The Bentley Buzz

President Chrite has announced Bentley's 2024 commencement speakers will be nationally known executives with strong local ties. New Balance President and CEO Joe Preston will deliver the keynote address at Bentley University's 105th undergraduate commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 18.

Karan Dyson, Vice President of Global Grooming Process & Engineering at Procter & Gamble-Gillette will deliver the keynote address at the 49th commencement ceremony for Bentley's McCallum Graduate School of Business on Friday, May 17. 

​​“Joe Preston and Karan Dyson represent values-led leadership that makes a positive impact in their industries and the communities they serve," said President Chrite. "We are honored to have them share their experiences with our graduates for this year’s commencement ceremonies.”

Meet the Speakers

This month we're debuting "What We're Buzzing About," a new feature to bring you intriguing, surprising and fun book, movie, TV, podcast and music recommendations from your Bentley colleagues. Take a look, find something new and remember to send us your own recommendations so we can keep this going!

DeeDee Cook, equity & Title IX intake support specialist, recommends "The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett. "A book that explores the power of secrecy and how pain can become generational trauma. A powerful read."

Noah Giansiracusa, associate professor, mathematical sciences, read Adam Grant's book, "Think Again." "It walks the reader through fascinating stories and research showing why we benefit from rethinking our opinions and being willing to change our mind."

Melissa Looney, director, learning, development, & engagement strategies just read "Glad We Met: The Art and Science of 1:1 Meetings" by Steven Rogelberg. "1:1 meetings between managers and employees are so simple but so important. This book does a great job explaining the why and how. It even includes quick guides and checklists."

Kristina Minnick, Stanton professor of finance, says "Valedictorians at the Gate: Standing Out, Getting In, and Staying Sane While Applying to College" by Becky Munsterer Sabky is relevant for her right now as her son enters high school. 
 

LISTEN
Elizabeth Stoner, assistant professor, natural and applied sciences, says to try "Lonely Dancers” by Conan Gray. "Play it on full volume and thank me later."

Liz Brown, professor of law, offers a podcast. "I love "Films to Be Buried With" hosted by Brett Goldstein (who played Roy Kent on "Ted Lasso"). He interviews people about the movies that have meant the most to them, and in doing so, reveals himself to be such a movie geek. With a British accent. What's not to love?" 

Dave Szymanski, professor of natural and applied sciences, is listening to The Floating Men. "An ostensible rock band from Nashville that had minor success from the 1990s to the 2010s, the Floating Men were convinced by a diehard fanbase to play three nights in Nashville in April. Their first concerts in 15 years sold out in minutes. Master lyricist and lead singer Jeff Holmes manages to produce a new genre of discontented Americana that's endlessly enjoyable."

"I'm loving "It Never Went Away" by Jon Batiste which he did for "American Symphony,"" says Kerri-Ann Sanderson, associate professor, accounting.  "He plays the piano so masterfully. The song is soothing after a long day. It is grounding to think about what really matters in life."

WATCH
Both Becky McDougal, director, programs and engagement, Center for Women and Business, and Danielle Hartigan, associate professor, natural and applied sciences and executive director, Center for Health and Business, have children who rule the remotes in their homes. "I should say something sophisticated—but mostly I watch episodes of "Bluey,"" admits Danielle. Becky's got good news: "Bluey has its longest episode ever dropping on 4/14 so that's all the hype in our house."

Mateo Cruz, Ph.D., assistant professor of management, says picking just one show is a "tough call" so he lists five that are worth your time: "Beef," "The Bear," "Sort Of," "Shogun," and "Bad Sisters." "All are complex, intriguing, beautifully produced and expertly acted."
What Are You Buzzing About?

 

From the beautiful campus to the four-day workweek, summer at Bentley is already pretty sweet. But in late July, another benefit blooms as the three-day Bentley Community Learning Conference comes to life, offering faculty and staff opportunities to both teach and learn from each other. 

Organizer Melissa Looney, director, learning, development and engagement strategies, leads a team in organizing the conference and says that topics are intentionally broad to accommodate a wide range of expertise and interests. 

“We have three general tracks: Inclusive Excellence, Positive Culture and Best Self,” says Melissa. “But we leave a lot of wiggle room for creativity. At the end of the day, what we really want is community. So, if you’ve got an idea that brings us together and creates a feeling of community, we want to hear it.”

Mark Frydenberg, distinguished lecturer in Computer Information Systems (CIS), teamed up last year with Edlira Stefani, executive director, data engineering and operations, and Stephen Tracey, manager of Reference Services, to offer a session on “Sculpting the Future: The Artistry of AI in Shaping a Vibrant Higher Education Culture.”

He says the conference gives “a good sense of community. Presenting gave me the opportunity to interact with staff from Bentley who I don’t often get to work with throughout the year.”

For anyone, including faculty who may be working on refining research presentations, the conference offers a safe supportive space to try something new. 

“I think there is a level of psychological safety at Bentley,” says Looney. “We are good colleagues, so this is a nurturing environment for your new ideas.”

Juliana Freire, senior assistant director, visual designer, says the conference helped her team kick-off Canva, a user-friendly online graphic design tool that is now used across the university.

“It was a nice way to kick off our initiative and give a preview of Canva’s interface and some cool features with the hopes of getting people excited,” says Freire. Her session, which she co-presented with Casey Brennan, senior assistant director, marketing operations, was held via Zoom. “I was thrilled we had a full Zoom session. It was the perfect avenue for us to get the word out for what was to come.”

One piece of advice that several past presenters offered is to be sure to leave time for questions at the end of your session. “This audience loves to learn and ask questions,” says Frydenberg.

The deadline for submissions is May 23. If you have any questions about the conference and the proposal process, please contact Learning & Development. 

Submit Your Proposal

On March 21, the Bentley community — alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents, families and friends — came together to move the institution forward and beat our best from last year’s giving day. Thanks to our community of generous donors, we set new records and made amazing things possible for our students. Together, we raised $681,867 and soared past our goal. The Falcon community showed up for the areas that mean the most, providing scholarships, increasing study abroad opportunities, rallying for their favorite teams and so much more. Today, and always, we’re grateful for the ways our flock comes together.
See the Impact

Become a Juneteenth Speaker or Committee Member

The Juneteenth Organizing Committee invites Bentley community members to consider becoming a speaker or committee member for our upcoming celebration on Monday, June 17, 2024, from 2-5 p.m.

Juneteenth is a holiday traditionally celebrated on June 19 to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. It marks the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of slavery, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. Juneteenth is a day of reflection, education and celebration of African American culture and history.

You are invited to join the Organizing Committee to help shape the event and ensure its success with your input, ideas and expertise. Bentley community members are also invited to contribute as speakers at the event, giving brief (3-5 minutes) reflections on the holiday or the themes of the holiday while fostering a sense of unity and celebration. Please express your interest by May 10, 2024. 

Speaker and Committee Interest Form

 

Welcome to the new members of our faculty and staff who joined us in the past month!

-Kara Buonopane, Senior Assistant Director, Employer Relations and Recruiting, Pulsifer Career Development Center

-Monique Ehsan, Executive Assistant for Vice President of General Counsel and Secretary of the Corporation

-David Scholnick, Head Coach, Women's Golf