Congratulations Baruch College’s Class of 2024
May 28, 2024
A total 5,419 undergraduate and graduate degrees were conferred at Baruch College’s 2024 Commencement Ceremony.
Baruch College celebrated the Class of 2024 with a cheer-filled Commencement ceremony before nearly 19,000 attendees at the Barclays Center on May 28.
Confetti streamed from the vaulted ceiling and “New York, New York”— the best-known song about the Big Apple— boomed as Baruch President S. David Wu, PhD proclaimed:
“Candidates, by virtue of the authority granted by the Charter of the State of New York to the Board of Trustees, and vested in me this day, I confer upon each of you the degree you have earned, with all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities thereto. In accordance with honored academic tradition, you can now slowly move the tassel from the right side of your mortarboard to the left.
“Congratulations! You are now proud members of the Baruch College Alumni community!”
Linda Essig, PhD, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, served as the master of ceremonies during the exercises where degrees were conferred to 5,419 undergraduate and graduate students from the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, Weissman School of Arts and Sciences, and Zicklin School of Business.
The graduates hail from all five boroughs, numerous states across the nation, and from all corners of the globe, distinguishing Baruch’s student body as one of the most diverse in the nation.
“Make a meaningful impact”
In his address to the Class of 2024, President Wu said, “As graduates of Baruch, you have experienced a very special learning environment—a student body that includes people from more than 150 countries and all social-economic backgrounds. This unique environment has given you a broad perspective and an ability to relate. You’ve learned that someone who looks and sounds completely different than you may have something valuable to offer.
“It is my hope that you will leverage what you have learned at Baruch to make a positive impact. Perhaps that will help you to find the reason for your journey.”
President Wu added, “Let me close by saying that I feel a special connection to many of you here today, because I also joined Baruch in the fall of 2020. We have been on a spectacular journey together, experiencing—and overcoming—so many unexpected events and circumstances.
“Think of your time at Baruch as your dress rehearsal for the ever-changing world you are about to enter. Find the reason for your journey, and let it guide you as you make a meaningful impact.”
Commencement Speaker: Lara Abrash
Lara Abrash, Chair of Deloitte US, and a distinguished alum, served as this year’s keynote speaker.
She is chair of Deloitte US, the largest professional services organization in the United States with more than 170,000 professionals, responsible for leading the board of directors, governing all aspects of the organization. Prior to assuming her current role, she served four years as the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Deloitte & Touche LLP, where she oversaw the US Audit & Assurance business.
Abrash holds a Master of Business Administration in Accounting degree from Baruch’s Zicklin School of Business.
Honorary Degree Recipient: Dr. Sean Decatur
Sean M. Decatur, who was recently named president of American Museum of Natural History, is a biophysical chemist with a doctorate from Stanford University. Previously he served as president of Kenyon College.
In 1971, Decatur was named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2019.
Decatur is the Museum’s first African American president.
Degrees Conferred:
Total Degrees: 5,419 undergraduate and graduate
The Zicklin School of Business conferred 237 Master of Business Administration, 988 Master of Science degrees, as well as 2,830 Bachelor of Business Administration degrees.
The Austin W. Marxe School of Public and International Affairs conferred 144 Master of Public Administration, 45 Master of International Affairs, and 42 Master of Science in Education degrees, and 35 Bachelor of Science degrees.
The George and Mildred Weissman School of Arts and Sciences conferred 72 Master of Arts degrees, 78 Master of Science, 926 Bachelor of Arts, 7 Bachelor of Science degrees.
Baruch College also awarded five doctoral degrees in business to students who completed their coursework and dissertations under the supervision of the faculty.
VIDEO: Relive the excitement of Baruch’s 2024 Commencement.
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