Bentley Celebrates Philanthropic Community at Falcon Weekend 2025
On the Friday evening of Falcon Weekend 2025, Bentley celebrated its philanthropic community with a trio of events — a Presidential Reception, the Adamian Groundbreaking Ceremony and the Great Benefactors Dinner — all of which underscored the tremendous impact donors have made in support of students and in helping Bentley advance its role as a leading national business school.
"Bentley is what it is today because of all of you, and I’m deeply grateful for the legacy you’ve built and the partnership we share as we shape Bentley’s future together,” said President Brent Chrite while speaking to a crowd of donors, including members of the newly established Clocktower Society, alumni, families and friends who packed the tent adjacent to the LaCava Center for the Presidential Reception.
The Adamian Groundbreaking Ceremony marked a significant step forward in the Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship initiative, which Bentley launched earlier this year as a comprehensive strategy to equip students with the skills, knowledge and practical experience they need to lead and innovate in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
The evening celebrated the visionaries who have been integral in realizing this initiative through their philanthropic contributions. Among them was Debbie Adamian, spouse of the late President Gregory Adamian. Also honored were Chair of the Board of Trustees J. Paul ’83 and Susan Condrin P’19, ’22; Trustee Gordon A. ’80 and Annellen ’80 Pulsifer, P’08, ’19; Trustee and President’s Council member Muriel Schadee, MST’99; Steve Somers ’08; and Sheila A. Harrington ’87. Additional honorees who were unable to attend the event included Trustee Steve ’83 and Beth Millner; Trustee Brian T. ’74 and Mary Ann Zino; the Khemka family and several anonymous donors.
President Chrite also welcomed back former leadership, including five former chairs of the Board of Trustees (see above photo), as well as Joseph Morone, who was president of Bentley from 1997 to 2005.
Following the reception, President Chrite inducted Edith Hannah, a trustee of the Estate of Thomas F. Goldman, to the Great Benefactors Society, the university’s highest recognition of those who have invested more than $1 million in Bentley. The Goldman estate’s transformational gift established the Ralph Welensky Chair in Accounting, which is Bentley’s first chair to specifically support practitioner faculty — those who bring deep industry experience into the classroom. Lecturer in Accounting Mary Joan (MJ) Potvin was named to this position.
At the Great Benefactors Society annual dinner, Ryan Ogren ’27 expressed gratitude for the opportunity to launch a venture with three of his classmates. The students earned first place in the E-Hub Incubator program, a competition that netted Ogren and his team $14,000 in seed money and access to alumni mentors and expert consultants. Because of these comprehensive services, the company, now known as RightRun, is thriving with an angel investor and employees, including a London-based AI developer.
The Friday evening celebrations were testimony to the profound impact that donor support and engagement have had on the university. Their generosity will continue to make a difference in the lives of students and the Bentley community for years to come.
