Ringing gongs and donning crowns: The fall 2024 graduating cohort celebrates the completion of their theses

The gong sounded, marking the completion of yet another class’s academic journey. The fall  2024 graduating cohort gathered with their advisors, friends, and family to celebrate the completion of their theses and their approaching graduation.

Students stepped forward to announce their theses titles, sound the gong, and receive crowns—a rite-of-passage that honors the titanic efforts behind their work. This year’s theses covered everything from Berlin’s DIY drag scene and Kandinsky to the female flâneur of the Weimar Republic.

One graduate, Lovis Paul, examined the corporate shift in the 1980s toward shareholder value maximization and its role in the creation of monopolies. “People associate capitalism with the behemoths that rule the market—even though capitalism actually does not stand for that at all,” he shared.

In true BCB fashion, the graduates’ eclectic interests express themselves in various post-graduation plans. Lovis, for example, is planning to continue his journey in filmmaking: “I am planning on further establishing myself as a film writer, producer, director, and director of photography and hopefully making my first feature film soon.”

With just six graduates, the ceremony’s intimacy was reminiscent of the college’s early days, when similarly small cohorts pursued similarly ambitious projects. One final step remains in their journey: defending their theses in presentations attended by their thesis advisor, second reader, and friends and family. Find the schedule for the presentations here.

In lieu of one this semester, the fall 2024 graduates are invited to walk at the 2025 commencement ceremony in May alongside the class of 2025!

Post Date: 12-10-2024