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Effective today, Bentley College is now Bentley University. Here is the text from the press release.


We are extremely pleased to share the news that the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (MBHE) has approved our petition for Bentley to change its designation and name to Bentley University effective today, October 2, 2008.

This is a landmark event in Bentley’s history as our leadership in business education and research is once again recognized. We have been operating at the level expected of a university and the MDHE has acknowledged that. This approval affirms the growth and investments we have made as an institution – and supports our commitment to making the Bentley degree even more valuable. Our new name celebrates our history and positions us as innovators in business education.

Our leadership team made a commitment several years ago to lay the foundation that would create university-level credentials in key strategic areas. With the support of our Board, investments were made in the creation of two distinctive PhD programs; a highly integrated undergraduate program that combines business with the liberal arts and offers a second major in Liberal Studies; and wide ranging interdisciplinary research – all features of a true business university.

In addition to expanding our academic programs, we have made considerable investments in our physical facilities over the last 10 years including the state-of-the-art library and high tech labs, including the renowned Trading Room, residence halls, student center, and the renovated and expanded athletic center. And we have continued to experience growth in our endowment, donor contributions, applications and program enrollments.
In 2006 we shared our intention to consider a change to university status and asked for your input. We received very helpful feedback and factored that into our petition to the MDHE. While Bentley’s reach is broad and global, we value our historical strengths. As a university, we will continue to provide the breadth and technological strength we always have, with the core values and student focus of a close-knit campus.

Bentley has been recognized nationally and internationally for our uncommon approach to business education. The Carnegie Foundation chose Bentley as one of a few institutions to study because of the distinctive way we approach business and liberal arts learning. Since business is now the largest undergraduate major in the country, it has become a pivotal area for further study and innovation. The Carnegie team concluded that, “after reviewing dozens of undergraduate business programs, Bentley offers one of the strongest and most interesting examples of integrating business education and liberal learning.“ The research group expects to highlight Bentley’s methods in a book addressing this important academic topic. In addition, and as many of you know, we recently underwent a rigorous review by the European Foundation for Management Development and were awarded the prestigious EQUIS Accreditation, becoming one of only two business schools in the U.S. and 113 worldwide, to earn this distinction. Bentley is also accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), making us just one of 50+ institutions worldwide to have earned both EQUIS and AACSB accreditation.

The hallmark of a first rate business university is faculty research that informs teaching and impacts practice. Our research agenda is one that has a clear impact on business and societal issues. We see teaching and research as mutually reinforcing and, as a university, this will continue to be the case.

A significant part of Bentley’s strategy is to continue to expand our regional, national and global focus. The designation of university will assist us in recruiting students, faculty and staff; establish and expand university partnerships in strategic regions; develop more study abroad sites with leading institutions; and sponsor conferences that reflect our areas of strength.

This is a day the entire Bentley community has been working toward for many years. Thank you to everyone who helped us achieve this milestone!

Calcruzer

Congratulations to Bentley on the recent change--the school is definitely deserving of "university" status.