Microsoft Bulgaria general manager Ognyan Kiryakov delivered an encouraging message to graduating students at the June 28 Commencement Ceremony of the City University of Seattle, telling them that he had found his first job in economic times that were difficult in a similar way to those of today. They too could prosper as he had done, Kiryakov said.

Graduating students from all over Bulgaria were congratulated by Lee Gorsuch, President of City University of Seattle.  Degrees were awarded to 104 students by Dr. Fernando Leon, Vice-President for Academic Affairs of City University of Seattle. The distribution of students was about 50-50 from their two programmes. Specifically, 51 students from the MBA (Master of Business Administration) programme, and 53 students from the BSBA (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration) programme received their diplomas.

Gorsuch used the opportunity to express gratitude towards the efforts of the University’s Alumni Association in Bulgaria for its contribution towards establishing a corporate scholarship program. The first company participating in this initiative is Colliers International. Vladimir Rusinov, Operations Manager of Colliers International, announced the winner for this year and awarded him a certificate.

About 600 guests attended the ceremony; among them were family members and friends of the graduating students. Distinguished guests included the mayor of Pravetz, Krassimir Zhivkov, and Irish ambassador Geoffrey Keating, and many others. All the guests had the opportunity to congratulate the graduates at a cocktail party in their honour, immediately after the ceremony.