November 9, 2024, was a day of celebration for the academic community, professors, students, and their families and friends. It was the day of the 2024 Master’s Graduation Ceremony at CATÓLICA-LISBON, a special occasion for all the national and international students who successfully completed another chapter of their lives.
At 3:00 PM, the Carlos Lopes Pavilion in Lisbon opened its doors to welcome over 400 young individuals. Excited to wear their academic gowns, a symbol of tradition, knowledge, and university prestige, the new master's graduates prepared for a solemn moment. The room was filled with anticipation, and the grand academic procession soon began, with the "University Hymn," Gaudeamus Igitur, marking the start of the ceremony.
“Vivat academia! Vivant professores! Vivat membrum quodlibet! Vivant membra quaelibet!” (Long live the academy! Long live the professors! Long live each student! Long live all the students!), sang in unison the members of the CATÓLICA-LISBON Big Band, the school’s first musical ensemble, under the direction of maestro Eduardo Lála. This marked the beginning of the 2024 Master’s Graduation Ceremony, which included inspiring speeches from members of the academic community, alumni, and the representative of the master’s students.
“You’ve got to dance like there’s nobody watching, love like you’ll never be hurt, sing like there’s nobody listening, and live like it’s heaven on earth”, William Purkey
“By choosing CATÓLICA-LISBON for your master’s and dedicating yourselves to completing this challenge, you’ve taken a giant step in building your future”, began Filipe Santos, Dean of CATÓLICA-LISBON.
“You will develop your careers in a world where democracy, freedom, and globalization are no longer absolute guarantees, where inequality is rising, and our planet’s ability to sustain humanity is at risk. A world where technologies, like AI, can be tools for innovation or weapons exploited maliciously. Therefore, you cannot – I repeat, you cannot – go through this world as mere spectators”, Filipe Santos warned, encouraging students to be leaders capable of shaping the collective future with knowledge, skills, and values.
“Quoting educator William Purkey, «You’ve got to dance like there’s nobody watching, love like you’ll never be hurt, sing like there’s nobody listening, and live like it’s heaven on earth». And, when the world doesn’t seem like paradise, when you face injustices or difficult situations, you must act with courage to make the world a better place, promoting the well-being of others. This is the true source of purpose and meaning in life. Congratulations to all our masters”, he concluded.
As highlighted in his speech, the new master's graduates now become ambassadors of CATÓLICA-LISBON, joining a network of over 15,000 alumni, among whom is Margarida Oliveira, the invited Alumna speaker for the 2024 Master’s Graduation Ceremony. A double graduate from CATÓLICA-LISBON, with both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, where she also taught, Margarida Oliveira has built a remarkable career both nationally and internationally, with stints at Roland Berger, Reckitt Benckiser, and currently at SONAE MC, where she leads the Wells brand.
In her speech, Margarida Oliveira inspired the class of 2024 with deeply personal advice about the true source of success and happiness. Reflecting on her own journey, she emphasized that success is not found in following the expectations of others but in making choices aligned with one’s values, talents, and passions. “True success comes from waking up every day knowing that we’re doing what we feel is right for us, not what others expect. Happiness comes from aligning our choices with who we are”, said the Alumna, who challenged the students to be courageous, take risks, and trust in their abilities, reminding them that “you already have everything you need to succeed”.
The Strength of Wings: Reflections by João Maria Livério on the Future
Before the diploma ceremony, João Maria Livério, a Master’s in Management with a specialization in Strategy, Entrepreneurship & Impact, was called to the stage as the representative of the class of 2024 to share a few words with his peers, who had been his family over the past two years.
In his speech, João inspired his classmates with a metaphor that captured the transitional moment they were all experiencing. “A bird doesn’t land on a branch because it trusts that the branch won’t break, but because it trusts in its ability to fly”. João explained that the “wings” represent self-sufficiency, something that CATÓLICA-LISBON’s world-class education had helped provide. Over the past two years, they had all been “developing their wings”, confident that the education they received had prepared them for a future of meaningful contributions.
He also reflected on the institution's constant support, comparing it to a firm branch where a bird rests. “As our wings grew stronger, the branch remained firm and constant”. With the end of a cycle in sight, he acknowledged the uncertainty of the future and the need for constant adaptation, stating, “The world and business demand adaptation. Now, more than ever, we are sure that we are ready to face any challenge”.
Regarding the future, he once again shared an example tied to his metaphor. “When flying in groups, birds conserve energy by taking advantage of the air currents created by the ones ahead.” This advice, directed at classmates from different backgrounds, particularly Germans and Italians, emphasized the importance of mutual support. He encouraged them to maintain the friendships they had built throughout the program and to always be available to support one another, regardless of their cultural origins.
Finally, João left a message of self-confidence, calling for personal reflection. “In times of uncertainty, like many of us are experiencing now, it doesn’t matter where we land; what truly matters is knowing that we have the ability to fly high”, he concluded.
After the moving speech, the long-awaited moment arrived to call each new master to the stage to receive their diplomas, which had been previously blessed by Father Miguel. The atmosphere was filled with pride and emotion.
For each area of specialization, the academic directors delivered congratulatory speeches to the students for their achievements: Filipa Reis, in Business Analytics; Joana Silva, in Economics; José Faias, in Finance; Pedro Parada, in Business; and Kyryl Lakishyk, in Management. The latter, in particular, dedicated special words to the families, reminding the students that “they wouldn’t be here today without them”. His words were met with warm applause, with students standing to express their gratitude to the hundreds of families present at the Carlos Lopes Pavilion. This was undoubtedly one of the most emotional moments of the day.
To the soft melody of the piano, the master’s graduates took the stage to receive their diplomas, warmly greeted with applause. As they exited, they were received by the open arms of family members, friends, and classmates, who together celebrated the culmination of a journey full of achievements.
Dalton Fumo, Lynne Nybers, Francesco Ferrari, Carolin Fries, and João Oliveira: Stories of Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success
Dalton Fumo, a Master’s student in Business Analytics, considered his academic journey at CATÓLICA-LISBON an enriching experience, highlighting the relevance of the "technical skills that will be very useful in the job market". The ceremony represented "a victory" and a significant milestone, symbolizing overcoming challenges and achieving goals. This personal achievement reflects the transformative impact of his journey at CATÓLICA-LISBON.
Lynne Nybers, a Master’s in Economics, spoke about the intensity of the past two years and the importance of determination. Reflecting on her time at CATÓLICA-LISBON, she described the experience as "truly amazing". While it had been "difficult" and required "a lot of hard work", she emphasized how much she had learned along the way and the inspiration from the "incredible professors". When asked about the values she would take forward, she stressed the importance of perseverance. "If you work hard enough, you can do it. It will be difficult, but in the end, if you truly put in the effort, you will succeed".
The journey of many new master’s graduates at CATÓLICA-LISBON was marked by profound changes and challenges overcome. One inspiring example is Francesco Ferrari, originally from Italy and a Master’s in Finance, who described the experience as "an amazing journey" that began in the summer of 2022. The international environment at CATÓLICA-LISBON was described as "exciting and constructive", contributing to the strengthening of his personality and the development of new relationships and skills. Emotionally moved, he summed up the experience as an unforgettable and encouraging opportunity.
Carolin Fries, from Germany and a Master’s in Science in Business, described her journey as "truly remarkable", highlighting the "amazing people" she met and the constant support from professors. Among the key values gained, she emphasized resilience and the discovery that "you are capable of doing more than you think" when there is dedication. "If you put in the effort, it really pays off", she said, recognizing the positive impact of the hard work invested. Reflecting on the graduation day, she expressed a deep feeling: "It's like going back in time. I really feel at home".
João Oliveira, a Double Degree Master’s in Management with a specialization in Strategy, Entrepreneurship & Impact, described the emotions of the day as "a mix of nostalgia and happiness", emphasizing the importance of sharing moments with colleagues, especially after a year dedicated to internships and thesis work. He also highlighted the valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth provided by CATÓLICA-LISBON. From improving technical skills to interacting with people from different cultures, he considers it a fundamental experience for facing the challenges of the workforce. For the future, he carries with him the memory of "everyone in the same boat, trying to make something happen", and believes that unity and teamwork will continue to be essential. In conclusion, he reflected on the lasting impact of this journey and offered a piece of advice to future students: "I think it's an incredible experience, and if you have the chance, I highly recommend it".
CATÓLICA-LISBON’s Awards
At the 2024 Master’s Graduation Ceremony, the best master’s theses were revealed, highlighting the most remarkable research conducted by the students.
The Best Theses Awards recognized research that demonstrates originality, intellectual rigor, and real-world impact. Finalists and winners were selected by program by an independent jury, based on the exceptional academic merit of their works, innovation, and contributions to their respective fields of study.
Florian Jürgen Pullem (Master of Science in Business Analytics), Francisco Bivar Weinholtz (Master of Science in Economics), Daniel Vela Mata (Master of Science in Finance), Kristin Jorgensen Erdal (Master of Science in Business), Pedro dos Santos Braz (Master of Science in Management), Lukas Braun (Master of Science in Management Strategy, Entrepreneurship & Impact), and Francisca Ribeiro (Master of Science in Management Strategic Marketing) were the students recognized with the award, which reflects the high level of research and the significant contribution of the students to advancing knowledge in their respective areas.
The winners of the CATÓLICA-LISBON'S Awards were also announced, recognizing excellence not only among students but also among professors. The awarded categories were Citizenship and Distinguished Teaching Awards.
The Citizenship Award was given to Luca Ehmer, Pedro Duarte de Melo, Elena Hundertmark, Jan Frederik Bock, João Pires Coelho, Jørgen Heimsæter, and Francisca Ribeiro, in recognition of their positive impact and civic engagement.
In the Distinguished Teaching Awards, professors Mário Meira, Filipa Lancastre, Peter Rajsingh, Ana Filipa de Almeida, Miguel Godinho de Matos, Pedro Raposo, and José Faias were honored. This award recognizes the intellectual rigor and the professors' ability to promote active and engaging learning. The awards were presented by the top-ranking students in the courses taught by these professors, as a way to acknowledge their pedagogical excellence.
At last, a message of hope
After the diplomas were awarded and dreams granted, Peter Hanenberg, Vice-Rector of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, took the stage to deliver a message of hope, emphasizing three words: gratitude, hope, and congratulations. He thanked the graduates for choosing the University and highlighted the crucial role of families and professors. He encouraged them to keep the desire to learn alive, reflecting on the historical contrasts of November 9th – the fall of the Berlin Wall and Kristallnacht – and quoted Pope Francis, challenging them to turn adversity into hope. He concluded with a call for courage, stating: “Let us not be administrators of fears, but entrepreneurs of dreams”.
The Master’s Graduation Ceremony was then officially closed. As at the beginning, to the sound of Gaudeamus Igitur, performed by the CATÓLICA-LISBON Big Band, which accompanied the ceremony with several moving performances, the event ended symbolically, marking the close of one chapter. It was the end of the first of many days for these young people, now launched into the world with a spirit of equality, ready for the challenges and opportunities the future holds.