The 16th Ceremonial Conferment of Aalto University School of Business was held at 2022

School of Business

The 16th Ceremonial Conferment of Aalto University School of Business was held at 2022

The Ceremonial Conferment of Aalto University School of Business was held at Aalto Töölö, in Runeberginkatu, Helsinki, from May 12 to 14, 2022.

Ceremonial conferment 2022 — The Act of Conferment procession 2022, Töölö

The Ceremonial Conferment of the School of Business is a traditional and esteemed academic event. In the ceremony, the conferred doctors and masters are accepted as full members of the academic community according to tradition. Additionally, the School of Business confers honorary doctors, as well as jubilee masters and doctors. The conferment at the School of Business is a multi-day celebration that includes events such as the Laurel Wreath Weaving, the Act of Conferment, Conferment Procession, the Conferment dinner, and traditional academic dances. On the final day of the conferment is Gratista's Herring Luncheon. The School of Business celebrates the conferment every five years.

Promootiokulkue 2022 — The Conferment Procession crossing Runeberginkatu in 2022.

The sixteenth Ceremonial Conferment of Aalto University School of Business was held on 12–14 May 2022. At the ceremony, 134 Masters, 9 Jubilee Masters 35 Doctors, and 10 Honorary Doctors were conferred. The officiants of the 2022 conferment were Conferrer Matti Keloharju, Aalto Distinguished Professor of Aalto University School of Business, Master of Ceremonies Nina Granqvist, Professor at Aalto University School of Business, and Head Marshall Matti Sarvimäki, Professor at Aalto University School of Business. Additionally, for the Conferment, a child of the oldest professor in senior tenure is chosen to play the role of the Spirit of Mercury; in 2022, the Spirit of Mercury was Elina Mäkelä.

Aalto University School of Business grants honorary doctorates and doctoral insignia at conferment ceremony to individuals deemed to merit the accolade. The Honorary Doctors have strong ties 91�� University and achievements in business or contributions to societal activities.

Honorary Doctorates of Aalto University School of Business was awarded on May 13, 2022, to:

Renée B. Adams, Professor of Finance, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford
Elina Björklund, toimitusjohtaja, Reima
Salvador Carmona, rehtori, Professor of Accounting and Management Control, IE University
Taavi Heikkilä, entinen SOK:n hallituksen puheenjohtaja ja pääjohtaja
Petteri Karttunen, Saastamoisen säätiön puheenjohtaja
Brian Kwon, pääjohtaja, LG Electronics
Pekka Laaksonen, Suomen Hamburg Ambassador
John A. List, The Kenneth C. Griffin Distinguished Service Professor in Economics, University of Chicago
Michael D. Myers, Professor of Information Systems, University of Auckland Business School
Linda Putnam, Distinguished Research Professor ja emeritusprofessori, University of California, Santa Barbara

More information about the 2022 honorary doctors of the School of Business.

Confermet publication 2022

You can read the ceremonial speeches from the fifteenth conferment (2022) and get a sense of the atmosphere from the festivities of the conferment (see pdf. below).

2016 Publication of the Ceremonial Conferment of the School of Business

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The Laurel Wreath Weaving is the first of the events in the conferment. During this event, the promovendis bind a laurel wreath, which they receive on their chest during the Act of Conferment. In addition to the binding of laurel wreaths, there are musical performances and a buffet dinner.

Maisteripromovendit vierailevat sankarihaudoilla

According to tradition, master promovendis lays a wreath at the Hietaniemi Cemetery as part of the ceremonies.

The main event of the conferment is the Act of Conferment. During this ceremony, the conferrer inducts the promovendis as full members of the academic community. The conferrer is selected from among the professors with the longest length of service at the School of Business. The conferrer at the 16th Ceremonial Conferment was Professor Matti Keloharju from Aalto University School of Business. In 2022, the Act of Conferment was held at Aalto Töölö.

After the Act of Conferment, a ceremonial procession moves towards the Temppeliaukio Church. Master of Ceremonies leads the procession. The Master of Ceremonies in 2022 was Professor Nina Granqvist from Aalto University School of Business. The symbols of the Master of Ceremonies include a staff and a red ribbon.

After the Act of Conferment, attendees can attend a religious service or a non-denominational event. The Conferment Church Service was held at Temppeliaukio Church led by Bishop Teemu Laajasalo. The non-denominational event took place in the Botta Hall. Both events feature speeches and musical performances.

Ilkka Niemelän puhe promootioillallisella 2022

The Conferment Dinner was held at Kalastajatorppa. During the Conferment Dinner, we heard excellent speeches from e.g. masters, doctors, and the rector. In the picture, Aalto University's rector, Ilkka Niemelä, is giving a speech at the School of Business Conferment Dinner in 2022.

After dinner, it's time for the conferment ball, where the dances are rehearsed in the spring before the conferment. According to tradition, the first dance is the polonaise. In 2022 the Boston Promenade was performed.

Spekti esiintyi promootion silliksellä 2022

The last event of the conferment is traditionally the Gratista's Herring Luncheon. The event is organized by the promovendi committee in collaboration with the conferment office. It is the final opportunity to celebrate achievements in this magical event! In 2022, the evening concluded with a performance by Spekti!

The first ceremonial conferment at the School of Business was held in 1946.

School of Business

An uninterrupted tradition

Academic events and traditions

Updated: 6.5.2025
Published: 6.5.2025

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