As Bellarmine celebrates its 75th anniversary, the Alumni Association is filled with purpose and pride as it looks toward the future. We spoke with the new Alumni Board President, Ryan Stevens '18, about his vision for the upcoming year, the significance of meaningful traditions, and how his Bellarmine experience continues to influence his leadership today.
Q: Congratulations on your new position! What are you most looking forward to?
A: With Bellarmine celebrating its 75th anniversary, this is the perfect time to reflect on everything that makes this community so special while looking ahead to what is next. I am genuinely excited to build deeper connections between our alumni and the university through events, mentoring opportunities, and meaningful moments that remind our alumni why they are proud to be Knights.
Q: What contributions are you especially proud of?
A: I am especially proud of the new traditions we have introduced, like Bellarmine Bingo Knight, which has been such a fun way to bring people together across generations while also supporting important causes like the Knights Closet and the Rev. John D. Deatrick '55 Knights Pantry. I am also proud of the incredible board I have the opportunity to work with, a group that's filled with thoughtful, creative, and passionate alumni who love Bellarmine. It is inspiring to collaborate with them on ways to support the university’s mission.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish as Alumni Board president?
A: I hope to make it easier and more welcoming for alumni to find their place at Bellarmine after graduation. I want to explore new types of events, expand career and mentoring support for both students and alumni, and introduce a task force model that gives people meaningful ways to contribute through short-term, high-impact projects. I am also passionate about creating new scholarships and finding ways to support students’ basic needs, so they can focus on their studies and feel that Bellarmine is truly their home, not just a place to go to college. More than anything, I want alumni to know there is space for them here, whether they have been involved recently or are just starting to reconnect.
Q: How has your Bellarmine experience propelled you to success?
A: Bellarmine helped me grow in ways I never expected when I first stepped on campus. The relationships I built with faculty, staff, mentors, and especially lifelong friends shaped my confidence, values, and sense of direction. Bellarmine gave me the foundation for my legal career, sparked a passion for higher education law, and deepened my commitment to faith and service. Most importantly, it taught me how to lead with both heart and conviction, and that continues to guide my every step.