Year in Review: Our Favorite Stories from 2023
The Bentley community had plenty of reasons to celebrate in 2023.
We witnessed history-making performances from our athletic teams, with men’s lacrosse and women’s softball making their NCAA championship debuts last spring and women’s volleyball reaching the “Elite 8” round this fall.
We unveiled new academic offerings, introducing majors in FinTech (Finance and Technology) and Psychology, minors in Cybersecurity and Ethnic Studies and an Executive Education program with Kuwait College of Science and Technology.
And we came together for a variety of enriching and exhilarating campus events, including our annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration — where the university announced its first formal land acknowledgment — and undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies, where we welcomed Charlie Baker, former Massachusetts governor and current NCAA president, and Stephen Kaufer, co-founder and former CEO of Tripadvisor, as speakers.
As the new year approaches, we look back at some of our favorite moments from 2023:
Renovating the Multicultural Center Lounge
Designed by students — and supported by gifts from trustee Rob Allen ’91 and Mackenzy Bernadeau ’08 — the expanded and updated space provides a warm and welcoming environment where students of color can come together.
RELATED: Hundreds attend dedication of the Claudette Blot Multicultural Center Lounge
Prioritizing Students’ Mental Health
Co-founded by current students Ellie MacMillan ’24 (left) and Joe Maselli ’23, MSF ’24, Bentley’s chapter of the national nonprofit Active Minds is the university’s first student organization dedicated to mental health awareness and education.
RELATED: Explore Bentley’s health, counseling and wellness offerings
Launching the Center for Health and Business
The new center — supported by a gift from Chris Smith ’91, MBA ’92, P’19/’20 ’24 and his late brother Greg Smith ’91 — will tackle longstanding challenges in the health industry with an innovative, multidisciplinary approach.
RELATED: Professors awarded NIH grant to explore institutional trust
Partnering with the Boston Celtics
Collaborating with the 17-time NBA champions “will bring a true competitive advantage to our students,” says President E. LaBrent Chrite, “allowing them to learn from sports industry professionals and explore potential career paths.”
RELATED: New partnership with Deloitte offers first-gen students mentorship, expertise
Supporting the Success of First-Gen Students
From pinning and cording ceremonies to an honor society induction, the university introduced a host of new traditions to honor, celebrate and support First Falcons — Bentley students who are the first in their families to attend college.
RELATED: Gift from trustee Dan Farley, MBA ’95 kickstarts First Generation Student Success Fund
Harnessing Technology to Support Wind Energy
Research from Bentley professors Zana Cranmer and Jon Erickson — demonstrated here by Amanda Slattery ’24 — reveals that cinematic virtual reality (CVR) technology can increase public awareness of and support for wind energy projects.
RELATED: Professor, alumna share advice for creating more sustainable supply chains
Celebrating the Inaugural Class of Rainbow Scholars
The leadership development program for LGBTQ+ students and allies — supported by a gift from Paul Grover ’81 — was recognized by NAFSA, a global association of student affairs administrators in higher education, as Program of the Year for Massachusetts.
RELATED: Bentley wins national award for diversity and inclusion efforts
Revealing New Bentley-Gallup Survey Results
Second-year findings from the landmark survey — detailed in the 2023 Bentley-Gallup Business in Society Report — indicate 63% of Americans think businesses have a positive impact on people’s lives, up from 55% in 2022.
RELATED: Bentley hosts local executives to discuss survey findings
Showcasing Latin Culture with La Raza celebration
Hosted by the student organization La Cultura Latina and held for the first time in the Bentley Arena, the annual La Raza event — which featured salsa, merengue, reggaetón and bachata dancers along with a mariachi band — captured the Latin community’s dynamic heritage.
RELATED: Inclusivity, fashion take center stage at annual Black United Body event
Serving Up Sustainable Dining Options
“Consistent with the university’s commitment to sustainability, we’ve partnered with Dining Services to develop programs and initiatives that address food waste, food insecurity and sustainable growth,” explains Natalie Hayes, director of Bentley’s Office of Sustainability.
RELATED: Explore Bentley’s latest Campus Sustainability Progress Report
Introducing the Entrepreneurship Hub
A comprehensive ecosystem consisting of both academic courses and co-curricular activities, the new initiative “provides opportunities for students to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and skillset,” says professor and program director Sandeep Purao.
RELATED: Steve ’08 and Samantha Somers invest $1M in Entrepreneurship Hub
Ranking #1 in the Nation for Career Services
The Pulsifer Career Development Center clinched the coveted title of Best Career Services in the nation in the latest edition of the Princeton Review’s guide, which ranked schools across the country on career and job placement services.
RELATED: New York Times ranks Bentley #4 in nation for earnings after graduation