Falcons Assemble! Over 2,000 Attend Bentley’s Signature Fall Festival
Every year, as the academic term gains momentum and the leaves begin to change in Waltham, something extraordinary happens.
The Falcon community comes together to celebrate Bentley’s homecoming football game, family weekend, and reunions in a vibrant festival of events. This year, more than 2,000 alumni, donors, families, students, guests and friends, along with faculty and staff, came to campus to participate in the weekend's dozens of activities and celebrations.
For some, it was their first visit back to Bentley in ages. For others, it was another year of the cherished tradition of reconnecting with dear friends and reminiscing about shared experiences. Many newcomers were introduced to the lively Falcon community, while numerous alumni proudly shared their Bentley experiences with their young children.
As alumna Schnelle Shelby '04 said while attending with her one-year-old son Langston, “It’s like coming home.”
Homecoming Highlights
Bentley’s robust Athletics Program took center stage during Falcon Weekend, featuring multiple teams competing in varsity matches and friendly rivalries. The highlight was the homecoming football game, which drew hundreds of cheering fans to the stands and area beer garden. After a strong start, although the team faced its first setback of the season, victory was still in the air: The men's and women's soccer, women's field hockey and women's volleyball teams all prevailed. Additionally, the softball team invited alumnae who had played softball while at Bentley to a game of friendly competition.
Alongside the thrilling sports events, Falcon Weekend’s sprawling Tailgate Village — spanning an entire sports field on Bentley's lower campus — offered live entertainment, a kids’ fun zone, and a fair at which 10 university departments hosted open houses. Falcons and friends mingled, caught up at the beer garden, and explored Food Truck Alley.
A much-visited attraction at Tailgate Village was the Multicultural Center Block Party, where students showcased upcoming events, distributed T-shirts and sweatshirts, and promoted the center’s mission. Claudette Blot, director of the Multicultural Center, and Lakaya Newton '11, a member of the Bentley Mosaic Alumni Council, were also there to champion their work with Bentley students and cheer on fellow Falcons.
In a mid-afternoon surprise visit, Lucky the Celtics mascot stopped by Tailgate Village with the shining Celtics 2024 Championship hardware. In honor of Bentley’s Official Partnership with the Celtics, Falcons, friends and family of every age formed a line many dozens deep to take their picture with the emblematic display. Meanwhile, Lucky delighted the crowd with his sprightly foot moves and keen ball skills.
The athletics festivities culminated in a community skate at Bentley Arena, where Falcons of all ages enjoyed the chance to skate in the home rink of Bentley’s NCAA Division I hockey team.
Falcons Past and Present
Another major highlight of the weekend was the reunion celebrations for classes marking milestones from their 5th to 45th anniversaries (all classes ending in 4 or 9 celebrated a reunion). Reunion goers kicked off the weekend with a special cocktail party in the Alibi Bar and Lounge at the Liberty Hotel in Boston, a trendy spot set in a former jailhouse. They also enjoyed a festive jazz brunch in LaCava tent on Saturday morning, and a special VIP lounge featuring champagne and treats in Tailgate Village. The celebrations peaked Saturday night with a party filled with live music, dancing, and laughter, as alumni gathered to relive cherished memories.
At a special Taste of Bentley reception, alumni business owners shared their experience and culinary passions. Robyn Daigle ’14 of Boards for Days laid out an enticing charcuterie grazing table that kept guests coming back for more, while nearby, Casey White ’14 of Jaju Pierogi sauteed up her delicious finger fare, also to repeat takers. Eval Silvera ’99 enthusiastically walked alumni through a sampling of specialty brews from Brockton Beer Company, owned with his wife LaTisha ’99. Staff from New City Microcreamery and Rail Trail Flatbread Co., both owned by Jason Kleinerman ’10, were also busy serving delicious flatbreads to happy guests and gourmet nitrogen ice cream to dessert lovers.
Families First
Across campus, new students and their families explored the university's offerings. They attended a mock class taught by Professor Lynn Wolf ’88, MBA ’00 and tested their knowledge of basic business and accounting curriculum concepts. In the Virtual Reality Lab, led by assistant professor Betsy Stoner, visitors experimented with VR technology and learned how Bentley is applying it to solve real business problems.
At Falcon Family Dinner, held in the student dining hall, aunts, uncles, grandparents and siblings were seen happily eating with their resident Falcon and alongside new friends. On the first evening, as night fell, the middle campus green lit up in a magical scene featuring mini golf stations and various games for Falcon Frenzy. Falcons and their families enjoyed giant Jenga and Connect4, surprise giveaways, late-night snacks and more.
In addition to these featured highlights, other enjoyable receptions and informative events took place in honor of alumni, students, families and friends. By the end of the weekend, a shared sentiment echoed throughout the community: There truly was something for everyone!
The Office of Alumni and Family Engagement (OAFE) of Bentley University thanks students, alumni, families, donors and friends for helping to make Falcon Weekend a wonderful festival of connection, joy and inspiration. We look forward to seeing you next year! Learn more about OAFE's upcoming events.