All sorts of ghostly figures and lots of screams will fill the Markin Center on this Halloween evening. But I’m sure they will all be screams of joy - and that laughter and great times will make the first “Late Night BU” a real treat for students.

From what I’ve heard, this promises to be a fun-filled evening with psychic readings, sports inflatables, a video game tournament, and a showing of “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The Theater Department will also get involved.

In addition, intramural activities will take place and the pool will be open. This is an event that students will not want to miss. I urge you all to take advantage of this safe way to celebrate Halloween. If you miss it, I hope it’s because you’re studying!

It seems like everybody’s talking about energy these days. I’ve heard countless individuals as they strolled across campus discuss how the increased gas prices have affected them. Even though automobiles constantly surround me on Founder’s Circle, some members of our Bradley family have been seeking alternative transportation methods like riding their bikes and scooters to school and work.

The Midwest Energy Solutions conference, which was hosted by the Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service (IPL), steamed ahead full force into the discussion of this hot topic on Tuesday at the Peoria Civic Center. IPL is a joint venture of Bradley University and The Dirksen Congressional Center. Hundreds of students, faculty, staff, and concerned citizens attended the conference to listen to conference presenters and panelists discuss how to solve this nation’s energy crisis and, more particularly, identify how the Midwest can play a role in reshaping the nation’s energy strategy. I know for a fact that in Illinois we have lots of sun and wind - and lots of acres upon which we could grow potential crops for fuel production. I am so proud that the IPL is taking a leadership role in exploring these possibilities.

Bradley alumnus and Congressman Ray LaHood, who is retiring after 14 years of service in the U.S. House, spoke as part of a panel that discussed public policy changes that need to be made when creating a new national energy strategy.

Above: Allen Grossboll of the Environmental Law & Policy Center, Larry Tangle of Enercon Engineering and Congressman Ray LaHood spoke at the conference.

When Mike Haynes ’07 landed in the Peoria Airport, he was welcomed by a new illuminated sign that recognizes the contribution that he - and so many other student athletes - have made to the Peoria community: Braves Pride. The Peoria area loves Bradley athletics, and soccer is fast becoming a favorite sport. A goalkeeper, Haynes helped create plenty of pride and excitement last year as the soccer team won the Missouri Valley Conference tournament and then went all the way to the Elite Eight round of the NCAA tournament. He was in town to attend a soccer reunion.

Rainy weather couldn’t dampen the excitement that filled the Markin Family Student Recreation Center Thursday morning as hundreds of students, faculty, staff, and friends converged onto the new facility’s Multi-Activity Court (or MAC). It was so exciting to hear the oohs and ahhs as people stepped into the building for the first time to experience the grand opening.

I can’t begin to find the words to express how grateful everyone is to alumnus David Markin ’53 for his extremely generous $8 million donation that helped make the center a reality. What a marvelous legacy from this alum, who enjoyed playing sports - especially tennis - while he was a Bradley student.

Listening to the Bradley Band and watching as red and white streamers popped from the suspended track was awesome. It was fun to see people demonstrate their agility on the climbing wall and spinning bikes, watch them swim laps in the pool, and showcase their karate and dance skills during demonstrations. The new nursing facility is state of the art, as is the rest of this magnificent building.

 David Markin talks with Bradley tennis player Milos Romic, left, and his coach Jesse Plote after the dedication.

The Markin Family Student Recreation Center is getting a good dose of what we used to call “spit and polish” so it will sparkle and shine for the grand opening this Thursday, October 23, at 10:30 a.m.

I can’t wait to hear the oohs and aahs from the students as they step into this enormous, first-rate facility, where they can socialize, jog, swim, climb, exercise, and shoot some hoops.