![Bentley students volunteers enthusiastically welcoming the Class of 2028](/sites/default/files/2024-08/move-inmorning-03.jpg)
Fist Bumps and Feather Lamps: Bentley Welcomes Class of 2028
What do a pink feather lamp, Lilibet Squishmallow and a Pink Floyd poster have in common? They were among the beloved belongings spotted during Bentley University’s move-in day on Aug. 29 as the university officially welcomed an incoming class that includes the highest number of ALANA (African American, Latino, Asian, Native American and multicultural) students in the school’s history. The nearly 1,100 members of the Class of 2028 have a strong record of accomplishments and academic achievement and hail from 51 countries and 31 U.S. states and territories; 21% are first-generation students.
The “baby falcs” arrived on campus to cheers, waves and fist bumps from orientation leaders and student volunteers who enthusiastically guided them to their dorms. A sense of anticipation and energy permeated the campus as new students and their families unpacked vehicles and filled blue rolling carts with dorm room furnishings and carefully packed electronic devices.
Resident assistants Anelia Galimbek ’23, MSBA ’25, Kayla Park ’25 and Mary Pratt ’25 were among the student volunteers who set the tone for the day as they greeted carloads of new students near the campus entrance. “I want new students to start their Bentley experience with good energy, so their school year starts off well,” Park said.
Orientation leaders Morgan Barwood ’25 and Michael Zhao ’26 agreed that one of their main objectives was to help first-year and transfer students build connections across campus. “My goal is for students to have a smooth successful transition into Bentley and for me to facilitate relationships between them so they can feel more comfortable and love Bentley as much as I do,” Barwood said.
Yanni Haginicolas ’28 appreciated the energy when he arrived. “Everyone was welcoming. As soon as we came into campus, people were coming up to the car cheering, ‘Let’s go, Bentley!’ and high-fiving us. It was awesome, and I came into my dorm smiling right off the bat.”
Mark Kingsbury ’28 was excited to meet his roommates in person after connecting online during the summer. “Social media opens the door to meeting new people,” he said as he finished setting up his bed. “It definitely made it easier and less nerve-racking to know who I would be living with.”
Among some of the dorm room must-haves that students brought: Command hanging hooks, shower shoes and a caddy for toiletries, power strips and charging cords, reusable water bottles and an array of Twin XL bedding — including lots of pillows and mattress toppers.
Brendan Varnerin ’28, a member of the men’s lacrosse team, got help setting up his room from teammates. Juliana Katis ’28 stayed busy — but excited — rearranging her dorm room. “I definitely overpacked,” she said, laughing. “My first impression of the campus was how welcoming it was. All the students have lots of pep and were super excited, which got me excited to move in.”
Family members showed a mixture of emotions including tears of joy and sadness as they dropped off students.
“It was a really great experience driving in to campus to bring my daughter to Bentley,” said Johanna Heise, who was helping her daughter Milla Heise ’28, a first-generation college student, unpack. “Milla is my first child coming to college, so the enthusiasm all along the way to her dorm was very emotional for me.”
![Bentley mascot Flex the Falcon leads a procession to the Class of 2028 convocation](/sites/default/files/styles/media_image_tablet/public/2024-08/falconwalk-2.jpg?h=835559af&itok=bqiZsTzf)
![Bentley Class of 2028 convocation ceremony](/sites/default/files/styles/media_image_tablet/public/2024-08/convocation24-17.jpg?h=170ba4b8&itok=xRi0r020)
![Emotional crowd at the Bentley Class of 2028 convocation ceremony](/sites/default/files/styles/media_image_tablet/public/2024-08/convocation24-10.jpg?h=170ba4b8&itok=0N6Bp2xL)
Later in the day, students gathered with families, friends, staff and faculty for the Falcon Walk procession led by an enthusiastic Flex the Falcon mascot and accompanying bagpiper from the Green Space to the Bentley Arena for Convocation, an annual tradition to officially welcome the new class and transfer students. The program was also available by livestream video for those unable to attend in person.
“Bentley represents an invitation to a conversation,” President E. LaBrent Chrite told the students. “It is a place where you will be exposed to people whose ideas and perspectives are different from your own. Bentley is a place where you will meet people from different backgrounds and upbringings than yours. Bentley is a place where you will be asked to confront complex, multifaceted, ill-structured challenges, debate big ideas and yes, experience some intellectual discomfort. And sometimes, that discomfort includes failure. This is not by accident — it is by design. This is what education is meant to be.”
He emphasized the confidence that Bentley has in the newest members of the community. “We expect you to become principled and impactful leaders for a 21st-century economy, leaders who recognize that with the privilege of this exceptional education from this institution comes a responsibility to a greater good.”
The ceremony featured a musical performance of Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb” by Tania Martin ’25 and Tyler Rauch ’26 before Student Government Association President Rebecca DePietro ’26 spoke.
“If there is any advice I wish I had heard at my own convocation it is this: Listen to every piece of advice you’re given, no matter how small it may seem,” DePietro said. “Throughout your time at Bentley, you’ll encounter people with a wide range of opinions, experiences and stories, and each one holds value.”
DePietro reminded students: “There will be moments when things feel overwhelming but know that Bentley has a wealth of resources to support you every step of the way. As a Falcon, you are never alone.”
Move-in programming began on Aug. 26 with the MOSAIC Experience pre-orientation program for students of color who are new to Bentley. International students and students in First-Year Defined Communities — groups of students with similar interests and passions who live and learn around a central theme or academic focus — also enjoyed an early move-in starting on Aug. 27.
New Student Orientation runs from Aug. 29 to Sept. 2 and includes informational and social activities to help new students acclimate to campus and college life. Campus events will continue throughout the fall semester, including a student organization and activities fair and “The Big B,” a new campus carnival with rides, games and food. Among the online resources is a new student experience webpage with information about living on campus, academics, finances, life outside the classroom, technology centers, and health and wellbeing.
![Bentley student volunteers smiling during Class of 2028 move-in day](/sites/default/files/styles/media_image_tablet/public/2024-08/jw020133.jpg?h=835559af&itok=9OwDR4cY)
![Bentley students moving to campus with rolling suitcases and bags](/sites/default/files/styles/media_image_tablet/public/2024-08/jw020128.jpg?h=835559af&itok=R_BnduDB)
![Family unpacking car to drop off Class of 2028 student to Bentley](/sites/default/files/styles/media_image_tablet/public/2024-08/jw010123.jpg?h=dea648be&itok=tRXi3ar1)
![Bentley Class of 2028 student hangs lights in dorm room](/sites/default/files/styles/media_image_tablet/public/2024-08/move-inmorning-11.jpg?h=835559af&itok=D8YF3f2A)
![Two Class of 2028 Bentley students holding pennants as they move into their dorm room](/sites/default/files/styles/media_image_tablet/public/2024-08/move-inmorning-14.jpg?h=835559af&itok=1nWncCDC)
![Bentley student adjusts wall hanging in dorm room during Bentley move-in day](/sites/default/files/styles/media_image_tablet/public/2024-08/move-inmorning-12.jpg?h=835559af&itok=pDnTFpKe)
![Group of Bentley student volunteers gather during move-in day](/sites/default/files/styles/media_image_tablet/public/2024-08/move-inmorning-27_1.jpg?h=0648d2d5&itok=bU2e2VcY)
![Bentley Class of 2028 students relax after setting up their dorm room](/sites/default/files/styles/media_image_tablet/public/2024-08/move-inmorning-15.jpg?h=835559af&itok=qHyafbnf)
![Bentley students play spike ball during Class of 2028 move-in week](/sites/default/files/styles/media_image_tablet/public/2024-08/08.27.24_defined_communities_move-in-27.jpg?h=dea648be&itok=eR9NUAfu)