Bryant believes that experts in their fields have valuable information to share. In addition to Bryant’s faculty, the majority of whom have attained the highest degree in their field, the University hosts regular guest speakers and campus events that give students the opportunity to be active and engaged learners. For example:
The 4th Archway Investment Fund Financial Services Forum featured Richard Fisher, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. The half-day program included panel discussions featuring Bryant professors, alumni, and financial markets experts.
An especially timely talk in today’s challenging economy occurred in February when Bryant’s Marketing Association invited Klein Wassink, chief marketing officer at GE Capital Real Estate, to talk about his career and give tips for finding a job.
(L-R) David Walker, '02H former comptroller general of the United States; Klein Wassink, chief marketing officer at GE Capital Real Estate, and Mark Murphy, editor of the Providence Business News.
Alan Hassenfeld ’85H, of Hasbro, Inc. and a member of the Bryant Board of Trustees, hosted a CEO town hall forum in which he spoke about the global economy and current conditions facing corporate officers.
The growing number of communication majors on campus received an inside look into potential careers as Mark Murphy, editor of the Providence Business News, and Jim Taricani, investigative reporter at Channel 10 WJAR, came to campus to lead separate campus discussions.
Bryant’s Amica Center for Career Education hosted a panel of finance professionals that featured Fidelity Investments executives – and Bryant grads – Doreen Duffy ’00 and Benjamin Vincent ’06. Students also had the chance to interact with HR professionals from FM Global, Taco, and BankRI. President and Mrs. Ronald K. Machtley’s daughter, Erin Machtley '06 MBA, a compensation and benefits analyst at Women and Infants Hospital, also took part in the panel discussion.
Character of Success
During the spring semester, Bryant continued an ongoing discussion about the importance of character in one’s personal and professional lives. As part of “Business 101,” all first-year students heard Sherron Watkins, Enron Corporation whistle-blower, share her compelling story about her former company’s much-publicized scandal.
Sherron Watkins, Enron Corporation whistle-blower, shared her compelling story about her former company’s much-publicized scandal.
In introducing Watkins, Bryant President Ronald K. Machtley challenged students to follow their moral compass. “When your career is on the line, how are you going to act?” Machtley asked the first-year students. “Your character is defined by how you respond during times of crisis,” he said.
Other events highlighting Bryant’s commitment to character included:
New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi visited campus in February to share his personal story of overcoming adversity. During the talk, sponsored by the Student Arts and Speaker Series (SASS), Bruschi spoke about being on top of the world after winning the Super Bowl and how quickly his focused changed when he suffered a stroke. Against all odds, his determination and perseverance helped him successfully return to the field less than a year later.
John and Meg DeCubellis, parents of local teen, Katie, who was killed by a drunk driver in 1999, came to campus to talk about the tragic consequences of drunk driving. In advance of Spring Weekend, Bryant’s Psychology Association sponsored an alcohol awareness program to emphasize the importance of making good decisions.
Spencer Brodsky, 17-year old founder of Stoves for Darfur, talked about the “power of one” – the influence of individuals to make social change – as part of Bryant’s Human Rights Day, sponsored by the University’s chapter of Amnesty International.
(L-R) New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi, Twister tournament, and ROTC training with Blackhawk helicopters.
The Bryant community had the chance to learn about the University’s ROTC program and watch training sessions with Blackhawk helicopters.
A Twister tournament, a student vs. faculty jousting competition, and a Kenyan art show, were just some of the many events students organized to raise money for charity.
In addition to sponsoring the Bruschi talk, the first-year SASS included a diverse lineup designed to bring a greater awareness of the arts.
In February, Group Saloum, Boston's hottest new Afro-pop band founded by world-renowned griot percussionist Lamine Touré, brought its infectious rhythms to campus. In March, Lil Phunk, official junior dance team of the Boston Celtics, and Phunk Phenomenon, the adult hip hop dance team, showed off their moves on the Janikies Theatre stage. The Kinsey Sicks, America’s favorite Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet, brought their act to campus in April.
Also as part of the series, Nikki Giovanni, a world-renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator offered an entertaining and impassioned talk while reading from some of her work. Ishmael Beah, author of “A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier,” shared harrowing tales of his boyhood in war-torn Sierra Leone.
(L-R) Author Ishmael Beah, “Music of India” concert, and Soul and gospel legend Mavis Staples.
The College of Arts and Sciences sponsored a “Music of India” concert and interactive discussion about the role of music in the classroom.
Soul and gospel legend Mavis Staples performed at Bryant as part of the President's Cultural Music Series.
The Bryant Players theatre troupe presented several performances including “Grease,” “The Perfect Idiot,” and “A Christmas Carol.”
Cultural immersion
In addition to Study Abroad and the Sophomore International Experience, Bryant offers countless programs that allow students to immerse themselves in diverse cultures without even leaving the campus.
In February, Bryant commemorated the 30th anniversary of U.S.-China relations with presentations about economic and trade relations, a keynote address by China’s senior diplomat, and a dazzling dance presentation by a high school dance troupe from Beijing.
Bryant History Professor Judy Barrett Litoff kicked off the spring semester China Seminar Series with a talk “One American Woman’s War in China,” in which she vividly described the personal experiences of an American Red Cross worker living in Yunnan Province during WWII. The monthly series continued with Georgetown History Professor James Millward exploring the Chinese notion of Tianxia (all under heaven).
A special Earth Day presentation about the global climate was presented by Yale Professor Mark Pagani, and the series concluded with Primary Capital’s managing director – and 1994 Bryant alumnus – Scott Powell discussing the Chinese investment community.
(L-R) Canadian radio and TV personality Jocelyne Cazin, Georgetown History Professor James Millward, and President of the Rhode Island Dominican Studies Center Elvys Ruiz.
Elvys Ruiz, President of the Rhode Island Dominican Studies Center, gave a lecture entirely in Spanish that explored immigration; Jocelyne Cazin, dubbed the “Oprah Winfrey of Canada,” spoke about her career in television and radio; and Bryant Hillel hosted a Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The Intercultural Center hosted monthly Global Community Hours in which Bryant’s international students taught the Bryant community about their home countries. During the spring, the students “traveled” to South Africa, Botswana, Kazakhstan, and Vietnam.
From events organized by the Women’s Center, Campus Ministry, or Health Services, Bryant sponsors regular events that focus on the personal and professional growth of the whole person.
During Bryant’s celebration of Women’s Herstory, students had the opportunity to get to know their professors on a more personal basis. This spring, the “Telling Her Story” series featured History and Social Sciences Professor Riham Bahi, Bryant’s Jewish Chaplain Navah Levine, and Associate Sociology Professor Sandra Enos.
A special presentation featured Bryant's international students including Kundayi Mawema '10 (Harare, Zimbabwe), Daniela Mejia '11 (San Pedro Sula, Honduras), and Mahah Mirza '10 (Dhaka, Bangladesh).
Bryant students presented Eve Ensler's famous Vagina Monologues.
Photo on the left (L-R) Mahah Mirza '10 (Dhaka, Bangladesh), Kundayi Mawema '10 (Harare, Zimbabwe), and Daniela Mejia '11 (San Pedro Sula, Honduras). (Center photo) "On Your way to 5K" wellness walk/run and (Photo on the right) History and Social Sciences Professor Riham Bahi.
The Division of Student Affairs sponsored a Balance/Wellness fair in April that featured nutrition information, yoga demonstrations, and massages.
The Office of Counseling Services sponsored mediation, nutrition, and Tai Chi classes, while Campus Ministry led the Jesus Experience.
Making the most of the college years
Bryant’s rich campus life allows students to engage in meaningful community service, gain real-world experience, develop new talents and passions, and build lifelong friendships with classmates from around the country and the world.
Ultimately, college is what you make of it, and Bryant provides its students countless opportunities to make their four years memorable.
