Berkeley Haas Undergrad Class of 2025 encouraged to follow passion, work hard, and build strong relationships

Work hard, pursue what you are excellent at and passionate about, and prioritize building strong relationships, students in the Berkeley Haas Undergraduate Class of 2025 were told during a joyous commencement ceremony Monday morning. 

Interim Dean Jennifer Chatman, PhD 88, welcomed the class of about 450 graduates, along with their families and friends, to The Greek Theatre. (Watch the full commencement video.)

Looking out on sunny skies, Chatman urged the students graduating from the No. 2 undergraduate program in the U.S. to use their Haas education to tackle the biggest challenges of our time. “Without a shred of doubt, we know that you will succeed,” said Chatman, who is a Double Bear. “Your class has already accomplished so much.” 

Chatman introduced the Class of 2025 Commencement Speaker, Patty Juarez, BS 94, an executive vice president and head of Hispanic and Latino Affairs at Wells Fargo. The daughter of Mexican immigrants who was first in her family to graduate from college, Juarez embodies the four Haas Defining Leadership Principles: Question the Status Quo, Confidence Without Attitude, Students Always, and Beyond Yourself, Chatman said.

Juarez, who moved to California from Mexico at age 11, said she dreamed of growing up to be a banker (“When we played Monopoly, I was the bank,” she joked). She praised the students’ resilience, calling it the superpower that they gained having lived through the pandemic and a great deal of social and political unrest.

“You have endured more than your fair share, which makes this day that much more meaningful, that much more special,” she said. “And your resolve has only made you stronger and given you more perspective.” Juarez offered three pearls of wisdom to students: work hard, find a passion for something you are good at, and build relationships, which she called the “secret sauce” of her career as “the people’s banker,” focused on capital access for minority-owned businesses.

“Your ability to connect with people will be a huge key to your success,” she said. “Remember that relationships take nurturing, they take investment, they take commitment. But so many of the opportunities that come in life come through those relationships.”

Brennan Dai, Haas Business Student Association (HBSA) president, introduced Student Speaker Lily Rzonca, who told the students that it’s OK to be questioning what’s next.

“Am I cut out for what’s next?” she asked. “These are questions only you can answer, but asking them is part of the journey. As we step into this next chapter I want to share a reminder that if you feel a little unsure, that’s OK. Lean into that discomfort. It’s proof that you stretched yourself. It’s a testament to your growth and everything you’ve accomplished at Haas.”

Anoush Torounian, BS 24, (who finished in the fall, but attended commencement today) will head to Evercore in Menlo Park to work as an investment banking analyst. “I’m feeling really great,” she said, as her family congratulated her after the ceremony. “I enjoyed my last few years here and am excited for whatever is to come.”

Award winners, introduced by Emma Daftary, assistant dean of undergraduate programs, included:

Departmental Citation: Kevin Zhu Wang, who led student groups to promote Chinese culture, rallied thousands of volunteers to give back to the city of Berkeley, and twice served as an orientation leader for more than 100 new freshmen and transfer students. Wang said he is excited to move to New York, where he will work for a global Japanese bank. “I feel quite anxious, but also, I feel quite prepared after Haas and excited to see my friends in New York,” he said.

Confidence Without Attitude: Pooja Kantesh Rathaur, a first-generation college student from Hayward, California, graduating with degrees in business administration and economics and data science.

Question the Status Quo: Sanja McKenzie, a first-generation Serbian immigrant and reentry student who moved to the United States alone to pursue better educational opportunities.

Students Always: Vanessa Kahkesh, a double major in business administration and economics, with a minor in journalism.

Beyond Yourself: Ariana Quintana,  a double major in business administration and society and environment, with a minor in sustainable design. 

Cheit Award for Excellence in Teaching: Daniel Himelstein

Collaborative Instructional Teaching Environment Award: Krystal Thomas

Graduate Student Instructor Teaching Award: Rachel Gaines