So after the BYU-wide Graduation on Thursday, each of the different schools at BYU hold their own Convocation on Friday were they present each graduate with their certificate. The Marriott School of Management (BYU's Business School) held their convocation on Friday afternoon.
Of course we had to take a million pictures while I was dressed in the robes. It was like my wedding day again with sore cheeks from putting on a smile over and over so that the picture would look good enough for the blog. Fortunately the standard of looking good was set very low.
Unfortunately despite it being toward the end of April, the weather was not co-operating on the day and it was cold and wet.
Before the convocation the business school held a function for us where we were able to mingle with classmates and their families as well as our Professors and the administrative staff. It was a lot of fun, but of course the cameras were working overtime and the smiling for pictures continued in earnest again.
The MBA Spouses Association was amazing and Esther and the other wives were able to have a lot of fun together and forge some really strong friendships while their husbands were spending long hours at school.
During our 1st semester they put us in a team of 5 and we basically work together on everything during that semester. It is a huge workload in the 1st semester, but fortunately, ours was the best team in the program, and working with Rich, Adam, Chris and Zac (not pictured) was a major highlight of the whole experience.
Chris was one of the members of my team during my first semester (basically a 2nd family for me) and in between our 1st and 2nd years he and Julie were married in the Oakland Temple. As we were in California for my internship, we were able to attend their wedding.
Some of my classmates.
During my last semester, I was part of a team with Ronell, Nate, Oliver and Elisa that competed in a Marketing Case Competition at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. There were 8 teams selected to compete from more than 100 applications from around the world. We were given 36 hours to develop a marketing plan to solve a real world problem faced by IBM. It was so much fun to participate with this team, and despite the sleep deprivation it was a huge highlight for all of us.
It was nice to have a friend in the program that was actually older than I am. Thanks Matt.
A couple of weeks before graduation I was invited by the Dean to be the Student speaker during the Marriott School convocation. This was a huge honour , but caused me a huge amount of stress leading up to it, especially during the day of Graduation. Each year they also have a guest speaker and this year J Willard Marriott Jnr., the Chairman and CEO of Marriott International.
In the lift, right before giving the speech. Just a tiny bit nervous!!
I had about 6 minutes to speak and there were about 10,000 people in attendance. It was an amazing experience, but I was so glad to finish and sit down. Fortunately I had Esther sitting next to me on the stand and had her support through it all.
Being presented with my degree by the Dean.
17 years ago, Tyson and I first met as 18 year olds at BYU and had so many great times together. I am still amazed that after so many years of having no contact, we were able to be in the MBA program at the same time and reconnect again.
Moroni and I were a little excited after receiving our degrees.
Esther and Mesia Kempton, very relieved to have their husbands back after 2 years.
Matt Kempton and I with Jim Engebretsen, one of our professors.
After the speech I was given a gift from the Dean's assistant.
Of course we had to take a million pictures while I was dressed in the robes. It was like my wedding day again with sore cheeks from putting on a smile over and over so that the picture would look good enough for the blog. Fortunately the standard of looking good was set very low.
Unfortunately despite it being toward the end of April, the weather was not co-operating on the day and it was cold and wet.
Before the convocation the business school held a function for us where we were able to mingle with classmates and their families as well as our Professors and the administrative staff. It was a lot of fun, but of course the cameras were working overtime and the smiling for pictures continued in earnest again.
The MBA Spouses Association was amazing and Esther and the other wives were able to have a lot of fun together and forge some really strong friendships while their husbands were spending long hours at school.
During our 1st semester they put us in a team of 5 and we basically work together on everything during that semester. It is a huge workload in the 1st semester, but fortunately, ours was the best team in the program, and working with Rich, Adam, Chris and Zac (not pictured) was a major highlight of the whole experience.
Chris was one of the members of my team during my first semester (basically a 2nd family for me) and in between our 1st and 2nd years he and Julie were married in the Oakland Temple. As we were in California for my internship, we were able to attend their wedding.
Some of my classmates.
During my last semester, I was part of a team with Ronell, Nate, Oliver and Elisa that competed in a Marketing Case Competition at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. There were 8 teams selected to compete from more than 100 applications from around the world. We were given 36 hours to develop a marketing plan to solve a real world problem faced by IBM. It was so much fun to participate with this team, and despite the sleep deprivation it was a huge highlight for all of us.
It was nice to have a friend in the program that was actually older than I am. Thanks Matt.
A couple of weeks before graduation I was invited by the Dean to be the Student speaker during the Marriott School convocation. This was a huge honour , but caused me a huge amount of stress leading up to it, especially during the day of Graduation. Each year they also have a guest speaker and this year J Willard Marriott Jnr., the Chairman and CEO of Marriott International.
In the lift, right before giving the speech. Just a tiny bit nervous!!
I needed to get a sound check. Savannah and Hyrum were sitting on the first row with Aunty Margaret and Uncle Karl, right in front of all the graduates. They were very proud of me and were cheering and giving high fives to the classmates of mine that they knew as their names were presented.
Being presented with my degree by the Dean.
Moroni and I were a little excited after receiving our degrees.
Esther and Mesia Kempton, very relieved to have their husbands back after 2 years.
Matt Kempton and I with Jim Engebretsen, one of our professors.
After the speech I was given a gift from the Dean's assistant.
