Friendships Then & Now

Alumni share photos, stories and gratitude for friendships that started in dorms and elsewhere at Bentley. Send yours for a future issue.

1974

As students, from left: Barry Arntz ’74, MBA ’84; Paul Gagnon ’75; Paul “Tango” Tangusso ’75; Kenneth Sawicki ’74; Bernard Polselli ’74. Seated: Kathleen Bready ’75

April 2002: Gary Comoletti ’75, Arntz and Tangusso. Seated: Kenneth Surabian ’74

Both born on April 5, 1952, Arntz and Tangusso celebrated their 70th birthday in 2022. Their bond was solidified knocking down pins as winning teammates in the 1973 Bentley intramural bowling championship. The Tumblers won again in 1974 and changed their name: We’re Number 1. Fifty years later, Barry and Tango keep in regular touch.

1983

Marianne Melbinger ’83 and Patty Shinkwin ’82

Best friends for 43 years and counting, Melbinger and Shinkwin (pictured at the former’s graduation and in 2022) were members of the women’s basketball team, including the 1983 roster — the first in Bentley history to participate in the NCAA regional finals.

2004

Jennifer (Loeb) Jesus and Jennifer (Heizer) Gridley 

The two Jens met at student orientation in 2000. They decided to be roommates and, as Gridley says, “the rest is history!” They talk every week and “are forever grateful to Bentley for our forever friendship!”