1980: Rauch Honored

Henry Rauch (C) receives honorary degree at 1980 Commencement from Board Chairman Hugh Dysart (L), and Gregory Adamian (R). Photo from the Henry E. Rauch Papers, donated by the Rauch Family in 2014. 

It was not until 1980 that Bentley decided to use its degree-conferring authority to bestow an honorary degree. Henry E. Rauch was overwhelmingly chocen as the first recipient, thanks to his significant leadership over the years at Bentley. Rauch, an alum from the evening class of 1924, was a close friend of Mr. Bentley and a founding member of the Board of Trustees. He would eventually serve as Chairman of the Board from 1970-1978.

He was presented with an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree at the 1980 commencement ceremony. This photo shows Hugh Dysart Jr., who was Chairman of the Board at the time, and President Adamian presenting Rauch with his degree. 

Profile on Rauch donation from the Inferno Volume XI, Issue 8, November 8, 1984. Photo from the Henry E. Rauch Papers, donated by the Rauch Family in 2014. 

Mr. Rauch had a long-standing history of contributing to Bentley when he made this historic donation in 1984. Some of his previous donations had helped the college's relocation efforts, and established a fund to provide faculty with research opportunities. This donation helped to support the Bentley Challenge campaign which was running at the time to finance the expansion of campus facilities and technology.