4

The Bryant Connection is published three

times a year for the Alumni-Admission Con-

nection members of Bryant University. Send

comments on this newsletter or Alumni-

Admission Connection activity to Rebecca

Eriksen, Senior Assistant 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.

Alumni-Admission Connection

The Character of Success

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

Bryant Student Center Named After Alumni

...continued from Page 1

Class of 2017 is Impressive!

awe-inspiring photos and another is an expert pumpkin carver. We have a winner of the

USA National Dance Sport Championship and at least nine hold the first chair in an or-

chestra. One has played the viola in Ireland and Austria. One young writer has two pub-

lished books and is working on a third.

In sports, over 245 were captains of at least one sport team in high school. An amateur

golfer holds multiple titles and the class has at least ten black belts. One young mountain

climber has conquered Mt. Kilimanjaro and another is learning to fly a plane. Bryant’s

varsity teams will welcome 150 players from this class.

More than 68 percent of this class has spent time in service to others. They have worked

with the elderly, underprivileged children, and children with disabilities in camps, soup

kitchens, and nursing homes. They have supported Habitat for Humanity, Special Olym-

pics and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. A class member designs, creates and sells

bracelets donating the proceeds to an orphanage while another worked to promote anti-

bullying messages in local schools. We have two firefighters, political campaign volunteers,

and environmental sustainability researchers.

What drew these students to Bryant? Many of the Class of 2017 were attracted by the

beauty of our campus, our sense of community, and our integrated curriculum. Others

mentioned our committed faculty, with some naming a specific faculty member who influ-

enced their decision to attend. Some feel Bryant is a place where they feel safe and where

they will thrive academically. One member of the Class expressed it this way: “There was

just something special about Bryant. I feel as though students at Bryant are valued and

cared for as individuals and not just educated and shipped off into the workforce. It’s a

place where character matters.”

PLEASE REMEMBER:

Send us any new

contact information,

especially email changes.

Send to Rebecca Eriksen at

reriksen@bryant.edu.

Student music groups can rehearse in the music practice room which will accommodate Bry-

ant’s larger ensembles, and the gaming area nearby will contribute to the living room feel of

the building. Rich hues of vibrant red fabrics line the sleek couches and chairs students can

use to sit and relax or do work in, reflecting the warmth of the environment created by the

fireplace.

Upstairs on the second floor a large opening looks down on the lower level, creating a spa-

cious feel that maintains the modernity of the building’s interior composition. Various shades

of blues and greens can be found in the furniture and paints surrounding the opening, which

compliment and neutralize the fiery reds from the level below. The Commuter Lounge and

Bryant University Bookstore have returned to the second floor with an entirely new and invit-

ing design. Two new conference rooms are available as meeting spaces for student organiza-

tions and important offices such as the Women’s Center, LGBTQ Office, and the Intercultural

Center have been relocated to this level for better accessibility and convenience. The third

floor is entirely student-focused with activity offices, storage lockers, more work spaces and

another comfortable lounge available for everyone’s use.

The construction crew had been hard at work for months to make this vision a reality, evi-

dent in the approximate 1,840 hours a week that were put into the renovation. The Fisher

Center is an environment unlike any other here at Bryant University, and has truly become

the student living room of campus. Opening day was one to remember, and the building will

be enjoyed by everyone who takes advantage of everything it has to offer, and the beautiful

view will be appreciated by all.

...continued from Page 2

A Newsletter for Members of the Alumni-Admission Connection

Volume 13, Issue 1, Fall 2013 Class of 2017 is Impressive!

1

As we do each year, we acknowledge with gratitude the influence our

AAC members have on young students and their families as they conduct

their college searches. By informing them of Bryant’s unique characteris-

tics and the way your lives have been shaped by your Bryant experience,

you present information that is not available through any other means.

Your stories give credibility to our message and your enthusiasm is infec-

tious. We are grateful for your commitment to Bryant as an AAC mem-

ber. Below you will see the fruits of our collective effort.

Bryant’s 154th entering class impresses in many ways. Hailing from 30

different countries and 23 U.S. states, the 912 first-year students and

95 transfers are as diverse as they are accomplished. International stu-

dents make up more than eight percent of the class and speak more than

42 different languages and dialects. Over 17 percent identify with Afri-

can American, Latino American or Asian American backgrounds. The

class is 57 percent male and 43 percent female. They are standouts in

terms of academic interest, work and entrepreneurial pursuits, artistic

accomplishment, extracurricular activities, and sports achievements.

The Class is overwhelmingly interested in cross-discipline study and a

wide variety of career paths. Accounting, actuarial math, finance, market-

ing, and communication are the top choices, but more than 18 percent

are exploratory/undecided, having not yet decided on a major. They will

be assisted by a new Bryant offering called MyPath@Bryant, a partner-

ship between the award-winning Amica Center for Career Education and

the Undergraduate Advising Office which will provide resources and pro-

gramming to assist undecided students in making decisions about their

area of study and career choice.

Over 46 percent bring a fascinating array of work experience to campus.

One is a park ranger and another is the IT manager for a Toyota dealer-

ship. We have a fencing instructor, a runway model and a Miss Teen

Massachusetts. And the group is big on entrepreneurship. One member

started a catering company, is a lobsterman and a bee keeper. Several

own lawn care companies and photography businesses, one owns a car

detailing business, and one started an eBay business. Another organizes

office space, and yet another opened a store on Cape Cod selling toys

and hobby supplies. Our students perform babysitting, dog sitting, con-

struction, and disc jockeying.

The class’s artistic pursuits stretch the imagination. One has a diploma in

Byzantine music, one plays bagpipe in a police pipe and drum corps, while

another plays bass drum and carries the American flag in a Civil War

drum corps. One has taken a helicopter to the top of a glacier to take

Look for AAC ON

We hope this makes communication

among us faster and easier.

Continued on Page 4…

Although many of you have indicated your wish to receive this

newsletter electronically, we are sending everyone a hard copy

of this issue because the mailing contains our updated AAC

Manual and Directory.

Please respect the information of your fellow alumni by not

sharing the Directory in an inappropriate way.

Then take a look at the Manual before filing it! Even if you are

not formally representing Bryant at an event, it’s a good idea

to have up-to-date information on the tip of your tongue for

impromptu conversations.

Prospective students and their families often ask questions

concerning Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision.

In fact, nearly half the Class of 2017 applied Early Action or

Early Decision. The number of Early Action students is greater

than the number of Regular Decision students. The detailed

description of these along with a table showing Bryant’s dead-

lines for each, can be found on page 26.

Updated AAC Manual & Directory!

2

New VP for Student Affairs

Newly Renovated Student Center Named After Alumnuser named after Alumni

Many readers will recall with fondness and respect Dr. Tom Eakin, who

as vice president for student affairs, provided leadership of Bryant’s

exceptional student life for the past 16 years. Upon Dr. Eakin’s retire-

ment this fall, President Ronald K. Machtley lauded his accomplish-

ments: “Partnering with colleagues in academic affairs and other de-

partments, he has successfully overseen the evolution of unique pro-

grams that integrate student life with academic initiatives – forging the

distinctive Bryant Experience that sets us apart from our peers. Tom,

and his wife, Marj, have created a wonderful legacy in our community,

and we will always remain grateful for their leadership and friendship.”

His successor has some big shoes to fill but, based on his resume, John

Saddlemire, D.Ed., seems up for the challenge. He comes

to Bryant from the University of Connecticut at Storrs

where he was most recently Vice President for Student

Affairs and previously Dean of Students. There he pro-

vided leadership for a host of functional areas including

the Student Union, Student Activities, Student Health

Services, Counseling and Mental Health Services, Resi-

dential Life, Dining Services, Women’s Center, Rainbow

Center, Puerto Rican and Latin American Cultural Cen-

ter, African American Cultural Center, and Asian Ameri-

can Cultural Center, among many others.

In introducing him to the community, President Machtley stated, “Dr.

Saddlemire brings a broad knowledge of higher education leadership

and management to this position, having served for 29 years in a varie-

ty of increasingly complex roles at public and private universities. He

has an extensive track record for leadership development, student en-

gagement, and team building, and is eager to share this experience and

leadership with our community. He has served on numerous national

professional leadership and service organizations and is well known in

his field for his personal leadership in his very successful student life

career.” Institutions at which he has served include Heidelberg Univer-

sity in Ohio, Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania

State University, and the University of Hartford.

Dr. Saddlemire’s administrative experience is complemented by more

than 25 years of continuous teaching experience and deep appreciation

for the core purposes of higher education. He has published numerous

publications and made many presentations in his field. His distin-

guished teaching experience includes courses at the undergraduate,

honors-college capstone, and graduate level. During his career he has

established numerous academic partnerships to enhance the experience

and retention rates of students.

He holds a Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education Administra-

tion from the Pennsylvania State University, and a Master

of Science in Higher Education and Student Affairs from

Indiana University. Dr. Saddlemire received his Bachelor

of Science degree from Bowling Green State University.

Coming to Bryant seems a logical step for Dr. Saddlemire.

He told the Archway that, during a visit to Bryant three

years ago, he thought “it’s a great place” with a “sense

of valuing the individual while giving them a world-class

experience.” He was motivated to come to Bryant be-

cause “…you go into this work to be able to work with

students…I know at this point in my career, this is what I

want to do. I want to be a part of a community, my family wants to

part of a community.” As fans of both the arts and sports, the Saddle-

mires, including his wife Marie and their two children, plan to be a

visible presence in our community life.

Dr. Saddlemire is a believer in collective vision. “My goal is to listen,”

he told the Archway, “and hear what students want next for their

lives…and to hear what faculty want from their lives. My vision is one

of collaboration and support, and that, for me, is where I want the

division of student affairs to be …a group that will be supportive of

your ideas.”

September 26 was a landmark day at Bryant University. Students,

parents, alumni and faculty alike had been anticipating the grand open-

ing of the fully renovated student center all summer. Previously

deemed the Bryant Center, the building will now proudly display the

name, the Michael E. ’67 and Karen L. Fisher Student Center in honor

of the alumnus who funded and

oversaw the project that recently

came to life. The official naming

ceremony took place on Septem-

ber 6, and the Fisher Student

Center’s first fully operating day

was September 27, one day after

the formal opening.

During the first walkthrough,

observers noticed transformations throughout the building, both big

and small. To start, the layout of each floor has changed to be more

functional and provide more space for students to use.

The focal point of the entrance level is a decadent fireplace which splits

the room into student lounge areas and dining options. Nick’s Place,

formally South Side Deli, as well as Dunkin’ Donuts and Subway have

returned in style and now offer

more places to sit and eat. The

Scoop has also returned, but now

includes a convenience store

stocked full of food choices and

personal items in addition to the

original ice cream parlor. Sur-

rounding the lounge and eating

areas, students can take ad-

vantage of the larger Heritage

and Papitto meeting rooms, stop by the newly relocated Information

Center, and put on a show in the open performing area.

3

According to rankings released this September

by U.S. News & World Report,

Bryant University ranks 14th in the

Regional Universities (North) category and

second on a list of eight

“up-and-coming” universities in the region.

Did you know…?

Al Skinner Joins Men’s Basketball Coaching

Ambassador Angle

As basketball season commences this year, the Bryant Bulldogs will have a

new face on their coaching staff. Al Skinner, former Boston College and Uni-

versity of Rhode Island head coach has joined the men's basketball coaching

staff. Skinner brings more than 20 years of head coaching experience to the

Bryant sideline and will share the title of Associate Head Coach alongside

third-year coach Happy Dobbs. With the addition of Skinner, the Bulldogs are

now one of the most experienced coaching staffs in the nation, boasting 43

years of Division 1 head coaching experience across three of its coaches.

"It's a bittersweet time for us," said head coach Tim O'Shea. "We are losing a

coach in Mike Kelly who has been with us since the beginning of our Division I

transition, and his commitment to our program is a major reason we enjoyed

such success last season. At the same time, it is exciting to have someone of

Al Skinner's stature joining us at Bryant." Skinner spent 22 seasons as a head

coach at the Division I level, building a 385-291 (.570) career record while

guiding his teams to nine NCAA tournament appearances and four conference

titles. The coach with the most wins in BC history, Skinner spent 13 seasons

as the Eagles' bench boss, compiling a 247-165 (.560) record from 1997-

2010. He took Boston College to six NCAA tournaments in a seven-year

stretch, driving his 2005-06 team all the way to the Sweet Sixteen.

Prior to his time at BC, Skinner spent nine seasons as an assistant, and later

head coach, at the helm at nearby University of Rhode Island, leading the

Rams to a 138-126 (.523) mark. He was named the Atlantic-10 Coach of the

Year in 1991-92 and was inducted into the University of Rhode Island Athletic

Hall of Fame in 2000.

Having previously worked with O’Shea, Skinner said, "I'm excited to work with

Tim again and to work with these great student-athletes at Bryant University.

It's exciting how much progress Bryant has already made and the success it

has experienced, and I'm glad to be associated with this program."

"I think the overall experience that we bring as a staff is going to enhance the

players and is a huge asset as we continue to improve upon what's already

been accomplished," added Skinner. “Bryant has made great strides. The incre-

ments of improvements will be smaller and I believe I can help with this.”

The Bulldogs enter their second season of full Division I eligibility in 2013-14

after completing one of the best single-season turnarounds in NCAA history in

2012-13. Bryant posted a 19-12 record last season and was selected to host

a first-round game in the 2013 College Basketball Invitational (CBI).

Aaron Pereira

Class of 2014

Major: Accounting Minor: Spanish

One could say Aaron Pereira has carried the concept of stu-

dent involvement to its utmost. During his years at Bryant,

he has been involved with admission, residence life, Greek

life, student affairs, and the Honors Program. At the same

time, he has maintained a Dean’s List GPA and been recog-

nized with a number of honors.

Aaron has been the Coordinator of the Student Ambassador

program for two and a half years, a position that requires

daily commitment. He has participated in the weekly blog to

help prospective students learn about life at Bryant. In his

sophomore year he became a resident assistant (RA) and

eventually a head RA serving as liaison between eight RAs

and the Resident Director.

As an active member of Sigma Chi fraternity, Aaron went on

to serve as president and vice president of internal affairs for

Bryant’s Inter-Fraternity Council. He was the vice president

of programming for the Order of Omega Honor Society at

Bryant, and programming and social chair for the Honors

Program Council. He was an orientation leader welcoming

the Class of 2016.

His academic honors include Beta Gamma Sigma and Phi

Sigma Iota. He was elected to Omicron Delta Kappa and

became an IDEA mentor for first year students. In 2013,

Aaron was named Junior Advancing Leader.

In his junior year, Aaron was selected by Liberty Mutual

Insurance to participate in its Community Project. He spent

most of January 2013 in Los Angeles, California planting

trees and performing other services for the Los Angeles Na-

tional Forest. This led to a summer internship with Liberty

Mutual Insurance in Boston where he worked in financial

analysis and internal control and testing.

All these activities have proven transformative for Aaron,

leading him to seek a career path in human resources man-

agement rather than in his major area of study. At the start

of his senior year, Aaron was pleased to accept a position

following graduation with Liberty Mutual Insurance’s Human

Resources Development Program. In June 2014, he will

begin his first of three rotations, in the company’s Boston

human resources support center.

2

New VP for Student Affairs

Newly Renovated Student Center Named After Alumnuser named after Alumni

Many readers will recall with fondness and respect Dr. Tom Eakin, who

as vice president for student affairs, provided leadership of Bryant’s

exceptional student life for the past 16 years. Upon Dr. Eakin’s retire-

ment this fall, President Ronald K. Machtley lauded his accomplish-

ments: “Partnering with colleagues in academic affairs and other de-

partments, he has successfully overseen the evolution of unique pro-

grams that integrate student life with academic initiatives – forging the

distinctive Bryant Experience that sets us apart from our peers. Tom,

and his wife, Marj, have created a wonderful legacy in our community,

and we will always remain grateful for their leadership and friendship.”

His successor has some big shoes to fill but, based on his resume, John

Saddlemire, D.Ed., seems up for the challenge. He comes

to Bryant from the University of Connecticut at Storrs

where he was most recently Vice President for Student

Affairs and previously Dean of Students. There he pro-

vided leadership for a host of functional areas including

the Student Union, Student Activities, Student Health

Services, Counseling and Mental Health Services, Resi-

dential Life, Dining Services, Women’s Center, Rainbow

Center, Puerto Rican and Latin American Cultural Cen-

ter, African American Cultural Center, and Asian Ameri-

can Cultural Center, among many others.

In introducing him to the community, President Machtley stated, “Dr.

Saddlemire brings a broad knowledge of higher education leadership

and management to this position, having served for 29 years in a varie-

ty of increasingly complex roles at public and private universities. He

has an extensive track record for leadership development, student en-

gagement, and team building, and is eager to share this experience and

leadership with our community. He has served on numerous national

professional leadership and service organizations and is well known in

his field for his personal leadership in his very successful student life

career.” Institutions at which he has served include Heidelberg Univer-

sity in Ohio, Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania

State University, and the University of Hartford.

Dr. Saddlemire’s administrative experience is complemented by more

than 25 years of continuous teaching experience and deep appreciation

for the core purposes of higher education. He has published numerous

publications and made many presentations in his field. His distin-

guished teaching experience includes courses at the undergraduate,

honors-college capstone, and graduate level. During his career he has

established numerous academic partnerships to enhance the experience

and retention rates of students.

He holds a Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education Administra-

tion from the Pennsylvania State University, and a Master

of Science in Higher Education and Student Affairs from

Indiana University. Dr. Saddlemire received his Bachelor

of Science degree from Bowling Green State University.

Coming to Bryant seems a logical step for Dr. Saddlemire.

He told the Archway that, during a visit to Bryant three

years ago, he thought “it’s a great place” with a “sense

of valuing the individual while giving them a world-class

experience.” He was motivated to come to Bryant be-

cause “…you go into this work to be able to work with

students…I know at this point in my career, this is what I

want to do. I want to be a part of a community, my family wants to

part of a community.” As fans of both the arts and sports, the Saddle-

mires, including his wife Marie and their two children, plan to be a

visible presence in our community life.

Dr. Saddlemire is a believer in collective vision. “My goal is to listen,”

he told the Archway, “and hear what students want next for their

lives…and to hear what faculty want from their lives. My vision is one

of collaboration and support, and that, for me, is where I want the

division of student affairs to be …a group that will be supportive of

your ideas.”

September 26 was a landmark day at Bryant University. Students,

parents, alumni and faculty alike had been anticipating the grand open-

ing of the fully renovated student center all summer. Previously

deemed the Bryant Center, the building will now proudly display the

name, the Michael E. ’67 and Karen L. Fisher Student Center in honor

of the alumnus who funded and

oversaw the project that recently

came to life. The official naming

ceremony took place on Septem-

ber 6, and the Fisher Student

Center’s first fully operating day

was September 27, one day after

the formal opening.

During the first walkthrough,

observers noticed transformations throughout the building, both big

and small. To start, the layout of each floor has changed to be more

functional and provide more space for students to use.

The focal point of the entrance level is a decadent fireplace which splits

the room into student lounge areas and dining options. Nick’s Place,

formally South Side Deli, as well as Dunkin’ Donuts and Subway have

returned in style and now offer

more places to sit and eat. The

Scoop has also returned, but now

includes a convenience store

stocked full of food choices and

personal items in addition to the

original ice cream parlor. Sur-

rounding the lounge and eating

areas, students can take ad-

vantage of the larger Heritage

and Papitto meeting rooms, stop by the newly relocated Information

Center, and put on a show in the open performing area.

3

According to rankings released this September

by U.S. News & World Report,

Bryant University ranks 14th in the

Regional Universities (North) category and

second on a list of eight

“up-and-coming” universities in the region.

Did you know…?

Al Skinner Joins Men’s Basketball Coaching

Ambassador Angle

As basketball season commences this year, the Bryant Bulldogs will have a

new face on their coaching staff. Al Skinner, former Boston College and Uni-

versity of Rhode Island head coach has joined the men's basketball coaching

staff. Skinner brings more than 20 years of head coaching experience to the

Bryant sideline and will share the title of Associate Head Coach alongside

third-year coach Happy Dobbs. With the addition of Skinner, the Bulldogs are

now one of the most experienced coaching staffs in the nation, boasting 43

years of Division 1 head coaching experience across three of its coaches.

"It's a bittersweet time for us," said head coach Tim O'Shea. "We are losing a

coach in Mike Kelly who has been with us since the beginning of our Division I

transition, and his commitment to our program is a major reason we enjoyed

such success last season. At the same time, it is exciting to have someone of

Al Skinner's stature joining us at Bryant." Skinner spent 22 seasons as a head

coach at the Division I level, building a 385-291 (.570) career record while

guiding his teams to nine NCAA tournament appearances and four conference

titles. The coach with the most wins in BC history, Skinner spent 13 seasons

as the Eagles' bench boss, compiling a 247-165 (.560) record from 1997-

2010. He took Boston College to six NCAA tournaments in a seven-year

stretch, driving his 2005-06 team all the way to the Sweet Sixteen.

Prior to his time at BC, Skinner spent nine seasons as an assistant, and later

head coach, at the helm at nearby University of Rhode Island, leading the

Rams to a 138-126 (.523) mark. He was named the Atlantic-10 Coach of the

Year in 1991-92 and was inducted into the University of Rhode Island Athletic

Hall of Fame in 2000.

Having previously worked with O’Shea, Skinner said, "I'm excited to work with

Tim again and to work with these great student-athletes at Bryant University.

It's exciting how much progress Bryant has already made and the success it

has experienced, and I'm glad to be associated with this program."

"I think the overall experience that we bring as a staff is going to enhance the

players and is a huge asset as we continue to improve upon what's already

been accomplished," added Skinner. “Bryant has made great strides. The incre-

ments of improvements will be smaller and I believe I can help with this.”

The Bulldogs enter their second season of full Division I eligibility in 2013-14

after completing one of the best single-season turnarounds in NCAA history in

2012-13. Bryant posted a 19-12 record last season and was selected to host

a first-round game in the 2013 College Basketball Invitational (CBI).

Aaron Pereira

Class of 2014

Major: Accounting Minor: Spanish

One could say Aaron Pereira has carried the concept of stu-

dent involvement to its utmost. During his years at Bryant,

he has been involved with admission, residence life, Greek

life, student affairs, and the Honors Program. At the same

time, he has maintained a Dean’s List GPA and been recog-

nized with a number of honors.

Aaron has been the Coordinator of the Student Ambassador

program for two and a half years, a position that requires

daily commitment. He has participated in the weekly blog to

help prospective students learn about life at Bryant. In his

sophomore year he became a resident assistant (RA) and

eventually a head RA serving as liaison between eight RAs

and the Resident Director.

As an active member of Sigma Chi fraternity, Aaron went on

to serve as president and vice president of internal affairs for

Bryant’s Inter-Fraternity Council. He was the vice president

of programming for the Order of Omega Honor Society at

Bryant, and programming and social chair for the Honors

Program Council. He was an orientation leader welcoming

the Class of 2016.

His academic honors include Beta Gamma Sigma and Phi

Sigma Iota. He was elected to Omicron Delta Kappa and

became an IDEA mentor for first year students. In 2013,

Aaron was named Junior Advancing Leader.

In his junior year, Aaron was selected by Liberty Mutual

Insurance to participate in its Community Project. He spent

most of January 2013 in Los Angeles, California planting

trees and performing other services for the Los Angeles Na-

tional Forest. This led to a summer internship with Liberty

Mutual Insurance in Boston where he worked in financial

analysis and internal control and testing.

All these activities have proven transformative for Aaron,

leading him to seek a career path in human resources man-

agement rather than in his major area of study. At the start

of his senior year, Aaron was pleased to accept a position

following graduation with Liberty Mutual Insurance’s Human

Resources Development Program. In June 2014, he will

begin his first of three rotations, in the company’s Boston

human resources support center.

4

The Bryant Connection is published three

times a year for the Alumni-Admission Con-

nection members of Bryant University. Send

comments on this newsletter or Alumni-

Admission Connection activity to Rebecca

Eriksen, Senior Assistant 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.

Alumni-Admission Connection

The Character of Success

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

Bryant Student Center Named After Alumni

...continued from Page 1

Class of 2017 is Impressive!

awe-inspiring photos and another is an expert pumpkin carver. We have a winner of the

USA National Dance Sport Championship and at least nine hold the first chair in an or-

chestra. One has played the viola in Ireland and Austria. One young writer has two pub-

lished books and is working on a third.

In sports, over 245 were captains of at least one sport team in high school. An amateur

golfer holds multiple titles and the class has at least ten black belts. One young mountain

climber has conquered Mt. Kilimanjaro and another is learning to fly a plane. Bryant’s

varsity teams will welcome 150 players from this class.

More than 68 percent of this class has spent time in service to others. They have worked

with the elderly, underprivileged children, and children with disabilities in camps, soup

kitchens, and nursing homes. They have supported Habitat for Humanity, Special Olym-

pics and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. A class member designs, creates and sells

bracelets donating the proceeds to an orphanage while another worked to promote anti-

bullying messages in local schools. We have two firefighters, political campaign volunteers,

and environmental sustainability researchers.

What drew these students to Bryant? Many of the Class of 2017 were attracted by the

beauty of our campus, our sense of community, and our integrated curriculum. Others

mentioned our committed faculty, with some naming a specific faculty member who influ-

enced their decision to attend. Some feel Bryant is a place where they feel safe and where

they will thrive academically. One member of the Class expressed it this way: “There was

just something special about Bryant. I feel as though students at Bryant are valued and

cared for as individuals and not just educated and shipped off into the workforce. It’s a

place where character matters.”

PLEASE REMEMBER:

Send us any new

contact information,

especially email changes.

Send to Rebecca Eriksen at

reriksen@bryant.edu.

Student music groups can rehearse in the music practice room which will accommodate Bry-

ant’s larger ensembles, and the gaming area nearby will contribute to the living room feel of

the building. Rich hues of vibrant red fabrics line the sleek couches and chairs students can

use to sit and relax or do work in, reflecting the warmth of the environment created by the

fireplace.

Upstairs on the second floor a large opening looks down on the lower level, creating a spa-

cious feel that maintains the modernity of the building’s interior composition. Various shades

of blues and greens can be found in the furniture and paints surrounding the opening, which

compliment and neutralize the fiery reds from the level below. The Commuter Lounge and

Bryant University Bookstore have returned to the second floor with an entirely new and invit-

ing design. Two new conference rooms are available as meeting spaces for student organiza-

tions and important offices such as the Women’s Center, LGBTQ Office, and the Intercultural

Center have been relocated to this level for better accessibility and convenience. The third

floor is entirely student-focused with activity offices, storage lockers, more work spaces and

another comfortable lounge available for everyone’s use.

The construction crew had been hard at work for months to make this vision a reality, evi-

dent in the approximate 1,840 hours a week that were put into the renovation. The Fisher

Center is an environment unlike any other here at Bryant University, and has truly become

the student living room of campus. Opening day was one to remember, and the building will

be enjoyed by everyone who takes advantage of everything it has to offer, and the beautiful

view will be appreciated by all.

...continued from Page 2

A Newsletter for Members of the Alumni-Admission Connection

Volume 13, Issue 1, Fall 2013 Class of 2017 is Impressive!

1

As we do each year, we acknowledge with gratitude the influence our

AAC members have on young students and their families as they conduct

their college searches. By informing them of Bryant’s unique characteris-

tics and the way your lives have been shaped by your Bryant experience,

you present information that is not available through any other means.

Your stories give credibility to our message and your enthusiasm is infec-

tious. We are grateful for your commitment to Bryant as an AAC mem-

ber. Below you will see the fruits of our collective effort.

Bryant’s 154th entering class impresses in many ways. Hailing from 30

different countries and 23 U.S. states, the 912 first-year students and

95 transfers are as diverse as they are accomplished. International stu-

dents make up more than eight percent of the class and speak more than

42 different languages and dialects. Over 17 percent identify with Afri-

can American, Latino American or Asian American backgrounds. The

class is 57 percent male and 43 percent female. They are standouts in

terms of academic interest, work and entrepreneurial pursuits, artistic

accomplishment, extracurricular activities, and sports achievements.

The Class is overwhelmingly interested in cross-discipline study and a

wide variety of career paths. Accounting, actuarial math, finance, market-

ing, and communication are the top choices, but more than 18 percent

are exploratory/undecided, having not yet decided on a major. They will

be assisted by a new Bryant offering called MyPath@Bryant, a partner-

ship between the award-winning Amica Center for Career Education and

the Undergraduate Advising Office which will provide resources and pro-

gramming to assist undecided students in making decisions about their

area of study and career choice.

Over 46 percent bring a fascinating array of work experience to campus.

One is a park ranger and another is the IT manager for a Toyota dealer-

ship. We have a fencing instructor, a runway model and a Miss Teen

Massachusetts. And the group is big on entrepreneurship. One member

started a catering company, is a lobsterman and a bee keeper. Several

own lawn care companies and photography businesses, one owns a car

detailing business, and one started an eBay business. Another organizes

office space, and yet another opened a store on Cape Cod selling toys

and hobby supplies. Our students perform babysitting, dog sitting, con-

struction, and disc jockeying.

The class’s artistic pursuits stretch the imagination. One has a diploma in

Byzantine music, one plays bagpipe in a police pipe and drum corps, while

another plays bass drum and carries the American flag in a Civil War

drum corps. One has taken a helicopter to the top of a glacier to take

Look for AAC ON

We hope this makes communication

among us faster and easier.

Continued on Page 4…

Although many of you have indicated your wish to receive this

newsletter electronically, we are sending everyone a hard copy

of this issue because the mailing contains our updated AAC

Manual and Directory.

Please respect the information of your fellow alumni by not

sharing the Directory in an inappropriate way.

Then take a look at the Manual before filing it! Even if you are

not formally representing Bryant at an event, it’s a good idea

to have up-to-date information on the tip of your tongue for

impromptu conversations.

Prospective students and their families often ask questions

concerning Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision.

In fact, nearly half the Class of 2017 applied Early Action or

Early Decision. The number of Early Action students is greater

than the number of Regular Decision students. The detailed

description of these along with a table showing Bryant’s dead-

lines for each, can be found on page 26.

Updated AAC Manual & Directory!