360 0 NEWS AND VIEWS
BRYANT
JULY 2012
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ATHLETICS UPDATE Men’s lacrosse clinches first D-I postseason title
FAMILIES
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INTERNSHIP ZONE RelanvanSi in Buenos Aires
FOR STUDENTS AND
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BEHIND THE BIO Award-winning prof always connected
2012 grad lands a gem of a job
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In high school, Alex Robbin ’12 created the systems for The Leaky Cauldron, the second-most visited Harry Potter fan website. Today, he is a software engineer for Boston-based Brightcove, a global provider of cloud video services.
lex Robbin ’12 knows many languages but none that would come in handy while traveling abroad. He is fluent in web-based programming and frameworks such as Ruby on Rails, RSPec and Cucumber, HTML5 and CSS3, SQL and JavaScript, Ubuntu-Thin and Unicorn, among others – the languages of a self-proclaimed technology geek. Are you a Harry Potter fan? You can thank Robbin for creating the systems for The Leaky Cauldron, the second-most visited Harry Potter fan website. As a senior programmer, he remotely maintained, at minimum, six different web servers to continuously keep all subsections of the website functioning at full capacity 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Robbin worked his magic by developing an administration system that handled everything from polls to blogs to more than 1,200 videos and 250,000 pictures and their appropriate meta information – without any decrease in speed or functionality after more than 65 million views. Oh, and he was in high school at the time.
“I always loved learning how things on the Internet actually functioned – not just the visual part that most people care about but also the actual underbelly of how things got routed around the country and the world,” he says. “I thought the ‘View Source’ button was the coolest thing since sliced bread.”
“My education is a priceless asset.” alex Robbin ’12 danvers, ma Robbin took an introductory design course at a community college when he was 13, learning the basics of HTML in six weeks. Ever since, he has pushed himself to gain knowledge of new languages, frameworks, server maintenance, and setup. At 15, he built a basic website for the law firm of a friend’s mother. From 2009 to 2011, he worked for a company called HealthTalker, building out community-based applications
(L-R) Alex Robbin; John Noe, creative director, The Leaky Cauldron; and J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter fantasy series, at Carnegie Hall in 2007.
for pharmaceutical companies such as Genzyme, Merck, and Alkermes. He also completed an internship there as part of his Entrepreneurship major. Shortly after graduation in May, Robbin started a job as a software engineer with Brightcove, a global provider of cloud video services. The Boston-based company is the second-largest video provider on the Web, surpassed only by YouTube. Robbin specializes in Ruby on continued on page 8
Senior is honored for her efforts surrounding child welfare and HIV/AIDS issues
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ocina Dalzell ’13 (Brooklyn, NY) has been named a Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact. The Sociology and Service Learning major is one of 162 college students from across the United States to be selected for their achievements in finding solutions to community problems. “I am humbled and honored to receive an award of such distinction and to be among a cohort of other motivated students,” says Dalzell. Her involvement in the community started years ago in church. “Through different ministries, I helped pray for the sick and shut in, fed the hungry, and lent an ear and hand
Rocina Dalzell ’13
to those in need,” she says. “At the time, I did not realize the impact this had in the lives of others.” The award cites her policy-level work, education, and advocacy. At age 14, Dalzell began working with the Youth Justice Board in New York City, helping to create 14 specific policy recommendations to reform New York City’s Family Court Permanency Planning Process in order to improve the outcome and experiences of youth in foster care. She is co-director of WE SPEAK Alumni at the Young Women of Color HIV/AIDS Coalition; president of the Fellowship of the Unashamed, a Christian organiza-
tion on campus; and vice president of the University’s Alliance for Women’s Awareness. Dalzell hopes to pursue a career as a Family Court judge. “The family unit is a very important aspect in one’s life. It’s where children develop their values,” she says. As a judge, Dalzell hopes to shape policies and programs that will help people reach their highest potential.
BR 10 August and 17 August
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Winning The Hartford Case Competition
BEHIND THE BIO | Faculty Profile
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ryant students not only think outside of the box, they also challenge each other to go even further. That’s what Emily Carow ’13 says about her team’s brainstorming process that eventually led them to victory over students from Bentley University, Boston University, and the University of Connecticut at the final round of The Hartford Case Competition last semester. “We were stuck at the beginning thinking ‘There is only so much we can do with a financial mobile application.’ But by pushing each other to think outside of the box, we developed our unique gaming application idea. From there, it was smooth sailing,” she says. The team, consisting of five Bryant juniors, presented two options: a more traditional app, Bulldog Helper, offering an annuity calculator, checklist, and a realtime chat, as well as an innovative gaming app dubbed Bulldog Sketch, which allows users to play Pictionary with their friends.
David Greenan, MBA Lecturer, Department of Management
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reenan drives onto campus each day in his 1973 Volkswagen Beetle – green, of course, with the license plate “Bug.” His students describe him as passionate about what he teaches, someone who brings real-world experience into the classroom. He is dedicated to their success, even sharing his cell phone number for any questions that pop up. Greenan is a Sam Walton Fellow and has received awards for teaching excellence, but he is also appreciated for the years he served as faculty advisor to student organizations such as Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) and the Bryant Society for Human Resource Management, among others. He is a two-time Bryant graduate, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1973 and an MBA in 2004. We asked Professor Greenan to complete a number of sentences for Bryant 360. We’re pretty sure you won’t find any of this information in his “curriculum vitae.” When I was in high school, I wanted to be a millionaire. I’m still a million dollars shy.
James Segovis, Ph.D., associate professor of management
After each turn, a pop-up appears offering a prevention tip or an advertisement for the Bulldog Helper. “Through our research, we found that ‘gamifying’ processes originally unrelated to games is an extremely effective tool in increasing brand awareness and customer retention,” says Carow, who participated alongside Timothy Drechsler-Martell, Adrianna Lublin, Alexa McIsaac, and Haley Onofaro, all seniors. “As an undergrad, I was excited to have the opportunity to give a presentation to the heads of such a large insurance company,” says Lublin.
Professor’s coaching makes a difference The key ingredient to the judges’ glowing reviews of their presentation skills was Associate Professor of Management James Segovis, Ph.D. “One of the greatest attributes of Bryant is how willing the professors are to help students. None of us had Professor Segovis in a class, yet he was willing to commit time to help us prepare for the competition,” says Drechsler-Martell. It was the first time Bryant had participated in the event. The team walked away with a prize of $2,000, which they divvied up. Furthermore, Carow landed a spot this summer with The Hartford’s Technology Leadership and Development Internship program, while DrechslerMartell is interning at the Hartford Investment Management Company. “Succeeding outside the classroom feels great, but succeeding in a team of people that you trust and believe in feels even better,” says Drechsler-Martell.
In my spare time, I like to play with my five grandchildren or ride with my wife Allie in our Crossfire convertible – and feel the wind in what is left of my hair. The last CD I bought was too far back to remember. I’m cheap, so I use Spotify. My students would say that I’m approachable, consistent, and fair. I am extremely proud of the student groups I have advised in and out of class. SIFE, for example, has made it to the nationals 10 times in 11 years and also to the top two percent in the country from more than 700 colleges and universities – astounding! If I wasn’t teaching, I would be working with young people in some capacity. They challenge me and keep me young. I think our students are extremely bright and impressive. They give me great hope for the future. www.bryant.edu/management
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ADVICE4U “Do not TEXT at any time when walking towards The Archway. I did that once and almost tripped into it. It was very embarrassing!”
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Princess Fynn-Williams ’14, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS Ghana, west Africa
Assistant Director Beth Engwall meets with students in the Study Abroad office.
Bryant ranks high in study abroad participation Bryant University ranks among the top 15 colleges and universities for undergraduate participation in study abroad programs, coming in 14th in its Carnegie classification (Master’s colleges and universities). The rankings were released in the Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange, published annually by the Institute of International Education in partnership with the U.S. Department of State. Rankings are based on the percentage of graduating seniors who participated in a for-credit study abroad program at some point in their undergraduate careers. For academic year 2009–2010 (the most recent data avail-
able), 369 of Bryant’s 805 graduating seniors – or 45.8 percent – had taken part in a study abroad program. Since its inception in 2006, the Sophomore International Experience has immersed more than 1,000 Bryant students in a semester-long intensive course culminating in two weeks of study and travel abroad. The program is so distinctive that it attracted the support of Sovereign| Santander Universities, which in 2011 entered into a three-year agreement with Bryant to support SIE. Learn about an inspiring SIE trip to Panama and Costa Rica in this video. WWW.BRYANT.EDU/STUDYABROAD
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AFTER BRYANT | Alumni Profile
INTERNSHIP ZONE
A desire to make a difference
Interning in Argentina
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s chief operating officer of Obama for America, Ann Marie Habershaw ’84, CPA, logs in long days at the office, but she doesn’t necessarily consider it “work.” “It’s true – the saying ‘find what you love to do and do it well, the rest will follow,’” she says. “My time in mission-driven organizations over the last 20 years is about dedication and a desire to help others and make a difference.” Her career evolved in the early 1990s when she began volunteering on political campaigns because of her belief in each citizen’s ability to effect change. It was her work on a 1994 congressional campaign that led Habershaw to her first management position in a national organization: controller for EMILY’s List, a national political action committee with a mission to elect pro-choice Democratic women to local, state, and federal office. “I left EMILY’s List to join the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as its chief financial officer in 2001,” she says. “During my six years there, I worked for three outstanding members of Congress and was able to help elect the first woman speaker of the United States House of Representatives.”
A knack for numbers In high school, Habershaw could picture herself in a lot of different careers – from disc jockey to history teacher. But her practical nature told her that a bachelor’s degree would increase her options as an adult. As soon as she realized she had a knack for accounting, she transferred to Bryant.
Ann Marie Habershaw ’84, CPA
“Bryant has a reputation for excellent business education,” she says. “One of the most important lessons I learned in college was that the financial strength and transparency of any organization are key to its success, and understanding these aspects allows you to move into senior leadership positions in any area.” This skill proved prophetic for Habershaw, as she leveraged her accounting degree and an Executive MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill to move through the ranks in the political arena. She continued her ascent, later serving two years as chief operating officer for the Democratic National Committee before landing her current position. “It is an honor and privilege to use my experience and skills to work on re-electing the President of the United States,” says Habershaw. “I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to do something every day that I am deeply passionate about.”
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hile studying abroad in Buenos Aires at the University of Belgrano, Makena Sage ’12, an International Business major with concentrations in marketing and Spanish, learned of an internship opportunity for a startup in that country. The company, RelevanSi, is an integrated communications agency for green businesses. Sage was not only intrigued by the organization’s mission, she also knew she’d have more responsibility and flexibility than in a larger firm. The Austin, TX, student was asked to interview via Skype, and a date and time were set. “Though only your head and shoulders show, I dressed business professional and found a place in my house with a nice background,” she says. “It’s important to make a good impression.” After discussing her relevant
Makena Sage ’12
“Technology has opened so many doors for people, and my internship really helped me to see that.” Makena Sage ’12 austin, tx
work experience and interests, the manager offered Sage a position before the interview was over. The three-month public relations internship focused largely on strengthening the company’s brand through social media and a solid online presence. And, while Sage spoke English during most of her internship, she had the opportunity to practice Spanish with her co-workers and at local networking events. “I was excited by the chance to expand my experience and practical knowledge of social media, blogging, and other related topics,” she says, “and the people at the company were great to work with.” Sage has always wanted to live and work abroad, but the internship changed the way she views the concept. “Working for an Internet startup opened my eyes to just how mobile careers are becoming,” she says. “I realized that you can really work from anywhere. Technology has opened so many doors for people, and my internship really helped me to see that.” Sage is currently growing her business as a freelance copywriter/ copy editor, which she began in 2009. She plans to relocate to New York City.
BRYANT BY THE NUMBERS | Commencement 2012
96 double/triple majors
866 graduates
100%
6,000
students who walked through the archway for the first time
seats under the tent
3.98 Highest GPA in the class
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98% of the Class of 2011 were employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of commencement. Bryant’s International Business program is ranked 27th in the nation by Bloomberg Businessweek, which recently released rankings of 14 specialty business programs.
Bryant ranks among the top 15 colleges and universities for undergraduate participation in study abroad programs, coming in 14th in its Carnegie classification (Master’s colleges and universities).
Class of 2011 graduates report a median starting salary of $50,000, placing Bryant 17th in the nation as recently ranked by Bloomberg Businessweek.
BRYANT UNIV
“ Bryant University’s idea is truly pathbreaking, and just what society needs.” The Bryant experience, uniquely blending business and the arts and sciences in a real-world context, is perfect for preparing leaders who can “fulfill the highest purposes of education.” Jeffrey D. Sachs, Ph. D. Leading international economist and director of The Earth Institute, Columbia University
ERSITY admission.bryant.edu
ATHLETICS UPDATE
Men’s lacrosse claims first NEC Tournament Championship The second-seeded Bryant University men’s lacrosse team clinched its first Division I postseason title with a 12-6 win over fourth-seeded Mount St. Mary’s at Joe Walton Stadium in Moon Township, PA. Tournament MVP Jameson Love (Darien, CT) made five saves on the day and recorded 13 for the 2012 NEC Tournament. With the victory, the Bulldogs (14-4) tie the all-time program record for wins in a season and claim the school’s first-ever Northeast Conference Tournament Championship since joining Division I in 2008-09.
Baseball team wins second NEC regular-season title
Jamie Skagerlind ’13
Seniors Connor Carignan (Norwich, CT) and Jamie Skagerlind (Holden, MA) propelled the baseball team to a doubleheader sweep of league rival Wagner College, clinching the 2012 Northeast Conference Regular-Season Championship on May 12 at Conaty Park on the Bryant campus. The Bulldogs (32-21, 23-8 NEC) won the first game of the twinbill, 3-1, and completed the sweep with a 3-0 victory in game two. The combination of Bryant’s game-one victory and Monmouth’s loss to Sacred Heart clinched the regular-season title, but the Bulldogs made it official with a win in game two. In three years of Northeast Conference competition, the Bulldogs have posted a 67-27 record and have won two of the last three regular-season titles.
Co-captain Emily Kaup ’13
Volleyball announces 2012 captains Rising seniors Emily Kaup (Chandler, AZ), Macy Mitravich (Waimanalo, HI) and Jadith Lorenzo (Lawrence, MA) have been named captains of the volleyball team for the 2012-13 season. The trio will lead the Bulldogs into the program’s first season of full Division I membership in the fall,
as Bryant nears the end of its four-year reclassification period this summer. The 2012 campaign represents the program’s first opportunity to qualify for the conference and NCAA tournaments since making the move to Division I in 2008-09. www.bryantbulldogs.com
BRYANT HAS HISTORY
Comedian, actor, writer, and producer Bill Cosby received an Honorary Degree in 1994. Bryant offered its first Women’s Symposium in 1963.
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The New England Patriots held their summer training camp at Bryant for 26 years – from 1976 to 2002.
Connecting theory to practice
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ryant’s 2nd Annual Research and Engagement Day was a showcase of research, creativity, and innovative academic accomplishments, often a collaboration between faculty and students. More than 100 presentations were followed by readings of poetry and fiction from the Bryant Literary Review, and a keynote address by Kathryn Sullivan, the first American woman to walk in space. A session by four marketing interns attracted an overflow crowd, so extra chairs were borrowed from adjoining classrooms. Natalie Donoyan, Linnéa Jungnelius, Rachel Konaxis, and Meghan McKenna shared their unique internship experiences in four very different industries.
Marketing Rhode Island Donoyan ’13, a double major in marketing and management, interned at the Rhode Island Economic Development Board, where she helped to market major events in the state. “I never realized how economics, politics, and marketing work together,” she says. “It was quite a learning experience.” Though she received no paycheck, she says the experience was priceless because it helped her discover her entrepreneurial drive. “With internships, it’s not about how much you make, it’s about what you learn,” says Donoyan. “I feel a lot more confident about my work now and have
developed my skills so that I can write a press release, ask the right questions, take the lead on projects or issues, and work independently. “Most importantly, I have come to appreciate the very, very impressive education I’m receiving at Bryant because everything I’ve learned, I can apply to the real world.”
Supply chain management With majors in International Business and Spanish, Jungnelius ’12 wanted to be in the middle of a supply chain, which is the flow of goods, services, and information. She found a paid internship with Rhode Island Novelty through Bryant’s Career Connection, a database of jobs and internships maintained by the career education center on campus.
Natalie Donoyan helped market major events in Rhode Island.
“I never knew I wanted to be in sales, so this was a great way to gain an understanding of the profession,” says Jungnelius, whose main responsibilities were market research, business marketing such as trade show preparation, and marketing technology. A company database she developed led to a promotion and a move from a cubicle to an office with a door. In just three short months, she generated $11,000 in sales and was offered a full-time position. “Internships lead to jobs, so choose wisely,” advises Jungnelius.
Social media
Linnéa Jungnelius’s internship led to a job offer.
Konaxis ’12 interned for academic credit at Eident Sports Marketing in Providence, where interns
play a crucial role in the organization. As a social media intern, she interacted with current and potential customers through Facebook and Twitter to generate brand awareness for sporting events such as the Providence Marathon. “It’s extremely important to utilize the Bryant Career Connection, talk to professors, ask friends where they have worked, and create a profile on LinkedIn,” says Konaxis. “Everyone is looking for an intern.”
“With internships, it’s not about how much you make, it’s about what you learn.” natalie donoyan ’13 lincoln, ri
PR and advertising A PR/Advertising internship with Marketing and Media Services, LLC, a company that specializes in multimedia lead generation, was a revelation for McKenna ’12. “I always thought I wanted to work for a big company, but this internship changed my mind,” she says. “It gave me the opportunity to see what I really wanted to do.” McKenna was offered – and accepted – a full-time media buyer position with the company. www.bryant.edu/REDay
Faces in the Bryant crowd
Sihao Cao ’12 Majors: Finance, Economics Minor: Chinese Working at: BOSE Corporation
Michael Leonard ’13 Majors: Finance, Economics, Applied Statistics
Margaret Wong ’14 Major: International Business Minors: Global Supply Chain Management, Chinese
Gaytha Langlois, Ph.D. Professor and Chair Science and Technology
Cao made the most of every minute at Bryant. He took advantage of personalized attention from faculty, participated in co-curricular activities, and co-hosted the first-bilingual radio show, “China Today,” on the student-run radio station. He made the Dean’s List every semester and was a peer tutor. He held three internships: two with Raytheon and one with Liberty Mutual Group. Cao is now at BOSE Corporation, a company he believes in much like he believes in Bryant. “If you are someone who is ambitious, creative, and open to taking on new challenges and opportunities, then Bryant is a good fit for you,” he says.
Leonard interned at Seraphim Capital, a venture capital firm in London. “Interning at a small firm gave me experiences that I would not have had at a large company,” he says. “This internship will be a very valuable résumé builder.” The hands-on experience he received at Bryant gave him solid résumé items to talk about at the interview. “Through the Archway Investment Fund, I participated in the management of a real $600,000 equity portfolio,” says Leonard. “I was also on the Bryant Federal Reserve Challenge team that competed against 21 other schools including Harvard, MIT, and Yale.”
Wong took part in a summer faculty and student research trip to China, exploring the language, culture, and history of the country. Although the focus was to study the country’s “New Remembering” of World War II and the way museums in China tell stories, the students had other specific deliverables. In addition to writing a blog, they recorded a series of videos to bring authentic Chinese culture and language back to classrooms in southern New England. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I didn’t think I would have as a freshman,” says Wong. “I have always wanted to help others understand the language and culture of my heritage.”
This award-winning professor has been teaching for more than 40 years, and her energy and enthusiasm remain boundless. You’ll see her leading students on walking field trips, taking samples from the ponds and wetlands on Bryant’s 428-acre campus. Langlois also coordinates the Environmental Science program. “What’s exciting about this major is the flexibility students have to pursue specialty areas of interest,” she says. She holds a Ph.D. in Biological Science. Her academic interests range from water and oil pollution to sustainable development practices. Her greatest personal achievement is helping to defeat the Charlestown Nuclear Power Plant proposal in Rhode Island.
www.bryant.edu/chinese
www.bryant.edu/finance
www.bryant.edu/IB
www.bryant.edu/environmentalscience
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IMPORTANT ADMISSION DATES Discover Bryant Friday, August 10 Friday, August 17 Bryant 101 Information Session Saturday, September 29 Saturday, October 27 Fall Open House Saturday, October 20
ADMISSION.BRYANT.EDU
Gem of a job continued from page 1
Rails, responsible initially for developing the new checkout and online billing system for Brightcove’s clients. “My legal studies background at Bryant has given me a new way to look at certain problems,” says Robbin. “I spend a lot more time analyzing the security of the applications I build so that customers can rest assured that the personal information they submit is secure.” With skills that are widely sought after, Robbin interviewed for jobs across the country, including New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. And, unlike most people, he found the interview pro-
cess to be, in his words, refreshing and enjoyable. “I love doing what I do, and if I could talk to someone about it every day and have them be as excited about it as I am, I would!” When he was first looking at colleges, the Danvers, MA, student visited a number of schools in New England and beyond, but Bryant was his first choice. “I really liked the campus, the small class sizes, and the high-end technology available to students. I also appreciated Bryant’s proximity to both Providence and Boston, which would allow me to continue branching out my business. “Even though Bryant is small, the opportunities available to students are tremendous,” he says. “There is always
“I love doing what I do, and if I could talk to someone about it every day and have them be as excited about it as I am, I would!” alex Robbin ’12 danvers, ma something going on, like great speakers you may not get to hear at other institutions, and, more often than not, the events are free. The majority of professors are readily available if you have ques-
A career fair in the spring and the fall
A Overheard “Push yourselves outside your comfort zone. Make the effort. Have the courage to explore, to discover, to take in the novel, the unexpected, the uncomfortable.” Scientist and Astronaut Kathryn D. Sullivan, Ph.D., the first American woman to walk in space Keynote speaker at Bryant’s Research and Engagement Day
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n annual career fair on campus is a great time to talk to recruiters about summer jobs, internships, and career opportunities. Bryant’s spring fair was a tremendous success, with 95 registered organizations, 200 employer representatives, and more than 800 students participating. Recruiter feedback was extremely positive regarding the preparedness and professionalism of students, reports Bryant’s Amica Center for Career Education. Starting this fall, students will have a second opportunity to interact with recruiters when Bryant holds its first Fall
Career and Graduate School Fair. This new event will address a number of needs, says Manager of Recruiting Programs and Employer Relations Kathy Clarkin. “Employers increasingly want to interact with students and promote their opportunities early in the school year,” she says. “The fall fair will give students early exposure to recruiting opportunities and competitive summer internship programs.” With an increasing number of Bryant students interested in pursuing advanced degrees, graduate and professional schools will be invited to showcase their programs.
tions or need help. And, Bryant students are spoiled – because you can walk to any location on campus in less than 10 minutes, so all the great facilities are at your disposal. “My education is a priceless asset,” says Robbin. “I can and have always taught myself the computer side of my business, but I realized I could not teach myself much about the actual business side. “If you are considering business, Bryant is right up your alley. If you’re thinking about communication or other liberal arts majors and want a business background, it’s also the perfect place for you.” WWW.BRYANT.EDU
At Bryant, you’ve got apps
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his summer, Bryant University’s Information Services team will bring to life two mobile apps that will answer the eternal undergrad questions: “What’s to eat?” and “What’s going on?” The apps are the result of the Bryant’s inaugural App-a-Thon, held recently as part of the 2nd Annual Research and Engagement Day. Proposed by Bryant senior Sarah Rubel of Westport, CT, vice president of Bryant’s Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization, the innovative competition challenged students to consider mobile apps that would enhance Bryant’s studentcentered university environment. Developing and presenting their app concepts gave students the chance to apply their classroom learning to real-world situations and see their ideas put into action. Bryant plans to release the winning apps in time for students’ arrival this fall.