“Stay with us – for life“
Who suffers most from the rigours of studying? What are the most important lessons learnt at ESB Business School? And what is ESB Dean and lawyer Professor Dr Markus Conrads’ verdict on his graduates? 184 Bachelor‘s, Master’s and MBA graduates received the answers to these questions last Saturday at the graduation ceremony of ESB Business School at Reutlingen University. The traditional toss of the academic caps in Reutlingen’s town hall marks the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.
“This is an important moment for you. Our standards for a degree at ESB Business School are high. But you have made it”, said Professor Dr Hendrik Brumme, President of Reutlingen University, welcoming the graduates.
The new Dean of ESB, Professor Dr Markus Conrads, followed with more humorous observations. He paid tribute in detail to the group that had suffered the most during the studies: the graduates’ parents and families, who had accompanied them through all the ups and downs. But now their big day has come: “Graduation marks the end of studies and the start of professional life. For the graduates, this means work. For you, dear parents, freedom.” The Dean also wished the graduates themselves all the best for the future: “We lured you into the wonderful world of business administration here at ESB. Now it is time to warn you: please be careful with your knowledge. The models we teach you are idealised. Be prepared for the fact that this will not always be the case in the real world and don’t be afraid to question yourselves.”
Reutlingen’s Mayor Thomas Keck had no doubt that studying at ESB Business School prepared the Bachelor’s, Master’s and MBA graduates perfectly for their future. “Here you have learned to think critically and to stand up for democratic values. Reutlingen is proud to have been a part of your educational career.” The mayor wished that many graduates would stay in Reutlingen after their graduation and continue to enrich the city.
A prime example of this was keynote speaker Katharina Herzog, Senior Vice President Group Finance & Tax and Member of the Supervisory Board of the HUGO BOSS Group. The ESB Business School alumna now lives in Reutlingen again with her family after other career stages. In her speech, she emphasised the crucial importance of lifelong learning. This requires curiosity, creativity, a good network, critical thinking and the capacity for teamwork. “Your degree programme has been ideal preparation for a changing world. This applies not only to the content of the lectures, but also to your adaptability, resilience and everything else you need”, Ms Herzog congratulated the students.
The graduates themselves also had the opportunity to speak. Representing the Bachelor’s programmes, Mikel Irizar Krinn and Melanie Knauf looked back in particular at the beginning of their studies in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic: “We had certainly not expected it to be like that. But returning to the campus was all the better. We learnt to appreciate even little things, especially the team spirit, which we experienced from the very first day.” On behalf of the Master’s and MBA graduates, Evan Junker and Vanessa Pollmann had prepared six lessons that they picked up during their time at ESB Business School – including belief in oneself and constant curiosity as well as empathy and community with the fellow students.
Nicolai Firus, Constantin Huesker and Franziska Ibele, who congratulated the graduates on behalf of the ESB Reutlingen Alumni e.V., confirmed that this is the secret of ESB Business School’s success: “If there is one thing we have learnt at ESB, it is that community and team spirt are everything. Keep living the ESB Spirit!”
After serious and light-hearted words, the ceremonial presentation of the certificates and numerous musical interludes, the traditional tossing of the academic caps by the 184 graduates concluded the ceremony. For ESB Dean Professor Dr Markus Conrads, the graduates are by no means discharged: “as a lawyer, I pass verdicts, also about you. So if I may give you a verdict to take away with you, it is this one: Stay with us – for life.”
