Freeman awards diplomas to more than 800 at 2025 Graduation Ceremony

It was an event so big, it could only be held in one place.

For its 108^th graduation, the A. B. Freeman School of Business moved its diploma ceremony from Tulane’s Uptown campus to Caesars Superdome. The change of venue was motivated in part by the scale of the event: For the first time in more than 20 years, the Freeman School awarded both undergraduate and master’s level diplomas in a single ceremony. In all, more than 800 degree candidates crossed the stage of the Superdome on May 16 to receive their diplomas.

Presiding over the event was Freeman School Dean Paulo Goes, with support from school marshals Robert Prilmeier, Carmen Weigelt, Christine Smith and Sanda Groome.

In his remarks to graduates, Goes noted the dizzying rate of change in the business world, a condition brought about in large part by the rise of artificial intelligence, but he also reassured graduates that they had been well prepared to take on the challenges of this new world, citing the mix of academics, experiential learning, extracurriculars and uniquely human skills that define the Freeman experience.

“As a Freeman graduate, you have within you the ability to think on your feet, to adapt to new and unforeseen challenges, and, most of all, to lead in times of volatility, uncertainty and change,” he said. “That’s an invaluable tool kit.”

At the graduate level, Harrison Bond (MBA/JD ’25) received the Marta and Peter Bordeaux Scholastic Achievement Award, which recognizes the graduating MBA student with the highest cumulative grade point average, and Esther Yesuadomwah-Frempong (MBA ’25) received the Roger L. Cornelius Award, which recognizes the graduating MBA who embodies the highest standards of business scholarship and leadership.

Desiree Packard (MBA ’25) received the Allen R. Vorholt Memorial Award, which honors an Executive MBA graduate who demonstrates leadership, scholarship, the ability to balance priorities and a strong sense of civic obligation.

The graduate level Dean’s Service Award, which honors 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, went to Jacqueline Williams (BSM/MACCT ’25), Jake Davidson (MBA ’25), Henry McDavid (MBA ’25), Tenley Gorman (MANA ’25) and Joseph Chase (MME ’25).

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 presented to Keagan Goldwait (MBA ’25) and Keerthana Swamy (MACCT ’25).

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 awarded to Seth Meaux (BSM/MACCT ’25), Nathan Bayer (MBA ’25), JoAnna Lee (MBA ’25), Melissa Lavigne-Delville Lawrence (MBA ’25), Kara Schiek (MBA ’25), Luke Roosa (MANA ’25), Bryce Boada (MFIN ’25) and Katherine Gemmell (MME ’25).

At the undergraduate level, Zachary Fors (BSM ’25), Abbey Hochreiner (SLA ’25, BSM ’25) and Seth Meaux (BSM/MACCT ’25) received the BSM Award for Scholastic Achievement, which recognizes the BSM graduate or graduates with the highest cumulative grade point average. 

Hochreiner also received 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, and the Wall Street Journal Award, which recognizes a BSM student whose academic performance in the area of finance is considered exceptional.

The undergraduate level Dean’s Service Award was presented to Kierra Middleton (BSM ’25), Aryanna Baytop (BSM ’25), Amelia Kaftan (BSM ’25), Richard Cantwell (BSM ’25), Aristotle Makoujy (BSM ’25), Hannah Rosa (BSM ’25), Alexis Block (BSM ’25) and Jordan Saks (BSM ’25).

In addition to the Freeman honors, seven business students received the Tulane 34 Award, which is presented annually to 34 graduates from across the university in recognition of exceptional academic achievement, student leadership and community service. This year's recipients were Aryanna Baytop (BSM ’25), Richard Cantwell (BSM ’25), Alexis Block (BSM ’25), Yu An "Jason" Chen (BSM/MACCT ’25), Abbey Hochreiner (SLA ’25, BSM ’25), Gabriella Olivieri (MME ’25) and Hannah Rubinstein (BSM ’25).

“Graduates, I wish you the very best in all your personal and professional endeavors,” Goes said in his concluding remarks. “We have spent the past few years together, and that is a bond that will exist forever. We look forward to following your careers and watching as you contribute to building a better world. Please remember to keep in touch so that we can share in celebrating what I’m sure will be a lifetime of accomplishments.”