In 1986, Earl Avery came to Bentley as the new equal opportunity offi­cer. He walked onto a campus where, as a friend had warned him, “no one looks like you.” But the advocate for youth and opportunity everywhere from urban schools to Native American reservations was undeterred. And Bentley is the better for it.

Avery retired in December 2018 with many high-profile accomplishments to his credit: the annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. The university gospel choir. A campus chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants. The Summer Transition Education Program. His role had grown over the years, with appointments as ombudsperson, ethics offi­cer and special assistant to three Bentley presidents.

“Earl’s leadership in increasing diversity and inclusion is legendary, here on campus and throughout the higher education community,” says President Alison Davis-Blake. “He has helped guide Bentley’s commitment to provide a community where students of all backgrounds can achieve their very best.”

Much of his impact was behind the scenes: mentoring students, one-on-one.

“I don’t know if Bentley ever tracked the number of students, staff, faculty and alumni who came through Earl’s offi­ce,” says trustee emeritus Daryl Poole ’68. He estimates that, considering the ripple effect, Avery touched the lives of thousands.

One was Katie Lampley ’96, now executive director of diversity and inclusion at her alma mater. Back then she was trying to find her footing some 1,700 miles away from home in the Virgin Islands.

“He pushed me to stretch and grow as a leader. He has continued to be a guiding force, the person I always turn to.”

Global Alumni Board director Keith Singletary ’96 recalls support that “began my first day on campus and ended with a warm smile of pride on my graduation day. He has been the voice to help all students be heard.”

In January, students, faculty, staff and alumni honored Avery, fittingly, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. Tributes included creating the Dr. Earl L. Avery Scholarship, to ensure that talented students of color have access to Bentley for years to come.

See Photos From The Celebration.

The fund’s initial donor, trustee Robert Alan ’91, urges others to participate by contacting Betsy Whipple at bwhipple@bentley.edu.     

Receiving his acceptance letter to Bentley was “the second-happiest day of my life, after graduation,” says Alan. “I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Dr. Avery for making that happen.”

Adds trustee-elect Lebone Moses ’02: “I am grateful for his passion, vision and unwavering commitment to ensuring that students from all walks of life have the ability to feel and be at home at Bentley.”