I love fall. The fallen leaves color the ground and make our campus even more beautiful. Another reason I love fall is because it means the start of a new concert season. In fact, the Bradley Symphony Orchestra performed its first concert of the season this past weekend at Dingeldine Music Center. Last month, I enjoyed listening to all of the beautiful music being performed in the Band Quad Concert held on the Olin Quad. I’m looking forward to hearing more music as our many talented musical individuals and groups perform on campus.

A.J. Rassi (left) and Jerry Flaherty proudly hold a replica of the sign that is displayed at Jerry’s Juice Bar.

The Markin Family Student Recreational Center’s juice bar underwent a change recently during a touching ceremony honoring one of Bradley’s own: Jerry Flaherty Jr. HON ‘01. The juice bar officially received its name, Jerry’s Juice Bar. A plaque near Jerry’s Juice Bar recognizes Jerry’s contributions.

A.J. ‘65 and Sonya Rassi, longtime friends of Jerry’s family and longtime supporters of Bradley, presented the naming gift to Bradley in honor of Jerry, who is one of A.J.’s heroes and someone who had interacted with our students for many years. I heard that A.J. described Jerry as “a great example of a joyful spirit with a great sense of humor — in spite of the challenges that life has given him.” A.J. told those attending the naming event that Jerry had a great deal of interaction with our students, and he was highly respected by them.

A well-loved member of the Bradley family, Jerry retired from Bradley’s Eurest Dining Services after 19 years of service. Before technology evolved his position, he was known around campus by students as the one who punched their meal cards. Technology eventually changed his job where he was the one who swiped the meal cards.

Next time you’re at the Markin Center, don’t forget to stop by Jerry’s Juice Bar.

Mr. Lehrman’s book spotlightsd the speech Lincoln gave that day. It was the first time Lincoln spoke out against the extension of slavery, a speech that helped resurrect his political career. Mr. Lehrman discussed Lincoln’s patriotism, saying Lincoln believed we should love our country not only because it is our country, but because it is a free country. He told the group of about 25 students, faculty-staff, and members of the community that Lincoln was fortified by the Declaration of Independence and believed America was the world’s last best hope.

It’s uplifting to know that I was a contemporary of Lincoln and that his feelings regarding slavery resonated with me like they did. To think that he was in Peoria 155 years ago today, making that speech gives me goosebumps!

This rendering of Lincoln delivering his speech in Peoria on October 16, 1854, is from the Peoria Historical Society Collection, Bradley University Library.

Abbie Alexander, left, owner of AAA Antiques, discusses a piece of jewelry with OLLI participant Liz Webster of Peoria. “Antique Jewelry” is among 51 classes retirees could choose from for the fall semester of OLLI.

There’s nothing like seeing people have a thirst for knowledge and a desire to exchange ideas. I love being in the center of campus for that very reason, as I watch young adults learn and grow, question and understand. But for four Wednesdays each semester, I enjoy listening in on some other classes on campus, too. Nearly 400 retirees come to campus those days to participate in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, known as OLLI. They can choose from 51 classes offered on a wide variety of topics and taught by Bradley administrators and professors, people from the community, and OLLI participants who volunteer to teach classes.

I can hardly wait to see what’s in store today. Last week, Interim Provost Bob Bolla discussed genetic engineering in his class, “Current Topics in Science,” while professor Karen Bartelt led a class on “Global Warming.” Michael Slaughter, a retired Illinois Central College English professor, was on hand, ready to teach his class, “Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places.” His class looks at contemporary fiction to examine what has happened to the emotion of love in today’s world, as people worry about terrorism, violence, and the breakdown of family values. People were admiring and learning about beautiful antique jewelry in a class taught by Abbie Alexander of AAA Antiques. I could hear beautiful music coming from the Student Center ballroom and found participants were viewing a video from the Merry Widow in an opera appreciation class.

In another section of the ballroom, silk artist Rena Huber of Tremont was on hand with a display of brightly colored scarves and framed panels. I even considered buying one to accent my dress! Each week, the work of a local artist is featured. These art appreciation displays are the brainchild of Carol Morissey, who was president of this group when it was called the Institute for Learning in Retirement.

I heard this year’s president, Joanne Haupt, discussing the new study groups offered this year. She explained they are different from the regular OLLI classes, in that those enrolled also take turns leading the sessions. She also mentioned that the number of educational bus trips has increased. These trips range from behind-the-scenes tours of local businesses and organizations, such as a recent trip to chef school at the Southside Mission, to day-long trips to museums and other points of interest in Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis.

It is such a thrill to see so many people eager to learn and grow. It just goes to show that whether you’re a young person preparing for your life’s work or a retiree interested in maintaining a vital, active life, Bradley University is the place to be!

Founder’s Day is my favorite day of the entire year. I am humbled that so many people gather to remember me, but what makes this my favorite day is seeing our University honoring so many distinguished alumni and faculty. As an added bonus, yesterday’s festivities included the groundbreaking ceremony for the Hayden-Clark Alumni Center. I had a lump in my throat as I saw Kathy and Bob Clark ‘67 and Jerry ‘59 and Marilyn Keller Hayden ‘61 on the platform and listened to their speeches. I nodded in approval at the mention that their donations were not gifts, but rather investments in the future. That’s exactly how I felt when I founded Bradley Polytechnic Institute in 1897.

Besides the thrill of seeing Bradley continue to flourish as we begin construction on the Alumni Center, a tear came to my eye when President Joanne Glasser announced that the youngest person in attendance at the groundbreaking was none other than an 8-week-old baby girl named Lydia. Her parents, Brett ‘04 and Mandy Pierce Ellis ‘04 MA ‘07 of Dunlap, are dedicated volunteers at Bradley, and I am humbled that they chose to name their daughter after me. I was so touched to hear Mandy tell someone that after learning about my philanthropy and dedication to my family, she and Brett thought I would be a good role model for their Lydia to emulate. She even said little Lydia has a copy of Forgotten Angel, my biography written by Allen Upton, in her bookcase.

Everyone enjoys a love story, so I was curious how they met. It turns out they met during Welcome Week of their freshman year when they both attended the session, “How to Stock A Mini-Fridge.” They started dating a few weeks later and were married July 1, 2006. Lydia, who was decked out in her Bradley red for the groundbreaking ceremony, was born on August 4.

Hola! Students and staff alike are busy making preparations for Homecoming and Founder’s Day festivities. This year’s Homecoming theme is “Fiesta de Bradley.” Activities begin this evening with the “Fiesta de la Luz,” featuring the ceremonial lighting of the “B” on Bradley Hall. This ceremony dates back to 1928, when it was first placed atop what was then the Bradley Polytechnic Institute Tower to welcome everyone to campus.

I can’t help but sing the school song and the words, “shining as a beacon light,” whenever I see the “B” glowing in the dark. I fondly remember what Bradley President Frederick Hamilton said in 1932. He noted that from a distance, the “B” looks like one large light, but it really is made up of hundreds of small ones. He said the first light burns for the first student who enrolled at Bradley in 1897, and the last light burns in memory of those alumni who have gone before us. The lights in between represent those at Bradley now and those who have gone on to build their lives elsewhere.

Somewhere along the line, as the university and Homecoming festivities changed, the tradition of lighting the “B” was set aside. It was revived in 2003 when Homecoming was once again celebrated in the fall. Tonight, as the “B” is lit once more, may students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends all celebrate the joy of being associated with such a fine university. The “Big Fiesta” includes something for everyone: volleyball and soccer; an encore presentation of the Theatre Department’s Pajama Game; chats with President Glasser, administrators, and coaches; a concert and recitals; reunions and a tailgate party; and so much more.

Tomorrow’s Founder’s Day festivities promises to be an exciting time, as well. Not only will we honor some our our most outstanding alumni, but we” be taking a step into the future with the groundbreaking of the Hayden-Clark Alumni Center. The Class of 1959 will be the honored guests at these events as they return to campus for their 50-year class reunion.
So please, follow that “B” to campus and enjoy all that we have to offer. For a complete list of events, visit bualum.org/homecoming.

Things have been hopping on our campus at night lately. People have been entering the Hartmann Center for the Performing Arts to attend Bradley Theatre Department’s first production of the season: The Pajama Game. I spotted one of the actresses wearing something similar to an item that was invented back in my time: footed pajamas. The production runs through September 27 with a special encore performance being presented on Friday, October 2.

So, next time you’re out and about make sure you stop and enjoy our Bradley red roses, and don’t forget to enjoy the petunias, impatiens, daisies, geraniums, ornamental grasses, and more. You’ll see why Bradley received this award.

Students seemed to simply enjoy soaking up the sun and listening to the beautiful music presented by our bands. Entertaining those lucky enough to be outside for the late afternoon concert were the Bradley Symphonic Band, Bradley Symphonic Winds, and Bradley Jazz Ensemble.

If anyone looked at me closely today, they might have seen a tear in my eye and a smile filled with motherly pride on my face as our campus welcomed Marion Blumenthal Lazan ’57 and her husband, Nathaniel Lazan ’54. Mrs. Lazan was invited to speak about her experience as a Holocaust survivor as part of Bradley’s Constitution Day observance.

Mrs. Lazan has returned to campus a few times in the past to share her message, but each time I listen to her story, I am moved even more than the last time. This time, she spoke on Olin Quad over the noon hour. The Bradley band was playing patriotic music as students went through a food line and enjoyed picnicking on the tables arranged on the quad. Our own ROTC cadets marched in with our nation’s colors and the U.S. Army flag, and freshman Matthew Webb was sworn in as an ROTC cadet.

Everyone who gathered witnessed a powerful reminder of why we should never take our Constitution and Bill of Rights for granted. Mrs. Lazan reminded the group that Germany had the Nuremberg Laws, which were the complete antithesis of our Constitution. Jews were not allowed in parks, pools, and similar areas, and they could only shop during specific hours. As harsh as that seemed, Mrs. Lazan went on to describe in vivid detail the horrors of living in a concentration camp during World War II.

She was only 4 years old when she and her family left their home and started to make arrangements to sail from Holland to the United States. Those plans were thwarted when the Germans invaded Holland a month before their planned departure, and the family was trapped.

She told about the first time she saw a wagon loaded with what she thought was firewood. When the wagon was in clearer view, she realized the wagon was carrying dead, naked bodies. She remembered going to the showers, never knowing if water or gas would come out. She told the group they can never underestimate the constant foul odor, filth, and fear the people in the concentration camps endured.

One way she coped with the horror of the concentration camp was to play a game, in which she told herself that if she could find four pebbles, all about the same size and shape, then she, her parents, and her brother would make it out of the concentration camp safely. She later wrote the book, Four Perfect Pebbles, to share her memories of life as a Jewish girl during the Holocaust. Visit www.fourperfectpebbles.com to learn more.

At the ceremony, Mrs. Lazan concluded by cautioning students that they would be the last generation to hear firsthand about the Holocaust. She urged the students to share what they heard with their friends and family, and someday, their children. She encouraged them to treat others as individuals, to enjoy the similarities, and to embrace the differences.

During the Holocaust, 6 million Jews and 5 million non-Jews, called righteous Gentiles, died. The righteous Gentiles were those who jeopardized their own lives to save Jewish people. Looking to those who were willing to sacrifice their lives for others, she said we must never generalize and treat everyone with respect and kindness.

Mrs. Lazan brought a message of inclusion and acceptance that’s important for everyone to hear. I’m so proud to call her one of our own. I’m also proud of her husband, Nathaniel. I overheard him saying after the program that sometimes, when he hears her tell about her experiences, it’s a bit daunting to think that at the same time, he was a young boy, celebrating his Bar Mitzvah and enjoying life in Peoria. He is one American who does not take the Constitution for granted!

View a slideshow from the Constitution Day ceremony.