Graduation of the Class of 2016

On August 30, the Bucerius Law School campus was characterized by a very festive atmosphere: The Graduation Ceremony of the Master of Law and Business Class of 2016 took place. More than 300 guests attended the joyful celebration, during which 52 students from 29 countries proudly received their Master’s Degree.

Professor Dr. Michael Göring, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the ZEIT Stiftung, Bucerius Law School’s mother institution opened the ceremony. He was followed by Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Katharina Boele-Woelki, President of Bucerius Law School.

The keynote speech of the evening was given by Etai Biran, an Israeli graduate of the Class of 2013. Until very recently, Etai was Senior Compliance Manager at Rocket Internet SE in Berlin and has now started his own business. Etai gave the new graduates the heartfelt advice to always absorb new experiences and impressions in order to pursue their own path and to develop their personality. He told the audience that the Master of Law and Business Program planted the seed of knowledge and curiosity in its students and that it was the responsibility of the graduates to water the seed after they left Bucerius. He emphasized that it was up to them whether the seed would turn into a tree… or would remain a bush.

Afterwards, the graduates received their certificates in the presence of families and friends, members of the diplomatic corps, internship supervisors, as well as faculty and staff members. Amongst the new alumni, two young women from Latin America were given special recognition for both their academic and social service achievements during their studies. The DAAD Prize for outstanding academic performance and contribution to social activities was awarded to María Pilar Darderes from Argentina. The Social Project 2016 Award went to Erika García Krastek, whose project “BLS together for Venezuela” raised awareness and funds for the humanitarian crisis in her homeland.

This year’s Best Teacher Awards for Law and Business were awarded to Professor Dr. Stefan Kröll for his course in Arbitration and to Professor Dr. Stephan Wagner for his course in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. In addition, the President of Bucerius Law School appointed two new program directors to the MLB Program: Together with the Dean Professor Clifford Larsen, Dr. Carsten Jungmann (Program Director Law) and Professor Dr. Dirk Holtbrügge (Program Director Business) will steer the future developments of the MLB Program.

The evening concluded with a video tribute to the class of 2016 and the ceremonial enrolment of the Class of 2017: 44 new MLB students from 27 countries were excited to start a new chapter in their career.