During the ceremony, Mr. Carlos Díez de la Lastra, CEO of Les Roches Marbella and Ms. Maria Jose Aparicio, Academic Director, addressed the students and audience with words of encouragement before handing over the honors of Marbella Counselor of Education and Culture, Ms. Carmen Díaz. Counselor Díaz expressed the city’s sincere gratitude to the international graduates for choosing Marbella to study their careers and hopes each of them will serve as lifetime ambassadors for the city as they embark on their hospitality careers around the world. The ceremony was officially opened with a motivating speech from a respected name in the hospitality industry and General Manager of Hotel Alfonso XIII (Luxury Collection), Mr. Carlo Suffredini.
As part of the closing ceremony, Les Roches Marbella presented four distinguished awards. First, the Hospitality Golden Key award was given to Conde Rudi Schoenburg (former General Manager of Marbella Club and influential hospitality professional on the Costa del Sol) for his 50 plus years of dedication to making Marbella a distinguished tourist destination around the world.
Next, Ms. Nichole Muthoni (Eta Sigma Delta & BBA with Distinguished Honors) was honored with the Way of Life award for her remarkable academic achievements and ability to inspire her colleagues through her kindness and hard work. The third award, the Mentor award, was delivered to faculty member, Mr. Roberto Rodriguez, for his unceasing commitment to social responsibility and bringing environmental awareness to Les Roches Marbella’s student body.
Concluding the awards ceremony was the presentation of the Social Responsibility award to Despertar Sin Violencia, a local charity organization that has done a great deal of work to help eradicate domestic violence and actively collaborates with the Les Roches Marbella Sustainability Club.
Following a roll call of all graduates to receive their credentials, the two graduating classes offered emotional speeches to their colleagues and faculty that put their time studying together into perspective and offered them inspiration as they embark on this next stage in their professional development. Representing the postgraduate class was Mr. Edu Fernandez (see video below starting at minute 1:21:10) and representing the BBA class was Ms. Simona Agnieszka Wolsztajn & Ms. (Provigil) Nicole Muthoni Waiyaki (see video below starting at minute 1:42:06).
We want to congratulate the Spring 2015 graduating classes and we wish each of them success in this next professional stage of their careers. Good luck and we hope to see all of you on campus soon!
XXXVIII Closing Ceremony Video (Full Ceremony)
XXXVIII Closing Ceremony Photos
