIN ’22), David Ian Ehrenthal (MMG ’21) and Yvette Kathrin Burcescu (MME ’22).

Following the presentation of diplomas to degree candidates, the Uptown Strutters Brass Band brought the crowd to their feet with a second line from the arena to the Goldring/Woldenberg Business Complex for a reception honoring this year’s graduates.

“We look forward to following your careers and watching as you contribute to building a better world,” said Dean Goes in his concluding remarks. “Please remember to keep in touch so that we can celebrate what my colleagues and I am confident will be your many accomplishments.”