Astoria, NY. Saturday, May 17, 2014. William Fang, Columbia University EMBA Class of 2014, eased into the driver’s seat of his Honda Fit. Flashing a grin at his wife, Tracy, Will started the car. “Ready?” His expecting wife nodded, her dewy skin glowing as her eggshell-colored blazer radiated the morning rays upwards. Will drove towards Robert F. Kennedy Bridge one last time as an EMBA candidate. He smiled wistfully as Sinatra crooned over the stereo, “If I can make it [in New York], I can make it anywhere....”

In typical New York fashion, Will braved the challenges headfirst. The journey nearly exhausted his characteristic work ethic, resourcefulness, luck, and even sanity. But in exchange, Will received a priceless educational experience; one equal parts rewarding and humbling.

The Recognition Ceremony

Shortly before 9:00 a.m., Will and Tracy posed for individual pictures in Room 301 of Uris Hall. At 9:00 a.m., Will separated from Tracy, his mentor Merv, Will’s photographer, and Will’s journalist for class pictures on the Uris Hall steps with 222 other ‘EM’ and ‘BA’ peers. Meanwhile, his wife, mentor, photographer and journalist headed towards Levien Gymnasium.

Shortly after 10:00 a.m., an overture of Pomp and Circumstance hushed the energetic crowd, signaling the start of the EMBA recognition ceremony. Michael Malone, Associate Dean, commended the 2014 EMBA class on three traits: “balance, inclusion and impact.” After a pause, Associate Dean Malone remarked that the 2014 class had left Columbia better than they’d found it.

Renown finance and economics guru (and 1997 Business School Vice Dean), Professor Glenn Hubbard, noted that “some of the most talented among [the 2014 EMBA class] are parents—with one expecting.” Merv, seated next to Tracy, grinned knowingly. Professor Hubbard concluded his opening remarks and forewarned the 2014 class that “the value of your [EMBA] experience will unfold over time.”

Two outstanding students also chimed in. Mohamad Jardeneh, consultant at Ernst and Young, commended his 2014 EMBA colleagues on balancing their weekend class commitments with ski trips, trips to Atlantic City and “networking” at Pour House. Jeff Coffey, environmental consultant, agreed with Jardeneh on the level of commitment the program demanded. Coffey echoed the Dalai Lama: “Judge your successes by what you had to give up.”

Appropriately, both Jardeneh and Coffey were one of a select few to receive student representative awards for serving the interests of their Columbia classmates and community. Picture-taking took on a renewed frenzy as the EMBA 2014 candidates were called to the stage.

Will happened to be the thirtieth candidate to walk towards the stage. His photographer was already positioned in the best spot, waiting like a hawk for the right moment.

The Ceremony concluded around noon, as the EMBA Class of 2014 tossed their graduation caps towards the gymnasium ceiling. Avery and Schermerhorn began playing, signaling to all to head towards reception at Avery/Schermerhorn Plaza.

Yet, the feeling in Levien Gymnasium was anticlimactic.

As “New Yorkers” who could “make it anywhere,” these “movers-and-shakers” were already antsy, almost impatient, for life’s next challenges. As the reception winded down, a stronger wind picked up, as if ushering the 2014 graduates towards future endeavors.

The Future

In the end, Will could hardly imagine a better platform for gaining visibility and positioning himself as a Lenovo/IBM (Armonk, NY) marketing and negotiating expert. Along the way, Will received plentiful insight from advertising guru and mentor, Merv; encouraging faculty; friendly faces of other “movers and shakers” over bleary-eyed pints of beer at Pour House; former close friends; and—most importantly—Tracy’s consistent patience and understanding. While the Columbia experience afforded him the dynamic power of a world-class professional network, the journey simultaneously strengthened his existing bonds.

As an EMBA graduate, Will conceded that pursuing a graduate degree at Columbia was, in retrospect, “out of his mind.” His high-achieving yet collegial EMBA colleagues, coupled with unyielding support from loved ones, had cemented in him a lasting “New York state of mind.”