PRESIDENT’S PRELUDE

President Glasser visits with six of the 60 Bradley Fund callers

President Joanne Glasser visits with six of the 60 Bradley Fund callers. Visit bradley.edu/development to learn more.

Reading these stories in Bradley Hilltopics brought me back to my freshman year at George Washington University. If I wanted to call home, I had to use the single rotary-dial pay phone on my residence hall floor. Frequently that meant waiting in line with other women on my floor; yes, it was an all-girls dorm. If I wanted to write my parents back in Baltimore, I’d pull out a pen and paper. Computers and e-mail were something from Flash Gordon. It was an uncomplicated, simpler time.

Students on Bradley’s campus today communicate very differently. Virtually every one of them has a cell phone. Walk across the quad and you’ll see as many students talking on their phones or texting as enjoying all the beautiful flowers that brighten our campus. And that’s not the only way they stay in touch. They are on Facebook; they tweet on Twitter; they have their own blogs; and they post videos on YouTube. Wasn’t it just a few years ago that we started sending e-mails? It seems like every year or two new ways are being conceived to communicate.

At Bradley, we are keeping up with this communications whirlwind because we know that you want to stay connected. So we’ve created a Bradley Facebook fan page; more than 2,600 of you already have joined us on Facebook. Those fans are getting regular updates on the latest Hilltop news right on their FB homepages. Several alumni affinity groups, like Bradley University Communications Alumni Network (BU-CAN) and Bradley University Black Alumni Association (BUBAA), have created their own Facebook sites. They, too, are a wonderful way to reconnect with old friends. So I invite you to become a virtual Bradley fan by visiting facebook.com/bradleyuniversity.

Of course, this communications revolution offers unlimited new opportunities for the University. For example, the Bradley Fund, our annual giving endeavor that supports day-to-day operations, academic initiatives and scholarships throughout the University, has created an e-philanthrophy program. Like other contributions, these gifts can be restricted or unrestricted, for capital projects, equipment, student assistance or whatever is your interest and passion. You can find out more about electronic giving at campaign.bradley.edu/online.

Yet personal contact remains the staple of our solicitations. The cornerstone of those telephone requests are our outstanding students who are living the Bradley Experience. Take, for example, TERESA SIMPKIN ’09. She has made calls for the Bradley Fund for two years, first as an undergrad and now as a team leader and graduate student. Teresa really enjoys talking to alumni while listening to stories about their days on the Hilltop. In fact, Teresa told me she’s been known to spend more than an hour on the phone learning and listening. The discussions have made her realize the great value of a Bradley degree.

“I really appreciate what a Bradley degree means and the history of the University,” Teresa said. “So many alumni have been dramatically changed by this University, and I have, as well.”

So when Teresa or any other student from the Bradley Fund calls, tell them about your Bradley experience and let them know the impact Bradley has had on your life.

We have raised $131 million, more than any other campaign in our history, but there is still more to be done. Through our Renaissance Campaign, our other academic and program initiatives, and your assistance, we are on our way to making Bradley a university of national distinction.

Please consider making a gift that will continue to enrich the lives of students today and tomorrow so that they can enjoy the same wonderful Bradley experience that you did. As you know better than anyone, a Bradley education is a terrific investment in our nation’s future.

Know that I remain humbled to continue to serve our faithful alumni and our wonderful University. Go Braves!

Warm regards,

Joanne Glasser

Bradley Fund group

Many of the 60 Bradley Fund callers stopped by the Markin Center for a group photo on February 12.