BA says “Hello and Goodbye” at graduation ceremony

On Thursday, March 29th, Brand Academy sent off the first wave of 2018 graduates and warmly welcomed all fresh(wo)men starting in the summer term.

In his keynote speech, BA President Prof. Dr. h.c. Shan Fan expressed the mixed emotions he typically feels on such occasions: On one hand, grateful for the enjoyable years spent together, pleased knowing that a bright future lies ahead of today’s graduates, and happy to welcome new students to the small but mighty BA family. On the other hand, sad to see current family members leave. In the end, however, the joy always outweighs the sadness.

Next on the agenda were contributions by select graduates. While Bachelor‘s graduate Johannes Tampé held an entertaining speech in which he looked both back and forward, his fellow Bachelor‘s graduate Maximilian Kreter used an enjoyable presentation to do the same. Afterwards, Stefanie Mager spoke on behalf of all Master’s graduates. Already a successful freelancer at the time of her enrolment, she emphasized that she nevertheless gained a lot from her studies and thanked BA for that positive experience.

Next, the Course Directors formally handed over Bachelor’s and Master’s diplomas to their respective students and, as always, made sure to share key memories and/or anecdotes about each one of them. Guest of honour Wolfgang K.A. Disch then personally congratulated Daniel Neye, author of the best Bachelor’s thesis in the field of Brand Management, and awarded him a free one-year membership for the distinguished Gesellschaft zur Erforschung des Markenwesens e.V. Annika Egan, who had submitted the best Bachelor’s thesis in Brand Design, also received an honorable mention and a free one-year membership in the Allianz Deutscher Designer along with it. Subsequently, Stefanie Mager, International Brand Communication Master’s graduate and author of the best Master’s thesis was awarded a free one-year membership in Brand Academy’s Alumni Association.

After the formal ceremony, which concluded with the traditional tossing of the mortar boards, all guests were kindly invited to drinks and a delectable flying buffet served by exquisite on-campus restaurant Rainvilles Elbterrassen in front of a gorgeous view of the river Elbe.

Once again, congratulations to all graduates and a warm welcome to all new students! Feel free to visit our Instagram channel for further impressions of the wonderful day.