A Message from the President

Dear Students,

I know these past few weeks have been difficult for many of us on campus as the world continues to react to the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. With so little known about the virus and so much changing at home and abroad, it’s been an unsettling time for all of us. And now the impact has reached us personally, interrupting the routine of classes, internships, clubs and athletics that we’d all rather be following. Today under normal circumstances is the day many of you would be returning from break to our beautiful Bentley campus.

While you’ve been receiving updates from the Cabinet about university policies, I wanted to take a moment to let you know that I’ve been thinking of all of our Bentley students during this challenging time.

The spring semester is typically a time when first-year students strengthen the bonds they’ve created with new friends since coming to campus. When sophomores dive deeper into their academics and gain experience with internships at amazing companies. When many juniors experience life abroad for the first time in their lives. And when seniors prepare for Commencement, celebrate the end of college with a close-knit circle of family and friends, and begin preparing for what comes next. But because of COVID-19, the second half of this semester will likely not be exactly what you expected. I’m sorry that is the case. In the days and weeks ahead, we will continue to evaluate what’s possible as this pandemic evolves.

A college campus is a special place, and I recognize that being away from one another is a challenge. Like you and your family, we at Bentley are trying the best we can to manage the impact of COVID-19, including protecting the health and safety of all members of our community. This is a challenge not just for Bentley but for schools and universities around the world.

But I believe in Bentley and our ability to adapt. I believe in the ability of our talented professors to continue their innovative teaching using online technologies. I believe in the ability of our resourceful staff to support university operations so your studies can continue. And most of all, I believe in you, our students, and your ability to continue to learn and pursue knowledge using the same remote, online technologies that many of you will soon be adopting in the 21st century workplace.

Though some of us may be separated for the time being, I hope we will be mindful of each other, remembering our Bentley core values of Caring and Collaboration, and reach out to one other through a call, text, email or post. Please know that all of us at Bentley are here to support you.

As a community, we will see this through.

President Davis-Blake