About the Alumni Association

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Matt Real

Executive Director of Alumni & Constituent Relations

mreal@bellarmine.edu
502.272.8286

Matt Real joined the Bellarmine alumni team in 2024 and is currently the Executive Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations. Matt is a Louisville native, and earned both of his degrees from the University of Louisville, a Bachelor of Arts in English and an M.Ed. in Education and Counseling Psychology, College Student Personnel. From 2015-2023 Matt served as Director and Associate Director of Bellarmine’s Career Development Center.  

Prior to his tenure at Bellarmine, Matt worked at the University of Louisville in employer relations and career development from 2007-2015. Throughout his career Matt has held several leadership positions including Bingham Fellow Class of 2023, Career Leadership Collective – Mastermind in 2019, President of the Kentucky College Personnel Association of Kentucky (CPAK) for 2013-2014, and Chair of the ACPA Commission for Career Development from 2013-2016, and received the Pursuit of Excellence Bellarmine Award (Bellie) in 2023.

During his time at Bellarmine, Matt has been an active member of the community serving on variety of committees, attending athletic events, and enjoys Week of Welcome, Alumni Mentor Program, Commencement, and Late Knight Breakfast as his favorite campus events and traditions.

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Bethany Padgett

Director of Alumni Relations

bpadgett01@bellarmine.edu
502.272.7063

Bethany Padgett joined the Bellarmine alumni team in 2020 and is currently the Director of Alumni Relations. Bethany is a Louisville native, Sacred Heart Academy alumnae, and a proud two-time graduate of Bellarmine University. Bethany earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in 2019 and a Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership and Social Justice in 2025.  

She serves as a member of the Sacred Heart Academy Alumnae Board, where she chairs the Class Rep and Reunion Committee. She was the 2024 winner of the Cura Personalis Award, a staff nominated recognition that is given to an individual who demonstrates care for each person as an individual, and for each individual as a whole person, thereby modeling a key core value of the Bellarmine community. Bethany was also the winner of the Wilson W. Wyatt Fellowship for Academic Excellence Award and the Fred C. Florence Koster Scholarship in 2019.

As a senior, she interned with the Alumni Relations Office, helped plan Trivia Knight, and fell in love with supporting fellow alumni. Bethany now oversees the execution of many beloved Bellarmine traditions like Trivia Knight, Brew at BU, Knight at the Bats, and many more exciting events.

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Jacob Gagel

Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement

jgagel@bellarmine.edu
502.272.7486

Jacob Gagel joined the Bellarmine alumni team in 2023 and is currently the Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement. He is a Louisville native, Holy Cross High School alum, a member of both the 2021 and 2022 graduating classes of Bellarmine University. During his time at Bellarmine, Jacob helped direct, produce, and create social content for Bellarmine’s TEDx program.

As a senior and beyond graduation, he interned with the Office of Development, Alumni Relations and Special Events, before transitioning into his current role as a member of the Alumni Team. Jacob oversees our communication and social media as well as planning our recent 50th Reunion Celebration and our Lunch and Learn events. In addition, he works with our Honors Program, Affinity Groups and more. Jacob is excited to be not only a two-time graduate, but also to be working alongside his fellow alumni.