Rick Kash, vice chairman of the global consumer information analytics firm Nielsen, addresses the business graduating class. A willingness to give back without reward is a key
characteristic of leaders who succeed, alumnus Rick Kash (LAS ’68), vice chairman
of Nielsen, told DePaul University business graduates at their commencement
this spring
“The role of generosity in our lives is the gift of being able and willing to give without expecting anything in return,” said Kash in his commencement address.
“What separates graduates who get to the
top of the leadership ladder is that they make generosity an imperative in
their careers.”
Kash, a member of the college’s advisory council, received
an honorary degree at the event, which was held June 11 at the Allstate Arena
in Rosemont, Ill. This year diplomas were awarded to nearly 2,000 business
students who completed their studies at the Driehaus College of Business and
the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.
In addition to celebrating the accomplishments of graduates,
the ceremony recognized faculty members for their contributions to DePaul. Nancy
Hill, who retired this spring after teaching accountancy at DePaul for 27
years, was given the university’s highest faculty-staff honor, the Via Sapientiae Award.
John Ahern, interim director of the School of Accountancy
and Management Information Systems, presented the award to Hill, praising her
as “a thoughtful scholar, trailbrazing leader and a respected colleague who consistently and selflessly put the needs of the university at the forefront.”
Professor Lawrence Hamer and Accountancy Instructor Robert J.
Ryan received Lawrence W. Ryan Distinguished Teaching
Awards, based on votes cast by graduating business seniors. The Kellstadt
Graduate School of Business Class of 2017 chose Associate Professor of
Finance Sanjay Deshmukh and Management Professor
Erich Dierdorff to receive Gus Economos Distinguished Teaching Awards. Mike Avella, who
teaches hospitality leadership, and Charles Drehmer, who teaches marketing,
were honored with Daniel Seiden Adjunct Teaching Awards.
The ceremony marked the final DePaul commencement for the Rev.
Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., as university president and for Ray
Whittington as dean of DePaul’s business college. Father Holtschneider is stepping down from
DePaul’s leadership July 1. He will join Ascension Health as its executive vice
president and chief operating officer. Whittington returns this summer to the
directorship of DePaul’s School of Accountancy and Management Information
Systems, which he led before becoming dean 11 years ago.
See highlights from the Driehaus College of Business 2017
commencement:
Chaplain Tom Judge offers the invocation during
the DePaul University Driehaus College of Business commencement ceremony June 11, 2017, at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill. (DePaul University/Jamie
Moncrief)
Misty M. Johanson, interim dean of DePaul's business college, serves as the university marshal during the DePaul University Driehaus College of
Business 2017 commencement ceremony.
(DePaul University/Jamie Moncrief)
Rick Kash, vice chairman of the global consumer information analytics
firm Nielsen, addresses the graduating class after receiving an honorary
degree during the 2017 DePaul University Driehaus
College of Business commencement ceremony. (DePaul University/Jamie Moncrief)
Michael Fernandez (BUS '07, MBA '17) , the business student commencement speaker, addresses fellow classmates June 11 during the 2017 DePaul University Driehaus College of Business
commencement ceremony. (DePaul
University/Jamie Moncrief)
Students applaud the speakers at the 2017 DePaul University Driehaus College of Business
commencement ceremony. (DePaul
University/Jamie Moncrief)
DePaul alumnus and commencement speaker Rick Kash (left), vice chairman of Nielsen, and the Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M.,
president of DePaul University, applaud 2017 business graduates during their commencement ceremony. (DePaul
University/Jamie Moncrief)
Accountancy Professor Nancy Hill receives a Via Sapientiae Award, DePaul University's highest faculty and staff honor, during the 2017 DePaul University Driehaus College of Business
commencement ceremony. (DePaul
University/Jamie Moncrief)
Omar Ortiz (right) receives the Dean's Outstanding Senior Award from Ray
Whittington, dean of the Driehaus College of Business, during the 2017 DePaul University Driehaus College of Business
commencement ceremony June 11. (DePaul
University/Jamie Moncrief)
Nearly 2,000 business students received diplomas during the Driehaus College of Business’s commencement ceremony Sunday, June 11, at the Allstate Arena.