Bentley Magazine Winter 2023 - Don't Panic (AI issue)

WINTER 2023

The power and potential of artificial intelligence

Look inside to learn more about the cover.

CCOONNTTEENNTTSS Features Features

Inside the AI Uproar: Should we fear artificial intelligence or embrace this 12 12 Inside the AI Uproar: Should we fear artificial intelligence or embrace this new way to get things done? new way to get things done?

18 A Helping Hand to Higher Education: The personal — and financial — 18 A Helping Hand to Higher Education: The personal — and financial — ROI of closing the scholarship gap ROI of closing the scholarship gap

Departments Departments

3 News from the Nest: Falcon stats and stars that make us smile 3 News from the Nest: Falcon stats and stars that make us smile 8 From the President: President Chrite on the promise of AI 8 From the President: President Chrite on the promise of AI 9 Five Things: How to get your resume past the bots 9 Five Things: How to get your resume past the bots 10 Take Two: How to make mental health a priority 10 Take Two: How to make mental health a priority 22 Success is More than a Degree: From PRIDE to STEM, Bentley donors 22 Success is More than a Degree: From PRIDE to STEM, Bentley donors better the student experience better the student experience Program Launch: Executive PhD in Business welcomes first cohort Program Launch: Executive PhD in Business welcomes first cohort Trending: Alumni experts on the future of banking Trending: Alumni experts on the future of banking Family Matters: Firefighter brothers do good on ice Family Matters: Firefighter brothers do good on ice The PROfile: Behind the racing wheel with a Spanish duke The PROfile: Behind the racing wheel with a Spanish duke

32 32 36 36 37 37 38 38

24 Class Notes

24 Class Notes

12 38

ABOUT THE COVER: The cover was designed with Midjourney, an AI design tool. As a starting point, Bentley Magazine staff chose the American Gothic painting by Grant Wood because it is associated with traditional American culture and has been in the public domain since 1958. They used a version of this prompt: “Imagine a painting of an older couple with a pitchfork, both of them wearing advanced VR headsets that look very AI, in the style of classic Americana by Grant Wood.”

Midjourney generated dozens of images as the staff provided various, slightly changing prompts.

They then used Photoshop to adapt the image into the final illustration you see on the cover.

Here Say

Members of Bentley’s First Sorority Write In Fran Goldberg-Cohen ’74: Thank you for including a picture of Delta Omega members in the recent Bentley Magazine. It is nice to be remembered.

Edie (Chadwick) Blackney ’74: What a surprise it was to see my picture on the back cover of the magazine! I was a member of Delta Omega sorority for one year. The pledge class of 1970-1971 doubled the size of the sorority. There were 10 of

us freshmen; eight lived on campus in Stratton House and the other two were commuters. I was shy and I was forced to meet new people. I ran for a class office in 1971 and became the Class of 1974 president. I served for three years. Finally in my senior year, Bentley had a gym and Title IX forced Bentley to offer women’s sports. With no budget and hand-me-down old JV jerseys, I joined the women’s basketball team as the only senior. Daryl Leonard was the coach. We had a great time!

Traci (Sarkisian) McCartney ’89: In the second semester of my freshman year, I transferred from North Carolina State University to the school I had always wanted to attend: Bentley College. I was very excited, but coming in when everyone had already made friends was a bit of a challenge. I never thought I was the sorority type, but at Delta Omega I found “my people.”

Being in a sorority changed me. It took me out of my shell and gave me leadership experience, first in various committees and eventually taking on the role of president.

It gave me confidence in myself enough to

help elicit change. With the other presidents, we decided to have mixers between sororities, so that Bentley women could know and support each other. I still have friends I keep in touch with from those other sororities.

Today, I am a successful customer success manager at a healthcare IT company, and I am using all of the communication, organizational and leadership skills I learned as a member of Delta Omega to help my clients achieve their strategic initiatives. I have started a small business working as an independent contractor for a travel agency that specializes in Disney, cruises and other parks, but at the center of it all, it is me using all of the skills I learned while in Delta Omega to help people plan successful vacations. I have found something I love and am passionate about!

At the core, sororities are about sisterhood, and my sisters helped me become the person I am today. I am still in contact with many of my Delta Omega sisters, and although the sorority itself no longer exists at Bentley, we will always be the first.

We welcome your feedback.

Send your compliments and critiques on the stories inside — or suggest one for the future. magazine@bentley.edu @bentleyu @bentleyalumni 781-891-2076 175 Forest Street, Waltham, MA 02452 Class Notes Editor Molly McKinnon

Print and Production Judy Metz

Staff Writers Kristen Walsh, Molly Mastantuono

Assistant Vice President for Strategic Communications John McElhenny

Contributing Writers Michael Blanding, Kathryn Hulick, Kristin Livingston

Creative Director Greg Gonyea

Designers Claire S. Anderson, P ’15 ’18, Juliana Freire, Christopher Richie Staff Photographer Maddie Schroeder

Director of Advancement Communications Caroline Pelletier President E. LaBrent Chrite, PhD

Multimedia Producer Kevin Maguire

Vice President for Marketing and Communications Christopher J. Joyce

Project Manager Casey Brennan

Vice President for University Advancement Chris Grugan

Bentley University is more than just one of the nation’s top business schools. It is a lifelong-learning community that creates successful leaders who make business a force for positive change. With a combination of business and the arts and sciences and a flexible, personalized approach to education, Bentley provides students with critical thinking and practical skills that prepare them to lead successful, rewarding careers. Founded in 1917, the university enrolls 4,100 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and PhD students and is set on 163 acres in Waltham, Massachusetts, 10 miles west of Boston. For more information, visit bentley.edu.

74M11/23AP.MC.469.23

2

WINTER 2023

NEWS from the NEST

Move-In Day: Members of the Class of 2027 were welcomed to campus with cheers, high fives, fist-bumps and even some dance moves. The entering first-year class of more than 1,130 includes 23% who are the first generation in their families to attend college.

PHOTO BY JAMISON WEXLER

BENTLE Y M AG A ZINE

3

News from the Nest

CAREER SERVICES RANKS

#1

IN THE NATION Bentley’s Pulsifer Career Development Center was named Best Career Services in the nation by the Princeton Review, which ranked schools across the U.S. on career and job placement services.

This marks the 10th consecutive year that Bentley’s career center has been ranked among the top five in the United States, proof of the university’s commitment to ensuring its graduates secure promising employment opportunities and thrive in their chosen fields.

Inaugural Classes Reach Milestones In May, Bentley’s first group of Beth Israel Lahey Health employees earned MBAs with a health care focus, part of a collaboration between the university and the Beth Israel Lahey Health system. This fall, eight Falcons began the Master’s in Accounting Fellowship, designed to increase diversity in the accounting industry. Full tuition is covered by Bentley and current sponsors Deloitte, KPMG and RSM.

#4

UNIVERSITY IN EARNINGS

Bentley alumni are earning among the highest salaries in the country 10 years after graduation, according to a New York Times tool that helps students find the college that suits them best.

1. California Institute of Technology 2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3. Harvey Mudd College

4. Bentley University 5. University of Pennsylvania 6. Carnegie Mellon University 7. Stevens Institute of Technology 8. Stanford University 9. Georgetown University 10. Princeton University

WINTER 2023

REGIONAL UNIVERSITY (NORTH) U.S. News & World Report also ranked Bentley the #4 Most Innovative and #9 Best Value in the North in its 2024 Best Colleges rankings.

#4

IN THE NATION FOR MASTER’S IN FINANCE

Bentley’s Master of Science in Finance has been named one of the best in the country by the Financial Times.

MEET THE CLASS OF 2027 Among their number are a technophile who builds PCs from scratch, an “extra” actor on HBO, a licensed livestock agent, a mogul skier ranked in the top 10 in the world, an excavator of ancient tombs in Greece, a volunteer who teaches math to children in orphanages, an American Ninja Warrior and, last but certainly not least, an inventor of a device to save lives during heart surgery.

To read about Bentley’s new Executive PhD in Business, see page 32.

4

#1

n 51 countries n 33 states n 23% first generation to attend college

Guilherme Costa has been named the university’s vice president, general counsel and secretary of the corporation. Most recently, Costa served as the senior associate vice president and deputy university secretary at Syracuse University. An experienced higher education attorney, first-generation college student and immigrant from Brazil, Costa holds a JD from the University of Notre Dame, MS from the University of Idaho, BA from the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business and BA from the University of Florida’s College of Arts and Sciences.

News from the Nest

Media Highlights

New Coaches Named HOCKEY: Andy Jones comes to Bentley following eight years with UMass Lowell hockey, where he served the last five years as the associate head coach. His time at UMass Lowell included three NCAA tournament bids, five Hockey East semifinal appearances, three Hockey East championship games and a championship win over Boston College in 2017.

SOCCER: Sarah Dacey, who earned three national championships during an All-America playing career at the University of North Carolina, joins Bentley after successful coaching roles at Curry College, Barry University, Babson College and Hingham High School.

All her teams have posted winning records, and she has a career collegiate record of 105-51-25.

FOOTBALL: Saj Thakkar’s experience includes five seasons as the running backs coach at Harvard and three as the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at SUNY Maritime. Last year, he worked with Atlanta Falcons’ assistant coach T.J. Yates at the NFL Bill Walsh Fellowship in Atlanta. Thakkar also coached the running backs and special teams at his alma mater, Fitchburg State University.

Sept. 11, 2023 Management Lecturer Susan Vroman explained that it’s crucial for companies to be transparent when asking employees to spend more time in the office.

Sept. 6, 2023 Research from Bentley’s Center for Integration of Science and Industry was highlighted for revealing that funding by the National Institutes of Health plays an important role in the development of new drugs.

Sept. 5, 2023 Associate Professor of Mathematics Noah Giansiracusa wrote a book review about the “The Coming Wave,” which argues that we need to think about how AI and other new technologies empower each other.

Aug. 18, 2023 Research from Bentley’s annual survey with Gallup was highlighted for its finding that 48% of Americans feel businesses should speak out on social issues.

July 23, 2023 Global Studies Professor Bonnie Field was interviewed about the historic national election in Spain.

Read these and more at bentley.edu/news.

PHOTOS BY KEVIN MAGUIRE

BENTLE Y M AG A ZINE

5

News from the Nest

Welcome, Alpha Alpha Alpha Students who are the first generation of their family to attend college and who have earned a GPA of 3.2 or higher (3.5 or higher for graduate students) and 30 credits, as well as faculty and staff who were first-generation students themselves, have been inducted into Tri-Alpha — a new academic honor society at Bentley.

Blot Leads Multicultural Center

Making a Business Case

Event Celebrates Student Research

Claudette Blot, the longtime mentor, equity champion and adviser to thousands of Bentley students over the last 30 years, was named director of the Multicultural Center (MCC).

The MCC Lounge in the Student Center bears her name.

In this year’s National Association of Black Accountants Business Bowl, a campus-wide business case competition, 126 students on 29 teams participated in the annual competition. Teams worked together to solve real-world business problems, and alumni and other business professionals evaluated each team’s presentation. Sponsors donated money for prizes and operations, and students earned $22,000 in prize money.

More than 90 students presented at Undergraduate Research Day 2023.

From blockchain for good to economic sanctions as a political weapon, the presentations showcased the research talent and promise of Bentley students.

Read more about the center’s dedication at bentley.edu/claudette.

6

WINTER 2023

PHOTO BY KEVIN MAGUIRE

News from the Nest

Fifty-five percent of Americans say they’d switch jobs to work at an organization that has a greater positive impact. That’s according to this year’s Bentley-Gallup Business in Society survey, which asked 5,458 U.S. adults about their views on businesses impact on society.

The survey also found that most Americans think businesses should take a public stance on climate change and mental health but not on politics or religion. Do you trust businesses to use artificial intelligence responsibly? To see what the survey found, read “Inside the AI Uproar” on page 12.

Bentley-Gallup Business in Society Report

LEARN MORE at bentley.edu/gallup.

Which jobs do people think AI does better than a person?

BETTER THAN A PERSON

Recommend products or services to me

27

Assist students with homework

26

THE SAME AS A PERSON

WORSE THAN A PERSON

38

35

34

40

Recommend financial advice to me

15

Drive me somewhere in a car

10

21

69

8

23

69

Recommend which employees a company should hire

36

49

Bentley University-Gallup Business in Society Survey 2023

BENTLE Y M AG A ZINE

7

From the President

BY BRENT CHRITE Decades ago, the debut of the internet caused alarm and mistrust. “What do you mean, my computer will be connected to millions of others around the world?”

Now we sign on to our email, social media and news sites every day without even thinking about it.

Technological change can be hard to embrace at first.

Fundamental, disruptive technological change can be even harder.

Today, artificial intelligence is affecting our economy and daily lives. I understand that many people are concerned by how quickly it seems to be advancing and how it will be used.

Bentley’s nationwide Business in Society survey with Gallup this year found that 79% of Americans trust businesses “not much” or “not at all” to use AI responsibly. That’s eye-opening. But it demonstrates a significant opportunity for business not only to tap into AI but also to educate consumers about its safe, responsible use.

Since our founding in 1917, Bentley has embraced changing technologies and adapted to the evolving marketplace. That remains true today, as ever.

Already our students are learning and using AI in courses and internships. Our faculty in Computer Information Systems and Philosophy are working together — in true Bentley fashion — to explore bringing AI into the curriculum. The university is studying ways to integrate AI into research and operations. This tool is here, and we intend to study it, understand it and harness its immense power for the good of our students, faculty and staff. And at every step of the way, we will adopt an ethical approach to the use of AI that is consistent with our Bentley values.

It’s no surprise that our entrepreneurial alumni are on the leading edge, using AI to create or strengthen their businesses and better serve their customers.

Just as it’s no surprise that our talented graduates will soon be stepping into the many jobs that AI will create.

The beauty of AI lies in its ability to take on mundane, repetitive tasks so humans can focus on more challenging pursuits and be their best. There is no question that we’ll need guidelines for AI’s ethical, responsible use, but I’m optimistic. I believe in the power of business and technology to change people’s lives for the better. And I believe in the potential and promise of AI. 8

WINTER 2023

Five Things

FIVE WAYS

AI Can Boost Your Job Search

BY CHRISTIE LINDOR ’02

As many as 83% of employers use some form of automated tool to screen or rank candidates for hire, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. How can job applicants use artificial intelligence to stand out to recruiters and hiring managers? Here are five strategies for using AI-powered tools like Google Bard and AI Warehouse — along with a reminder not to forget the power of human intelligence.

Optimize your resume with keywords Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience that matches the job description.

AI can identify keywords specific to the position you’re seeking that will improve your chance of making it through the initial screening.

Identify the skills you’ll need to land that new job If you’re looking to jump to a new industry or find a different type of job, AI can analyze your work experience and identify which new skills you’ll need to make the transition.

Boost your LinkedIn profile Many companies rely on your online footprint to review your skills, experience and recommendations — and your LinkedIn profile is one of the first places they look.

Use AI to analyze the work experience and skills on your resume to highlight the most relevant information to put in your profile summary and headline. The caveat: Once you do that in your LinkedIn, make sure to update your resume to match.

Simulate an interview Based on a job description or job title, AI can generate interview questions you may be asked. You can also request case studies to test your problemsolving abilities, and use AI to accelerate your knowledge of industry-specific buzzwords and market trends. This is particularly beneficial if you’re transitioning careers.

Christie Lindor ’02 is a lecturer in Management at Bentley and CEO of Tessi Consulting, a certified B corporation diversity firm. Before Tessi, Lindor was a management consultant advising clients at some of the world’s top consulting firms such as IBM, Deloitte and EY. A TEDx speaker and bestselling author, her work on inclusion and culture has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes and the Wall Street Journal.

Don’t forget about human intelligence It’s important to remember that AI is a supplemental tool; it’s not meant to replace critical thinking or authentic content. If you just copy and paste AIgenerated material into your resume, for example, it will be factual but won’t include the specific accomplishments, passions and personality that differentiate you from other candidates. Missing that human tone could raise a red flag with a potential employer. Use AI as a guide but be sure to rely on your own judgment, too.

ILLUSTRATION BY BETH GOODY/ISPOT

BENTLE Y M AG A ZINE

9

Take Two

MANAGING MENTAL HEALTH AT WORK INTERVIEW BY KRISTEN WALSH

Mental health days. Lunchtime yoga breaks. Flexible work schedules. Strategies to bolster employees’ well-being are finding a home in the workplace. But how do managers create an authentic, open culture?

Corporate wellness coach Franchon Francees ’05 and Assistant Management Professor Brandon Smit weigh in on trends and strategies for making mental health well-being a priority.

What have you seen as effective strategies around mental health?

BRANDON SMIT: One place to start is the culture of the company. Ask yourself if you’re specifically creating a supportive culture that values and prioritizes mental health. A case in point: encouraging worklife balance by setting clear boundaries for work hours or offering flexible work schedules. It’s important that employees’ direct managers are on board, though: If employees are receiving mixed messages from top leadership and their supervisors, the program will fall apart.

FRANCHON FRANCEES: I advocate for zeroing in on the mid-level manager mindset, particularly emphasizing authentic leadership and radical transparency.

In conversations with employees, I hear that managers aren’t listening and they’re micromanaging. And given that a manager is basically responsible for whether an employee can afford to feed their family, fear can impact that employee’s ability to advocate for themselves. So, I focus on

10

WINTER 2023

encouraging managers to create a safe space to listen to employees versus immediately jumping in to fix a problem.

BS: Most managers aren’t trained mental health professionals, but they can offer empathy and refer employees to resources.

That transparency and authenticity piece comes in when managers open up and share their own challenges in an appropriate way; it humanizes them and makes them more approachable.

Employee wellness programs vary — disconnecting from the workplace vs. relationship-building.

Does one approach work better?

FF: Relationship-building and connection should always be a priority for managers because everybody is different, and, if you’re not connected to your people, you don’t know what they want and how to take care of them. Is it yoga, a day trip, skydiving? Diversity is good so you’re not forcing everybody to do wellness or do mental health in a certain way.

BS: If you solicit employees’ participation and feedback to customize programming toward the workforce, it becomes a culture-building event; you’re creating this spirit of collaboration and concern.

Take Two

Bentley University-Gallup Business in Society survey found that 77% of Americans believe that a four-day, 40-hour workweek option would have a positive effect on their well-being.

Regarding an employer’s responsibility around mental health, are there different expectations among the generations?

BS: Gen Z is almost four times as likely to report feeling depressed by their job at least weekly compared to baby boomers, probably because mental health challenges are becoming less stigmatized.

They’re also more accepting of other people experiencing mental health problems. It’s not surprising, then, that Gen Z has higher expectations of their employer.

FF: I’m hearing that each generation wants to be valued in different ways.

For example, one generation may need more time off, another may need flexibility, and another just wants to be seen and validated either privately or publicly.

That diversity of needs can be challenging for managers. I advise finding common ground and building on that.

Are there differences in how corporations and nonprofits approach mental health?

FF: I’ve noticed that nonprofits will get funding for specific projects, and they are quicker to allocate it to wellness and investing in their employees. For corporations it’s often more of a value decision: They have the money and it’s a question of whether to allocate it to wellness and mental health.

What are your top three best practices to safeguard mental health in the workplace?

FF: Number one: Listen; people need to be seen and heard. Second, hire the right person for the team. Don’t scoff at soft skills; they aren’t optional for supervisors and aren’t easy to cultivate like technical skills are. Third, acknowledge when you’ve made a mistake. Apologize, commit to fixing it — and then actually do it.

BS: My recommendations focus on individual maintenance and prevention: Get enough sleep to help ensure you’re ready to cope with work demands.

Meditation can also help reduce anxiety and manage stress. Taking care of yourself goes a long way toward improving mental health.

BS: On the corporate side, you see more of a return-on-investment mindset: If we fund these wellness initiatives, for example, we might see absences go down by this much. Sometimes, though, it’s hard to put a metric on it.

FF: I agree. Most leaders who contact me do it because they care about people — they want to change the work culture but don’t know how. It’s a win when they implement recommendations, even when we can’t measure it with numbers.

Franchon Francees ’05 is a licensed clinical mental health counselor and certified trauma practitioner and trainer.

In 2019, she founded Healing Your Almond, a consulting group to help companies address employee stress and team efficiency, particularly through authentic conversations. As an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, she applies an Afro-indigenous lens to her work.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ALUMNA AND JOY L EDUC AND ILLUSTRATIONS BY SHUTTERSTOCK/JESADAPHORN

Brandon Smit is an assistant professor of Management at Bentley. His research focuses on employee stress, well-being and work-life balance. Most recently, he has explored how employees can effectively use flexible work arrangements, as well as the hidden costs that come with working flexibly, such as increased pressure to stay connected to work and burnout.

BENTLE Y M AG A ZINE

11

Features

12

WINTER 2023

ILLUSTRATION BY SHUTTERSTOCK/VLADGRIN

Features

Since ChatGPT launched in November 2022, a background hum about artificial intelligence has grown to a roar.

The global AI market was valued at $136.55 billion in 2022, according to Grand View Research, and is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 37% from 2023 through 2030. Society scares easily — but should we fear AI? Or cheer on this new way to get things done?

BY KATHRYN HULICK

BENTLE Y M AG A ZINE

13

Features

here’s a common fear pervading the workforce these days: AI is going to take human jobs. The World Economic Forum (WEF) predicts that AI and robotics will replace 85 million jobs by 2025. A 2023 Bentley-Gallup survey asked Americans how much they trust businesses to use AI responsibly. Seventy-nine percent answered, “not much” or “not at all.”

But Boston-based entrepreneur Santhana Krishnan, MSCIS ’92 has seen this all before. And he isn’t nearly as nervous as the 79%.

He started his first business in 1995, when the internet was transforming how people do business. Now, he’s witnessing a similar transition.

AI is to business today as the internet was then, he says: “The speed at which they are coming up with AI tools is mindboggling right now. All these kingdoms are being created.”

And it should be noted that the same WEF report estimating the replacement of 85 million jobs by 2025 also predicts the creation of 97 million new jobs in the same time frame.

AI is more than a mere trend; it’s remaking the business world faster than you can say “Siri.” And used smartly, it can better all of our lives.

computing power and data available, the smarter this software can get. In a 2021 survey by SambaNova, 78% of business leaders said that AI and machine learning were very important for driving revenue at their organization.

ChatGPT — an example of a type of machine learning called generative AI — took things to the next level with its ability to generate useful code and competent writing. Generative AI is any machine learning software trained to produce text, video, images, music and other types of content. When Mark Frydenberg first learned of the ChatGPT app, the senior lecturer in Computer and Information Systems recalls thinking, “Wow, this is something.”

He wasn’t alone. ChatGPT set a record for the fastest-growing user base ever when it reached 100 million active users in January 2023.

These tools are already replacing some roles that people used to have. Administrative, legal, financial and management tasks are among those most likely to be automated, according to a 2023 report by Goldman Sachs. At the same time, new businesses and jobs are emerging that never could have existed in the past. In 2023, companies like Anthropic, an AI research firm based in San Francisco, began seeking “prompt engineers” to come up with the best inputs to use with generative AI models, often offering six-figure salaries.

As with the rise of the internet, people and businesses who adapt to new AI tools quickly have a lot to gain.

HOME SMART HOME

THINK — AND LEARN

In 2022, Krishnan launched Dwellin, an app that helps people stay on top of home maintenance tasks and educates them on ways to reduce their costs and carbon footprint. It’s “one place to keep everything about the home,” he says.

Five or six years ago, it would have been impossible to start this business, he says. “The technologies were not there. There’s so much data you need to bring in. I need to filter the information I want to share with the user. It’s about showing only the most relevant, actionable items.” He adds: “That’s where AI comes into play.”

In general, artificial intelligence, or AI, is any technique that makes a machine behave in a smart way. In recent years, a type of AI called machine learning has become widespread, increasing productivity and revenue. Machine learning is AI software that learns from large data sets full of examples. In general, the more

The internet put all of the world’s information at society’s fingertips, but it was up to the user to slog through it.

AI offers just the right content, right now. Thanks to tools like ChatGPT, people can now interact with technology in a more conversational manner. Weather app Tomorrow.io relies on a network of satellites to help predict the forecast. The app recently launched a feature that lets users ask questions, such as: “Is it a good idea to go play golf in three hours?”

Tomorrow.io knows your location and gives narrative responses, says CFO Stephen Gregorio ’82. “We’re looking at AI here at work in terms of how it can help all phases of the business, from helping to write software to helping with marketing messaging.”

But when used sloppily or unethically, artificial intelligence can infringe on privacy or copyright, perpetuate biases, spread

14

WINTER 2023

Features

misinformation or cause frustration,” says Assistant Professor of Computer and Information Systems Mareike Mohlmann. Her research focuses on the business ethics of AI. “It is important for students to understand the basics of how these systems work to critically reflect on whether they’re adequate or trustworthy,” she says, adding: This is important not just for students, but for anyone interacting with AI. Learning about AI and thinking critically about its use are the first steps toward beneficial use.

Take bias in machine learning. In 2018, MIT’s Joy Buolamwini, a Ghanaian-American-Canadian computer scientist, had to wear a white mask to get an AI model to see her face. She tested three different facial-recognition models. All three had trouble detecting Black female faces because their training data sets mostly contained images of white men. Developers have since trained this type of software on more inclusive data sets. But it’s not always clear which biases an AI model might have learned.

ChatGPT is prone to what some developers call “hallucinations,” or outputs that seem factual but aren’t. It may invent citations to articles that don’t exist, bios that contain events that never happened and other false information. For instance, this writer

ILLUSTRATION BY SHUTTERSTOCK/VLADGRIN

asked ChatGPT to generate her biography. It got some of her writing credits correct, but also awarded her an impressive, yet completely false master’s degree from MIT. Many public school systems and companies have banned the app due to concerns about inaccuracy and privacy.

Lack of transparency is another issue. Take Uber: “Algorithms are literally managing millions of drivers around the world,” Mohlmann says. This is great for the company, but not so good for drivers who often don’t understand or agree with the app’s decisions on how much they get paid.

“Workers feel very frustrated because they’ve only had the opportunity to interact with the machine,” says Mohlmann. To resolve this type of situation, she suggests that a company should make sure its human workers have a voice in how the AI models they interact with function.

To solve these types of ethical and societal issues surrounding AI, many experts have called for regulations, and government officials in the U.S. and other countries are considering stricter oversight of AI.

BENTLE Y M AG A ZINE

15

Features

ADVICE FROM A DIGITAL NATIVE Hailey Jennato ’24 may not be an engineer, but, like others of her generation, she is a digital native who grew up surrounded by technology. When it comes to AI, she says that the younger generation “is really going to be pushing to adopt these kinds of tools.” She adds that AI tech “is moving really quickly.”

A double major in Marketing and Media Arts, Jennato makes a point to educate herself about AI. Thankfully, at Bentley professors regularly include AI technology in their courses. In a recent class on using Python to make visualizations with charts and graphs, Mark Frydenberg encouraged students to generate code with the help of ChatGPT. However, he explained that the students “need to still understand the code.” ChatGPT isn’t doing their work for them, they’re using it like an assistant, and they have to verify its results.

Elsewhere at Bentley, a task force is studying ways to integrate AI into courses and university operations, and a new AI major will be introduced next year.

One of the most exciting things about AI, Jennato notes, is how good it is at finding patterns in data that a human might not catch.

“You get much better insight into your company data, which you can use to create strategic plans,” she says. In one of her internships, a sales team used AI to generate deals for customers. AI would “analyze all the information they had on a customer and then suggest the best deal that you should present to the customer in that moment,” says Jennato. Most people wouldn’t have the time or skills to figure out the sale or promotion that’s most relevant to the customer — the one that will have the highest chance of success.

In addition, when AI takes over tedious or repetitive tasks, human workers can focus on things that have more impact or are more interesting, Jennato says. Ideally, this results in happier, less stressed workers who are focused on rewarding work.

THE REAL PROMISE OF AI Like any technology, AI by itself is neither good nor bad. It’s how people apply it that matters.

As Frydenberg demonstrated in his class, we should think about AI as a tool that can improve our lives ­— one that augments the work we’re already doing. People still have to tell AI which task they’d like it to perform, which type of paragraph to write or image to design. And, Frydenberg says, people are still the ones making strategic decisions about how to train and implement AI, managing the machines to make sure they perform as desired and, most important, maintaining human business relationships.

Most of us enjoy the personal touch of interacting with other people, adds Mohlmann. Jobs that involve social and emotional work, like nursing, are least likely to be automated, she says.

Intelligence is the real promise of AI — it’s right there in the name. But, in the end, it’s not really about how smart the machine is. It’s about how we use the technology to augment and enhance our own human intelligence, allowing us to create things and address problems in the world in brand new ways.

As Frydenberg says, people should use AI to “work not just faster, but faster and smarter.”

ILLUSTRATION BY SHUTTERSTOCK/VLADGRIN

What is inflation? A Bentley student and AI explain.

A.

16

WINTER 2023

Inflation is an issue as old as time but has recently been at an all-time high. Inflation, simply put, is when there is a steady increase in the price of goods and services, which tends to reduce the value of currency, also known as aggregate price. An increase in inflation leads to an increase in supply. The impact of COVID and the economic dip it caused led to high inflation rates as the economy began to recover. High inflation rates are alarming because they put more stress on the consumer as the goods and services they once were able to pay for may no longer be within their budget. In return, the economy suffers if consumers aren’t spending. If their wages are not proportionately increasing compared to price increases, it’s no wonder people aren’t spending as much.

Features

AI HAS BEEN OUR PARTNER FOR DECADES Researchers have been trying to model intelligence in machines since computers were so large that they took up entire rooms. The first academic conference about artificial intelligence took place at Dartmouth College in 1956. Scholars had great hopes for this new “AI,” but at the time it couldn’t accomplish much.

As computing speed and data capacity increased, AI got smarter.

In 1996, the IBM computer Deep Blue defeated world chess champion Garry Kasparov. This was a triumph of symbolic AI, an early form of AI technology that relied on logic and rules.

In the years to follow, machine learning became far more powerful and popular. Common applications today include the technology that powers recommendations for online retail and streaming services.

Driverless cars rely on machine learning to navigate around city streets, and medical researchers use it to search for proteins that might lead to new cures. ChatGPT and Google’s Bard generate writing samples and code, while Midjourney and Stable Diffusion create artwork and even video. With so much attention now focused on it, new AI tools will undoubtedly emerge in the coming months.

ILLUSTRATION BY SHUTTERSTOCK/LIDIIA

Can you guess which is which?

Inflation is the persistent increase in the general price level of goods and services within an economy, typically measured as an annual percentage. It affects consumers by eroding the purchasing power of their money. As prices rise, the same amount of currency can buy fewer goods and services, reducing real income. High inflation can lead to uncertainty, making long-term financial planning challenging. Additionally, it can result in higher interest rates, increasing the cost of borrowing. However, moderate inflation can stimulate spending and investment, which can be positive for economic growth. So the impact of inflation on consumers depends on its rate and stability, requiring individuals to adjust their financial strategies accordingly.

Example “A” was written by a student for her Principles of Macroeconomics course. Example “B” was written by ChatGPT using the prompt, “What is inflation and how does it affect consumers?”

B.

Features

In the above illustration, left to right: Carmen Chen ’23, Matt Santangelo ’00 and Diana (Nelson) Gagnon ’14.

18

WINTER 2023

Features

Finding your own way is easier said than done. Thankfully, there are generous Falcons in the world who believe in the worth and promise of those following in their flight paths.

BY KRISTIN LIVINGSTON ART BY YENNY HERNANDEZ

On hot August days, the asphalt lanes of Route 38 in Tewksbury, Mass., seem to ripple with steam. In winter, commuters are lucky if the snowy road is plowed and sanded. Never mind the sidewalk. One wrong step could send a pedestrian sliding into the busy street.

Diana (Nelson) Gagnon ’14 well remembers walking that route in 2006 to and from her many jobs: head cashier at Home Depot, shift manager at Wendy’s, overnight cashier at McDonald’s.

She was saving for college. A Pittsburgh transplant in a New England mill town, Gagnon couldn’t afford a car, let alone the full cost of a college education. “It was a luxury, not a right,” she says. That luxury would take six years, countless overtime hours and her boyfriend (now husband) Paul sacrificing his own education to put hers first.

Throughout her childhood, Gagnon had watched her parents live paycheck to paycheck, each working at least two jobs at a time to support the family. “Right when I was graduating high school, my dad was just honest with me,” she remembers. “He said, ‘We want you to be in college, but we’re not going to be able to give you a single penny.

You have to find your own way one day.’”

There’s a folder in Anne Marston’s Los Angeles home filled with letters of gratitude, Gagnon’s among them. Each year, a new one arrives, and Marston ’76 says, “It’s like Christmas.” Since she endowed her scholarship at Bentley almost 30 years ago, the retired financial executive never knows which student she’s helped until the mail comes.

The letters are a legacy of Bentley lives changed by an alumna’s generosity.

Marston matriculated at 26, having spent her years between high school and college working part-time at a grocery store and raising three kids.

She knows the value of a dollar. “There weren’t many women in accounting in the ’70s,” she says.

“Unfortunately, to me that hadn’t seemed to change much by the ’90s. I knew I needed to help anybody who wants to do this.”

Like Marston, Gagnon entered Bentley in her 20s, carefully choosing a university that would provide a strong return on investment. “The grants and scholarships spoke so loudly to me that I couldn’t say no,” she says. Still, she maximized every minute, stocking her summers with credits at Northern Essex Community College.

Life, as it does, took an unfair turn in Gagnon’s final semester. Paul was laid off. “I put my nose to the grindstone,” she says, completing six courses to graduate on schedule. The couple rode his severance to commencement to make sure she gained her degree without a dollar of debt. “I’m so proud I could do that for the both of us.”

BENTLE Y M AG A ZINE

19

Features

—Bob

Matt Santangelo ’00 spent his college Saturdays rising at 5 a.m. to drive home to Fitchburg, Mass.

His first task: Open the family coffee shop.

The rest of the weekend was spent waiting tables, working at the convenience store and refereeing youth sports.

Bentley wasn’t able to provide as much aid as he’d needed. But, he says, “It was the school that I felt the most passionate about going to. I told my parents: ‘Listen. If you’re willing to go 50-50 with me out of the gate, I promise you, by the time I leave, I’m going to prove to you academically that it was worth the investment.’”

By his junior year, Santangelo had earned a full ride. He transitioned to internships to help pay for everyday needs like food and books. Gas continued to be covered by his grandfather, who sent him $50 a month like clockwork. Santangelo says, “He never went to college, but he understood — long before I could fully appreciate it — how valuable my degree would be.”

20

WINTER 2023

Today, Santangelo is the CFO of software company Forcepoint and the founder of a scholarship in his grandfather’s name. The recipients and their stories, he admits, get him choked up. For the past five years, his scholarship has helped two students in the first generation of their families to attend college to realize their dreams.

Santangelo says he knows what it’s like to work hard, “but I can’t imagine the hardships these students have gone through.”

Bob Ripley ’80 agrees. A native Bostonian and former banking executive, he started giving back to Bentley in his first year after graduation and has since donated more than $600,000, ensuring aid for scholarships in his estate plans. “The organizations I worked for paid for my graduate school,” he says. “So I thought, when you get in a position to give back, you should. And these students today … they are really exceptional young people who deserve an education that will take them places.”

Features

On Friday the 13th of March 2020, the United States abruptly ground to a halt as a national emergency was declared due to COVID-19. First-year student Carmen Chen ’23 was suddenly quarantined at home in Quincy, Mass., just 20 miles from campus.

Immigrants from China, Chen’s parents were also cut off from their lives and some essential income.

“You wouldn’t think studying from home is expensive, but money was as tight then as it was when I applied,” Chen says. She refused to let a virus steal her education: It was COVID versus Carmen, a former Air Force Junior Reserve Officer. A lifelong clarinet player who gamely took up French horn “because the band needed someone.”

A first-generation American and college student who boarded a plane to study abroad in Scotland as soon as pandemic restrictions eased.

For Chen, Ripley’s scholarship was the difference between living a full, postCOVID life studying in Scotland and Waltham — and staying home to regroup.

Today, she’s an assurance associate at PwC. “His aid was everything,” she says.

The emotional investment of a scholarship is often more powerful than the financial, says Santangelo: “Financial aid is directly impacting the lives of young people who are then impacting the world.”

Adds Gagnon: “What might seem like a small amount to one person can really add up for someone else. Imagine if everyone donated just $25.”

An accountant with Northland Investment Corporation, a real estate private equity firm, Gagnon has come a long way from those long walks to work at Home Depot. She and Paul are planning to buy a house. And she can’t thank Marston enough for helping her almost a decade ago: “There are no words to ever thank and repay her for what she did because every cent helped.” Gas, books, all the little things add up, she says.

“When your savings only go so far, a scholarship can change your life.”

—Matt

BENTLE Y M AG A ZINE

21

Features

IS MORE THAN A

DEGREE It’s ensuring students have the space to

be their most authentic selves. It’s giving access to the unique resources that will help them soar. It’s supporting the whole Bentley experience — books and beyond.

A FORMULA FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP For Stephen ’08 and Samantha Somers, giving back to Bentley is an investment. Steve thinks of their $1 million donation to Bentley’s Entrepreneurship Hub (E-Hub) as the beginning of a self-sustaining ecosystem: giving students the support they need to build successful businesses will create alumni running successful companies, who will then be able to give even more philanthropic support to Bentley. It’s a tradition and a culture he’s committed to helping create.

Somers is impressed with Sandeep Purao, director of the E-Hub, and with the developments that have been made in the entrepreneurship realm at Bentley. Activities include coaching sessions with alumni mentors, an Entrepreneurial Studies minor, internships, and a physical space: the Somers Garage, named in recognition of the $1 million donation.

His investment will make future possibilities viable, including a pitch competition, seed funding, expanding the physical footprint and more.

After graduating from Bentley, Somers worked at Goldman Sachs for a year and then a tech startup before putting his own entrepreneurial talents to work at the chemical company owned by his father. “When you work at a small company, you can come up with an idea and execute it right then. Whether it’s an IT idea, new customer or new way of doing business, you can quickly pivot and change strategies, and that really worked well for us over the years to help build the company.”

It worked so well, in fact, that in 2021 the family sold their company, with Somers and his father staying on as employees.

With this investment, Somers is now a Great Benefactor, Bentley’s highest distinction that honors its most generous and dedicated supporters.

“I’m thrilled with Steve’s affirmation of and investment in Bentley’s E-Hub,” says President Brent Chrite.

Generous donors have helped build the Bentley story, moment by moment.

And they continue to shape its future.

22

WINTER 2023

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ALUMNUS

Features

Members of the inaugural class of Rainbow Scholars hosted the first-ever Rainbow Conference at Bentley.

PRIDE PROFESSIONALS In the fall of 2022, the Center for Women and Business and the Office of Gender and Sexuality Student Programs partnered to pilot a leadership initiative unlike any other: The Rainbow Scholars program is a yearlong resource for undergraduate LGBTQ+ and ally students to grow personally and professionally. Over the academic year, 14 scholars each received a $1,000 stipend, presented campus advocacy proposals at a full-day conference and joined lunch-and-learn events with alumni. Success has been

driven by donor Paul Grover ’81, who has invested $37,500 over the next five years to support the program. “When I met with the inaugural cohort of students, I was so impressed with their empathy and authenticity — traits that are key to inclusive and effective leadership — that I knew I wanted to support this program,” Grover says.

“Throughout the year, my interaction with these leaders of tomorrow not only confirmed to me the importance of the program but inspired me in my own leadership roles.”

PLANTING ROOTS FOR WOMEN IN STEM Litsa (Makri) Pappas ’93, P ’25 immigrated to the United States with her sister, Anna, after finishing high school in Athens, Greece. As a young and ambitious woman in a new country, her goal was to attend college to prepare her for a career in finance. She chose Bentley because the university offered both financial opportunities and a campus environment where she felt she could succeed.

A product of the times 30 years ago, Litsa was often one of a few women in her classes. She leveraged Bentley’s network to create a more inclusive culture and worked with others to create safe spaces for women to feel they belonged. “As individuals, we need to realize the power that each one of us holds to effect change,” says Litsa. “Equity is not a zero-sum game; we all benefit.”

After leaving Bentley with a degree in Finance, Litsa built a successful career working for Barclays and Commercial Bank of Greece. She credits the formal and informal mentorships and support from her professors at Bentley for shaping her to be an inclusive and authentic business leader. She has lived in three different countries with her husband Bill ’94, MBA ’95, a university trustee, and their four daughters, one of whom is a junior at Bentley.

PHOTOS BY MARIANNA OLIVIA LORDOU AND COURTESY OF THE ALUMNI

WHAT’S IN A NUMBER? Shane Kinahan ’94 made a commitment totaling $175,000 over five years, or $35,000 each year, for Bentley’s Division I ice hockey team. The number 35 isn’t just any number to Kinahan — it’s the jersey number that he wore while playing goalie for the Falcons from 1991 to 1994.

“Remaining a part of the Bentley hockey story is important to me, and it’s an exciting time for the program,” says the co-founder and managing partner of Lake Avenue Capital. “I want to help this program succeed as a national leader, on and off the ice.”

Kinahan’s continued support of the ice hockey program allows the team to recruit the very best student-athletes, expand team travel, and invest in equipment and gear, while also enhancing health and wellness programming.

In the spirit of closing the representation gap, Litsa and Bill have created the Litsa Makri Pappas ’93 Endowed Scholarship Fund, a $250,000 investment in women at Bentley. Litsa says it was important to her and Bill to pay it forward after Bentley gave them so much. “When you have a connection to a place that played such a critical part in your development as a young person, I believe it’s important to maintain those relationships and give back to the institution in any way that you can — especially to help shape the future.”

BENTLE Y M AG A ZINE

23

CLASS NOTES

Kimberly Lo ’15 said “yes” to Christopher Jin ’14 when he proposed in December 2022. “We met in 2011 playing intramural volleyball at the Dana Center,” writes the alumna. “We are happily engaged and excited to start the next chapter of our lives!”

24

WINTER 2023

Class Notes

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ALUMNI

BENTLE Y M AG A ZINE

25

Class Notes

1973

1976

1986

Ernest E. Washington Jr. ’73, Mattapan, Mass., was honored in May 2023 for being one of only two African American contract parking operators in the U.S. His business — Vanguard Parking & General Services Corporation — is New England’s only African American-owned, inner city-based parking management organization. “Our motto is ‘one team, one goal,’” says the co-founder of Bentley’s Black United Body (BUB). “We train employees in soft skills development, parking and revenue control, janitorial services and fundamental life-planning skills. We strive to lift up the local communities where we live and work.”

Tom Jackson ’76 announced his retirement on April 30, 2023, after a 47-year career. A CPA, he started his career in public accounting with Harris, Kerr, Forster (now PKF) in Boston and went on to become CFO for a number of private companies. For the last decade, the alumnus served as CFO of Dedham Country and Polo Club. He and his wife Ginny reside in Medway, Mass.

In June 2023, Kevin P. Martin Jr. ’86, MST ’92, Milton, Mass., published “All Is Well: Life Lessons from a Preacher’s Father,” a biography of his father who died from ALS in 2019. Kevin P. Martin Sr. ’63 was an “example of how we can better live a life without regret, how we can make the best of the time we have and how we can do the most with the journey we’re given,” he writes. Kevin Jr. also reports that he and wife Lisa (Carbone) Martin ’86, MST ’92 have been married for 32 years. He is the managing partner of CohnReznick in Boston and a deacon in the Archdiocese of Boston. In 2020, he oversaw the funeral and offered the homily for the late Joe Cronin, former president of Bentley.

1979 Dallas W. Coffman ’79, North Reading, Mass., was appointed treasurer, safety team advisor-at-large and patroller stress awareness team chair for the eastern division of the National Ski Patrol.

1981

Runners Reunite Erik Mattson ’91 shares that 16 members of the men’s cross country and track teams from the classes of 1989, 1990 and 1991 reunited in Portsmouth, N.H., on January 14, 2023, after former teammate Todd Keigwin ’91 unexpectedly passed away. “Once the news spread amongst our former teammates, it was agreed that we were long overdue to gather,” writes Mattson.

“We shared a toast for Todd and reminisced about all the miles we ran at the Dana Center, around Waltham and at meets.” The former student-athletes were joined by former Coach Barry Harwick.

Mattson shares that nine out of the 15 cross country team members from the 1986 NE-8 championship team were in attendance, along with 11 out of 16 from the 1989 NE-10 championship team.

26

WINTER 2023

Heather Brown Colbert ’81, MBA ’87, Windham, N.H., was selected as the Realtor of the Year by the Granite State South Board of Realtors (GSSBR). Colbert started in real estate 26 years ago with Pater Real Estate Management Co. Inc., and is involved in the management team, property management and leasing, while maintaining board commitments to GGSBR and volunteering for the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains.

1983 Duane Farrar ’83, Watertown, Mass., was elected to the Board of Directors of Boston’s Community Boating, Inc. (CBI) in October 2022. Incorporated in 1946, CBI is the oldest public sailing organization in the United States. Farrar also serves as the treasurer for Boston Blind Sailing, Inc.

In January 2023, after a 30-year career in accounting and finance, Vicki (Vassalotti) Semanie ’86, Bel Air, Md., started Seven Stones Life Coaching, a company that helps people lead healthy, prosperous, balanced and purposeful lives.

Seven Stones is driven by the belief that helping others achieve success and satisfaction will have a ripple effect on their lives and on those they interact with.

1987 Jim Sano, MBA ’87, Medfield, Mass., has published “Self-Portrait,” his fifth novel and fourth book in his awardwinning Fr. Tom series. The alumnus also reports that he and his wife, Joanne, celebrated their 36th anniversary in 2023.

1988 Drew Vaughn ’88, Milford, Conn., and Thomas DeLorenzo ’88, River Edge, N.J., are co-founders of Avant Green 97, which offers the first national database of large commercial buildings covered under a regulatory emissions cap. Avant Green 97 has been selected as a partner to the Clinton Global Initiative, and by the chairman of President Biden’s Climate Council to support the fight against climate change. This is the second venture the alumni are taking on together. In 2007, they started a financial data company to address the housing crisis.

Class Notes

SPOTLIGHT CLASS OF 2019

The Beauty of Breaking Boundaries

BY MOLLY MASTANTUONO

Kristina Ayanian ’19 knows that beauty pageants can be polarizing, with some viewers believing they objectify participants and perpetuate unhealthy, unrealistic and unenlightened ideals of womanhood. But to Ayanian — who, as Miss Universe Armenia 2022, recently competed in the 71st annual Miss Universe Pageant — pageants have always been empowering. “As a titleholder, I can bring greater awareness to the causes I care about,” she says.

I want to show young girls and women everywhere that they are capable beyond their wildest dreams.”

A proud Armenian American and member of a multi-generation refugee family, Ayanian’s chief cause is the current humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, a long-disputed region in the South Caucasus claimed by both Armenia and neighboring Azerbaijan. During each of her pageant-related appearances and interviews, and through her own social media posts, Ayanian has encouraged others to support the Armenian cause.

Her advocacy has been lifelong: Notably in 2013, when she was named Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen, Ayanian also served as a youth ambassador for food insecurity nonprofit Project Bread. She travels to Armenia at least once a year, spending time with refugee families and providing much-needed supplies. Eye Support, a nonprofit she and four friends founded to aid refugees, has purchased livestock with plans to expand: “We bought chickens for families so the children can have breakfast before going to school.”

Beyond the pageants, Ayanian is an accomplished pianist who has performed dozens of times at New York City’s Carnegie Hall — most recently in June 2022, when she played works

by Armenian composer Arno Babjanian. After graduating cum laude from Bentley in 2019, she began working at Nasdaq; she’s currently chief of staff to Nasdaq’s chief client officer and hosts a video series promoting profit and purpose.

Beauty pageants and Nasdaq may seem an unlikely pairing, but that is precisely the point, Ayanian says: “I want to show young girls and women everywhere that they are capable beyond their wildest dreams.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ALUMNA

Marking a Milestone Cheryl-Ann R. Weekes ’95 celebrated her 50th birthday with a girls trip to St. Lucia. Thirteen friends and family members joined the celebration, including five Falcons. From left: Jenn Pontillo ’95, Sherraine Diaz ’96, Monique (Young) Jefferson ’96, Cheryl-Ann R. Weekes ’95, Mary Ann Jackson ’95 and Katie (Penn) Lampley ’96. The guest of honor asked those celebrating with her to wear primary colors. “I love a variety of colors, they make me happy,” says Weekes.

“The birthday trip was a celebration of love and friendship — all the different colors is a representation of that.”

BENTLE Y M AG A ZINE

27

Class Notes

1989

2002

Dennis Bolton ’89, Charlotte, N.C., has been named head of equipment financeNorth America for Gordon Brothers Group based in Boston, Mass.

Christie Lindor ’02, Hyde Park, Mass., was recognized as one of the six Black Female Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2023 by HerMoney. The alumna reports her diversity and inclusion firm Tessi Consulting became a seven-figure business in its second year.

They also doubled their sales in 2021 and achieved 80% client retention in 2022.

Dick Howell ’89, Foxboro, Mass., of the Bulfinch Group, has earned the designation of Five Star Wealth Manager for the second year as featured in Boston Magazine’s March 2023 issue.

WBTY Bunch After returning to campus for the 2022 WBTY Block Party, celebrating Bentley’s student-run radio station, Doug Orifice ’99 and Steve Theodoridis ’00 coordinated a Waltham dinner for alumni and students — 30 Falcons gathered for the April 2023 event. “Our time spent at WBTY was truly at the heart of our Bentley experience,” writes Orifice, adding that both alumni attended this year’s Block Party, as well. “Steve and I have both taken the lessons learned at the station to become business owners in the dreaded ‘real world’ over the last 20 years.” Theodoridis has remained in the music industry, founding Pirate! Promotions nearly 18 years ago. Orifice is a principal and LPL financial advisor at Arsenal Financial LLC. Since 1980, WBTY has provided music, news, sports broadcasts and radio shows and been a hub for students, including by providing competitions and raffles at Bentley. The station hosts hourly shows created by student DJs and specialty events on campus such as music festivals.

1990 Michael Meleedy ’90, Upton, Mass., is now chief operations officer at SNIA, a nonprofit organization made up of member companies spanning information technology. Their mission is to lead the storage industry worldwide in developing and promoting vendor-neutral architectures, standards and educational services that facilitate the efficient management, movement and security of information.

1992 Stoneham, Mass., resident Nicholas P. DiNatale ’92 is a CPA and managing member of the DiNatale, CPA+ public practice in the same town; the firm is celebrating its 25th anniversary. “Looking back on my Bentley days, I am thankful for my time with Professors Cross and Slaughter and the friends made along the way,” writes the alumnus.

2001 Marc Bello ’01, MST ’01, Beverly, Mass., joined Willamette Management Associates, a Citizens company, as a managing director and will lead Willamette’s new Boston office. Bello’s professional expertise centers in the areas of business valuation, forensic accounting and financial consulting services dealing with complex compensation and taxation issues.

Brad Champion ’01, Westwood, Mass., of The Bulfinch Group, has earned the designation of Five Star Wealth Manager for the fourth year as featured in Boston Magazine’s March 2023 issue.

28

WINTER 2023

Sustainability at the UN On May 9, 2023, at the United Nations headquarters, Alexander Gillett ’04, Highland, N.Y., represented HowGood and the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) Agribusiness Taskforce, formed at the invitation of King Charles III. Gillett is the CEO of HowGood, an independent research company and SaaS data platform with the world’s largest database on food product sustainability. He reports that the event shared how the private sector is scaling up regenerative agriculture and transforming the food industry to become nature positive. “The event showcased how industry coalitions like SMI and companies like HowGood are catalyzing the shift to a food system that sequesters carbon, enhances biodiversity and uplifts human rights.”

Class Notes

ALUMNI 2023

AWARDS The Harry C. Bentley Award for Alumni Achievement honors graduates who embody the spirit of Bentley’s founder by excelling in their profession, community or university engagement.

Sonya Yee Coleman ’86 On December 14, 2012, the American news cycle was flooded with images of smiling children — victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Sonya Coleman couldn’t look away.

Fast forward more than a decade: Coleman is executive director of Stop Handgun Violence, a nonprofit that raises awareness, promotes education and advocates for public policy. Over the years she has met hundreds of survivors and families, organized rallies and marches, and helped put legislation in place to protect the commonwealth from gun violence. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” she says, “and I have no intention of stopping.”

Four Earn Annual Global Alumni Board Awards The Emerging Alumni Leader Award recognizes graduating seniors whose college years reflect their potential to be outstanding and involved alumni, based on three criteria.

Inclusivity: Anyfern Gonzalez ’23 A first-generation American, the first in her family to graduate from college, the first Falcon to earn a degree in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the first student to receive the Dr. Earl L. Avery MLK Leadership Award, Gonzalez is always one to raise her voice. As a member of the Racial Justice Task Force, she says: “I began to learn why my identity matters so much in a business environment. DEI encapsulates everything I am advocating for.”

Honesty: Wei ‘Victor’ Liu ’23 When asked about Liu, Lecturer in Accounting Lynn Wolf cites his willingness to “go above and beyond to help fellow Falcons, from the Lab for Economics, Accounting and Finance to student government to committees for diversity, equity and inclusion.” Adds Professor Tracy Noga: “I have been at Bentley for 18 years and Victor is the student who stands out as the most committed to each endeavor.” Both agree: His integrity is unmatched. For Liu, it is a point of pride to be a resource for “the Falcons I now call family.”

Impact: Bobby Olejarczyk ’23 Being recognized for his work on the Rainbow Luncheon, Student Programs and Engagement, and many other facets of campus life “feels amazing,” Olejarczyk says. “But I also feel it’s my responsibility to do something good in the world.” An internship with the U.S. Department of Education has inspired him to join the Peace Corps or nonprofit sector.

PHOTOS BY STEVE BENOIT

BENTLE Y M AG A ZINE

29

Class Notes

2003 Jason “Jay” M. D’Entremont ’03, Norwell, Mass., has been recognized as a top financial advisor by Northwestern Mutual (NM). This elite membership, the 2023 Forum Group, represents the top segment of NM’s industry-leading financial professionals and is a testament to their exceptional service and commitment to clients.

It’s about understanding consumer needs and bringing them to life in new ways with kids’ favorite characters”

“Advance to GO!” Work is a toy story for Shannon Sasaluxanon of Hasbro

BY KRISTIN LIVINGSTON

Like a lot of parents, Shannon (Coleman) Sasaluxanon ’07 loves to get on the floor and play with her children; unlike most, she’s sometimes running “the kitchen test” — a time for the mom of two and brand lead for the Disney Preschool portfolio to test toys from work on her kids at home.

For the past decade, Sasaluxanon has deftly launched products across the Hasbro catalogue, from Playskool to Star Wars to Marvel, from play sets to action figures to vehicles. She says each brand is like its own mini company, giving her new experiences in brand building and product development as she moves from line to line, and the chance to manage growing cross-functional teams of diverse talents.

She credits her business background at Bentley and IE Business School in Madrid with helping her to not only become a management leader, but also a people leader: “I have particularly felt, in the last several years, the foundations I got in business school really set me up to set myself apart as a leader and think more holistically about the brands I am building.”

So, what are the building blocks of a great toy? It’s about understanding consumer needs and bringing them to life in new ways with kids’ favorite characters, she explains; a balance of smartly using an industry mold that’s tried and true (think trucks and dolls), while elevating the field with innovation and modern trends (think sustainability and education). Once a product has been designed, engineered and tested, her team gets creative with TV and social media marketing strategies. Fun fact: In 1952, Hasbro was the first brand to advertise a toy on television. His name: Mr. Potato Head.

While her favorite childhood toy and bucket list brand to work on is My Little Pony, Sasaluxanon loves knowing that, no matter the product, she’s bringing joy to children.

“I played with these toys as a kid and now I’m the one designing them,” she says.

“That’s the magic … getting to come full circle.”

WINTER 2023

Alissa (Rogers) Massimilla ’06 and husband Michael Massimilla, Bedford, Mass., completed their family by welcoming baby girl Kaia Marie on February 16, 2023.

She joins big brother Logan (10) and big sisters Ava (8) and Annika (2).

2007

SPOTLIGHT CLASS OF 2007

30

2006

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ALUMNA

Tezzy Bergantz ’07, MSA ’08 and Nathan Mah tied the knot on April 30, 2022, in Waterville Valley, N.H. The couple was surrounded by 20 of their closest Falcon friends for their big day! They honeymooned hiking in the Rocky Mountains and reside in Sharon, Mass.

2008 Caitlin Cooney ’08, Quincy, Mass., became the director of patient office insights and experience at Servier Pharmaceuticals on May 1, 2023.

Robert “Bobby” Forgione ’08, Houston, Texas, will be starting the MBA program at the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University with an expected graduation of 2025.

2009 David Loy Frishkorn ’09, Tampa, Fla., has published his second book, “The Great Reimagination: In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union,” as a follow up to his first novel, “The Great Divorce” (2018). “More Perfect Union” follows the story of two octogenarians who assemble several retired world leaders to brainstorm ideas for a better world.

Class Notes

Pratt & Whitney’s Melissa (Ostering) Spratt ’09, Ivoryton, Conn., self-published her poetry collection “My Roots Grow Strong” in April. The alumna writes of her debut, this “is a beautifully illustrated 87-poem collection with themes of healing and hope, love and loss, mental health, miscarriage, womanhood, motherhood and mother nature. Roots are one’s foundation for strength and growth. While our heart, mind and body represent all pieces of us and our stories, this book’s purpose is to show everyone that we have the strength to overcome life’s struggles and that we are connected.”

Stephen ’10, MBA ’16 and Alexandra (Lambert) Scaringe ’10, Reading, Mass., welcomed Tate Evan to the family in September 2022. He joins siblings Savannah and Greyson.

Michael Culkin ’13 and Maria Rocchio ’16 were married on July 22, 2022, in Rockleigh, N.J. They honeymooned in Italy, visiting Milan, Florence, Rome and Sorrento. The couple lives in East Rutherford, N.J.

2011

2014

2010

Christine (Uzdejczyk) Perry ’12 and Francis “Frank” Perry IV ’11, MSF ’12, Boston, Mass., welcomed Francis “Frankie” Perry V to the world on January 6, 2023.

Michael Andreasen ’10, Amherst, N.H., has been elevated to partner at Burns & Levinson in Boston. He is a member of the firm’s Business, Finance & Transactions Group, where he focuses his practice on general corporate, mergers and acquisitions, finance, securities, venture capital and private equity matters. He received his J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law in 2014.

Jose Herrera ’10, New York, N.Y., is the founder of Horatio, a CX firm revolutionizing customer experience globally. In 2023, Herrera and his two co-founders expanded their company and were named #8 (out of 1125) on Inc. Magazine’s 2023 regional list of top companies in North America.

Francis “Frank” Perry IV ’11, MSF ’12 and Christine (Uzdejczyk) ’12, Boston, Mass., welcomed Francis “Frankie” Perry V to the world on January 6, 2023.

2012 Zachary ’12 and Melissa (Reville) Renschler ’12, PhD ’20, Somerville, Mass., welcomed son William David on December 14, 2022.

2013 Shauna (Sarsfield) Admirand ’13 and husband Rob welcomed son Walter Ace on March 22, 2023. The new mom writes, “We hope he’ll be a Bentley or EmbryRiddle graduate like one of his parents someday!”

FOLD

On July 1, 2023, Zahra Alavi ’14, MSA ’15, Lake Forest, Calif., became a member of Bentley’s FOLD (Falcons of the Last Decade) Board. She will help enhance the alumni experience for her peers, creating well-thought-out and intentional opportunities for young alumni to engage with one another, deepen their relationship with Bentley and be inspired to give back to the community through their time, talent and treasure.

2016 FOLD

Savannah Febesh ’16 and Daniel Shaughnessy ’16 said “I do” at the Cliff House in Cape Neddick, Maine, on June 2, 2023, surrounded by many fellow Falcons, including former field hockey and lacrosse teammates. The newlyweds call Charlestown, Mass., home.

Maria Rocchio ’16 and Michael Culkin ’13 were married on July 22, 2022, in Rockleigh, N.J. They honeymooned in Italy, visiting Milan, Florence, Rome and Sorrento. The couple lives in East Rutherford, N.J.

Meet the Global Alumni Board A sounding board for alumni engagement around the world, Bentley’s Global Alumni Board (GAB) is dedicated to ensuring a two-way conversation between the university and Falcon graduates, as well as advancing the many ways alumni can connect at every stage of their lives and careers.

A new member has joined their ranks:

Chirag Shah ’06, executive vice president at Gallagher Re, adds representation from New Jersey. Now leading the Gallagher Re casualty reinsurance business globally, Shah previously served as head of the firm’s London market and international casualty segments.

Shah joins 11 returning GAB members for the July 2023 to June 2024 term: Chair Keith Singletary ’96, New York, N.Y.; Vice Chair Ney Omar Peralta Jr. ’10, Woodcliff Lake, N.J.; Jim Buckley ’10, MBA ’11, Willmington, Mass.; Cody Aguirre Clearwater ’08, Boston, Mass.; Ken Foo ’99, MSF ’01, San Francisco, Calif.; Annemarie Frank ’88, Saint Petersburg, Fla.; Guilda Hilaire ’00, Dedham, Mass.; Christos Kalogeropoulos, MBA ’91, Chalandri, Athens, Greece; Desirée Mieses Llavat ’91, MBA ’97, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Mark Longo ’89, Pasadena, Calif.; and Danielle Parsons ’05, MST ’06, Babylon, N.Y.

Learn more and get involved at bentley.edu/gab.

BENTLE Y M AG A ZINE

31

Executive PhD in Business Welcomes First Class The new Executive PhD in Business program welcomed its first class of 26 students this fall. The accelerated three-year, part-time program allows full-time working professionals to strengthen their industry expertise and influence through an intensive research-based curriculum. Graduates gain the ability to identify consequential challenges, the analytical tool set to reach data-driven decisions, and the insights to manage change in any business or organization. Students in the first class hold positions with Bank of America, CVS Health, Google Cloud, Blue Cross Blue Shield and companies in many other industries.

To learn more, visit bentley.edu/executivePhD

Students in the Executive PhD in Business program (on stairs) with program faculty and staff Alex Lopilato, Patricia Caffrey, Jill Brown and Sarahbeth Persiani.

32

WINTER 2023

PHOTO BY JAMISON WEXLER

Hands in the Air Students enjoy a Spring Day 2023 performance by the rapper Aminé in the Bentley Arena.

What was your favorite concert at Bentley? Send your memory to magazine@bentley.edu PHOTO BY KEVIN MAGUIRE

BENTLE Y M AG A ZINE

33

Class Notes

2017

2018

2022

Allie Downs ’17 and Matt Ferreira ’17 tied the knot in Newport, R.I., on August 11, 2022. Several Falcons from the classes of 2016, 2017 and 2020 were in attendance, including maid of honor Kelly Grady ’17; bridesmaid Eshita Shah, MBA ’23; groomsman John Tascione ’17, groomsman Chris Mitchell ’17, Shannon Sciarappa ’17, MBA ’19; Alex Yuan ’17; Chris McGinnis ’17; Kayla Marandola ’16; James Allocca ’20, MSA ’21; Swathi Chikoti ’20 and Nick Buono ’20. The couple honeymooned in Disneyland and Hawaii, and resides on the South Shore.

Chris Buchanan ’18 and Ana Tantum ’17 were married on January 28, 2023, in Isabela, Puerto Rico. Many fellow Falcons were in attendance, including former women’s soccer and men’s ice hockey teammates. The couple currently lives in Santa Cruz, Calif., and enjoyed a honeymoon in Tanzania in May 2023.

Courtney Woronka ’21, MBA ’22, Chicago, Ill., has been appointed as a member of Bentley’s FOLD (Falcons of the Last Decade) Board. Starting July 1, 2023, Woronka will help enhance the alumni experience for her peers, creating wellthought-out and intentional opportunities for young alumni to engage with one another, deepen their relationship with Bentley and be inspired to give back to the community through their time, talent and treasure.

FOLD

Ana Tantum ’17 and Chris Buchanan ’18 were married on January 28, 2023, in Isabela, Puerto Rico. Many fellow Falcons were in attendance, including former women’s soccer and men’s ice hockey teammates. The couple currently lives in Santa Cruz, Calif., and enjoyed a honeymoon in Tanzania in May 2023.

Mohamed Sakr ’17 married Salma Helmy at the pyramids of Giza in Cairo, Egypt, on May 12, 2023. The couple was joined on their big day by fellow Falcons: John Casassa ’17, MST ’18; Jerry Liang ’17; Salma Madwar ’17; Rachel Palumbo ’18; and Atish Patel ’17.

Christopher Volberg ’17, New York, N.Y., has been appointed as a member of Bentley’s FOLD (Falcons of the Last Decade) Board, starting July 1, 2023. As a FOLD Board member, the alumnus will help enhance the alumni experience for his peers, creating well-thought-out and intentional opportunities for young alumni to engage with one another, deepen their relationship with Bentley and be inspired to give back to the community through their time, talent and treasure.

FOLD

Abigail Souza ’18 and Hayden Rappoport tied the knot on April 29, 2023, at Wychmere Beach Club in Harwich Port, Mass. Fellow Falcons in attendance included Souza’s sister Annalisa ’22; parents David ’81 and Adrienne (White) ’81; and David’s roommate and Bentley trustee Steve DelVecchio ’81, P ’07, ’11.

The newlyweds honeymooned in Maui, Hawaii. They reside in Chelmsford, Mass.

2019 FOLD

Daniella Yanes ’19, Miami, Fla., is a coordinator for content strategy and acquisitions at Sony Pictures Entertainment.

2020 FOLD

On July 1, 2023, Sabrina Elouardi ’20, Amsterdam, Netherlands, was appointed as a member of Bentley’s FOLD (Falcons of the Last Decade) Board. As a member of the FOLD Board, the alumna will help enhance the alumni experience for her peers, creating well-thought-out and intentional opportunities for young alumni to engage with one another, deepen their relationship with Bentley and be inspired to give back to the community through their time, talent and treasure.

2021 FOLD

Carmen Garcia, MBA ’21 and John Sutyak married in Lynchburg, Va., on January 28, 2023. The couple set sail on a Mediterranean honeymoon in July and live in Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia.

34

WINTER 2023

FOLD

2023 FOLD

Makena Romagnano ’23, New Albany, Ohio, is the CEO of Team MPower, an online fitness and nutrition coaching company that works directly with women to improve their quality of life through personal development and strength so they can show up more fully in their lives. The alumna is a Certified ACE Personal Trainer, nutrition coach through PN-1 and NCI-L1 and a hormone and women’s health specialist through NCI. She is also the host of the “Made For More” podcast, which takes a deep dive into topics related to fitness, nutrition, faith, relationships, travel and “just how to make the most of this life,” she writes. “My mission is to give out value and content that educate women properly about nutrition and fitness and promote balance and harmony, instead of restriction and deprivation.”

FOLD = Falcons of the Last Decade

Send us your notes and photos! bentley.edu/class-notes

Class Notes

Gatherings

Alumni and friends got together near and far: at Saratoga Race Course, welcoming the newest members of the FOLD (Falcons of the Last Decade), on the Bentley campus to celebrate reunion and more.

Visit bentley.edu/alumni-events to find events near you!

If you’re a member of the Class of 1974 or the Blue and Gold Society, mark your calendar for the 50th and Blue and Gold Society Reunion, May 17 and 18, 2024.

Visit bentley.edu/50th-bg-reunion to learn more!

PHOTOS BY JONATHAN KEMP, JAMISON WEXLER, AUSTIN WILDER

BENTLE Y M AG A ZINE

35

Class Notes

TRENDING

Banking on the Future

Instability and the collapse of several banks have focused attention on the banking industry. We asked two alumni experts to share some guidance on where the industry is headed.

Phil Picillo ’79 Senior Vice President, Webster Bank There have been so many changes in banking over the past five years. What began as a simple digital banking platform with little functionality has advanced to a robust platform. Now, people and businesses at the click of a mouse or keystroke can borrow, transact, open accounts and do pretty much anything they used to have to do in a traditional brick-and-mortar branch. Many banks are evaluating their brick-and-mortar footprint, and we are seeing more branch closings each year across the country.

Clearly, technology will continue to shape the banking industry’s direction. We have

seen many new advancements, such as voice-activated payments. As more of the population who grew up in the age of Apple and Meta enters the workforce, they will bring with them their experiences and new requirements to conduct their banking.

Those old enough may remember when we prepared financials very manually using green accounting paper. Gradually, we transitioned to Windows and Excel. And now the banking industry is moving toward a full embrace of artificial intelligence and ChatGPT. The future will continue to provide opportunities to enhance the client experience.

Rick Muskus ’91 Chief Lending Officer and Director of Business Banking, First County Bank When consumers and business owners are in search of a bank, the need for reliance and longevity has become incredibly important.

In the wake of recent banking turmoil, the knowledge that your banker will remain a reliable part of your personal and professional ecosystem is crucial.

It is no surprise that community banks have become a popular choice, offering a level of safety where larger banks can fall short.

The relationship goes beyond just maintaining a checking or savings account, which rarely requires any personal interaction with a banker. What the customer now looks for

36

WINTER 2023

are products and services combined with a trusted adviser. “Know your customer” at a community bank takes on a different meaning when your bank really knows you: your banking tendencies, the evolution of supporting your needs versus onboarding quotas and providing a high level of personal service.

What many consumers and businesses rightly consider when choosing a bank is the need for secure technology and digital services.

With the evolution of Banking as a Service (BaaS), the integration of technology and innovation now gives smaller financial institutions a broader menu of solutions to offer customers.

Family Matters

Fire and Ice

BY MOLLY MCKINNON

For twins Steve ’12 and Don ’12 Hopkins, the firefighter commitment to community is as strong as their brotherly bond.

Steve ’12 and Don ’12 Hopkins were up early on Spring Day 2012. The twins and football team co-captains spent the morning taking the civil service exam, before heading to the music festival to let loose with their classmates. They were

PHOTOS BY KEVIN MAGUIRE AND COURTESY OF THE ALUMNI

right to celebrate: With their impressive scores, both were hired by the City of Waltham — their hometown — within two years of graduation.

Today, Squad 5 Firefighter Steve Hopkins and Lieutenant Don Hopkins are positioned at the Moody Street Station.

Although football brought the brothers to Bentley in 2008, hockey has remained at the center of their lives, fusing together the things that they hold close: community, giving back and helping others.

From the Battle of the Badges, a hockey game that pits Waltham’s Police and Fire Departments against each other for charity on the Bentley ice, to the Heroes Cup, a hockey tournament that allows first responders and military personnel to fundraise for a charity of their choice, the

brothers have grown creative about raising money through events, experiences and more. “We try and maximize how many people we help and how much money we raise,” says Steve. “We want to do as much good as we can.”

In the last five years, the duo have focused on One Mission, a pediatric cancer nonprofit. They’ve raised over $200,000 to support holiday celebrations, art and music therapy, hospital parking and more. On visits to Boston Children’s Hospital, both have seen firsthand how One Mission helps children and their families.

“You always protect those around you,” says Don. “You protect your friends and family. You be there for the people that can’t really be there for themselves.”

BENTLE Y M AG A ZINE

37

The PROfile

The PROfile:

Life in the Fast Lane with Alfonso de Orleans-Borbón ’91

BY MICHAEL BLANDING

Alfonso de Orleans-Borbón ’91 discovered his need for speed relatively late in life — but once he entered the field of competitive car racing, he never looked back in the rear-view mirror. Placing fourth in his first 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1994, he went on to race for Ferrari, Porsche and Toyota over the next decade, including twice taking part in the infamous 6,000-mile Paris-Dakar Rally across the Sahara Desert. A prince and the Duke of Galliera (his cousin is the king of Spain), Orleans-Borbón would rather talk cars than his royal roots. The route is a much more fascinating journey.

38

WINTER 2023

The PROfile

Crash Course

Eyes on the Prize

While at Bentley, I applied for a helicopter pilot license. The day I was supposed to have my exam, we were flying from Norwood Airport back to Boston Heliport in the South End, and the engine stopped. We dropped 500 feet and survived simply because we hit a tree … in a graveyard. Guess it was not my time — though I did have nine compression fractures in my vertebrae. Although I mainly fly planes, I still continue to fly helicopters to this day.

It’s easier to get to places for work.

In the Paris-Dakar Rally, you are racing in these baja-type vehicles over sand at 120 miles an hour for weeks. If you have an accident, you will literally kill yourself. It got up to 60°C (140°F) in the cockpit, and that’s only because the gauge stopped at 60. Still, you’re 100% focused on the job; nothing affects you. I saw footage later and was like, wow, we passed through some beautiful places.

The Power of Engineering

After Bentley, I worked for Prudential Securities in their Monaco office. Cars didn’t mean anything to me then. They had invited a number of high-net-worth individuals to the Paul Ricard Formula 1 track, and a French F1 driver said to have a go. I did about 10 laps and beat the time of absolutely everyone, including some Formula Ford champions who were also driving there that day.

He was like, “I think you should take up racing.”

A lot of people in racing party like maniacs. I don’t drink so I studied engineering in my free time instead. And that’s one of the reasons our team, called “Racing Engineering,” was so successful. Other teams were like, “This car’s pretty good,” but we said, “That’s not enough — we need to make it better and better and better.” Instead of 10 parameters to adjust, we started looking at 2,000. We started in 1999 and raced for six years in F3, won all six championships, then won F2 twice. And now we’re consulting on engineering for some of the most famous brands in the world.

No Pain, No Gain

Do It Properly

The first race I ever finished was Le Mans, which is just insane.

Cars going 250 miles an hour. Normally it’s three drivers doing eight hours each, but the third driver got sick, so I drove 11 hours.

At those speeds, you are pressing this brake pedal weighing 90 pounds something like 30,000 times. I lost 22 pounds in 24 hours.

After that, my career took off.

The motto of my team is, “You either do it properly, or don’t do it at all.” That’s literally on the side of our trucks. If you get all of your work done by 3:00 p.m., then go to the beach. But at the track, we don’t go to bed until the car is ready, and sometimes we don’t go to bed at all. It’s not about winning, though that’s the final result. I’m just someone who loves being challenged.

The Natural

You either do it properly, or don’t do it at all.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE ALUMNUS

BENTLE Y M AG A ZINE

39

Class Notes

Weddings

1.

2.

3.

40

WINTER 2023

4.

Class Section Notes

5.

6.

7.

1. Abigail Souza ’18 and Hayden Rappoport 2. Mohamed Sakr ’17 and Salma Helmy 3. Ana Tantum ’17 and Chris Buchanan ’18 4. Carmen Garcia, MBA ’21 and John Sutyak 5. Savannah Febesh ’16 and Daniel Shaughnessy ’16 6. Maria Rocchio ’16 and Michael Culkin ’13 7. Allie Downs ’17 and Matt Ferreira ’17 8. Tezzy Bergantz ’07, MSA ’08 and Nathan Mah

8.

Want to borrow an alumni banner for an upcoming wedding?

Email alumni@bentley.edu.

BENTLE Y M AG A ZINE

41

Class Notes

In Memoriam 1934

1952

1960

1969

John Crowley ’34

Larry Glovin ’52 Milton Wolk ’52

Hugh Callahan ’60 Frank Fancieullo ’60 Byron Matthews ’60 Carl Nelson ’60 Richard Pellowe ’60 Burton Sage ’60 Richard Smith ’60 Wallace Stone ’60 Robert Young ’60

David Comeau ’69 Robert Holden ’69 Richard West ’69

1939 Gerald Cole ’39, P ’70

1953

Leonard Wentworth ’42

Warren Hynes ’53 John MacArthur ’53 Paul Wilcox ’53

1944

1954

1942

William Matthews ’44

1945 Elizabeth McAuliffe ’45

1947 Ivan Struensee ’47

1948 Joseph O’Leary ’48

1949 E. Alden Brown ’49 Edward Downing ’49 William Duhey ’49 John Fiske ’49 Esther (Levitt) Galpern ’49 John McGinn ’49 Joseph Rosenberg ’49 Henry Wright ’49

1950 Leonard Brewer ’50 Joseph LaLiberte ’50 Salvador Mute ’50 Uziel Ponn ’50 Joseph Trubiano ’50

1951 William Bacon ’51 William Manders ’51 James McLaughlin ’51 Harve Mignault ’51 William Tarr ’51

42

WINTER 2023

Robert Goldberg ’54 James Hixon ’54 George Kilnapp ’54 Thomas Martin ’54

1955 Verne Barrett ’55 John Hunt ’55 Richard St. Jean ’55 Robert Wagner ’55

1956 Phyllis (Slusher) Holmes ’56 Carole (Sweet) O’Connor ’56 Michael O’Donnell ’56 Audrey (Clark) Prahl ’56 Richard Prahl ’56

1961 David Persing ’61 James Scanlon ’61

1962 Lillian Donahoe ’62 Rudolph Gatti ’62 George Kinlin ’62 Stephen Levine ’62

1963

1971 Erwin Griffin ’71 Vin Mullarkey ’71 Mary Murray ’71 William Pray ’71

1972 Robert Arnold ’72 Philip Balcom ’72 Gary Rachins ’72

1973 John Kennedy ’73 John Sullivan ’73

1975

1964

Bernard Garrett ’75

John O’Hara ’64 Edward Pisani ’64

1976

1965

Bruce Atwood ’57 Gerald Fineberg ’57 Bertrand Forgues ’57 Robert Galeaz ’57 Edward Hurley ’57 James Walsh ’57

Charles Benson ’65 Paul Hunt ’65 Robert Moulton ’65 Robert Myers ’65

Frances Bolos ’58 John Dronzek ’58 Wesley Ladd ’58 John A. Murphy ’58 Robert Wolfe ’58

Philip Hicks ’70

Donald Packard ’63

1957

1958

1970

1966 John Birnie ’66 Joseph Medeiros ’66

1967 Robert Marr ’67 Carolyn Noonan ’67 William Youngclaus ’67, P ’93

Robert Sandler ’76

1977 Robert Bower, MST ’77 Michael Cornell ’77 Joan Curtin, MSA ’77 Peter Ginthwain ’77 Robert MacNeil ’77

1978 Richard Morris ’78, MBA ’87 Michael Nosal ’78

1979 Gordon Earle ’79 Randall Mola ’79 Donal Rickard ’79

Class Notes

1981

1988

2000

David Deblois, MST ’81 Eric Spivack ’81

Patricia (Downey) Mack ’88

Matthew D’Agostino ’00 John Gray ’00, MST ’08

1982

Lisa (Feeney) Ford ’89

Patricia Jones, MST ’82 Theodore Mullin ’82

1983 Joseph Burtt ’83

1986 John Kohler ’86

1987 Dorothy Fitzgerald ’87 Mehran Montazeri, MBA ’87

1989 1991 Michelle (Greenberg) Ginsberg ’91 Jane McDonald, MBA ’91 Greg Smith ’91

2001 Peter Mikkonen, MBA ’01 Christine Powers, MBA ’01 Robert Schneiders, MSFP ’01

2004 Kate Landry ’04, MBA ’09

1997

2016

Benjamin Hammel ’97

Rafal Lachcik ’16

1999 Nick Perugini ’99

Faculty, Staff and Friends George Cullen, Former Staff, Building Services Virginia (D’Unger) Doherty, Former Staff, Executive Administrative Assistant Cheryl A. Fitzgerald, Former Staff, Graduate Admission Janet (Woodlock) Hunt, Former Staff, Registrar Grace M. Shelley, Former Staff, Administrative Assistant

Harry Bentley Bradley H ’88

Greg Smith ’91

Much like his grandfather Harry C. Bentley, Bradley was a visionary and innovator who followed his passions. As a teen in the 1950s, the Waban, Mass., native contracted polio and lost the use of his legs. Seven months at Boston Children’s Hospital was ample time to hone his talent for drawing and design. The skill would ultimately lead him to the Pratt Institute in New York where he started a business as a custom design illustrator and, in his final semester, joined General Motors in Detroit.

He kicked off his Motor City career designing cars like the Dodge Deora, but soon moved to the miniature life at Mattel on the West Coast. Children of the late ’60s and early ’70s may well remember his range of die-cast Hot Wheel models and, in the ’90s, Bradley’s version of the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile.

After a year with Mattel, he left to start his own company and later taught at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena.

Bradley was 83.

“The opportunity to profoundly change a person’s life and those of their family” were words Greg Smith lived by, and at the heart of his Bentley legacy. As the president and CEO of Maplewood Senior Living and Inspīr, a leader in the senior housing industry since 2006, Smith created a standard of excellence and care that countless seniors will benefit from for years to come.

He and brother Chris ’91, MBA ’92, P ’19 ’24, made an historic investment to help grow and transform the business of health care education; give new graduates and researchers a head start in this exciting space; and make Bentley a household name in the industry. A seasoned chair and member of hospital and health care boards, Greg was betting on Bentley’s innovation, he said, to help “anyone who is facing the challenges of the health care system.” The gift was the catalyst needed to transform Bentley’s Health Thought Leadership Network to the new Center for Health and Business. With dozens of faculty and staff leading international collaborations, numerous NIH- and NSF-funded projects, hundreds of publications, internships, a pilot course and more, the Center for Health and Business is committed to and grateful for the promise of this gift. A father of seven, Smith was 54.

Remember Bentley classmates, friends, faculty and staff by making a gift in their name. bentley.edu/memorial-gift

BENTLE Y M AG A ZINE

43

Class Notes

Future Falcons

1.

4.

2.

5.

1. Kaia Marie, daughter of Alissa (Rogers) ’06 and Michael Massimilla 2. Walter Ace, son of Shauna (Sarsfield) ’13 and Rob Admirand 3. Tate Evan, son of Alexandra (Lambert) ’10 and Stephen ’10, MBA ’16 Scaringe 4. Francis “Frankie” V, son of Christine (Uzdejczyk) Perry ’12 and Francis “Frank” Perry IV ’11, MSF ’12 5. William David, son of Melissa (Reville) ’12, PhD ’20 and Zachary ’12 Renschler

3.

44

WINTER 2023

Save the Date

March 21, 2024

Bentley’s Biggest Giving Day Last year, 1,947 gifts led to $552,000 for Bentley students. It’s time to raise the bar once more.

Can’t wait?

Give now at bentley.edu/falconsforward2024

175 Forest Street Waltham, MA 02452 USA

The

Falcon Files

ILLUSTRATION BY CLAIRE S. ANDERSON AND KELLY MILLIGAN