Jeff Bennett's Blog

Bentley University has an awfully nice ring to it. Last week the Commonwealth of Massachusetts awarded Bentley the official status of university.

Bentley was founded in 1917 and for most of it’s history it has been known as an “accountant’s school.” Bentley still has a very strong accounting program, however, it has also been expanding and upgrading it’s undergraduate offerings and has introduced new graduate programs. Today Bentley University offers two Ph.D. programs, an undergraduate program combining business with the liberal arts.

Bentley has also expanded it’s facilities to include a new library and high tech labs for marketing research, design and usability and the trading room in the Hughey Center for Financial Services. These advancements have spawned a wave of interdiscplinary research by Bentley’s faculty. These facilities have also attracted companies onto the Bentley campus to conduct meaningful work that integrates company, faculty and students. I have been part of several projects at Bentley that have combined real world research along with teaching experiences. Bentley is equipped to work with world class companies and young venture backed startups.

The strategic plan that has enabled these developments is rooted in the vision of it’s former President Joseph Morone and it’s Board of Trustees. New President Gloria Cordes Larson has come to Bentley with great energy and expanded vision to take Bentley to the next level on the global stage.

Bentley University is a very big accomplishment for all those who have been involved with this growing story and I am confident that this will enable future expansion and acclaim for this emerging giant.