Hilltopics Spring 2005 by Bradley University

Th e m a g a zi n e o f B ra dl ey Un i ve r s i t y

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Fan Fever Spring 2005 Volume 11 Issue 2 Karen Crowley Metzinger MA ’97 editor Nancy Ridgeway associate editor Gayle Erwin McDowell ’77 classnotes editor/contributing writer Michelle Bowers Gray designer/illustrator Duane Zehr university photographer Student Staff Assistants Beth Blackburn ‘05 Kelly Kolton ‘05 Justin Phelps ‘05 Administration Dr. David C. Broski president William Engelbrecht vice president for advancement Kathy Fuller assistant vice president for university relations

They went to the 1982 NIT championship in New York because they love Bradley basketball. They came home with a budding love for each other. Now Wes and Linda Read pay tribute to Bradley basketball with a basement display of everything from autographed basketballs and jerseys to photographs and posters.

Academic Attraction

Remembering college days becomes even more poignant if those recollections include meeting one’s spouse. Here, several couples share their memories of meeting the loves of their lives while attending Bradley.

Music Around the World

Siblings Patrick ‘01 and Elizabeth Liddell ‘03 (pictured above) are among the talented alumni who share their music in venues around the world.

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M. Sarah Klise grew up on Moss Avenue, neighboring the Bradley campus. She draws and paints in her studio in Berkeley, California. She and her sister Kate collaborate on illustrated novels and picture books for children. Klise also teaches drawing in San Francisco’s Chinatown.

© Bradley University 2004 Bradley Hilltopics is published in winter, spring, summer, and fall by Bradley University for alumni, faculty, staff, parents of students, and other friends of the University. Send letters and address changes to: Hilltopics, Bradley University, 1501 West Bradley Avenue, Peoria, IL 61625. (309) 677-2249 fax (309) 677-4055 e-mail address: hilltopics@bradley.edu www.bradley.edu/hilltopics

Fall football remembered I enjoyed reading the Winter 2005 Hilltopics and the football articles. I am deeply appreciative of the football scholarship I received at Bradley and the opportunity to be associated with a great football staff (Coaches Stone, Spink, and Schoff). We had just one winning season. However, I gained valuable life experiences from those three losing seasons. Although rarely noted, a significant achievement of Coach Stone’s program was the high graduation rate of his players. The technical and business skills I developed at Bradley made me competitive in the world market place. Again, acquiring these skills occurred because of Bradley’s football program. It is difficult in today’s environment to measure the value of Bradley’s former football program. I suggest the past, current, and future benefits far exceed the actual cash outlays. I also noted special football camaraderie and believe it to be true. I will be at the May 2005 Football Reunion and then, off with my Bradley football buddies for a Canadian fishing trip. Although the only thing I am likely to catch is a cold, the laughs from the old embellished stories will make it all worthwhile. Terry Cole ’64 MBA ’69, Scottsdale, AZ Received the Winter Hilltopics yesterday and noticed two items that need to be corrected. On page nine, Edward C. Murphy’s story about football writes that Billy Stone played for the Chicago Cardinals. I beg to differ. He played for Baltimore in 1950 and then the Chicago Bears from 1951-1954. On page 20, the cutline under top photo on the page refers to Corky Roberts. That is William “Corky” Robertson. Fred Filip ’59, Peoria, IL I must disagree with Ed Murphy when he says that my late best friend, Billy Stone, played pro football for the Chicago Cardinals! I knew Billy and his family at B.U. when they were in student housing. Bill played in ’46 & ’47 and was then drafted by the original Baltimore Colts of the AllAmerica Conference. He played there for two seasons, and his sterling play had all the East Coast reporters calling him “Billy the Kid” for his frequent interceptions. I worked for Honeywell and was assigned to the Springfield office. I stopped at Bill Sr.’s shop to ask about Billy. He told me that they had returned from Baltimore the day before! Billy was in a cast from hip to ankle on the right side, a result of an injury in the Colts‘ final game. (The league had folded and the Bears had picked up Billy’s contract.) Billy played for the Bears from 1950-1954, and he would get tickets for the Bears’ home games. I would drive our wives to the Windy City and back. If the Bears won, he came back with us on Sunday nights and hopped the “red eye” train to Chicago on Monday night. In 1955, I was transferred to Peoria and stopped by to tell the Stones. Billy had just hung up the phone with Bradley and was going up there to coach. What a coincidence! After that, we lived for the fall and followed the football Braves. Keith C. Smith ’50, Carmel, IN I read your article regarding Bradley University football. I remember vividly during my orientation (1975) that we toured Robertson Memorial Field House, and on the wall was a picture of Hall of Famer Bill Bushell ‘52. My roommate and I both were from Decatur and knew Bill’s son, Mark, who was a great football player at the Air Force Academy. Years later, as it turned out, I married Mark. Bill told many stories of his football days at Bradley, after the World War. I had tried for a few years to find that picture of Bill. Cindy Long Bushell ’79, Windham, NH

Send your letters & e-mail

Redesign response I cannot believe the improvement in the Bradley Hilltopics magazine over the past year. The colors, layouts, and articles are first class, and you should be congratulated! Kudos to the editor, associate editor, photographers, designers, writers, and all who make this publication what it is today – a 100 percent improvement. Keep it up! Bob Manning ’53, Peoria, IL

Entrepreneurial inspiration I enjoyed reading about various graduates who are entrepreneurs. I’m sure there are a lot of other graduates who have created unique business opportunities for themselves. I would like to see a column in every Hilltopics highlighting alums’ entrepreneurial businesses. It is really interesting what some fellow graduates have created from their fields of study! It will give the newer graduates inspiration. Claudia Bordin ’75, Sacramento, CA

Don’t forget the Carousel What a treat to read about and see pictures of The Hartmann Theatre Center. Even if the 25th anniversary of a building that wasn’t a glimmer in Jim Ludwig’s eye when I graduated in 1971 made me feel pretty old, it was a thrill to see how much more professional Bradley’s theatre students have it today than we did nearly 35 years ago. Yes, we did perform in Neumiller Chapel, but also the Carousel Theatre, the space we carved out of a storage room at the back of Avanti’s restaurant in 1970. We were very proud of our makeshift little black box and did some good work there. Congratulations to all on the growth of Bradley’s theatre program. Lynda A. Bender ’71, Cleveland, Ohio

Remembering Hewitt Gym The picture of Hewitt Gymnasium reminded me of many pick-up basketball games. I remember how Coach Joe Stowell ‘50 MA ‘56 played with such tenacity for an “old man.” He taught me, and I’m sure others, what it meant to remain competitive and healthy as you grow older. I’m sure he’s found another gym to teach others these lessons of life. Gerald Harry Ross ’61, San Diego, CA

Write a letter to the editor about an article in Bradley Hilltopics or a University–related issue. Letters must be signed and have an address and telephone number. Send your letter to: Letter to the Editor, Bradley Hilltopics, Bradley University, Peoria, IL 61625 hilltopics@bradley.edu fax (309) 677-4055 Bradley University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and the promotion of equal opportunities for all persons regardless of age, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The University also is committed to compliance with all applicable laws regarding non-discrimination, harassment, and affirmative action. Bradley Hilltopics reserves the right to edit all letters to the editor based on length and content consideration.

Bradley Hilltopics Spring 2005

Surviving the Holocaust

Tsunami relief: Bradley’s connection

Marion Blumenthal Lazan ‘57 is featured in a new documentary, Marion’s Triumph, which will air on public television in April. Lazan is the co-author of the award-winning memoir Four Perfect Pebbles. Both the book and the documentary detail Marion’s life as a child survivor of more than six years in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. The documentary also examines how she has made it her life’s mission to speak about the Holocaust in schools and to adult groups in the United States and abroad. The program is being offered nationwide on PBS stations in April, during Holocaust Remembrance Month, marking the 60th year of the liberation from the camps. However, because individual PBS stations make their own programming decisions, alumni are asked to call their local stations to encourage them to air the documentary, particularly in prime time. For more information about the documentary, visit www.marionstriumph.com.

Karna, in Indian mythology, is known as the “Giver.” Anytime anyone approached Karna, he would always be willing to give. He even gave upon his deathbed when tested by the gods. Touched by Karna’s character, Piyush Singh MBA ‘00 named the nonprofit organization he established as a graduate student project, KARNA. When Singh came to the United States in the 1990s, he began earning his MBA while working at RLI, a Peoria-based insurance company. “I’ve always had this passion to set up an organization and make a difference in my own small way,” says Singh. “Fortunately, one requirement of the MBA program was to work for a nonprofit organization or write a report on a nonprofit organization. I Karna reaches out from the U.S. to didn’t want to India with disaster relief. write a report that would adorn a shelf and just die. So, I approached Dr. Shyam Bhandari, professor of finance, who was also into the rigor of taking action, and he agreed to be my guide.” With the support of his colleague at RLI and current KARNA board member, Helen Young ‘78, he wrote the articles for incorporation, plus the mission and vision statements. He learned how to file for IRS tax exemption, and about state regulatory authorities, etc. Adrienne Smith Hurt MBA ‘87, then director of graduate programs in the Foster College of Business, was also supportive of Singh’s ideas because she was active with the Red Cross and saw the value of people working for a charitable cause.

by Karen Crowley Metzinger MA ’97

A cyclone strikes Soon after Singh set up the organization, in October 1999, a super cyclone hit the western belt of India. It was an opportunity for KARNA to take action through immediate relief work. “We collected a lot of supplies; the entire central Illinois community was extremely generous, not just the Indian community. Through simple flyers,

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a local radio station, and word-of-mouth, we were able to raise awareness and collect financial help purely through volunteers,” comments Singh. “Two years later when the earthquake happened in India, we talked to the Journal Star, and the response was unbelievable. Our only expenses are when we ship something or pay the IRS. We have no salaries to pay or facility expenses as KARNA is entirely volunteer driven, so donor contributions go a long way.” Now KARNA is responding to the needs of tsunami victims by sending donations to the Tsunami Relief Fund. Within two days of the disaster, KARNA released $9,000 to Vivekananda Kendra (VK), an Indian relief agency KARNA thoroughly researched that is governed by strict laws. Another $25,000 was collected and channeled toward rehabilitation efforts.

A ‘Mom and Pop‘ charity “We are obviously not the only ones creating support for tsunami relief. We are not a United Way. We are not the Red Cross,” adds Singh. “Our goal is to remain a small-scale organization. The Red Cross and United Way can pull off in situations like the tsunami what no other organizations can. But there is also a need and a place for small charitable organizations because we provide different kinds of services. We are the ’Mom and Pop’ business with a personal touch alongside the Wal-Mart.” KARNA also supports a mission hospital and projects in India that provide children an opportunity to study at a particular school. In addition, several people have adopted individual tribal children. “We are not the exclusive supporters of these worthwhile projects,” stresses Singh. “We are merely one of the supporters among many. We know that donors give out hard-earned dollars, and we want to ensure that their donations get full mileage, so KARNA actually provides a written report to each donor, whether it’s a $5 donation or a $3,000 donation.” Singh, now chief information officer at RLI, continues to give his one-semester project a life of its own. When he first came to the Midwest, he met people who talked about different problems worldwide. “These discussions seemed to end when we had dessert and drove home,” he says. “Doing something to solve a problem is very different. The Midwest grows a lot of corn, but it also grows a lot of compassion.” KARNA’s motto, “projecting ‘yourself’ beyond ‘your self,’” truly exemplifies the feelings of the donors. For information, visit www.karna.org.

Paul Harvath/U.S. Figure Skating

Johnny Carson remembered Fight Back! Inc.

Two Bradley alumni reflect on their memories of former Tonight Show host Johnny Carson.

Giving Johnny a lift by David Charles Horowitz ‘59 Who would have ever thought that Johnny Carson was a “closet case” consumer advocate? For the 10 years I appeared as a guest on his show, the “King of Late Night” was fascinated by consumer issues. With his special brand of humor, Johnny helped me expose villains in the marketplace, test questionable products, and educate people about their consumer rights. Johnny Carson was instrumental in David Horowitz ‘59 was a regular guest on the Tonight Show. helping me build my career as a consumer reporter by constantly joking about my crusades in his monologues even when I wasn’t on the show. He also impersonated me on his Mighty Carson Art Players as “David Howitzer, the Big Gun of the Consumer Movement.” He used the character to take shots at scams, cons, and ridiculous product advertising. Johnny would introduce me as “Read-Those-Labels Horowitz” as I came out from the studio curtains for an appearance. Doc Severenson’s orchestra played my show’s musical theme, and the musicians would end the tune shouting, “Fight Back!” We met on the NBC midway quite often, as our parking spots were alongside each other. One night as I left the NBC studio, Johnny had the hood up of his father’s 1930s car. He couldn’t get it started. He mumbled that the mechanic charged him $350, and he felt ripped off. I laughed. Then, he asked me if I could give him a lift home since we lived in the same area of Los Angeles. I will never forget that 40-minute drive with Johnny. We drove into the night using security short cuts I will never remember and that he never forgot. That night, I got to see a side of Johnny that other acquaintances didn’t get a chance to experience. David Horowitz ‘59 has been a broadcast journalist for more than 40 years. A consumer advocate, he has won 14 Emmys for his TV show, Fight Back! With David Horowitz and is the author of eight books. The Caterpillar Global Communications Center auditorium recently was named and dedicated in Horowitz’s honor. For more information about Horowitz, visit www.fightback.com.

Sax appeal by Nancy Ridgeway As news spread of the death of former Tonight Show host Johnny Carson, Bob Harbart ‘66 of New Carlisle, Indiana, remembered the summer he played saxophone with the Tonight Show Band, directed by Skitch Henderson. Roger Pemberton, an arranger for the Tonight Show Band and one of Harbart’s former professors, helped Harbart get the job shortly after he graduated with honors from Bradley with a degree in music education. He played in about 12 shows in New York City, where the Tonight Show was taped at the time. He then went on the road with the band to play at state fairs with stars such as Diana Ross, Roy Orbison, and Jimmy Dean. The stint was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but Harbart was glad to return to his hometown when he was offered a position as a band director for Elston High School in Michigan City, Indiana. He currently is principal at Westville High School in Westville, Indiana. Remembering Carson, Harbart says, “He was a very shy person, but he was very kind to me. He always took the time to say ‘hi’ and visit. He was always complimenting the band. He enjoyed good music.”

Matt Savoie ‘02 will be the first alternate for the United States figure skating team in March at the World Championships in Moscow. Matt finished fourth overall at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in January at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon, to earn first-alternate distinction. However, he will not travel to Moscow unless one of the top three finishers withdraws. Matt finished fourth in the short program and the free skate, both for his fourth fourth-place overall finish at the U.S. Championships. In February, Matt finished fifth overall after a pair of fourth-place finishes in the short program and free skate at the Four Continents Championships in the Republic of Korea.

Bradley Hilltopics Spring 2005

BU news, views & updates

Considering the broad scope of health care issues facing us today, we posed the following question to our Department of Nursing:

What do you view as today’s

most urgent health care issue?

Dr. Francesca A. Armmer associate professor chair, department of nursing

A very significant factor impacting our health care system is the changing demographics of the United States. These changes are expressed in the changes in racial composition, age composition, and in socioeconomic status, just to name a few. One indisputable challenge in the provision of quality health care is how culturally competent will the health care provider be in caring for a population, community, or individual who does not look like her or him, and who may have very different values. The impact of culturally competent health care has been evidenced via surveys of clients who have spoken of the importance of feeling personally valued and not “talked down to.” A leader in transcultural nursing care is Madeline Leininger. A model for the development of cultural competence is based on her Dr. Francesca A. Armmer work. The components of this model included cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, cultural skill, and cultural encounter.

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In the Bradley University Department of Nursing, graduates possess the requisite knowledge and skills to provide competent care as evidenced by the pattern of success in passing licensing examinations. They also are challenged to cultivate a cultural competence that prepares them to provide nursing care to diverse communities, populations, and individuals. An initial awareness of the value of different cultures is present in the first nursing courses. Subsequent courses provide students with communication skills and cultural knowledge. The cultural encounter is blended throughout the clinical opportunities. Students care for clients of varying ages, varying stages in childbearing, from rural and urban settings, and from different racial backgrounds. The Bradley nursing faculty is committed to preparing a graduate who is a critical thinker, who is capable of applying knowledge from the life and social sciences, and who blends these skills and capabilities in a manner that culturally values the individual. We prepare our graduates for professional settings that are both challenging and dynamic. The changing demographics of our nation are being implicitly and explicitly addressed.

Dr. Molly Drew Cluskey ‘77

assistant professor/associate chair of nursing Health and health care in the United States is in a state of crisis. Access to quality health care is a major indicator of a healthy community. The current nursing shortage has been reported to be affecting access to quality health care. Lack of nursing personnel in emergency departments causes overcrowding and long waits. Some hospitals have closed patient units and decreased available hospital beds due to a lack of nursing staff. High nurse-to-patient staffing ratios are related to medical errors and poor patient outcomes. Changing demographics, job dissatisfaction, and nursing schools are partially responsible for the nursing shortage. As baby boomers age, the need for health care is increasing, and many more registered nurses will retire. The average age of a registered nurse today is 44 years old. Nurses are also expressing job dissatisfaction and burnout. Many have left the profession. One study reported one in three nurses under the age of 30 plans to leave his or her job. In addition, a decrease in the number of nursing graduates has occurred in the past decade. Although efforts have been made to increase student enrollment, some programs have turned away students due to a lack of qualified nursing faculty. The average age of a doctorally prepared faculty member is 51 years old. The shortage of nursing faculty complicates the plan for solving the nursing shortage.

Dr. Molly Drew Cluskey ‘77 Currently many strategies are being implemented to address the nursing shortage. Nurse leaders are working with legislators and hospital administrators to assure safe nurse-to-patient staffing ratios. Congress passed the Nurse Reinvestment Act to provide nursing scholarships and programs to inform young people about careers in nursing. Johnson and Johnson launched a Campaign for Nursing’s Future that has promoted nursing careers on TV commercials, the Internet, and recruitment brochures. Bradley University is committed to quality baccalaureate and graduate nursing education. Graduates of the Bradley nursing program are experiencing high rates of success on the NCLEX-RN licensing exam and 100% job placement. Over the past few years, enrollment in the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs has steadily increased. The number of students currently in nursing classes rivals those of Bradley classes in the late 1970s. Both faculty and staff are cultivating an environment of excellence. The students are responding. With our focus on quality nursing care, we hope to impact the nursing shortage one Bradley grad at a time.

impression of Americans, one of the first responses was their surprise at how much “bigger” Americans are compared to Germans. Approximately 60 million adults (or one third of the U. S. population) are obese while another 67 million adults are overweight. Obese individuals are at increased risk for developing major medical conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and osteoarthritis. Obesity also affects children, where it is estimated that 15% of American children between the ages of 6 to 19 years are obese. Childhood obesity puts children at risk for developing asthma, Type 2 diabetes, orthopedic complications, hypertension, and psychosocial effects and stigma. The nursing curriculum at Bradley offers numerous opportunities for students to learn about healthy behaviors to prevent obesity. When appropriate, nursing students teach patients in the hospital and community settings how exercise and balanced nutrition impact their overall health and wellness. Nursing students participate in teaching projects related to the importance of exercise and nutrition in area schools. Several nursing courses (Men’s Health Issues, Women and Health, and Care of the School Age Child) are offered to non-nursing majors, where content pertaining to prevention of obesity and effects of obesity are addressed.

Deb Erickson

assistant professor of nursing Several teenagers from Germany visited my daughter’s German class this fall. When asked about their first

Deb Erickson

Emphasizing prevention Leaders from both the public and private sectors have put a great deal of time and energy into making health care more affordable in this country, yet skyrocketing costs continue for both health care coverage and services. Unfortunately, the majority of these costs goes towards the diagnosis and treatment of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. A much smaller amount goes towards prevention, yet evidence suggests that many of these conditions are indeed preventable. The large discrepancy is an obvious problem and will not change until society places a stronger emphasis on preventive care. In Peoria, Premier Healthcare’s owners and physical therapists JD Nimrick ‘95, Tony Rapplean ‘98, and Jeff Varney focus on preventive and rehabilitative health services. Many people prefer taking a conservative approach to their medical care for a variety of reasons, including cost savings and a faster recovery time. While physical therapists acknowledge the importance of diagnostic tests, surgery, and medications for treating diseases, they also believe that they can do a great deal to prevent disease or at least delay the onset of disease through programs that focus on prevention and rehabilitation. by Allison McDonald Vershaw ‘98, marketing director of Premier Healthcare.

Bradley Hilltopics Spring 2005

BU news, views & updates

Bradley’s public radio station turns 35 by Lee Wenger ‘76, director of radio information service Bradley University’s dedication to communication reaches another milestone this year as WCBU 89.9 celebrates 35 years of public radio service to central Illinois. In 1963, student station WRBU signed on from the Student Center as a carrier-current service heard only in on-campus buildings. By 1967, planning began for broadcasting to the greater community with a new “educational” station (“public” radio hadn’t been invented yet). WCBU FM, then at 88.3 on the dial, went on the air Tuesday, January 20, 1970. Over the years, WCBU became one of National Public Radio’s first affiliates, expanded its broadcast schedule to 24/7, raised its power from 10 watts mono to 22,500 watts stereo, its coverage from 10 to 75 miles, and its frequency to 89.9. Its audience grew to over 30,000 listeners a week. Today, the station offers a wide variety of programs, the entire broadcast day streams to the world via the Internet, and WCBU’s award-winning newsroom is one of only two remaining local radio news operations in Peoria. Membership support becomes more vital with each passing year. Visit www.bradley.edu/wcbu or call (309) 677-3690 to join WCBU 89.9.

Students receive iBradley Film Festival awards Seven Bradley students recently were recognized for films they submitted to the inaugural iBradley Film Festival. The iBradley Student Film Festival provided an opportunity to recognize students’ talents in script writing, videography, editing, creative development of story lines, and storyboarding. Apple Computer provided cameras, laptops, and software to the students to produce their films. iBradley Film Festival award winners for the freshman category were: Tim Jahn ‘07 and Michael Vujovich ‘07, first place for “Seasons of Autumn;” Joey Fandel ‘08, second place for “The Clown Goes to College;” and Julie Longenecker ‘08 and EHS 120, honorable mention for “A Mystery to be Solved.” Senior category award winners were: Rene Nevarez ‘06, first place for “The Sixth Obstruction;” Renae Radford ‘06, second place for “Train Wreck” music video; and Kelly Kolton ‘05, honorable mention for “Matt Crain, Behind the Music Interview.” To view the films, visit www.bradley.edu/ibradley/.

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Sara M. Ray receives Lincoln Academy Laureate Award Sara M. Ray ‘05, a public relations major from Bartonville and graduate of Limestone High School, has been named a Student Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. Each year, an outstanding senior from each of the four-year, degree-granting institutions of higher learning in Illinois is awarded a Certificate of Achievement and thereby becomes a Student Laureate. Student Laureates are chosen by the chief executive officers of their respective institutions, who also serve as Academic Trustees of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. They are honored for their overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities. “Receiving this prestigious award was a wonderful culmination of three and a half amazing years at Bradley,” said Ray. “This award, more than anything, showed me how much the faculty and staff at Bradley have believed in and supported me.” A member of Sigma Kappa Sorority, she has served on the sorority’s executive council for three years. Ray is also a member of the Panhellenic Council and has been involved with Fresh Start Alcohol Counseling, Bradley Dance Marathon, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, American Cancer Society, and Catholic Charities. She also has worked on campus in the Alumni Relations and Housing & Greek Life Offices. She is the daughter of Michael and Sheila Ray.

Bradley for Bradley 2004 faculty-staff campaign a success

Ann Conver

The Bradley for Bradley 2004 Faculty-Staff Campaign concluded with another successful year. The goal was $190,000 in gifts and pledges to the University. Employees contributed $222,340 in gifts and pledges. The national average is $125,000 - $150,000 for like institutions and represents a 21% increase in giving by Bradley faculty and staff from the 2003 campaign. A total of 616 faculty and staff participated for a 60% participation rate. The national average is 15% to 30% for employee participation at similar institutions. “We are very pleased with these results. We continue to see growth each year, with this year being the highest giving total by faculty and staff since the Centennial Campaign in 1995,” said Tom Hammerton, executive director of development. Gifts were designated to specific areas or departments and the Bradley Fund. “When our outside constituents see the strong support by Bradley employees, they are more eager to join in and support the University themselves,” Hammerton said.

Exclusively yours Check out our redesigned Web site at www.bradley. edu/hilltopics. We are now introducing “Web Exclusives” to give you an added dimension to Bradley Hilltopics. For instance, download the counted cross stitch pattern of Westlake Hall featured in our Fall 2004 issue or listen to the operatic voice of Eric Ashcraft ‘86, who is among the alumni spotlighted in this issue’s “Music Around the World” feature. We also may include articles not published in the magazine and other updates. To receive an e-mail notifying you of an update in Hilltopics Online, sign up at www.bradley.edu/hilltopics.

Bradley seniors make a lasting impression For the third year in a row, Bradley seniors plan to leave their mark on campus by supporting the Cullom-Davis Library’s book endowment fund. The Bradley Ambassadors, Bradley’s student-alumni organization, lead the effort to encourage seniors to give to the fund. Kate Santine ‘05, president of the Bradley Ambassadors, said, “Graduating seniors can donate money to the book endowment fund. In the future, the library will use the interest from the endowment fund to purchase new books as needed every year. Seniors chose the book endowment fund because it helps all future students, regardless of their major.” The names of seniors who donate will be engraved on an obelisk in the entry way of the library. Additionally, each of the books acquired from the endowment will have a tag inside mentioning which class purchased it. Shelly Smith MA ‘93, senior director of the Bradley Fund, said, “I think it is wonderful that the Senior Class of 2005 has the opportunity to leave an important legacy on campus. Not only will their gifts improve the library’s collection, but they will enhance the educational experience for future students in perpetuity.”

Bradley Hilltopics Spring 2005

Duane Zehr

Three artists represent Bradley in international show

Joe Lupo ‘99, above, and Nicole Wenger ‘06 and Tami Schmidt MFA ‘06, at right, are among 162 artists worldwide whose works were chosen for the 2005 Bradley International Print and Drawing Show.

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Works by undergraduate student Nicole Wenger ‘06, graduate student Tami Schmidt MFA ‘06, and alumnus Joe Lupo ‘99 are among the 162 chosen for the 2005 Bradley International Print and Drawing Show. The event occurs every other year, and this year’s show continues through April 7. Artwork is displayed in five Peoria venues, including Bradley’s Heuser Art Center and Hartmann Center Art Gallery. Wenger’s piece “Night Watcher” is a charcoal drawing. “As an undergrad, we look at other artists’ works, and I was studying work by Jim Dine and by Ben Watkins, a graduate student here. Dine is famous for his crows, and Ben has done a lot of paintings of birds. I did a series of drawings that were birds, and this is one of them,” she says. “Charcoal is my favorite medium,” Wenger adds, noting her professors have encouraged her to try different disciplines and to combine different materials and different studies in her work. Schmidt discusses her work, titled “It’s Over.” She says, “I was taking a drawing class when my father died. I’m a ceramicist, and this shows a broken ceramic doll. No matter how old you are, you always feel like a child with your parent, and this represents how I feel.” Schmidt appreciates the help that Oscar Gillespie, professor of art, gave her with this piece.

“This was done on acidic board, which you’re supposed to throw away. I asked Oscar if I could use it because it was on the back of an old picture I had framed for my Dad. Oscar told me what I could do to preserve it so it would be more archival. That really meant a lot to me.” Lupo also praises Gillespie for influencing him while he studied on campus and as a grad student at the University of Georgia. He continues to impact Lupo’s teaching style at West Virginia University where he is an assistant professor of art teaching printmaking and drawing classes. “Oscar enjoys national recognition and is very well respected in printmaking circles. I don’t know where I’d be without him today.” Lupo’s piece, “10/24/01,” is an etching of an actual-size gas station receipt matted in a 24 x 36-inch frame. His process involves collecting, cataloging, and reproducing receipts documenting his buying habits since 2002. Says Lupo, “Receipts are a kind of diary through buying habits. They can be symbols of desire; when you buy something, that promise of happiness always falls short, which is why we keep buying, and why I keep documenting my buying habits. There is something special about gas receipts because they can be a testament of a specific time. There are many political reasons why gas prices change, so it can be about much more than gas.”

Scott Cavanah MFA ‘04

BU news, views & updates

Linton heads lineup for portfolio design workshop It’s no secret that a well-designed portfolio says a great deal about a designer and his or her work. In fact, Professor Harold Linton, a recognized expert and author on architecture, design, drawing, and color says, “The design portfolio has been an essential tool for students seeking scholarships, graduates applying for jobs, and professionals competing for commissions.” He’s also written a textbook on the subject, aptly entitled Portfolio Design, 3rd edition, which was first published in 1996, and has been adopted by more than 200 colleges and universities. As portfolios continue to move from paper to the Internet, Bradley’s continuing education program offers an intensive Portfolio Design Workshop, June 610, featuring Linton and his colleagues, Robert Rowe, professor of design and multimedia, and Gary Will, assistant professor of art/graphic design. “This summer seminar is aimed mostly at design or art students, and we’ll utilize the state-of-the-art labs in the Caterpillar Global Communication Center,” says Linton. “Participants will bring examples of their work. We’re suggesting they bring TIFF files that they can easily import into layout design software packages. They will also bring photocopies of their

sketches and designs that we’re going to cut and paste into broad layout designs, so they can try and form a concept without having to be limited by a lack of software knowledge. We’ll be teaching software so they’ll be able to organize text and images, titles, page numbers — all the ingredients of a portfolio spread. By the end of the week, we hope to have printed pages of creative, updated portfolios.” For more information on the workshop visit www.bradley.edu/continue.

Demolition work on the second floor of Bradley Hall is underway. As Dr. Nina Collins, professor of family and consumer sciences, was packing for a departmental move to temporary quarters, she ran across this silver napkin ring inscribed with the first name of founder Lydia Moss Bradley. The napkin ring, sent to the library’s Special Collections department, was salvaged following the Bradley Hall fire in 1963.

www.bradley.edu/homecoming

Thousands visit campus Prospective students and their families learn about engineering at Bradley while sitting in one of the mediated classrooms during a recent Visit Day. Bradley University’s Admissions Office has scheduled 19 Visit Days for prospective students and their families during the 2004-05 school year. The number of visitors at these programs generally ranges from 80 to 200 families. Thirty students employed by the Admissions Office lead campus tours throughout the year. In addition to Visit Days, high school students visit campus through programs such as honors band, an accounting competition, a theatre workshop, and Engineering Awareness Day. All told, approximately 4,000-5,000 prospective students and their families visit Bradley each year. For details visit admissions.bradley.edu.

Bradley Hilltopics Spring 2005

Bob Hunt

Wes and Linda Read recently received the Bradley Alumni B-Club Billy Stone Service Award for their volunteer activities.

Above is a uniform worn by Les Getz ‘38, a member of the Famous Five. The jersey was the first Wes collected.

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Fan Fever by Justin Phelps ‘05 Wes Read has a favorite moment in Bradley basketball’s 101-year history: the 1982 National Invitational Tournament championship. It’s more than just the memories of the Braves winning a title. He also met his wife Linda of 21 years during a trip to the championship. Each flew out of Peoria on the same chartered flight to New York City. On the first morning in New York, they both boarded a tour bus to see the city. The bus stopped at Battery Park where some people took a boat out to see the Statue of Liberty. “The group I was with decided we weren’t going out to the Statue of Liberty,” Wes said. “As I got back on the bus there was this lady (Linda) sitting in my seat.” Twenty-three years later, the Reads have built a red-and-white shrine to Bradley men’s basketball in the basement of their Peoria home. Wes collects autographed basketballs and jerseys, trading cards, and various other pieces of Bradley basketball memorabilia, including a stained-glass lamp that only three others in the Peoria area possess. Wes has four jerseys signed by his favorite player,

Hersey Hawkins ’88, and a number of basketballs signed by other individuals and teams. Before lighted advertising was added to the Carver Arena, Wes would make signs on long sheets of paper and put them on the walls between the lower and upper bowls. With no wall space and rising costs of ink, Wes was forced to stop making the oversized, homemade endorsements, but he’s still known as “busignman” by e-mail users. The Reads began assisting with 50/50 raffle ticket sales for men’s basketball home games shortly after the team moved to the Peoria Civic Center in the 1982-83 season. After 300-plus games and at a conservative average of $2,000 per game, Wes and Linda have helped raise more than $600,000 for Bradley athletics. Working the raffle means the Reads see less of each home game. After counting money and drawing the winning tickets, the Reads find their seats with as little as 12 minutes left in the game. Along with the raffle ticket sales, they have undertaken game-day programs and clothing sales for the athletic program as well as overseeing the tip board sales at the annual “Meet the Braves” night at the Itoo Hall. Wes and Linda recently received the Bradley Alumni B-Club Billy Stone Service Award for their volunteer activities. “The award is really an honor,”said Linda. Wes added, “And we do it because if it hadn’t been for Bradley, we probably wouldn’t have met. We love the fact that it brought us together.” Wes has also earned honors with the Chiefs Club Appreciation and Dedicated Service Award in 1996, the BU Chiefs Club superior leadership, dedication and involvement award toward Bradley intercollegiate athletic programs in 1998, and the Mort Cantor Award in 2002. Wes and Linda, both Caterpillar retirees, said getting to know the players has been a highlight. “We also try to meet the parents,” Wes said. “We have met a lot of people over the years and made some nice relationships.” The most important was a lifelong relationship, aided by a 1982 NIT championship.

The Reads look at trading cards in the basement of their home, which features a collection of Bradley basketball memorabilia. Wes says the “Bradley Braves” stained glass lamp is one of only four in the Peoria area. Photos by Duane Zehr.

Men’s basketball results

Kayla Hackman and Daniel Ruffin choose library books to read to Clifford Dahl.

Reaching out through LifeSkills program

11/19....... Southeast Missouri State.......W 77-73 11/23....... Loyola-Chicago.....................W 64-62 11/27....... Bowling Green State................ L 65-81 12/1......... Northern Illinois......................W (OT) 76-74 12/4......... DePaul.................................W 63-53 12/7......... Butler...................................W 75-66 12/18....... Pepperdine...........................W 76-58 12/21....... Samford...............................W 79-59 12/28....... Creighton*.............................L 62-71 1/2........... Indiana State*......................W 76-66 1/5........... Southwest Missouri State*....W 81-70 1/8........... Drake*...................................L 73-79 1/12......... Wichita State*........................L 73-88 1/15......... Evansville*...........................W 81-76 1/19......... Southern Illinois*....................L 59-67 1/22......... Northern Iowa*.....................W 71-65 1/26......... Creighton*...........................L 65-74 1/29......... Indiana State*........................L 63-73 2/2........... Southern Illinois*..................L 73-89 2/5........... Illinois State*.........................L 62-69 2/9........... Southwest Missouri State*........L 80-66 2/12......... Wichita State*......................W 74-68 2/16......... Evansville*.............................L 66-76 2/19......... Western Kentucky....................L 60-75 2/23......... Illinois State*........................W 77-61 2/26......... Northern Iowa*.......................L 72-81 2/28......... Drake*.................................L 69-79 3/4-3/7..... MVC Tournament......................

by Justin Phelps ‘05

Women’s basketball results

Bradley men’s and women’s basketball players Daniel Ruffin ’07 and Kayla Hackman ‘05 have added “life skills” to their classroom and athletic studies. The two point guards joined Bradley’s LifeSkills program last year to spend time with Clifford Dahl, a 7-year-old Peoria boy. Dahl was diagnosed with Batten Disease in 2003. The rare neurological illness affects primarily children and will eventually cause mental impairment, seizures, and loss of motor skills and speech. Dahl has already lost his eyesight because of the incurable disease. “It’s kind of a reality check,” Ruffin said, “Some people can complain about their lives; you can always find something wrong. But by being around him, you see that he would switch with you in a second. He would take your life in a heartbeat. It helps me be happy and satisfied with what I’ve got.” Ruffin and Hackman visit Clifford at least once a month, but usually more depending on their academic and basketball schedule. “I wish I could spend more time with him,” said Hackman, who has volunteered her time with children before. “I have a passion for kids in general. I love working with kids because at this age, with what I’m doing, I know there are a lot of kids looking up to athletes. I know that because when I was little, I did it. So I promised myself if I became an athlete, I’d return the favor.”

11/21....... Stony Brook..........................W 11/24....... Illinois-Chicago.......................W 11/27....... Detroit ..................................W 11/28....... Ohio State..............................L 12/1......... Western Illinois.....................L 12/4......... Loyola-Chicago.....................W 12/7......... Illinois ..................................W 12/18....... Jackson State........................W 12/21....... Saint Louis.............................W 1/1........... Southwest Missouri State*....L 1/3........... Wichita State*......................W 1/8........... Northern Iowa*.....................L 1/13......... Evansville*.............................W 1/16......... Southern Illinois*....................W 1/21......... Illinois State*........................W 1/23......... Indiana State*......................L 1/27......... Drake* ..................................L 1/30......... Creighton*.............................L 2/5........... Northern Iowa*.......................L 2/10......... Evansville*...........................W 2/12......... Southern Illinois*..................W 2/17......... Indiana State*........................L 2/20......... Illinois State*.........................L 2/24......... Creighton*...........................L 2/26......... Drake*.................................L 3/3........... Southwest Missouri State*........ 3/5........... Wichita State*........................ 3/10-3/12.MVC Tournament......................

Bradley leads MVC in grad rates Bradley University’s student-athletic graduation rate is 78 percent, well above the national average and higher than any other Missouri Valley Conference school, based on a study by the NCAA. The student-athlete graduation rate at Bradley is also nine percentage points better than the University’s overall graduation rate of 69 percent for the entire student body. MVC members Creighton and Drake graduate 65 percent of their student athletes, while the national average graduation rate of the 328 NCAA Division I schools is 60 percent for student athletes and 58 percent for the entire student body.

87-60 83-67 78-75 52-86 57-72 95-66 70-67 77-49 86-56 74-87 84-53 66-74 68-65 68-42 57-55 74-81 74-82 71-89 49-60 81-67 70-60 57-80 67-69 64-76 58-66

Two regular-season games remained at press time.

Home games in bold. *Missouri Valley Conference game. For complete results visit bubraves.com

Watch live video of BU basketball and more online To subscribe, log on to www.bubraves.tv Bradley Hilltopics Spring 2005

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From orientation on

oward

Sue and H

Howard ‘66 and Sue Keele Carver ‘66 of Silverthorne, Colorado, met in 1962 during freshman orientation and became reacquainted soon after returning to campus that fall. “While we occasionally dated other people, we became serious about one another very early in our relationship,” comments Howard. “We spent many hours in the Lovelace dorm lounge. Sue was an R.A. there, and it was a great place to study, watch TV, or play gin. We also liked to walk, drive, or do whatever in Bradley Park.” Howard adds, “We enjoyed going to movies and attending concerts at Robertson Memorial Field House. Those were the days of some of the great folk groups, and they all came: Peter, Paul, and Mary; the Kingston Trio; Chad Mitchell Trio; the cast of Hootenanny; and many others.” The Carvers also were avid Bradley basketball fans and cheered the team on to an NIT championship in 1964. Married in August 1965, they comment, “There are three memories we talk about often. One is the Bradley Hall fire. The night was frigid, and although the gothic building was severely damaged, its image was burned into our minds (and the minds of most of those who were there with us) forever. Our second memory is the assassination of John F. Kennedy. To this day, we know exactly where we were when we heard. Interestingly enough, we were in Bradley Hall. Finally, we will never forget the great basketball games at Robertson Memorial Field House and especially the night Coach Joe Stowell ‘50 MA ‘56 fielded the first all-black team in Bradley’s history. It really made us proud considering the racial tension around the country at that time.”

Friends from the first day of classes Matt ‘02 and Nikki Sedor Maroon ‘02 of Metamora met as freshmen on the first day of classes. “It was the third class of the day,” recalls Nikki. “We met through a mutual friend; the three of us were in class together. We didn’t start dating until November 1999, during our sophomore year. We had become really good friends, and I was dating the mutual friend. Things weren’t working out there, and we thought, ‘Why didn’t we think of this earlier?’” Married in August 2002, Nikki says, “We studied together. We were about the same age and when we turned 21, we started trying out the clubs together. Usually, we were with our friends. Sometimes, we saw movies at the Student Center, and we ate lunch together a lot. That was our thing; we usually ate in the Student Center. We also worked at the same place, the USDA building, which is where I still work. Matt actually got me my job.”

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Nikki and

Matt

d Dee an

Corky

‘Hey, look me over’ William “Corky” ‘53 MA ‘64 and Dee Frels Robertson ‘54 met during a “pre-blind date,” of sorts. Dee remembers, “We were introduced by mutual friends at the old Kane Drug Store at the corner of Main and University, now One World Eats & Drinks, prior to a blind date they had set up. I guess you could call it a ‘Hey, look me over’ before we actually went out, so if we had any doubts, we could gracefully back out. “ Obviously each liked what he and she saw, and now the Peorians have been together more than 50 years. That “look me over” meeting happened in December of 1950 and they were married the following December. Dee comments, “Some of the places familiar to us on campus are history now, like the Tepee and the athletic field. We smile when we pass the parking lot of Haussler Hall on the corner of Glenwood and Laura. We resided in one of the last veterans’ housing units that was on that very spot during Corky’s senior year.” Corky and Dee enjoyed athletic events, as Corky played football and baseball, and Dee was a cheerleader. They also were active in their respective fraternity, Sigma Chi, and sorority, Chi Omega. Corky says, “We have lots of fun memories and good friends from our days at Bradley. We still attend Bradley basketball games, and we go to dinner quite frequently with our friend and his wife who brought us together many years ago.”

A successful match William ‘50 and Marian Hoerr Hardin ‘48 also met on a blind date. Bill recalls, “My wife was president of the first Chi Omega group after it went national. They always exchanged invitations to dances between sororities and fraternities, and Marian didn’t have a date for one of the dances. Mina Murphy O’Laughlin ‘49, my wife’s sorority sister, arranged for me to take her. The Hardins enjoyed many dances together since and fondly remember going to the Père Marquette and the Inglaterra to dance to the Big Bands. Bill adds, “Homecomings were always fun. We used to build house decs at my fraternity, Sigma Chi. We had the bonfires, stage shows, parade, and our dances.” Bill, who had returned from the Navy, attended Bradley on the G.I. Bill and lived at home near campus, while Marian lived near Glen Oak Park. “I didn’t have a car, so I had to take a streetcar to go see her. Sometimes, I’d miss the last streetcar and would have to walk home.”

Barbie Adler ‘93

Recruiting love

Marian andBill

Barbie Adler ‘93 offers a solution for those who haven’t met their soul mates. Meet with a personal recruiter, talk about your wish list for your ideal life partner, discuss your interests, and leave the rest up to the experts. A former corporate executive, Adler opened Selective Search, a matchmaking service in Chicago, about four years ago. She says, “I apply the same proven executive recruitment methodology that works when finding a candidate for a corporation as I do finding the right person for my clients. We’re passionate about making introductions that last a lifetime.” Adler now has offices in New York, Los Angeles, and two Chicago suburbs. She has been quoted as an authority leader on relationships in Forbes, Fortune, The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. She is an advisor for The Bachelor and The Bachelorette reality series and also is a professor at the Matchmaking Institute, an accreditation program for matchmaking. Male clients purchase a oneyear membership, guaranteeing 10 introductions, starting at $5,000. Adler and her staff do in-depth interviews and home visits to learn about the clients. They also seek female affiliates, who fill out a questionnaire. Women who might be potential matches for clients are interviewed. Adler estimates 30 percent of her clients begin to date exclusively with their first match, and 45 percent are in an exclusive relationship by their third match. Her Web site is: www.selectivesearch-inc.com. Bradley Hilltopics Spring 2005

Love at first sight

Tammya ndBrian

Brian McGough ‘86 first noticed Tammy Pearce McGough ‘87 when she performed as a Bradley Merri-N-Ette at a Bradley basketball game. He asked Dave Anthes ‘87 MBA ‘89 to introduce the pair. “Dave told Brian to stop by his dorm room one evening when some friends and I were visiting,” says Tammy. “At the time, I was a sophomore living in Harper Hall, and Brian was a junior and was Assistant Head Resident of HarperWyckoff Hall. Brian and I dated the rest of our days at Bradley.” Tammy says their memories include parties, formals, and hanging out with friends on campus, “when not faithfully attending class, of course.” She adds, “During my senior year, I lived in an apartment on Fredonia, and Brian would come to visit. (He graduated the year before.) A typical student apartment, it was in need of repair and didn’t always seem structurally sound.” The McGoughs, who were married in 1987 and live in Naperville, laugh as they recall taking a theatre appreciation class together. “We saw Martin Landau perform in Dracula at the Peoria Civic Center Theatre. We both thought his performance was terrible, but he later went on to win an Academy Award! So much for our appreciation of theatre.” Tammy, who still knows all the words to Hail, Red and White, adds, “We both enjoyed attending Bradley basketball games and have passed that on to our three sons. They know the present Bradley players’ names and numbers better than they know the Chicago Bulls. We also enjoyed attending other sporting events, movies, and exploring Peoria and its many interesting places, such as Ray’s Patio Inn, Katie McButt’s Tavern, Jimmy’s, and Sully’s.”

Tropical romance

Share your Bradley romance story online by submitting it to www.bradley.edu/hilltopics.

Jerry ‘68 and Jan Owens Kehe ‘68 of Barrington had known each other for awhile, but they didn’t become interested in each other until they were among a group of Bradley students who went to Nassau over spring break. “A huge group from Pi Phi and a huge group from Sigma Chi went, and we were all together,” remembers Jan. Looking back at their college days, Jan says, “Most of the things we did had to do with the fraternity and sorority. It seemed pretty important at the time. We went to the basketball games, and Bradley had football at the time. I was a speech therapy major, which was intensive, so I had a tremendous number of internships. Those became my activities because I had so many clinical hours.” She says one of her favorite memories was when a Sigma Chi would get pinned or engaged. “They all came over, 40 or 50 men, and serenaded in front of your house. They’d sing The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi. That was the tradition at the time.” The Kehes met in 1965 and married in 1967. “We married between our junior and senior years. We went to the University of Hawaii that summer and took courses there, then finished at Bradley. It was fun. I didn’t want a big wedding, and we decided we’d rather go there for three months.”

Jan and 14

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Jerry

Just before graduating Eric ‘96 and Sheri Karp Singer ‘97 of Chicago met very briefly at the Lucky Lady shortly before Eric’s December graduation. He was a bartender at Sully’s and they saw each other a few times there, but Eric was looking beyond to his future after college. “Then we met again at a New Year’s Eve party at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. It was totally random. I went with my friends, and she went with hers. She recognized me first. We started dating then and dated for about six years. We got engaged in October 2002 and were married August 31, 2003,” says Eric, who took Sheri back to the Museum of Contemporary Art to propose. “I never thought I’d see her again, and there she was,” he says as he remembers the New Year’s Eve party. “Since we met right before I graduated, we didn’t have as many on-campus memories with each other. We both have great memories from Bradley, just not really of us together.”

Rekindled romance Carl ‘86 and Melinda Crouch Alston ‘85 of Wheaton met during Carl’s freshman year and Mindy’s sophomore year. Carl remembers, “I had seen her on campus and wanted to know who she was. Her long, blonde hair really caught my attention.” Carl laughs at the psychic abilities of his friend Steve Bartlebaugh ‘85. “He introduced me to her one night at a Theta Chi party, then told me, ‘You’re going to marry that girl someday.’ I was 18, running around dating everybody, and I thought he was crazy. Ten years later, he was right.” Carl and Mindy dated occasionally during college, going to Theta Chi social events and taking late-night walks to Bradley Park. “Carl was very involved in Theta Chi, and I was traveling most weekends on the speech team. We enjoyed dating, but it wasn’t serious.” After graduation, Mindy left Peoria to study for her master’s degree, and they lost touch with each other. “I returned to Peoria about a year later for an internship. I decided to drive by the fraternity one summer day to see if there was anybody there I knew. I saw Carl out back playing basketball and got a little jolt. It took me a few days to gather up the nerve to call. When we saw each other again, I think we both knew it was going to be serious this time.” The Alstons were married in August 1992.

LauraBaron‘95

Is she Chicago’s CarrieBradshaw?

Mindy and

A dance to remember Chuck ‘79 and Audrey Limonta Anderson ‘80 met at a Sigma Epsilon fraternity party in 1977 and have been together ever since. Looking back at their Bradley days, the Andersons remember Sunday night dinners at Avanti’s, going to movies, and bar hopping. Their favorite memories, however, are from the summer they both spent in Peoria to go to summer school. The couple married in 1983 and live in Highland Village, Texas.

Carl

Mastering the art of being single, getting out of a relationship that’s going nowhere, living together. These are just a few of the topics that Laura (Goldstein) Baron ‘95 tackles in her weekly column, “Casual Sex.” The popular column appears each Thursday in the Chicago Tribune publication Red Eye, a newspaper with a daily circulation of 85,000, geared toward people in their 20s and 30s. She appears every Thursday on the WGN Morning Show and often is a guest on top-rated radio shows. Tagged a relationship expert, Baron says she frequently is referred to as Chicago’s Carrie Bradshaw, the main character on the HBO series Sex and the City who writes a relationship column in New York. “Relationships have always not only been my passion, but my forté. I’ve always strived to have a career in which I can help people. I want to help grow them, help liberate them, help raise their self-esteem. This is a way to do that. I did a lot of volunteer work for abused women with children, and it heightened my awareness that so much of our attitude and esteem is based on relationships. I wanted to provide a strong female voice. I’ve noticed a lot of media has strong male perspectives, but more of an apologetic female perspective,” says Baron.

Bradley Hilltopics Spring 2005

Alifetimeofmemories Richard ‘58 and Barbara Rolfe Sterling ‘58 of Downey, California, have been together since high school. Initially, only Dick enrolled at Bradley. His eventual bride transferred to Bradley after her freshman year. The couple married in December 1957 and graduated in May 1958. Barbara recalls, “I went to summer school the year before we married so I would have only one class for the last semester. I worked for Ruth Jass in the registrar’s office during the last semester.” Dick adds, “And I took 21 hours so we could graduate together.” The Sterlings remember eating at Kern’s, Hunt’s, and Kramer’s. “Of course, we went to fraternity and sorority dances and other Greek activities,” Barbara says. She remembers their first home as a married couple. “Our residence was on the ground floor of an older home a couple yards off Bradley Avenue. Another couple rented the second floor. Nearby was Robertson Memorial Field House and the Pi Phi House.” Dick concludes, “Those years were among the greatest years we can remember, living on campus and sharing the Bradley experience. The relationships with our classmates are still strong. It’s only gotten better through the years.”

Barbara and Ric

hard

A Fan-tastic romance While many alumni met their spouses while they attended Bradley, it wasn’t until Lori Winters Fan ‘80 returned as an employee that she met her husband. Lori, executive director of alumni relations, met Dr. Sam Fan, associate professor of biology, shortly after she accepted a position at Bradley in 1997. “We met a long time before we started going out. He was just one of many faculty members I met,” she says. Sam and Lori disagree about when they met each other, though both agree about which mutual friend and fellow staff member introduced them. Sam remembers when he first considered dating Lori. “I ran into her at a December graduation party. She was bragging about recent renovations at the Alumni Center. I came and visited to see the new carpet and renovations. That was my pretense.” Lori adds, “My office was downstairs in the Alumni Center at the time, so I would chat with everyone who came in the door. I was totally oblivious when he came in. He was literally halfway out the door when he said we should go have dinner when we got back from break. That gave me something to think about over the holidays!” They started dating in early 2001 and have attended many Bradley alumni and athletic events together since. They also enjoy going to music events, though they usually aren’t sitting together because Sam is often on stage playing the cello. The couple married on July 10 last year. Says Lori, “We don’t really feel like we work together. Our jobs are vastly different, but we know a lot of the same people. We have instant family here at Bradley. Our circles just expanded and intersected when we got married.”

Lori and Sam

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A story to make you smile… Twofamilies,twogenerationsofromance by Gayle Erwin McDowell ’77

Wedding bells rang for Bradley alumni Jim and Susan Davis in 1974, and for Joe and Cathy Uhrich in 1975. While the couples didn’t know each other on campus, their lives intertwined a generation later when their eldest children met and fell in love at Bradley. All told, the Davis and Uhrich stories revolve around eight Bradley students, six biology majors, four dentists, and a strong dose of Bradley loyalty. Joe Uhrich ’73 and Cathy O’Rourke ’74 met shortly before his freshman year at Bradley when they had summer jobs at the same suburban Chicago hospital. Cathy enrolled at Bradley the next fall. They both graduated with degrees in biology. Meanwhile, biology major Jim Davis ’72 met Susan Edwards ’73, an education major, at a Phi Kappa Tau/Sigma Kappa fraternity exchange in 1971. Eventually, Jim and Joe became dentists. Susan became a teacher and Cathy a medical technologist. The couples started their families in Peoria and Palos Park, respectively. When it was time for college, the couples’ eldest children, Ryan Davis ’03 and Liz Uhrich ’03, declared biology as their majors and enrolled at their parents’ alma mater. After meeting in biology class, the pair started dating in 2001. Ryan and Liz are now completing their second year at the School of Dental Medicine at Southern Illinois University at Alton. Their families’ Bradley connections don’t end there, however. Ryan’s brother, Greg Davis ’06, is a business management major. Joanie Uhrich, Liz’s sister, plans to major in biology as a freshman at Bradley this fall.

left Jim and Su san, middle Ryan and Liz, right Cathy an d

Joe

Turn your ‘some day’ into now

by Barbara Kaplan Kenyon ‘70

You can make it happen. As a life coach who specializes in helping single, divorced, and widowed people find that special life partner, I have been witness to many successes. Lauren, a recent client of mine, had all but given up hope. Lauren was smart, successful, busy, and stressed. When she did have time to date, she found it difficult to relax and have fun. She brought the stress of her job to the date. This approach seemed to cause her male prospects to back off and disappear. Finally, in one of our sessions she made the decision to just have fun with dating without any expectations. She then had a blind date with Jeff. “The chemistry is good,” she told me. “I think he could be the one.” He was. The process to find the love of your life is not complicated. Remember these simple pointers: 1. Keep in mind that you deserve to find the love of your life. You deserve to be happy. 2. Make a list of all the qualities you desire in a mate. Keep it in mind as you open yourself to all possibilities. 3. Plan your strategy. Tell people what you are looking for and ask for their help. Be proactive and don’t rely only on chance encounters. Be bold. Be confident. 4. Persist until you succeed. Barbara Kenyon is a personal and business coach. Her clientele include professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, business owners, sales people, and people in transition. Her coaching focuses on relationships, as well as goals in the areas of career, money, retirement, health, getting organized, and life balance. Her Web site is www.kenyoncoaching.com.

Nancy Kirsch ‘77

It’s just lunch Nancy Kirsch ‘77 and Jennifer Pannucci ‘99 have found their dream jobs with It’s Just Lunch, a dating service with 75 offices. Kirsch is senior vice president, and Pannucci owns offices in South Florida, Washington, D.C., and New Jersey. Kirsh says, “I always wanted to be a yenta. My dream came true when I met Andrea McGinty, the founder of It’s Just Lunch. The concept was so simple, setting busy professionals up for lunch dates.” Kirsh co-authored The It’s Just Lunch Guide to Dating in America and has been featured and quoted in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and The Today Show. Pannucci says, “From the very beginning, I loved my job. What is better than setting people up on dates and then hearing all about the date afterwards? I then started traveling all over the country and training other coordinators.” She has written dating guides for northern New Jersey and south Florida and has appeared on The Today Show.

JenniferPannucci‘99 Bradley Hilltopics Spring 2005

Dan Rest/Lyric Opera of Chicago

Liddell siblings make music by Patrick ‘01 and Elizabeth Liddell ‘03 Last year, two Bradley University alumni came together from opposite sides of the planet to share their talents and passions in music. Siblings Patrick ’01 and Elizabeth Liddell ’03 met up in Melbourne, Australia: one the composer, and one the performer, in an opportunity that only comes once in a lifetime. On June 30, performer Elizabeth was featured in the world premiere of a piece entitled “For Wee-Boo.” Her brother Patrick, a student at Monash University in Melbourne, wrote the piece for solo bassoon and double reed trio.

Patrick’s view of the experience:

I had already been in Australia studying music for a few months when my sister wrote me to ask where I was studying. The International Double Reed Society was holding its annual conference at Monash University, and she was curious as to whether I had heard of it. Funny enough, it was actually the school I was attending! Soon, my sister got it in her head that she wanted to come down, attend the conference, and visit me. Basically it was an excuse, I assumed, to visit Australia; however, she was quite serious about it, and figured that it would be a good opportunity to play a new piece: namely, the one I had told her that I would write for her. I based the three movements on memories of us growing up, playing and singing together. They were quite different in style from anything I had written, and, according to Lyz, different than anything in the double reed literature. She worked very hard on those pieces. It was wonderful to have a performer so interested in correctly attending to every detail of my work. After a single performance during her master’s recital at The Ohio State University, she flew here to begin preparing with the ensemble I had put together for the conference.

Elizabeth’s view of the experience:

I wrote up a painstakingly detailed proposal, asking past and present professors for their advice and recommendations. Finally, almost a month later, I received the letter of acceptance! I was going to Melbourne! One week later, the sheet music arrived in the mail, and I started working. I researched and applied for grants through the university. I formed a double reed trio of my own in the United States, even though the conference performance would be with Aussie musicians. I received both grants to cover the costly airfare. I gave a shaky preview performance of the piece during my master’s recital. Nine days later, I boarded a plane. Reeds are terrible in weather changes; it was summer in the United States but winter in Australia. I struggled with my own reeds, spending hours bent over bits of cane and wire, while simultaneously trying to adjust to a new ensemble of players. The students, gathered from several Melbourne schools and universities, were skilled, and we quickly had the piece together. The performance took place in a wintry hall on the Monash campus. The three movements are still stuck in my head, proof that they’re good in my eyes (or ears!). An internationally acclaimed performer has requested the sheet music for the work. I couldn’t have asked for a more successful event. Patrick Liddell ’01 earned a bachelor of music in composition at Bradley and a master’s in music composition from Northwestern University in 2002. Elizabeth Liddell ’03 earned a B.A. in music and English from Bradley followed in 2004 by a master’s of music in bassoon performance from The Ohio State University.

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Jerry Hadley, the tenor from Bradley Internationally-known tenor and three-time Grammy Award winner Jerry Hadley ‘74 is regarded as the leading American tenor of his generation. He has received international acclaim for his interpretation of the great Mozart operatic tenor roles, as well as those of the French romantic and Bel Canto eras, and he is becoming increasingly known for his expertise with 20th century and American operas. His equal ease in the realms of Broadway musical theater, operetta, and popular song makes him one of today’s most versatile artists. A stalwart of the New York City Opera in his formative years, his international career was launched with a European debut at the Vienna State Opera in 1982. He is now a regular visitor to New York’s Metropolitan Opera, and a variety of opera houses worldwide. He appears regularly with the world’s great conductors and orchestras. His operatic and musical-theater activities in recent years have centered on new works and the addition of new roles to his extensive repertoire. He has dozens of recordings to his credit. Hadley, above, portrayed the bride’s father-in-law in the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s world premier of A Wedding. Hadley gave the commencement address during Bradley’s Mid-year Commencement on December 18 in Robertson Memorial Field House. He also was awarded the honorary degree Doctor of Humane Letters during the ceremony. He had previously received Bradley’s Outstanding Young Graduate Award in 1981 and was inducted into the University’s Centurion Society in 1985.

Patrick, Lyz, and her bassoon with their parents, Dr. Brendan Liddell, professor of philosophy, emeritus, and Ruthanne Arnold.

Singing with the Centuries: The Bradley Chorale in Denmark by Elliot R. Mandel ’04 Three days after striding across the Carver Arena stage, diploma in hand, I found myself strolling through the middle of Copenhagen with the Bradley University Chorale. By most accounts, I am an honorary member; my cello and I have had the privilege in the last four years of accompanying the Chorale on five concert tours throughout the United States and Europe. Last May, I once again joined director Dr. John Jost and his troupe of 40 singers, along with two violin students and soprano Dr. Kerry Walters, on the Chorale’s nine-day tour of Denmark. We opened the tour in Copenhagen’s Holmens Kirke, the church of the Danish Royal Navy, sharing the bill with the church’s choir. In addition to one of Mozart’s short masses, our program featured music from a variety of artistic periods in French, Latin, Italian, English, and Mongolian, concluding with three African-American spirituals. The Holmens choir treated us to a postconcert reception, providing an opportunity for the Chorale to meet young Danish musicians and to compare cultures. After a few days in Copenhagen and our second concert across the Øresund in Malmö, Sweden, the Chorale was greeted by a familiar face. Peter Etrup Larsen visited Bradley’s music department two years ago, and now welcomed us not only to Denmark, but also to his small, harbor-side hometown of Rørvig. Peter gave us a brief bus tour of the Danish countryside, relaying information about the region’s many centuries-old churches, and pointing out Viking burial mounds which frequently dot a landscape shaped by Ice Age glacial activity, now awash in various shades of green. That night, we prepared for our third concert, but we were not prepared for the experience. The 900-year-old Nykøbing Sjælland church, named for its surrounding village, quickly filled to capacity. We began our program and were later joined by Bradley professors, Drs. Ed and Janet Kaiser, who shared the piano bench to perform a few jazz duets. By the time the Chorale returned for the second half of the concert, the audience was applauding in unison after each piece, a phenomenon of appreciation common to many European countries. Throughout the concert, the church was filled with a seamless alternation of music and applause. Finally, after two encores, we sent our gracious hosts home with a rousing rendition of the Danish National Anthem. After more than a week of singing and sightseeing throughout this small country, we performed for our final time in the largest cathedral in Denmark, the Domkirke in the former Viking capital of Roskilde. The massive Domkirke is Denmark’s equivalent to London’s Westminster Abbey, the burial site of Danish royalty. We performed our sacred music on this last afternoon of the tour, basking in the resonance of our sound among the thick stone pillars and distant chambers of this mighty building, the pride of Danish culture. Later, we enjoyed a wonderful farewell dinner of fresh salmon, another pride of the Danes. The Chorale sang one final chord of my college memories as the sun painted a pink and purple descent over the Roskilde Fjord. Elliot R. Mandel ‘04 was named the 2004 Olive B. White Outstanding Creative Writing Student by the English department. He lives in Glen Ellyn when not traveling stateside and abroad.

Ashcraft lives his musical dreams Eric Ashcraft ‘86 can’t remember a time when he didn’t love to sing. By high school, he had made the all-state choir. “Dr. John Davis, professor of music, emeritus, was guest conducting in Geneseo, when he heard me sing,” recalls Ashcraft. “On the spot Dr. Davis offered me the largest scholarEric Ashcraft ‘86 ship Bradley had to offer. I felt good about that rapport, and I was blown away by the Bradley Chorale when it visited Geneseo. I felt like it was meant to be. Dr. Davis and his wife Ann, an assistant professor, emeritus, in the music department, were two pillars of the music program. He supported me and pushed me to attain my highest goals. The Bradley department of music is top-notch. Nothing is done half way,” comments Ashcraft. “I wouldn’t have wanted my college experience any other way.” Ashcraft began voice lessons at Bradley and earned his graduate degree at the University of Cincinnati’s Conservatory of Music. He paid his dues in New York in the 1990s where he went on two months of auditions before receiving 18 months worth of contracts in Israel, Ireland, Costa Rica, and the New York City Opera. Although he’s been back in the Midwest for nine years, he continues to perform in opera companies and symphonies worldwide. “It’s hard to cultivate support in a big Mecca like New York City. Everyone is basically concerned with survival. I’ve chosen to live back in the Midwest with my support system. I have a lot of concert work, including a shared directorship and an opportunity to conduct the orchestra in The Merry Widow. I’ve sung well over 100 performances of The Messiah in the past four years. I don’t have to be in New York to live my dream.” Currently Ashcraft is a part-time voice teacher at Augustana College in Rock Island, and he adds, “vying for the same students as Bradley.” He’s also actively involved with City Opera Company of the Quad Cities. Ashcraft recalls his membership in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the support and friendship of Dr. Allen Cannon, professor of music, emeritus, and accompanist Molly Sloter, and his travels abroad with the Chorale. In 1989, he joined the Chorale alumni group and journeyed to Hungary and Germany. “Once a Chorale member, always a Chorale member,” says Ashcraft. “About 40 of us recently enjoyed a Chorale reunion on campus. We started singing, and that classic chorale sound was amazing. Singing in the Chorale is a huge bond that is unforgettable.”

Bradley Hilltopics Spring 2005

connect, network & remember

Going global from the Hilltop By Susan Manley MA ‘01 In the eight years I have worked at Bradley, I have coordinated educational workshops, taught computer classes to senior citizens, written grants, earned a master’s degree, taught English to undergraduates, created training manuals, written newspaper columns, and co-hosted a radio talk show. It If you receive an official-looking e-mail message has been quite a ride! that requests you to confirm financial account inforAll these wonderful opmation on a Web site, don’t do it. Such e-mails come portunities have made Bradley from unscrupulous people who want to gain access an outstanding place to work to personal financial data such as credit card numbecause professional growth has bers, passwords, and other confidential information. been afforded me at every turn. “Phishing” is the practice of trying to get people But there has been a theme in to divulge account information, and up to 5 percent this seemingly disconnected of all people fall prey to these fraudulent schemes. progression, and it all began To view a sample of phishing e-mail, visit www. with music. antiphishing.org and choose “Phishing Archive.” If When I teach computer you receive such a message, delete it. If you click on classes to senior citizens the link in the e-mail, you will go to a Web site that through Continuing Education, looks legitimate, but you may end up on a “phisher- I often introduce myself to parman’s hook.” ticipants as a musician. “I was a band director at one time in For information on computer classes for seniors, visit my life, and I learned to teach www.bradley.edu/continue/css/snr.html. my students how to play musical instruments in a series of logical steps. I apply the same methods to teaching people how to use computers,” I tell them. I wholeheartedly believe that my training as a band director has carried over to my computer teaching. Like band students, novice computer users have to learn new terminology and get the “feel” for their “instrument.” My job as a

No ‘phishing’ when ‘surfing’

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computer instructor is to help my computer students, largely senior citizens, feel comfortable with and successful at using their chosen “instrument” – a computer. And since I also write all the class handouts, my computer students benefit from having something to refer to once they leave class. In fact, writing course handouts led me to the radio business. In order to stay up-to-date for my classes, I subscribe to several computer-related newsletters. In December of 2003, I spotted a critical error in one of the newsletters and posted a correction on a forum board. Within a few hours, the editor contacted me and told me that he appreciated the correction. He also complimented me on my clear writing style and then asked if I would like to write an article for his newsletter. We agreed on a February, 2004 deadline, and my article on using cut, copy, and paste – along with a brief bio - was published on May 21, 2004.

What goes on in Las Vegas... Less than a week later, I received an e-mail from John Iasiuolo, the host of a computer radio talk show from Las Vegas. John asked me if I would be interested in being a guest on his June 9 radio show for seniors, and I accepted his invitation. During the days preceding the first show, we had more opportunities to talk, and before my first appearance, John had asked me to be a regular co-host. Our goals are a perfect match; we want to explain computer technology in plain English. John’s show, Computer Outlook, is nationally syndicated, and it airs live Monday through Friday on the Internet at computeroutlook.com at 7 p.m. CST. My show, which is entitled Seniors - Golden Rules, airs on the second Wednesday of each month and may expand to a second night in the near future. The show features interactive chat, live questions and answers, and because it’s a broadcast program, I now bring computer topics to seniors citizens all over the world … and I am doing even more writing. I’ve put my Bradley University master’s degree in English to good use as a monthly contributor to the Las Vegas Business Press and the Las Vegas Senior Press. I write on a variety of computer-related topics, and I have had several more articles published in an online subscription newsletter called “Neat Net Tricks.” I’ve written several grant proposals for Bradley, and I am also working on a book to explain computer concepts to seniors. And while it all began with music, my personal and professional growth has continued because I share an important value with the Bradley community: learning is a lifelong process.

Staying in touch by Gayle Erwin McDowell ’77

For thousands of Bradley alumni, sustaining college friendships is an important part of life. They exchange holiday cards, celebrate birthdays together, and stand up in each other’s weddings. A few decades later, some are even on hand for the marriage of a Bradley roommate’s son or daughter. Two groups of alumnae from the 1940s give new meaning to the words “stay in touch,” however. The “kindergarten group” has been friends for almost 80 years. The “round robin ladies” haven’t lost touch in a span of nearly 60 years. Eighty years of friendship Marion Stein Sprenger ’42, Marian Sweney Szold ’42, and Mildred Arends ’42 were kindergarten classmates at Whittier Grade School. They went on to graduate together from Peoria High School and Bradley Polytechnic Institute. Along with a fourth schoolmate, Anne Strehlow Vance, the Bradley trio recently enjoyed a 10-day cruise from Athens to Barcelona. Marion Sprenger credits Philip Szold ’68 with organizing the October trip for the four 84-year-olds. Marion reports, “On shipboard we were known as the kindergarten group and people marveled at our friendship of almost 80 years.”

From left: Marian Szold, Marion Sprenger, Anne Vance, and Mildred Arends.

Round robin letters It was the early 1940s when seven Bradley coeds met as freshmen in their dormitory, Connie (Constance) Hall. They joined Delta Kappa sorority and caused their housemother “some distress,” according to June Sauder Huschen ’47. While Helen DeMotte tried to teach manners to the young ladies, they would show up for dinner dressed in blue jeans and oversized flannel shirts. Three of the friends stayed in Illinois after graduation while three headed west to California. Jeane Micklos Doyle ’47 moved to Florida. It was then that the round robin letters started—and they haven’t stopped in almost 60 years. Every few months a bulky packet of seven letters arrives. The recipient reads the latest news from her college chums, replaces her last letter with a new one, and sends the packet on to the next person. The group has been able to get together four times since graduation. June Huschen lives in Roanoke; the other two Illinois correspondents are Margaret McKean Williams ’47 of Milledgeville, and Emily Singley Beebe ’46 of Chillicothe. The California letter writers are Betty Bailey Brandson ’45 of Pine Grove, Betty Garver Berte ’45 of Palo Alto, and Mary Kay Brown Lawson ’46 of Nevada City. Their friend Jeane Doyle passed away, but her husband John continues in her place. His new wife Roslyn Henrich Doyle ’46 also writes. Could e-mail possibly replace the letters that have crisscrossed the country for nearly 60 years? Although four of the friends now have e-mail, it’s unlikely. Why would they want to tamper with success?

Bradley Hilltopics Spring 2005

1920s Hazel Wolf ’29, October 7, 2004, Peoria. She taught history at Manual High School for 25 years and at Illinois Central College for 15 years. Hazel held a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin. She wrote several history books. She was a member of the Peoria Public Library Board from 1951 to 1972, serving as president for 12 years. Hazel also served as president of the Bradley University Alumni Association.

1930s Gordon “Bus” Meyer ’31, November 30, 2004, Louisville, Kentucky. He retired from Caterpillar Inc. in 1963 after 32 years. Bus was a four-year starter on the basketball and baseball teams at Bradley. He is survived by one son and two grandchildren. Helen Moser ’31, October 20, 2004, Metamora. She taught high school home economics, and was supervisor of defense training for the state of Illinois. Later, Helen spent 27 years as a food technologist for the Northern Regional Research Laboratory. She held several patents and was a published writer. She was an active volunteer in Peoria. Andrew Hoeflin ’32, November 27, 2004, Peoria. He taught at Woodruff High School for 34 years and was chairman of the social studies department for 25 years. He held a master’s degree from the University of Illinois. Andrew was a World War II Army Air Forces veteran. Jo Wolf Jameson ’37 MA ’55, December 19, 2004, Peoria. She was a librarian in Peoria public schools from 1950 to 1974. Jo was a volunteer at Wildlife Prairie State Park for 20 years. She was honored by the Universalist Unitarian Women’s Federation in 1990. Survivors include five sons, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Irving Miller ’39, November 29, 2004, Peoria. After 70 years at A. Miller & Co., and Allied Iron and Steel, he retired as president

in 1999. He was a first lieutenant while serving in the Army Air Forces during World War II. His wife Gloria, three children, and two grandsons survive.

1940s Herbert Young ’41, September 27, 2004, Pensacola, Florida. After serving in the Navy for 21 years as an aviator, he taught industrial arts at Escambia High School for 15 years. Survivors include his wife Louise, two sons, five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Lloyd Fort ’42, September 30, 2004, Morton. He owned Fort Accounting Service and had also worked for Allis Chalmers and the Internal Revenue Service. He was a past master of the Morton Masonic Lodge and a 60-year member of the Morton Optimist Club. As a Bradley University student, he was a baseball pitcher. Survivors include his wife JoAnn, two children, two stepchildren, and four step-grandchildren. Harry Feltenstein ’43, January 2, Peoria. He began working for Central Illinois Light Co. in 1941 and retired as chairman of the board in 1985. Harry was instrumental in downtown development and the construction of the Peoria Civic Center. He had been a member of the Bradley University Board of Trustees, and president of the Chiefs Club and the Bradley Alumni Association. Harry served on the boards of several financial institutions and was chairman of the board of Proctor Hospital. He was a World War II Army Air Forces veteran. Survivors include his wife Mary Ann, three children, and four grandchildren. Alice Gess White ’45, November 14, 2004, Oregon City, Oregon. She was an elementary school teacher in Clackamas County schools. Survivors include three children, a foster son, eight grandchildren, and four greatgrandchildren. Gale Ekstrand ’46, November 16, 2004, East Peoria. A chemical engineer at Caterpillar Inc. for 40 years, he received special recognition from Cat in 1979 for leading the removal

of lead from paint. He retired in 1985. Gale had played locally in the Carrie Ganis Band. He was a World War II Army veteran. He is survived by his wife Helen, four children, and two granddaughters. Charles Loeffel ’46, October 31, 2004, Peoria. He was a foreman at Keystone Steel & Wire Co. for 35 years, retiring in 1977. He was a member of the Limestone School Board. He was a World War II Army Air Forces veteran. Survivors include his wife Mary, two daughters, and three grandchildren. Jean Chiles Slane ’47, October 15, 2004, Peoria. She had been active in the Junior League and as a volunteer at Methodist Hospital. Jean is survived by four children and six grandchildren. She had been married to the late Henry P. Slane, for whom the Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts is named. Michael Smarz ’47, September 25, 2004, Vero Beach, Florida. He retired as a Navy officer, having worked in intelligence during World War II. Survivors include his wife Lena, three stepdaughters, and six grandchildren. James Hawk ’48, October 13, 2004, Peoria. He served in the Army from 1941 to 1975, retiring as a colonel. He also served in the National Guard, retiring as a brigadier general in 1981. He was chairman of the board of The Hawk Agency, an insurance firm. James had served as president of the Cosmopolitan Club. Survivors include his wife Miriam Scharp Hawk ’43, two daughters, and four grandchildren. Joanna Wiemer Campen ’49, September 23, 2004, Lansdowne, Virginia. She was a dealer in antique botanical and bird prints. She was director of women’s programs at a Peoria radio station in the late ’40s. Survivors include her husband Alan, one son, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Robert Case ’49, September 28, 2004, Mesa, Arizona. He worked in sales for Bradley Hilltopics Spring 2005

Keystone Consolidated Industries for 32 years. He was a World War II Army veteran. Survivors include his wife Genevieve, four children, two grandsons, and two great-grandsons. Russell Neuroth ’49, November 28, 2004, Beloit, Wisconsin. An engineer for Eclipse, he retired in 1988. He was active in Masonic work. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Two daughters and two grandchildren survive.

1950s Joseph Blanco ’50, November 12, 2004, Quincy. He was a salesman and a meat broker. He was a World War II Army veteran. Survivors include three daughters, four grandchildren, and Katie Juliano. Ross Canty ’50, September 28, 2004, Wenona. He practiced law for many years. He served in the Navy during World War II. Surviving are his wife JoAnn, five children, 16 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Phylis Densberger McCallum ’50, November 28, 2004, East Peoria. She was a reading specialist in the East Peoria schools. Phylis retired in 1983 after teaching for 25 years. She held a master’s degree from Western Illinois University. Survivors include her husband Robert McCallum ’50, two children, and one granddaughter. Richard Plunkett ’50, November 19, 2004, Pekin. He was an auditor for Caterpillar Inc. for 31 years, retiring in 1982. Dick was a prisoner of war for four months while serving in the Army during World War II, and had received the Bronze Star. Survivors include his wife Jo, six children, and eight grandchildren. Robert Piper ’50, November 7, 2004, Naperville. He was employed by Prudential Insurance Co. in Peoria, retiring after 37 years. He was a certified financial consultant. He was a World War II Navy veteran. Survivors include his wife Marjorie, four children, seven grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.

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Marilyn Hayes ’51, October 19, 2004, Chicago. She had worked as a secretary for a Chicago publishing company. Marilyn was a member of Chi Omega. She had also attended Moody Bible Institute. James L. Olson ’51, January 1, Morton. He worked for Caterpillar Inc. for 31 years, retiring in 1982 as a pricing accountant. He was an American Red Cross volunteer for eight years. He was a World War II Army Air Forces veteran. He was a member of Theta Chi. His wife Doris survives. Vernon Johnsen MS ’51, October 21, 2004, Charlotte, North Carolina. He was a research chemist for INOLEX Inc. for 32 years, retiring in 1984. Survivors include his wife Patricia, four children, 10 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Donald DeLong ’52, November 17, 2004, Indianapolis, Indiana. He worked as a molecular biologist, specializing in virology, for Eli Lilly & Company for 24 years. He retired in 1986. Don held a master’s degree and doctoral degree from Purdue University. He was a ranked senior tennis player in Indiana. Survivors include his wife Carlene, three children, two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. John Boley MS ’53, November 15, 2004, Deerfield. He founded the building trades program at Glenbrook North High School and then ran the industrial arts program at Glenbrook South. John was a World War II Navy veteran. He is survived by three children and two grandchildren. Paul Hoppe ’53, October 5, 2004, Peoria. He owned Hoppe Co. for 50 years, retiring in 2002. Survivors include his son and grandson. Dale Knuppel ’53, October 9, 2004, Mackinaw. He and his brother owned Knuppel Brothers Construction for more than 40 years. Dale was a charter member and past president of both the Mackinaw Lions Club and the Illinois Land and Improvement Contractors of America. He was

active in Masonic work, and had served on the Mackinaw school board. He was a World War II Air Force veteran. He is survived by his wife Shirley, four children, three stepsons, and several grandchildren. Eugene Booth ’54, September 2, 2004, Westminster, California. He published nonfiction books through his company, Boothmark Publishing. He had been editor of Road and Track magazine, and also wrote for other automotive and aviation magazines. Earlier, he was a photographer for the Journal Star. He served in the Army during the Korean War and later joined the Air National Guard. Survivors include his wife Dagny, three children, and two grandchildren. William Hoerr ’56, November 29, 2004, Morton. He retired in 1999 from management at Komatsu, where he had worked for 42 years. Bill was active in 4-H, and had been board president of the Tazewell County Veterans Memorial Fair Association. He was an Air National Guard veteran. Survivors include his wife Ruth, three children, one grandson, and his mother. Margaret Oberle Bernath ’57 MA ’66, December 1, 2004, Green Valley. Marg retired from teaching in 1991. She was a counselor and physical education teacher at Manual High School. She was also a counselor and English teacher at Harrison School. Survivors include her husband Glen, two stepsons, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Terry Jadd ’58, July 31, 2004, Peoria. He worked in sales and as branch manager of Wilkins Pipe & Supply. Earlier, he worked for Am/Fac Corp. in Honolulu, Hawaii, and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Terry served in the Navy Reserves from 1954 to 1962. He served on the school board of Monroe School. At Bradley he was a member of Delta Upsilon. He is survived by his wife Valerie, two children, and one granddaughter.

Donna Marihart MA ’58, November 23, 2004, White Springs, Florida. She was a wellknown sculptor, and headed the art department at Marycrest College. She held a second master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame. She was co-owner of Ivy Ridge Studio. Richard T. Martin ’58, October 29, 2004, Peoria. He was a copy editor at the Journal Star for 30 years, retiring in 1991. Earlier, he worked as a sports editor for the Springfield Register. He was a World War II Army veteran and served in Korea. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha. Dick is survived by his wife Donna Potter Martin ’52 and one son.

1960s Edward Weber ’64, October 29, 2004, Debary, Florida. He had worked for ChevronTexaco Oil Co. for 35 years. His wife Carole, two daughters, and four grandchildren survive. Patrick Barker ’65, December 11, 2004, Waukegan. He taught physical education at Highland Park High School for almost 30 years, retiring in 1994. He coached golf, baseball, and basketball. He held a master’s degree from Western Illinois University. Later he worked for a landscape firm specializing in roses. His wife Julie, two children, and his mother survive. Paul Lea III ’65, September 20, 2004, Knox, Indiana. He was a teacher at the LaPorte County Juvenile Services Center. He held two patents and had co-founded Alcon Inc. in 1982. Earlier, he worked for U.S. Steel Corp. and Alcoa. Paul held master’s degrees from Governors State University and Cabrini College. Paul had served in the Marine Corps Reserve. Survivors include his wife Geri, two children, three grandchildren, and his father. Robert P. “Sonny” Smith ’65, November 28, 2004, Edwards. He had owned and operated Robert P. Smith & Associates since 1987. Earlier, he had been a teacher in East Peoria, and a sales manager for Prudential Insurance. At Bradley, he was captain of the tennis team. Sonny had run in 57 marathons. Survivors

include his wife Fran, one daughter, and four grandchildren. Morris Swanson MSME ’65, October 1, 2004, Washington. He was a research engineer for Caterpillar Inc. in Mossville and Peoria for more than 40 years, retiring in 1999. He was a licensed private pilot for 27 years, and was a member of the Bradley Flying Club. Survivors include two children and five grandsons. Nick Thomas ’65, November 18, 2004, Peoria. He had been an environmental engineer for the state of Illinois. Earlier, he was a sales representative for Caterpillar Inc. Nick held a degree in mechanical aerospace engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He served on a board to help recruit minority engineers. He was a Vietnam War Army veteran. Nick was a member of the Bradley University Hall of Fame for track and field. Survivors include his wife Essie, three children, and two grandchildren. Clifford White ’65, December 2, 2004, Prescott, Ontario. Cliff was a wood shop teacher, retiring in 1983. An accomplished cabinetmaker, he and his wife Janet then operated The Walnut House antique shop for 13 years. She survives, along with four sons and seven grandchildren. Jim James ’67, November 26, 2004, Rockford. He worked at Rockford Products for more than 30 years. Jim was an alderman in Rockford from 1975 to 1983. He served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He is survived by his father. Carolyn “Muffy” Hudson Steele ’68 MA ’73, November 25, 2004, East Peoria. She was a teacher for East Peoria School District 86 for 33 years. She had received several education awards. Carolyn initiated competitive basketball for girls in her district. She had worked for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. She is survived by her husband Jim Steele ’75. Helen Swenson ’68, November 29, 2004, Canton. She was a teacher in Canton for 21 years, retiring in 1990. Helen was an active

member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She is survived by four children, three grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

1970s Melba Schleich ’71, November 19, 2004, Fairview. She was an elementary school teacher, retiring in 1989. Melba was an active volunteer. She is survived by her husband Junior, and her son and grandchild. Mark Tiemann ’77, November 29, 2004, Normal. He had worked for Mid-Illinois Business Systems for 15 years. He was an antique collector, specializing in Civil War glass bottles. At Bradley, he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon. Survivors include six children, two grandchildren, and his parents. Michael Moncelle MEA ’78, November 24, 2004, Bloomington. He had joined Caterpillar Inc. in 1973 and was technical manager at its Mossville plant. He served in the Illinois National Guard from 1971 to 1977. Survivors include his wife Patricia and his parents.

1980s Rodney Koppenhoefer ’87, November 5, 2004, Rock Island. He was employed by the Center for Digestive Health in Bettendorf, Iowa. He had been the director of facilities for BroMenn Regional Medical Center in Bloomington. He had also worked in Portland, Oregon, as a clinical biomedical engineer. He held an MBA from Clarke College. Rodney was a musician and helped establish a praise band in Bloomington. His wife Laura, two daughters, and his mother survive.

2000s Zachary Elger ’04, December 30, 2004, Metamora. He was a project manager for Williams Brothers Construction Company. At Bradley, he had served as vice president of Phi Epsilon, the honors society of engineers. Survivors include his parents, brother, and fiancée.

Bradley Hilltopics Spring 2005

people & events

Alumni events April 1 Chicago Accenture alumni luncheon, 161 N. Clark, guest speakers Dr. Rob Baer, dean of the Foster College of Business Administration, and Dr. Rich Johnson, dean of the College of Engineering and Technology April 6 Chicago 11th annual Kane County alumni event, Royal Fox Country Club, St. Charles, 6-8 p.m. April 28 Chicago CABAC suburban happy hour, The Alumni Club, 871 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg, 6 p.m. May 5 Chicago Department of Psychology alumni reception, The Palmer House, 17 E. Monroe, 5:30 p.m. May 11 Chicago 10th annual Lincoln Park alumni event, Trattoria Roma, 5:30-7:30 p.m. May 13 Peoria CIBAC wine tasting, WTVP Studios, 7-9 p.m. May 20 New York alumni reception at Sardi’s with Dr. Paul Gullifor, professor of communication, and 12 Bradley students, 7 p.m. Peoria Bradley University alumni football reunion May 25 Chicago alumni event for 1980s graduates, Prairie Rock Brewery Company, Schaumburg, 6-8 p.m. May 26 Chicago CABAC suburban happy hour, The Alumni Club, 871 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg, 6 p.m.

Submit your nominations for alumni awards

Alumni Weekend Bob Carney ‘55 visits with Jeff Mischler ‘07 and Natalie LaFranzo ‘07 at the Alumni Weekend pre-game party at the Civic Center on January 15. Over 200 Bradley alumni and friends attended.

Seattle Eighteen alumni and friends gathered at Ivar’s Fishhouse on December 4.

University events May 14 Commencement October 21 Founder’s Day October 28-29 Homecoming and Class of 1955’s 50-year reunion For information about events and activities in your area, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (309)677-2240, (800)952-8258, or alumnirelations@alum.bradley.edu.

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www.bradley.edu/homecoming

The Bradley University Alumni Association (BUAA) annually presents three awards to alumni and friends of the University who have distinguished themselves in their professions or civic activities or have demonstrated outstanding service to Bradley University. The Distinguished Alumnus/a Award (DAA) recognizes graduates whose professional or civic activities bring the highest distinction to themselves, their community, and to Bradley. Recipients of the DAA are automatically inducted into Bradley University’s Centurion Society. The Outstanding Young Graduate Award recognizes graduates 40 years of age or younger for early and exceptional professional or civic achievement. The Lydia Moss Bradley Award is presented to the alumnus/a or friend who has provided outstanding service to the University. For more information about criteria or to receive a nomination form, call (800) 952-8258 or (309) 677-2240. Mail nominations and supporting materials by April 15 to Alumni Awards, Bradley University, 1501 W. Bradley Avenue, Peoria, IL 61625; fax them to (309) 677-3595; or go to www.bradley. edu/alumni/awards.

Los Angeles Over 120 alumni, students, and friends of Bradley University gathered at the LeMeridien Hotel in Beverly Hills for a reception on Thursday, January 13.

BRADLEY

FOOTBALL Alumni Reunion MAY MAY MAY MAY

Denver Twenty-one alumni and friends attended a football gondola party at the home of Dan and Rose Ippolito McKee ‘79 on December 5. The group watched the Denver Broncos play the San Diego Chargers.

20, 20, 20, 20,

2005 2005 2005 2005

Tampa About 28 Bradley alumni and friends attended an alumni event on January 15 at the St. Petersburg Ale House.

Peoria About 85 alumni and friends attended the CIBAC holiday party December 10 in the Bradley University Michel Student Center ballroom. Shown from left, front row, are Max ‘52 and Ardith Mehrings Wessler ‘52; second row, Michelle Noe ‘98, Lindsey Birkel ‘01, Pat Kellogg ‘67 MA ‘68, and Jean Powers ‘57 MA ‘78; and back row, Michelle Mills ‘03, Mel Shoup ‘73, Pat Roesler MBA ‘01, and Tory McCord ‘96.

Chicago DuWayne Brooks, director of Bradley’s Multicultural Center, spoke to 15 Bradley alumni during the ninth annual South Suburban alumni event on November 4. The event was hosted by Carl Birkelbach ’62 at the Olympia Fields Country Club.

Bradley Hilltopics Spring 2005

The “university experience” by Kelly Kolton ’05

Bradley Hilltopics’ student assistant Kelly Kolton, a senior graphic design major from Evergreen Park, was asked to submit a first-person viewpoint of her experience at Bradley University. Her article was recently featured in the fall 2004 Illinois edition of CollegeBound Teen and reprinted with permission from the magazine. For more information, visit www.collegebound.net.

From the moment I picked up a crayon, I knew I wanted to be a graphic designer. I was always drawing diagrams and making poster boards for group projects in junior high. In high school, I took a few art and graphic design classes and really found my calling. My high school graphic design teacher became my mentor and helped me realize this was something I wanted to pursue. The next logical step was to find a college that would help further my career as well as my education. I wanted much more than just a degree from an art school. Instead, I looked for a place where I could enjoy the university experience – living in the dorms, spending nights studying, working on projects, getting real-world experience, and earning a well-rounded degree.

Location, location, location Bradley University gives me all I want from a university. Located in Peoria, Illinois, and about two hours from Chicago, Bradley is just a few minutes from downtown Peoria, where I love to go to concerts, art exhibits, and comedy clubs. Right across from campus are many excellent restaurants, like One World Eats and Drinks, a coffeehouse and restaurant with specialty coffee drinks and gourmet dishes. Other restaurants, offering everything from sandwiches to Indian cuisine, are all within walking distance. Bradley has 75 acres of beautiful campus, with 41 buildings. The main building, Bradley Hall, is undergoing major renovations. The project will update technology resources and add more classroom space, while keeping the external beauty and rich history of the building. Most general education classes are taught here, so every student will have a class in Bradley Hall, making it the most well-known building on campus. The Caterpillar Global Communications Center is a modern building with many high-tech features, including audio and video studios, state-of-the-art computer labs, wireless Internet, and an Internet2 video conferencing room. In my graphic design class, we worked with students from another university, two states away, using only video conferencing, phone calls, and Internet communication.

Resources you can use The Smith Career Center is a great resource for students. The staff hosts all kinds of career fairs and

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networking events. They’ll review your resume, help you find a job, and provide good information on employers through their online resources. I used their Web site to find an internship in graphic design at a local newspaper last summer. I was impressed by the individual attention I received there; in fact, my career advisor knows me by name! They must be doing something right, because the average placement rate for Bradley graduates for the past five years has been 94 percent.

Bradley and beyond The individual attention you receive at Bradley really makes this university unique from others. Most of my professors are willing to write recommendation letters, refer me for jobs or internships, or go out to lunch and chat. Professors will sometimes even give out their home phone numbers. With 5,000 undergraduates, the average class size is 23 students, which allows for much more interaction and personalized attention. Classes aren’t always on campus. In March, I studied in Eastern Europe through a Fulbright grant. This year, I will take a design class in London, through Bradley’s Study Abroad program. My friends have traveled as far as China for other classes.

Endless opportunities The opportunities at Bradley are endless. I started a club my sophomore year and work at the school newspaper, the Bradley Scout. I’m also doing graphic design work for the University‘s quarterly magazine, which goes out to more than 50,000 Bradley graduates around the world. There are great opportunities for every student, with more than 100 academic programs in five colleges and more than 200 student organizations. These extra-curricular activities are perfect for fun, learning, and friendships. I highly recommend getting involved with an organization that deals with your interests. Bradley University has given me many opportunities to learn, grow, and further my career. It’s been a great “university experience!”

Tim Shea ‘70 (left) gives the scoop on a sweet deal for all alumni — a chance to double your gift to Bradley University. Jim Nolan ‘06 and Kurt Thomas ‘07 are two of the many students who will benefit from your gift. January 14 & 15,

For more details visit www.bradley.edu/development/shea or call 1- 800 -327-7886

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., right, came to campus on February 24 to present a lecture on environmental issues. He is shown autographing a copy of his book, Crimes Against Nature, for Rebecca Maska â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;07. Photo by Duane Zehr.

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