Vanderbilt Business 2025 Commencement

Jeremy Padawer (MBA’01) encourages the Class of 2025 to follow their ambitions and passions as they graduate from Vanderbilt Business

By Eigen Escario

The Vanderbilt Business Commencement for the Class of 2025 was held on May 9 at 11:00 AM. The ceremony took place at the Vanderbilt Recreation and Wellness Center Field House, where 210 students were awarded their Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, including 160 full-time MBA students and 49 Executive MBA students; 84 earned a Master of Science in Finance (MS Finance) degree; 37 were awarded a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree; 71 students were awarded a Master of Marketing (MMark) degree; and 21 students were awarded a Master of Management in Health Care (MMHC) degree.

Thomas J. Steenburgh, Ralph Owen Dean and Professor of Marketing, gave an introductory speech highlighting the support system that anchored graduates through their programs.

Tom Steenburgh

“I’d like to begin today by expressing gratitude to the faculty and staff who have guided, taught, challenged, and supported you,” Steenburgh said. “I also want to acknowledge the family and friends who have given you love, patience, and support – thank you for being with us and sharing in their success.”

Steenburgh offered words of wisdom focused on building community and incremental knowledge before introducing Jeremy Padawer, the keynote speaker.

“This is where your Owen experience becomes more than just a credential. It’s not just what you’ve learned – it’s about helping you decide what you want to become and what to build next,” Steenburgh said. “This community will serve you well, not because they provide all the answers, but because they’ve helped you develop the curiosity, judgment, and confidence to keep exploring the right questions. As you move into the next phases of your lives, I hope you find new communities that motivate you to do your best work and enable you to find meaning in the moments along the way.”

Vanderbilt Business Commencement Keynote Address

Jeremy Padawer

This year’s Vanderbilt Business commencement speaker, Jeremy Padawer (MBA’01), Chief Brand Officer of Jazwares and former Co-CEO/President of Wicked Cool Toys, spoke in parallel to Dean Steenburgh about leveraging the Vanderbilt Business experience to gain fulfillment in graduates’ professional and personal lives moving forward.

“Your academic box is officially checked. Your golden ticket is issued into a sea of possibilities,” Padawer said. “But don’t just chase the end. Celebrate the middle,” he continued. “We are not the accumulation of beginnings and ends; we are almost entirely made up of middles.”

Drawing from personal experience, Padawer shares his shift of perspective from being financially-driven to passion-fueled after selling his first company.

“The moment arrived [of the check dropping into my bank account]. I didn’t cry. I didn’t sprout wings. I still had IBS,” Padawer joked. “My passion for what I do – shaping culture through play, embracing fandom, inspiring creativity in children – that was bigger than the pursuit of money. But I didn’t know it until it actually happened.”

Padawer imparts six guiding principles that he has found effective in creating a fulfilling life and career: celebrate the middle, prioritize passion over money, focus on what fascinates you, be your authentic self, harness ambition, and choose your partners wisely. He also asserts that fostering continued passion for your work and being true to yourself are critical ingredients for success.

“Focus on what fascinates you,” he said, quoting Warren Buffett. “You cannot be your authentic self at work if you are not fascinated.”

Concluding his heartfelt address, Padawer stresses the importance of the support system outside of the workplace that makes life and career pursuits worthwhile.

“Giving up 35 years of your own life means giving up 35 years of all the lives of all the people you love. You cannot be there for them if you’re not there for yourself.” Padawer said. “You won’t just make money or fully explore ambition – you’ll experience fulfillment. And in the end, the true end, nobody regrets a focus on fulfillment.”

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Awards and Recognition for Graduating Students

Jennifer Edson Escalas, Associate Dean of Academic Programs, recognized the 2025 Founder’s Medalist and recipients of the Dean’s Awards for Academic Excellence.

Founder’s Medalist

Escalas awarded Robert Davis Rickard (MBA’25) the Founder’s Medal for Vanderbilt Business. This Commencement Day award dating all the way back to 1877, initially endowed by Cornelius Vanderbilt, is given to the MBA graduate who achieves the strongest record in personal, professional, and academic performance.

Dean’s Awards for Academic Excellence

Meredith Erin Sedberry received the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence in Master of Accountancy.

Olivia Grace Wolf received the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence in Master of Marketing.

Akhil Behl received the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence in Master of Science in Finance.

Sean David Mullins received the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence in Executive MBA.

Matthew Ryan Grace received the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence in Master of Management in Health Care.

Awards and Recognition for Faculty

Excellence in Teaching Award

Brian T. McCann, David K. Wilson Chair and Professor of Strategic Management, was presented the James A. Webb Excellence in Teaching Award by Max Hackenbrack, Owen Student Government President (MBA’25).

The other finalists for this award were:

Yasin Alan, Associate Professor of Operations Management

Mario Avila, Assistant Professor of the Practice of Management, Faculty Director, Center for Social Ventures

Erik Olson, Assistant Professor of Accounting

Ranga Ramanujam, Richard M. and Betty Ruth Miller Chair, Professor of Management, Faculty Director of Health Care Programs, and Professor of Health Policy Secondary Appointment

Executive MBA Faculty Teaching Award

Brian T. McCann, David K. Wilson Chair and Professor of Strategic Management, was presented the Executive MBA Faculty Teaching Award by Sean David Mullins (EMBA’25).

The other finalists for this award were:

Mumin Kurtulus, Associate Professor of Operations Management

Rita B. Sowell, Adjunct Professor of Management (Statistics)

Dean’s Faculty Awards

Richard H. Willis, Associate Provost for Research and Innovation, announced the recipients of the Dean’s Faculty Awards.

Eric VanEpps, Associate Professor of Marketing, received the Faculty Research Productivity Award in recognition of his significant scholarly contributions.

Rangaraj Ramanujam, Richard M. and Betty Ruth Miller Chair, Professor of Management, Faculty Director of Health Care Programs, and Professor of Health Policy Secondary Appointment, received the Faculty Research Impact Award in recognition of his significant impact in a specific discipline through an extensive body of scholarly research.

Larry J. LeBlanc, Professor of Operations Management, received the Faculty Teaching Award in recognition of his significant contributions to teaching and learning.

Emeritus Status

Willis also recognized Robert E. Whaley, Valere Blair Potter Professor of Management (Finance) Director, Financial Markets Research Center, who was bestowed Emeritus status by the University’s Provost, Chancellor, and Board of Trust.

Other Awards, Recognition, and Celebrations

Martin S. Geisel Leadership Award

Sean David Mullins (EMBA’25) was recognized with the Martin S. Geisel Leadership Award, awarded to a graduating student who demonstrated strong leadership.

Matt Wigginton Finance Award

Kaelan John Recca (MBA’25) received the Matt Wigginton Finance Award, awarded for outstanding performance in finance.

H. Igor Ansoff Award

Max Edward Hackenbrack (MBA’25) was presented with the H. Igor Ansoff Award, which recognizes original, creative, and exceptional contributions to the school.

Flournoy A. Coles Jr. Prize

Megan Marie Manno (MBA’25) was awarded the Flournoy A. Coles Jr. Prize in recognition of international studies.

Financial Executives Institute Award

Jonathan Michael Troop (MBA’25) was recognized with the Financial Executives Institute Award for outstanding academic performance in accounting and finance.