June 7, 2001
Contact: Jay Chrepta
HBS Communications
(617) 495-6155
Harvard Business School Awards 847 Degrees During Diploma Ceremonies
BOSTON, June 7 -- For the 91st time since its founding in 1908, Harvard Business School awarded degrees during diploma ceremonies on June 7 at the School’s campus in Boston. The ceremony was part of Harvard University's 350th Commencement activities.
Harvard Business School Dean Kim B. Clark awarded diplomas to 843 students who completed the School’s full-time MBA program. Fifty graduates were awarded degrees with distinction, based on their standing in the top ten percent of their class
An additional 43 students who graduated in the top five percent were awarded MBA degrees with high distinction and designated Baker Scholars. The honor is named for George F. Baker, whose gift of $5 million in 1924 enabled the School to build its own campus in the Allston section of Boston, across the Charles River from the main University campus in Cambridge, Mass.
In addition, four students were awarded Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degrees.
On Class Day, June 6, MBA degree candidates honored four faculty members -- two each from the required and elective curricula -- with Student Association Faculty awards in recognition of their excellence in teaching:
- Assistant Professor Mihir Desai (Finance)
-
Michael Porter, the Bishop William Lawrence University Professor (Competition and Strategy)
- Associate Professor Benjamin Esty (Large-Scale Investment)
- André Perold, the George Gund Professor of Finance and Banking (Investment Management).
Part of Class Day exercises since 1997, the awards are presented to HBS faculty members who have made, in the opinion of the graduating class, exceptional contributions to their learning experience at the School.
Daniel Senor of the MBA Class of 2001 was Class Day speaker.
In a departure from previous Class Day keynote addresses, outgoing GE Chairman Jack Welch was interviewed by graduating MBA Nigel Killick, who won the privilege in a student competition earlier this year.