Bentley Buzz

Welcome to the latest issue of the Bentley Buzz, where we share news and stories about the faculty and staff who make Bentley special. To share your news or an idea for a story, please email buzz@bentley.edu.

November 8, 2023

A multiyear partnership with the 17-time world champion Boston Celtics, one of the most storied franchises in all of professional sports, gives Bentley students “a true competitive advantage,” says President Chrite, allowing them to learn from sports industry professionals and explore potential career paths. As an official university partner of the Celtics, Bentley students will have opportunities to engage directly with team executives, enjoying a behind-the-scenes look at franchise operations and the emerging esports market.

“Bentley University shares our Celtics values of commitment to excellence, pride and collaboration,” said Ted Dalton, Boston Celtics chief partnership officer. “We’re thrilled to team up with Bentley and its students to make a positive difference on and off the court.”

Read the Announcement

New Findings: Bentley-Gallup Business in Society Report

Should companies lean into corporate activism? Do Americans trust businesses to ethically use AI? What actions should businesses take to improve employee well-being?

These were among the questions asked and answered during “Good Business in the Age of AI,” an event held at WBUR CitySpace to announce findings from the second annual Bentley-Gallup Business in Society Report. The report quantifies Americans’ attitudes toward businesses and the impact they have on their personal lives and society, based on a Gallup Panel survey administered to 5,000 participants.

Co-hosted by the Massachusetts Business Roundtable and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, the event featured a panel discussion with prominent local business leaders — Dan Farley MBA ’95, executive vice president and CIO of the Investment Solutions Group at State Street Global Advisors; Jane Steinmetz, Boston office managing principal at EY; and Corey E. Thomas, chairman and CEO at Rapid7 — moderated by President Chrite.

Did you miss the livestreamed panel? Check out the recap video at left and explore the full Bentley-Gallup Business in Society Report and survey highlights!

Download Full Report View Survey Highlights

Higher Ed After the SCOTUS Ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a historic ruling in June reversing affirmative action and ending race-conscious admissions programs at U.S. colleges and universities.

In an essay for Harvard Business Publishing Education, President Chrite explains why the decision “did nothing to dampen our enthusiasm for, or commitment to, diversity and inclusivity” at Bentley — and outlines the university’s three-part approach for attracting, retaining and graduating the diverse pipeline of students that businesses today are looking to hire.

Read President Chrite’s Essay

Graphic showing gavel in front of an American flag emblazoned with the words "Affirmative Action."

Photo of snow-covered stone wall with "Bentley University" welcome plaque.

Two-Week Winter Recess Now Permanent

In a message to the community, President Chrite shared the Cabinet’s decision to make an extended two-week winter recess a permanent benefit of working at Bentley.

“The commitment to support and invest in our faculty and staff is explicitly named as an objective and embedded throughout our strategic plan,” he noted. “Today’s decision codifies this extension as an investment in your mental health and wellbeing in addition to being a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for all your work.”

Read the Announcement

New Center for Health and Business Launches

“The health industry is one of the largest and most complex sectors of the U.S. economy and directly affects the health and well-being of every member of our society,” says Danielle Hartigan, an associate professor of Health Studies and executive director of Bentley’s new Center for Health and Business.

The center, which brings together more than 80 faculty and staff members from various departments and disciplines, will focus on three priority areas — educating learners, supporting actionable research and building meaningful partnerships with companies — to take a cross-industry approach to problems plaguing the health industry today.

Kevin Gillis MBA ’93, partner and COO of Third Rock Ventures, speaks with five Bentley students during their visit to the company's Boston headquarters.

Trustee Professor Sandeep Purao speaks with students about the university's new E-Hub initiative during a meeting of the Bentley Entrepreneurship Society.

Announcing the Entrepreneurship Hub (E-Hub)

“Entrepreneurship is more than just a course, a curriculum or a career — it’s a way of thinking and a way of acting,” says Sandeep Purao, Trustee Professor of Computer Information Systems and director of Bentley’s new Entrepreneurship Hub (E-Hub).

The new initiative provides a comprehensive ecosystem of academic courses and co-curricular activities — including small group coaching sessions and panel discussions with successful Bentley alumni — that help students cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and skillset.

Welcome, New Falcons!

Anna Abate — Senior Assistant Director, Flagship Events, Office of Alumni and Family Engagement

Kenneth Allard — Assistant Director, Orientation and Student Onboarding, Student Affairs

Jerry Arevalo — Building Services

Cristina Basile — Dispatcher, University Police

Ashley Battle — Director, Undergraduate Admission Recruitment

Lauryn Best — Assistant Coach, Softball

Jeffrey Carter — Senior Business Analyst, Office of the Registrar

Gavin Conway — Assistant Director, Programs and Student Leadership, BSLCE

Kyle DiBurro — Head Club Coach, Men’s Rugby

Isabella Duenas-Lozada — Residence Director

Bill Elizondo — Senior Academic Technologist

Emma Emmer — Director, Strategic Programs, Strategy and Innovation

Myvette Fernandez Nunez — Senior Program Assistant, Entrepreneurship Initiative

Avery Fuertes — Assistant Coach, Men and Women Track & Field, Sprints, Hurdles and Jumps

Inaara Gilani — Study Abroad Administrator

Sophia Grayson — Assistant Club Coach, Club Sports

Devon Lee — Assistant Director, Multicultural Center Training and Education

Julia Migliorini — Assistant Coach, Men and Women’s Tennis

Vivek Patel — Assistant Club Coach, Men’s Ultimate Frisbee

Maxwell Rick — Head Club Coach, Women’s Ultimate Frisbee

Jennifer Roberts — Director, Financial Assistance, Enrollment Management

Marc Stroum — Senior Gift Officer, Annual Giving, University Advancement

Noelle Theodoulou — Assistant Coach, Swimming

Tony Thepngone — Assistant Club Coach, Men’s Volleyball

James Thibeault — Senior Librarian, Open Educational Resources

Ismail Uddin — Muslim Program Coordinator, Spiritual Life Center

Joan Yenawine — Associate Director, Internal Communications, Strategic Communications

Lisa Yin — Senior Library Technical Services Coordinator

Flying High: Falcon Weekend 2023

More than 1,300 alumni, families and friends came together October 13-15 to celebrate all things Bentley during Falcon Weekend. Participants heard about the state of the university from President Chrite, learned about building trust with AI, celebrated class reunions and team anniversaries, and honored First Falcons and their families during a pinning ceremony. Congratulations to the Office of Alumni and Family Engagement, University Advancement and all who made this exciting weekend possible.

Couldn’t make it to Falcon Weekend? Check out the photos and recap video below!

25th Annual Rainbow Luncheon Celebrates LGBTQ+ Community

Each fall, students, faculty and staff come together for the Rainbow Luncheon, an event co-sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Bentley PRIDE that recognizes and celebrates the strength and accomplishments of our LGBTQ+ community. This year, which marked the 25th anniversary of the event, featured Geena Rocero, transgender model, author and activist, as keynote speaker. Student leaders, including Bobby Robbins ’25, also shared their personal experiences with gender identity.

Matt Banks, associate director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and Julia Hvoslef, director of Gender and Sexuality Student Programs, concluded the event by announcing the recipients of this year’s Rainbow Awards, which recognize individuals for their outstanding and courageous contributions toward creating a supportive and inclusive campus environment.

Awards were presented to Ellie MacMillan ’24, vice president of Bentley’s Student Government Association, for successfully advocating for a dedicated shower stall for gender non-conforming students, and Nana Adu, assistant director of Gender and Sexuality Student Programs, who created and co-advises Rainbow Scholars, a yearlong leadership development program for LGBTQ+ and allied undergraduate students.

Join the Buzz in congratulating Nana and Ellie on this outstanding achievement!

Left: Keynote speaker Geena Rocero; Right: Rainbow Award winners Nana Adu (left) and Ellie MacMillan.

Honors, Awards and Accolades

Nana Adu and Dominique Wilburn, co-advisers of the Rainbow Scholars program, chat with Bentley students.

Bentley Wins National Award for Diversity and Inclusion

The Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award, says Patrick Couillard Hale, director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, is a “testament to our ongoing efforts in shaping a campus culture that consistently embodies our core values and advances equity and inclusion to ensure access and opportunity for all.”

Bentley professors Dave Szymanski and Tracy Noga.

Professors Recognized for Curriculum Innovation

The American Accounting Association presented Professor of Accounting Tracy Noga and Associate Professor of Geology Dave Szymanski with the prestigious Innovation in Accounting Education Award for their interdisciplinary course module integrating business and sustainability.

Schlegel Honored with NAFSA Award

Natalie Schlegel, executive director of the Cronin Center for International Education, received the NAFSA Association of International Educators’ Sally M. Heym Award for “outstanding contributions to the field of international education as a mentor.”

Apply by Nov. 10: Experiential Learning Workshop

The Badavas Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning and the Bentley Learning and Teaching Council are pleased to sponsor registrations for up to six full-time Bentley faculty to attend “The Art & Craft of Designing and Facilitating Learning Spaces” — a three-day workshop dedicated to experiential learning.

Presented by award-winning B-corp Emzingo and Danish alternative leadership and business school Kaospilot, the workshop will be held on Bentley’s campus Jan. 9 to 1, 2024. Complete this form by Friday, Nov. 10 to indicate your interest.

Questions? Contact BLTC co-chair Liz Brown (ebrown1@bentley.edu) or Badavas Center Executive Director Suzanne Dove (sdove@bentley.edu).

View Program Details

A man and woman in business attire smile while looking at a glass wall covered in sticky notes.

Transgender Awareness Week at Bentley

Each November, Transgender A Pink, white and blue striped Trans Pride Flag overlaid with a sketch of the Bentley Library's bell tower and the words "Trans Awareness Week" wareness Week celebrates, remembers and honors the lives and dignities of transgender people across the word. This year, Bentley’s Trans Awareness Week Planning Committee is bringing a series of events and development opportunities dedicated to furthering transgender equity and inclusion to the campus community.

Trans Pride Flag Raising
Monday, Nov. 13, 10:00 a.m.
Morison Flag Pole

PRIDE Film Screening
Monday, Nov. 13, 9:15 p.m.
Gender and Sexuality Student Lounge (Student Center 310A)

Trans Ally Training
Tuesday, Nov. 14, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Join Virtually | Register Here
This training takes participants through self-reflection activities and action planning in order to foster a more welcoming and inclusive campus community.

Bentley T-Party
Tuesday, Nov. 14, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Gender and Sexuality Student Lounge (Student Center 310A)
Enjoy tea, mini sandwiches and community with colleagues and peers.

From Homelessness to Entrepreneurship: Trans Awareness Week Keynote Speaker
Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2:00 - 3:20 p.m.
Back Bays ABC (Student Center)
A conversation with civil rights leader and trans health advocate Chastity Bowick, community engagement director at MGH’s CARE Research Center and former executive director of the Massachusetts Trans Emergency Fund.

Trans Day of Remembrance Vigil
Thursday, Nov. 16, 5:00 p.m.
Sacred Space (Student Center 325 and 335)
Join in remembrance of each person who lost their life to transgender violence in the U.S. in the past year as the community lights a candle in their honor and gathers for a time of reflection, learning and compassion.

Mindfulness and Body Positivity Meditation Workshop
Friday, Nov. 17, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sacred Space (Student Center 325 and 335)
This workshop features guided gender-affirming meditation and tips for incorporating mindfulness practices into your daily routine. It’s open to everyone, and the first five participants will receive a free yoga mat.

Demystifying Gender Affirming Care
Friday, Nov. 17, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Gender and Sexuality Student Lounge (Student Center 310A)
Join Virtually | Zoom ID: 992 1696 2783
What is gender-affirming care? What is it not? Join Student Health Services for a chat about these questions and more, including what Bentley is doing to support and provide gender-affirming care on campus.

Students Share Study Abroad Experiences

Join Assistant Professor of Management Mateo Cruz for a special storytelling event at Common Good Co. coffee shop (419 Moody Street, Waltham) on Thursday, Nov. 16 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Bentley students will share impactful moments from their study abroad experiences: What did it mean to them, how did it shift their perspective, and how does it continue to influence their behavior today?

Coffee, mocktails and desserts will be available for purchase, with all proceeds supporting the Elias Motsoaledi Preschool & Daycare in Soweto, South Africa, which Bentley students will visit in May 2024.

See Event Details

Graphic providing details for One Mic: Global Stories of Change storytelling event

Call for Proposals: MLK Event

The MLK 2024 Planning Committee invites faculty and staff to submit session proposals for our first-ever MLK Day of Social Justice Celebration, Listening and Learning — a full day of programming on Jan. 30, 2024, celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The theme for this year’s event is “The Business of Justice.”

Proposals for in-person, hybrid or virtual sessions will be accepted on a rolling basis through Monday, Nov. 20. Funding of up to $500 is available for each accepted proposal.

Submit Your Proposal

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