For 608 HBA1 students, the recent HBA Welcome was the first day of a new saga in their lives – one that includes more than 250 cases, competitions, projects and presentations in the two years they will be here at Ivey.
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Despite arriving from all over the globe and entering from a variety of academic backgrounds, there was a shared enthusiasm that could be sensed throughout the London Convention Centre.
Dean-elect Robert Kennedy shared his experiences with students in deciding to come to Ivey.
“We have a lot in common actually, we both made a decision to take a new path in our lives and join the Ivey community,” Kennedy began his welcoming address.
“What you’re really joining is a network that’s going to help you and be your community for the rest of your life,” he said. “This is not just a two-year experience, this is a community you are going to be a part of for the next fifty years.”
Looking around at over 100 tables surrounded by eager students, intrigued faculty, and invested alumni; it was evident that Kennedy’s statement is true. Students were able to ask questions about cases, class contribution, 48-hour reports, and career recruitment were answered by faculty, alumni, and second-year HBA students over breakfast.
“The biggest thing that I’m looking forward to is just the connections. I think everyone here has similar ambitions and similar goals and I think that will really spur everyone on,” said HBA Candidate Justin Tan, who just transferred into the HBA program from Ryerson University. “I’m really happy we’re one of the first classes to be in the new building.”
The students were also welcomed by Ivey Alumni Association President Anthony Ostler, Jake Simon and Brendan Howard from KMPG-Secor, keynote speaker, Fab Dolan, HBA ’08 and Brand Marketing Manager for Google Canada.
Over the week that followed the Opening Gala, students engaged in several icebreakers, team-building activities, and orientation to the Ivey teaching style and class expectations.