Convocation

To mark the beginning of the new academic year, Simon School Dean Mark Zupan, University administrators, and Simon School faculty welcomed the MBA Classes of 2010 and 2011. Dean Zupan and Ricardo Medeiros ’10, president of the Graduate Business Council, were the first members of the Simon community to sign the Simon School Credo, a student-authored set of principles emphasizing the importance of integrity and ethics. Simon was among the first leading business schools to adopt a student-authored credo in 2006. Following the ceremony, all members of the University community in attendance had the option of signing the credo to affirm their commitment to integrity and ethical behavior. The credo will later be framed and prominently displayed in Schlegel Hall on the University’s River Campus.

Gino Santini ’83 delivered the Convocation Address. Santini is senior vice president of corporate and business development at Eli Lilly and Company. He is also a member of the company’s policy committee and its senior management forum. In addition to his Simon School MBA, Santini holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Bologna, Italy.

During his address, Santini encouraged students to make the most of their time at the Simon School. “There is no one more important than you in determining your career path,” he said. “As you start your academic program at Simon, use your time here to get a good understanding of business, economics and integrity; develop a good understanding of the concept of risk; the technical prowess at Simon will serve you very well in your career—complement that strength with something different—try something you would never see yourself doing; lastly, use this time to explore your passions. The times I’ve excelled in my career were when I was pursuing my passions. Follow your heart and your passions. You will be very well prepared at Simon.”

After earning his Simon MBA, Santini joined Lilly as a financial planning associate in Italy and has held various positions in the company’s financial and marketing components in Italy and Indianapolis. In 1990, he was appointed pharmaceutical director for the Lilly affiliate in Belgium, and in 1991, he was named general manager of Eli Lilly Compania de Mexico in Mexico City. He served as area director of Latin America from 1994 to 1995. In 1995, he became vice president of corporate strategy and business development with the responsibility for the public policy and development group added in early 1996. He was named president of the women’s health business unit in 1997. In 1999, he became president of US operations.

A reception followed the ceremony in the Eisenberg Rotunda, Schlegel Hall.