Senior Celebration 2023

“You are exceptional in so many ways, and regardless of what you do next, you are ready,” said Isenberg Dean Anne Massey to graduating seniors and families at Isenberg’s 2023 Senior Celebration held on Friday, May 26. “You have the skills, the competencies, and confidence to take on whatever comes your way.”

­With a record-breaking attendance of 1,059 students and more than 7,000 guests, the room buzzed with anticipation and excitement for the grads about to take their next step into the future.

The Class of 2023 has proven to be one of the most resilient classes to graduate from Isenberg. Being a first-year student amidst the pandemic, transitioning to remote learning, and coming back to campus, their futures seemed uncertain. Despite all that, they kept on pushing forward to reach their goals. Seventy percent of class members were involved, joining a student club or organization and/or participating in community service, with 30 percent of those students holding leadership positions. Fifty percent of the class secured internships, and 70 percent accepted a job offer by the time of their graduation. Thirteen percent of students decided to continue their education by attending grad school. 

Student speaker Jeffrey Epro, an OIM major from Leominster, Mass., said he decided to go to Isenberg because of “Isenberg’s irresistible potential upside and return on investment.” He looked back fondly at his time doing consulting for a student business as well as being a marketing teaching assistant. “I’ll miss the excitement and stimulation of walking through Isenberg’s sunny Innovation Hub, energized by our collective anticipation as we charted the course for the beginning of the rest of our lives.” Epro recalled the sense of community amongst the Class of 2023, before it was ripped away by the pandemic and the transition to remote learning. Jeffrey recognized how the Class of 2023 adapted and overcame with these new circumstances.

“For in this ever-changing world, it is our adaptability, our capacity to find humor, and our unwavering resilience that will distinguish us from the rest.”

Epro closed his remarks by giving a word of advice to his peers: “Wherever you find yourself in the future, remember this: In the realm of uncertainty lies endless possibility, so embrace it with open arms.”

At the start of the celebration, Associate Dean Janet Fink took a moment to remember Melvin Rodriguez, a well-loved member of the Isenberg family who passed away at the end of 2022. “Melvin had an incredibly strong connection to our students, particularly our Partners in Education students, and helped so many students navigate their college years successfully. He was truly a beloved member of the Isenberg family.”

Click here to see a full gallery of photos from the celebration.

Click here to view the 2023 Senior Celebration video.

Graduate students also celebrated earning their master’s degrees at program-specific Oath Ceremonies and a group Commencement Reception.

• On-campus MBA: 20 graduates
• MBA/MSBA Duals: 9 graduates
• MBA/MS Sport Duals: 10 graduates
• Online MBA: 410 graduates
• MS in Business Analytics: 84 graduates
• MS in Accounting: 165 graduates
• Master of Finance: 18 graduates

Click here for a gallery of photos from the Oath Ceremonies and Commencement Reception.