Winter 2023
The cover was designed with Midjourney, an AI design tool. As a starting point, Bentley Magazine staff chose the American Gothic painting by Grant Wood because it is associated with traditional American culture and has been in the public domain since 1958. They used a version of this prompt: “Imagine a painting of an older couple with a pitchfork, both of them wearing advanced VR headsets that look very AI, in the style of classic Americana by Grant Wood.” Midjourney generated dozens of images as the staff provided various, slightly changing prompts. They then used Photoshop to adapt the image into the final illustration you see on the cover.
News from the Nest
Jones Named Hockey Coach
Andy Jones is one of three new coaches along with women’s soccer Coach Sarah Dacey and football Coach Saj Thakkar.
Meet the Class of 2027
Among their number are a technophile who builds PCs from scratch, an “extra” actor on HBO, a licensed livestock agent, a mogul skier ranked in the top 10 in the world and, last but certainly not least, an inventor of a device to save lives during heart surgery.
Business in Society Report
Help students with homework? Yes. Drive me in a car? No way. The latest from Bentley’s annual survey with Gallup.
Executive PhD Welcomes First Class
Students in the new program work for Bank of America, CVS Health, Google Cloud and other top companies.
Rising in the Rankings
#1
REGIONAL UNIVERSITY (NORTH)
𝘜.𝘚. 𝘕𝘦𝘸𝘴 & 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 also ranked Bentley the #4 Most Innovative and #9 Best Value in the North in its 2024 Best Colleges rankings.
#4
UNIVERSITY IN EARNINGS
Bentley alumni are earning among the highest salaries in the country 10 years after graduation, according to a 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘠𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 tool that helps students find the college that suits them best.
#1
IN THE NATION
Bentley’s Pulsifer Career Development Center was named Best Career Services in the nation by the 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘵𝘰𝘯 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸, which ranked schools across the U.S. on career and job placement services.
#4
IN THE NATION FOR MASTER’S IN FINANCE
Bentley’s Master of Science in Finance has been named one of the best in the country by the 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴.
Take Two: Managing Mental Health at Work
Corporate wellness coach Franchon Francees ’05 and Assistant Management Professor Brandon Smit on how to improve your employees’ mental health — and your own, too.
Family Matters: Fire and Ice
For firefighter twins Steve ’12 and Don ’12 Hopkins, the commitment to community is as strong as their brotherly bond.
Thank You For Another Great Falcon Weekend!
Alumni News
Gatherings
Alumni and friends got together near and far: at Saratoga Race Course, welcoming the newest members of the Falcons of the Last Decade, at Top Golf in Denver and more. Visit bentley.edu/alumni-events to find events near you!
The Beauty of Breaking Boundaries
Pageant champion and NASDAQ Chief of Staff Kristina Ayanian ’19 on using her platform to bring awareness to causes close to her heart.
Alumni 2023 Awards
Each spring, Bentley’s Global Alumni Board sifts through dozens of nominations of outstanding alumni and graduating seniors. The selection is an honor and a privilege, says GAB Chair Keith Singletary ’96, and certainly a highlight of the year. Meet the 2023 honorees.
Your Big Announcements
Connect with the Falcon community by sharing your news!
The Falcon Files
Panel one
Jim Needham ’73 said that when the iconic Bentley clock tower arrived on campus and was about to be placed on top of the library, he and two classmates pulled off a “Prank for the ages.”
Panel two
A breezy May morning
Great Scott! Where’s my clock? (President Adamian)
Panel three
A few hours earlier
You’re nuts!
We’ll get arrested!
No we won’t. It’s a senior prank! Like David Copperfield.
Panel four
I saw him make that 747 disappear on TV last week!
Panel five
Are you sure the keys are in the ignition?
Let’s go!
Panel six
Needham says after they stowed the tower behind some trees, it was located a short time later and raised to its perch above upper campus where it has stood ever since, and he’s glad. “It looks good up there,” he writes. Bentley Magazine can neither confirm nor deny this prank – but we’d love to hear more.
Send your stories to magazine@bentley.edu.