Senior Celebration 2024

“One of Isenberg’s priorities is to attract exceptional students,” said Isenberg Dean Anne Massey to graduating seniors and families at Isenberg’s 2024 Senior Celebration on Sunday, May 19. “I mean exceptional in the broadest sense. Not just what students do in the classroom, but outside as well. Not only is this class—the Class of 2024—exceptional, but you have raised the bar for all classes to come. Students now, and graduates today, seek to have an impact and inspire all of us.”

With an attendance of more than a thousand students, the Mullins Center buzzed with anticipation and excitement for the graduates about to take the next step in their lives.

The Class of 2024 consists of approximately 1260 students, comprising on-campus and online students who graduated in fall 2023, winter 2024, and spring 2024, and students who petitioned to walk early. The number of students who graduated from each major follows:

• Accounting: 140 students
• Finance: 342 students
• Management: 138 students
• Marketing: 233 students
• Operations and Information Management: 237 students
• Hospitality and Tourism Management: 61 students
• Sport Management: 109 students

Most members of the Class of 2024 were high school seniors when the pandemic hit in spring of 2020. After a very unusual first year, these students joined the full UMass Amherst and Isenberg community on campus.

The Class of 2024 represents nearly every county in the Commonwealth as well as 23 states from every region in the country. They also hail from countries around the world, including Vietnam, China, India, and Nigeria. While at Isenberg, more than 80 percent of the class secured at least one internship. So far, 80 percent of reporting graduates today who are seeking employment have accepted a job offer. Twelve percent of the class members are headed to graduate school

The Class of 2024 also reached its goal of 81 percent participation in the Senior Gift Campaign. A record breaking 850 students together donated nearly $10,000 to the installation of a balance room in Isenberg, which will be a space for students to reflect, relax, and recharge, away from all devices.

Senior speaker Daniela Paulette Palomares, a marketing and sport management major and a member of the Commonwealth Honors College, addressed the graduating seniors.

“What does it take to be here today?” she said. “What does this cap and this gown represent, for you? It represents a milestone, yes, but so much more. It is a collection of moments. Moments when we laughed. Moments when we felt proud. When we got that internship or job.” Palomares discussed the positive and negative parts of the journey the Class of 2024 had taken through Isenberg. “Remember, mighty moments make momentous days,” she added, before reminding the Class of 2024 to always walk with purpose and attitude.

Faculty member Liz Delia commented on why Palomares is a perfect fit for this speech:
“Daniela, born in Mexico, has a global perspective on many issues, which I believe is unique for a person of her age.”

Dean Anne Massey commented: “Regardless of what you do next, you are ready. You have the skills, the competencies, and the confidence to take on whatever comes your way.”

Congratulations to the Class of 2024!

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

Graduate students also celebrated earning their master’s degrees at a Commencement Reception.

On-campus MBA: 36 graduates

MBA/MSBA Duals: 9 graduates

MBA/MS Sport Duals: 6 graduates

Online MBA: 480 graduates

MS in Business Analytics: 266 graduates

MS in Accounting: 150 graduates

Master of Finance: 29 graduates