HEC Class Gift, a 1st donation to the Foundation
More than 450 students from the HEC Paris Class of 2023 came together in the Hall of Honor on June 8, the eve of their Commencement Ceremony, for the Class Gift event. This was a joyful moment for the fresh graduates who celebrated the end of their campus years and the spirit of solidarity dear to the HEC community.
Thanks to the Class of 2023, this edition of the Class Gift perpetuated the fine tradition initiated at the School by Marc Ramanantsoa, Michel Touati and Jean Garandeau from the Class of 2005, and even set a new record in terms of participation!
Almost 500 students gathered at 6.30pm for a friendly and festive outdoor cocktail, before coming together one last time for a meal in the iconic Hall of Honor. They celebrated their entry into the HEC Alumni community and made their first donation to the HEC Foundation.
Thanks to them and the very generous support of the event’s sponsors, Julie Saddi (H.96) and Karim Saddi (H.97), more than €90,000 was raised!
Committed alongside the School and the Foundation for several years, and members of the Friends of HEC Charitable Trust in London, the donor couple spoke of the key role HEC has played in both their professional and private lives. Julie Saddi explained why giving something back to the School was so important for them:
HEC has brought us so much throughout our careers. We are delighted at present to be able to give something back as Foundation donors, to support our School and, above all, enable young talents to study at HEC.
Julie Saddi (H.96) and Karim Saddi (H.97), 2023 Class Gift's sponsors
This collective donation will fund scholarships for 15 of next year’s incoming students, allowing them to pursue their studies without worry. As Hélène Gronier, Head of Development at the HEC Foundation, said, “this gesture is a mark of generosity and solidarity from young graduates towards the School and the generations to come.”
Our thanks to the sponsors and all those young donors. We are deeply grateful for this first “give back” action, which forms the basis of both the School’s and the HEC community's future development. We would also like to thank the student team of the HEC Class Gift association, who went to great lengths to organize an event in keeping with this wonderful tradition. See you next year for the Class of 2024 event!
