Staff and faculty and staff came together the night before Reading Day to make sure students didn't head into finals on an empty stomach. Volunteers dished out hundreds of pancakes, countless plates of bacon and eggs, and plenty of good vibes to nearly 1,000 students in the 921. Held each term before the finals period, Breakfast by Moonlight is a longstanding Bentley tradition that students, faculty and staff look forward to each semester. 

“I enjoy volunteering at Breakfast by Moonlight because it’s a great equalizing event,” said Business Administrator Laurie Moynihan. “People from all departments and all levels at Bentley roll up their sleeves and are there to serve, literally. When else does a fresh pan of Tater Tots carried from the kitchen from the likes of Paul Tesluk elicit cheers? It is simply a feel-good event!”

Congratulations to the Residence Hall Association for another successful event providing faculty and staff with an opportunity to interact with and support Bentley students as they enter the final stretch of the semester! 

Faculty and staff gathered in the Executive Dining Room for the annual Service Awards and Founder’s Day celebration to recognize the milestones of their colleagues. In total, an impressive 233 employees celebrated a work anniversary ranging from five to 45 years at Bentley. Before the event, colleagues shared kind words and congratulations online with those celebrating more than 20 years. See who celebrated a service milestone and check out the kudoboard!

After the service awards were recognized, the winners of the Founder's Day award were announced by their vice presidents. This year, Steve Mok and Mia Jepsen received the awards for their commitment to colleagues and the positive impacts they have made at Bentley. Both were commended for their positive attitudes and the many ways they live Bentley's Core Values throughout the year.

Congratulations to those celebrating a service milestone!

Name: Steve Mok
Role: Assistant Director, Conference Center
Hometown: Boston
Years at Bentley: 15
Favorite spot on campus: Bentley Library Clock Tower. I had a chance to go up to the tower and the view of the campus is amazing.
Favorite Bentley memory: Besides winning the Founder’s Day award, it's meeting some amazing celebrities that came to campus like David Ortiz, Dr. Oz and Governor Baker.
What are you looking forward to at Bentley when we come back from break: The energy on campus as we head into another Commencement season.
Hobbies: Traveling
Best place to grab lunch on campus: Faculty and Staff Dining Room and Currito
Hidden talent: Drawing
 

Name: Mia Jepsen
Role: Senior Academic Coordinator, Economics and Accounting
Hometown: Newton
Years at Bentley: 14 years, 4 months
Favorite spot on campus: The Quad. I’ve always been on the upper campus, and this is the center of campus for me. I have enjoyed doing the dance mob on the quad for the past several years. I have met so many wonderful people taking part in this experience.
Favorite Bentley memory: I am in the middle of my “favorite Bentley memory” at this very moment! Receiving this award has me completely overwhelmed. I can’t think of anything in the past 14 years that comes close.
What are you looking forward to at Bentley when we come back from break: Coming back after the winter break is always nice. Students are not back yet, and we get to settle in and prepare for the spring semester.
Hobbies: I love to cook!  And spending time with my husband, our four sons and extended family.
Best place to grab lunch on campus: The Faculty and Staff Dining Room. The food is always good, and the atmosphere is inviting.
Hidden talent: I think my hidden talent will just remain hidden! If I divulge it here, I’m afraid someone at Bentley will figure out how to make it part of my job description 😊.

Congratulations, Steve and Mia! 

Dionne Daniels, assistant director of international education in the Cronin Office of International Education, was named one of this year’s Rainbow Award winners at the annual Rainbow Luncheon. The award is given out each year to a community member who makes outstanding contributions to the safety and well-being of Bentley’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community, and to the education of our community with regard to LGBTQ+ issues. The Buzz caught up with Dionne as she reflected on what inspires her activism and advocacy on and off campus.

In the three years since you’ve been at Bentley, you’ve made a mark on numerous community members' lives. What inspires your LGBTQ+ activism and advocacy?
People who are brave enough to live as their authentic self inspire me to live authentically. The purpose of my LGBTQ+ related work is to ensure that there is space for us where we are prioritized and honored for who we are. I knew I was different since I was a child and definitely when I was in college, but I did not have the courage and space to be who I was with confidence. I dealt with fear and internalized homophobia. I do not recall seeing and engaging with many LGBTQ+ people of color either. It wasn't until my mid-20s and living abroad that I finally had the space to live my authentic self by meeting other LGBTQ+ people of color from different walks of life. Seeing that representation helped breathe fresh air into who I could be if I took a leap of faith. I'm inspired to advocate for our community because remaining silent and hidden continues the pain of denying folks the privilege of being their true self.

How do you foster close relationships with mentees or advisees, and what are your goals in supporting them?
I listen to them and their stories. We talk about queer things, but it's important to listen to them share whatever interests them and what makes them happy, sad and everything in between. The fact that they are part of the LGBTQ+ community is one detail that connects us. I focus on the multiple layers of who they are, including their life at home, Bentley and their future. My goal in supporting them is simply to be a recognizable queer professional on campus. Representation is my goal.

How do you work with and support faculty and staff?
Regarding the LGBTQ+ community, I co-facilitate the LGBTQ+ and Allies Book Club. It is also open to students and is frequented mostly by faculty and staff on campus. It started in June 2021 to celebrate Pride Month festivities but continued throughout the academic year with Nana Adu and Matt Banks helping to facilitate. We read and discuss fiction and non-fiction novels from various genres written by LGBTQ+ authors. My favorite book we have read so far was Gabby Rivera's Juliet Takes a Breath. Juliet's story is very relatable!

Your award announcement mentioned your personality as “caring, fun and passionate.” How do you remain so positive? Any interesting daily routines, surprising things about you, etc.?
I appreciate the kind words. Some days are better than others, and it's all about balance. There is enough to rage about, and I try to give myself space to rage to release that energy. I also practice gratitude in my regular routine by providing time to think about all that is good in life. It helps that I'm an avid journaler and like writing my thoughts using pen and paper. It may not be super surprising, but it has helped me maintain a healthy mental wellbeing. Therapy helps a lot, too.

Men's Basketball Off to a Hot Start
The team is an impressive 9-1 on the season and have won 19 straight home games. 

Field Hockey Player Earns Division II Honors
Sophomore Lida Coco was selected to the NFHCA Division II All-America second team by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.

Football Players Earn Academic All-Super Honors
Five Falcon football players have been named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-Super Region 1 team for their accomplishments in the classroom and on the playing field.