Serendipity University

Remember the 2001 movie Serendipity? The romantic comedy is a perfect backdrop to the series of fortunate events that Bruce and Carol Bentley experienced at the University of Alberta. Not only were they positioned to become life partners, but their lives have also taken them on a journey that has created a beautiful web of relationships, engagement and philanthropy at the institution that gave them their roots.

My conversation with the Bentleys takes us back to how they came to the U of A in the first place. Carol, ’79 Education, grew up in a farming community near Picture Butte — a small town of 1,100 people just outside of Lethbridge. Coming to the U of A was a very worldly experience. Carol knew she wasn’t up to being a nurse, so she enrolled into the only other discipline she knew, which was teaching. Even though Carol received and appreciated a broad education, she realized that she should have been in the business faculty all along.

During her third year Carol joined Delta Gamma, a women’s fraternity, through various fraternity activities she met Edmonton born and raised Bruce Bentley, ’80 BCom and Theta Chi. It was at an end of year party where Carol caught Bruce’s attention and he asked her out. She said “yes — but only after exams were done!”  The fraternities were the best “class” by far and a major social outlet for the Bentleys. They both held leadership roles, made lifelong friends and really learned the need for good communication through this experience.

“Faculties were very differently structured back then,” said Bruce.

Business didn’t really have recognized majors at the time. Cohorts weren’t even thought of. And the faculty operated out of the Central Academic Building (CAB). Direct entry existed but much of your first two years were spent with arts and science students in giant lecture halls, so the real connection didn’t happen until the third and fourth year. Bruce remembers Monday fraternity meetings running late into the night and knowing that his father, who was on the Business Advisory Council at the time, would be driving him to his 7:30 AM Tuesday tax class with Dean Roger Smith.  He had to go — his dad was not going to let him skip no matter how rough he felt.

Fast forward to graduation, Carol tried out her Education degree but was not satisfied with her performance.  She took her degree to the Royal Bank and embarked on a successful decade ending with a role at Head Office Toronto. Her degree got her a job and helped her in training and teaching others throughout her career. While she “retired” from banking in the early 1990’s she remained busy and engaged with many volunteer boards and charitable committees.

Bruce started his career in Calgary but was presented with an opportunity to move to Toronto to work for Bramalea Limited, a TSE listed public real estate company.  Unfortunately, Bramalea declared bankruptcy in 1995 but the Bentleys looked at this as an opportunity to return to Alberta. It was then Bruce began his career with Maclab Enterprises. He started as VP Finance and moved into the President and CEO role in 1997. Currently, Bruce serves as Chair of Maclab Development Group and Maclab Properties Group.

As successful as they are in their professional lives, the Bentleys are so much more than their careers illustrate. They both come from families who were very engaged in their communities. Bruce and Carol didn’t need to learn about impact, they grew up with it.

A passion for the Bentleys is in the area of communication. They wanted to ensure that our students were able to communicate in the business world. It was key for them, that students did not just stand and read PowerPoints to their colleagues.  Different kinds of communication need to be learned, used and practiced. The Bentleys directed their funds to support the BUS 301 Business Communications Course where students are learning the art of communication through all means — email, verbal, listening, presentation and resume building.  Currently an elective course, the plan is to expand enrolment for all business students to experience this teaching. This support has an incredible reach, impacting many students not only in class, but developing skills that will be used throughout their lives.

"Ultimately, it’s all about communication. You could be the smartest person in the world and if you can’t get your message, purpose or argument across to your audience you’re going to fail” said Bruce.

This gift by the Bentleys isn’t the first for their U of A. Bruce is a past president of the U of A Alumni Council, has been a member of the Business Alumni Association and served on the Senate.  Carol has been a member of the Faculty of Art’s Visiting Committee. The Bentleys take part in the BUS 301 Business Communications Course as guest speakers and participate in the presentation feedback sessions.

“Money is easy, but time is more valuable,” Bruce said.

As we wrap up our conversation, Bruce leaves me with some profound thoughts about our great university.

“The University of Alberta is incredibly important to the City of Edmonton, and the City of Edmonton is important to us — it’s where the bulk of my career has been and where we raised our children. It’s important that the university is strong and that it’s not only the best university in the province but one of the best in the country. The university brings educated people to the city who contribute by volunteering, buying houses, raising families and participating in city activities. Many of the graduates stay right here. We have Nobel Prize recipients from this institution, many medical, athletic and engineering firsts for Canada, all faculties have numerous incredibly distinguished alumni. It allows students to dream.”

“Giving back helps achieve that goal. Even if you have no connection to the university, if you are a businessperson and want to see Edmonton prosper and continue to do well, you can’t understate the importance of the University of Alberta.”

“It’s important to give back to the institutions and people who have helped make you as successful as you are,” Carol adds.

The Bentleys offer some words of wisdom for our students. “Socialize, take advantage of the breadth and diversity of people at the university. Today’s technology allows for lifetime relationships, Carol says. Bruce adds, “don’t be a commuter, stop doing everything that you’ve been doing this last 20 months, get off of Zoom, get involved, hang out with people who are different-just do stuff.  All of your experiences are part of who you are.  Marks are important but does it really matter if it's 3.4 or 3.8?  If I worked harder in class, I might not have met Carol!”

You have left an invaluable impression on all of us, Bruce and Carol.  Thank you.

Sarah Kowalevsky is the associate director of development for the Alberta School of Business.