1910-1919
1918
Women are admitted to Bentley when enrollment of men drops during WWI. By the early 1920s, enrollment again is all male as the accounting profession was generally closed to women.
1920-1929
1923
Alpha Gamma Pi, a fraternity, is formed by a group of Jewish students.
1930-1939
1933
Francisco Montoya, a student from Colombia, graduates with the class of 1933.
1935
Robert C. Hayden becomes Bentley’s first African-American graduate.
1940-1949
1941
The School publishes a pamphlet encouraging students with “difficult” last names to change them.
1942
Women enroll again because of declining male enrollment caused by WWII. At this time, the school becomes officially and permanently co-educational.
1944
Delta Omega, the first sorority, is established.
1948
Frances Crawley becomes first female instructor at the Bentley School.
1949
The Alumni Bulletin lists 86 total graduates from “21 foreign lands” among a total of 10,349 graduates.
1950-1959
1955
Yap Tuh Ying, a student from Indonesia, enrolls under the sponsorship of the Standard Vacuum Oil Company. He is thought to be one of the first Bentley students born in Asia.
1958
Eldridge L. James, an African-American student, is a member of the Student Council.
Late 1950s
A women’s Alumnae Chapter is formed. It holds regular meetings with speakers to discuss women’s issues in the accounting profession.
1960-1969
1960
Several nuns, most from the Order of the Sisters of Mercy, attend Bentley to acquire the accounting skills needed to manage their order’s hospitals.
1961
Marion Graham Willis joins the faculty, and in 1962 becomes Bentley’s first full-time female professor and one of the few women to teach on the Boston campus. In 1974 she becomes the first woman to receive tenure.
1962
The Newman Club is established to serve the needs of Catholic students.
1967
The International Relations Club is formed to foster cross-cultural understanding on campus. Its membership includes several international students.
1968
President Thomas L. Morison sends a letter of condolence to Coretta Scott King after the assassination of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
1969
Alint (Raj) Varughese becomes Bentley’s first professor of color. He is tenured in the early 1970’s.
The Black United Body is established, although it initially did not have a name.
ca. 1969
Bentley retains several religious advisors to support the spiritual needs of students on the new Waltham campus.
1970-1979
The Bentley Women’s Caucus forms to hold meetings, lectures, and events concerning women’s rights.
1970
Olanrewaju J. Fapohunda, originally from Nigeria, becomes Bentley’s first black professor.
1971
Dorothy Willard becomes the first female member of the Board of Trustees.
1974
The first planning meeting is held for Hillel, the Jewish Students’ Organization. As early as 1967, a precursor organization called “Menorah” was mentioned in school literature.
Richard Walker becomes the first African-American member of the Board of Trustees.
1974-75
The construction of the Dana Center results in the formation of the first female sports teams. By 1975 women have formed teams for field hockey, basketball, tennis, and softball. Over 25% of the female student population belonged to one of these fledgling teams.
1977
Students form the Armenian Club, due in part to President Adamian’s role in local Armenian culture.
1980-1989
1982
John Lesko responds to students who wrote anti-gay “satire” in student newspaper, becomes the first openly gay faculty member.
1983
Bentley organizes its first formal slate of activities in honor of Black History Month.
1984
Dr. Barbara Paul-Emile, who joined the faculty in 1980, becomes the first African-American professor to receive tenure.
1985
Dr. T.H. (Tony) Bonaparte becomes Bentley’s first black Vice President and the first academic VP to hold the title of provost.
1986
Bentley’s first celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
1989
The BGLA (Bentley Gay Lesbian Alliance) is officially recognized by the Student Government Association.
1990-1999
Ca. 1990
The Bentley Asian Students Association forms.
La Cultura Latina forms.
1991
Susan Schwab becomes Bentley’s first female vice president.
1992
Dr. Patricia Flynn becomes dean of the Graduate School. She is Bentley’s first female academic dean and was one of only a handful of female business deans in the nation.
1993
President Joseph M. Cronin commissions a task force led by Earl Avery to study campus diversity. The task force initially focuses on race, nationality and gender, and later adds sexual orientation.
The first off-campus Diversity Retreats for faculty and staff are held under the direction of the Diversity Task Force.
1994
The Multicultural Center is established on campus.
1995
The SOAT (Sexual Orientation Action Team) is established. Faculty & staff are charged with improving campus climate for LGBT issues.
ca. 1995
VOICES, a publication by students of color, is established.
1996
The Multicultural Center holds an Open House.
1998
Asian students edit and write a standalone issue of VOICES, organized by country of origin/descent.
The first Bentley Business Bowl (sponsored by the newly formed National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) student chapter) is held on campus.
PRIDE Advisor position is created. BGLA is renamed PRIDE.
1999
Several instances of racist and homophobic harassment are reported on campus. In response, over 400 students gather to hang posters that read “This is our home, bigots not welcome.”
The 1st Annual Rainbow Breakfast is held.
2000-2009
2002
The new Student Center opens with a Sacred Space that includes a Wudu Room for foot washing for Muslim students, faculty and staff.
2003
Diversity Intensive Requirement added to curriculum.
2004
Day of Silence started by PRIDE.
2005
Bentley first marches in the Pride Parade.
2006
First Annual GLBTQ Alumni Reception/Mixer.
2010-2017
2010
Bentley modifies its non-discrimination/EEO policy to include gender identity.
2011
Bentley’s Center for Women and Business is founded.
2014
A Prayer Room is created in Lindsay Hall to better accommodate the Muslim community’s five times per day prayer practice.
2015
The Equity Center, a resource center and safe space, opens on campus.
The Interfaith Student Council is formed.
2016
In response to the Pulse Orlando shooting, Bentley raises Rainbow Flag for the first time and pledges to raise it every June during Pride Month.
All-gender restrooms are available at Bentley.
Donna Maria Blancero becomes Bentley’s first Hispanic dean.
The Bentley Brave initiative is launched by the Office of Diversity & Inclusion.