Bradley University Summer 2010

INSIDE

Taking center stage p. 4

What a dive! p. 13

Energy stars p. 18

46 years on the HilltopRemembering President Martin G. Abegg p. 16

bradley.edu/hilltopics

P R E S I D E N T ’ S P R E L U D E

IT WAS AN HONOR to present Robert and Carolyn Turner with the 2010 President’s Award for their extraordinary service to Bradley University. BOB TURNER

’77 MBA ’78 and his wife Carolyn live by the philosophy that the more one gives, the more one receives. The couple has been extremely generous to Bradley, both financially and with their time.

The Turners were honored at the President’s Appreciation Dinner for establish-ing the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship in 2002 with a $1.5 million gift and a $3 million unrestricted gift to the Campaign for a Bradley Renaissance. Bob is also a highly respected and valued member of our Board of Trustees. While not a Bradley grad, Carolyn has adopted Bradley, and we have adopted Carolyn for her passion and love of the Hilltop. In fact, the couple thinks so highly of the University that they entrusted Bradley to educate their son, ANDREW TURNER ’11, a history and communications major.

At the April 22 dinner that recognized the Turners, Bob spoke from the heart with these poignant words: “I would like to say to our alumni that it really is important to give back. Don’t forget that Bradley was an important part of allowing you to be where you are.”

I thank Bob for the credit he gives his alma mater. But he and his brother MARK TURNER ’80 deserve the acclaim for being bold enough to start their own investment business in Berwyn, Pa., a long way from their Illinois hometown of Yates City. With a strong mission statement and tremendous hard work and insight, they grew Turner Investment Partners Inc. into a firm that now manages $19 billion in assets.

I can’t imagine a more deserving or humble couple than Bob and Carolyn Turner. For all they have done for our University, they have the sincere thanks and the deep appreciation of the entire Bradley community.

The Turners aren’t the only dignitaries I encountered this spring. Vice President Joe Biden visited Peoria to attend a fundraiser for The Center for the Prevention of Abuse, and I was privileged to meet him. He was most gracious, and I was pleased that he was familiar with the high quality education that Bradley University provides our students.

While it was an honor to visit with the vice president, I was even more pleased that several of our students were able to spend time with him. JENNY VAN KIRK ’10, MARCUS BELIN ’10 and KYLE

MALINOWSKI ’11 had the opportunity to drive in the motorcade, and later meet Vice President Biden. The trio of outstanding students got an inside, first-hand look at the organization and logistics that go into a vice presidential visit. It was an incredible opportunity, one they will never forget. Former student body president TED BERGER ’03 played a key role in planning Biden’s Peoria visit. You can read more about Ted on page 26.

I remain humbled and honored to serve our devoted alumni and our wonderful University. Thank you for your support for Bradley. Go Braves!

Vice President Joe Biden spoke about domestic violence at the Partners in Peace luncheon in Peoria on March 31.

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Carolyn and BOB TURNER ’77 MBA ’78 were presented with the President’s Award by BU President Joanne Glasser on April 22.

Warm regards,

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To view a video about Bob and Carolyn Turner visit bradley.edu/hilltopics/go/turner.

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Summer 2010 Volume 16 Issue 3

Taking center stage 4Grab a joystick or a stethoscope. Video game design and accelerated nursing are among this year’s new curricula. Also, Shrek the Musical is coming to a stage near you.

Postseason play for women’s basketball 11The women’s basketball team traveled 1,000 miles to play in its first postseason tournament.

What a dive! 13Scuba diving is a favorite pastime of Bradley’s staff photographer, as well as legions of alumni. Now, Bradley has its own scuba club.

46 years on the Hilltop 16Five Bradley colleagues of DR. MARTIN “JERRY” ABEGG ’47 HON ’93 remember fondly his tenure on campus as student, professor, dean, and University president.

Energy stars 18As America attempts to rely more on renewable energy, two alumnae are leading the way in Utah and Alaska.

Departments

ViewPoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 InMemory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

NoteBook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 AlumniNews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

SportScene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 CampusView . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

ClassNotes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

StaffKAREN CROWLEY METZINGER, MA ’97editor

GAYLE ERWIN McDOWELL ’77associate editor

ERIN WOOD ’09assistant editor

SARAH DUKESart director

DUANE ZEHRuniversity photographer

AdministrationJOANNE K. GLASSERpresident

SHELLEY EPSTEINassociate vice president for university communications

KATHY FULLERassistant vice president for university relations

Student Staff AssistantsABBY WILSON ’10, MELISSA VOGRIN ’10, ADAM BOCKLER ’11, ASHLEY HUSTON ’11, SARAH HALLSTEIN ’12

ON THE COVER: An oil portrait of DR. MARTIN G. ABEGG ’47 HON ’93, Bradley president from 1970 to

1992, was painted by BILL HARDIN ’50 in 1982. The first of a series of portraits Hardin painted for

Bradley, the Abegg portrait placed eighth in a national portrait contest in 1991.

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ViewPointSend your letters & e-mail

© Bradley University 2010 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: hilltopics@bradley.edu Web site: bradley.edu/hilltopics campus information: 309-676-7611 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.

Game has special meaningI recently saw your Spring 2008 Hilltopics Online. I was particularly interested in the memories of Robertson Memorial Field House basketball games.

I am looking for information on a Bradley game played on January 5, 1959. I was wondering if you could find anything in the archives about the game. I believe it was against Cincinnati, and I also believe it was televised, at least locally. If you can even verify that a game was played that night and who won, that would be a great help.

The background story is that my brother was born on January 6, 1959. Our family memory is that my dad delayed taking my mom to the hospital so he could watch the end of the game, and consequently, my brother Jay was born in the early morning of January 6. My parents are deceased and we only have our faulty memories to recall that evening, so we are trying to at least verify that Bradley played a game that night. Thank you.

JIM BAUER Kennewick, Wash.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Bradley did play at Cincinnati that evening, losing 85-84 in double overtime. It was their first loss of the season. WMBD-TV broadcast six games that season. Two months later, on March 7, the Bradley-Cincinnati matchup was nationally televised from the Field House as the Game of the Week on NBC. Bradley won 84-66 and moved on to the NIT.

A magazine to have and to holdI hope that Bradley Hilltopics is not one of the publications that will be delivered only electronically. I thoroughly enjoy reading the publication, but the last thing I want to do is spend more time on the computer after I have been on all day at work.

I understand going green, but plenty of facts are out there showing just how much worse computers are for the environment compared to paper. So I would probably opt out if the publication goes Web only — just one opinion.

MIKE MURPHY ’91 Downers Grove, Ill.

I signed up to receive the electronic newsletter and am happy to be receiving it. But I hope I will still get my hard copy of Bradley Hilltopics also. Many thanks!

ROGER ROSZELL ’57 MBA ’59 Sarasota, Fla.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Bradley University will continue to print its quarterly magazine, Bradley Hilltopics, and post Hilltopics Online. To read the magazine’s Web Extras and view slideshows and videos from the summer issue, visit bradley.edu/hilltopics.

Phone nostalgiaI enjoyed the “Can We Talk?” article so much. It brought back many memories. As a pledge in a sorority house, I had “phone duty.” I had to answer the phone with a very polite telephone voice and ask if I could help. Then, I had to race around the house trying to find the person who was wanted on the phone, and she had to come to the extension on her floor. There was only one phone per floor. What a crazy rat race!

Just about everyone has a cell phone and can text friends and family whenever they wish. I am trying to learn to text because I want my grandsons to text their grandma. As a dinosaur from the “pay phone” age, it’s like learning a whole new language. TLK2UL8TR (talk to you later). I hope the written word can hold its own.

CHERI RABER PATTERSON ’67 Morton, Ill.

Before Robertson Memorial Field House was razed in 2008, the old bleachers and seats were sold to alumni and friends of Bradley. Bradley Hilltopics wants to feature some of the creative ways these souvenirs are being used. Tell us your story! Send an e-mail to hilltopics@bradley.edu, phone 309-677-2249, or write to Karen Metzinger at 1501 W. Bradley Ave., Peoria, IL 61625.

Field House seats live on … tell us about yours!

Favorite step stool of LORI WINTERS FAN ’80,Executive Director, Alumni Relations

In this 1959 game, BOBBY JOE MASON ’60 gets the jump on Oscar Robertson of Cincinnati, but his shot at the rim was askew. GENE MORSE ’59 (foreground) gets set for rebound.

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CEOs to 2010 grads: Have a sense of purpose and adapt to changeMore than 800 graduates listened on May 15 as Nancy Brinker, founder and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, described her upbringing in Peoria and the 1982 founding of an organization to honor her late sister Suzy.

Brinker, a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, referenced the life story of Lydia Moss Bradley, who lost all six of her children, as well her husband, before founding Bradley. “She understood that while we can’t choose our path, we can always determine our direction. We can always choose to have a sense of purpose,” said Brinker. “When [Suzy] died, a new life began for me. We were determined to bring breast cancer out of the shadows.”

Komen for the Cure has raised $1.5 billion and is known worldwide. Brinker serves as ambassador for cancer control for the World Health Organization. She was U.S. Chief of Protocol in 2007–08 and ambassador to Hungary from 2001–03.

On May 13, recipients of master’s and doctoral degrees were addressed by RAJ SOIN, MSIE ’71, founder and CEO of Soin International in Dayton, Ohio. “The most important resource I have is my people. Before there is work to be done, there is creating the work,” said Soin, an entrepreneur and member of the Bradley Board of Trustees. The 2004 Distinguished Alumnus and Bradley Centurion described important “focus areas” for the graduates: the ability to adapt, understanding the global business environment, and having a positive attitude. “You must be committed and willing to stay the course,” he said. “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.”

Brinker and Soin were awarded doctor of humane letters degrees by Bradley President Joanne Glasser before delivering their respective speeches.

Officially, 842 bachelor’s degrees were awarded in May, along with 146 master’s degrees and 19 doctor of physical therapy degrees.

Visit bradley.edu/hilltopics/go/grad10 for videos and photos from both ceremonies.

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Provost / VP for academic affairs appointed

DR. DAVID GLASSMAN Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

NANCY BRINKER, HON ’10 Komen for the Cure

MEGAN O’MALLEY ’10

RAJ SOIN, MSIE ’71 HON ’10 Soin International

Dr. David Glassman will join the Bradley community as provost and vice president for academic affairs on July 1. Glassman will oversee 335 full-time and more than 200 part-time faculty members, 34 academic departments, and several additional centers such as Study Abroad, Continuing Education (OLLI), and the Institute for Principled Leadership.

He holds a doctorate and master’s degree in anthropology from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota. Glassman has served as dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, for the last six years. He also has been associate dean, chairman of the anthropology department, and has held several teaching positions at various universities across the country.

“Dr. Glassman brings a great breadth of academic and administrative credentials in higher education to Bradley. He has the academic acumen to help move Bradley forward in our goal to become a university of national distinction,” said President Joanne Glasser. Visit bradley.edu/hilltopics/go/glassman for more information on the new provost.

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BRADLEY GETS IN THE GAMEBY ERIN WOOD ’09

Visit im.bradley.edu for more information.

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Shrek in national tourERIC PETERSEN ’03 will star as Shrek in the national tour of Shrek the Musical, which kicks off at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago from July 13 to September 5. Petersen previously played Papa Ogre and was the understudy for the starring role on Broadway in New York City, where he lives with his wife Lisa Marie Morabito. Shrek the Musical, based on the Oscar-winning animated film, will stop at more than 25 U.S. cities between July 2010 and November 2011. Its second stop is the Fox Theatre in St. Louis from September 11 to September 26. Tickets for the show in all cities range from $25 to $90 and are available through Ticketmaster.

Visit shrekthemusical.com for more information and the complete tour schedule.

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Video games are big business. In 2009, they generated close to $20 billion in revenue in the United States alone. There are legions who love playing video games, and there are those who love creating them. At Bradley, students in the latter group will no longer have to leave their controllers in their dorm rooms.

The Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts is gearing up to offer game design as one of three new academic concentrations within the Interactive Media department.

“Computer gaming is the fastest growing sector of the entertainment industry,” said Dr. Jeff Huberman, dean of the college.

Students can also concentrate in Web and application design or animation and visual effects. All three programs emphasize, each in its own way, digital animation, sound design, computer graphics and programming, virtual world building, and advanced interactive media scripting.

“The competition is so fierce for jobs in this economy, we believe that specialization is going to continue to strengthen our graduates as they compete in a global environment,” said Jim Ferolo, chairman of the Department of Interactive Media. “It’s extremely important that our graduates are distinguished in a way that they are going to stand out.”

Team approachInteractive media faculty teamed up with computer science faculty from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to create cross-curricular classes. On the computer science side, students will now be able to complete a concentration in computer game technology. Undergraduates from each college will have the option to minor in the other college’s programs.

“That means our students would be exposed to the more artistic side of it, like storytelling and the design aspects, and their students would be more exposed to computer programming and the technology side of things,” said Dr. Steven Dolins, chairman of computer science and information systems. “This is the first time we have worked together, and I think we came up with a unique program.”

Graduates of the new programs could find jobs designing Nintendo Wii games or iPhone applications, creating movie special effects or designing animated characters, or inventing new Facebook applications and developing websites, to name a few.

“We know games are not just for entertainment,” Huberman said. “Game structure and interfaces are becoming increasingly essential tools and methods in education, industrial design, engineering, military strategy, and business modeling.”

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Bradley Hilltopics Summer 2010 5

SWITCHING CAREERS? FAST TRACK TO NURSINGBY ERIN WOOD ’09

What do a dental hygienist and a history professor have in common?

They are two of the seven students enrolled in the inaugural accelerated nursing program at Bradley. The intense 15 months of classes and clinical work kicked off on May 18, and the students — each of whom holds a bachelor’s degree in another discipline — will be ready to enter the nursing field in August 2011.

Dr. Fran Armmer, chairwoman of the nursing department, said Bradley introduced this program to give people an opportunity to change career paths and also to address a serious nursing shortage.

“The shortage is national, if not global,” Armmer said. “The average age of nurses right now is 48. In 10 or 15 years, these people will be looking at retirement, and that will only compound the problem. With this program, we are giving individuals an opportunity to enter the practice and fulfill their own dreams and passions, while we also address the shortage of nurses in the field.”

Marc Hetzel, 44, has taught history at Illinois Central College for six years and holds both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in history from Illinois State University. However, he is ready for change.

“Aside from the obvious economic and employability factors … I chose nursing to help people and make a positive difference in people’s lives,” he said.

Teresa Courtright, a 50-year-old dental hygienist with two associate degrees and both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in community health from ISU, has desired for several years to become a nurse.

“Taking into consideration my interest and experience in health care, my knowledge of community health, the need for more nurses, and the inauguration of Bradley’s accelerated

nursing program, the timing is finally right for making my aspiration a reality,” she said. “I’m perfect proof that it is never too late to learn or to change your career.”

Candidates for the accelerated nursing program must hold a bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than nursing and have completed 34 hours of prerequisite courses. While the intensive program is abbreviated in time, the

quality remains the same, Armmer said. Students will experience days in which they do several hours of clinical work in the morning and return to campus for class in the afternoon. A maximum of eight students will be accepted each session.

“These are the times when individuals need to be looking at their careers, their passions, and their hopes,” Armmer said. “For individuals who have always had that heart’s desire to go into the nursing profession, now is the time to act on it.”

POINT PRIDEof

Winner for 2010Toldmi, an online application students can use to create a list of local events and activities targeted toward their interests, won the fourth annual Project Springboard business plan competition in April.

The team, consisting of MIKE LUCHIES ’10, SUSWARA GAYAM ’10 and graduate student RAVINDER PUNIA, won the grand prize, valued at more than $120,000. In addition to a $10,000 cash prize and $15,000 in seed capital, the team receives one year of “knowledge capital,” including marketing, account-ing, and technology advice. Their project was selected from six finalists.

Placing second, Evening’s Empire Recording Company aims to provide an affordable way for musicians to access the resources necessary to gain exposure in the music industry. The team is made up of JARED BARTMAN ’10, STEPHANIE MEYER ’11, ALFREDO RODRIGUEZ ’11, MAX KERR ’10, and SEAN CAIRNS ’13. They received a $7,500 award.

Visit springboard.bradley.edu for more information.

Visit bradley.edu/hilltopics/go/anp for more information.

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Students enrolled in Bradley’s new accelerated nursing program are, from left, Whitney Mackie, Sarah Cross, REBECCA REZNICK ’08, Teresa Courtright, KIMBERLY DeCROIX ’93, JOHNATHON STEPHENS ’08, and Marc Hetzel.

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$1 MILLION GRANT BOOSTS OLLIBradley University received a $1 million gift in April from The Bernard Osher Foundation to endow the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). As a result, OLLI at Bradley is recognized nationally as a program of distinction for learners ages 50 and beyond. The Osher Foundation considers endowment gifts once its lifelong learning institutes demonstrate their potential for success. OLLI at Bradley began two years ago.

With this achievement, OLLI now embarks on a quest to grow its membership and expand its programs for new and existing OLLI members. During 2008–09, 110 classes were offered to 761 participants.

“The progress the Institute has made since receiving its initial support from the Foundation … has been outstanding, and we congratulate you … on your remarkable achieve-ments,” said Mary Bitterman, Osher Foundation president.

Echoing that sentiment, Bradley President Joanne Glasser called Bradley’s OLLI program a “vibrant learning community … one of the best in the nation. It is my hope that participants will forever consider Bradley their educational home.”

OLLI is a collaboration between Bradley’s Continuing Education office and more than 750 community members, ages 50 to 97, who believe learning is a never-ending process. OLLI offers classes on campus led by University and community volunteers, educational travel throughout the state and nation, and study groups.

Originally called the Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR), the program began at Bradley in 1994 with 80 members and 10 classes. In June 2008, the group received an initial $100,000 grant from the Osher Foundation and became known as OLLI.

ARNE DUNCAN FOCUSES ON TRANSFORMING EDUCATIONU.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan took time to speak with Bradley students when he came to the Peoria Civic Center on April 21 for a public policy symposium on transforming public education. The Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service, the Dirksen Congressional Center, and the College of Education and Health Sciences (EHS) at Bradley were among the sponsors of the symposium. Duncan participated in panel discussions throughout the day, as did EHS dean Dr. Joan Sattler and Dr. Helja Antola Crowe, associate department chair of the Department of Teacher Education. Full-service community schools, charter schools, and the federal government’s Race to the Top program were discussed. Learn more about the symposium at bradley.edu/hilltopics/go/duncan.

From left, Dr. Joan Sattler, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, education major MARCUS BELIN ’10, and Brad McMillan, executive director of the Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service, meet following a symposium on public education.

Learn more about OLLI and register for classes and trips at bradley.edu/continue/olli

Bradley Hilltopics Summer 2010 7

CAMPUS ARENA

Installation of the permanent seats in the campus arena was completed the first week of June. The last window in the lobby was installed in late May, allowing work on the terrazzo flooring to proceed. Exterior work, including installing sidewalks, grading landscape areas, and preparing for the installation of the lawn irrigation system and lighting is underway, and the facility’s air conditioning units have begun cooling the building. Staff members are expected to move into offices in July, and tours will be available during Homecoming, October 13–16. A complete look at the 164,000-square-foot facility will be featured in the fall issue of Bradley Hilltopics.

HAYDEN-CLARK ALUMNI CENTER

The structural steel for the main portion of the Hayden-Clark Alumni Center is in place. Steel decking was installed, and concrete has been poured on the first and second floors. Block work for the stair towers is in progress, and layout for plumbing and electrical work is underway. Stud wall layout will begin shortly. The 34,700-square-foot facility is located on the west side of Bradley Hall and will overlook a landscaped Alumni Quad. The interior will include a ballroom opening to a balcony overlooking the new quad. The Hayden-Clark Alumni Center is expected to open in the fall of 2011. Visit bradley.edu/hilltopics/go/hcacplan to view floor plans, a list of naming opportunities, and more.

WESTLAKE HALL

Utility relocation work around Westlake Hall is nearly complete. Chilled water piping and communication ducts have been installed, as well as two new steam vaults. Faculty, staff, and students will continue to use the building into July, before moving to temporary offices and classrooms in the nearby Campustown Shopping Center. The Westlake construction will transform the second-oldest structure on campus into a facility six times its original size. Upon completion in 2012, Westlake Hall will have 85,000 square feet of academic space, classrooms, labs, and offices.

Construction heats up

View a time lapse video of the alumni center construction at bradley.edu/hilltopics/go/hcactimelapse.

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Three top medical institutions in Illinois have joined forces with Bradley University for the new Center for Collaborative Brain Research (CCBR) at Bradley. The center will allow faculty and students to share resources and ideas with physicians, radiologists, and neurologists.

“The brain is one of the final frontiers,” Dr. Lori Russell-Chapin told a crowd at the announcement of the new center on March 25. “We now know that the brain is plastic. We know that it’s moldable. The more we know, the more it will change the way we do a lot of things. We are so fortunate that we can pool our resources.”

Russell-Chapin, a professor of counseling at Bradley, is co-director of the new CCBR. With Peoria’s vast medical community, she envisioned the new center as a way to assemble a group of experts to advance brain research. “We have to bring together people with different skill sets,” she said.

The other co-director, Dr. Wen-Ching Liu, is from the department of radiology at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, where MRIs will be used to acquire research data and to view human brain function mapping. “This new network will provide researchers from each institution opportunities to easily work with others who have common interests, yet different specialties,” he said.

The new research center is part of the College of Education and Health Sciences, which concentrates on courses in the human service professions. Among those professions are nurses, physical therapists, counselors, dietitians, and educators. Ongoing research in the College on autism and robotics, concussions, and ADHD will continue as part of the CCBR.

On April 23, the center participated in an annual

symposium in Rome sponsored by the BrainForum. Of the 50 universities and research centers worldwide that listened to neuroscientists’ presentations via teleconferencing, Bradley was the only group live-streamed into the conference. Russell-Chapin described the new CCBR to symposium participants.

The center’s three-year strategic plan involves expanding research projects, increasing community involvement, and continuing neuropsychological brain research. The CCBR expects to bring in nationally recognized speakers for public lectures. Because of the collaboration, the center also hopes to secure grants and federal funding.

BRAIN CENTER FOUNDED ON COLLABORATIONBY GAYLE ERWIN McDOWELL ’77

DR. PATRICK ELWOOD ’53, CEO of the Illinois Neurological Institute, speaks about Bradley’s new brain research center as Dr. Joan Sattler, dean of the College of Education and Health Sciences, looks on. The announcement of the new center took place at the Markin Family Student Recreation Center, which Elwood noted is named in honor of his classmate, DAVID MARKIN ’53.

ABOVE: Dr. Lori Russell-Chapin consults with Dr. Wen-Ching Liu at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. They are co-directors of the new Center for Collaborative Brain Research (CCBR) at Bradley. Russell-Chapin is researching attention deficit disorders. She is the 2010 recipient of the Thelma Duffey Award, a national award from the Association for Creativity in Counseling.

BRAIN CENTER PARTNERS

Bradley University

OSF Saint Francis Medical Center Department of Radiology

Illinois Neurological Institute

RESEARCH COLLABORATOR

University of Illinois College of Medicine, Peoria

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BU SALES TEAM TAKES SIXTH AT NATIONALS BY SARAH HALLSTEIN ’12

Devoting more than 20 hours a week to any extracurricular activity isn’t easy. For the Bradley professional sales team, the hard work paid off when the team took sixth place in March at the National Collegiate Sales Competition (NCSC) at Kennesaw State University in Georgia.

The contest consisted of five rounds of sales calls judged by business professionals and professors and featured the top undergraduate talent from 61 competitive sales programs. As individuals, DAN SHORT ’10 and MAX LANE ’10 placed in the top 16. “The size of the event this year was the largest one ever, with about 120 students competing,” said Dr. Jason Garrett, coach and assistant professor of marketing.

The team has a strong history at the NCSC, boasting top-six finishes in four of the last six years. One of these top finishes includes the 2006 national championship in which

the duo of SIMON SARRAF ’06 and STEPHANIE LINDER ’06 received first-place honors.

“There used to be mostly smaller schools, but there are quite a few state schools that are in this competition now,” Garrett said. “Bradley has still been able to compete very well with the larger universities.”

The schools that finished in front of Bradley at the undergraduate level included University of Washington, Florida State, and Bowling Green State University, which took first place.

Other members of the Bradley team were BETHANY SCHAFER ’10 and DAN KAHNE ’11. The team was determined based on the results of the Bradley Sales Contest last December. The students came back early from Winter Break and spent many hours each week preparing themselves for the competition.

Members of the Bradley professional sales team, from left: Dr. Jason Garrett (coach), MAX LANE ’10, BETH SCHAFER ’10 and DAN SHORT ’10 display their awards at the National Collegiate Sales Competition.

More than 130 fourth-graders from Harrison and Woodrow Wilson schools were on campus April 23 for National Lab Day. “I think children are natural-born scientists and we have to nurture that,” says Dr. Kelly McConnaughay, co-director of Bradley’s new Center for STEM Education.

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Center for STEM Education targets science, math and moreBY GAYLE ERWIN McDOWELL ’77

From sponsoring a rocket engineering camp for high school students to offering master’s degrees in science teaching, Bradley University offers a number of programs for improving literacy in STEM — an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and math. Recently, those special programs, camps, and courses became part of Bradley’s new Center for STEM Education.

“As a school administrator for 30 years prior to coming to Bradley, it was well known in the Illinois education community that Bradley was a leader in the STEM fields,” said Dr. Mike Risen, the center’s co-director. “It is our vision that the new center will become a center of national distinction in the STEM fields.”

In addition to preparing educators to teach math, science, engineering, and technology, the center seeks to increase the scientific literacy of all Bradley students. A top goal is to address the shortage of qualified educators in STEM subjects. Students will be recruited for the programs — especially those from under-represented groups, such as minorities and women. The center will continue to offer outreach programs designed to help schoolchildren and others learn more about science.

Summer internships for high school students to work as science researchers, a chemistry contest, and several camps are just a handful of the outreach programs. Over the past decade, Bradley has received more than $2.5 million in external funding for STEM efforts.

“If we are to remain competitive in an integrated, global economy, and if our young people are going to thrive in the 21st century, they truly need the problem-solving and thinking skills that are inherent in science and mathematics,” said Bradley President Joanne Glasser.

The advisory board for the Center for STEM Education includes four area school superintendents, as well as representatives from the Illinois Math and Science Academy in Aurora, the University of Illinois, Illinois Central College, City Colleges of Chicago, and the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Peoria.

Lakeview Museum, the new Quest Charter Academy, Peoria NEXT, and the USDA Research Lab are also represented on the board.

Watch videos of the winners at coles.kennesaw.edu/ncsc.

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National winners

The Bradley Speech Team had another successful run this spring, starting with the American Forensics Association (AFA) National Individual Events Tournament in Eau Claire, Wis., in April. In addition to Bradley winning the overall sweepstakes with 443 points, several individuals won competitions.

AMANDA VOIROL ’11 and JARED BOYER ’10 became the first pair in AFA history to defend their national title in duo interpretation. Voirol also took home the national title in dramatic interpretation. The two wins gave Voirol enough points to win the individual sweepstakes title as well, given to the speaker with the most points after competing in at least four events. The top three individual sweepstakes winners were from Bradley: Voirol, Boyer, and PATRICK CAMPBELL ’10. Campbell also won the national championship in persuasive speaking at the National Forensic Association National Championships in Athens, Ohio, in April.

Campbell finished the team’s season by taking second place at America’s oldest public speaking competition, the Interstate Oratory Contest, held at the University of Oklahoma. He represented Illinois in the competition after winning the persuasion event at the state level. Campbell’s speech was about the funding gap in American education, a topic close to his heart. Four years ago, Campbell founded a nonprofit that serves to address problems and promote change in public education.

The persuasion event was the favorite of former teammate CURT BYARS ’07, who died in January, and Campbell delivered the speech in his memory.

Dan Smith, director of forensics at Bradley, coaches the speech team. Visit bradleyspeechteam.com for more information.

MBA STUDENTS SCORE THREE-PEATBY MELISSA VOGRIN ’10

BY ABBY WILSON ’10

Bradley’s team of MBA students won the National Case Competition in the Society for Advancement of Management’s (SAM) Interna-tional Business Conference in Arlington, Va., making them the first to win the competition three times in a row.

The four team members spent six weeks preparing for the competition by conducting research, surveys, and marketing assessments for TomTom, an

automotive GPS system manufacturer. The April competition consisted of a 15-minute presentation and a 15-minute question-and-answer session.

BRAD ESKRIDGE ’08 MBA ’10 said the team’s continuing success reflects the high quality of a Bradley education. “I think it shows … we have a top-tier, top-level business program.”

SVATAVA KUBANKOVA, MBA ’10 and MARTINA STAVIKOVA, MBA ’10 were also members of Bradley’s team that won the same competition last year. They, along with teammate TIBOR GERLICZY, MBA ’10, are international exchange students from the University of Economics in Prague, Czech Republic. Since

Bradley began competing in the SAM competition, the team has had at least two students from the University of Prague each year.

Bradley has an exchange program with the University of Prague that recruits its top students to complete their MBA degrees at Bradley. Bradley typically has three Prague students enter the MBA program each year, which means that there are usually six Czech students on campus at a time, since the MBA is a two-year program.

“The student who encouraged us to send a team to the competition and thus started the effort was [University of Prague exchange student] HELENA RACICKA, MBA ’09,” said Susannah Gawor, assistant director of graduate programs. “Even though we get applications from many more, the students from the University of Prague are always some of the strongest students who apply to participate in the SAM competition.”

Gawor explained that Bradley is also working on a partnership program with the American University of India for both bachelor’s and MBA degrees.

DR. LARRY WEINZIMMER ’83 MBA ’85, professor of strategic management and adviser of all three championship teams, said that the win was a team effort. “The students from the University of Prague work extremely well with the American students, and each member played an integral role in the competition.”

SPEECH TEAM RECLAIMS NATIONAL TITLE

NoteBook

FROM LEFT: Tibor Gerliczy, Martina Stavikova, Dr. Larry Weinzimmer, Svatava Kubankova, Dr. Moustafa Abdelsamad (Society for Advance-ment of Management President & CEO); and Brad Eskridge accept their first-place award at the SAM International Case Competition. The four students earned their MBAs in 2010.

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Bradley Hilltopics Summer 2010 11

SportScene

POSTSEASON PLAY FOR BRADLEY WOMENBY JACQUELINE R. KOCH ’07 PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN TIRPAK

Several times during the 2009–10 season, the Bradley women’s basketball team bent — during a 4-8 start, during two losses to open conference play, and during

a first-round loss in the conference tournament. But the team never broke.

That resiliency culminated in the team’s first-ever postseason appearance and first-ever postseason win in the inaugural Women’s Basketball Invitational (WBI).

“We’d bend, but we’d never break,” Coach Paula Buscher says. “So many times you can get frustrated. You can get disappointed. I think we got more determined.”

The team opened the season 4-6 prior to conference play and then lost at Missouri State and Wichita State. Buscher realized the need for patience. She saw something special in her team: She just needed to wait for it to emerge.

“The results weren’t exactly what we wanted,” she says. “But I knew this could be a special group if we continued to build upon what we were doing and really keep working to improve.”

The team members set small goals for each game, such as playing better help-side defense or grabbing more rebounds.

“I think the biggest goal was to get better every day,” Buscher says. “The basketball season is such a long season. It’s not a sprint. It’s a marathon. You can’t look at the finish line. You have to work on today.”

Tale of two halvesAfter the opening conference losses, the team hit its stride and won its next six games, including back-to-back wins against Creighton and Drake on the road.

“The season was sort of a tale of two halves,” says co-captain JENNY VAN KIRK ’10. “We started out obviously not the way we wanted to with a 4-8 record. At that point, we could have given up and said, ‘This is the end of the season for us.’ But the whole season was a work in progress for us and we improved from day one to our final loss.”

By the tournament, the team was 16-12 and sported a

NOMINATE AN ATHLETE

Nominations are being accepted for the Bradley Athletics Hall of Fame. They should be postmarked by July 31, 2010, and mailed to:

Bobby Parker Associate AD for CommunicationsBradley University1501 W. Bradley AvenuePeoria, IL 61625

For information about the Hall of Fame, visit bradleybraves.com and click on the Hall of Fame link in the Awards tab.

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continued from page 11

12-6 conference record. But a first-round loss to Northern Iowa in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament bent the team’s spirit.

Players walked into the gym the following Monday, not knowing whether they’d earn a postseason berth. When they received an invitation to the new WBI tournament, they were ecstatic. The invitation represented the first postseason bid ever awarded to a Bradley women’s basketball team.

The team traveled to Louisville and beat the 2009 Final Four qualifier 69-59 on their home court on March 17.

“That was probably one of the most fun games I’ve been

a part of in my career here,” Van Kirk says. “We got to put our jerseys on one more time, and that energy showed on the court. Everyone was having a great time.”

Then the team flew to Charleston, South Carolina, for a second-round game. In addition to practicing, they enjoyed sightseeing in the coastal city. A 76-66 loss to the College of Charleston on March 21 ended the Braves’ season with a 17-14 record, but didn’t diminish their pride.

Next seasonThe end of the season immediately sparked the start of the 2010–11 campaign. Buscher and her assistants reviewed player statistics and future opponents on the way back from South Carolina. Next year’s team will have the pleasure of practicing and playing in the new campus arena.

In June, SONYA HARRIS ’11 announced she would complete her senior year at Bradley, but would no longer play basket- ball. Harris was defensive player of the year in the MVC.

“When something like this happens, it’s a door of opportunity for someone else to step up,” Buscher told the Journal Star. “It will be difficult to replace Sonya’s blocked shots and rebounding, but we’ll focus on it collectively as a group.”

SportScene

POINT PRIDEof

It’s a slam dunkCHRIS ROBERTS ’10 finished second place in the State Farm College Slam Dunk Champion-ship, held in Indianapolis in conjunction with the NCAA Final Four Tournament. Well known by Bradley fans for his dunking ability, Roberts stunned the audience and judges with his high-scoring shots, but eventually lost in the championship round by one point to Wake Forest’s L.D. Williams. This is not the first distinction for the talented senior guard. He also holds the college basketball record for the longest postseason game- winning shot in 2009 and has been featured several times on ESPN.

SPORTS WRAP-UP BY SARAH HALLSTEIN ’12

Women’s Basketball Co-captain JENNY VAN KIRK ’10 was named MVP. She shared the Charles Orsborn Award (formerly known as the Watonga Award) with runner KATIE NOWAK ’10. SONYA HARRIS ’11 earned the MVC defensive player of the year award for leading the conference in blocked shots per game and ranking second in rebounds. RENEE FRERICKS ’10 received the Coach Joe Stowell Award for her dedication.

Men’s Basketball The Braves defeated Creighton 81-62 in the MVC tournament, but then fell to Northern Iowa. SAM MANISCALCO ’11 was the team’s MVP, while RYAN PHILLIPS ’10 received the Coach Joe Stowell Award.

Baseball The Braves donned pink jerseys to highlight breast cancer awareness on May 8. The team won both games of the home doubleheader (7-1), (3-2) against Edwardsville. The season ended on May 26 when Creighton defeated the Braves 6-5 in 12 innings at the MVC Tournament in Wichita.

Softball The softball team ended its regular season on May 9 after falling to rival Illinois State. AMANDA CLACK ’10 had the best team batting average with a .331 throughout the year, and also led the team in hits, runs, and stolen bases.

Women’s Golf BREANNE NEUFELD ’11 is tied for the second-best season total in program history and was ranked third in the MVC with an average stroke of 76.1. KELLY AMUNDRUD ’12 was ranked fourth in the MVC with a 76.64 stroke average, the third-best scoring average in school history. The team

finished second out of 10 teams at the Hotels at Grand Prairie Collegiate Classic in April. Coach Bo Ryan, a 24-year veteran of Bradley Athletics, retired in May.

Men’s Golf ZACH WANKEN ’10 posted five top-20 finishes this season, including 12th place at the State Farm MVC championship. COBY THOMPSON ’11 led the team with a 77.2 stroke average and finished 15th. The team tied its lowest round of the season at the Hawkeye Invitational in May.

Women’s Tennis KENNEDY SCOTT ’14 scored the lone point at No. 5 singles for the Braves at the last home match of the season against Creighton, while KELLY DONOHUE ’10 and JESSICA BUTERBAUGH ’10 earned a win at No. 2 doubles.

Men’s Tennis MILOS ROMIC ’10 was named to the MVC men’s tennis all-select team after posting a 15-7 record as Bradley’s No. 1 singles player. Romic and doubles partner CALLEN FRAYCHINEAUD ’10 achieved 10 doubles victories this season.

Women’s Track MARY GOLDKAMP ’11 and KATIE NOWAK ’10 broke Goldkamp’s previous 800-meter school record at the Sun Angel Classic with a 2:11.33 and 2:11.70, respectively. Goldkamp also broke the 1500-meter school record set by MARY ELLEN HILL SCHUPBACH ’00 in 1998, allowing her to compete in the NCAA Track and Field West Regional in Austin, Texas. She finished 41st on May 27. Goldkamp was the first runner to advance to NCAA postseason competition since Schupbach in 1999.

The men’s basketball team will be one of eight to play in the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament in Springfield, Mass. Bradley plays on Nov. 20 and will also host two games. Call 309-677-3000 for information.

SAVE THE DATES: NOV. 20-21

Bradley Hilltopics Summer 2010 13

SALTWATER SHUTTERBUG

!Scuba diving is a popular and fast-growing sport, with more than 900,000 people certified worldwide. Since the invention of modern diving equipment in 1943, millions have discovered the aquatic world beneath the waves. All it takes is a spirit of adventure and a love of the sea.

rom snorkeling the reefs of Barbados to scuba diving in Yap in Micronesia, University photog-rapher Duane Zehr has left Bradley’s campus in his rearview mirror for at least 250 dives in

search of eye-opening views of another world — under the sea.

“Fish frustration” led Zehr to take snorkeling and his camera to a deeper level 15 years ago. Too often, he was viewing fish swimming away from him.

“It’s the closest you can get to visiting another planet without taking a trip to the moon,” says Zehr,

and his compelling underwater photo-graphs prove his point.

Despite the fact that his day job involves capturing two-legged crea-tures on and off campus, Zehr says

it’s not just taking underwater photos that he finds so appealing. “Diving transports me to a whole different world — literally, a completely different environment that I’m not entirely at home in — that’s what makes underwater photography so enticing and challenging.”

Zehr says he and his wife Melinda are recreational divers who generally dive within the 30- to 70-foot range “where most of the reef life seems to live.” The couple’s dives average about 55-60 minutes.

Once Zehr took the plunge from snorkeling to scuba diving, he soon met the damselfish, a tiny creature that defends its territory rather vigorously. “Apparently, the damselfish doesn’t realize it’s only a few inches long. If I stay still long enough, it will actually swim right up to me and bounce off of me or the camera lens, trying to make me go away,” says Zehr.

A lesson learned from underwater photography that Zehr believes has made him a better university photographer involves his patience level. He tells a

FBY KAREN CROWLEY METZINGER, MA ’97

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DUANE ZEHR

Duane Zehr dives off Cayman Brac

DESTINED TO DIVE

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“fish tale” of three dives in two days at Gladden Spit off Belize. It wasn’t until the last five minutes on the final dive that a 30-foot whale shark appeared — well worth the wait for the veteran divers. “The rest of those three dives was spent looking at each other through the water — a definite example of patience,” says Zehr.

Ironically, the most fascinating dive the Zehrs have done to date wasn’t a dive at all. It involved snorkeling in Palau. Formally part of the ocean and now an inland lake, Jellyfish Lake is, of course, filled with jellyfish. “Over time, the jellyfish lost their natural predators,” adds Zehr. “As a result, they lost their ability to sting, so you can snorkel through millions upon millions of jellyfish just sliding alongside you, down your body, and through your hair. You definitely don’t have to go deep to take great photos.” Jellyfish Lake photo on page 13.

hough PAUL BREZINSKI ’74 and DON CHRISTIAN ’76 attended Bradley at the same time, the two wouldn’t meet until decades later — on a dive boat in the Caribbean Sea. Brezinski,

a podiatrist by profession who lives with his wife Renata in Arlington Heights, has always had an appreciation for the natural world. He was a biology major at Bradley and picked up snorkeling in the early 1990s while on vacation. Scuba diving was a natural progression. “I started diving because I was fascinated by biology,” he said. “One day my wife and I said we should get certified, and then we started diving together.” Since earning his certifica-tion in 2000, Brezinski has logged about 350 dives. He also has developed an interest and a talent in

underwater photography. “I like to document the beauties and curiosities we come across in our diving,” he said. “I know one day I won’t be able to dive, so the photos give me tangible memories.”

Christian, who is retired from running manu- facturing plants, learned to dive, at least at first, for practical, rather than recreational, reasons. “I wanted to learn how to dive because I wanted to be able to see the bottom of my boat to do maintenance and repairs,” he said. “I have always snorkeled, but that’s what made me get diving certified.” Like Brezinski, he’s also been diving for nearly a decade, now more as a hobby rather than a necessity. “When I dove for the first time in the Bahamas, I fell in love with it instantly,” he said. Christian’s wife Patty is his diving partner, though he also is a scuba diving instructor. They split their time between Morristown, New Jersey, and Daytona Beach, Florida. Christian said diving is a great escape. “There are no cell phones. Nobody can talk to you. It’s just you and your bubbles.”

Both Brezinski and Christian share a love for diving and a love for the same diving hot spot — Curacao, the Caribbean island where the couples first met. “We met by chance at a resort, and now we have gone on four trips together,” Brezinski said. “It’s a nice friendship that has developed.” Christian explained that before diving with a group of people, it’s smart to learn who has much dive experience and who doesn’t, so he and his wife always intro-duce themselves to other divers on the boat. When the Brezinskis said they were from Illinois, the men quickly discovered they have the same alma mater. “We hit it off and hung out the entire trip,” Christian said. “It’s neat to find people from Bradley, and when you do, it’s an instant bond.”

TBY ERIN WOOD ’09

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PAUL BREZINSKI ’74, left, and DON CHRISTIAN ’76, along with their wives, have gone on several diving trips together since meeting on the Caribbean island of Curacao.

Bradley Hilltopics Summer 2010 15

SCUBA CLUB MAKES A SPLASH

tudents are donning air-filled cylinders, rubber masks, and neoprene wetsuits to explore the mysterious underwater world.

These students are members of the Bradley University Scuba Club, which made quite a splash at the Activities Fair last August. More than 100 students expressed an interest in learning how to scuba dive. George Brown, professor and theatre department chair, founded the Scuba Club in 2008 when the Markin Family Student Recreation Center opened. Seven students became certified over the last year, and the club currently has about 12 active members.

“I created the Scuba Club to bring people together and create opportunities to dive because diving is where the fun is,” said Brown, a certified scuba diving instructor with more than 30 years of experience.

Brown teaches the open-water class in which students practice 20 basic underwater skills, such as navigation, regulator recovery, ascending and descending safely, and how to clear a mask. An open-water certification allows divers to descend to a maximum of 60 feet in any body of water. Students in the open-water class complete e-Learning modules online sponsored by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI).

The first class of student divers was certified in October 2008 in Kankakee at Haigh Quarry, which boasts an archaeological site, a sunken rock crusher, a dump truck, and a boat. A trio of students demonstrated to Brown that they could perform integral skills in an underwater habitat, including buddy swimming, emergency-controlled ascent, equipment checks, switching between primary and secondary regulators, and feeling what it’s like to run out of air.

“I have always wanted to go to the ocean or reefs and dive in the crystal-clear water,” said DREW DRAGOO ’12.

Club leaders are trying to involve more students in scuba diving by making lessons and trips affordable. The Scuba Club has not yet been able to organize any out-of-state scuba diving trips, but participants have enjoyed several local dives.

Bradley students, faculty, and staff who own scuba gear and are PADI certified can take lessons with Brown at the Markin Center free of charge. However, new divers must pay for gear rental and PADI certification fees.

Brown’s passion for exploring great depths emerged as a child growing up in northern Georgia watching “Sea Hunt” with Lloyd Bridges. In high school, Brown spent his summers working to earn enough money to pay for diving lessons and equipment. He earned his certification at age 16. Since then, he has received numerous certifications, including deep, ice, and wreck diving.

“Scuba diving has given me a lifetime’s worth of enjoyment,” Brown said. “I want students to become excited about it.”

SBY MELISSA HOFFMAN ’10

ABOVE: MARY ZALINGER ’11, NICK DESCAMPS ’11, and DREW DRAGOO ’12 were the first members of the Bradley Scuba Club to become certified. Professor George Brown (second from right) is the club’s founder and instructor.

View underwater slideshows from Duane Zehr, PAUL BREZINSKI ’74, and DON CHRISTIAN ’76 at bradley.edu/hilltopics/go/dive.

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Dr. Max Wessler ’52 Professor emeritus of mechanical engineeringMy first association with Mr. Abegg was a bit intimidating. It was in a freshman surveying course in 1948. Sgt. Abegg might have been more appropriate. He was a good, no-nonsense teacher — formal, firm and very clear about his expectations. We became colleagues in 1956, and I found him to be friendly and companionable. We shared a deep passion for and commitment to our University.

Through his service at Bradley, he unselfishly partnered with its people and the community to retain that indefinable essence that makes the University so special. As the new president, he led through a time of serious financial exigency and made some very tough decisions. It was a time of some faculty recissions and the elimination of football — not all popular decisions, but necessary, nonetheless. I am sure this was a hurtful time for him personally.

Jerry wasn’t all business. At basketball games, he was often on his feet leading the cheering and shouting. I recall in the early ’60s at the Engineers’ Ball, he and Barb joined in the twist, the latest dance craze. They made a great hit with students who called for repeats in succeeding years, until

Jerry became dean in 1963 and then declined, apparently feeling the twist was not in keeping with the dignity of his office.

While provost, Dr. Kal Goldberg once told me, “I worked with Jerry, not for him.” Jerry left the University better than when he started. He epitomized the best in the Bradley family.

Ed King ’54, MA ’62 Executive director emeritus of housing, residential life, and student judicial systemsI first met Dr. Abegg in 1957 when he was an instructor in the college of engineering. He and his wife Barb would bring their children to Hewitt Hall’s swimming pool, which we affectionately called the bathtub, where I was a lifeguard. Jerry was an easy man to visit with and a very patient instructor for his children.

By 1960, life had changed dramatically for both of us. Jerry was appointed chair of the engineering school, and I was dean of men. We served on the campus community commission, and he was deeply concerned about the balance of student life on campus. Jerry always listened as well and suggested improvements in our system.

In 1969, students took over the Student Center in protest of a tuition increase. By the time the ordeal was resolved, I had handed out the

View a slideshow at bradley.edu/hilltopics/go/abeggphotos.

Watch a recent video clip at bradley.edu/hilltopics/go/abeggvideo.

Share your own memories at bradley.edu/hilltopics/go/abeggmemories.

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Remembering President Martin G. Abegg

Bradley Hilltopics Summer 2010 17

discipline to the students, and Dr. Abegg was named acting president. Those were extremely tough times for many universities. Not only did many students protest the Vietnam War, they also demonstrated in the student free speech movement. President Abegg could not have taken over at a more difficult time. Enrollment dropped. Budgets were cut, and no one received a raise.

Within a year, President Abegg was appointed full-time president, and he became the calm in the storm. Under his leadership, the University quickly increased its enrollment, became financially solvent, and started its first major fundraising drive. Because of Jerry Abegg’s leadership then, the University is in the great shape that it is now.

Shirley Dawdy Meils Office manager, Bradley Technology Commercialization CenterI was 18 when I first walked into the president’s office to interview with Dr. Abegg. This was my first job interview, and when I heard his booming voice, I almost turned around and left. He met me with a warm handshake and gentle smile. For my next 21 years at Bradley, I was blessed to have the best mentor and friend anyone could imagine — a man who gave his heart and soul to a university he truly loved.

Working as Dr. Abegg’s administrative assistant, I learned what it meant to be honest, committed, and fair. He showed me how to treat people with respect no matter what position they held. As Dr. Abegg walked across campus, he would make a point to stop and talk with anyone who crossed his path. He was so approachable, and people valued that trait about him.

One special memory I have is Dr. Abegg’s slide rule. I was intrigued to discover that it was his calculator. I soon learned an engineer never would be without a slide rule. He would smile when he took it out of his desk drawer because he knew what I was thinking — how in the world do you use that thing?

President Abegg provided me the foundation of my career at Bradley University. I have a huge hole in my heart with his passing.

Gary Anna ’75 Vice president for business affairsIt is impossible to convey the experiences that I have shared and the related feelings accompanying my work and personal association with Dr. Abegg. As I write about Jerry, three weeks after his death, tears are uncontrollably streaming down my cheeks. He was a special person. Unselfish,

principled, honest, and kind are all too shallow adjectives. Jerry “got it.” He made a few decisions that usually are “poison pills” for presidents, but he always tried to do the right thing — not for himself, but for Bradley.

While walking on campus one day, he pointed to a survey marker and described how he surveyed that section of campus and placed the marker as a young civil engineer. I appreciated his engineering background further when enjoying his uncanny accuracy in reading greens on the golf course. Although he didn’t always make the putt, he never misread the green!

He loved his family and loved his cabin in Door County. His getaway there, with his wife Barb, helped him keep his perspective during the second half of his 20-year presidency. After retirement he had a number of ways to keep abreast of our progress. Recently I sent him a 1958 picture of the campus and compared it with today. As an alum, a colleague, and a friend, I was able to thank him for his efforts to advance the University. His response made it clear that he was quietly proud and pleased.

Kathy Fuller Assistant vice president for university relationsMost days, you’d see President Abegg dressed in a tweed sport coat, knit tie, and Hush Puppy shoes. It was a warm and inviting look that seemed to capture his genuine and engaging personality. He, like the door to his office, was always open. He was there to listen to faculty and staff alike, make tough decisions, and gently but firmly lead Bradley forward.

I had the privilege of working with President Abegg through the Campaign for Bradley, the University’s first major capital campaign in the 1980s. It was a success, raising more than $31 million. The real reason for its success was Jerry Abegg. Donors trusted Jerry Abegg implicitly and completely. If Jerry Abegg said Bradley needed a music center, a new art center, an expanded library, a remodeled student center, and an updated business building, then it must be so. Bradley alumni and supporters were there to carry Jerry’s vision forward. And they did.

I’ll forever miss his booming voice, his great laugh, and the twinkle in his blue eyes that would light up when he heard about a new Bradley accomplishment. Jerry Abegg brought out the very best in those who shared his dream for his beloved Institution.

In celebrating the life of Bradley’s seventh president who died on April 21, five of his colleagues fondly remember JERRY ABEGG ’47 HON ’93 as a Hilltop icon. While leading the University from 1970 to 1992, President Abegg promoted major initiatives by introducing strategic planning and shared governance and by spearheading the construction or renovation of 17 campus buildings. The president emeritus and Bradley Centurion touched countless lives and left a legacy that remains to this day.

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ith the ink barely dry on their diplomas, SARAH WRIGHT ’82 and GWEN HOLDMANN ’94 left college with adventure on their minds. The

two women don’t know each other — they were Bradley students a dozen years apart — but they share some traits. Fast-forward to 2010, and you’ll find Wright and Holdmann settled with careers and families and homes, not to mention some atypical pets. (Wright keeps five chickens in her Salt Lake City backyard, and Holdmann has sled dogs — 65 of them — that she and her husband use to compete in races.) Besides residing in awe-inspiring parts of the country, the Bradley alumnae have an unusual distinction: both are founding directors of energy centers in their respective states.

Wright is executive director of Utah Clean Energy, which she founded nine years ago. Holdmann was named director of the Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) at the University of Alaska last July.

Sarah Wright/UtahAmerica’s first Earth Day was a significant event in April 1970 — and subsequently the environment became a hot topic, leading students like SARAH WRIGHT ’82 to enter Bradley as environmental science majors.

Although she switched her major to geology, Wright never veered far from her commitment to the environment. “I was fascinated by the concept of time and how long the earth has been in existence, and how short a time humans have

been on the planet, and what a big impact we’ve had in such a short time. I became very interested in learning about geologic history,” she says.

Wright moved to Colorado in 1982 and soon landed a job in Utah, working briefly as a geologist in oil and natural gas exploration. Her interest in seeing “industry be as clean and safe as possible” led to a 15-year career as an environmental consultant.

“Then in 2001, I decided that I wanted to use my skill set to help find a more sustainable way to be on the planet. And so I quit my job, not knowing exactly what I would do,” Wright recalls. Later that year, she founded Utah Clean Energy.

Wright now operates the nonprofit group with a staff of nine. Based in Salt Lake City, it is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, foundations that support clean energy, and individual and corporate sponsors.

“There were two studies published last summer that show that we can decrease our business-as-usual energy consumption as a nation by nearly 30 percent through cost-effective technologies. Accomplishing this would significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions while providing a net economic benefit,” says Wright.

With an emphasis on smart energy solutions for the long run, her staff advocates for sound energy policies, intervenes in utility regulatory proceedings, and writes testimony and comments about the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy. “The public service commissions (in Utah) make

ENERGY STARS

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The race is on for more reliance on renewable energy in the United States over the next decade, and two alumnae are helping to guide the way in Utah and Alaska.

SARAH WRIGHT ’82 Utah Clean Energy, founder/executive director

RESIDENCE: Salt Lake City

EDUCATION: BS, geology, Bradley; MS, public health, University of Utah

INFLUENTIAL PROFESSOR: Dr. Merrill Foster (geology); “The faculty was tremendous.”

FAVORITE BU ACTIVITY: “Ceramics; I took a class every semester.”

HOMETOWN: Park Forest

INTERESTS: hiking, biking, weaving, gardening, raising chickens

FAMILY: husband Mark Oftedal, one son

WEBSITE: utahcleanenergy.org

BY GAYLE ERWIN McDOWELL ’77

Bradley Hilltopics Summer 2010 19

decisions on the evidence that’s brought before them — we are the voice for energy efficiency and renewables,” Wright explains.

“Our bottom line is that we want to address climate change and create an energy future that is sustainable for the long term,” says Wright. “Individuals can definitely make a difference, but we also need the policymakers to help lead the way.”

Gwen Holdmann/AlaskaFor GWEN HOLDMANN ’94, a family vacation to Alaska planted the seed that she would move to America’s northernmost state after college. Traveling with her three sled dogs, the award-winning Bradley tennis player left Illinois the day after graduation. Her first home in Alaska, a 100-square-foot cabin, had no heat or running water.

Chopping wood to heat the cabin and hauling water gave the physics major plenty of time to think about energy. Holdmann’s lifestyle prompted her to begin Your Own Power Co., providing small-scale home energy systems.

From there, she was hired by Chena Hot Springs, a resort community whose owner wanted to get away from diesel fuel and instead use locally available resources. Holdmann became well known for implementing innovative projects at Chena. In an interview with Popular Mechanics magazine, she explained, “It is Alaska’s first geothermal plant, and it’s producing electricity from lower-temperature water than any plant in the world.”

Holdmann also helped develop refrigeration for a year-round ice museum at the resort community located near Fairbanks, as well as a geothermal heating system to allow produce to be grown year-round in its greenhouse. Chena’s greenhouse is the only year-round agricultural facility in Alaska. During her 4½ years at Chena, Holdmann engaged researchers at the University of Alaska in several projects.

Last summer, she was named director of the new Alaska Center for Energy and Power. The goal of the center is to foster innovative solutions to Alaska’s energy challenges through research at the university. Holdmann is thrilled to be involved with cutting-edge technologies on a daily basis.

“The university has conducted energy research for a long time, but it wasn’t very coordinated between the various departments and institutes. The purpose of the program is to provide a gateway to energy research within the University

of Alaska system, and build capacity in critical needs areas,” Holdmann explains. “We started with no funding and have grown into a substantial organization. Today, we have 40 researchers working on 30 funded projects across a range of technologies. Our goal is to meet the immediate research needs of Alaskan communities and industries, so we’re focusing on solutions that can be implemented in the next three to five years.”

Wind power, biomass, geothermal, and improving efficiency of existing diesel generators that provide electricity to most of the 300-plus isolated Alaskan villages are priorities as research areas, as well as Alaska-specific concerns such as cold weather, isolated electric grids, icing, and permafrost. Holdmann also strives to tie research to the national energy agenda whenever possible.

In her personal life, she and her family now live in a log home they built themselves. Solar panels, a diesel generator, and wood meet its energy needs. Away from home, too, the family manages to stay off the grid. Their Jeep and truck have been converted to run off filtered waste vegetable oil.

Clean energy encompasses more than wind farms and solar power. It also includes biomass, hydro-power, geothermal, and wave power — all examples of renewable resources. Renewable energy resources are inexhaustible and don’t require mining or extraction, yet they are only part of clean energy. The other component is energy efficiency — from energy-efficient products to techniques like daylighting. According to the website of Utah Clean Energy, clean energy produces little or no pollution or carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

PAGE 18: SARAH WRIGHT ’82, executive director of Utah Clean Energy, visits a Wyoming wind farm just across the Utah border. She received the 2009 WoWE Rising Star award, recognizing her efforts to promote wind energy. Utah’s first wind farm began operating two years ago.

clean energy?What is

GWEN HOLDMANN ’94 Director, Alaska Center for Energy and Power

RESIDENCE: Fairbanks, Alaska

EDUCATION: BS, physics, Bradley; graduate work, Geophysical Institute at University of Alaska, Fairbanks

INFLUENTIAL PROFESSOR: Dr. Conley Stutz (physics)

FAVORITE BU ACTIVITY: tennis team

HOMETOWNS: Madison, Wis., and Rockford

INTERESTS: mushing; She has completed the Iditarod Trail and Yukon Quest sled dog races.

FAMILY: husband Ken Anderson; 1½-year-old twins

WEBSITE: uaf.edu/acep

OBAMA NOMINATES FORMER BASEBALL MVP FOR FEDERAL BENCHPresident Barack Obama nominated Peoria County Circuit Judge JAMES SHADID ’79 on May 27 to become a federal judge, replacing U.S. District Judge Michael Mihm. A Senate confirmation vote will follow. Jim was appointed to the 10th Circuit in Illinois in December 2001 to fill a vacancy and was elected to a full term in 2002. Most of his work has been in felony court, with time also spent in misdemeanor and civil law. Previously, Jim was a private practice attorney, and he also spent several years as a part-time public defender. He holds a law degree from John Marshall Law School.

A former Bradley baseball player, Jim was the team’s MVP in 1977 and 1978, and he was inducted into the Bradley Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985. Jim and his wife Jane live in Peoria. They have three children. Their son JAMES SHADID JR. ’08 is a Bradley alumnus.

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HUNTING FOR HISTORY IN THE SOUTHBY ERIN WOOD ’09

JEANNE CYRIAQUE ’72 has a job that is less sitting behind a desk than it is conducting a scavenger hunt. As coordinator of African-American programs for Georgia’s Historic Preservation Division in the Department of Natural Resources, Cyriaque spends much of her time hunting for clues to help keep the state’s black history alive.

Many of those clues come in the form of buildings. “When African-Americans were freed from slavery, one of the first things they wanted to do was build schools and churches,” Cyriaque said. In 1912, Booker T. Washington partnered with Julius Rosenwald, philanthropist and CEO of Sears, Roebuck and Co., to build more than 5,000 rural schools for African-Americans in the South. Between 1915 and 1937, 279 schools were built in Georgia. Some were made of wood and had only one or two classrooms, such as the school shown above. Others had as many as eight classrooms and an auditorium and were constructed from brick. “I have been on an extraordinary journey and have found 49 of them that still stand so far,” Cyriaque said.

She does the same kind of work with segregation-era schools that were abandoned in the 1970s, as well as churches. In Georgia, there are more than 175 historic African-American churches listed in the National Register of Historic Places,

such as the church shown at left. “We work to get the buildings we find listed on the National Register, which means the nation recognizes them as important,” Cyriaque said. “If that happens, the nonprofits supporting them are more likely to receive grants to preserve them.”

Educating the public about the buildings’ roles in history is just as important as finding and protecting them. Cyriaque is editor of Reflections, a quarterly publication that features historic resources and preservation initiatives. “This has been the biggest tool to get people involved in African-American preservation,” she said. In 2006, Cyriaque received the Leadership in History Award from the American Association for State and Local History for her work on Reflections.

Recently, Cyriaque was elected to represent Georgia on the National Trust for Historic Preservation Board of Advisors. She just completed a two-year term as a commissioner for the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. The national heritage area, officially designated by Congress in 2006, stretches along the barrier islands and coastal region from North Carolina to Florida. “Africans were originally brought here because of their skills in rice production. It was such a labor-intensive form of slavery that many planters left the Africans in fields alone to produce the crops, and they created their own language and culture,” Cyriaque explained. “Places like St. Simons Island in Georgia had a huge Gullah/Geechee population, but they have been forced out because of development. We are trying to protect places and the living culture in the corridor.”

While at Bradley, Cyriaque was president of Alpha Kappa Alpha and was active in the Black Students Association. Her greatest influence was Dr. Romeo B. Garrett, Bradley’s first African-American professor. “He was one of my best professors and helped me focus on getting into graduate school at the University of Illinois.” Cyriaque holds a master’s degree in sociology from the U of I. A native of Chicago, she moved to Texas in the early 1980s. While researching her own family’s roots, Cyriaque met people from the Georgia African-American Historic Preservation Network. She has been working in Atlanta for the past 10 years and lives in East Point, Georgia.

Visit bradley.edu/hilltopics/go/cyriaque to read Reflections.

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RICHARD STERN ’67

’61 WILLIAM R. CAMPBELL ’61 recently authored Beating

the Marriage Odds, published by VMI Publishers. Bill is an associate pastor and marriage and family counselor at his church. Previously Bill worked in advertising and publishing, retiring in 1989. He holds a master’s degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Bill and his wife Phyllis have five children and live in Seeley Lake, Mont.

’67 RICHARD STERN ’67 is CEO of Stern Mortgage Co., which

was awarded the Tall Tree award from the city of Palo Alto, Calif., in April. The award recognizes outstanding community contributors. Rick and his wife Nancy have three children and live in Palo Alto.*

’68 STEPHEN HAVERA ’68 received the 2009 Professional Award

of Merit from the North Central Section of The Wildlife Society for his lifetime contribution to scientific knowledge and leadership. Steve is a senior professional scientist and director of the Frank C. Bellrose Waterfowl Research Center and Forbes Biological Station in Havana, where he focuses his work on waterfowl, forest wildlife, wetlands, and physiological ecology. He is a Bradley Centurion and Distinguished Alumnus. Steve holds master’s and doctoral degrees in zoology from the University of Illinois. He and his wife Nancy have two sons and live in Lewistown.*

’71 LINDA KRAMER POMERANTZ ’71 is the director of office

operations for 26.2 with Donna — The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer. Previously, Lin was a business owner. She has two daughters and lives in Jacksonville, Fla.

’72 R. JOAN BUSSERT ’72 was inducted into the joint United

States Bowling Congress Women’s Bowling Association (USBC WBA) and the Greater Peoria Bowling Associa-

tion Hall of Fame for meritorious service. Joan served as director of the USBC WBA board of directors from 1994 to 1997. She has bowled in 15 Illinois USBC WBA championship tournaments. Joan is a retired teacher. She lives in Peoria. MARIA LANE ’72 MA ’76, ’85 is teaching in the Alaskan Bush in the Yup’ik village of Kasigluk, where there are no roads and no running water. Maria taught English at Richwoods High School for 35 years, retiring in 2007.*

’74 JEFFREY KUMPULA ’74 recently earned his master’s degree in

teaching from Dominican University and is currently teaching in Waukegan, where he lives with his wife Victoria.

’76 JOHN SHAULIS ’76 MA ’78 started a website for divorce

assistance, divorcebuoy.com. John is a first officer with Frontier Airlines, following a 20-year career as a Navy pilot. John and his wife Jan have two children and live in Evergreen, Colo.

’77 LUCIEN KLEJBUK ’77 received the Offshore Technology

Conference Hall of Fame award by the American Society of Civil Engineers for a 1985 paper that evaluated soils and hazards in the offshore Mississippi Canyon area of the Gulf of Mexico. Lucien is a senior environmental engineer for the Salt River Project

in Phoenix, where he lives with his wife Joyce. *

’78 MICHAEL FREEMAN ’78 has been vice president of Wake

Forest University Baptist Medical Center since 1993. Before starting a career in health care, Mike worked at the Peoria Journal Star. He holds an MBA from the University of Iowa. Mike has three children and lives in Winston-Salem, N.C.

’79 MARY ANN SCHREIBER ’79 is a managing director and

the head of account management for Allianz Global Investors Capital, a $48 billion investment management organization based in New York, Dallas, and San Diego. Mary Ann and her husband Ed Mooney live in Larchmont, N.Y., with their three sons.

’81 TIM VadeBONCOUER ’81 is direc-tor of the residency program

in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Tim received his doctorate in medicine from the University of Chicago and completed his residency at Michael Reese Hospital. Tim and his wife Laurie have two children and live in Addison.

’84 HOWARD GUSSIS ’84 owns a 10,000-square-foot luxury

resort for pets, Woofman’s Lodge Pet Resort, built on the same property as his home in Kenosha, Wis. Howard

Bradley Hilltopics Summer 2010 21

LAS DISTINGUISHED ALUMDAVID BETEBENNER ’81 received the 2009–10 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Distinguished Alumnus Award in April. He is a senior scientist at Abbott Laboratories’ Global Pharmaceutical Research and Development Center, Antiviral Division, where he works on therapeutics for hepatitis C. David holds 11 patents and has several drugs on the market. He lives in Libertyville.

* see photo

MARIA LANE ’72 MA ’76, ’85

STEPHEN HAVERA ’68

LUCIEN KLEJBUK ’77

1960C L A S S O F

Golden ReunionGolden ReunionOctober 13-16

also brokers financial products at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. He and his wife Lesley Brown have one daughter.

’85 WILLIAM ALLEN ’85 was recently awarded a Bronze

Star for his service in Baghdad, Iraq. A major in the Army, he returned in January from his second one-year tour, deployed with the 1st Cavalry Division. He is currently stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas, where he lives with his wife LAURA EDMIASTON ALLEN ’87 and their two children. PHILIP LOCKWOOD ’85 is the vice president of IPICO Sports and the president of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Peoria Memorial Affiliate. Philip has served as race director for the Steamboat Classic for 17 years, and in 2008, he was named race director of the year by Road Race Management. Philip lives in Morton.

’86 GREG LHAMON ’86 was promoted to vice president

and general manager of Salem Media Representatives and Vista Media Representatives. Greg and his wife DEDEE WALLACE LHAMON ’85 live in Waterloo with their two daughters.* GARY SELLERGREN ’86 co-founded DuPage Film Group, a co-op for aspiring film producers that supports independent filmmaking in DuPage County. He also owns A Kid Star Productions. Gary holds an MBA from Loyola University and manages medical group practices in the Chicago area. He lives in Wheaton with his wife Paula and their daughter.

’87 MIKE BETZ ’87 was named a Top 25 Newsmaker of the

Year by Engineering News-Record. An engineering technical team leader for medium tractor products in Caterpillar’s earthmoving division, he was honored for his role in researching and developing the first electric drive track-type tractor, the D7E. Mike lives in Knoxville with his wife Kendra and two children.

CATHERINE ALLEN RUETTEN ’87 is the chief of the medical staff at Kishwaukee Community Hospital in DeKalb. She and her husband TIMOTHY RUETTEN ’87 are family physicians with Kishwaukee Medical Associates. They live in Sycamore with their five sons.

’88 MARK OBERLE ’88 MBA ’89 was named senior vice

president of corporate affairs for Celanese Corp. Previously, Mark was vice president of investor relations. Before joining Celanese, Mark was director of investor relations for Navistar International Corp. He and his wife Ellen live in Southlake, Texas, with their two daughters.*

’89 ROBERT LECHTON ’89 recently became a senior quality

manager at Baxter Healthcare. Robert earned his master’s degree in reliability engineering from the University of Maryland in May 2009. His wife LISA UPHOFF LECHTON ’89 is now quality manager at the College of American Pathologists. They live in Mundelein with their three sons.

’90 RICHARD THOMAS ’90 has written Transubstantiate,

published by Otherworld Publications. The neo-noir thriller is being released in June. Richard won ChiZine Pub- lications’ 2009 “Enter the World of Filaria” contest. Several of his short stories have also been published. Richard lives in Mundelein.*

’91 JOEL LEVINGTON ’91 was promoted to managing

director of corporate credit research at Brookfield Asset Management. He recently appeared on CNBC and Bloomberg Television. Joel lives with his wife Rebecca and their son in New York City.

STEVE OSTROWSKI ’91 and his wife Jodi announce the birth of their second child, Jenna Grace, on April 25, 2009. Steve is an engineering manager with Bruce Power. They live in Tiverton, Ontario.

’93 JOSHUA LEVI ’93 and his wife Jennifer welcomed Ethan

Carter on August 26, 2009. Josh is an

CHICAGO ANCHORLISA FIELDING ’89 is a news anchor and reporter for WBBM Newsradio 780 in Chicago. She also teaches a graduate-level broadcast class at Northwestern. Previously, Lisa was the main anchor for Fox 47 News at Nine in Madison, Wis., which allowed her to travel to the Rose Bowl and the Final Four with the Wisconsin Badgers. She most recently served as main anchor of WVTV-WB 18 News at Nine in Milwaukee. Lisa also spent seven

years as a public address announcer for minor league baseball. She began her career as an intern and reporter for WEEK-TV in Peoria, then worked for WROK-WZOK radio and as weekend anchor for WIFR-TV in Rockford. At the same time, Lisa also did fill-in work as one of the first female voices on Chicago’s all-sports station “The Score.” She lives in Chicago.

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KEVIN MARGROFF ’89 married Faith Anderson-Wymer on November 27, 2009. Kevin is a senior probation officer in Sussex County, New Jersey. They live in Montague, N.J.

GREG LHAMON ’86

MARK OBERLE ’88 MBA ’89

RICHARD THOMAS ’90

assistant manager at Bank of America. The Levis live in Fort Worth, Texas. ERIC MARTIN ’93 joined the law firm Bryan Cave LLP, where he specializes in securities, real estate, and insurance matters. Eric received his juris doc- torate from the University of Illinois. He and his wife Jeanne have two children and live in Glendale, Mo.

’95 PETER HANSON ’95 and his wife Cheryl announce the

birth of Erik Peter on January 22. Pete is regional operations manager for Navistar. The Hansons live in Western Springs.

’96 LISA DUFFIN ’96 received her doctorate in educational

psychology from Purdue University in 2009. Lisa is an assistant professor in the psychology department at Western Kentucky University. She lives in Bowling Green.*

MELNA LANGHAM ’96 received the Downers Grove Chamber Choice Award for Individual Achievment by a Young Professional. Melna is general manager of ScotPress, where she has worked since 2008. Previously, she was senior creative director for the Maclyn Group. Melna lives in Lisle.*

’97 DANAI KASAMBIRA FANNIN ’97 and her husband Chuck

welcomed their son Graham Tafara on December 10, 2009. Danai is researching autism treatment for infants and toddlers at UCLA. They live in Pasadena, Calif. GREG OTTENS ’97 and NICKY KANE OTTENS ’97 announce the birth of Braeden Luke on September 10, 2009. Nicky graduates from residency in June and has accepted a job with Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital in Mattoon. Greg works with junior and senior high youth.

Bradley Hilltopics Summer 2010 23

* see photo

LISA DUFFIN ’96

MELNA LANGHAM ’96

ERIN OYAMA GONZALEZ ’97 and Jorge Gonzalez were married on November 28, 2009. Erin is a project manager and works as an independent consultant for her own company, Amayo Inc. They live in Fullerton, Calif.

PAINTING WITH A PURPOSEBY ERIN WOOD ’09

JONATHON ROMAIN ’90 wanted something different. He wanted a life outside Chicago’s West Side, where he grew up. He wanted an education. “The fact that I even wanted to go to college was a testament that I wanted to do something different with my life,” he said. But with poor grades in high school, attending Bradley seemed unrealistic. Enrolling at Triton College was more practical. “To my surprise, I did very well,” Romain said of his experience at the two-year junior college. “Bradley accepted me the next year.”

The behaviors Romain had picked up during his youth followed him to Peoria, however. After being arrested and convicted for selling drugs, he spent seven years in prison, where Romain — a psychology major — said he began to discover a sense of direction. “My years at Bradley started to manifest in prison and made my time there more productive,” he said. “I fed off those years in college and started to do things to ultimately improve my situation when I got out.”

Romain started drawing. His artistic skills grew, and when he was released from prison, Romain focused on his growing talent, opening an art gallery in Chicago. He was commissioned to paint a portrait of Bill Clinton. He has been featured on Black Entertainment Television and worked with renowned chef Emeril Lagasse on a kitchen renovation in an underserved neighborhood in Harlem. His work has appeared in the Museum of Science and Industry, the Studio Museum of Harlem, and the National Black Fine Arts Show in New York. Romain recently moved back to

Peoria to be closer to his two sons and opened an 8,000-square-foot art gallery not far from Bradley.His other calling, Romain said, is helping steer youth away from the self-destructive habits he once

possessed. He speaks everywhere from schools to juvenile facilities and said he hopes his art gallery will soon host classes and visits for schoolchildren. “The most rewarding aspect of what I do right now is that I have an opportunity to talk to kids in the inner cities who are going through very similar situations that I went through and knowing I have an impact on their lives,” he said.

Visit jromain.com to view Romain’s gallery.

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JENNIFER RIEDERER MARLER ’98 and Timothy Marler were married on June 20, 2009. Jennifer is an internal controls manager for E.ON Climate and Renewables. They live in Chicago.

’98 SARA BECKMAN ALEXANDER ’98 and her husband Matt

announce the birth of Henry Matthew on February 26. Sara is a senior sales representative with Astellas Pharma US. They live in Fox Point, Wis. ERIC BRINKER ’98 was elected to the board of directors of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure in January and served as co-chair of the 25th anniversary Peoria Race for the Cure in May. He is the owner and president of Metro Leasing Company. Eric was selected to the 2008 list of 40 Central Illinois Leaders Under 40. He splits his time between Peoria and New York City. JEFF RASTATTER ’98 and his wife

Anne welcomed Nicholas Paul on January 31. Jeff is a physician at Children’s Memorial Hospital. They live in Chicago.

’99 JACOB GANNON ’99 and KELLY SCOTT GANNON ’99 announce

the birth of Benjamin Scott on August 18, 2009. Jacob is a facility manager

YOU’RE INVITEDCARRIE SEBREE ’99 has operated C.Bree Designs since April 2009. The business offers custom invitations and stationery. Carrie previously lived in Los Angeles for five years, where she was a personal assistant and created invitations for Hollywood events. After returning to Peoria, she taught in Bradley’s interactive

media program. Carrie sings in a group called “The Mike and Carrie Show.” She lives in West Peoria.

BRADLEY BUDDIES RUN TOP CHICAGO COMPANYBY GAYLE ERWIN McDOWELL ’77

They met in 1987 as Sigma Nu pledges, but three ambitious Bradley alumni have done more than stay in touch. BOB KNOTT ’91, JEFF HOFFMANN ’91, and ELLIOTT BARETZ ’91 are key players in SWC Technology Partners, named one of “Chicago’s 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For” last summer. SWC specializes in providing information technology (IT) solutions to small and medium-sized organizations.

From a field of almost 6,000 partner firms in 18 states, SWC also was selected as the winner of a top Microsoft award for fiscal year 2009. The marketing excellence award for a partner in the central region was awarded to SWC Technology Partners last July.

The three partners are quick to credit their Bradley experiences with helping them learn how to be successful. “We built lifelong relationships at Bradley,” says Baretz, the company’s vice president

of business development. “We learned how to be leaders, how to deal with other people, and how to work hard to succeed.”

During their four years on campus, Baretz and Knott served as president of Sigma Nu, and Hoffmann was vice president of the fraternity. Hoffmann is also vice president of SWC Partners.

“People may be very different, but if you come together in the right way, it becomes a very powerful combination of skills,” says Knott, president of SWC. “That was going on in the fraternity, and we didn’t realize it, but then we got into the professional world and the three of us really learned how to play off each other’s strengths and also compensate for weaknesses.”

The trio’s degrees are all in different areas: Knott’s is in engineering; Hoffmann’s is in finance; and Baretz majored in communications and political science. Knott believes that extracurricular activities augmented the “great education” the three friends received at Bradley. “The other factor is we go back 23 years, and we have tremendous trust,” Knott says.

Knott and his wife Cathy reside in Hinsdale with their three children. Hoffmann is married to SARA CUMMINGS-HOFFMANN ’92, and they live in Elmhurst with their two children. Baretz and his wife Laura are the parents of four children. They live in Long Grove.

Fraternity brothers Bob Knott, Jeff Hoffmann, and Elliott Baretz — all 1991 Bradley grads — operate SWC Technology Partners, based in Oak Brook. Their company has won every Microsoft partner award possible in the Midwest, including one in March for exceptional customer service.

Visit swc.com to view their company site.

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Bradley Hilltopics Summer 2010 25

JOHN KORNTHEUER ’03 and SARAH KREMER KORNTHEUER ’03 were married on July 31, 2009. Sarah teaches fourth grade in Berwyn. John is assistant director of admissions for Concordia University, Chicago. They live in Forest Park.

ALISON GDOWSKI DOHERTY ’02 and Timothy Doherty were married on July 11, 2009. Alison is a first-grade teacher for Des Plaines East Maine District 63. She received her master’s degree from National Louis University in May 2009. They live in Des Plaines.

KARA ERWIN PATERSON ’03 and Scott Paterson were married on October 2, 2009. Kara is an outreach specialist for the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. They live in Madison.

JOHN REITZ ’01 and MEGHAN HASSELBERG REITZ, MA ’03 were married on December 19, 2009. John is the creative director for Links Technology, and Meghan is a private practice mental health therapist. They live in Elgin.

VENKAT TIPPANA, MS ’01

AIMEE FARQUHAR GULDIN ’99 and Russell Guldin were married on December 19, 2009. Aimee is a teacher at Argo Community High School. They live in Oak Forest.

at G&D Integrated, and Kelly is a neuroscience clinical nurse specialist at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. They live in Burnsville, Minn. NICOLE HILL MOUNTJOY ’99 and her husband Anthony announce the birth of Adelynn Kay on March 23. Nicole is a human resource manager at Cat- erpillar. They live in Fayetteville, Ga. TONI GROSSICH STERES ’99 and her husband Steve welcomed their third child, Lucas William, on June 28, 2009. They live in Gurnee, where Toni works as a nurse.

’00 STEVEN NOTO ’00 launched a Web-based service,

farsmarterbids.com, that provides resources for current and aspiring U.S. government contractors and sub-contractors. Steven has worked in online information publishing for several years. He lives in Roselle with his wife Teri.

’01 KRISTIN ANDERSON LEESMAN ’01 MPT ’03 and TIM LEESMAN

’01 welcomed Jaelyn Nicole on January 9. Kristin is a physical therapist at Professional Therapy Services, and Tim is an account supervisor for Simantel. They live in Dunlap. CATHERINE RIEBOLD NEU ’01 and CJ NEU ’01 announce the birth of Cassidy Maia on March 18. Catherine works for Epworth Children and Family Services, and CJ works for the City of St. Louis, where they live. VENKAT TIPPANA, MS ’01 is the director of financial systems at Jefferson National Financial, where he has worked for eight years. Venkat and his wife Vidya Reddy live in Louisville, Ky. *

’02 DAN A. BRADLEY ’02 MA ’04 writes a blog for chicagonow.

com/justbeatit. He also writes for the satirical newspaper The Heckler and is fiction editor of literaryfever.com. Dan lives in Streamwood. ANGELA NULL PAULI ’02 and NATHAN PAULI ’02 welcomed their second daughter, Sophia Ann, on October 14,

2009. Nathan is an engineer at Caterpillar. Angela is a stay-at-home mom. They live in Peoria.

’03 MARY OLESON ’03 recently accepted a position with the

facilities, planning, and management department for the University of Wisconsin. Mary earned her MBA from Edgewood College in December 2009. She lives in Verona, Wis.

’04 NATHAN DAVIS ’04 was pro-moted to senior engineer at

Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, following his registration as a professional engineer in Illinois. Nate has worked at CMT since 2005. He provides engineering services for water and sewer projects in Springfield. He lives in Chatham. MICHELLE LAUPER PETERSON ’04 and her husband Scott welcomed Ava Grace on May 4, 2009. Michelle is a kindergarten teacher for Indian Prairie School District 204. She holds a master’s degree from Concordia University. The Petersons live in Montgomery. MICHAEL PLAHM ’04 and his wife Brittany welcomed Brandon Michael and Ashlyn Faith on December 23, 2009. Michael is a sales operations analyst for Cision. The Plahms live in Oak Lawn with their three children.

’05 JACOB HOPPING ’05 graduated from the University of Illinois

College of Medicine, Rockford in May. He begins his general surgery residency at Saint Louis University Hospital in June. Jacob and his wife MACKENZIE HARDING HOPPING ’04 recently returned from a medical mission trip to Haiti with Project Hope. WILL PUTT ’05 and NATASHA SHELKOVICH PUTT ’07 announce the birth of their son Kale on March 21. Will is in the Army’s 3rd Special Forces Group. They live in Fayetteville, N.C.

’06 CHRISTINE DITTMER ’06 works with combat veterans as a

readjustment counseling therapist at

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ClassNotes

the Springfield Veterans Center. She lives in Riverton.

’07 DIANNE DREW ’07 received her master’s degree in

occupational therapy from Governors State University in December 2009. She accepted an acute care position in the

NorthShore University HealthSystem of Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview. She lives in Schaumburg. ERIC STARK ’07 is the new assistant volleyball coach at Eastern Michigan University. He spent three seasons on the Oberlin College volleyball staff and was most recently the team’s associate

head coach. Eric served as the Bradley women’s volleyball team manager for five years. He lives in Ann Arbor.

’08 DAUNTE HENDERSON ’08 wrote Things I Learned

While Walking, released in May on createspace.com. Daunte is the founder of Making a Difference for Each Man, a nonprofit organization that provides mentoring for youth. He lives in St. Louis.*

TAIJA JENKINS ’08 recently became a communicator in Caterpillar’s shared services division in Decatur. She relocated from Manhattan, Kan.

’09 ANDREA FLICK ’09 is an assistant account executive

for Fleishman-Hillard, working on social media management for AT&T’s wireless reputation. She lives in St. Louis.

’10 CARLYN VADNAIS ’10 is an account coordinator for

PR Plus. She lives in Las Vegas.

DAUNTE HENDERSON ’08

TED BERGER ’03 was recently promoted to chief of staff at the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, where he helps manage its 10 divisions. The agency’s mission is to reduce death, injury, and property loss from fires, explosions, and other hazards. Previously, Ted directed legislative affairs for the fire marshal’s office and managed the agency’s lobbying efforts.

Ted also has spent the past seven years as a volunteer and part-time firefighter/EMT and currently is a lieutenant for the North Park Fire Protection District in Machesney Park.

In the fall of 2008, Ted worked on the national advance staff with the Obama for America campaign and helped coordinate logistics for events across the country. Since February 2009, as a volunteer White House associate advance staff member, Ted has assisted with logistics for official visits by President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and other White House officials. Ted helped with Biden’s recent visit to Peoria and Obama’s recent visit to Quincy.

A political science major and Sigma Nu at Bradley, Ted’s passion for politics and the fire service grew while he was on campus. Ted served as student body president and also was a volunteer West Peoria firefighter

and interned for former Peoria Mayor Dave Ransburg.“I owe my diverse career path to my life at BU,” Ted said. “Bradley taught me the value of

volunteerism and civic engagement. Those opportunities have guided my professional endeavors.”

PASSION FOR PUBLIC SERVICEBY ERIN WOOD ’09

NEW HONORS FOR GRADJACQUELYN KIMMEL ’09 received the 2010 Institute of Industrial Engineers’ Student Award for Excellence on June 7 in Cancun, Mexico. The criteria for the national award include academic excellence, participation in industrial engineering activities and societies, work experience, and leadership. Jackie works for West Monroe Partners, an international business and technology consulting firm in Chicago, where she lives. While at Bradley, Jackie was named

the Lincoln Academy Student Laureate, which is awarded to one grad- uating senior per university.

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TED BERGER ’03 assisted with logistics during President Barack Obama’s visit to Springfield in February 2009.

Bradley Hilltopics Summer 2010 27

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PLEASE NOTE: ClassNotes are published in the order they are received. Please send wedding and birth announcements within one year of the event. MAIL TO: Bradley Hilltopics, Bradley University, 1501 W. Bradley Ave., Peoria, IL 61625fax 309-677-4055 e-mail hilltopics@bradley.edu

SHELLY CHRISTENSEN RAPP ’06 and JASON RAPP, MS ’06 were married on October 3, 2009. Shelly is a senior associate at Clifton Gunderson. Jason is an IT analyst at Caterpillar. They live in Washington.

ZACHARY SHOEMAKER ’06 MSME ’09 and CHRISTINA CARRERAS SHOEMAKER ’08 were married on July 18, 2009. Zach is a mech- anical engineering associate at Argonne National Laboratory. Tina is the choir director at Lincoln-Way North High School. They live in Tinley Park.

JENNIFER GOLDER SCHULTZ ’09 and Pete Schultz were married on May 23, 2009. Jennifer is pursuing a doctor of physical therapy degree at Bradley. They live in Peoria.

JACOB BLAND ’06 and Alison Rahn Bland were married on September 26, 2009. Jacob is national director of digital innovation for Youth for Christ. They live in Pekin.

BROCK LUXMORE ’06 and MELISSA JADRON LUXMORE ’06 were married on November 7, 2009. Brock is a construction sales rep for Fastenal. Melissa is a seventh grade language arts teacher in Chatham. They live in Springfield.

ROB ROTH ’03 and JEN FRIEDMAN ROTH ’05 were married on September 6, 2009. Rob is a construction project manager, and Jen is a marketing coordina-tor for an architecture firm. They live in Chicago.

SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO:

pthomas@bradley.eduAlumni Records, c/o Paula ThomasBradley University1501 W. Bradley Ave.Peoria, IL 61625

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MOVED?YOU

InMemory

28 bradley.edu/hilltopics

InMemory

1930sRUTH BURROUGHS COX DAHLSTROM ’33, Jan. 25,

Galva. She taught for two years at Hopedale Country School and was a homemaker. Ruth was a member of the DAR. Two children survive, along with several grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

MARY JENKINS ’39, Jan. 30, Eureka. Mary had been a teacher in Eureka. She was 102.

1940sROBERT DERSCH ’40, March 23, Royal Oak, Mich.

He worked for Great Lakes Gas Transmission Co. for 30 years, retiring in 1983. He was a World War II Army Air Corps veteran. In Detroit he had served as president of Toastmasters, as well as the Institute of Internal Auditors.

MARY LEE GUTH RIDER ’40, March 10, Washington. She was active in the choirs at her church for many years. Mary Lee was a 4-H leader and had been president of the Washington Women’s Club. Surviving are five children including SHERWOOD RIDER ’64, MARY RIDER MEISCHNER ’71, and STEPHEN RIDER ’76, 11 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

EVELYN STRASSBURGER VOSS ’42, Feb. 16, Peoria. She was an accompanist at Manual High School and later taught piano. Active in the community, she was a board member of Lakeview Museum. Evelyn was a member of Sigma Kappa at Bradley. Surviving are five children including MARILYN VOSS LEYLAND ’67, SUSAN VOSS READ ’70, and EUGENE VOSS II ’73; her brother ROBERT STRASSBURGER ’47, 19 grandchil-dren; and eight great-grandchildren.

ROBERT WELK ’42, Feb. 1, McLean, Va. He worked for the CIA from 1946 to 1974, and was deputy comptroller and director of management and supervisory training. A graduate of the law school at Georgetown University, he was an expert in parliamentary procedure. He was a member of Sigma Phi. A World War II Army veteran, he was awarded a Bronze Star. Three children and eight grandchildren survive.

VICKI MICHEL McCORD ’43, March 3, Peoria. She and her late husband Bob received the President’s

Award from Bradley in 1995. Vicki served on the board of Illinois Mutual from 1972 to 2007. An active volunteer and member of PEO, she was honored by Junior League as sustainer of the year in 2003. Three children, eight grand-children, and 10 great-grandchildren survive. Her son Michel is a Bradley Trustee.

SHIRLEY MORAN RIDGELY ’43, Feb. 18, Peoria. She was a member of Chi Omega. Surviving are three children including DIANE RIDGELY DANILIUK ’81, two grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.

MARGARET EDWARDS FRANCIS ’45, Feb. 27, Knoxville, Tenn. She was employed by the U.S. Office of Mine Safety for 19 years. Earlier she worked for Caterpillar and as a stewardess for American Airlines. Survivors include six children, 10 grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.

JAMES GRIFFY ’47, Dec. 23, 2009, Olney. He owned and operated Griffy’s Jewelry in Newton and Olney for 62 years. A World War II Navy veteran, he was active in the community and in Masonic work. Survivors include his wife Helen, two sons, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

GLENN JONES ’48 MA ’50, March 24, Peoria. He worked in payroll at Keystone Steel & Wire Co. for 19 years, and previously taught elementary school. Glenn was village clerk of Bartonville for 11 years. A World War II Navy veteran, he enjoyed golf and baseball. He was a pitcher at Bradley. His two sons and two grandchildren survive.

WILLIAM MACDONALD ’49, April 2, Peoria. He worked in management at Caterpillar for 37 years in Peoria; Memphis, Tenn.; and York, Pa. He was a World War II and Korean War Navy veteran. When his father was developing the whooping cough vaccine in 1933, Bill and his brothers were test subjects and later received national media attention. He is survived by his wife Ester and one brother.

1950sELI “GENE” HARTMAN ’50, Feb. 13, Pekin. He was

a chemist for Hiram Walker & Sons for 40 years in Peoria and Fort Smith, Ark. Gene was an active member of Second Reformed Church. Three children, three grandsons, and two great-grandsons survive.

DEAN MURPHY ’50 MS ’52, March 16, 2009, Greenwood, Ind. He retired in 1977 as principal of the high school in Herscher, Ill. Previously he worked at Illinois schools in New Boston, Orion, and Marshall. Dean was a World War II Navy veteran. Surviving are three children, seven grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

WILLIAM REGAN ’50, Jan. 21, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. Bill worked for Joan of Arc Canning Co. for

many years and in 1978 became executive vice president in Peoria. He also served as president of the National Canners Association. Bill was active in his church and was president of the school board in Hoopeston, Ill. Survivors include his wife Sue, three children, and six grandchildren.

CARROLL GREEN ’51, March 8, East Peoria. He was a band and choral director at the grade school and high school levels. He also taught private organ and piano lessons, and was an instructor in Bradley’s OLLI program. A church organist for 46 years, Carroll held a master’s degree from the University of Illinois. He was an Air National Guard veteran. His daughter and three grandchildren survive.

WILLIAM R. “BUD” HULL ’51, Feb. 17, Sun City West, Ariz. He retired in 1990 after a 36-year career at Caterpillar. Bill was a World War II Navy veteran. Survivors include his wife Nancy, two sons, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

LOUISE ROGERS WARGO ’51, June 12, 2009, Joliet. She was a speech therapist in Peoria schools and then at the United Cerebral Palsy Center of Will County. Louise was active in her church and enjoyed presenting book reviews. Her husband George and two children survive.

JOHN REINHARDT ’53, Dec. 24, 2009, Waukegan. An Army veteran, he taught at Manual High School before moving to Waukegan to teach. He also directed student plays at the high school, retiring in 1992. John acted professionally in Chicago and served on the boards of several theaters. His wife Ellen survives.

DAVID YOUNGMAN ’53, March 29, Peoria. He was a contractor specializing in metal buildings. A Korean War Army veteran, he was involved in Masonic work. Survivors include his wife Sally, three sons, and five grandchildren.

ELDON THOMASON ’55, Aug. 6, 2009, Los Altos, Calif. Eldon retired from the Aluminum Company of America. At Bradley he was president of Theta Chi. Survivors include his wife Linda, two children, and two grandsons.

JOHN R. PHELPS ’56, Oct. 31, 2009, Groveland. An Army veteran, he worked at Caterpillar for 35 years. John was interested in genealogy. Survivors include his partner Stephen C. Wilson and his sister.

MARVIN LIKES ’57, Jan. 22, Barry. He was a jeweler for four years and then became a professional land surveyor. He was an Army veteran. His wife Pat, two daughters, and four grandchildren survive.

JANET WHITE COTTER ’59, Feb. 11, Lancaster, Ohio. She was an active volunteer with the Fairfield Heritage Association and the local hospital. Two sons and her granddaughter survive.

“IN MEMORY” GUIDELINES: In Memory is written from newspaper clippings, as well as published obituaries supplied by friends and family. Bradley Hilltopics attempts to identify spouses, parents, children, and siblings who are also Bradley alumni. Submit an obituary by mailing a newspaper clipping or memory card from the funeral home to Bradley Hilltopics, 1501 W. Bradley Ave., Peoria, IL 61625.

Bradley Hilltopics Summer 2010 29

RALPH HENSON ’59, Feb. 11, Bunkie, La. A member of numerous engineering organizations, Ralph was a design engineer for the Caterpillar 3500 engine built in Lafayette, Ind. He retired from Cat after 23 years of service. Ralph also was a pilot and enjoyed flying. His wife Maida and their daughter survive.

1960sMARVIN KELLER ’60, March 9, Warrenville. He

was an insurance agent. Survivors include his wife Rebecca and his daughter.

LAWRENCE PELINI ’60, Feb. 1, Litchfield. A self-employed commercial artist, he was inducted into the Society of Illustrators in 1973. He worked for Diamond Toy Co., Caterpillar, and State Farm. Larry was a member of Sigma Nu at Bradley. Surviving are his daughter, three grandchildren, a sister, and four brothers including LOUIS PELINI ’60.

LEROY EDWARDS ’62, Feb. 14, Waterloo, Ill. He had been an administrator at Washington High School. Earlier he taught and coached in Melvin. Lee played basketball and baseball at Bradley. Survivors include his wife Dorothy Jean, two daughters, and three grandchildren.

DAVID JACOBS ’63, March 17, Naperville. He retired from the corporate office of Jewel Foods in 1999 after 33 years of service. Dave was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha at Bradley. His wife Sandra and two children survive.

ELLEN ANSORGE FRIESEN SCHMIDT ’63, Feb. 18, St. Louis. A speech pathologist, Ellen owned and operated Professional Rehabilitation Center, and specialized in geriatric rehabilitation. Previously she worked in schools in Denver; Portland, Ore.; and St. Louis. Ellen held a master’s degree from Fontbonne University. She was active in her church. Survivors include her husband Ed, three children, six grand- children, a brother, and her sister JOYCE ANSORGE STUBER ’61.

SAMUEL WRIGLEY ’63 ’65, Feb. 22, Pekin. He was a safety engineer at Komatsu Mining Systems for 13 years, retiring in 2003. An avid golfer, he was a member of Sigma Nu. Survivors include his wife Phyllis, one son, and several stepgrandchildren.

LEONE LUKENS ’65, Jan. 7, Davenport, Iowa. She was a teacher at Norwood Grade School in Peoria County. Survivors include her husband Donald, three children, six grandchildren, and eight great-grand-children.

JEFFREY HAWKINSON ’68 MA ’71, Feb. 26, Peoria. He worked in radio before joining WEEK-TV in 1975. From 1986 to 2002, Jeff worked in public relations for Caterpillar. He was the pronouncer for the local spelling bee for 24 years. Jeff founded the student

news program, TV-10, at Illinois State University. Jeff was honored by the United Way and the Salvation Army. He was president of the Student Senate at Bradley. His wife Cathi, four children, and four grandchildren survive.

LYLE GILBERT, MEA ’69, Jan. 15, Lima, Ohio. He was director of sales and marketing for MetoKote Corp. for 26 years, retiring in 2000. He was active in the Electrocoat Association, as well as his community. Survivors include his wife Judy, six children, and 11 grandchildren.

BARBARA MARIE LINK ’69, March 19, La Crosse, Wis. Sister Barbara Marie was a high school teacher in Normal and Peoria for 29 years. She became a campus minister at the Newman Foundation at the University of Illinois, and last worked as a hospice chaplain in Brookfield, Wis. Her mother, two brothers, and two sisters survive.

F. MICHAEL STANIS JR. ’69, Oct. 8, 2009, Louisville, Ky. He worked for Tube Turns and was the manager of Kohl’s Department Store. His wife Betsy, three children, his parents, and four grandchildren survive.

DEAN ULLMANN ’69, Feb. 3, Pinetop, Ariz. He was a real estate broker and later became a home builder and an auto broker. Dean was active with the Oldsmobile Club of America. He was a Vietnam War Air Force veteran. Surviving are his wife Lynnette, two children, a stepson, and a grandson.

MARY ELLEN VAN ACKER ’69, Jan. 18, East Peoria. She retired from teaching in 2006 after 37 years at Norwood Primary School, but continued to work at the school as a reading assistant. Survivors include her brother and her caregiver Gail Jacobs.

1970sJOHN C. GIBSON ’70 MSEE ’72, April 6, Boerne,

Texas. A pioneer in developing long distance switching systems at Bell Laboratories, John was an engineering fellow and represented AG Communi-cations and Lucent Technologies. An Army veteran, he held a doctorate from Ohio State. Surviving are his wife JULIE WATT GIBSON ’70, two daughters, and a granddaughter. Also surviving are his sister and brothers TERRY GIBSON ’65 and BILL GIBSON ’72.

JAMES SKOVRON ’70, May 2, 2009, Exeter, N.H. Jim played baseball and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon at Bradley. He was retired. His wife Hilary and two daughters survive.

PHYLLIS FINFGELD, MA ’71, Feb. 1, Henry. She taught music and first grade in Henry for 25 years. Later she worked at M&D Printing. An active member of First Presbyterian Church, Phyllis sang in the choir for 30-plus years. Her husband Richard, two daughters, and two grandchildren survive.

DAVID CHRISTENSON ’73, Aug. 12, 2009, Geneva. He operated a wood and metal patternmaking business. He enjoyed woodworking and his Harley, and was active in his church. David was a veteran. Survivors include his wife Barb, his mother, two children, a stepdaughter, and a grandson.

THOMAS MORGAN, MA ’74, March 21, Rockford. A teacher in Rockford and Milwaukee, Tom became executive director of the Illinois Education Association from 1986 to 2007. In 2007 he took on the same role with MTEA, the teachers’ union in Milwaukee. Tom was very active in Rockford organizations and boards. His wife Jacki, two sons, and five grandchildren survive.

DIANE MOWBRAY RANDOLPH ’74, Dec. 12, 2009, Royal Oak, Mich. Diane was an accountant.

TIMOTHY HARRIS ’78, April 14, 2009, Western Springs. He was president of Nonni’s Food Co. A member of Theta Xi and the BU swim team, Tim had been inducted into the Bradley Athletics Hall of Fame. Surviving are his wife Sara and four children.

1980sDIANE ENGELS RAY ’86, March 19, Sumter, S.C.

She was the manager of the All South Federal Credit Union. Diane served on the Parish Council. Her husband Michael and two sons survive.

MARC GIBSON ’87, Feb. 6, Greenville, S.C. Marc was employed by Intrinergy LLC and held two patents. Survivors include his wife Lori and two sons.

Faculty and Administration

DR. MARTIN G. “JERRY” ABEGG ’47 HON ’93, Bradley president from 1970 to 1992, died on April 21 in Dallas. He was an engineering instructor, became chairman of the depart- ment, and was then named dean of the College of Engineering in 1963. He held a master’s degree from the University of Colorado and a doctorate from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He was a World War II Navy veteran.

He and his wife BARBARA CHAMBERLAIN ABEGG ’48 retired to a log home he built in Door County, Wis., and recently moved to Dallas. She survives, along with sons MARTIN ABEGG JR. ’72 and ROBERT ABEGG ’74, and five grandchildren.

A related story appears on page 16.

Alumni EventsJuly 18Baltimore/D.C. area Alumni Night at D.C. United major league soccer, featuring BRYAN NAMOFF ’04, 7:30 p.m., RFK Stadium, 2400 East Capitol St. SE, Washington, D.C.; $19

August 8 St. Louis 20th annual picnic and student send-off, 1–3 p.m., Stacy Park, 9750 Old Bonhomme Road, Olivette, Mo.

August 25 Peoria Bradley Night at the Ballpark, O’Brien Field, Chiefs vs. Cedar Rapids, 6:30 p.m. game, 5:15 p.m. behind-the-scenes sports communication tour hosted by BUCAN; free hot dogs, peanuts; $8.50 (in advance only at bualum.org)

August 26Springfield Alumni reception and dinner at the Sangamo Club, featuring Brad McMillan, executive director of Bradley’s IPL, on “Ethical Reform in Illinois Politics,” 5:30 p.m.; $20

September 1 Chicago 50 Plus Club luncheon, Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse, Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard; $25

September 25 Milwaukee Baseball game and Avanti’s tailgate party, Milwaukee Brewers vs. Florida Marlins; $18 includes game ticket and tailgate party; tailgate 4 p.m., game 6:10 p.m.

October 13–16 Peoria Homecoming

October 15 Peoria Founder’s Day.

For more information, visit bualum.org or contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 309-677-2240 or 800-952-8258.

people & events

AlumniNews

30 bradley.edu/hilltopics

Thanks to alumni feedback from our recent Homecoming survey, changes are being implemented to encourage greater student and alumni involvement. In addition to popular events from years past, new traditions and entertainment options will be featured. Special to Homecoming 2010 will be the dedication of our new campus arena and the Puterbaugh Men’s Basketball Practice Facility, complete with tours. We are excited to present the new facilities during Homecoming

and hope you will join us for this special event on Friday, October 15.Mark your calendar for Homecoming on October 13–16, and keep an eye out for additional

details throughout the summer. Homecoming updates will also be posted to bualum.org and Facebook.

On May 14, MICHELLE NOE ’98 was elected president of the Bradley University Alumni Association (BUAA). She is former president of the local alumni chapter and was instrumental in the development of the organization’s 2010–2015 strategic plan. Michelle is a change management consultant for Caterpillar. Also elected at the May meeting were president-elect SHELLY HEIDEN ’85, vice president GARRETT WILLIAMS ’92, along with new directors BARBARA BLACK BROWN ’62 MLS ’91, DICK DHABALT ’58 MA ’64, LAURA HERLOVICH ’79, and MATT NOE ’02.

D E A R F E L L O W A L U M N I A N D F R I E N D S , I am especially excited to begin my term as president of the BUAA because it coincides with the organization’s new strategic plan and also involves preparations for the 2011 opening of our new alumni home — the Hayden-Clark Alumni Center.

A tremendously talented Alumni Board of Directors has been assembled, and we are looking forward to enhancing the Alumni Association’s services that connect alumni with Bradley and one another.

The BUAA is embarking on a road of change that embraces new technology and strategic alliances. The implementation of the new five-year strategic plan will match your interests with the University — developing an interactive and dynamic relationship. To strengthen our community, we will be reaching out to alumni to encourage your engagement through affinity groups and alumni networks, recruitment of prospective students, mentoring/hiring students and alums — all while celebrating our Bradley experiences and positioning our University for continued success.

Each of us has the opportunity to give back to our alma mater — our time, talent, and resources. I hope you will join me in giving back to Bradley. With all the excitement on the Hilltop these days, now is the perfect time to renew your connection with Bradley. You can find updated information at bualum.org. In the meantime, please e-mail me at michellemnoe@hotmail.com with any thoughts on the BUAA.

Once a Brave, always a Brave!

D I R E C T O R ’ S C O R N E R

LORI WINTERS FAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALUMNI RELATIONS

MICHELLE M. NOE ’98 President, BUAA

See the schedule

on the back

cover!

Bradley Hilltopics Summer 2010 31

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4 5

1 Chicago From left, Celeste and Mark Turk, AMY TURK ’97, Dora Raidbard, and George Brown, chairman of Bradley’s Theatre Department, were among the 30 alumni and friends who attended Billy Elliot the Musical at the Oriental Theatre on May 27. Brown addressed the group during a reception at Sopraffina Marketcaffe. 2 BUBAA reunion RHONDA POTTS ’04, HUGO STALLING ’85, and VANCE PIERCE ’03 MA ’05 enjoyed a cookout on the quad during the Bradley University Black Alumni Alliance reunion in mid-April. Weekend events attracted more than 100 alumni, and also included a jazz/gospel brunch, Apollo night with students, a scholarship banquet, and basketball.

3 Milwaukee On May 22, more than 35 alumni and friends played Bradley Trivia and toured the Cedar Creek Winery in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. From left, ERIK BERGSTROM ’93, ANDREI JUNGE ’92, LISA BERGSTROM ’93, and Elizabeth Junge. 4 CIBAC wine tasting From left, SHELLY HEIDEN ’85, RAMONA CONE ’03, KELLY DRISCOLL ’85, and HEATHER BRAMMEIER ’00 were among the nearly 80 alumni who attended CIBAC’s wine tasting and art viewing at the Heuser Art Center on May 7. Brammeier was a collaborator on the featured exhibit “From the Inside Out.” 5 Senior Celebration President Joanne Glasser joined 400 graduating seniors for breakfast, door prizes, and videos from their orientation sessions at Senior Celebration in the Michel Student Center on May 13.

1

CampusView

32 bradley.edu/hilltopics

Visitors to Bradley’s campus this spring and summer may notice that the grounds are particularly beautiful. The spring weather came early and with it, a stunning array of flowers, trees, and shrubbery. A new collaboration between the biology department and the groundskeeping staff has opened up a new way to bring flowers to campus. Instead of purchasing flowers to plant around the Hilltop, the groundskeepers have started growing them in the greenhouse atop Olin Hall.

The project began last year when Dr. Ted Fleming of the biology department approached Stan Glazier, the grounds supervisor at Bradley, and offered him space in the greenhouse. Glazier and his staff jumped at the chance, planting marigolds, sunflowers, and zinnias to use on campus. Having immediate success, the staff began looking for ways to expand their efforts this year. They applied for and received a growing permit, which allows them to purchase pre-grown young plants called plugs.

The groundskeeping staff began growing 2,700 plugs in February. In March, they started additional flowers from seed. While these flowers take significantly longer than the plugs to grow, watching the plants mature is exciting for both the workers and the biology department. “You can observe how things grow from seed to maturity,” Glazier said.

Planting time In mid-April, the staff began to transplant the flowers and plants around campus. Starting with the flower beds around the Hartmann Center, the vibrant colors soon spread. Visitors to campus have seen flowers in places they normally wouldn’t, such as the sidewalks in front of the Michel Student Center. They accomplish this by planting flowers in large containers. “We’ve got enough to probably do 30 containers of those this year,” Glazier explained. “We’ll have

flowers at every entrance and exit to all the buildings — places before where we couldn’t have flowers, maybe because of poor soil or poor sun or not enough room.”

Among the flowers grown from seed are a variety of zinnias and marigolds. An array of petunias and super petunias were selected to be grown from plugs, including the bubblegum super, the silverberry super, and the Pretty Much Picasso. A petunia hybrid, the Pretty Much Picasso is unique. “We always try to pick out a couple of new flowers every year that you don’t see around the area, and this year the Pretty Much Picasso petunias will be new to the area,” Glazier said. In the greenhouse, the staff also grew red dragon wing begonias, white bacopa, diamond-frost euphorbia, and red and white super bells.

Cost savingsThe collaboration between the grounds staff and the biology department has saved the University thousands of dollars. The grounds crew also has more control over their planting than ever.

The partnership has benefited the biology department, too. With a significant amount of added plant life growing in the greenhouse, the ecosystem has improved. “A greenhouse always works better when it’s full,” Fleming said.

Built in 2002 with the expansion of Olin Hall, the greenhouse is little known on campus. It is used for classes, as well as for student and faculty research. Located on top of the building, the greenhouse contains two large rooms, one of which is used by the groundskeepers, and many smaller rooms. Each room has lighting and temperature controls that can be changed to suit the needs of the project or research being done. There are also facilities for experiments, including a preparatory room where the experiments are set up, and several isolator chambers where they are conducted.

ABOVE: Eric Christy, a member of the greenhouse staff, tends to the flowers he helped grow in the greenhouse on the top floor of Olin Hall.

BY ASHLEY HUSTON ’11

BRADLEY IN BLOOM

DUAN

E ZE

HR

Watch “The Earth is Waking Up Again,” a short documentary by ADAM BOCKLER ’11 about the new flowers on campus, at bradley.edu/hilltopics/go/bocklerspring.

online{

Bradley Hilltopics Summer 2010 33

Bradley faculty, staff, students, and supporters — nearly 300 in all — gathered at Meinen Field near St. James Apartment Complex on April 22 to create Bradley’s first-ever human ribbon. The crowd wore pink T-shirts and formed a large-scale version of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure logo in honor of University President Joanne Glasser, who is a breast cancer survivor and served as honorary chair of the 25th annual Race for the Cure on May 8. University photographer Duane Zehr took the photo from 100 feet above the field in the bucket of a fire department aerial truck. Area restaurants donated lunch after the photo, while disc jockey DON BAKER ’67 MS ’74 provided entertainment.

On the day of the race, the 250-member Team Bradley, the largest

contingent in attendance for the second year in a row, walked with Glasser and more than 16,000 participants to celebrate survivors and remember those who have lost their battle to breast cancer. “I was truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of support shown to me and all breast cancer survivors in our Bradley family at the Komen pink ribbon event and the Race for the Cure,” Glasser said. “Raising awareness for the cure of this dreadful disease on a local, national, and global level will hopefully help us eradicate breast cancer in our lifetime.” Team Bradley raised nearly $6,000 this year through a pink bake sale, a pink geranium sale, and donations from student groups, campus departments, and individuals.

300 stand up for a causeDU

ANE

ZEHR

View photos and videos of the human ribbon at bradley.edu/hilltopics/go/komenribbon.

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Bradley Hilltopics1501 West Bradley AvenuePeoria, Illinois 61625

Change Service Requested

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PaidPontiac, IllinoisPermit No. 6

Visit bualum.org/homecoming for details and a list of events

Rediscover YOUR Bradley• Gary R. Tippett Memorial 5K Run/Walk• Campus tours• Live ’n Learn sessions• Class of 1960 Golden Reunion• Tailgate party, food tent & beer garden• Soccer vs. Central Arkansas

...and much more!

• Founder’s Day• Dedication and tours of campus arena

& Puterbaugh Men’s Practice Facility• Graffiti Jam Homecoming BBQ on the Quad

featuring ELLIOTT FROM ’90 (speed painting artist)• 50 Plus Club reception• “Midnight” Madness men’s and women’s

basketball

Friday, Oct. 15 Saturday, Oct. 16