Just before the caps go flying you can feel everything all at once: relief, pride, and even some sadness. There’s something quietly bittersweet about graduation day. These students have been part of our lives for the past three years. We’ve seen them grow, stumble, figure it out, and grow again. And while we’re incredibly proud, we also know that we’re going to miss them so very much.
On June 6, each student crossed the stage, shook our hands, gave us a big hug, and stepped into what comes next. These were the students who showed up, stayed late (sometimes came late), but always got back up after they fell short, and most importantly, found their voice somewhere along the way. And on this day, in front of friends, family, and faculty, they closed a chapter most people only ever dream of writing and started one and started one that will be entirely their own.
Every student here earned their degree through projects, presentations, and internships that were as real as the consequences of getting them wrong. We saw students lead charity fundraisers, travel the world for research, and build ideas into business models that just might work in the real world. These weren’t just academic exercises. They were the beginning of something special.
This was the cohort that ran around Basel dressed as Christmas elves (oh yes, you can see a video of us trying on costumes here), raising money for children with cancer at their Santa photo shoot for their second year Project Management class — and somehow made it a wildly successful project. Not only that, but every single one of them completed an internship. And they did it with humor, hustle, and a surprising amount of caffeine.
But maybe what stood out most with this cohort was the way these graduates supported one another. Whether it was showing up with coffee for a group presentation, or sitting in silence next to a friend who didn’t pass a midterm, they created a space that felt more like a community than a competition. They also cried. And argued. And yelled. And hugged. They learned how to work through hard things—not just in their classes, but with each other. Somewhere along the way, they became a family. And that’s something we’re incredibly proud of.
Some of us on the faculty had to wipe away a few tears when it was all over. Not because we’re overly sentimental (okay, maybe a little), but because we knew what it took for each of them to get here. And we know how ready they are now. I’m tearing up a little even as I write this, because they’ve been part of our family too. We’ve seen them on their best days and we’ve seen them on their worst. We’ve gotten to know their hopes, their dreams, and yeah, their parents. We’ve sat across from them during moments of self-doubt, and we’ve watched them come out the other side stronger, wiser, and more ready than they think.
So to the Class of 2025: you’ve left your mark on our school, on each other, on Basel, and on us. We’re proud of you and we can’t wait to see what you accomplish next.
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