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WFU School of Business Celebrates Graduates at Hooding Ceremony

Student Shaking the Dean's Hand
Student Shaking the Dean's Hand

 A total of 458 graduate students from the Wake Forest University School of Business celebrated the culmination of their academic journeys on Saturday, May 17, during a hooding ceremony at Wait Chapel on the University’s Reynolda Campus. The ceremony recognized students from the management, accountancy, business analytics, and business administration programs.

The hooding ceremony signifies the completion of an advanced degree. Master’s degree recipients are recognized and hooded by the dean or associate dean of their respective program. Graduate business students who were invested with the hood in academic year 2024-25 include:

Carmine Di Sibio, former Global Chairman and CEO of EY, delivered the keynote address. A first-generation college graduate originally from Italy, Di Sibio has a career spanning nearly four decades of global financial services, risk management and leadership. EY, one of the largest professional services firms globally, generates billions in revenue while serving clients in over 150 countries.

To honor his significant contributions to the business world and his commitment to modeling  Pro Humanitate, the university awarded Di Sibio an honorary Doctor of Business Administration degree.

During his keynote, Di Sibio shared advice for achieving success. He asked graduates to consider critical values that challenge perceptions about younger generations.  First, he encouraged them to be thoughtful, thankful, and express gratitude in their professional and personal lives.

Di Sibio also spoke about patience, urging the new alumni to carefully weigh career decisions instead of moving quickly from one job to another in pursuit of higher salaries or perceived better opportunities. He highlighted that 77 percent of new CEOs promoted in 2024 came from within their organizations, and most of those leaders had over 15 years of experience with their current company. He emphasized that long-term commitment within a company often provides the foundation for steady growth and leadership opportunities. 

Additionally, Di Sibio emphasized the significance of in-person collaboration. 

“Being there physically is so important to your development, to the development of others, to the culture of the organization,” he said, while also recognizing the benefits of flexibility. 

Closing his address, Di Sibio underscored the importance of cultivating emotional intelligence, EQ, alongside intellectual intelligence, IQ. He encouraged students to focus on  self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and  social skills, describing these traits as crucial for building strong leadership and meaningful relationships among team members. 

Annette L. Ranft, Dean and F.M. Kirby Foundation Chair in Business Excellence, highlighted the importance of the occasion as graduates embark on the next chapter of their professional journeys.

“You are leaving an unforgettable legacy as leaders who have demonstrated grit and resilience, invested in your own learning and personal growth, and shared your diverse backgrounds, identities, and perspectives with all of us in impactful ways during your time here,” Ranft said. “The completion of your graduate program reflects a significant accomplishment and we are so pleased to see you reach this special milestone in your life’s journey.”

During her remarks, Ranft also acknowledged three retiring faculty members:

  • Tom Aleman, Professor of  Practice in Accounting – Analytics
  • Roger Beahm, Professor of Practice in Marketing
  • Gordon McCray, Associate Professor in Management Information Systems

“These individuals have had an indelible impact on our community with a combined total of over 57 years of service to Wake Forest University. They have served hundreds and hundreds of students and touched many lives and families,” she said.

A recording of the hooding ceremony is available. More information can be found at commencement.wfu.edu.