Bryant University Bryant Digital Repository Bryant Business Winter 2002 volume 6, no. 1 (Winter 2002) Office of University Advancement, Bryant University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.bryant.edu/bryantbusiness Part of the Education Commons Recommended Citation Office of University Advancement, Bryant University, "volume 6, no. 1 (Winter 2002)" (2002). Bryant Business. Paper 9. https://digitalcommons.bryant.edu/bryantbusiness/9 This Magazine is brought to you for free and open access by Bryant Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Bryant Business by an authorized administrator of Bryant Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE undreds of people -both new and familiar faces-visited the college on the weekend of October 19, 2001, for the launch of The Campaign for Bryant and for Homecoming/Reunion weekend. Kati and I were overwhelmed by the outpour­ ing of support we experienced that weekend. Never have we felt more keenly the impact Bryant College has had on the lives of so many wonderful people. E verything about the weekend was inspirational, beginning with an elegant candlelight dinnel~ at which I had the privilege of publicly thanking the 30 generous men and women who kicked off The Campaign for Bryant with contributions of $100,000 or more. The appreciation in the faces ofthose in attendance renewed our enthusiasm for raising an additional $12 million and achieving our $35-million campaign goal. The most visible signs of the Campaign's progress are the new buildings on campus and the Hassenfeld Common. Their roots actually date back to the strate­ gic planning process that was set in motion when I joined the Bryant community in 1996. Since then, I scholarships will help the best and brightest attend our have been gratified by the hard work, ingenuity, and college r egardless of their economic circumstances. generosity-both of pocket and of spirit-that so many Ultimately there will be a more vibrant campus life people have put into the effort of making our vision of offering more competitive athletic programs and more Bryant's future a reality. We can all share in the satis­ exposure to the arts and humanities. faction of knowing we are part of a historic proj ect that F or those of you who were unable to attend the will transform the lives of countless young people now events of that marvelous weekend in October, the and for generations to come. follovving pages will convey some of the excitement we Although the new buildings are the most tangible experienced. We hope that these images will inspire you component of the Campaign, they are only one facet of to visit the new Bryant College and see for yourself the an effort that truly is about changing lives. The George remarkable transformation underway. There's never E. Bello Center for Information and Technology will been a better time to reconnect with your alma mater. help Bryant students excel in the workplace by provid­ ing them the best technological resources that the 21st Sincerely, century has to offer. The new programs and activities funded through the Campaign will attract a more diverse student body and provide students more opportunities to cultivate teamwork and leadership A2/C:~~ skills. New support for our accademic programs will Ronald K. Machtley allow Bryant to compete for the best faculty, and new President BRYANT B USINESS WINTER 2002 1 CELEBRATING BRYAl'lT'S FUTURE 'TRULY AMAZING' the Campaign "from the Those who had not visited campus in more than a year very first vision," as she were amazed by the transformations brought about by put it. But nothing could The Campaign for Bryant. The Wellness Center and the have prepared her for George E. Bello Center for Information and Technology seeing the difference it's were nearing completion - their clean, geometric forms made, she said, adding, displayed to full advantage against a colorful autumn "It's putting the school in backdrop. Landscapers had just put the finishing touches a different league." on Hassenfeld Common, a lush grassy area covering the former Unistructure parking lot. "I remember CHANGING LIVES when they were cutting down trees here to build a Mearns and the other guests were seeing the inside of college-now they're planting them," observed Profes­ the 31,000-square-foot Wellness Center for the first sor Mike Lynch, who has taught accounting at Bryant time. Palm trees and tuxedoed servers added elegance College for 25 years. to the contemporary lobby, which is dominated by glass, Visitors predicted that the changes now underway natural wood, and tile. The scene set the stage for a would have as great an impact on the College as its relo­ formal dinner in the building's multipurpose activity cation 30 years ago from downtown Providence to center. President Emeritus William T. O'Hara described Smithfield. "There are no words to describe this-it's the evening as "the most beautifully executed social truly amazing," said Jennifer Proud Mearns '82, gazing event in Bryant's history." at the Wellness Center's new six-lane, 25-yard swim­ During the dinner President Ron Machtley for­ ming pool during·the October 19 pre-gala cocktail recep­ mally announced the three-year, $35-million campaign tion. The pool, completed just days before, was to about 250 guests. The event included recognition decorated with floating wreaths and candles. for the 30 donors who have contributed $100,000 or As a member of the College's Board of Trustees since more to the Campaign, as well as an appeal to others to 1993 and its current vice chair, Mearns has known about become involved. "We are here for a great purpose," B1yant Boa1'd ChaiT Jack Callahan '56, Campaign Chai'l' Gem'ge E. Bello '58, '96H Donglas Krupp '69, '89H CI.t the gala and PTesident Ron Machtley greet gnests. BRYANT BUSINESS WINTER 2002 5 CAROL AND GEORGE BELLO 'sa, '96H George and Carol Bello jump-started The Campaign for Bryant with their gift of $5 million, which helped build the $ 17-million George E. Bello Center for Information and Technology. The extraordinary n e w facility offers stu­ dents access to 21st­ century information and communication technology. Beno. who is executive vice presi­ dent and controller of Reliance Group Holdings. says it is a privilege to start young people on the path of opportunity that he has traveled as a result of his Bryant education. He is serving as Chairman of the Campaign. CELEBRATING BRYANT' S FUTURE campus were impressive, the Campaign is focused on students, not buildings. "It's so easy to get caught up in talking about the dollars being invested and the new facilities going up around us," Callahan said. "But in reality, we are here for one thing and one thing only. We are here as partners with Ron and the Bryant team to educate young people-the wonderful young men and women you see on campus tonight and here among us at this dinner. Let's keep the right goal in front of us. After all, what we are doing is all about changing lives." "It's About Changing Lives" is the Campaign's theme, and it was emphasized throughout the gala and the other events held during the weekend. HOLDING FAST TO WHAT'S GOOD Students played a major role in all the events, beginning with junior Kerry Beach's rousing gala-opening rendition of America the Beautiful. Beach, a women's Machtley said. "The money to be raised will ensure volleyball champion who was wooed by several colleges, Bryant's future and the future of our students through said it was the focus on students that led her to choose a great education." Bryant. "One thing that really left an impression Jack Callahan '56, Chairman of the Bryant College was that when I visited campus, President Machtley sat Board of Trustees and Vice Chair of the Campaign, next to me for 40 minutes and talked to me. The fact told gala attendees that while the new facilities on that the president of a college would take the time to get Robin Romeo, Dana Bradley '92, "Buzz" Waltman '76, of the Naval Ww' College, and his wife Jane. NathcLn Allison,father of Omari Allison '02,f01'1ner Trustee Lloyd Granoff, Jack R enza '70, President Ron Machtley toasts and his father l'etired Pl'Ofessol' the Campaign's S1.lpp01'ters. John Renza, Sr. '43 BRYANT B USINESS WINTER 2002 7 .. r ~'~ I CELEBRATI:"IG BRYANT'S FUTURE . '(Itt· I 1 "\Nc havc the oppor­ tunity tog'cthcl' to not only ch,lllge the to know the students was wonderful. I didn't want to go Omari Allison '02 said ~'e~O I : ;V fol' to a school where I'd be just another shadow passing Bryant's small size and Bl'ya Ilt College. in the hallway," Beach said. its responsive adminis­ but. to change the Bryant has exceeded Beach's expectations. "It's tration have given him lives ot' future gener­ like a family," she said of the Bryant College commu­ invaluable opportunities atioIls to corne. nity, "The girls on my volleyball team are like sisters, I to cultivate leadership and Let us seize this can just stop by my professors' offices for a chat. These teamwork skills. "Bryant oppol'tullity." are people I'm always going to remember. They're the College is trying to get people I'm going to invite to my wedding." you adjusted to what's Other students who were involved in the gala echoed in the real world, where Beach's sentiments.