The Rady School of Management hosted the 2017 Commencement ceremony, graduating 302 students on Sunday, June 18. Of the more than 300 participating in the ceremony, 122 received MBA degrees, 135 earned their Master of Finance degrees and three were granted Ph.D. degrees. The inaugural Master of Science in Business Analytics cohort graduated 42 students.
The graduating class boasted an impressive group of students who have started their own medical device companies, consulting firms, organic breweries, an eco-friendly mobile detailing company and received offers to work for burgeoning businesses.
A number of students, alumni and community members were honored and recognized at the ceremony. Richard Atkinson, former president of the University of California system, was recognized with the Rady Founder’s Medal.
John A. “Mac” McQuown delivered the keynote address at the ceremony, alluding to the importance of innovation and scientific development. An accomplished entrepreneur, McQuown is a member of the Advisory Councils to the Dean of the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, and to the Dean of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego.
Amy Bernal (MBA ’14) spoke to the newly-graduated Rady students about the value of a Rady School education and encouraged the graduates to embrace the school’s mission and stay involved moving forward.
“To the people on this stage, the faculty, supporters of the Rady School and the Alumni network – the Rady Community has built a business school that rivals the elite, and in many ways outpaces them,” she said. “They didn’t need another business school – they needed a business school that was built differently – one that produces talent that could not just discover disruptive science, technology and services, but  could then bring them to market. A mission built on innovation, collaboration, and ethics distinguishes our community and I’m asking you to make it your own.”
Ashmeeta Maharaj (MBA ’17) gave the student commencement address, encouraging her fellow graduates to accept uncertainty.
“Embrace what you don’t know, embrace those you don’t know, and explore paths that you’ve never seen,” Maharaj said.
“All of our new graduates are extraordinarily talented, motivated, and superbly prepared for the next important phases of their careers,” said Robert S. Sullivan, Dean of the Rady School of Management. “As graduates today, you join an elite group of approximately 1,300 Rady alumni who continue to make measurable, positive impact both locally and around the world.”