Ask Spencer Brandenburg, a biology and psychology major, what makes Bellarmine special, and he has a ready answer: 鈥淚t鈥檚 the people, it鈥檚 the connections, the community.鈥�
He鈥檚 not alone.
Talk to anyone about Bellarmine and within moments, they鈥檒l mention relationships. Bellarmine鈥檚 smaller campus, welcoming culture and infinite engagement opportunities foster friendships that last a lifetime.
鈥淢y favorite thing about Bellarmine, what I鈥檓 going to look back on, are the people. The people made the difference for everything,鈥� said Patrick Lewis, a senior communications major.
There are more than 90 student-created and led groups on campus and most students belong to at least one of them.
叠别濒濒补谤尘颈苍别鈥檚&苍产蝉辫;learning communities and specialty programs also help students get connected and make friends, receive support from faculty and staff, and get involved at Bellarmine and beyond. The Office of Identity and Inclusion, and numerous other student groups, engage the Bellarmine community in identity exploration and social justice.
鈥淲hether you are looking for a community focused on an area of study or your beliefs you can find your place here,鈥� said Helen-Grace Ryan, vice president of Student Affairs.
The university also maintains a 12-1 student ratio, which means classroom connections are also easily made with other students and professors.
鈥淥ur professors truly care about your success,鈥� Ryan said. 鈥淭hey know when students are struggling or need answers, and they make themselves available. Whether it鈥檚 sticking around after class to work through a problem or being available after hours, you will get the support you need.鈥�
At Bellarmine, advisors are also key mentors. They help students make the choices that matter most: who they want to be and how to achieve it. Academic advisors in the Student Success Center help students integrate their interests and values along with academic and professional goals into their college journey. This team is closely aligned with advisors in the Career Development Center, who offer career exploration and preparation services. This advising structure envelops students in a network of support.
Katy McWhorter, a respiratory therapy major, said her advisor is her 鈥渇avorite person.鈥� She helped her identify her passion 鈥� respiratory therapy 鈥� while also serving as a professor and a constant advocate.
鈥淪he continually scheduled outside time to go over things,鈥� she said. 鈥淎ny time I was struggling she had this big bowl of chocolate she鈥檇 bring in and she鈥檇 be like 鈥榚verything鈥檚 okay, here鈥檚 chocolate.鈥欌��
Students often say when they graduate, it鈥檚 these relationships they鈥檒l remember most.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 how the community is here,鈥� McWhorter said. 鈥淭hey all remember you, they鈥檒l remember your name. I see professors that I had Freshman year that still will wave to me and know my name, which is crazy because at bigger colleges you鈥檙e just a number, but at Bellarmine you have a name.鈥�