The idea was cooked up over breakfast one day by Peter Cowie ’81, P ’10 and David Splaine ’81: create an endowed class scholarship — the first of its kind at Bentley — in honor of their 35th reunion.

Cowie and Splaine knew they’d need power in numbers. Calling classmates, many of whom they’ve seen every summer since graduation, was easy.

Nancy (Hacker) Place ’81 was quick to contribute. With two younger alumni colleagues in her office at Appleton Partners Inc., Place is always impressed by each graduating class. The scholarship, she hopes, “will help Bentley continue to attract the best and brightest who have a passion for business.”

“We’ve all gotten help along the way in our lives — a scholarship, a loan, advice,” says Splaine. “We have the chance to do the same for deserving students.”

Adds Tom Keene ’81: “If alumni as a community get into this pattern of giving, we’ll raise the bar for all programs.”

To date, 65 donors have given more than $563,000 to the Class of 1981 Endowed Scholarship — making it the largest class gift in Bentley’s history. The reasons to give back are many; the impact will extend for generations. And the scholarship is always open for business.

“Anyone can contribute,” Cowie says. “And we hope you do.”

To create your own class scholarship, contact Betsy Whipple, director of leadership giving, at 781.891.2769 or bwhipple@bentley.edu.