Commencement Ceremony 2019

On Saturday, December 14, 2019, AUS welcomed its graduating Class of 2019 to Grand Hôtel du Lac in Vevey for its 27th Commencement Ceremony. Students from all corners of the world came together to celebrate the achievement of their goals, the end of their educational journey, and the beginning of new career opportunities. The traditional Grand Hôtel du Lac, founded in 1868, welcomed guests into its reception area. Guests and hosts proceeded to move into one of the hotel’s ceremony halls, where they were seated at round tables facing the well-lit stage. As ceremonial music began playing, joyful students entered the room, proudly wearing their caps and gowns.

Dr. El Khansa’s, AUS President, welcoming speech and words of encouragement were followed by uplifting speeches from Mr. Laurent Wehrli, Swiss National Council member and mayor of Montreux, H.E. Amb. Marta Kos, Ambassador of Slovenia to Switzerland, and Mr. Paul Mallette, the Director of International Operations of Peregrine Global Services.

Dr. El Khansa, accompanied by Mr. Wehrli, continued the ceremony with the conferring of degrees. One by one, emotional students mounted the podium to shake hands, receive their diplomas, and capture the moment on film. Ms. Yanina Stanislavskaya-Thöle, AUS Bachelor student speaker, gave a moving speech, thanking her parents for their support. Dr. Ruby Bakshi, AUS faculty, reminded students to remain true to themselves, and AUS Bachelor speaker, Mr. Stefan Dudolenski, paid tribute to the faculty and staff at AUS, acknowledging their support during his educational journey. Celebrations continued late into the night with dinner and after-party. Congratulations and best wishes to the Class of 2019!