Maggie Salmon, Senior Class Committee

Committing to Bryant University is the best decision I have ever made. In my senior year of high school, I had no intention of committing to Bryant when I visited for Admitted Student Day with a few of my friends in late April for fun. Though I was looking forward to attending a bigger school, the sense of community, campus, and people at Bryant instantly changed my mind. I am so thankful for my decision and for everything that Bryant has given me, including a strong sense of community, lifelong friendships, work ethic and motivation, the opportunity for a successful future, and some of the best memories of my life.

Throughout my time at Bryant, I have become very proud to be a Bulldog and a part of the Bryant community. When I first started college, my experience was much different than many of my friends’ experiences at other colleges. Living in a 9-person suite, meeting many new people in the first couple of days, and seeing familiar faces all over campus, Bryant felt like home to me. I didn’t find it hard to adjust to college life. In classes, I loved that the professors always knew me by name, and I knew almost every student in my class. Having to do a group project in nearly every class, I have had the opportunity to get to know and work with a wide variety of students. I have loved getting to know so many people throughout my time here, and I know many of these relationships will continue forever.

Bryant has given me the experience to participate in realworld projects and be a part of some amazing clubs and organizations. One project experience I will remember forever was in my 2022 Design Thinking class with Lori Coakley and Allison Butler. We worked on a semester-long project for Fidelity Investments, worked alongside Fidelity representatives, and presented our final product to Fidelity Executives for a cash prize. It was truly amazing to see our project’s ideas turned into real projects and programs at Fidelity afterward. In terms of extracurricular activities, some of my favorite experiences at Bryant were being the event manager for the Bryant TEDx event (TED talk event), being a part of the senior committee helping to plan events for our senior class, and fundraising money for the class gift, and competing for the Bryant Sales team at the 2022 National Collegiate Sales Competition. I have also enjoyed working in the Alumni and Parent Engagement office and participating in the Omicron Delta Kappa honor society. Being around very motivated, successful, and likeminded people at Bryant has completely changed who I am by giving me a strong work ethic, motivation, and confidence that will allow me to flourish in the professional world after graduation.

Several faculty and staff have made a significant impact on my life during my time at Bryant. Going to Salmo every day while living in the dorms, greetings from Barb, and daily conversations with Miss P always made my day. Leon from the Archway Cafe and Don from Nick’s Place/ Tupper’s never failed to put a smile on my face, no matter what type of day I was having. I have also loved all of my professors at Bryant. I am especially thankful to Dr. Coakley, Professor Lynch, Dr. Jayaraman, Professor Zammarelli, Dr. Boyer, and Professor Massoud for leaving the most significant impact on me, giving me some of my favorite college class experiences, and helping me prepare for the professional world.

At Bryant, I have been lucky enough to be blessed with the best roommates: Aly, Justine, Bailey, Taryn, Karli, and Jill. I will treasure our memories in Scituate Suite 420 and Townhouse J7 forever. We have had some of the best times together going to Finn’s on Thursdays, Moonshine Alley, visiting our friends at Oakland Ave in Providence and getting Golden Crust Pizza, Rentes trips, bowling at CW Lanes, brunch at Barnaby’s, and just hanging out in our house and suite. I will especially miss our weekly trips to Laura’s Bar and Grill for dinners, 3$ tacos, buffalo chicken dip, or to try the martini of the week. Some of my favorite memories from the senior class have been the senior spring break trip to Punta Cana, the senior softball league, hanging out at the townhouse volleyball court and PO Block, and senior Thursdays for karaoke night at the Thirsty Beaver. I will always miss Smithfield and everything that it has to offer.

Even though it feels like my first day of freshman year was last week, I have enjoyed every second of being a Bryany Bulldog. I am so thankful for my experience at Bryant University and the support I have gotten from my family throughout my academic career. These past four years have been the best of my life, and I am so thankful for everyone I have met during this journey! I want to thank Bryant for shaping me into the person I am today and setting me up for a lifetime of success! Thank you SO much, Bryant, and Congratulations, class of 2023!!! I can’t wait to see what everyone accomplishes!