Bentley University, one of the leading business schools in the country, has announced the appointment of Dr. E. LaBrent Chrite as the school’s ninth president and first Black president.
The announcement of Chrite’s long, nationwide hiring comes after a long search that included input from students, staff, faculty, and alumni.
Bentley’s board of trustees voted unanimously to confirm Chrite as the university’s next president. Chrite has more than two decades of experience in higher education. Chrite was the president of Bethune-Cookman University, a Florida HBCU, and previously served as the dean of students at the University of Denver’s Daniels College of Business.
While at Bethune-Cookman, Chrite led a program that created a long-term strategy for institutional governance and fiscal responsibility. Chrite’s leadership not only carried the university out of probation but also strengthened its academic and administrative leadership teams.
“Brent Chrite shares our vision and passion for educating ethical leaders who make business a force for positive change,” Paul Condrin, interim president and chair of the Bentley University board of trustees said in a release. “He has dedicated his career to improving business education and expanding economic opportunities across the country and around the world, and I know he will lead Bentley University to greater heights in the years to come.”
Throughout his career, Chrite has viewed business as a pillar to improve society and change lives for the better. Chrite has worked to improve economic conditions and business education opportunities for students in Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and other African countries.
“I believe the beauty of business lies in its ability to create solutions to human problems,” the new president said in a statement. “A Bentley University education weaves together business skills with the arts and sciences and empowers students to transform business, society and their communities. I’m excited to join Bentley and build upon this mission.”
Trustee Nick Stavropoulos, who led the search for a new president, said Chrite stood out from the other candidates and he’s excited about Bentley’s future.
“Now more than ever, Bentley needs a president who will lead with vision, inspiration and collaboration,” Stavropoulos said in a release. “Brent Chrite stood out from a group of talented candidates as the right person to guide Bentley into our next era of excellence.”