Bradley University  ::Attending Bradley :: Apply Online :: Student Life :: Our Community :: Visit Us :: A to Z :: Search :: Home

Bradley Hilltopics

Winter 2008 • Volume 14, Issue 1
View Point

Touching hearts

The story about Renée Byer ’80 moved me tremendously and changed me (“A Mother’s Journey,” Fall 2007). I even e-mailed Renée and she e-mailed me back! I told her that I, too, am a Bradley alum.

David Potter ’93
Elkhart, Indiana

Perfect model of a scientist

I read with such pleasure about Dr. Bjorklund’s amazing volunteer work (“Nature & Nurture,” Fall 2007). I was his student and lab assistant in the ’60s. He was then, and is now, the perfect model of an enthusiastic, dedicated scientist. His encouragement to this neophyte biology student to learn completely, continuously, and energetically created the drive to become the lifelong learner I am today. Thank you, Dr. Bjorklund and Bradley for providing an education that has enriched my life!

Karen West Constan ’69
Saginaw, Michigan

“Keeping the faith” revisited

Thank you for the interesting article, “Keeping the faith” (Summer 2007). I was a “member” of Hillel, Newman, and Chi Rho. I had friends from each group and feel that I was enriched by them. I am Jewish, but each group welcomed me. It was important for me to learn the beliefs of others. I especially remember the religious leaders of each group: Mr. Ostreicher from Hillel, Father Thomas Kelly of the Newman Club, and especially the kindness extended to me by Rev. Perry Tudor. I am sorry that Chi Rho isn’t on campus any more. I hope Newman and Hillel are still active. I remember the time I went with an interfaith group to a convent. It was an experience I will never forget. These groups were a very important part of my college experience. Thanks for reminding me of such a wonderful time in my life.

Cynthia Florsheim ’68
Des Plaines, Illinois

We need ClassNotes!

In response to the letter from Wally Zellmer ’62, I think his viewpoint of what Bradley Hilltopics should be is way off base. Bradley Hilltopics is an alumni magazine designed to keep alumni informed of what is happening at Bradley and to its alumni. Wouldn’t it be nice to hear about a friend, or just someone you attended class with, who has just won a Pulitzer Prize, has been elected to Congress, or has just written a best seller? What really upset me most is his saying, “What is going on at Bradley is not one of those topics.” Keep Bradley Hilltopics as it is — an interesting and informative alumni magazine.

Robert Luzzo ’69
Whippany, New Jersey

The ClassNotes section of Hilltopics is one I have consistently read since my graduation in 1974, and InMemory is also appreciated. Please DON’T consider those pages “a redundancy,” as was suggested in the Fall 2007 issue. There are other sections I would much rather see you cut, but I appreciate that Hilltopics provides a little something for everybody.

Miriam Smith Olson ’74
Peoria, Illinois

I have to respectfully disagree with the idea of eliminating the ClassNotes and InMemory sections of Hilltopics. It is precisely those classmates with whom you’ve lost touch that make these sections so important. What better way to rekindle a friendship than through a note of congratulations or sympathy after reading about an important piece of news in a classmate’s life? That being said, the Fall 2007 issue was superb. I liked the new format, paper, and information. What a fantastic job of showcasing the talent and news of Bradley students and alumni. I will definitely be reading more of Hilltopics from now on if this format is consistent!

Nikki Nelson ’04
Chicago, Illinois

I want to express an opinion contrary to the letter that states that there is no reason to have ClassNotes. I have taught at Bradley for 35 years, and I sometimes read about alumni and what has happened in their lives that I would not have known about otherwise. In fact, in the last issue of Hilltopics, I learned Frank Cohen ’91, who was a major of ours and is a professor of political science at Franklin Pierce College, was selected as professor of the year. I’ll now write him and congratulate him. I would never have known about this if it were not in ClassNotes.

Dr. Emily Gill
Professor of Political Science

I write to disagree, in a major way, with my classmate Wally Zellmer ’62. ClassNotes is the section I turn to first when Hilltopics arrives. I know several hundred Bradley alums, but I don’t keep up with their happenings on a regular basis. Hilltopics helps me do that. In addition, my mother is a Bradley alumna (1933) and my father attended the University. I noticed in the Fall 2007 Hilltopics that Eleanor Easton Whelan ’35 had recently passed away. She was a close friend of my mother’s. I would have learned of her passing in no other way. Keep the ClassNotes and InMemory sections. They work for me.

Dr. Fred Brown ’62
Los Angeles, California

If you published the letter “Who needs ClassNotes?” to get a rise out of your readers, I fell for it — hook, line, and sinker. I never find ClassNotes and InMemory redundant. Each issue has information about people I haven’t seen or heard from in over 50 years. In some cases, I see names I recognize, but never even knew they were Bradley alums. Please keep those sections in print.

Ron Erickson ’56
Downers Grove, Illinois

If a poll is being taken, here is a vote for ClassNotes and InMemory. Time and distance create obstacles to staying informed about classmates. The two departments in question bridge the years and miles and rekindle good memories.

Walt Beiter ’62
Chesterfield, Missouri

Editor’s note: Thank you to all who took the time to write in and voice an opinion concerning Bradley Hilltopics’ ClassNotes and InMemory sections. We value both, as well, and will continue to share your classmates’ news.