On 1 July at the Lauder Business School graduation ceremony, our guest of honour was Mr. Oliver Olson, Director of European Operations for the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). After visiting our campus on 25 May with Professor Deborah M. Gaspard, Member of the Board of Directors, Mr. Olson returned as our guest to deliver the graduation speech and send off our graduates with a few words of encouragement.
As our students prepare for take-off towards their next destination in life, we relay below the gist of Mr. Olson´s speech, hoping that they always remember it wherever their calling might take them:
- Never forget that the journey is just as important as the destination: Mr. Olson collects Starbucks coffee cups and refrigerator magnets from every country he visits. He sees the cups and magnets as symbols of the milestones he has reached, and as reminders that each conquered milestone does not replace the actual thrill of the journey. They mark a special moment in time, but not the ultimate destination.
- Celebrate your milestones with the people who encourage your dreams: moments are memorable only if they can be shared with loved ones, the ones who encourage you to dream big, no matter how impossible the dream might seem.The 2022 graduation was a milestone for us as an educational institution, one that we were able to celebrate together with our wonderful graduates. The ACBSP accreditation to be granted in the fall is a testament to our academic excellence and a recognition of our hard work and perseverance, despite all obstacles. Once the ACBSP accreditation is obtained, all students graduating onward from LBS, including the 2022 graduates, will benefit from recognition of their LBS diploma not only in Europe, but also in the US.
- Do not conform to the norm, disrupt it – don´t try to be someone “typical”, break the stereotypes and surprise everyone, including yourself. Mr. Olson mentioned the fact that he studied Swedish just because he wanted to challenge himself and prove that he is not a “typical American”. Whether you embark on a journey to learn a difficult language, conquer another fear, or walk on a road less travelled, be bold. The journey is ultimately about discovering who you really are, and once you take that first step, don´t look back.
Whether you walk confidently towards your goals, or are yet to understand your calling, we wanted to remind our graduates that while this chapter of their life is closing, their journey is just beginning. Enjoy it and don´t forget that Lauder Business School is very proud of you!
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