Welcome to the Master of Science program's
convocation with the McCombs School of Business
at the University of Texas at Austin.
Congratulations to the Texas McCombs Master of Science program's class of 2020.
I would like to start by thanking each of you for your incredible resilience
and dedication to completing your degree during these unprecedented times.
This virtual ceremony is not how we had planned to celebrate
such a momentous occasion.
I want to take a moment and offer a special welcome to the family and friends
who are joining us from all over the world.
You have supported your student through not only a demanding program,
but a very challenging time.
And we are honored to celebrate their accomplishments with you.
Graduates, we ask that you take a moment after this ceremony today
to thank your loved ones who have supported you through this journey.
The Master's of Science programs are on the cutting edge of higher education.
We wouldn't be about to stay on the forefront of these business subjects
without the amazing work of faculty and staff members.
Their tireless efforts and dedication
are the reason for the success of these programs.
We want to extend a very special thank you to the faculty, deans, department chairs,
program directors, and staff who make these programs possible.
Graduates today you become ambassadors of our programs.
We hope you'll remain connected for life and stay in touch with the programs
as you continue to grow.
We look forward to seeing what you do in the future.
You have accomplished so much in such a short period of time.
Congratulations and good luck as you commence the next phase in your journey.
And now, it is my privilege to introduce
the dean of the McCombs School of Business,
and interim president designate
of the University of Texas at Austin, Jay Hartzell.
- Hello, class of 2020,
I'm Jay Hartzell, Dean of the McCombs School of Business
and soon to be Interim President of UT.
On behalf of the entire McCombs community, I want you to know how incredibly proud
we are of you.
Given all you've faced, your resilience,
perseverance, and adaptability have been tested
probably more than they ever have.
I know that you may have struggled to remain focused,
faced with numerous distractions and set-backs that could have easily
steered you off course.
But you remain motivated, pushed yourself to wake up everyday,
log into your classes, listen to the lectures, and complete the work.
While these last couple of months loom large for us all,
they do not diminish and only compliment your achievements
since you arrived at UT,
whether that's one or four years ago.
What you've accomplished during your educational career is exceptional.
Your hard work, efforts, and impacts are even more impressive
because of what you went through to get to do this day.
Your ability to pivot, accept change, and focus on the future
will serve you well and are exactly what we have come to expect for McComb students
who go on to be future leaders in business and society.
We are proud to have you join our alumni family, thank you for your passion,
your sacrifice, and for staying the course.
While we are not seeing each other in person and celebrating traditionally,
we want you to know that we are with you and we join your friends,
family, and mentors to support you in this momentous occasion.
This is a time of notable celebration.
Graduation is a major accomplishment in your life and it should be
properly acknowledged.
Take a minute to congratulate yourself, you deserve it.
As you continue moving forward on the course you have set for yourself,
we know that you may be stepping into an uncertain future,
but do not let that stop you.
Continue innovating and pursuing your dreams and know that you are joining
a strong, worldwide network of more than 100,000 alumni
who are also there to support you.
Together we are here to help you stay connected and here to help strengthen
the McCombs bond.
Be confident in knowing that as a McCombs graduate,
you have been provided a strong foundation of knowledge, experiences, and connections
a foundation that has prepared you for the next phase of life.
I'd also like to take this time to recognize the family, friends,
faculty, staff, and numerous others who've provided support to you, our graduates.
During their educational journeys, these graduates have received
invaluable support and encouragement from your words, your time,
and possibly even your money - all of which deserve recognition.
Graduates, please take time to recognize those people in your lives,
the ones who have helped you get to this moment and thank them for what
they've provided, and remember to give back in time, gratitude, and support
when you get the chance.
Stay in touch with us and let us know how you're doing.
We're proud of you and want to continue to celebrate your achievements
with you.
We wish you health and happiness and we wish you great success
in whatever form that takes for you.
Please join us tonight for the UT Commencement ceremony
as we celebrate all of the other students who are now a part
of the Longhorn Alumni Family.
Until then, congratulations and hook 'em.
♪ (electronic chime) ♪
- Thank you, Dean Hartzell. Staying involved with McCombs
as an alumnus is a critical reason for the success of our programs.
Our commencement speaker is a shining example of involvement
and a valued partner who continually demonstrates
a deep commitment to the McCombs School of Business.
Stephanie Chesnick graduated 20 years ago in 2000 with her
Bachelor's of Business Administration in Business Honors and Finance.
Since graduating, she has built a 20 year career with Ernst & Young.
Stephanie is a principal in EY's transaction advisory services.
She is currently chair of the McCombs MS Finance advisory counsel
and one of its founding members.
She has been essential in supporting not just MS Finance students,
but students in all of the programs as a mentor and a resource.
It is my pleasure to introduce our 2020 commencement speaker
and McCombs alumna Stephanie Chesnick.
- Thank you, Molly.
I am so honored to have the opportunity to share
a few thoughts with our students and others participating
in our virtual ceremony.
To our students, today does not look anything
like we imagined it would just a few short months ago.
The excitement and celebratory emotions you feel from the amazing accomplishment
of graduating from the MS program are likely mixed with some nervousness
given the uncertainty that exists in our world.
However, each of you should take comfort in knowing
that you are exceptionally prepared to succeed,
not only in a strong, vibrant economy,
but also in one with volatility and change.
The reason I say this is the same reason
why I became such an advocate for the MS program
as soon as I got involved a few years ago.
You are graduating with a remarkable set of attributes
that make you well positioned to take on
whatever challenges and opportunities may present themselves.
Each of you embarked on a journey to pursue an advanced degree
often in an area that is quite different than the one in which you focused
for your undergraduate studies or previous work experience.
As a result, your portfolio skills has expanded
and this will only increase your value and provide additional depth
and flexibility to your career path.
Particularly in dynamic times like these, I want members on my team
that can stretch themselves.
Bring different perspectives and adjust when needed
as uncertain times often require us to take on new
and unexpected responsibilities.
The fact that each of you brings a variety of experiences
and backgrounds, means that you can be flexible
in tapping into these areas when needed.
I also believe our MS students have a level of work ethic
that drives a high level of success.
You have worked incredibly hard over a compressed period of time
to complete your studies while often at the same time
adapting to a new city and a new group of peers.
Don't lose that momentum.
Take it with you as you embark on your next step.
We are all faced with difficult choices throughout our careers,
and as many people have probably shared with you,
it is truly how we respond
and react to these situations that defines us.
I recall very clearly twenty years ago in May of 2000,
when I received a call from the recruiter at the firm
where I had accepted a position earlier that year.
I remember her telling me that the program for which
I had accepted an offer would no longer exist
and that they were placing me into a different group.
One about which I knew very little, and from which I had
only met one person during my countless interviews.
It was a difficult situation because I was in Texas
and my offer was in New York, so they could not bring me back
to the office to help decide where I best fit.
I had a decision to make.
I could either get upset and frustrated,
or I could accept that things would look different
than the way I had imagined and decide to jump in
and give it a shot.
I remember how nervous I was sitting outside eating breakfast
as I waited to start my first day.
Looking back, I was not sure what to expect
but I had confidence in my ability to work hard, to learn quickly,
and to be a true team player.
It is hard for me to realize that exactly twenty years
have gone by since I made my decision
to stick to my job offer with EY
even though it was quite a bit different
than I originally expected.
There have been many moments like that one,
since I started my career, that have tested me.
However, it was how I responded to those
and it will be how you respond to the ones
with which you are faced that will define your career.
If you had asked me twenty years ago
what I would be doing in May of 2020,
I could never have imagined it would be speaking
to a group of students graduating
from the McCombs school of Business at the University of Texas.
While being here with you, albeit via virtually,
may not have been something I could have foreseen
there is truly no where I would rather be.
Well, that's a bit of a lie.
I would rather be in Austin, so that we could be celebrating
together in person.
I am incredibly proud of each of you.
I know that your journey will look different
than you had expected.
However, it is important to remember that every challenge
creates a new set of opportunities.
Please remember that you are exceptionally prepared to succeed
and that has not changed
simply because of the economic conditions currently at hand.
Lean on each other, your friends and family
when you need as they are important
sources of support.
I know that you have the strength and skills to adapt
and that will bring each of you success
over your careers.
I wish you the best of luck, and Hook 'em Horns.
- Thank you, Stephanie, for your inspiring remarks and dedication
to the McCombs School of Business.
And now we recognize the Texas McCombs Master of Science program's class of 2020.
Congratulations.
♪ The eyes of Texas are upon you All the live long day ♪
♪ The eyes of Texas are upon you You cannot get away ♪
♪ Do not think you can escape them At night or early in the morn ♪
♪ The eyes of Texas are upon you 'til Gabriel blows his horn ♪