SMITHFIELD, RI—With 870 first-year students seated before her, Michelle Cloutier, Vice President for Enrollment Management, addressed the 160th entering class at Convocation on September 4th. She said this about our newest Bulldogs: Welcome to the opening ceremony for the 160th entering class at Bryant University, and an especially warm welcome to the talented group of young men and women who make up the Class of 2023. This gathering marks the official beginning of your college career and serves to formally welcome you into the Bryant community. It is my privilege today to present the Class of 2023 to President Machtley, Provost Sulmasy, the Bryant faculty and staff and the Bryant community at large. Before I share with you some of the attributes and characteristics that define your class and make it special, I’d like to share some information as published in this year’s Marist College Mindset List as a frame of reference. Most of you were born in the year 2001. Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone and Shrek topped the box office charts. The Mars Odyssey has always been checking out the water supply for their future visits to Mars. Snapchat has become your social media app of choice, thus relieving you of the dilemma of whether or not to friend mom. Most of you will rent not buy your textbooks. Monica and Chandler have always been married on Friends. Teams have always engaged in an Amazing Race around the world. Bryant’s Class of 2023 was selected from the largest and most academically talented applicant pool in our University’s 156-year history. I have had the pleasure of reviewing each of your applications, so I know firsthand what an extremely impressive and talented group you are. My colleagues on the admission team and I selected you from nearly 7,700 applicants and you earned your admission through impressive academics, commitment to cocurricular activities, leadership and strength of character. Some of you wanted to be close to home, while others were looking for a completely new experience. This class has students from 24 US States.
Some are graduates from high schools right here in New England; while others of you hail from Hawaii, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Georgia and Colorado. Your class includes citizens from five of the seven continents and from 25 different countries including Switzerland, Peru, South Africa, Albania, Hong Kong, and Bermuda. You represent a range of religious, ethnic and racial backgrounds and speak more than 28 different languages and dialects. In fact, 11 of you are fluent in more than three languages. International students make up more than 7 percent of your class and over 15 percent of you identify with African American, Latino American or Asian American backgrounds. Over 208 of you have long standing relationships with Bryant. 78 of you follow brothers, sisters or cousins to Bryant and 47 of you have a parent who earned a Bryant degree. Another 54 of you were preceded by an aunt, uncle or grandparent, and 29 of you have multiple legacy connections. Another 17 know Bryant well because your parents work here and 191 of you are the first in your family to go to college. Two of you will always remember today’s Convocation because today you are celebrating your birthday. A sincere “Happy Birthday” wish to Ricardo Acevedo and Ethan Savoie. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Join us as an alumni speaker at our fall Bryant 101 events! Saturday, October 26 Saturday, November 9 Monday, November 11 •
Speak for 5-8 minutes on your career
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Share the ways Bryant prepared you for life after graduation
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Talk about your interactions and involvement with Bryant since you graduated
Does your AAC membership need updating? If your contact information, job, or any other information in our database has changed since we last heard from you, please update us here: https://explore.bryant.edu/register/ 2019-20_AACRenewal
Senior Danielle Nikosey has many life-changing memories to reflect on as she heads into her final year at Bryant. During her time as a Bulldog, Danielle has been heavily involved in the International Business Student Leadership Team, Beta Gamma Sigma International Honor Society, the Honors Program, and Student Ambassador Program. Hailing from Massachusetts, Danielle came to Bryant with the intention of expanding her horizons and gaining a global perspective. As part of the International Business Program, Danielle spent the first semester of her junior year abroad in Spain living with a host family, developing her proficiency in a second language, and traveling to other nearby cities and countries. In addition to her semester abroad, Danielle previously participated in the Malaysia and Singapore Sophomore International Experience where she was immersed in cultures that are drastically different than in the U.S. She was also able to visit companies while she was there. “By the time I graduate in May I will have been to 10 countries and 3 continents through opportunities at Bryant.” When asked about the relationships she’s built at Bryant, Danielle proudly shares that, “As an IB major you become part of a tight knit group of students and professors. From taking the majority of business core classes as a cohort, to studying abroad together, to surviving IB Block, to Practicum, you truly spend the majority of your college career surrounded by these individuals. We are supportive of one another and it’s a rewarding group to be a part of.” Danielle has had no shortage of professional exposure while at Bryant, either. Her first internship was with Saint-Gobain during the summer prior to her junior year, and the second was while abroad in Spain. There, she worked for a sustainable consulting company. “During my time with the company, I saw firsthand how different countries have different business practices.” This past summer, Danielle worked as a Global Merchandising intern at Wayfair. “During the 10-week program I was able to work on over 12 different projects for the Wall Art class. It allowed me to use my analytical skills that I have learned at Bryant. I worked with a large amount of data, learned SQL, and practiced my presentation and Excel skills.” In her senior year, Danielle hopes to continue to grow as a leader and an individual. She knows that the hands-on projects she completed in the classroom have prepared her for real life experiences in the business world after graduation. “Bryant has taught me how to be a leader. It has developed my analytical skills, as well as taught me how to think critically. Moving forward in my life after Bryant these are skills that I will take with me for the rest of my life.” 2
In terms of academic strengths, the Class of 2023 brings to Bryant an array of academic interests and achievements. There are 3 Valedictorians and 14 Salutatorians. Finance, Marketing, Accounting, International Business, and Biology top this year’s areas of academic interest as expressed in your applications, but your class has a strong interest in studying across colleges and disciplines to pursue a wide variety of career paths. 79 of you have officially declared yourselves as “Undecided.” You have already studied and lived with host families in Germany, China, Iceland and Italy. One of you won a business development competition at an Ivy League Summer Program and one of you is the youngest board member for the Classic Car Club of America. One of you has his pilot’s license and one of you has placed in the top ten for a national culinary competition. One of you participated in Yale’s debate tournament, one of you is a world finalist for the Odyssey of the Mind competition, and one of is the author of a children’s book series that focuses on empowering children. Many of you have worked for your parents in small and not so small businesses and plan to use what you learn at Bryant to continue the family tradition. One of you works in an accounting firm and one of you runs the social media platforms and marketing for her families food truck business. Over 62 percent of your class worked during high school bringing to campus a variety of experiences. One of you is a tour guide at a maritime museum and one of you leads a local cranberry harvest. One of you works as an assistant chef at a fine Italian restaurant, and one of you works as a bank teller. One of you works at your local Cape Cod paper, the Enterprise, and one of you interned for the governor’s campaign in Rhode Island. One of you is a car technician at a Nissan dealership, one of you is a pharmacy technician and one of you paints house during the summer and on weekends. One of you works at a wedding and event planning firm and one of you repairs and reopens nature trails at a conservatory. This class has a strong entrepreneurial spirit. One of you founded and runs a baked goods catering business called Rolling Pin Bakery and one of you founded an app called QR Secure which provides security for apartment complexes. One of you owns Seahorse Farms Luxury Products that produces homemade soap and one of you has worked with a chemist to create your own line of beauty products. One of you started Varsity Movers- a furniture moving business and one of you is the cofounder and Chief Marketing Officer for Sandy Palms Clothing Company. One of you created an online platform where students can seek tutors and mentors. The Class of 2023 has already demonstrated a strong work ethic. Your class also brings to Bryant talents in the fine arts, music, theater and dance. One of you won an award for the best comedy short film at a film festival and one of you is the first chair clarinet in the symphony. One of you enjoys woodworking and leather book binding as hobbies and one of you is an elite dancer who has won several national awards. One of you illustrated a music video that was nominated for a Grammy Award and one of you is a classical pianist who recorded an album and composed her own piece. One of you is a ballet dancer accepted into a competitive Boston Ballet Program and one of you can play five instruments. One of you sings the National Anthem at state and professional sports competitions. Many of you have distinguished yourselves in athletics, competing on all league, all state and all conference teams. 417 of you played more than one sport in high school and 304 of you served as team captain. One of you plays for the Taiwanese national basketball team and one of you is the only girl on the boys golf team. One of you completed a 100-mile hike through the deserts of New Mexico, and one of you is an international champion in the Junior Olympics. One of you won the girls weightlifting title in her weight class with a lift that would earn her the title in the next two weight classes above. One of you won medals as the high scorer on a UK cricket team, one of you won first place in an international chess tournament and one of you was ranked #13 in the world at the CrossFit Games Open. And among you are coaches for swimming, karate, sailing, basketball and hockey. At least 4 of you hold black belts in the martial arts and 149 of you will add to Bryant’s varsity teams and many more of you will keep our intramural and club teams competitive. Over 70 percent of your class lent their talents and time to volunteering to help those in need around the world. You have volunteered your time locally and in countries such as Haiti, Russia and the Dominican Republic. One of you serves as a volunteer scuba diver in Bali to help restore the growth of coral. One of you is a member of the Raiders Reading Program which mentors elementary school children in reading. One of you entertains residents at a nursing home through art projects, singing and magic tricks and one of you created the kindness project which collects winter clothing and donates it to local homeless shelters. One of you is a leader at “Little Britches” which is a therapeutic riding center for children. One of you volunteers your time with the Global Medical Relief Fund that brings children who have lost limbs to the US for prosthetics. One of you has volunteered for the past two years at the Vatican working with the sick, hungry and poor. Still others spent countless hours in hospitals and food pantries, and volunteering for organizations whose missions are to provide basic needs for families or to protect endangered animals and the environment. 133 of you served in student government and another 18 of you served as your class Presidents, 9 of you are Eagle Scouts and 3 of you have earned the Girl Scout Gold Award. Your class has shown concern for local and world communities and we anticipate that your passion for making the world a better place will only continue to grow during your time at Bryant. These are just some of the distinguishing characteristics of your class. Each of you brings something unique to Bryant. Your many qualities will enrich our campus and the world around us. We feel fortunate to be able to participate in your growth and development throughout your time here. Again, welcome to Bryant University, we are excited to be a part of your lives. 3
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