Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDProvidence, RIPermit No. 111

BRYANT

After much research and discussion, Bryant has adopted a test-optional admission policy, a growing trend

among some of the most respected aca-demic institutions nationwide. Beginning this fall, students no longer need to sub-mit SAT or ACT scores to be considered for admission to Bryant, though they may certainly choose to do so.

The university has long taken a holistic approach to its admission process, assessing the whole student rather than focusing on standardized test scores. The strength of each applicant’s academic record, especially participation in AP, honors, or International Baccalaureate

Bryant adopts test-optional policy

(IB) course work, carries significant weight. Other factors in Bryant’s admis-sion decisions include recommenda-tions, co-curricular activities, community involvement, writing ability, and other achievements.

“The test-optional admission policy allows interested students to take the first step in owning their education,” says Lorna Hunter, vice president for enroll-ment management. “We believe that self-directed students who are passionate about the potential of a college education will thrive at Bryant – and beyond.”

cONTINUED ON PAgE 8

Ask Kristie Aicardi ’12 (Blackstone, MA) how she spent her summer vacation and her answer may

astound you. The senior biology major passed on fun in the sun to take part in a serious research project – research that could one day help save lives.

With funding through a $200,000 Rhode Island Science and Technology Advisory Council (STAC) grant, Aicardi, a commuter student, worked closely with Bryant Assistant Professor of Chemistry Christopher Reid, Ph.D., on a collaborative project with researchers at Women & Infants Research Center and Brown University. Their goal: identify antigens to ultimately produce a thera-peutic antibody treatment for premature infants infected with Candida albicans, a serious infectious disease in neonatal intensive care units.

Aicardi spent 35 hours each week in Bryant’s state-of-the-art labs, running protein gels, Bradford assays, Western blots, and dot blots to verify if her protein

Of Bradford assays and dot blotsextractions reacted positively with the antibodies that recognize C. albicans. “Every day was always full of surprises,” she says. “I learned what it’s really like to work in a lab and felt privileged to do so one-on-one with Professor Reid. He is a mentor with years of knowledge and experience, but he is so down-to-earth and helpful.”

Preliminary research began in the spring semester in Reid’s Organic Chem-istry class, where Aicardi teamed up with three other students on solvent extraction methods with C. albicans cells. It was in that class that Aicardi became aware of the grant-funded research project and the paid position of student research assistant. She’ll continue in that role part-time throughout the fall semester.

“It has been my pleasure to watch Kristie’s confidence grow in the lab,” says Reid. “She has learned a great deal in a very short time and has acquired

cONTINUED ON PAgE 8 Kristie Aicardi ’12, spent her summer taking part in a research project that could one day save lives.

OcTO

BER

201

1

FALL

OPEN HOUSE

OcTOBER 22

BRYANT UNIVERSITY OFFIcE OF ADMISSION | 1150 Douglas Pike | Smithfield, R.I. 02917-1285

RETURN SERVIcE REQUESTED

2 FAcULTY PROFILEProf believes in experiential learning 3 ALUMNI PROFILE

A passion for start-ups and technology 6 ATHLETIcS UPDATE

Bryant athletics making big strides

BRYANT

3600

NEW

S AN

D VI

EWS

FOR

STU

DEN

TS A

ND

FAM

ILIE

S

Visit Bryant and see for yourself!

Bryant students and faculty bring a rich variety of cultures and backgrounds to the campus community.

Stefanie Boyer, Ph.D.Assistant Professor of Marketing

Professor Boyer believes experiential learning activities with the

business community should be part of every student’s education.In one of her classes, a yearly sales competition with national

and international businesses counts as a portion of each student’s grade.

In Professional Selling, students learn how to command a room, be creative

and quick thinkers, and enhance communication and team-building skills

by working with a theater organization, the Providence Improv Festival.

Next spring, Boyer will team up with a colleague to teach Marketing

Sustainability. Students who take the course will travel to South or central

America to work hand-in-hand with businesses to help them improve their

supply chain practices.

“These types of experiences make Bryant students extremely market-

able and give them the confidence they need to adapt to challenging

situations,” she says.

We asked Professor Boyer to complete a number of sentences for Bryant 360. We’re pretty sure you won’t find any of this information in her “curriculum vitae.”

When I was in high school, I wanted to be a pediatrician. I was also very athletic and hoped to compete in the Olympics in track and field.

In my spare time, I am learning a lot about environmentally friendly construction as my hus-band and I build our first house.

The last music I downloaded was Adele’s “Rolling In the Deep.” She has a beautiful voice.

My students would say that I integrate the real world into the classroom, preparing them for their future careers.      

If I weren’t teaching, I would host a travel channel show and introduce people to exciting new vacation destinations.

I was attracted to Bryant because the students, faculty, staff, and adminis-tration really care about and support one another.   I think our students are courteous, confident, capable, and enthusiastic, which makes them stand out when employers are looking for interns or new hires.

➤ WWW.BRYANT.EDU/MARKETINg

2 / BRYANT 360

BEHIND THE BIO | Faculty Profile

Bryant’s student-run radio station partners with Boston public radio

Pop quiz! What do Eminem and Beethoven have in com-mon? They can both be heard

throughout the region courtesy of Bryant’s student-run radio station.

WJMF has teamed up with Boston public broadcaster WGBH to return round-the-clock classical broadcasts to the area by retransmit-ting the signal from WGBH’s 99.5 all-classical service. The station will be heard throughout northern Rhode Island, the Newport area, and nearby Massachusetts. WGBH will take WJMF’s spot on the radio dial.

WJMF’s student programming will continue without interrup-tion on the Internet and through a variety of new technology platforms that WGBH helped bring to cam-pus. These include WJMF HD-2 (HD means hybrid digital in radio), Smartphone applications, and the use of one of WGBH’s mobile DTV channels. WJMF will be the first

student-run station in the region to be available on the groundbreaking new mobile service.

Bryant accounting major Ricky McLaughlin ’11 (Hudson, NH), who served as WJMF manager, says the partnership will allow the univer-sity’s radio station to “do things no other college radio stations have the ability to do,” such as broadcasting in HD. (The University will provide HD receivers to all incoming fresh-men this fall, as well as current students who want them.)

Bryant students learned from WGBH digital and broadcast technol-ogy experts throughout the summer as they prepared for the August transition. Going forward, the part-nership will allow for a variety of internships at all WGBH properties, including television and radio, as well as production training, technical assistance, and possible collaboration on campus events.

[ ]ADVIcE4U

“Manage your time well. If you get involved and meet new people,

academics will fall into place – and you’ll have friends to ask for help!”

KEVIN JAVIER ’12, ENTREPRENEURSHIPNEW YORK, NY

Bryant University is one of the nation’s best institutions for undergradu-ate education, according to “The Best 376 Colleges,” the 2012 college guide released by The Princeton Review on August 2.

The rankings are based on The Princeton Review’s survey of 122,000 students (an average of 325 per campus) attending the 376 colleges in the book. The 80-question survey asked students to rate their schools on several topics and report on their campus experiences.

Bryant among Princeton Review’s “Best 376 colleges”

In the two-page profile of Bryant, students say the university is “all about real-world application” and is “a technologically-advanced school that prepares you in every way for a com-petitive job market and/or competitive graduate schools.” Students credited the university’s 97-percent job placement rate to the “phenomenal” Amica Center for Career Education and the ease of networking with faculty and alumni.

Only about 15 percent of America’s 2,500 four-year colleges and three colleges outside the United States are profiled.

3.31AVERAgE gPA

When asked what he likes most about his new position as director of business

development for San Diego-based Barefoot Solutions, greg Smith ’02 replies, “Where do I start?” The job requires him to act as a liaison between the company’s technical teams and the clients for which it develops cus-tom web and mobile applications. “I am in awe of what our programmers and engineers can do. I love showing people how the technology can work to take a problem or an opportunity and turn it into a working solution.”

Smith landed his current position after nearly 10 years of experience in business development, recruitment, and management at a number of different companies, mostly in the technology sector. He explains that he got his “second education” at a West Coast technology start-up after Bryant. “In three years I hit enormous hiring goals, managed a team of 10 recruit-ers, and gave nationwide recruiting presentations to software engineers who were just out of college. It was a start-up boot camp,” he says.

The experience ignited Smith’s excitement for start-ups and technology. “I was hooked,” he says. Smith went on to start Xgineer Solutions, where he was president and handled opera-tions, sales, and project management.

Real-world experience at Bryant Throughout his professional career, Smith has relied on elements of his Bryant education to help him get

ahead – using certain sales tactics and working effectively with people, for example. “I think, in general, business involves a lot of psychology – not only understanding economic factors but also understanding people and how they think. Bryant provided a great environment to put you in these scenarios inside and outside the classroom,” Smith says.

One of the experiences Smith most enjoyed and learned from was his role as manager of the Cornerstone Pub that was formerly located on campus. With a fellow student, he ran the business’s inventory, promotions, and food and beverage service. He also benefitted from the real-world expe-rience his professors brought to the classroom. Like many alumni, Smith says that he finds himself appreciat-ing his Bryant education more and more as his career progresses.

“I realize that the foundation I had at Bryant put me at a much greater advantage in the working world.”

A passion for start-ups and technology

AFTER BRYANT | Alumni Profile

Greg Smith ’02 provides clients with custom Web and mobile apps.

BRYANT 360 / 3

BRYANT BY THE NUMBERS | class of 2015

100%WILL EARN BOTH

A MAJOR AND A MINOR

24.4%MULTIcULTURAL

95%RESIDE ON cAMPUS

TOP 26%cLASS RANK

1stFEMALE ROTc

ScHOLARSHIP REcIPIENT

Jason Fortin ’12 (Pomfret, CT) speaks very little Chinese, but that didn’t stop him from traveling halfway

around the world this summer for a 10-week internship at the Carnegie– Tsinghua Center for Global Policy. The joint U.S.–China research center based at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, brings American and Chinese senior scholars together with international leaders to develop cooperative policies on a variety of issues ranging from the global financial crisis to climate change.

Fortin, a double major in economics and global policy, found himself in a front-row seat when the Carnegie- Tsinghua Center hosted a conference titled “China and India: Nuclear Doctrine and Dynamics.” Speakers included a former ambassador, an admiral, top scholars, emerging academic leaders, and a host of representatives from India and the People’s Republic of China. They candidly shared philosophical and historical perspectives, as well as policy paths on topics such as nuclear strategy and modernization; missile defense; and safety, security, and future of nuclear energy.

The Honors student has become increasingly fascinated by U.S.–China

relations. In the summer of 2010, he took part in an ongoing research project as part of a special topics course on the history of U.S.–China relations with Bryant Professor of History Judy Barrett Litoff, Ph.D., a renowned historian and author. He and fellow student Thomas Pagliarini ’11 visited Beijing, Xi’an, Yan’an, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Hang-zhou during their stay in China with Litoff and Professor of Biology Gaytha Langlois. The paper Fortin and Pagliarini wrote for their directed study following the trip was presented at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research, hosted by Ithaca College in New York.

Earlier this year, Fortin interned at the Brookings Institution, a nonprofit public policy organization and influ-ential think tank in Washington, D.C. There, he served as a research assistant to Senior Fellow Pietro Nivola, who has written extensively about energy policy and regulations. Fortin complemented his internship by taking three classes at Georgetown University.

“I place an extremely high value on my Bryant education,” says Fortin. “It has opened countless doors and provided unparalleled opportunities for me aca-demically, personally, and career-wise.”

going global in Beijing

Jason Fortin ’12 interned in Beijing, China, over the summer.

B R Y A N T U N I V E R S I T Y

On Bryant’s beautiful campus, you’ll be part of a student-centered, close-knit, supportive community that will help you build the knowledge and character you need to make a difference in the world.

B R Y A N T U N I V E R S I T Y

admission.bryant.edu

Athletic award winners for 2010-11 include, front row (L-R):  Katie McCabe ’13, Colin Gannon ’12, Lauren Ganim ’13, David Soltis ’12; Steve Nguyen ’11; Back row (L-R): Alex Daley ’11, Mary Green ’12, Siamone Bennett ’11, Papa Lo ’11, Emily Kaup ’13, Cristian Balestrieri ’11, Niko Dutra ’14, Christina Eringis ’13, Jill Squillante ’11.

Faces in the Bryant crowd

Jasmine Torok ’14AccountingQueens Village, NY

As a Bryant Student Ambassador, Torok loves leading tours for prospective high school students and their families, offering personal insight on everything from academics to living on campus. She speaks from experience, having learned in one short year to manage her time, become more independent, and form bonds with people she never thought she would. Torok rose to the challenge of serving as a Team Leader in her Business 101 class, a role that taught her how to work efficiently and take control of difficult situations. She’s also come to appreciate the caring faculty and small class sizes. “At Bryant, you’re not just a number,” she says.

➤ WWW.BRYANT.EDU/ADMITTEDSTUDENTDAYS

Erik Archila ’12International BusinessProvidence, RI

As a freshman, Archila, whose parents are from Guatemala, participated in 4MILE, a support program for multi-cultural and international students that connects them to an array of resources designed to help them succeed at Bryant. It was such a positive experience that he is participating as a lead counselor this year. Archila, who hopes to work in adver-tising, is director of i2i 2011, an interna-tional talent and culture show at Bryant. He studied abroad at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, and served on the Diversity Council of Champions. “Bryant has an amazing community that supports the sharing of cultures,” he says. “I’ve made so many friends and feel at home here.”

➤ WWW.BRYANT.EDU/4MILEPROgRAM

caitlyn Witkowski ’11Environmental Science Saint James, NY

One of the University’s first environ-mental science graduates, Witkowski is currently pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China, and continuing the research she began at Bryant – analyzing isotopes extracted from the fossils of ancient Metasequoia trees. As an undergraduate, she worked under the tutelage of Professor of Science and Technology Hong Yang, Dr. Charles J. Smiley Chair for the Confucius Institute at Bryant. Witkowski also traveled with Bryant professors throughout Inner Mongolia, exploring archeological sites and collecting plant and soil samples she later analyzed. “I can’t count all the opportunities I’ve had thanks to Bryant,” she says.

➤ WWW.BRYANT.EDU/cLASSOF2011

Amber Day, Ph.D.Assistant Professor English and cultural Studies

Day, an assistant professor of English and cultural studies, received the 2011 Faculty Achievement Award for Research and Publication for her contributions to the fields of media studies and performance studies through her work on political satire. Her book, Satire and Dissent: Inter-ventions in Contemporary Political Debate, has received enthusiastic reviews and generated requests for her commentary by media outlets such as The Huffington Post, The Christian Science Monitor, and Northeast Public Radio. Day continues to study the deconstruction of social and political issues through satiric material, and recently presented a paper at Harvard University about a “culture jamming” campaign by activist group The Yes Men.

➤ WWW.BRYANT.EDU/FAcULTYAWARDS2011

A fter only three years compet- ing at the Division I level, Bryant’s student-athletes

have already proven they belong among the NCAA’s best, achieving tremendous success both in the classroom and on the playing field.

Since Bryant began making its move from Division II to Division I during the 2008-09 academic year, seven student-athletes garnered prestigious Athletic and Academic All-America honors. A total of 83 athletes have been named to various Northeast Conference All-Star teams, 22 of whom have earned major conference athletic awards with six recognized as Player of the Year in their respec-tive sport.

Academically, a whopping 466 student-athletes were named to the NEC Academic Honor Roll, with four outstanding Bulldogs honored as Northeast Conference Scholar-Athletes of the Year.

Bryant athletics making big strides

Highlights at-a-glance:

• 7 Division I Athletic and Academic All-Americans

• 6 Northeast Conference or All-Independent Players of the Year across five different sports

• 22 major athletic award recipients

• 83 All-Northeast Conference selections in the past two years

6 / BRYANT 360

ATHLETIcS UPDATE

• 24 All-Region or All-Independent selections

• 466 Northeast Conference Academic Honor Roll qualifiers, including 70 named to the prestigious NEC Commissioner’s Honor Roll

• 4 Northeast Conference Scholar- Athletes of the Year

Triathlon club

The Bryant University Triathlon Club, which officially became a school- sanctioned athletic club this year, was off to a fast start over the summer, with many students enjoying some great multi-sport races on the East Coast. The club was founded by seniors Brendan Heller (Naugatuck, CT) and John Mitton (North Reading, MA). New club members are welcome, regardless of talent or experience.

BRYANT HAS HISTORY

In 1897, Bryant had 360 students and 11 teachers.

Actor and television director Nicholas colasanto, who starred as Ernie “coach” Pantusso on the hit television show Cheers, graduated from Bryant in 1949.

Women could not wear pants in classroom buildings until 1969 when Bryant agreed to change the rule, one that was common on most campuses at the time.

BRYANT 360 / 7

It was a cold rainy day when Tara calnan ’12 first visited Bryant, but that didn’t matter. The campus felt

like home, she recalls, and the oppor-tunity to study communication, while building a strong business foundation, was exactly what she was looking for. Calnan made her college decision that very day.

“My understanding of business is going to set me apart from other liberal arts majors when I apply for jobs,” she says. “I think Bryant does a great job of providing a balanced education, one that gives students a competitive edge. It’s why I wanted to come here.”

Calnan’s two internships indicate that “the edge” is already working. Last year, she served as a marketing and public relations associate with Campanelli Companies, a real estate business. She found the internship through the Bryant Career Connection,

The business of fashion a service of the university’s Amica Center for Career Education. She also worked with the center’s staff to per-fect her résumé and cover letter.

This summer, she was a fashion marketing and public relations intern for Mallory Musante Shoes. She learned about the opportunity when Musante, a 2009 graduate, spoke to members of the Bryant Fashion Forum, a newly formed organization for stu-dents interested in the business side of the fashion industry.

“I was initially attracted to the internship because it seemed like so much fun. I mean, what girl doesn’t like shoes?” says Calnan. “Then I researched the company. It is an up-and-coming business, and I loved that it has such a unique concept – hand-painted high heels that can even be custom ordered.”

Calnan’s responsibilities at Mallory Musante Shoes included event planning, blogging, and writing and pitching press releases for events such as StyleWeek Providence and a pop-up boutique launch. Her Bryant classes in public relations, as well as the real estate internship, provided solid preparation for everything from preparing a media kit to arranging philanthropic events.

“I was able to work on creative press materials – from planning a press kit around a shoe box to searching for a new blog post. I’ve really been able to test the limits – and there are none!“ she says. “In doing two public relations internships, one in real estate and one in fashion, I’ve seen what is possible in very different fields.”

During her time at Bryant, Calnan has taken advantage of every oppor-tunity that came her way. She declared a second major in literary and cultural studies. She traveled to Greece and Germany as part of the Sophomore International Experience, after com-pleting a semester-long project that focused on the similarities of business and cultural etiquette in the United States, Greece, and Germany. She took part in a Marketing Plan Competition, winning second place with her team.

Calnan has held leadership posi-tions in the university’s Greek com-munity and participated in Bryant’s student theater group. She is also an

Tara Calnan ’12 has already built an impressive portfolio of work through internships and her Bryant classes.

INTERNSHIP ZONE

admission blogger, sharing her Bryant experience with prospective students.

Along the way, she’s built an impressive portfolio of work to show prospective employers as she prepares to begin her career search.

“Bryant is the type of school that offers you so many opportunities – but you need to take advantage of them,” says Calnan. “Seek out your profes-sors, who really want the best for you. Go to hear speakers, join an organiza-tion, take on a leadership role, get to know the staffs of the Amica Center and the Center for Student Involvement.

“Doing these things made all the difference in the world for me.”

“My understanding of business is going to

set me apart from other liberal arts

majors when I apply for jobs.”TARA cALNAN ’12BELLINgHAM, MA

Fall Open HouseSaturday, October 22

Bryant 101 Info SessionsSaturday, October 29Friday, November 11

Junior Preview DaySaturday, November 5

Transfer Information SessionSaturday, November 19

➤ ADMISSION.BRYANT.EDU

8 / BRYANT 360

IMPORTANT ADMISSION DATES

Those who choose not to submit test scores will be asked to respond to three essay questions. However, all stu-dents should note that:

• Once an application is submitted, the option selected may not be changed.

• Choosing the test-optional route does not affect merit scholarship consideration.

• All students will be considered for the Honors Program based on the rigor of their high school program and strength of their grades.

• International students may apply test optional but must submit the TOEFL/IELTS if appropriate.

• Transfer students may apply within test-optional guidelines.

Bryant adopts test-optional policycONTINUED FROM PAgE 1

• The NCAA mandates the submission of standardized test scores for athletic eligibility, therefore prospective student athletes must submit ACT or SAT scores with their applications. Athletic recruits can request that submitted scores not be used in their evaluation for admission to Bryant.

Applying to test-optional schools provides an attractive alternative to students whose strengths might not necessarily be revealed though a stan-dardized test.

“Sometimes, test scores tell us a lot about a student, sometimes they don’t,” says Hunter. “We prefer that you choose the option that reveals the most about you as a scholar and as an individual.

“We want to know about the unique experiences that reflect your strength of character and, most impor-tantly, your potential as a student,” she says. “At Bryant, we really do value those qualities.”

For additional information on Bryant’s test-optional policy, go to admission.bryant.edu/TestOptional.

At Bryant University, 12 miles outside Providence, RI, seeing is believing, according to Barron’s

“Best Buys in College Education.”A campus visit is the best way to

make an informed decision about college. Prospective students who visit Bryant’s campus usually apply – evidence that our friendly atmosphere, beautiful campus, and high-quality academics are best experienced in person.

• Take a Student-guided Tour (Monday to Friday and most Saturdays).

• Attend an Information Session presented by a member of the admission staff (Monday to Friday and most Saturdays).

Visit Bryant and see for yourself!• Spend a Day With class.

• Schedule an interview with an admis-sion counselor or a student fellow.

• Fly-in and you may qualify for a reim-bursement.

Can’t make it to campus? Take a Virtual Tour at admission.bryant.edu.

➤ cHEcK OUT THE FULL cALENDAR OF

ADMISSION EVENTS AT ADMISSION.BRYANT.EDU,

cALL US AT (800) 622-7001, OR E-MAIL

ADMISSION@BRYANT.EDU FOR MORE

INFORMATION.

a lab at a pharmaceutical company. She believes that her required business minor not only helped her learn how companies operate but also opened up many more career options.

skills and techniques that will be valuable when she enters the workforce or goes on to graduate school.”

Aicardi served as a lab assistant in her junior year, preparing and setting up labs for Bryant professors so all their materials were gathered when they were ready to teach. For the last five years, she has also worked 20 hours each week as a pharmacy technician at CVS.

When she first chose Bryant, Aicardi knew it was the school for her because she wanted to study actuarial mathematics – and the university is renowned for its program. After a couple of science courses, her passion for that discipline was ignited. She changed majors after seeking advice from the science depart-ment’s faculty, who were happy to answer questions, share their own per-sonal experiences, and help guide her.

After graduation, Aicardi plans to pursue a master’s or Ph.D., or work in

Of Bradford assays and dot blotscONTINUED FROM PAgE 1

“I learned what it’s really like to work in

a lab and felt privileged to do so one-on-one with Professor Reid.”

KRISTIE AIcARDI ’12BLAcKSTONE, MA

“Don’t enter school thinking that a particular major you choose will be the major you’re going to have to study, period,” she says. “If I hadn’t come to Bryant for actuarial math, I would not have been exposed to so many great opportunities. Keep an open mind and find what you love to do. You will enjoy college so much more and will be excited about the future – and going to work every day.”