The patter of children’s feet as well as their giggles echoed across campus today as 400 students from St. Mark and Whittier elementary schools visited the 2nd annual pediatric nursing health fair.

It was so heartwarming to see 73 of our junior-level nursing students help the children learn about so many different things at the event, which was held in the Michel Student Center ballroom. Each child looked so excited whether they were jumping around while learning about the importance of exercise, singing the Emergency 911 song loudly, learning about proper handwashing techniques, or discovering pet safety and care. Our nursing students also discussed nutrition, summer and winter safety, proper teeth cleaning techniques, stranger danger, fire safety, and helmet and seatbelt safety with the children from our neighboring schools.

Our students appeared excited, too, as they helped fit the students for the free helmets provided by the Children’s Hospital of Illinois. “I think it’s great,” said nursing student Cathy Babicz. She related that a lot of the children visiting the health fair said they either didn’t wear a helmet or that their helmet was broken. Participation at the fair was part of the BU students’ pediatric nursing grade for the semester.

The Peoria County Sheriff’s Department also distributed finger-printing kits at the fair and introduced the children to Clyde, their bloodhound.

Above: Emphasizing the importance of exercise, Bradley’s junior-level nursing students get some elementary school children moving at the 2nd annual pediatric nursing health fair.

Right: Erin Durbin ‘97, MA ‘05 of the Children’s Hospital of Illinois makes sure a student’s helmet fits correctly at the 2nd annual pediatric nursing health fair. The Children’s Hospital provided 400 free helmets to the school children attending the event.

A visit to Bradley by the President of the United States is a rare event.

Of course we hoped our newly elected President, William McKinley, could attend the dedication of Bradley Polytechnic. Back then, however, the President couldn’t just board Air Force One and jet across the country.

During the primary campaign of 1976, then-President Ford spoke to a packed Robertson Memorial Field House. The media attention the visit attracted to Peoria and Bradley was exciting.

In 2005, Senator Barack Obama, beginning his term as Illinois’ junior senator, came to campus to promote his idea to increase the dollar amount of Pell grants. He had just introduced a bill that he said was “designed to help make college more affordable.” He wasn’t even running for President then, but our students were enthusiastic about meeting him.

I remember seeing this tall, energetic man leaving the Wyckoff Room in the library, where he had just held a press conference. Students surrounded him, getting his autograph, taking his photo, and shaking his hand.

Remembering the students’ excitement that day, I am not surprised that young voters helped Barack Obama win this election. I am so glad we found these archived photos of the president-elect with our students and on our campus. I wish him well and hope that he continues to fight for students and for higher education.

And I hope that President Obama returns to the Hilltop soon.

I’m so proud that one of our esteemed alumnae, Jean Cravens Borland ’36, chose to celebrate her 94th birthday at the November 14 Bradley basketball game.

The Borland family gathered first at Kelleher’s for a birthday dinner, then filled 40 seats at the game. It was delightful to see Mrs. Borland’s four children, 10 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren celebrating—and cheering—with her. It’s heartwarming to see a family where Bradley is such a beloved part of their lives.

Mrs. Borland’s late husband, John, attended Bradley, and her daughter, Lynn Borland Guyon ’65, worked at Bradley for years. I’m also pleased that President Joanne Glasser joined in the festivities at halftime and gave Mrs. Borland a Bradley scarf. The day had a perfect ending when Bradley pulled out a victory over University of Illinois-Chicago.
I hope Mrs. Borland and her family are back next November to celebrate her 95th birthday!

It looked like moving day outside Westlake Hall today as several students had their arms full of donated carpet mats, bags and boxes overflowing with elementary school supplies to take to Peoria’s Irving Primary School. After learning that vandals had damaged two floors of the school on October 26, several of our students in the Department of Teacher Education and from numerous campus organizations, as well as Bradley faculty and other individuals, donated more than $1,000 worth of school supplies to replenish Irving’s loss. And, the donations continue to come in.

It was so touching to watch our students, faculty, and other individuals come together to help out our community. They donated supplies such as books, bulletin board materials, flash cards, writing boards, rugs, crayons, pencils, and more. Dr. Patricia Chrosniak of the Department of Teacher Education coordinated the effort.

Irving School’s principal and teachers are truly appreciative of Bradley’s donation. The teacher in one of the Irving classrooms damaged was Bradley alumna and current graduate student Denyse Hagemann, who teaches first-grade. An emotional Hagemann expressed her appreciation for the support. “I am touched by the support and generosity of the Bradley students and faculty. Their efforts and donations are greatly appreciated.”

Another Bradley graduate student and teacher at Irving, Fabian Daniels, told BU students, “Thank you guys for real. It means a lot.” Irving Principal Mike Barber, another Bradley alum, said, “It’s just great to see the outpouring from the community.”

As Bradley student Kelly Zibton of Chi Omega, who volunteered to help deliver the donated supplies to Irving, said “This was a great experience to give back to the community and participate with other schools and students who are in need.”

I know I’ve said it before, but today demonstrates again that Bradley students truly are the best!

From left: Members of the Bradley Basketball Band, freshmen Alexis Walich and Liz Tanner, both tuba players, and sophomore Sara Klinger, junior Patricia Blank, and senior Alison Bjorklund, baritone players, relax for a few minutes during halftime of the men’s basketball game Sunday.

Bradley basketball has been a Hilltop tradition for more than 100 years, and exhibition games are a fun way for our players to get some actual playing time as a team while the fans get a preview of the new group of players. It was fun to be back in Carver Arena yesterday to see both the men and women play exhibition games. Not only could fans watch the teams, but they enjoyed watching and listening to our Bradley Basketball Band, dance team, and cheerleaders. Of course, our loyal fans still stand and clap whenever the band plays the Bradley fight song, “Charge On, Bradley.”

Tip-off for our women’s team was at 1:05 p.m., and they soundly defeated Truman State, 85-35. The men’s game against the University of Wisconsin-Platteville followed, and our team was defeated by a score of 84-79. I look forward to an exciting Bradley basketball season, and I invite everyone to support all of our Bradley athletic teams.