Graduates of the MBA class of 2021/2022 were pleased about the successful completion of their Executive MBA studies in "General and International Management" direcly at the Campus in Pensacola. Due to the regulation on COVID-19, the first stay of the students in the cooperative and international MBA program took place at the University of West Florida (UWF) in Florida in spring 2021 online.
It was also gratifying that the second scheduled stay in Pensacola at UWF with the capstone course in "Strategic Management and Policy Formulation" with Dr. Justin Davis could take place onsite.
Traditionally, following the course, the formal graduation ceremony is held on the premises of the University of West Florida. Dean of the College of Business Prof. Dr. Richard Fountain warmly welcomed all honorees, their friends and family, Prof. Dr. Gerhard Raab and Ms. Kathrin Paul from the of Busin University of Business and Society Ludwigshafen, as well as other guests. Melissa Brode, MBA director and associate dean, moderated the event, which was also joined by graduate students remaining in Germany via Zoom. Other family members and interested parties were tuned in via an open broadcast channel.
Dean Fountain introduced guest speaker Captain Tim Kinsella and outlined his active time in the U.S. Navy, which has a range of more than 33 years. Earlier this year, Captain Kinsella was appointed as the director of the Center for Leadership at UWF.
Immediately following, the guest speaker delivered his impressive speech congratulating the program participants on their successful graduation and the valuable cross-cultural experience they gained during their studies. He entertainingly explained on what "between the lines polite statements" in English really mean. He also summarized in ten points the quintessence of successful leadership, which always follows the same philosophy, across all cultures and throughout history, and which all leaders should keep in mind.
Melissa Brode thanked Captain Tim Kinsella for these helpful "nuggets" and turned it over to Baris Burma who was the voice speaker for the class. Baris Burma gave a moving review of his last 18 months. He also emphasized how valuable all the people had been he was able to meet and who accompanied him during this time. Baris Burma expressed his gratitude for the continued strong support from his family, friends, UWF, the Transatlantic Institute, as well as the guidance from the faculty members who guided the students to think critically and analytically.
In his emotional speech, Prof. Dr. Gerhard Raab referred to the words of Senator Fulbright: "Educational Exchange is the most important activity of all our foreign policy acitivies" and in this sense he congratulated the students on the valuable experience they have gained in the last months and the successful MBA degree, which will help them in a global and competitive business world. He also expressed his gratitude for the long-standing partnership, successful and trustful cooperation with UWF and for the friendly relationship between the College of Business of UWF and the Transatlantic Institute of HWG LU.
Afterwards, Prof. Dr. Gerhard Raab asked each participant to come to the podium personally and, in addition to congratulating them on their Master of Business Administration, the traditional flipping of the hoods took place. The virtually connected graduates also took part in the ceremony and received their honors. Also awards for induction into the Beta Gamma Sigma community were still presented. Only the top of a class in economics at UWF are admitted.
Dean Prof. Dr. Richard Fountain, acknowledged the official receipt of the MBA degree and welcomed the graduates to the alumni circle.
Melissa Brode closed the event with words of thanks for all institutional program participants and for family members and friends of the participants. A celebration banquet finished the evening.
Congratulations to our graduates and a very warm welcome to our MBA alumni network as well!
Every year in January the MBA program of the Transatlantic Institute starts in cooperation with the University of West Florida. If you are interested, please contact Ms. Kathrin Paul directly (kathrin.paul@hwg-lu.de, 0621-5203-440).
