Bentley to Transform Adamian Academic Center and Boost Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship on Campus

For more than a century, Bentley has been reinventing business education to meet the needs of an ever-changing global marketplace. Recognizing that technological innovation is a business imperative, the university began providing laptops to all students in 1985 and established a state-of-the-art Trading Room in 1997, giving students access to cutting-edge, real-time financial technologies. In the years since, Bentley has continued to integrate technology including blockchain, machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) into its courses and campus life.

Today, Bentley continues that investment in the future by moving forward with an ambitious, groundbreaking project to reimagine the Adamian Academic Center. Once completed, this new state-of-the-art hub for hands-on teaching and learning will emphasize technology, innovation, entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary collaboration.  

“As a leading business university in this Innovation Age, Bentley must equip students with more than knowledge,” says President E. LaBrent Chrite. “We must also empower them with the cutting-edge tools and resources to navigate and shape tomorrow’s business frontier.”  

The transformation of Adamian will be the cornerstone of the university's Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship initiative. This completely renovated and modernized academic center will offer dedicated spaces where every member of the community can innovate and do their best work. Enhanced work areas for faculty and gathering spaces for students will be designed to foster creativity and collaboration across areas of study. Additionally, the new Adamian Center will be anchored by signature spaces that allow for exploration at the intersection of business, technology and innovation. Many key academic centers will be integrated into a central hub of collaboration and innovation that will benefit all students and faculty. 

“Our Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship initiative will allow our faculty to continue to innovate in the classroom, moving from a ‘sage on the stage’ model to a ‘guide on the side’ by prioritizing experiential, project-based, hands-on learning,” says Paul Tesluk, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “The improvements to Adamian will ensure that Bentley equips our students with the resources, academic training and immersive learning experiences that will prepare them to drive positive change in their industries and in society.” 

Successful business leaders of the future will understand how to use cutting-edge tools like AI, augmented reality, machine learning and virtual reality to manipulate complex data with ease for competitive advantage. These leaders will improve operations, systems and the bottom line with ethical and entrepreneurial approaches and mindsets. Bentley’s technologically enabled, experiential and innovative academic programs will keep the university at the forefront of business education and strengthen its position as the business university for the Innovation Age.  

The renovated Adamian Center will anchor the planned iQuad, a buzzing hub of activity, learning and collaboration that will become the vibrant epicenter of the university’s upper campus. Construction will begin later this year and be completed in time for the beginning of the fall 2027 semester.