Remember! Refer students and their families to our website:
admission.bryant.edu It’s an amazing source of information.
Welcoming the 155th Entering Class! ...continued from Page 1 Their participation in the arts has a similar broad range. We have a ballroom dance instructor, an Irish Step dancer and a talented Salsa dancer. Musicians include a member of the California All-State choir, a Berklee Jazz Festival award recipient, a talented harp player (who is bringing her harp to campus!), and a concert pianist. In the theater category, the class has a Bollywood actress, a dinner theater worker, and an improv comedy troupe member. We also have a wildlife photographer, a skilled balloon artist, and one member has won five national poster contests in drawing. Bryant’s varsity sports teams have welcomed 156 new athletes, with many more planning to keep our intramural and club teams competitive. Members of the class include a member of the Bermudian National Soccer Team, a nationally ranked surfer, a bull fighter, and at least six black belts in the martial arts. One student is preparing to compete in the Olympics and one young woman was a fierce competitor on her high school men’s golf team. Over 62 percent of the class have volunteered in many fields and all over the world: a Mexican orphanage, in Paraguay on construction projects, shipping care packages to our military, biking for the American Lung Association, soup kitchens, senior centers, and organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and the Special Olympics. They have worked in a school for the blind and mentored at-risk youth. Two have served in the military and one created “Pediatric Pals,” a group of volunteers supporting pediatric patients.
Alumni-Admission Connection
The Character of Success
These students selected Bryant because they felt it would be the place where they would thrive academically and have the opportunity to explore the world around them. Other factors were the integrated curriculum, our sense of community, the dedication of faculty, the internship opportunities and success of the Amica Center for Career Education in preparing graduates for their first professional experience, the diversity of co-curricular activities, and the beautiful campus.
The Bryant Connection is published three times a year by Judy Famiglietti for the Alumni-Admission Connection members of Bryant University. Send comments on this newsletter or Alumni-Admission Connection activity to Rebecca Eriksen, Associate Director for Events and Volunteers, Bryant University Office of Admission, 1150 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917, 401-232-6957, 800-622-7001, or reriksen@bryant.edu. 4
Volume 14, Issue 3, Fall 2014
Annual Manual & Directory Update You have received a hard copy of this newsletter because this mailing contains our updated AAC Manual and Directory. We want to ensure all members have access to these important and helpful publications. If you have asked us to send the newsletter electronically, you will receive links to all three publications via email as well. Please review the Manual before tucking it away! It contains information that prospective students are likely to ask you about and will ensure you have the latest facts to give them! We especially recommend General Information on page 25 and Frequently Asked Questions starting on page 33. It’s also a good idea to review Academic Programs and Concentrations starting on page 42 as both colleges have expanded their programs of study. Then, use the Directory to keep up with other AAC members. But please do not share this information inappropriately.
And we know our AAC members influenced some of them too! Thank you!
Bryant University Office of Admission 1150 Douglas Pike Smithfield RI 02917 Phone: 401-232-6100 Toll Free: 800-622-7001 admission@bryant.edu admission.bryant.edu
A Newsletter for Members of the Alumni-Admission Connection
Why study biology at Bryant ...continued from Page 3 The fledgling biology program is already showing signs of success. Most recently, Bryant faculty member Christopher Reid received a grant from the Rhode Island Foundation to support his research on enzymes that could be used to combat Clostridium difficile infection, and Hokeness reports that graduates are working in academic, hospital, and corporate labs, applying to medical schools, and attending graduate school at institutions that include Columbia University, Pace University, and University of Rhode Island. After a long and strong research collaboration with Professor Reid, Ryan Miller settled on a career path. Miller plans to attend graduate school and teach science at the university level – work that will allow him to pursue his own research while training the next generation of scientists. “With all the one-on-one attention, professors here at Bryant really help you understand the science and can even tailor their research to your interests,” he said. “You’re not a number here. Everyone knows my name.”
Summer Send Offs Many thanks to the following AAC members who took time from their busy schedules to welcome students from their areas who joined the Class of 2018 this fall: Kevin Javier ’12 Michelle Kavalchuck ’07 Jim Magee ’88 Aaron Pereira ’14 Loryn Smith ’12 Nicole Tester ’13 Derek Vallerand ’07 Daniel Verderamo ’11
Welcoming the 155th Entering Class! This month we welcomed the Class of 2018, the 155th entering class of Bryant University. Thanks to each of you who played a part – formal or otherwise – in introducing and informing college-bound students about Bryant. By telling the Bryant story through your own personal lens of experience, you expand our message in unique and matchless ways. Many of you attended a college night, came to a send-off, phoned admitted students, or spoke at a recruitment event and we are most grateful for your time and your commitment to Bryant. It’s not necessary to participate in one of those formal ways in order to influence a young person. As you go through your daily lives as participants in your communities you convey a message that shines the light on our institution. We are grateful for all you do and the role you have played in forming this new class. They are an impressive, talented group selected from over 6,200 applicants. Members of the class come from 27 states, some from right here in Smithfield and others from as far as Arizona, California, Colorado, Indiana, North Dakota, and Tennessee. Six of the seven continents are represented by students from 30 different countries including Australia, Canada, China, Egypt, Ghana, India, Korea, Peru, and Sweden, making up more than 10 percent of the class. Within the class, 31 different languages and dialects are spoken, and 17 percent identify with African American, Latino American or Asian American backgrounds. 59 percent are male and 41 percent are female. 203 are the first in their families to attend college. 21 served as class presidents, 11 are Eagle Scouts and one earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. The newest additions to the Bryant community have researched the ecosystem, published a poem, and served as a Russian translator. They have interned in the stock market, at major pharmaceutical companies, and in the House of Representatives. Many work in family businesses and have come to Bryant to prepare to continue family traditions. Their work experience is fascinating. One is a Zamboni driver, two work for the Pawtucket Red Sox, and one is an opera house assistant. Another is a steward at a yacht club, and one works on a fishing boat helping to haul in the daily catch. One designs, creates, and sells jewelry, while another is a church parish custodian. One works for Target and was promoted to front end store manager after breaking numerous company records pushing the store to one of the top ten performing stores in the country. The class’s entrepreneurship is remarkable. In the technology field, we have students who design apps, repair iPhones, offer consulting services, and design websites. More far flung endeavors include window washing, bicycle building, babysitting, dog walking, and construction. One started and runs his own chicken ranch and another operates his own disc jockey company.
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