After Mary Jean (MJ) Agostini ’86 graduated from Bentley, she continued her education — in the classroom, earning an MBA at the University of Hartford and on a river. “A friend asked me to join a Learn to Row program in Hartford. I said yes right away, remembering my childhood summers on the Connecticut shore where my father taught me to row a small dinghy, which I loved.”

Her excursions have taken her from her local club to competing in the Head of the Charles. “Rowing has taught me discipline, routine, dedication, focus and patience,” she says.

Now a Realtor with Realty 3, a boutique firm with three Connecticut locations, MJ recently celebrated her 30th year in real estate. “The opportunity to attend Bentley was unquestionably the gateway to my success, allowing me to have a fulfilling career doing what I love,” MJ says. “I included Bentley in my estate plan because I want to express my appreciation for all it gave me.”

Observing the way her father ran his bus company also influenced her decision. “He provided free transportation to groups that needed it. I saw firsthand that helping others, even in the simplest ways, can make a big difference.” MJ’s gift will support scholarships. “Scholarships are vital for today’s students,” she says. “My goal is to help students attend Bentley so they can have the same fantastic learning experience I did.”