EWMBA Commencement Recognition
EWMBA graduates are eligible for a few EWMBA Commencement Recognitions. The awards represent the opportunity for each graduating class to recognize their classmates who truly embody the spirit of Haas through the Defining Leadership Principles and have made a lasting impact on the community. This could mean they make a difference here at Haas, or in their professional lives (or both). Nominations will be solicited from the graduating class and winners are voted upon by the graduating class.
Class of 2023 – nominations* due 11:59PM on Sunday March 19.
Question the Status Quo Award
We lead by championing bold ideas, taking intelligent risks and accepting sensible failures. This means speaking our minds even when it challenges convention. As leaders and creative thinkers, we thrive at the world’s epicenter of innovation. This award recipient should embody these characteristics.
Confidence Without Attitude Award
We make decisions based on evidence and analysis, giving us the confidence to act without arrogance. We lead through trust and collaboration. This award recipient should embody these characteristics.
Students Always Award
We are a community designed for curiosity and lifelong pursuit of personal and intellectual growth. We know that there is always more to learn. We strive to engage with others in continuous pursuit of knowledge and growth. This award recipient should embody these characteristics.
Beyond Yourself Award
We shape our world by leading ethically and responsibly. As stewards of our enterprises, we take the longer view in our decisions and actions. This often means putting larger interests above our own. This award recipient should embody these characteristics.
The Berkeley Leader Award – chosen by committee, not by student vote
The Berkeley Leader redefines how we do business by embodying our defining leadership principles. This award recipient should demonstrate sharing our defining leadership principles, aspiring to live our principles, or living them/put them into practice.
Self-nominations* due 11:59PM on Sunday March 19.
- Provide a short statement explaining why you would like to be a commencement speaker and what you would talk about in your speech. These will be shared with the graduating class to vote on. (Max 250 words).
- Optional link to a YouTube video (under 3 minutes) can also be accepted with your statement as a sample of your public speaking to be shared with your class.
- Nominees will be voted on by students.
Haas School of Business will recognize graduating students with a Cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.800 as “Graduating with Honors.”
Graduation year is defined as students completing their degree in May, August, and December of the calendar year, regardless of when they started the Program.
Students with a Cumulative GPA of 3.800 or above each graduation year, as measured at the end of the Fall semester prior to their graduation year, will be designated as being “Eligible for Graduating with Honors” in the following May Commencement program. Students are “eligible” for honors since final GPAs are not confirmed until after the Commencement ceremony.
Students “Eligible for Graduating with Honors” are recognized at the ceremony with a gold honor cord and in the Commencement program.
The final determination of Graduation with Honors will occur after degrees are conferred and will be based on the final Cumulative GPA for all courses completed during the MBA Program.
Please review the Honors FAQ for more information.
Academic Achievement Award
The Commencement program also recognizes the Academic Achievement Award, awarded to the student with the highest Cumulative GPA in each graduation year. The student who receives this award will be recognized on stage at the Commencement ceremony and in the Commencement program.
The Beyond Yourself Fellow designation is awarded to graduating MBA students who have displayed a commitment to the “Beyond Yourself” defining principle by completing 60 or more hours of community service during their time in the program. Hours may be logged in the Service Hours website. The deadline is April 14th, 2023.
Criteria for hours:
Unpaid service: student cannot receive course credit or payment for his or her services
Beyond Haas: service should have a direct impact on individuals or an organization that is not part of the Haas community
Social impact: the organization that receives the service must be either a nonprofit or social enterprise
Examples of service that qualify:
- Volunteering for a C4C organization, like bowling with Special Olympics or working at Alameda Point Collaborative
- Volunteering for a local food pantry, being a volunteer coach or tutor at a local school or providing free consulting for a national charitable organization
- Participating in Board Fellows
Examples of service that do not qualify:
- Planning a tailgate to benefit the Haas Social Impact Fund
- Planning Haas club events or Conferences
- Volunteering at a Haas social event, case competition or conference
- Being a club or EWMBAA officer
Please note that we recognize that these are very important volunteer opportunities that have a great impact on the school, but do not meet the criteria for Beyond Yourself Fellows because they do not directly impact the community outside of Haas.