Welcome to the latest issue of the Bentley Buzz, where we share news and stories about the faculty and staff who make Bentley special. It is compiled by Joan Yenawine, associate director of internal communications. To share your news or an idea for a story, please email buzz@bentley.edu.
May 23, 2024
Bentley’s 2024 commencement exercises were filled with jubilant graduates and poignant moments, as students, families, friends, faculty and staff marked an important milestone together.
On Saturday, May 18, Joe Preston, president and CEO of New Balance, addressed undergraduates, noting first how many Bentley alums are valued professionals at New Balance. In his keynote speech, he applauded them for overcoming the unique challenges and isolation that COVID-19 created and urged them to continue building connections. “Nothing in the human experience is more important than relationships. And nothing in a relationship is more powerful than being with each other,” said Preston.
Ahead of the undergraduate ceremony, on Friday May 17, Karan Dyson, vice president of global grooming process & engineering at Procter & Gamble-Gillette, offered a rousing keynote address during the 49th commencement of the McCallum Graduate School of Business. She encouraged graduates to “rise as leaders — not just average leaders but transformational leaders,” and to develop “resiliency muscles” that would grow stronger as they faced down fear and adversity.
Commencement Speakers Encourage Class of 2024
This year's speakers came from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, but they shared a common belief in the resiliency of the Class of 2024 and optimism about how they will change the world. Read speeches from President Chrite, our keynote speakers and student leaders below.
Read this year's speeches
President Chrite
"There are not many certainties in the world, but of this I am sure: you graduate from this institution with the necessary skills, abilities, fluencies and worldview that will enable you to overcome the challenges you will face — and the mindset to consider, from multiple points of view, what exactly led to the challenge in the first place."
Sanay Jhaveri ’24, MSF ’24, Senior Class President
"Today, when we all walk across this stage and cap off our final moments as students at Bentley University, we aren’t just doing it for the people we’ve become now, but also for the people we were four years ago."
Aleshia Green ’19, MSF ’24
"You are more than ready, you are more than good enough, and you are well-equipped with the knowledge and confidence to make it all happen."
New Balance President and CEO Joe Preston
"Today, I encourage you to think about how you can influence the future with what you've learned, what you have experienced and how you can promote connection and community, on small and large scales."
Procter and Gamble-Gillette Vice President Karan Dyson
"I am here to tell you that on the other side of this graduation wall, the world is waiting on you all to rise as leaders — not just average leaders but transformational leaders."
Pride Month Events
Ally 101 Workshop
Thursday, June 6
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Virtual
Register
Join the Office of Diversity & Inclusion and the LGBTQ+ @Bentley Steering Committee for the June 2024 Ally 101 Workshop. This workshop introduces participants to language and best allyship practices for and in the LGBTQ+ community. This 2-hour training takes participants through self-reflection activities and action planning to foster a more welcoming and inclusive campus community.
Boston Pride for the People Meet-Up
Saturday, June 8 | 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Massachusetts State House
24 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02133
Join Bentley University at the 2nd annual Boston Pride for the People. This is a chance to gather with other members of the Bentley community to enjoy the parade and explore the festival. We will gather at 1pm in front of the Massachusetts State House (24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133) before walking over to Boston Common for the festival.
Trans Ally Workshop
Thursday, June 20
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Virtual
Register
Join the Office of Diversity & Inclusion and the LGBTQ+ @Bentley Steering Committee for the June 2024 Trans Ally Workshop. The Trans Ally Workshop introduces participants to language and best allyship practices for and in the transgender community. This 2-hour training takes participants through self-reflection activities and action planning to foster a more welcoming and inclusive campus community.
Pride Month Picnic
Tuesday, June 25
Noon - 2:00 p.m.
LaCava Tent (Rain location: Harry's Pub)
RSVP
The Pride Month Committee is excited to host the third annual Pride Month Picnic under the LaCava Tent (Rain Location: Harry’s Pub- 2nd Floor of Student Center)! We'll wrap up Pride Month 2024 with community, art, games and food from LGBTQ+ and Black-owned businesses. Community members are encouraged to bring family and friends to the event! Attendees should RSVP via this form and indicate any dietary restrictions/accessibility needs via this event registration form.
Let’s get to know Jackie Burgoyne, a nurse practitioner at Bentley who ran the Boston Marathon in April.
Hometown: Martha’s Vineyard
When did you start at Bentley? April 2021
Why did you decide to run the Boston Marathon? Running Boston had always been on my bucket list. My husband and I moved to Framingham, MA, in 2022. The city offers a unique opportunity to apply for a charity bib number through a lottery system. I felt very lucky to be chosen, and I saw it as a way to build community and give back.
High point of your training? Training on the Boston Marathon course with Team Framingham. We got to know the route intimately — especially the hills! I got to make new friends and meet the wonderful organizations we were fundraising for.
Best part of Marathon Day? I think it’s a tie between finishing and the crowds! The crowd is roaring, the finish line is finally in view—it’s very emotional. I was incredibly grateful for all the love and support of family, friends, and the Bentley community along the way.
Would you do it again? Yes, 100%. I fundraised $6500 in support of MetroWest ESL Fund, which supports free adult English, GED, and citizenship classes. Running Boston for charity gives you the opportunity to build a community of running and extend that joy through service to your larger community. It’s like Bentley encourages: Be a force!
Favorite Spot on Campus: The track
Favorite part of your job? Patient care and advocacy
Favorite thing about working at Bentley? The community and its values. My experience is that folks here care deeply about the work they do and who they’re doing it with and for. Bentley is an incredible team!
If you weren’t in higher education, what would your job be in an alternate universe? Jedi Lore Keeper
Who would play you in the movie version of your life? Zooey Deschanel
If you had a theme song, what would it be? Three Little Birds
BSLCE’s Feel-Good Event of the Year!
BSLCE Faculty of the Year Award
Christian Rubio
Associate Professor, Modern Languages
BSLCE Staff of the Year Award
John Noel
Building Services Foreperson
Jeanette MacInnes Student Director Awards
Students Luke Andris ’25, Caroline Bushnell ’25 and Trevor Hodgson ’25 distinguished themselves as exceptional change agents who enhanced BSLCE programming.
Adamian Student Awards
Students Jacob Allaire ’24, Antony Arias ’24, Abby Cash ’24, Halle Katz ’24, Ryan O'Connor ’24, Kiara Pichardo ’24, Lydia Tesconi ’24 and Brian Williams ’24 were honored for their above-and-beyond efforts with the BLSCE.
Nearly 150 alumni returned to campus on May 9 and 10 — some 
for the first time in years — for two energetic days of what Bentley does best: continued learning. Panels ranged from discussions on sustainable business practices to the transformative role of AI and robotics, each sparking lively debates that continued during networking sessions. Presenter Katie Armstrong, MBA ’22, said, “Everyone wants to help each other out, because we’re all alumni. It’s been a collaborative and great environment.”
Like at many professional conferences, attendees bonded and departed feeling rejuvenated, with new ideas to bring back to their daily work. Unique to this conference full of Bentley Falcons is the like-minded nature that comes with earning a Bentley degree; as one conference-goer put it: “Bentley alumni know how to network.”
Looking for a free ride to Bentley this summer? Hop on the Falcon Flyer, our local Waltham shuttle route that connects to the MBTA Commuter Rail as well as Moody Street. The Falcon Flyer will run all summer long on a mostly daytime schedule.
Our other shuttles (B-line and Harvard Shuttle) will take a hiatus and be back in the fall.
From the Newsroom
Catching Up with Bentley’s Class of 2024
Over the past four years, we’ve highlighted members of the Class of 2024. Look back on their stories and see where they’re going next!
By Kristen Walsh
Wealth of Words: New FinTech Course Explores Language-Based AI
Hands-on class teaches students how to create Natural Language Processing (NLP) programs that yield investment insights.
By Molly Mastantuono
Bentley Students Team Up with Celtics (CLTX) Gaming
Students designed the event, developed branding and promotions and managed logistics for the inaugural collegiate tournament.
By Kristen Walsh