PRESIDENT’S PRELUDE

President Glasser visits with six of the 60 Bradley Fund callers

Carolyn and BOB TURNER ’77 MBA ’78 were presented with the President’s Award by BU President Joanne Glasser on April 22.

It was an honor to present Robert and Carolyn Turner with the 2010 President’s Award for their extraordinary service to Bradley University. BOB TURNER ’77 MBA ’78 and his wife Carolyn live by the philosophy that the more one gives, the more one receives. The couple has been extremely generous to Bradley, both financially and with their time.

The Turners were honored at the President’s Appreciation Dinner for establishing the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship in 2002 with a $1.5 million gift and a $3 million unrestricted gift to the Campaign for a Bradley Renaissance. Bob is also a highly respected and valued member of our Board of Trustees. While not a Bradley grad, Carolyn has adopted Bradley, and we have adopted Carolyn for her passion and love of the Hilltop. In fact, the couple thinks so highly of the University that they entrusted Bradley to educate their son, ANDREW TURNER ’11, a history and communications major.

At the April 22 dinner that recognized the Turners, Bob spoke from the heart with these poignant words: “I would like to say to our alumni that it really is important to give back. Don’t forget that Bradley was an important part of allowing you to be where you are.”

Video

To view a video about Bob and Carolyn Turner, visit bradley.edu/hilltopics/
go/turner.

I thank Bob for the credit he gives his alma mater. But he and his brother MARK TURNER ’80 deserve the acclaim for being bold enough to start their own investment business in Berwyn, Pa., a long way from their Illinois hometown of Yates City. With a strong mission statement and tremendous hard work and insight, they grew Turner Investment Partners Inc. into a firm that now manages $19 billion in assets.

I can’t imagine a more deserving or humble couple than Bob and Carolyn Turner. For all they have done for our University, they have the sincere thanks and the deep appreciation of the entire Bradley community.

Year in review

Vice President Joe Biden spoke about domestic violence at the Partners in Peace luncheon in Peoria on March 31.

The Turners aren’t the only dignitaries I encountered this spring. Vice President Joe Biden visited Peoria to attend a fundraiser for The Center for the Prevention of Abuse, and I was privileged to meet him. He was most gracious, and I was pleased that he was familiar with the high quality education that Bradley University provides our students.

While it was an honor to visit with the vice president, I was even more pleased that several of our students were able to spend time with him. JENNY VAN KIRK ’10, MARCUS BELIN ’10 and KYLE MALINOWSKI ’11 had the opportunity to drive in the motorcade, and later meet Vice President Biden. The trio of outstanding students got an inside, first-hand look at the organization and logistics that go into a vice presidential visit. It was an incredible opportunity, one they will never forget. Former student body president TED BERGER ’03 played a key role in planning Biden’s Peoria visit. You can read more about Ted in Alumni Profiles.

I remain humbled and honored to serve our devoted alumni and our wonderful University. Thank you for your support for Bradley. Go Braves!

Warm regards,

Joanne Glasser