Last Night in Olin: A Signature Part of Babson Grad School Experience

Masked students share a hug during Last Night in Olin
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Graduates of the Class of 2021 gathered for masked hugs and chats last Thursday at Last Night in Olin, a cherry on top to the in-person Commencement experience from the weekend prior and a precursor to the digital Commencement ceremony May 15.

The evening featured music and photo opportunities. It historically has been bookended by First Night in Olin, a kickoff to the Babson College F.W. Olin Graduate School for Business experience, in which students have the chance to meet their peers and faculty for the first time.

The day before, graduates got together for the Last Lecture, where faculty offered a few final words of wisdom to the class.

“This is absolutely priceless. We’ve been seeing each other in pockets, but this is the best way to have a sendoff, celebrate our accomplishments, and enjoy one another,” said Graduate Student Council President Rachel Zelcer MBA’21.

Members of the College’s Babson Miami cohort attended the May 2 in-person ceremony, including many who were visiting the institution’s Wellesley campus for the first time.

“A lot of my peers I haven’t seen in over a year, we kept our circle small for a reason,” Zelcer said. “It’s an energetic buzz.”

Katherine Worthington, the assistant director of graduate student life and leadership, said these events epitomize community.

“They haven’t had moments like this for the past year,” she said. “It’s just so nice to have so many people together from the Class of 2021.”

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