“The graduation ceremony was one of the highlights of the CEU experience,” said Rumbidzai Masango (MPA ’15). “It was touching and special for me and my colleagues. After two years of hard work and persistence, we made it!” June 21, 2015 was also special for the School of Public Policy (SPP) at CEU: the graduation of its inaugural class. “It was truly a milestone for SPP,” said Founding Dean Wolfgang Reinicke. “I am so proud of our students – and also of our faculty and staff. So many people contributed to this achievement.”
The celebration actually began last Thursday when the MPA graduating class gathered with faculty and staff for a slide show, short video, dinner, dancing, and the presentation of the inaugural Beyond Awards. The awards, which were named with the School’s motto - purpose beyond power - in mind, were given in recognition of a wide variety of skills and distinctions: Friederike von Cölln (MPA ’15), for example, received the Beyond Peace Award for her “notable efforts and ability to be a conflict manager and keep a peaceful SPP environment during turbulent times;” former SPP Head of Student Affairs Kati Horvath was selected to receive the Beyond E-Mails Award for being the staff member who was “most friendly and open;” and the Best Teaching Award was given to Assistant Professor Cristina Corduneanu-Huci “who encouraged us to think outside the box, was enthusiastic about [her] area of work, and saw the potential of all students without prejudice.”
Graduating students Dustin Biero and Robert Papp also won awards last week sharing the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award that is given to graduating master's students from each CEU department and school who has achieved the highest GPA.
Looking ahead, Reinicke says that next year will also be a special year for SPP as it welcomes students, faculty, and staff from the Department of Public Policy. “It’s an enormous opportunity for CEU, and for SPP,” said Reinicke noting that CEU awarded more than 60 master’s degrees in public policy in June 2015: 26 Master of Public Administration, 23 Master of Arts in Public Policy, and 13 Erasmus Mundus Master of Arts in Public Policy. “This is just one indication of the growing interest in public policy – an interest that I believe the School will be even better positioned to meet next year.”