Inside SC Johnson

Commencement 2025: Stories From Our Graduating Class

May 23, 2025 By: Staff

Commencement processional of students in the SC Johnson College of Business dressed in graduation regalia and holding a college banner.

20240525 JCB Parade Simon Wheeler for Cornell University

On May 24, as many as 1,427 Cornell SC Johnson College of Business class of 2025 students, including 617 international students, will join their Cornell University cohorts on the Arts Quad on the morning of May 24 to line up behind banners for their respective colleges and schools and begin the procession to Schoellkopf Field for their commencement ceremony.

Among them will be graduates of the three schools that make up the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business: the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, and the Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration. Included are 397 undergraduates (207 from the Dyson School and 190 from the Nolan School); 982 master’s degree students, including MBAs (835 from the Johnson School, 124 from the Dyson School, 23 from the Nolan School); 23 PhD students (12 from the Dyson School, 10 from the Johnson School, and 1 from the Nolan School); and 26 master’s in real estate students, graduates of the Baker Program in Real Estate in the Paul Rubacha Department of Real Estate, which is jointly managed by the College of Architecture, Art and Planning and the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.

Several students from each college shared the most valuable things they learned during their time at Cornell. Read what they said below.

“The most valuable lesson I learned at Cornell is to be comfortable not having all the answers. In consulting, this mindset will help me stay curious, ask better questions, and collaborate more effectively to solve complex problems.” —Mateo Checa '25, Nolan School

“One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned during my time at Cornell is the importance of building and nurturing meaningful relationships. No matter your career path or where life leads you, people will always be at the heart of it. I've come to understand that investing time and energy into relationships isn’t just important—it’s essential. In the end, those connections are among the few things we truly carry with us through life. This is a lesson I will carry forward into every aspect of my future, both personally and professionally. It’s the key takeaway that has shaped my experience at Cornell and will continue to guide me long after I leave.” —Yolanda Rodriguez '25, Nolan School

“One of the most valuable lessons I learned at Cornell is that it's not only okay, but important, to follow your own path, even if it looks different from others. By focusing on what truly excites and motivates me, I've found that success follows, even during moments of uncertainty. I plan to carry this mindset into the future by staying true to my passions and trusting the process, especially when navigating new opportunities and challenges.” —Maya Sakamoto ‘25, Nolan School

“The most valuable thing I learned during my time at Cornell is the importance of passion and work ethic. These were aspects I relied on in all my experiences at Cornell. Whether it was in the classroom, in athletics, in the community, or in my personal life, having passion and work ethic always allowed me to have the fullest, most rewarding experience. I know I will carry this with me forward.” —Hank Kempf '25, Dyson School

“The most valuable thing I learned at Cornell was understanding the power of being true to my own path. Dyson is filled with exceptionally ambitious and talented people, and it can be tempting to measure your progress against others or to follow a conventional path simply because it seems like the expected route to success. Pursuing a career in the grocery industry made my Dyson experience different from most peers. I’m grateful that Cornell encouraged exploration and provided opportunities for me to follow my unique path, reinforcing that real success comes from embracing what you genuinely want to do with your life and pursuing it wholeheartedly." —Sierra Brewer '25, Dyson School

“You need to challenge yourself! When I look back at my past four years, all the hardest classes, projects, and obstacles were the ones I learned the most from. Cornell has helped me understand not to shy away from tough problems and to take them as learning experiences. In the future, I’ll always be sure to not just take the easy road, but rather keep looking for new and complex opportunities to learn.” —Nolan Martel '25, Dyson School

“What is the most valuable thing you learned in your time at Cornell? The most valuable lesson I learned is how to approach the unknown with curiosity instead of with fear. Being in an MBA program as an introverted individual can be very challenging because you must constantly put yourself out there in case competitions, presentations, networking events, and even social events where you may not feel naturally at ease. But I realized that the point is not to be able to predict every single outcome that will happen; it is more that you build the tools to be able to handle whatever does end up happening. As I continued through these situations, I realized that I stopped becoming afraid of what will happen next and started becoming curious, allowing myself to be more present. I believe that this revelation has become one of my guiding principles for approaching the unknown, and will be a helpful grounding reminder as I navigate inevitable curveballs that will come both in the workplace and in life.” —Phoebe Kyritsis MBA '25, Johnson School

“The most valuable lesson I learned at Cornell was that I didn’t need to mold myself into a traditional, cookie-cutter MBA candidate. Coming into the program, I was worried that I’d have to change who I was to fit a certain mold or expectation. Instead, Cornell taught me that my unique background, identity, and perspective are a strength, not a weakness. I was encouraged to lean into what makes me different to set me apart. This lesson has fundamentally changed how I approach my career. Rather than adapting myself to fit a role, I now look for opportunities that align with who I am and what I value. I’ll carry that confidence and clarity forward, using my individuality as a source of creativity, empathy, and leadership in whatever team or challenge I take on next.” —Lindsey Pigott MBA '25, Johnson School

“Professor Ahuja’s final lesson to us in Strategy Formulation and Competitive Analysis that no business strategy is complete unless it has a heart at its center. Whenever I’m creating a business strategy or a new initiative, I will always consider the human implications of it as well as the effects it could have.” —Daniel Rasmusson MBA '25, Johnson School

“The One Johnson mentality was evident in every project, recruiting event, and internship. Going forward, I will create that same sense of belonging in my workplace, whether working on a brainstorming session, organizing peer‑mentoring meetups, or simply checking in with colleagues. I’ve seen firsthand how a supportive network foster innovation and resilience. I know that these lessons can make a difference.” —Otto Fritz MBA '25, Johnson School