The months of September and October saw the official graduation ceremonies of two ESSEC programs: the MBA in International Luxury Brand Management and the ESSEC MBA.

31 participants formally received their diploma for the MBA in Luxury Brand Management on September 25 on the premises of the prestigious Cercle de l’Union Interalliée in central Paris. The ceremony took place in the presence of the class’ patron, Chantal Thomass, founder and creative director of the company named after her. Contributions to the evening’s proceedings include an address by Carole Donat, a 2002 MBA graduate now working as High Jewelry Operation Manager for Cartier, and the awarding of scholarships for 2007/08.

Now into its thirteenth year in existence, the program totals over 300 graduates working in the luxury brand industry across the world. The latest intake of participants numbers 39, comprising 20 nationalities and a 25-14 female/male split.

The centennial MBA graduation ceremony was held on the Cergy campus on October 13. 514 students graduated under the auspices of the class of 2007’s patron, Xavier Hochet, Executive Director of Capgemini Consulting. Also present at the ceremony were Pierre Tapie (Dean and President of ESSEC), Gilles Pélisson (CEO of Accor and Chairman of the ESSEC Board of Overseers), Bruno Bouniol (Chairman of the ESSEC Board of Directors), Laurent Bibard (Dean of MBA programs), Jean-Marc Xuereb (Dean of the Faculty), and Jean-Luc Decornoy (Chairman of the Board of KPMG-France and Chairman of ESSEC Alumni).

The event was held as a joint celebration of the students’ graduation and of the School’s Centenary. In recognition of the latter, a special Centenary tree was planted on the campus grounds.