This year’s Driehaus College of Business’s commencement featured four “firsts.” The college graduated its first class of Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) students and the first alumnus from its undergraduate actuarial science program. The ceremony was held for the first time at the Wintrust Arena, DePaul’s new home for Blue Demons Basketball in the South Loop. Misty Johanson, the college’s new dean, also had the honor of handing diplomas to graduates for the first time.
More than 1,500 members of the Class of 2018 participated in the college’s commencement for undergraduate and graduate business students June 10. Six DBA graduates received their diplomas and were ceremonially hooded: Karen Bartuch, Adam Cockrell, Kari Costello, Brandon Hendrix, Tammy Higgins and Erica Wagner. The DBA students finished the three-year, research-intensive program by completing dissertations on subjects that ranged from the culture of creativity among Millennials versus Generation Xer to influences that affect employee ethical decision-making and behavior.
Bartuch, director of Strategy and Research at Sandstorm Design, a brand experience agency, says the DBA program “had a profound impact on the way I approach business and the importance of evidence-based management. Professionally, the program has opened doors for me that didn’t exist before.”
“The program taught me how to be a better business leader and to approach problems in scientific ways, as well as examine topics I love, such as innovation and creativity, in a deeper and more meaningful way.”
Joshua Murner was the first to earn a bachelor’s degree from the business college’s actuarial science program, which was launched in 2015. “It provided me with a strong mathematical background, but also gave me the tools to be able to strengthen and advance my career in the business world,” he says. “Through the curriculum and guidance of the program’s faculty, I was able to complete three exams for the Society of Actuaries and launch my career.” Murner is now on the actuarial career track as an analyst with Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Co., a Chicago pension consulting firm.
View a gallery of photos from the Driehaus College of Business Commencement 2018:
Five members of the first graduating class earning a Doctorate in Business Administration from DePaul University — Karen Bartuch, Adam Cockrell, Kari Costello, Brandon Hendrix, Tammy Higgins and Erica Wagner — have some fun before heading into the commencement ceremony for the Driehaus College of Business. (DePaul University/Carol Hughes)
Driehaus College of Business doctoral graduate Tammy Higgins receives her hood during the DePaul University commencement ceremony at the Wintrust Arena. (DePaul University/Jamie Moncrief)
Driehaus College of Business doctoral graduate Brandon Hendrix receives his hood during the DePaul University commencement ceremony. (DePaul University/Jamie Moncrief)
Misty M. Johanson, dean of the Driehaus College of Business, congratulates the graduates as they receive their doctoral degrees at the DePaul University commencement ceremony. (DePaul University/Jamie Moncrief)
James T. Ryan III, chair of the board of trustees; Alyssa Poniatowski, Class of 2018 student speaker; Misty M. Johanson, dean of the Driehaus College of Business; and A. Gabriel Esteban, Ph.D., president of DePaul; (left to right) at the Wintrust Arena. (DePaul University/Jamie Moncrief)
Misty M. Johanson, dean, Driehaus College of Business, center, congratulates the newest alumni members as Paul Sorce, Class of 1991 alumna, left, and Alyssa Poniatowski, Class of 2018 student speaker, listen. (DePaul University/Jamie Moncrief)
Graduates celebrate as they receive their diplomas during the commencement ceremony for the Driehaus College of Business at the Wintrust Arena. (DePaul University/Jamie Moncrief)
Friends and family join DePaul graduates inside Wintrust Arena, Sunday, June 10, 2018, for the Driehaus College of Business commencement ceremony. Approximately 6,700 students from across DePaul graduated during five ceremonies . (DePaul University/Jamie Moncrief)