Concordia Journal Home > Archives > May 21, 2009 issue >

JMSB Graduate Weekend earns gold 

Instead of the traditional one-night event, Associate Dean of Graduate Programs and MBA Program Director Alan Hochstein decided to make a weekend of the MBA graduation celebration. Hochstein invited two-time member of the Canadian Olympic skeleton team Lindsay Alcock from Calgary to spend three days to inspire students and faculty.

After a special lunch on Saturday afternoon, Alcock dropped the ceremonial first puck at a student vs. faculty hockey game at the Samuel Moskovitch Arena in Cote St. Luc. The students won 6-4, but Hochstein asserts the game wasn't as close as the score may infer. "[The faculty] were hanging on by the skin of our teeth," he laughs. "In fact, the game had to end early because we were totally drained. Those students are quick!"

Alcock also selected the MVP of each team. Former Continuing Education Director Murray Sang (who returned from his new home of Ottawa to backstop for Concordia) received the award on the faculty side, while Fernando Daluiso took the honour for the students.

On Sunday, Alcock and the class participated in a spinning class at Le Gym, followed by an MBA graduation event at the Montefiore Club on Guy St., with President Judith Woodsworth, JMSB Dean Sanjay Sharma and the graduating class of 60 students. Alcock capped her time in Montreal with the keynote speech of the evening soirée.

Hochstein states the entire weekend was an amazing success and would also like to thank Sharma for his support of the event.

"Sometimes it's tricky to get to know students well when you're an instructor. I found out so much about my students as people on the weekend," he says. "It will be tough to top it next year, but we're really looking forward to it."