December Graduates Celebrate Their Journey
The December 2023 graduates from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Business made history – through their accomplishments, enduring the global pandemic, and then being part of Pitt’s first-ever Winter Commencement.
About 700 students, including more than 180 Pitt Business undergraduate and 50 graduate students, were celebrated by 4,000 supporters on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at the Petersen Events Center. The video recording of the ceremony is available on YouTube. At the 1:21 mark, our students walk on stage to be congratulated by Dean Gene Anderson. A copy of the event program can be found here with our graduates listed on page 40.
“Your journey has been extraordinary by any measure, so I want to offer since thanks to everyone,” said Chancellor Joan Gabel in her first commencement at Pitt. “It’s a historic day for you. It’s historic day for us.”
Kenyon Bonner, Vice Provost for Student Affairs, said in his remarks that the pandemic was an unexpected challenge. “Fortunately, you chose to embrace that challenge. I hope that each of you feels proud of the ways that you stepped up and rose up,” he said.
Fond Memories and Friendships
Graduate Shreya Rajaram, a Finance major who is joining JPMorgan Chase as a global finance & business management analyst in Columbus, Ohio, cherishes the camaraderie and inspiration she found while working at the Career Development Office as a professional development consultant.
“Being surrounded by incredible people who continue to inspire me and being able to give back to Pitt Business by helping other students through this role has been super rewarding!” she said.
Another highlight was the Student Organization Retreat at Seven Springs. From professional events to quirky contests like the cardboard boat-building competition and an improv workshop, her experience was both enriching and enjoyable. She also was proud of her participation in the Pitt Business Analytics Case Competition at DICK’S Sporting Goods headquarters.
“My team and I enjoyed the workshopping sessions, multiple rounds of presentations, and finally winning second place out of 28 teams! The award money was also quite nice,” she said.
Discover Passions in Business
Being active in Delta Sigma Pi, the coed business fraternity, along with working as Tafel Center consultant and teaching assistant with first-year students were among the most memorable activities for Alexis Hammer.
The December graduate who majored in Marketing and Administration of Justice also started her own jewelry business, ALH Creative, LLC, as she looks forward to pursuing a job in marketing after traveling around Asia and Australia.
“I am looking forward to using the knowledge I’ve gained throughout my time in Pitt Business as I begin my career and continue to discover my passions within business,” she says.
Her most memorable courses included: Consumer Behavior with Eugenia Wu, Strategic Management with Blair Pomeroy, and the Certificate Program in Leadership and Ethics with Ray Jones.
“I owe a lot to Pitt Business and will miss spending time in Sennott, Mervis, and around campus with my peers,” she says.