Online

Visit bradley.edu/hilltopics/
go/grad10 for videos and photos from both ceremonies.

More than 800 graduates listened on May 15 as Nancy Brinker, founder and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, described her upbringing in Peoria and the 1982 founding of an organization to honor her late sister Suzy.

Brinker, a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, referenced the life story of Lydia Moss Bradley, who lost all six of her children, as well her husband, before founding Bradley. “She understood that while we can’t choose our path, we can always determine our direction. We can always choose to have a sense of purpose,” said Brinker. “When [Suzy] died, a new life began for me. We were determined to bring breast cancer out of the shadows.”

Komen for the Cure has raised $1.5 billion and is known worldwide. Brinker serves as ambassador for cancer control for the World Health Organization. She was U.S. Chief of Protocol in 2007–08 and ambassador to Hungary from 2001–03.

RAJ SOIN, MSIE ’71

RAJ SOIN, MSIE ’71, Soin International

On May 13, recipients of master’s and doctoral degrees were addressed by RAJ SOIN, MSIE ’71, founder and CEO of Soin International in Dayton, Ohio. “The most important resource I have is my people. Before there is work to be done, there is creating the work,” said Soin, an entrepreneur and member of the Bradley Board of Trustees. The 2004 Distinguished Alumnus and Bradley Centurion described important “focus areas” for the graduates: the ability to adapt, understanding the global business environment, and having a positive attitude. “You must be committed and willing to stay the course,” he said. “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.”

Brinker and Soin were awarded doctor of humane letters degrees by Bradley President Joanne Glasser before delivering their respective speeches.

Officially, 842 bachelor’s degrees were awarded in May, along with 146 master’s degrees and 19 doctor of physical therapy degrees.

Provost / VP for academic affairs appointed

Dr. David Glassman

DR. DAVID GLASSMAN
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

More information

Visit bradley.edu/hilltopics/
go/glassman for more information on the new provost.

Dr. David Glassman will join the Bradley community as provost and vice president for academic affairs on July 1. Glassman will oversee 335 full-time and more than 200 part-time faculty members, 34 academic departments, and several additional centers such as Study Abroad, Continuing Education (OLLI), and the Institute for Principled Leadership.

He holds a doctorate and master’s degree in anthropology from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota. Glassman has served as dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, for the last six years. He also has been associate dean, chairman of the anthropology department, and has held several teaching positions at various universities across the country.

“Dr. Glassman brings a great breadth of academic and administrative credentials in higher education to Bradley. He has the academic acumen to help move Bradley forward in our goal to become a university of national distinction,” said President Joanne Glasser.