Kunshan, May 20, 2015′ Duke Kunshan University (DKU) and Duke’s Fuqua School of Business held a graduation ceremony for the inaugural class of the Master of Management Studies: Duke Kunshan University program. The 32 newly minted graduates in the Class of 2015 were from eight countries and were awarded a Master of Management Studies degree from Duke University. They are the first DKU students to graduate since the school began in 2014. Approximately 150 family members, friends and guests from around the world attended the ceremony to witness and celebrate this significant occasion at the DKU Auditorium, festively decorated with flowers and national flags for the countries represented in the graduating class.
The graduation was presided by William Boulding, Dean of the Fuqua School of Business, Duke University, accompanied by Jingnan Liu, Chancellor of DKU, Mary Bullock, Executive Vice Chancellor of DKU, Patrick Moreton, Associate Dean of Graduate Programs, and Xiqing Gao, the commencement speaker and a member of Duke’s Board of Trustees and DKU’s Advisory Board, Professor of School of Law, Tsinghua University, and former Vice Chairman and President of China Investment Corporation.
In his welcome address, Dean Boulding congratulated the students on successfully completing the program and saluted the boldness, courage, and extraordinary contribution they showed in choosing to become a part of a program that is so new, different and exciting. He asked the students to stay connected, to continue the relationships that they have built with each other, with Duke and with DKU, and to achieve success and Aristotelian happiness by fully using their potential and talent and living a life of significance.
In his remarks, Chancellor Liu Jingnan reminded the students that, ‘No matter what you will pursue in your life, whether it is studying the wonders and secrets of humanity and nature or devoting your life to the welfare of those in need, DKU provides you with life-long care and support.’
Trustee Gao, who received his Juris Doctor degree in 1986 from Duke University School of Law, advised the inaugural class that while pursuing personal wealth, they should also look at the ‘big picture’ so that they make a difference to mankind and create a cleaner, safer, fairer, kinder and better world.
‘It was a rewarding and exciting year,’ said Class President Shichao ‘Potter’ Weng, ‘the challenges and achievements bound us tightly with love and with the spirit of Team Fuqua.’ Student speaker Jonathan Mordh echoed these sentiments, ‘Choosing DKU shows that each of us has the desire to be a part of continued innovation and cooperation between China and the rest of the world. Whatever each of us goes on to do after graduation, wherever we are in China or outside of China, whether it be jumping into the world of business, continued studies, or whatever else, we will take this desire with us.’
In a gesture of gratitude, the Class of 2015 achieved in a 100% participation rate for donations to its class gift and presented check for USD 575 to Dean William Bouding during the graduation ceremony. As an appreciation and recognition of the contribution of the inaugural graduating class of DKU students, DKU installed a commemorative plaque on a bench, dedicating it to the MMS: DKU Class of 2015. DKU Executive Vice Chancellor Mary Bullock exhorted the students to ‘Please remember the months spent with us in Kunshan. The living experience in China and the international study experience will help you with a deeper understanding of the complex world in which we live in.’
During the program, Assoc. Dean Patrick Moreton also recognized Yuanyuan Huang, Angel David Medina Rodriguez, and Yunning Zhang as Fuqua Scholars for their outstanding academic achievement. Shichao Weng, Angel David Medina Rodriguez and Yiyang Li were awarded the Dean’s Leadership Award, Dean’s Recognition Award and Distinguished Service Award, respectively for their service and contribution to the Fuqua School of Business and Duke Kunshan University.
After the ceremony, family, friends and guests joined together at a dinner reception with the students, faculty and staff. As part of the reception, the students presented a class video and a class year book, two student-initiated projects that captured the wonderful experiences they have had with the program. Several students also addressed the guests and spoke fondly of the 10 months that they had shared together and expressed excitement about embarking on a new journey to the different parts of the world.
The Master of Management Studies: Duke Kunshan University is a joint venture program between Duke’s Fuqua School of Business and Duke Kunshan University. The inaugural Class of 2015 welcomed 32 students from 8 countries in July 2014 at the Fuqua School of Business in Durham US, where they spent 6 months before transitioning to Duke Kunshan in January 2015 for the remainder of the program.
MMS Graduation Ceremony Video:
