Bradley presidents

Who was president during your student days?

1. Edward O. Sisson [1897-1904], first director of Bradley Polytechnic Institute. (Before there were Bradley presidents, the top office on the Hilltop was director.) He had founded the South Side Academy in Chicago, which became affiliated with the University of Chicago.

2. Dr. Theodore C. Burgess, director of BPI [1904-1920] and president [1920-1925], was a strong believer in need-based scholarships for superior students. He added evening classes, vocational classes, and the college of music. Dr. Charles T. Wyckoff served as interim president for six months after Dr. Burgess died of a heart attack.

3. Dr. Frederic R. Hamilton [1925-46] guided Bradley through the Depression and World War II. Constance Hall women’s dormitory was built during his tenure, and the “Famous Five” basketball team reigned.

4. Dr. David B. Owen ’29 [1946-52] had been Bradley’s public relations director. In 1946, Bradley Polytechnic Institute became Bradley University. The size and quality of the faculty were increased. Many GIs earned degrees during his tenure. Bradley’s graduate program was added. The Field House, Library, Burgess, and Sisson were constructed.

5. Dr. Harold P. Rodes [1954-1960] focused on three “F’s” — facilities, faculties, and funds. New buildings included the Student Center, Lovelace, Baker, Jobst, and Wyckoff. Rodes also raised scholastic requirements. He resigned at age 40 to become president of General Motors Institute.

6. Dr. Talman Van Arsdale Jr. [1961-1970] Bradley Hall was destroyed by fire in January 1963, and rededicated in October 1964. Heitz, the Bradley Bookstore, Swords, University Hall, and Olin were built under his watch. He was elected president of the Association of Urban Universities in 1964.

7. Dr. Martin G. “Jerry” Abegg ’47 HON ’93 [1970-1992] is credited with putting Bradley on the right path after campus unrest and financial difficulties. Related stories, including more photos and video, are in the summer 2010 issue of Bradley Hilltopics, and at the following links on the website:

46 years on the Hilltop

A lifetime of “giving back”

The Abegg Decade

Abegg moved Bradley forward

8. Dr. John Brazil [1992-1999] oversaw the construction of the Caterpillar Global Communications Center and Bradley’s $100 million Centennial Campaign. He left to become president of Trinity University in San Antonio, and GARY ANNA ’75 served as interim president.

9. Dr. David Broski [2000-2007] was chancellor at U of I, Chicago, before leading Bradley. Active in the community, he worked on improving the Main Street corridor from BU to downtown. He was president of Peoria NEXT innovation center, and began implementing a master plan for Bradley’s growth, extending campus to the west.

10. Joanne K. Glasser, Esq. [2007-present] Bradley’s first female president came from the presidency of Eastern Kentucky University. She oversees the $150 million Campaign for a Bradley Renaissance, which helps fund several major construction projects. She is leading the effort to recruit larger and more diverse freshman classes; and is committed to making Bradley a university of national distinction. View the latest construction update.

*NOTE: Many believe Dr. William Rainey Harper was Bradley’s first president. He was president of the faculty, however, not the Institute.

Presidential trivia quiz

Each president’s name is used at least once.

1. Which Yale-educated president had to be brought from his hospital bed for his inauguration? [click for answer]

Rodes was being hospitalized for a slipped disk.

2. Who became chancellor of Bradley after his presidency? [click for answer]

Van Arsdale

3. Who served as president the longest? [click for answer]

Abegg

4. Which president was murdered several years after leaving Bradley? [click for answer]

Dave Owen was murdered in Washington, D.C., in April 1960.

5. Which president had been a practicing attorney? [click for answer]

Glasser

6. Who was known for wearing bow ties and smoking a pipe? [click for answer]

Rodes

7. Who began leading Bradley when he was in his twenties? [click for answer]

Sisson

8. Who was a Bradley student, professor, and dean before being named president? [click for answer]

Abegg

9. Which president enjoyed watching the Braves in their most recent Sweet Sixteen run? [click for answer]

Broski

10. Who was the first president to have his office in Swords Hall? [click for answer]

Van Arsdale

11. Who was president when Bradley celebrated its centennial? [click for answer]

Brazil

12. A.J. “Robbie” Robertson began as a coach at Bradley during this president’s tenure. [click for answer]

Burgess

13. The popular Tepee and Wigwam opened as student hangouts during this president’s term. [click for answer]

Hamilton

14. This track star and debate team leader is the only president in the Bradley Athletics Hall of Fame. [click for answer]

Owen