ESSEC Class Reunion: a historic day of connection and giving on the Cergy campus

Event

On Saturday, March 14, 2026, ESSEC Business School made history by hosting its very first Class Reunion. This inaugural event brought together nearly 300 graduates to celebrate their milestone anniversaries. It was a day filled with emotion, shared memories, and pride, as 11 graduating classes (ranging from 1966 to 2021) returned to a transformed campus, now featuring modern facilities far different from those of their student days.

ESSEC Class Reunion: a historic day of connection and giving on the Cergy campus

The day featured several powerful presentations : :

Vincenzo Vinzi, Directeur Général de l’ESSEC,Dean and President of ESSEC, opened the festivities by highlighting the importance of intergenerational bonds and the school’s long-standing global impact.
Perrine Bismuth (E05), President of ESSEC Alumni, emphasized the network’s vital role in our collective success.

Several emblematic alumni shared their exceptional career paths and their vision of the "ESSEC spirit":

Clara Chappaz (E11), a leading figure in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Sabine Roux de Bézieux (E86), ESSEC Foundation donor and leadership icon.
Antoine de la Gatinais (E96), ESSEC Foundation donor and committed alumnus.
Romain Lachens (E06), représentant de l’engagement et de la créativité des jeunes diplômés.

Alcomet, a student and ESSEC Foundation scholarship recipient, shared a moving testimony on how financial aid changed his life :

"The Foundation makes our projects possible and viable. It raises awareness that every student, regardless of their background, has the potential to join ESSEC. Without this financial boost from the Foundation, none of this would have been possible. A huge thank you to all the donors !"

Participants enjoyed a diverse range of activities designed to rekindle their connection to the school :

Guided campus tours to discover modern infrastructure and pedagogical innovations.
Basketball games to relive ESSEC’s competitive and sporting spirit.
Expert masterclasses providing insights into tackling future global challenges.
Class photos to capture the magic of the reunion.
Drinks at the Foy’s, the legendary student hub, followed by a festive evening celebration.

This reunion was also an opportunity to strengthen the impact of the ESSEC Foundation. Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and the "Class Gifts," over €406,000 has been raised to date. These donations will support ambitious projects dedicated to academic excellence and social diversity.

The goal for the 2026 Class Gift is clear: until the end of August, reach €500,000 to fund the equivalent of 100 social scholarships, ensuring long-term equal opportunity. Every donation makes a difference and is tax-deductible in France and abroad.

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For more information about the Class Gift, please contact Gaëlle Devoucoux E09 at the ESSEC Foundation : devoucoux@essec.edu.
Watch the ESSEC 2026 Class Reunion video here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezeVSw3q3OM

See you on March 13, 2027 !

This Class Reunion proved that the ESSEC spirit is more alive than ever. We look forward to seeing you next year to help even more classes reconnect with their roots and contribute to the future of the school where it all began.

A huge thank you to all our alumni for their enthusiastic participation and unwavering commitment.

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