22 February 2025
Bilbao Campus
On Saturday, February 22, the first of four graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2024 took place across both campuses.
The first investiture ceremony was held at the Bilbao campus, where 97 former students of ADE + Financial Analyst Basics and ADE + Management in Digital Environments celebrated their graduation.
The event began with a Eucharist in the Gothic chapel, after which the new graduates, followed by the academic procession, made their way to the auditorium, where their families and guests awaited them.
After listening to Agur Jaunak performed by the Ars Canticum Ensemble choir and hearing the welcome address from the Faculty Secretary, Macarena Cuenca, Almudena Eizaguirre, General Director of Executive Education, delivered the Lectio Brevis titled “Committed to Humanistic Leadership.”
Almudena Eizaguirre emphasized Deusto Business School’s commitment to providing excellent education while instilling values: “values based on humanistic leadership,” she stated. She explained that humanistic leadership, as understood by Deusto Business School, is "a leadership that places human dignity at the center, fosters mutually beneficial relationships with all stakeholders, and promotes projects with positive economic, social, and environmental impact." She also encouraged graduates to always act with integrity: “As future economists, entrepreneurs, and executives, your actions must align with your values. Credibility is not built with words but with actions. Always remember that leadership is not about imposing but about inspiring. And you can only inspire if those around you perceive integrity in your actions,” she remarked.
Next, alumni Álvaro Chapa and Javier Cervera took the stage to share reflections on their university experience on behalf of their classmates. Additionally, Carla González and Peio Jorge read the solemn declaration on behalf of their fellow graduates.
The highlight of the event came with the conferral of graduation stoles by the Dean, Álvaro de la Rica, and the Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, María García Feijoó. This was followed by an address from Víctor Múgica, President of the Bernaola Foundation, who presented the different projects sponsored by the foundation, including the Rafael Luis Álvarez Award for the best final degree projects. During the ceremony, the 2023 award diplomas were presented to the members of H2 House S.L., who received an honorable mention: Álvaro Castresana, Ginés José Galdón, Alejandro López Tapia, and Lezo Martín.
Naiara Tobalina, Director of Deusto Business Alumni, also addressed the graduates, encouraging them to engage with the alumni network. “We are a vibrant, collaborative, and generous community, united by shared values, seeking to generate a positive impact on society through our work and contributions,” she emphasized.
Finally, the Dean, Álvaro de la Rica, delivered the closing remarks to the new graduates, their families, and friends in attendance. He shared the faculty’s joy and congratulations, particularly recognizing María Eguiarte for receiving the Extraordinary End-of-Degree Award. De la Rica urged the graduates to be people who “bring light to the world, who bring out the best in others and make them feel alive, who always include joy in their daily lives, who give their time to others—and if one day they don’t have time, they create it for someone else—who help others find their way, and who rejoice even more when someone else has a stroke of luck.”
The ceremony concluded with all attendees standing to sing the university anthem, Gaudeamus Igitur, once again filling the auditorium with solemnity.
