Last Thursday, November 7, INCAE Business School commemorated six decades of educational excellence and leadership with a special event at the Walter Kissling Gam campus. The celebration brought together graduates, students, donors, friends and influential figures from the region, beginning at 4:30 p.m. with the " AcademicEncounters " given by prominent INCAE professorsCarla Fernández, Ramiro Casó and Carlos Quintanilla.
The main event began at 6:00 p.m. and was attended by more than 600 participants, including former presidents and their families, members of the National Committees, the Founders' Circle of INCAE, and figures such as Jane and Katie Wilson, daughters of the institution's first president, Clark Wilson, donors, friends and partners of the institution, faculty and staff of INCAE. It began with welcoming remarks by Wendy Rodriguez, Director of Advancement, followed by the presentation of a commemorative video that illustrated the transformative impact of INCAE in its 60-year history, narrated by Enrique Bolaños, President of the institution.
Wendy Rodriguez, Director of Advancement
"We hope that each of our graduates will not only be an expert in their field, but also a committed citizen for the well-being of their community and the world. Our purpose of transforming lives for a better future for the region continues to guide our every step," Rodriguez said.
Panel of former rectors, moderated by Prof. Andrea Prado
Then, the panel of former rectors, entitled "Pathways to Leadership," moderated by Professor Andrea Prado, was another highlight of the event. Formed by Harry Strachan, rector 1981-1982; Brizio Biondi-Morra, rector 1991-1999; Roberto Artavia, rector 1999-2007 and Arturo Condo, rector 2007-2015; for an hour they recalled their time at INCAE, their achievements and their vision for the future of the institution. They also recalled the legacy of predecessor rectors Clark Wilson, Ernesto Cruz, Mark Lindenberg and Melvyn Copen, and the relevance of figures such as Enrique Debayle, George Cabot Lodge and Francisco de Sola, in the creation of INCAE.
Presentation of awards to former presidents
Afterwards, Rector Enrique Bolaños, along with Dean Bernard Kilian and Professor Andrea Prado, presented the awards to former rectors and other key personalities, including Jane and Katie Wilson, daughters of the first Rector of INCAE, Clark Wilson, and Arturo Cruz Jr. on behalf of Ernesto Cruz . Awards were also presented to Harry Strachan on behalf of Mark Lindenberg and Professor Emeritus John C. Ickis on behalf of Melvyn Copen.
Presentation of awards to Rodrigo Uribe, the Uribe family and the Cuestamoras Group.
Special recognition was given by Enrique Bolaños and Roberto Artavia to Rodrigo Uribe Sáenz and the Cuestamoras corporate group, highlighting the Uribe family's commitment to the values and preservation of the legacy of Enrique Uribe Pagés. This tribute included the presentation of a handcrafted sculpture made by the Boruca Indians, representing the Central American tapir, a symbol of ecological balance.
Rector Enrique Bolaños Abaunza, in his closing remarks, emphasized the importance of resilience and the evolution of INCAE over the years: "Throughout these six decades, INCAE has demonstrated a unique ability to adapt, innovate and lead. Its resilience is a testament to the strength of its values, its mission and the quality of its people. Today we celebrate not only what we have accomplished as an institution, but also the achievements and impacts of each of you; our graduates."
The evening concluded with a cocktail party for all participants, closing a day of celebration and reflection on the 60 years of INCAE 's impact on education and development in Latin America.
After having celebrated in Panama, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala and Peru and now at home, there is only one country left to visit as part of our commemoration of these 60 years transforming lives, and that will be Honduras on November 13.
