Hilltopics Fall 2017 by Bradley University

Bradley University Fall 2017

Bad behavior Bullying may be on the rise, but Bradley alumni like Brad Burke â&#x20AC;&#x2122;01 are working hard to restore civility.

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Welcome from the Provost

The hallmarks of a Bradley education The new initiative will bring together faculty and staff from each corner of campus to rethink student success. The collaboration enables resources designed to support student learning and success to be centralized and delivered in a cohesive and coherent way, one that makes sense to today’s students. Located on the third floor of Cullom-Davis Library, the ASC will house the newly created Math Success Center, the Writing Center, and the Turning Point Program, which helps students get back on track should they land on academic probation for the first time. Our objective is for the ASC to facilitate a campus culture that embraces academic support and leads more students to graduate on a timeline that aligns with their goals.

I STARTED MY SENIOR YEAR at Bradley 40 years ago, but since taking the role of provost in 2016, I’ve been struck by how similar the experiences I had as a student are to those students encounter today: developing close relationships with their professors, immersing themselves in their chosen studies, establishing lifelong friendships and preparing for future success. It’s important that what has always made Bradley great continues for future generations of students. Toward this end, the university began working on a strategic plan last fall that will take us through the next five years. While it’s still being finalized, we have outlined our highest priority: student success. I am pleased to announce the formation of the Academic Success Center (ASC). Designed to empower and engage students, the ASC will employ peer tutors, mentors and coaches to help students sharpen their study and time management skills, while offering assistance in core subjects.

Faculty and staff engagement with students is another essential component of student success at Bradley. In September, for the second consecutive year, the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Edition recognized Bradley as one of the top universities in the country for student engagement. Activities such as internships, student teaching and clinicals, as well as study abroad, undergraduate research and innovative experiences — like Bradley’s Hollywood Semester — are among the many ways we accomplish this. As we work toward these goals, it is worth noting all the exciting things happening on campus. This fall, the university enrolled 1,265 students, one of the largest classes in our 120-year history. Work is underway on our new business and engineering complex, which will encourage more collaboration between those two disciplines. We also recently completed an extensive upgrade to our Wi-Fi capabilities. I know I owe much of the success I’ve had in life to the great education I received here at Bradley University. Our new strategic plan will ensure the hallmarks of a Bradley education endure for years to come.

Fall 2017 The story he traveled to find

Assistant Professor of English Devin Murphy’s first novel, “The Boat Runner,” explores the cost of war.

Bad behavior

Bradley alumni are taking a stand against the bullying epidemic.

Watch and learn

Video-first technique spurs active learning. Cool singin’

12: The Boat Runner art courtesy HarperCollins Publishers, also p. 13; 20: still from #MoreThanMean by Brad Burke ’01; 26: still from Thermodynamics 301; 28: Andy Keene.

Chicago’s jazz scene is an ideal niche for Stephanie Aaron ’96. Departments

Bradley Bits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Bradley Avenue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Spirit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Class Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Alumni Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Hilltop View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

On the cover Brad Burke ’01, whose video #MoreThanMean addressed the issue of online bullying toward female sports reporters, generating nearly 1 billion impressions worldwide. Photograph by Daryl Wilson.

Staff

Administration

S.L. Guthrie executive editor

Gary Roberts ’70 president

Bob Grimson ’81 assistant director

Walter Zakahi ’78 provost and senior vice president for academic affairs

Mary Brolley assistant director Sarah Dukes art director

Renée B. Richardson associate vice president for marketing and communications

Duane Zehr university photographer

© Bradley University 2017 Bradley Hilltopics is published three times a year by Bradley University for alumni, faculty, staff, parents of students and other friends of the university. Send address changes to Bradley Hilltopics, Bradley University, 1501 W. Bradley Ave., Peoria, IL 61625. phone: (309) 677-2249 / website: bradley.edu/hilltopics email: hilltopics@bradley.edu / fax: (309) 677-4055 / campus information: (309) 676-7611. Bradley University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and the promotion of equal opportunities for all persons regardless of age, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status. The university is committed to compliance with all applicable laws regarding non-discrimination, harassment and affirmative action.

Bradley Bits First-year student FRANK FRANCIS JR. is making the scene with his groovy set of wheels, a 1967 Ford Mustang. “I’ve always loved the look and the muscle car feel,” he said. “I was working on it with my dad before he passed away.” Francis added the coolest thing so far has been the looks he gets while tooling around campus.

As Bradley’s newest Fulbright teaching assistant, MARISA GLENN ’17 is teaching American studies and English at a pair of high schools in Steyr, a city of about 38,000 in Upper Austria. The psychology major credits Alexandra Hagen, assistant professor of German, with shepherding her through the long Fulbright application process.

“ILLINOIS HAS 32 ACTIVE HATE GROUPS. YOU’LL ASK ME, ‘IS THAT A LOT?’ ONE IS A LOT.” Lecia Brooks, outreach director, Southern Poverty Law Center, at a panel discussion on hate crimes Aug. 29.

In “Haunted Places: The Veil of Race in the American Landscape,” photographer Wendel White explored issues of school segregation and racial conflict in the 20th century. White gave the university’s 2017 Bunn Lecture in Photography. COMPILED BY S.L. Guthrie, Bob Grimson ’81, Mary Brolley, Sarah Dukes and Duane Zehr. PHOTO CREDITS // Mustang, White gallery photo, Fulbright, Jonas: Duane Zehr; Taste of Bradley: Daryl Wilson; After Hours: Drew Ochoa.

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TASTE OF BRADLEY

For the second year in a row, The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education ranked Bradley in the top 10 in the U.S. for student engagement. U.S. News & World Report scored the university 7th in the Midwest in its Best Colleges 2018 edition.

“ Be humble and make sexy music.” An apt motto for Nick Jonas, songwriter and former Disney Channel star, who charmed a sold-out crowd at the Renaissance Coliseum Sept. 30.

In July, DAN WESSLER ’08 and TIM BEUTEL ’09 and the a capella group started at Bradley, After Hours, grabbed third-place in the Quartet Division at the Barbershop Harmony Society International Convention and Competition in Las Vegas.

Bryan Ziegler, Wessler, Beutel, Drew Ochoa.

Bradley Hilltopics Fall 2017

Bradley Avenue

Centurions succeed in business, nonprofits, the arts DEIDRE WALLACE LHAMON ’85 Moved by the devastating reality of child sex trafficking in the U.S. and abroad, Lhamon threw herself into research — and then into action — on the topic. In 2009 she founded The Covering House, a nonprofit that raises awareness about the issue in the St. Louis area. Four years later, the nonprofit helped its first clients. “We provide education, training, individual and group therapy. Whatever they need to be successful,” Lhamon said. Her work as founder and executive director of the house has been recognized by major media networks, and she

has partnered with the (St. Louis) Cardinals’ Wives organization to raise funds to support the house’s work. Bradley named Lhamon the 2017 Distinguished Alumna and new member of the Centurion Society. She is married to Greg Lhamon ’86. GWENNE EDDY HENRICKS ’79 MSEE ’81 Henricks, who retired in 2016 as chief technology officer at Caterpillar Inc., is the epitome of a lifelong learner. Her education includes an undergraduate degree in physics and a master’s in electrical engineering from Bradley, an MBA from the University of Illinois

at Urbana-Champaign and completion of an engineering management program at Carnegie Mellon University (Pa.). Known as an unusually collaborative leader, she spent her career at Caterpillar in engineering, product and business management. Her civic contributions include work with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and the Society of Women Engineers. Chosen as the College of Liberal Arts’ Distinguished Alumna in 2016, Henricks credits her success to “being in the right place at the right time with the right stuff.”

Richman, Lhamon, Henricks, Winzeler Jr.

For me, classroom teaching has always been akin to playing with matches. One is never sure what will catch fire. As students and as teachers, we all know that moment when everyone in the room suddenly gets it. Where everyone seems to have a tongue of flame wafting above their head as if in a biblical painting. It’s an illusion, of course, and momentary at that, before we head back out the door to resume our foolishness and reclaim our foibles. But it’s enough to send us back again the next day, we learners and teachers, this time hoping to get it right and make it last. — Kevin Stein, upon accepting his Putnam Award for Excellence in Teaching on Founder’s Day, September 15

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LARRY RICHMAN ’74 Calling himself “honored and humbled” to become a Centurion, Richman said, “I’ll always feel at home at Bradley.” Known as a relationship builder, Richman has been in the banking industry more than 30 years. This summer, he shepherded Private Bank through its acquisition by Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), and will oversee the Canadian bank’s expansion in the U.S. while continuing as Private Bank’s CEO and president. Richman’s commitment to public service is impressive, including stints on the boards of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the Chicago Urban League

and the Museum of Science and Industry. In addition to being a former Bradley trustee, Richman received the Humanitarian Award from the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center and the Father of the Year Award from the American Diabetes Association. He is married to Corinne “Corky” Pfiester Richman ’74. JOHN WINZELER JR. ’65 Chosen for “a lifetime of taking what he’s learned and giving it back to Bradley,” Winzeler is president of Winzeler Gear in the Chicago suburb of Harwood Heights, Ill. Founded in 1940, the third-generation, family-owned company is a leading designer and

manufacturer of precision-molded plastic gears for automotive, appliance and office automation. Winzeler has emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships between the company and its suppliers and customers, including DuPont Performance Polymers and Engel Machinery. As evidenced by the art gallery within the factory, he’s also a strong supporter of the arts. As a charter member of Bradley’s mechanical engineering advisory board, he’s funded and served as an adviser on dozens of student projects. He received the university’s Lydia Moss Bradley Award in 2004. — M.B.

Stein: Daryl Wilson; Centurions and other faculty: Duane Zehr.

Founder’s Day rewards faculty excellence

Stein (opposite), Remsen, Beckes, Hossain, Cantù.

Caterpillar Professor of English Kevin Stein compared being in the classroom to playing with matches after receiving the Putnam Award for Excellence in Teaching during Founder’s Day ceremonies in September. Stein, recently named Distinguished Professor of English, has taught at the university since 1984. He will retire in December, and will step down from his duties as Illinois Poet Laureate, a post he has held since 2003. SAMUEL ROTHBERG PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD Edward Remsen, associate professor of chemistry CATERPILLAR INC. FACULTY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR SCHOLARSHIP Lane Beckes, assistant professor of psychology CATERPILLAR INC. FACULTY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR TEACHING Mohammad Imran Hossain, assistant professor of civil engineering and construction FRANCIS C. MERGEN MEMORIAL AWARD FOR PUBLIC SERVICE Dean Cantù, professor and chair of the Department of Teacher Education — B.G. Bradley Hilltopics Fall 2017

Bradley Avenue

University honors Armstrong, Petersen

CAN YOU STREAM ME NOW?

The project, begun in 2016, included more than doubling the number of access points in the Cullom-Davis Library and upgrading Wi-Fi speed/access in the residence halls. This summer, the project extended to Bradley, Westlake and Olin halls, as well as the Hartmann Center, Duryea Parking Deck, and the Caterpillar Global Communications Center. — S.L.G.

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Armstrong, Petersen

With a connection to Bradley and its well-honored forensics team dating back to childhood, Kim Armstrong ’80 received the Lydia Moss Bradley Award for her service to the university. The ceremony took place in September during Founder’s Day events. The daughter of longtime speech professor and coach George

“You need to do more than just lean in,” she said. Armstrong also received a proclamation from the city of Peoria for the honor. Broadway star Eric Petersen ’03 whisked in to Peoria from New York, stopping just long

enough to pick up the 2017 Outstanding Young Graduate Award. The honor goes to an alum under 40 who has attained exceptional achievement in addition to maintaining university involvement. Having just finished a stint on Broadway as the lead in “School of Rock,” Petersen’s many acting credits include roles in “Shrek: The Musical” as well as TV shows “The Big Bang Theory,” “Modern Family” and “NCIS.” Next, Petersen will portray Brick in Jimmy Buffett’s musical, “Escape to Margaritaville.” Listing his rules for success, Petersen said, “Listen. Play from the heart. Be present and honest and never forget the audience.” — B.G.

Bradley chosen for national college transformation project Bradley University is one of 12 universities and colleges in the U.S. selected from a pool of nearly 100 applicants as an institutional partner for the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) Transformations Project. Representatives from the biology and psychology departments, as well as the dean’s office from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, will be part of the national team to transform the way undergraduate research is incorporated on campuses across the nation. Christopher Jones, LAS dean, said the goal of this initiative is to be more intentional about fully incorporating research into an undergraduate’s four-year academic experience. The transformations will increase faculty-student interactions, improve student retention and develop students’ capacity to conduct research before entering independent faculty labs. They will also improve

postgraduate success whether a student pursues a job or graduate school. “Participating in undergraduate research enhances student learning because it creates mentoring relationships with faculty,” said Jones. “It also increases student academic success while increasing enrollment in graduate education and providing effective career preparation.” Jones added Bradley already offers significant undergraduate research opportunities and is unique because the institution is large enough to support research through laboratory facilities, grants, and fellowships while small enough to provide individualized faculty mentoring. A grant funded by the National Science Foundation will support the CUR project. — S.L.G.

Armstrong, Petersen: Duane Zehr.

This fall, students can download and stream content much faster from more wireless access points across campus now that Bradley has completed the latest upgrade to its Wi-Fi network and infrastructure. Backbone speeds increased tenfold (1Gbps to 10Gbps), according to Zach Gorman, Bradley’s chief information officer, and the university moved to a 5GHz, highdensity wireless standard in the upgraded buildings, adding both coverage and capacity.

Armstrong and named a Centurion in 2007, she said her father’s goal was to make a difference in at least one student’s life every year. Armstrong continues that legacy by working with the speech team and Chi Omega.

Interplanetary ingenuity NASA 3-D Printed Habitat Challenge update

Concept art: Phase 1 Team Gamma; team photo: NASA /Joel Kowsky.

BRADLEY HELPED NASA PASS another marker on the road to interplanetary exploration with the completion of Phase 2: Level 3 of the agency’s 3-D Printed Habitat Challenge — part of the Centennial Challenges Program — in August. Team Foster + Partners l Branch Technology from Tennessee took the $250,000 top prize. Penn State University placed second, winning $150,000. The university is the official host of the 3-D Printed Habitat Challenge, which aims to spur citizen-inventors and companies to develop technology benefiting and expanding space exploration. The Level 3 project called for teams to produce structurally sound components that would be part of a habitat suitable for the environment on Mars. The components were built and tested on-site at Caterpillar Inc.’s facility in Edwards, Ill., near Peoria and events were open to the public, school groups and companies. Along with Caterpillar, other major sponsors are Bechtel and Brick & Mortar Ventures. The final phase of the challenge involves creating larger, livable structures and final testing will be next fall at the Edwards facility with a $1.4 million prize. Dean Lex Akers of the Caterpillar College of Engineering and Technology said NASA used cash incentives to broaden the number and types of competitors. He said 70 teams worldwide had been whittled to five for the final competition, noting the technology would have greater impact closer to home.

“The uses on Earth will be dominant,” Akers said, citing the need for housing after natural disasters or by the military. “We’ll be able to build billions of structures. It will be revolutionary, like the invention of the microcomputer.” Bradley students designed and operated several exhibits showcasing engineering and technology as part of the event’s public exhibition. Akers said these aimed to build awareness in younger students about STEM careers. “We’re not going to Mars — they’re going to Mars,” he said. Drew Maki MSEE ’18 helped with one of the five engineering exhibits. He said the goal was to design multi-layered projects that could be easily explained but with a “wow” factor. Quentin Young ’17 was part of a team showcasing the Starcats game, one of two IM exhibits Bradley developed. An IM senior project, Starcats was a top-five finalist at the national E3 College Game Competition and Young is starting a company to market the game. A moon rock collected by Apollo 17 and presentations by astronaut Don Thomas also were featured. “Being a part of the competition has been an extraordinary opportunity for Bradley University,” said President Gary Roberts ’70. “Our students, faculty, staff and the Peoria community had a chance to see history in the making. We are a part of transforming technology and reshaping the way we think about construction.” — B.G.

Members of the Foster + Partners l Branch Technology team with their winning 3-Dprinted dome at Phase 2: Level 3 of NASA’s 3-D Printed Habitat Challenge. Bradley was the official host of the event, where teams printed structural pieces for space habitats that were tested and evaluated. The contest’s final phase involves creating larger, livable structures and will take place next fall.

Bradley Hilltopics Fall 2017

Bradley Avenue

Feeding grad school dreams Dealing with anorexia as an adolescent gave Genevieve Prushinski ’17 a glimpse of how she could help others. “Throughout the recovery process, my registered dietitian was incredible and I would not be here today without her,” said Prushinski, a double major in dietetics and psychology. “I wanted to give back to others who struggled like me.” According to the National Eating Disorders Association, risk factors involve biological, psychological and sociocultural issues that can interact differently for each person. This makes treatment individualized and often complicated. After a couple years of outpatient treatment, Prushinski opted for a two-month stay at a residential facility in Arizona. An estimated 20 million women and 10 million men in the U.S. have anorexia, according to Amanda Newell, assistant professor and dietetic internship director. “I think there are misconceptions a lot of times; it’s not just about nutrition,” Newell said. She added that Prushinski’s double major is beneficial. “I think it will make her more compassionate, more effective. The two go hand in hand.” Family background, along with Prushinski’s personality, shyness, self-esteem and body image issues were a perfect storm setting

Having once suffered from anorexia, a now-healthy Prushinki is a first-year grad student at the University of Tennessee, where she’s working on her master’s in public health nutrition. She hopes to help others dealing with eating disorders.

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her up for the disorder. She said while anorexia affected every part of her life, it especially disrupted social activities because many of those centered around food. This left her isolated from friends and anxious, even about family gatherings. “When you have an eating disorder and are faced with a social situation where you don’t have complete control of the food around you, it evokes a lot of fear and anxiety,” she said. “It becomes easier simply to avoid those situations.” Prushinski is working toward a master’s degree in public health nutrition while completing her dietetic internship. Helping her help others deal with their food issues is a $5,000 fellowship for first-year graduate students from Phi Kappa Phi, an honor society recognizing academic excellence and community service. Prushinski is Bradley’s first Phi Kappa Phi fellow. Applying for the fellowship reinforced the experiences and opportunities she had at Bradley, Prushinski said, adding she may consider a research career. As an undergrad, she developed an ongoing research project into the weight gain known as “the freshman 15,” with Newell as one of her faculty mentors. It won a provost’s award at the 2016 Scholarship Expo. — B.G.

HOW TO PLAN FOR COLLEGE It’s no secret that students who earn their bachelor’s degree have a far greater lifetime earning potential than those with only a high school diploma. In fact, the difference can be as much as $830,000, according to a Federal Reserve study.

But how do parents afford the cost of a college education for their children? One way is through opening an education savings account. There are multiple options, ranging from pre-paid tuition to investment plans, and each has its own set of rules. Here are four popular plans:

BRIGHT START 529 COLLEGE SAVINGS PLAN •

E arnings are federal tax-free. Maximum contribution: $400,000.

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W ithdrawals are tax-free for qualified expenses, e.g., tuition. Those for non-qualified expenses are subject to federal tax and 10 percent penalty.

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A dditional tax benefits for Illinois residents, but anyone with a valid Social Security or taxpayer ID number is eligible.

Photo courtesy Genevieve Prushinski ’17.

COVERDELL EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT •

E arnings and withdrawals have the same benefits/restrictions as Bright Start plan.

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M aximum annual contribution of $2,000 per student.

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W ithdrawals are also allowed for qualifying K-12 purchases.

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C ontributions must be made before beneficiary reaches 18 and used before they reach age 30.

Bradley University cannot provide you investment or tax advice. Please consult your financial planner before purchasing any of these contracts.

PRIVATE COLLEGE 529 PLAN •

Buy tomorrow’s tuition at today’s prices with tuition certificates.

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Certificates must be used at a participating school, like Bradley.

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Earnings and distributions are federal tax-free.

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Impact on your student’s financial aid is minimal.

COLLEGEILLINOIS! 529 PRE-PAID TUITION PLAN •

A pre-paid tuition program for students, usable at any college or university in the U.S.

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Benefits are transferable to another family member.

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Earnings are exempt from Illinois state, as well as federal income taxes.

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One year Illinois residency requirement.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Financial Assistance Swords Hall 100 (309) 677-3089 (309) 677-2798 FAX bufinaid@bradley.edu

Bradley Hilltopics Fall 2017

Bradley Avenue

This fall saw one of the largest incoming classes in Bradley history with 1,265 new students, a nearly 16 percent increase over last year! Posing on the Alumni Quad, they contrast with one of the earliest â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and smallest â&#x20AC;&#x201D; classes, the 22 members of the class of 1904.

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The best four years Sage sophomore advice

Now sophomores, our Bradley students Adam Ernst â&#x20AC;&#x2122;20 and Melissa Fuentes â&#x20AC;&#x2122;20 offer some words of advice for our incoming class.

Class of 2021: Duane Zehr; Class of 1904: Loquist.

Bradley Hilltopics Fall 2017

The story he traveled to find BY MARY BROLLEY Photography by Duane Zehr

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Bookplate

In his first novel, “The Boat Runner,” Assistant Professor of English Devin Murphy explores his family’s roots and the human cost of war. Through the eyes of teenager Jacob Koopman, readers experience the hardships and treachery of life in German-occupied Holland and beyond. Called “an impressive debut” by Kirkus Reviews, the book has also been translated into Dutch.

WHAT WAS YOUR RESEARCH PROCESS LIKE? From the moment I had the idea, almost everything I found, or story I heard, I held up and asked, “Would this show the impossibly complex and ethically messy reality of what it would be like to be this one Dutch family during the war?” I went to large museums and dozens of small veterans’ collections to feel weaponry and clothing, studied in every library within two days’ drive, and read philosophy, fairy tales, music and mythology. Everything in my life was consumed by wanting to know more. WHAT WAS THE ROUTE TO GETTING IT PUBLISHED? Publishing a novel has been a lifelong goal but for years I kept it secret. Then, when I was about 20, I let it slip to someone that this is what I wanted to do. This guy whose name I’ve forgotten then asked me, “What are you doing to practically achieve your goal?” WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION FOR THE NOVEL? My mother is from the Netherlands and that side of the family was always a great source of mystery to me. Especially my late grandfather, who as the head electrical engineer for Philips, had to go into hiding when the Germans were conscripting scientists and engineers for weapons-design purposes. No one knew where he was, not even his wife who was left to tend to my mother and her three sisters during the war.

I started thinking about how I could make this happen. I read differently and looked for models to build a writing life after. This led me to graduate school, where I started writing stories that allowed me to become a proficient writer and begin publishing smaller works. My stories then got into larger and more respected journals, and that landed me a job at Bradley, then a literary agent and the attention of my eventual publisher. So, finding the practical path meant putting my life, time and career into the service of this goal.

Bradley Hilltopics Fall 2017

THE NARRATOR, JACOB, SPOKE MANY LANGUAGES, WHICH ALLOWED HIM TO BE ALMOST A CHAMELEON — AND AIDED HIS ESCAPE FROM THE GERMANS.

to put a gift like that out into the world for some unknown person. That is really special. That idea kept me going through the darker material.

English is my mother’s third language, so I always knew the Dutch were masters of language. This also served as a device for my character Uncle Martin to mask his true nature and for my main character, Jacob, to struggle to find the voice and meaning of his own inner purpose.

WATER — THE OCEAN, THE DIKES THAT HOLD IT IN — PLAYS A BIG PART IN THE BOOK. HOW DID YOUR TIME WORKING ON A BOAT INFORM YOUR WRITING?

Remember, at the time nothing was certain. Nothing safe. The wrong choice of word could get you killed. This threat really brought a new energy to the language these characters used.

JACOB IS A COMPLICATED CHARACTER. BUT EVEN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NOVEL, HE SEEMS ABLE TO REALIZE (AND REGRET) HIS MISTAKES AND FAILURES OF COURAGE. I didn’t want him to come off as a hero, as any major conflict is too complex to see things as only black or white. As a child, when I heard about my grandfather in hiding, I thought, he was a good guy, a hero, and bad guys wanted him. But when I looked closer, everything was messy, and I wanted to show that. It took a long time to find the right ways to do this, but it was very much a guiding principle in my writing. THERE IS MUCH LOSS, GRIEF AND VIOLENCE IN THE BOOK. THE TONE IS OFTEN BLEAK. WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO “LIVE IN” THIS BOOK AS YOU WROTE IT? WHAT KEPT YOU GOING? Looking back, I think it did take an emotional toll on me. The whole time I was writing, I was reading other novels that inspired me with their depth and range of craft, uniqueness and humanity. I was deeply touched when I would find one. In a way, I think writing is trying

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I spent years working on ships that traveled around the world. It was, in many ways, a search for story ideas, and it has influenced almost every part of my life since. I love ships, the sea and the potential that boarding a vessel has to change a life. I wanted to explore all aspects of that idea in this novel. I also believe many of us accept that our shirts are made in China, our cars in Japan, our sneakers in Jakarta, but never really envision the industry and lives that shift those products around the world. This hidden ecosystem of transport made me obsessed with how the shift of people and culture shapes our world. WHAT EFFECT HAS WRITING THE NOVEL HAD ON YOUR TEACHING? Teaching is perhaps one of the greatest gifts in my life. I get to talk about writing with students who whisper that deep secret, that they too want to be writers. Then, I’m totally honest with them about the entire process.

Young writers are only armed with admiration and idealism and I think it’s my job to knock some of that idealism off, toughen them up to how hard of a task they’ve set themselves up for, and show them models for the work that needs to be done. I am honest when I tell them to really look for what they love, and then work harder than anyone else once they’ve found it. That seems to be a strong formula for success in writing, or whatever else they light on as their passion and goal.

Research Scene Tricky chemistry Haverhals and his research team “weld” natural fibers performance) textiles to building products for furniture and homes. “In all these applications, use of a limited resource (petroleum) is avoided. Moreover, the burden of disposal of our materials is relaxed since nature-based materials are compostable.

Haverhals inspects a strand of fiber at Natural Fiber Welding, a Peoria start-up that aims to offer a high-performing alternative to synthetic fabrics.

LUKE HAVERHALS HATES TO BREAK IT TO YOU, BUT IT’S TRUE. YOUR BELOVED FLEECE JACKET IS HURTING THE ENVIRONMENT.

Haverhals: Fred Zwicky / Peoria Journal Star.

“Every time we wash clothing or household items made of synthetic materials, microscopic plastic fibers slough off and end up in our environment,” he said. “A recent study demonstrated that plastic microfibers may now even contaminate our tap water.” Besides showing up in our drinking water, our rivers and streams, and even the seafood we eat, the fibers are contributing to the plastic waste in our oceans. A recent World Economic Forum report has estimated that by 2050, there may be more tonnage of plastic in the world’s oceans than fish. Haverhals’ growing concern about petroleum-based synthetic materials, which make up the lion’s share of the textile

market, lends urgency to his research to find alternatives. The self-described “farm kid who grew up to be a chemist” was in his first job as an assistant research professor at the U.S. Naval Academy, funded to process biopolymers — specifically, silk. He recalled “asking some innocent, even naive, questions.” “They were something like: Why does humankind use petroleum to try to reinvent the highperformance natural materials that are already produced in abundance? And: Are there more efficient, direct ways to manufacture with natural materials?” Inside and outside the lab, the assistant professor of chemistry

has spent years wrestling with these questions. Along the way, he co-founded Natural Fiber Welding, a Peoria start-up housed in the Peoria NEXT Innovation Center, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary as part of Bradley’s Turner Center for Entrepreneurship. He prefers natural materials because they’re available, higher performance, cleaner to manufacture, sustainable and scalable — that is, can grow to meet the wide range of global consumer needs. As Haverhals points out, cotton is abundant, breathable and comfortable. Flax and industrial hemp (cannabis strains cultivated for non-drug uses) are easy to grow and can be used to make paper, textiles,

biodegradable plastics and more. Silk is another of his favorites. “Pound for pound, silk is tougher than steel. But you can’t teach silkworms and spiders to make the things we want and need.” Which brings us to the tricky chemistry Haverhals and his team use at Natural Fiber Welding.

HIGH PERFORMANCE, LOWER FOOTPRINT “Our manufacturing technology platform “reformats” highperformance abundant natural fiber into highperformance materials in ways that can scale to the largest industries in the world,” Haverhals said. “For example, we can reformat silk fiber into tough three-dimensional shapes. We can reformat ‘waste’ cotton blue jeans and T-shirts into everything from new (but higher-

“Look around you,” said Haverhals. “With abundant agricultural fiber we could make building materials for your house, for your car. For example, a car bumper. Each application requires unique attributes — say, strength and flexibility — we can now reformat natural fibers to fulfill these needs. “The beauty is, we can use what we already have — trees, cotton fiber, industrial hemp, even cornstalks. All kinds of plants and even weeds that right now have little value.” Natural Fiber Welding, which has 14 full-time employees and several Bradley student interns, is in the midst of a fundraising round. “We believe we can raise many millions of dollars to continue our company’s growth,” Haverhals said. “We have a scalable solution that works with agriculture and that uses resources more efficiently and effectively. “Some have proposed escaping the environmental damage we’ve caused by colonizing other planets. But I disagree. I think we’ve got to take care of this planet.” — M.B.

Bradley Hilltopics Fall 2017

Spirit

Whistling while she works Taking off her Bradley No. 23 jersey for the last time left Lauren Niemiera ’12 M.A. ’13 in turmoil.

Niemiera watches the action during the McDonald’s All-American Girls Game at the United Center.

“There were a lot of things that went through my mind,” the four-year varsity basketball player said. “I don’t know if it qualifies as depressed, upset, lost. At first, it was devastating. I cried at my locker. It was awful.” Niemiera wanted to stay involved with the sport she’d played since she was 5 but wasn’t sure how. Then a sports communication major, she was an intern for the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas where she met veteran NBA official George Toliver, now active with referee development with the NBA’s G League. “He stopped me and said, ‘To get into officiating you have to have this “it” factor, and I believe you have it,’” Niemiera said. “That stuck with me.” After becoming a certified official, she worked intramurals at the Markin Center and after graduation, officiated high school games while coaching youth basketball in her native Chicago. Niemiera stayed close to the sport as media/communications coordinator for the WNBA’s Chicago Sky. In 2016, she was one of eight selected for a program the NBA started to train and nurture future pro officials. As a referee operations official trainee based in New York City, Niemiera works high school, men’s amateur and pro-am games. She also puts in classroom time to refine skills such as positioning, why a call is right or wrong, game mechanics and how refs can get better. “I’ve refereed more in the last 12 months than ever in my life,” Niemiera said, estimating she’s handled about 250 games as part of the program. Her biggest challenge was overcoming a quiet, reserved nature. “I’m not overly outgoing. It was scary at first. But I felt comfortable from the get-go because I was back on the basketball court. I knew the game so that brought me confidence.” With only three other female full-time refs in NBA history, Niemiera knows she’s one of a small but growing group. She said her gender hadn’t been an issue in the rough-and-tumble New York men’s leagues where competence determines acceptance. “As a referee, you’re not supposed to be causing the problem, you’re supposed to solve the problem.” As for moving up in the referee ranks, Niemiera sees it as a matter of timing and preparation. “It comes down to the leagues looking for something … and if you’re prepared and ready for that moment, you shape your own path.” — B.G.

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Athletics goes for the academic win Bradley’s student-athletes have been champions in the classroom, repeating as Missouri Valley Conference All-Academic Award winners with the highest GPAs among men’s and women’s student-athletes in the conference. Several teams and individual athletes also gained national recognition, with both the men’s and women’s track teams ranked fifth academically among Division I schools and the men’s golf squad recognized as an All-Academic Team. “The GPAs are impressive, but it doesn’t get to the heart of what we’re trying to do,” said Jennifer Jones, senior associate athletics director for academics and student development. “Student-athletes are achieving the end goal. They’re graduating and entering the work force or continuing their education at a rate of 98.8 percent over the last four years.”

Opposite: Courtesy Lauren Niemiera ’17; Backpack: Duane Zehr.

With clear expectations set, Bradley’s 220-plus student-athletes can tap into support from faculty, classmates, staff and administrators all over campus, Jones said. “Student-athletes have to put in the time and hard work but they feel supported by those around them.” “Before even coming on my first visit to Bradley University, I knew (the) university prioritized academics,” said senior forward Donte Thomas. “… Honestly, it made me a little nervous at first, because my strength was definitely basketball before school.” “With some of my tougher classes, I utilize the student tutoring services and they help a lot when I need to understand difficult material,” said senior tennis player Alejandra de Lasa. Requirements for competing in Division I athletics — practices, competitions, study halls, classes and other activities — make time management skills critical, but they are tools that will help student athletes succeed when the game is over.

“Before coming to Bradley, I never thought I would ever want to do more school than I had to,” said Thomas. “But now, after basketball is over, I definitely want to get my master’s in social work so I can be great in this second part of life.” Bradley men’s basketball, golf and soccer teams each won the NCAA’s APR Public Recognition Award, which measures retention and eligibility. In addition, Bradley posted a 92 percent success rate in the most recent NCAA Graduation Success Rate study, averaging better than both the NCAA Division I average (86 percent) and the other conference schools (85.3 percent). — B.G.

I can see clearly now For the first time since the construction of Lovelace Hall in 1956, the demolition of Baker Hall this summer allows for a clear view of campus and Bradley Hall from Main St. In 2019, the business and engineering complex will be in place. Keep tabs on the progress at bradley.edu/webcams/complex.

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Bradley Hilltopics Fall 2017

“ Online we train ourselves to scroll past (bullying). But when you say it out loud, and you have to look someone in the eye, and the words hang in the air, it just evokes a totally different response.” — Brad Burke ’01

Bad behavior Whether it’s online, in school, via text message or at the workplace, bullying has become an American epidemic. We spoke to the following alumni taking a stand against it. BY S.L. GUTHRIE Photography by Duane Zehr and Daryl Wilson

It was supposed to be good fun. The guys would sit across from sports reporters Julie DiCaro and Sarah Spain, and look at them while reading mean tweets. A video camera would roll in the background. Everyone would laugh, and it would almost feel like being on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Only that’s not what happened. Early on, the tweets were pretty tame. One called Spain a “scrub muffin,” while another wanted to ban all links to DiCaro’s feed. But as the words became ugly and laced with violent threats, the atmosphere in the studio quickly changed. “It was like the air got sucked out of the room,” said Brad Burke ’01. “These guys instantly looked at these

things and the specter of knowing (they would) have to call this woman a c*** to her face was extremely difficult for them.” The resulting video, “#MoreThanMean — Women in Sports ‘Face’ Harassment,” became a viral sensation in April that generated nearly 1 billion impressions worldwide and extensive media coverage. In May, Burke and his partners earned a coveted Peabody Award. A PR exec for Chicago-based Weber Shandwick and co-founder of the podcast “Just Not Sports,” he came up with the idea while reading a series of tweets on DiCaro’s feed that were particularly repugnant. It wasn’t the first time the brand sports content developer noticed the lack of a level playing

Bradley Hilltopics Fall 2017

field when it came to harassing comments online, but it was the tipping point that led him to create the video.

them on a screen,” said DiCaro. “We didn’t know (which) tweets were being used, so I was sort of steeling myself for whatever was coming next.”

“Harassment that women (face) has a different tenor,” said Burke. “It’s more sexual, it’s more misogynistic, it’s more personal. It’s not just ‘Your idea is stupid,’ it’s ‘I hate you. Why are you here? Why are you talking about sports?’ And that was really surprising to me, too. I still can’t believe we’re in an age now that men think this is some sort of boys’ club.”

“Hearing the comments aloud actually reminded me of the power behind the words,” added Spain. “Actually looking into someone’s face as he tried to say (them) reminded me that I shouldn’t have to deal with abuse simply for being a woman online, a woman in a male-dominated industry and a woman with opinions.”

“ (The project) really taught people to be kind to one another and make them feel like they belong.” — Yasmine Musaitif ’17

According to a 2014 study by the Pew Research Center, nearly 40 percent of American adults have experienced some form of cyberbullying, with name-calling and embarrassing someone on purpose the most frequent forms. In 2013, the Harvard Business Review reported a study of 800 managers and employees in 17 industries that found nearly 50 percent of respondents intentionally decreased the time spent at work due to bullying. Nearly 40 percent intentionally decreased the quality of their output. Productivity took a toll, with 80 percent of respondents losing work time worrying about the incident(s), and 68 percent lost time avoiding the offender. DiCaro said she and Spain had received hundreds, if not thousands, of nasty tweets so they were somewhat inoculated to the misogyny before the shoot. “It was really striking to hear those words come out of an actual human being, as opposed to seeing

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Initially, the video received thousands of likes, but when Burke checked the page about a week after going live, he was surprised to see a nearly equal number of dislikes along with several hundred “really negative comments.” “I think that just speaks to why we did the project and the need for continued conversation around this,” said Burke. “… It’s an ongoing problem, and we are at a critical juncture where we need to decide if we’re going to allow this to become the norm, where people just anonymously spew hate that they would never say in their daily life.” He still believes the majority of people online are well-meaning, but have just lost touch with the realities of communicating online. Burke also thinks simple reminders of the other person’s humanity can go a long way with a lot of “trolls.” “It’s a process. I’m happy we stepped forward … I think we are just joining a chorus that I hope is getting louder and louder of people who want the (web) to be a more civil and productive place.” KINDNESS MAKES AN IMPACT When it came time for public relations majors Megan Whitford ’17, Yasmine Musaitif ’17 and Alison Appelbaum ’17 to choose a topic for their senior capstone project, they knew they wanted to do something different. After reading a 2014 study that found 15 percent of eighth-grade students reported being bullied two to three times monthly, with a lack of empathy as a contributing factor, the three developed the campaign “Catching Kindness.” National research indicates bullying takes place most often during middle school.

“ It just gave me a whole new outlook on how (being kind) could impact people — hearing the stories of students who said, ‘I was bullied, and this has helped.’” — Megan Whitford ’17

Bradley Hilltopics Fall 2017

“ How do you deal with parents (who don’t care) or the parent who denies their kid bullies?” — Marcy Bogdan Pettersen ’93

Their initiative targeted the importance of kindness after learning a lack of empathy was a contributing factor. Working with the eighth-graders at Central Intermediate School (CIS) in Washington, Ill., (Whitford’s alma mater), the new alums’ strategy focused on increasing the number of kind acts the students performed each day. “We really worked hard to show how they’re all tied together,” said Whitford, who served as creative director. “You really can’t be kind if you don’t have empathy, (and that) can cause bullying.” “It can be a tough time,” added Appelbaum, who did the group’s research. “I remember being in eighth grade and some of the struggles that I had, so we really wanted to target that (age) and let them know how important kindness is.” During the weeklong event in April, the eighthgrade students submitted images and videos of their kind acts to the campaign’s Snapchat account. Whitford said having that acknowledgement would play on the teens’ need for recognition. They also believed it would show the middle schoolers how they could use social media in a positive way to counter cyberbullying and other negative influences online. Initially, though, the team wondered if students would take the project seriously, but Musaitif, the team’s media promotions coordinator, said they soon learned how important it was to the students. “You saw a lot of (them) taking a stand and making the people who made fun of the idea look bad,” she said. “I think it gave the majority of the student body — who were excited about the project — the confidence to stand up to people who tried to bring them down.” “We expected to get 100 Snapchats all week — that was our goal,” said Whitford. “We ended up getting over 300 the first day.” Entries included students helping others with homework, helping their teachers, sitting with someone new at lunch. One student bought her cousin a bicycle so she could learn how to ride.

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Teachers reported the kind acts continued even after the campaign was over, which didn’t surprise Musaitif. The team earned Bradley’s Ebeling PR-ize for Excellence in Public Relations Campaigns for their efforts. “If there’s one thing we’ve all taken away from this project, it’s the knowledge that kindness is something everyone can do, that it does not require much effort on the doer’s part and that it can be done anytime. And yet, a simple act of kindness can make all the difference in the world.” CHANGING THE CLASS STRUCTURE Matt Andrews ’08 M.A. ’13, who has taught at Dunlap High School (Ill.) since graduating in 2008, has seen the effects of bullying firsthand. “I would have students who would be fine one day, then come back to class the next and be in a completely different demeanor,” said Andrews. “Even though they had otherwise been a bright and upbeat person, their personality had changed.” To combat the issue, he has his class create a set of rules for behavior together, which he keeps on a wall so there’s no misunderstanding of expectations. When a student steps outside the line, the class discusses why it was wrong and practices empathy to help to reduce future infractions. Structuring his class in this way has minimized the amount of bullying he’s seen over the years. However, Andrews acknowledges that a lot of bullying isn’t always obvious to teachers and other authority figures. “I find myself addressing more and more of the emotional needs of the students … I try to relate and empathize (with them) as much as possible. Not only so they see (the behavior) being practiced for them but hopefully so they’ll emulate it.” ZERO TOLERANCE When her son, Jason, came home from fourth grade and complained that a classmate had punched him every day for three days, Marcy Bogdan Pettersen ’93 was surprised and upset that his Glenview Ill., school did so little about it. They didn’t bring the other child in to discuss

the situation with her son and hear both sides of the story or have a conversation with his parents. She called their response dismissive. “This (was) a form of assault,” said Pettersen. “Someone had just punched my kid.” While relaying the situation to her personal trainer, Chris Falcon, she learned he had suffered traumatizing bullying as a young child. Falcon told her about his idea for starting a nonprofit to target the issue and asked for her help. Joined by Lisa Synnestvedt, a licensed therapist, and Carolyn Harshbarger Orsi ’67, the four cofounded Take No Bullying (takenobullying.org). Pettersen said the group, along with volunteers, has spent the past several months placing “Take No Bullying” stickers in the windows of about 30 to 40 percent of Glenview businesses. “We want to get in people’s faces in a positive way about not standing for bullying,” she said. “We (believe) we have to be repetitive in our message.” Pettersen added she didn’t want people to think about the campaign for a month and then forget about it afterward.

“ I find myself addressing more and more of the emotional needs of the students.” — Matt Andrews ’08 M.A. ’13

She also hopes that bullying victims — especially children and their parents — will view the stickers as a signal for safe spaces, as well as a resource for more information on how to get help. If victims wish to remain anonymous, Take No Bullying’s Synnestvedt will report any incidents to the school. “We really want to focus on how a victim can empower themselves,” said Pettersen. “We’re trying to limit the impact bullying has on everybody, and the only way to do that is through education.”

Bradley Hilltopics Fall 2017

n the second day of ME 301 — an introductory course on thermodynamics — David Zietlow ’82 MSME ’88 gave his students their marching orders. “We’re going to learn how to solve problems,” he said. “All engineers are problemsolvers.” With that, the professor of mechanical engineering was off, sketching out an equation on an overhead. With the calm and reassuring manner of Fred Rogers, he made his way through the problem — determining the air mass of the classroom — explaining and asking questions as he went. Hands shot up. Responses — right or wrong — sent Zietlow through the aisles to hand over (or sometimes toss) a small rubber O-ring to the student. These humble but indispensable mechanical seals, which Zietlow buys in bulk, are a tangible reward for students who participate in class. “I reawaken their inner second-grader,” he noted. Zietlow’s classes are interactive, with the emphasis on active. Students solve problems together, using deductive reasoning. On this day, they huddled in pairs to outline the problem before doing any measurements. Once they’d sketched it out, they lined up to have Zietlow look over their work before he handed over a tape measure and a few hints.

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Zietlow’s specialty is thermodynamics, a core component of mechanical engineering education. It deals with heat and temperature and how they relate to energy and work. For nearly 20 years, he’s taught it with a mix of videotaped lectures, in-class teaching, projects and homework. The video component was created out of necessity. THE ‘BLENDED’ CLASSROOM In 1998, he had just begun teaching at Bradley. Still working part time at Ford Motor Co., he couldn’t move to Peoria until his wife wrapped up a commitment to the University of Michigan. So Zietlow taped lectures for his class in VHS format. For an entire semester, students watched the videos in a mediated classroom. Zietlow teleconferenced in to each class and visited monthly to consult with students. This use of video was years before the concept of a “flipped” classroom began to gain traction. The model requires students to view a video (or listen to a podcast or audiotape) before attending class. Then, during class time, students review lessons learned in the video, ask questions and work on projects that test and reinforce their understanding. After years of using the traditional classroom lecture, Zietlow’s interest in using video as part of his curriculum was rekindled in 2011. “A student on an internship asked for help to finish a class he needed for graduation,” he said. “So I taped the lectures, he completed the class and graduated on time.”

Watch and learn Because students watch videotaped lectures in advance, David Zietlow’s mechanical engineering classes are lively and interactive. BY MARY BROLLEY

Recent research has shown that listening to lectures in a classroom is not an effective way for students to learn. Rather, active learning — answering questions, participating in discussions and group activities — aids learning and retention of material and concepts. The video-first model — Zietlow prefers the term blended classroom — has downsides, he admits. Studying, not just watching, the videos increases the time commitment for students. But if students spend the time to watch the videos before class, he believes they’re better prepared to understand the material. Gone are the days of VHS tapes. Since the university’s adoption of the Panopto e-learning platform, the videos are labeled with a table of contents, allowing viewers to quickly find any part of a lecture on which they need clarification. “Watching the videos was no different than reading for class,” said John Sullivan ’17. “Sometimes there was a concept I didn’t understand — for example, where he was getting an equation. I could pause the video or rewind to figure it out.” With Panopto, Zietlow is able to keep track of who watched the lecture. “I can see how long they watched, and even where they rewound it,” he said. Because he realizes some may find his pacing a bit slow, he encourages students to watch the videos at 1.5–2 times actual speed.

Since some of the videos were shot years ago, Zietlow refilms them periodically. The setup in a Jobst Hall classroom employs three cameras: one on his face and upper body, one to shoot documents on the desk, and one on students in the classroom. That way, current students get a sense of the questions past students asked and answered. ‘A PHENOMENAL PROFESSOR’

Screenshots from Zietlow’s videos. Clockwise from top: Students answer questions for a reward; Zietlow makes a point; a demonstration in the Conservation of Energy segment of Thermodynamics 301.

Zietlow is committed to helping students succeed, said Kevin Velazquez ’18, who’s taken him for two classes. “People see him as a very technical professor, but he’s very approachable. He’s willing to help you find a way to catch up.” Velazquez was also impressed with the discussions generated in Zietlow’s classes. “We’d have small debates. There was a lot of arguing about who was right. Class discussions were helpful — someone would ask a question I hadn’t thought of or was afraid to ask.” A transfer student from the College of DuPage, Samantha Dando ’17 had Zietlow, whom she calls “a phenomenal professor,” for ME 301. Now a teaching assistant for the class, she found the class’s video-first format and emphasis on deductive reasoning helpful. “I like the way he teaches. It makes so much sense to me.” “Yes, there was a lot of work,” she added. “But Dr. Zietlow made me feel confident I could learn the material.” Bradley Hilltopics Fall 2017

STEREO

THE FINEST IN JAZZ SINCE 1897

001 STEPHANIE

STEPHANIE AARON ’96 BY BOB GRIMSON ’81

SINGING JAZZ LETS STEPHANIE AARON ’96 LEAVE BEHIND EVERYDAY LIFE AND SOAR.

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After a couple of years of waiting, watching and listening, Stephanie Aaron ’96 experienced something memorable one night at an intimate, dimly lit jazz club on the South Side of Chicago. Top-line musicians plied their craft into the pre-dawn hours with decades of hard-won experience and musical talent shining in every jam session. “You’re listening to everything because these are serious jazz animals,” Aaron said. “I won’t forget sitting at the bar by myself, trying every week to be cool and bring something respectable to that. I went there for a few years, got better and that is where I remember the first time I really got over with a song … I improvised, it made sense, I didn’t lose where I wanted to go. That night was really amazing.”

Aaron, who moved to Chicago in 2004, has since performed in a variety of venues, including the Hartmann Center and Peoria’s Contemporary Arts Center. While this frees her to experiment with her craft, the life of an itinerant jazz vocalist does have pitfalls. “I’m always anxious before I go on stage. It doesn’t matter if it’s a crowd I’m familiar with or utter strangers.” Then there are the logistics of performing, including the challenge of setting up, which often requires a preshow scramble while in dress, makeup and heels to find power outlets and other hardware. “(I worry about) getting to the gig with enough time to set all that up,” she said. “Is there enough power where I need it? Is there enough room? It’s those things that take up 90 percent of my stress allowance.” Despite the nerves, jazz is a comfortable outlet for Aaron, who grew up in a home filled with overlapping musical styles. Her mother was a music major and the family had a player piano with hundreds of rolls. “Some of my very earliest memories are sitting at the piano with my mom,” Aaron said. “I can really remember singing and playing ‘Piano Man’ with her. She was a real show tunes/Broadway person, and my dad would play a lot of prairie music — Sons of the Pioneers, Tex Ritter — that I like to this day.” Her official introduction to the genre came when a bandmate gave her an Ella Fitzgerald CD. It took her a while to realize that, unlike other forms of music, jazz shouldn’t sound the same every time. The First Lady of Song remains one of Aaron’s favorite artists, while other influences run the scales from Mel Tormé and Nina Simone to Stevie Wonder and Patsy Cline.

ONLINE Aaron and her husband produced her first CD, “Song of the Lark,” available at stephanie aaron.com.

“The beauty of a jazz gig is while you might have a set list, usually you don’t,” said Larry Harms, a music professor at Illinois Central College who met Aaron when they were in a wedding band

Bradley Hilltopics Fall 2017

and who has accompanied her on piano during many performances. “She does a lot of Hoagy Carmichael, Cole Porter, George Gershwin. When she comes back here she’ll have a tune I didn’t even know existed, and it’ll be a blast to play.” She also performs with Bob Lark and his Alumni Big Band, a group founded by a DePaul University jazz professor that includes his former students from several schools. Aaron gets a pass because her jazz saxophonist husband earned a master’s degree at DePaul and is a member of the group.

Y OU’RE HURTLING FACE-FIRST DOWN THIS MOUNTAIN AND EVERYTHING YOU SING OR PLAY YOU’RE DUCKING AND DODGING. ... IT’S A GREAT RELIEF AS SOON AS IT’S OVER BECAUSE YOU’VE GOTTEN THROUGH, HOPEFULLY, UNSCATHED. — STEPHANIE AARON ’96 “Stephanie elevates the level of the group’s performance when she takes the stage,” Lark said. “I have not heard a better vocalist in Chicago.” “A friend described it like shoving off on a pair of skis atop a big, tough slope,” Aaron said of the style’s improvisational nature. “You’re hurtling face-first down this mountain, and everything you sing or play, you’re ducking and dodging. You’re putting things here or there, trying to get down the mountain in one piece. And hopefully having a lot of fun on the way. It’s a great relief as soon as it’s over because you’ve gotten through, hopefully, unscathed.” Because she performs in a range of settings, Aaron finds adaptability is key. What a place can afford to pay dictates her band’s makeup. Sometimes this means only having a piano to back her, although her preferred setup adds bass and drums.

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“In Chicago, (Aaron’s) worked with different musicians, and they’ve had their own personalities and egos; she’s had to learn how to deal with that,” Harms said. “(But) she’s always prepared, her voice is beautiful, and the crowd really connects with her.” Part-time jobs and various side hustles fill the time between gigs. Along with her jazz life, Aaron teaches music and does voiceover work for radio and television in the Chicago area. She’s even dusted off her Peoria radio background and works on-air for a contemporary adult station in Chicago. She said that’s typical for today’s working musician. “Everybody gigs, but then everybody has to teach because gigs aren’t enough,” Aaron said, adding she’s not adept at the hustle of self-promotion and networking to get singing jobs. “I don’t feel great about going into a club and saying ‘I know you’ve got regulars on Friday and Saturday nights because they’re my friends, but you should hire me.’ I can’t do that.” Rehearsal time suffers in the midst of multiple jobs. Aaron admitted she doesn’t practice as much as she’d like. “(My husband and I) have a nice set-up in our basement that we can do play-alongs on the computer and a sound system,” she said. “It feels like when you’re performing.” Jazz is her tonic and elixir. It’s a realm where perfection is often elusive. “When it all comes together, that’s the best feeling,” Aaron said. “That’s why you keep coming back for another taste. That’s the magic, when everything is really clicking. I laugh a lot when that’s happening — just for the sheer delight of things so intangible falling into place.” As websites like YouTube allow more access to music, fewer venues can afford live performances, with even fewer people willing to pay a cover charge for it. What does that mean for the future of a jazz singer? “I’ve got no real answer to that question,” Aaron said. “I’ve never had a vision for myself, whether that’s music or acting or radio. All those things have come to me, and I’ve been able to take advantage of them.’’

Textbooks probably arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the first thing that come to mind when it comes to giving back. But when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to learn, a textbook can be everything.

Gifts to the Bradley Fund pay for the things students need to become the next generation of leaders, thinkers and doers. Even textbooks. And best of all, they fit any size budget. Consider making your gift to the Bradley Fund today. Contact Shelly Smith phone: (309) 677-3091 email: ss@bradley.edu

or go online: give2.bradley.edu

Class of 1967 50th Reunion Nora Jobes Ayoub taught for 30 years before retiring, which she spends volunteering and singing with two groups. She remembered Bradley for its approachable professors and opportunities for hands-on learning. Married to Shaker Ayoub ’77 until his death in 2002, Nora has two sons and a granddaughter. Louis Baker remembered his favorite economics professor, Kal Goldberg, as well as being arrested before finals after a sit-in protest. He has two daughters and four grandchildren. Robert and Christina Moore Buente met at a Harper Hall mixer their first semester on campus. He received an MSEE from the University of Missouri and worked for Granite City Steel and the Okonite Co. She taught for five years in Granite City, Ill., schools. They have two children and five grandchildren and live in Larkspur, Colo. Sandra Wenckus Collier has two children and four grandchildren. She lives in Pryor, Okla. Sandra McGuire Doubet remembered pledging Pi Beta Phi. She worked in the printing business for many years and moved from Arizona to Katy, Texas, in 2014. Barb Proctor Drake MLS ’82 worked for 40 years at the Peoria Journal Star where she interviewed Betty Friedan HON ’91 and Barack Obama before he ran for president. She also wrote for Better Homes and Gardens magazine and taught journalism at Bradley. A Chi Omega, she enjoys traveling and volunteering. She and her husband, Bernie, live in Peoria. They have two children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Loren Eisner retired from the insurance industry. He cruised with his wife, Sue, to Cozumel, Belize, and other sites and appeared on a televised show for the Ohio Lottery where he won $7,100. Loren lives in Macedonia, Ohio. Jan Umland Heaney earned a master’s degree at Lewis University and retired in 2004 after teaching for many years. She and her husband, Chris, have two daughters and three grandchildren and live in Dyer, Ind. She enjoys golf, book clubs and volunteering at a home for foster children. Bill “Red” Heimbach was president of Theta Xi. He remembered the basketball team and

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Dr. Paul Sawyer. He has three children and seven grandchildren and lives in Santa Fe, N.M. Gretchen Fornoff Hyneckeal taught first grade. She was involved with integration efforts in Peoria and called her Bradley years “the most fun time in my life.” She has six children and six grandchildren and lives in Boyertown, Penn. Curt Ippensen MBA ’68 retired from a career in advertising, having worked for Caterpillar Inc., the Marsteller and Ogilvy agencies, and Rhea and Kaiser Marketing Communications. He now lives in California with his wife, Mary Ann. Gordon Johnson earned his master’s degree, CAS and CSBD at Illinois State University and served as a math teacher in Washington, Ill., and as business manager and superintendent at East Peoria, Ill., Community High School. His wife, Jennifer Goff Johnson, also earned a master’s degree and certificate of advanced study from Illinois State and was a teacher, assistant principal, athletic director and principal in Morton and Germantown Hills, Ill. They have two children and three grandchildren and live in Naples, Fla. Robert Judd earned his law degree at the University of Minnesota and has worked at Wagner, Falconer & Judd, Ltd. since 1972. He and his spouse, Bernie, have three children and live in Edina, Minn. Patricia “Pat” Doran Kellogg M.A. ’68 spent her career and part of her retirement as an educator and administrator. She volunteers with the Central Illinois Bradley Alumni Chapter, Peoria Historical and St. Vincent de Paul societies. Ted Krupa M.S. ’68 spent 38 years at Caterpillar Inc. His wife, Joan Gore Krupa M.A. ’69, worked as an educator, including four years as assistant dean of women at Bradley. Later, she was CEO of Heartland Community Health Clinic. They are active in their church and civic organizations. They have three sons, including Stephen ’96 and Mark ’98, and three grandchildren. Carole Ross Latimer taught cooking classes for 20 years and started her own catering company. She and her husband have three children and eight grandchildren. Marilyn Voss Leyland earned a master’s degree in journalism at Northwestern University and spent her career in

communications. She has volunteered with numerous organizations, including Lakeview Museum, Cub Scouts, an East Peoria, Ill., school board, the Peoria Riverfront Museum, OLLI and the Friends of Cullom-Davis Library. The third generation in her family to attend Bradley, she has two children and one grandchild. Lyle Looger worked for Boeing, Texas Instruments and the Texas Department of Transportation during his career. He earned an MBA from the University of Dallas and a private pilot’s license and lives in Georgetown, Texas. Wayne Mathison and his late wife, Marylu ’66, were married for 47 years. A Bradley Athletics Hall of Fame member as a swimmer, he worked in publishing. In retirement, he piloted his twin-engine 36-foot houseboat from Peoria to the Florida Keys where he now lives. He has six daughters and many grandchildren. Leonard “Lance” McCormick worked in a band and at car dealerships. He stayed in touch with some of the people he met at Bradley. Lance lives in Bloomington, Ill. JoAnne Pappas Nassos taught English at Glenbard West High School (Ill.) for 31 years. She has traveled extensively and enjoys attending cultural events as well as activities for her three grandchildren. Carolyn Harshbarger Orsi spent her career in telecommunications and health care management and earned an MBA from DePaul University. Involved with community activities such as Girl Scouts and the Optimist Club, Glenview, Ill., named Carolyn citizen of the year in 2005. Orsi and her husband, Bob, enjoy traveling. They have one daughter and three grandchildren. Rodger Page spent 30 years as a teacher, coach and school administrator, later working as a consultant for the Illinois State Board of Education and starting his own consulting business. Active with community and educational organizations, he earned a master’s degree at Western Illinois University and honors from the Illinois Principals Association. Rodger and his wife, Jeanette Olson Page ’70, have two sons and five grandchildren, and live in Gilbert, Ariz. Cheryl Raber Patterson served as a self-described research assistant in child development and human resources. She enjoys golf and book clubs and is a longtime member of the American Association of

University Women and the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae. A cancer survivor, she and her husband, Ron ’65 M.A.’69, have three children and five grandsons. Joyce Patterson is active in her church, music and community organizations, and lives in Monmouth, Ill. Also active in Pi Beta Phi alumnae activities, she served as president of the chapter’s award-winning club in Monmouth for five years. George “Mac” Pogue worked in IT for 34 years, retiring from IBM in 2003 and now serves as a tutor and mentor. He and his wife, Connie, are active in several groups, including OLLI, the Peoria Area World Affairs Council, the Riverfront Museum and Boy Scouts. They have two sons and one grandchild and live in Peoria. Linda Schall Powell taught high school business for nearly 30 years. She has two stepsons and six grandchildren and lives in Fort Myers, Fla. Marc Radin served four years on active duty after an Air Force ROTC scholarship, then spent his civilian career at Sears and at Amaco. He and his wife, Dorothy Revis ’70, have two children and live in Broken Arrow, Okla.

Theodore Radkiewicz earned his law degree at California Western School of Law and served as an attorney in Colorado. He retired to ride his motorcycle around the country and ski. He has two children and lives in Surprise, Ariz. Robert Schoenfeld is a physician in Florida. He has three children and four grandchildren. Karen Reinhold Shifo still gets together with her Gamma Phi Beta sisters. She and her husband, Tom ’66, have two children, three grandchildren and live in Belvidere, Ill. Roger Sindelar earned his law degree at Georgetown University Law Center and worked as legislative counsel for former U.S. Sen. John Warner (D-Va.). A staff member for the 1980 Republican National Convention, he later worked for Presidents Reagan and Bush. Roger has five children and seven grandchildren and lives in Germantown, Md.

Barbara, have four children, three grandchildren and live in Flossmoor, Ill. Diane Allison Storey was a resident adviser and among the team that created the educational television station that became WTVP Channel 47. She has two children, four grandchildren and lives in Peoria Heights, Ill. Randall Walters served as an Air Force officer and helped develop instruments used in the Apollo space program. He started his own electrical/HVAC company and owned an appliance service business. Randall also worked in real estate management and brokering. He and his wife, Karen, have three children, including Gretchen Walters Estill ’93 MSN ’15, and six grandchildren.

David Spiller spent 48 years as a CPA. He enjoys golf and fishing. David has one child and twin grandsons. He lives in Peoria.

Ted Wanack served in education administration at Illinois State University and taught in several central Illinois school districts for more than 45 years. A trombonist, he performed at numerous special occasions, including the funeral of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He was a member of three Army bands and retired as a first sergeant from the Illinois National Guard. He and his wife, Jan ’73 MME ’76, live in Peoria.

Alan Sporn served as president of Spornette International, a maker of styling brushes. He earned an MBA at DePaul University and has traveled to more than 65 countries on all seven continents. Alan and his wife,

Pat Morris Schmitt Zier pledged Gamma Phi Beta while at Bradley and taught kindergarten for 22 years. She has two children, five grandchildren and lives in Chadwick, Ill.

Members of the Class of 1967 gathered during Homecoming to mark 50 years since graduation. Celebrating were, front row, from left: Carolyn Harshbarger Orsi, Carol Kirsch Middendorf M.A. ’70, Patricia Morris Schmitt Zier, Gretchen Fornoff Hyneckeal, Louis Baker, Joan Gore Krupa M.A. ’69, Barbara Ketcham Leiter, Jerilyn Price Simak, Cheri Raber Patterson and Randy Walters. Back row, from left: Rodger Page, Gordon and Jennifer Goff Johnson, George “Mac” Pogue, Diane Allison Storey, Wylvan Parker M.A. ’70, Anita Boyer Parker, Ted Krupa M.S. ’68, Loren Eisner, Alan Sporn, Joyce Patterson, Patricia Doran Kellogg M.A. ’68 and Patricia Layky. Photo by Duane Zehr.

Class Notes 1970s Travis Francis ’71 joined Riker Danzig Scherer Hyland & Perretti LLP in Morristown, N.J. He was a superior court judge in Middlesex County, N.J., from 1992–2017. An adjunct professor at Rutgers University law school, he earned a master’s degree from North Carolina State University and a juris doctor at Rutgers University (N.J.). Jonathan Symko ’71 is a life member, Region VIII director and regional chair for ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers), representing 57,000 members worldwide. He is president of QSC Consultants in Sugar Land, Texas. The North Carolina Bar Association has elected Howard Gum ’73 to a three-year term on its board of governors. He earned his juris doctor from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has received several honors for his service and professional achievements. Howard practices family law with Gum, Hillier & McCroskey, PA, in Asheville, N.C. Phil Pritzker ’75 was re-elected to an eighth term on the Wheeling, Ill., school board. He serves as the board’s president and as president of the Illinois Association of School Boards. Vicki Sparks ’76 is development director for the Shirley Heinze Land Trust. She lives in Long Beach, Ind. John Mikenis ’77 retired after a 40-year career in commercial banking and finance. He earned an MBA at Portland State University. John and his wife, Donna Gorzynski Mikenis ’77, live in Aloha, Ore. Eureka College has named Jerry Rashid ’77 head baseball coach. A longtime high school coach in central Illinois, he ranks sixth on the Illinois High School Association list for all-time baseball coaching victories.

1980s Diana Abouchar McCluskey ’80 is assistant superintendent for business operations in LaGrange (Ill.) Elementary School District 102.

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Jane Monzures ’93, host of Living Healthy Chicago on WGN-TV, served as mistress of ceremonies for the 31st annual Alexian Brothers Ball de Fleur, which raises funds to support patients recovering from behavioral health and substance abuse disorders. Jane also led the live and reverse auctions, which netted more than $235,000 of the nearly $400,000 raised. Terry Graber ‘84, president and CEO of Power Construction, offered the toast and introduced classmate Michael Benoit ’84, chair of the Alexian Brothers Foundation Board. Also present were board members Matt Walsh ’89 and Clay Ciha ’83, along with Robert DiMeo ’84, Gene Esposito ’84, Bob Gallo ’84, Mary Alice Kelly Benoit ’85 and Catherine Hartman Walsh ’91. The Alexian Brothers Foundation also supports individuals impacted by homelessness and HIV/AIDS and promotes the overall health and well-being of the community. Front row: DiMeo, Michael Benoit, Matt Walsh, Esposito, Gallo. Back row: Graber, Mary Alice Benoit, Catherine Walsh, Monzures, Ciha.

Brad Johansen ’84 is news anchor at WKRC-TV in Cincinnati. He is also the play-by-play announcer for the Cincinnati Bengals’ preseason games. The Model A Ford Club of America has elected Kay Gardner Lee M.S. ’88 to its board of directors. She also serves as treasurer of Building Hope in Kids — Uganda. Kay retired from Caterpillar Inc. and lives in Washington, Ill.

1990s Sharon Oden Johnson ’92 served as chair of the Illinois Judicial Council for 2016–17. A graduate of Howard University School of Law (D.C.), she is a circuit court judge in Cook County. She lives in South Holland, Ill. Candi Hudson ’94 is a systems reliability team leader with the federal Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement where she and her team enforce industry standards and investigate the root causes of incidents. Candi earned a doctorate at the University of Maryland and her master’s degree at Prairie View A&M University (Texas).

Matthew Kurland ’94 is corporate controller at KemperSports Management in Northbrook, Ill. He earned an MBA at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. He and his wife, Susan Porth Kurland ’93, have three children and live in Green Oaks, Ill. The Lakeland Magic in the NBA G League have named Anthony Parker ’97 general manager. A first-round NBA draft pick, he played for Philadelphia, Orlando, Toronto and Cleveland, as well as teams in Israel and Italy. He also spent the last five years as a scout for the NBA’s Orlando Magic. Anthony is a member of the Bradley Basketball Team of the Century. Robyn Pierce ’98 married Jamal Turner Dec. 13, 2014. They have two children and live in Phoenix. Robyn serves as hospice triage coordinator for Banner Hospice. Guy Voss ’99 MBA ’01 serves as director of business development for the Southwest Division of McCarthy Water, part of McCarthy Building Companies Inc. He is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Public Works Association and the American Water Works Association.

Family tradition

Unity Temple sanctuary: Joe Vare / Flickr; Berlinger portrait: Eileen Moloney; historical photo and process photo: courtesy Michael Berlinger EMBA ’04.

Arriving with his family in the Chicago suburb of Forest Park as a young immigrant from Germany in the mid-1960s, Michael Berlinger EMBA ’04 picked up English quickly and worked as a translator in the family owned business, Heritage Restoration & Design Studio. By the time he got out of high school, Berlinger had a full-blown career. “The key is for one generation to teach as much as possible to the next so that when the next generation starts to do bidding, it’s based on experience,” he said. “That’s one of the things that makes us unique.” Begun with stone work in the early 1800s in northern Bavaria, the business has grown by word of mouth as well as from associations with historic preservation groups. The family and company relocated to Peoria in the 1970s. “We like to do preservation-conservation work, we like to do historic work,” Berlinger said. “It requires a certain set of old-time skills. We use those skills in newer buildings, as well.” Heritage has done restoration projects around the country, including sites on the National Register. Earlier this year, it completed interior restoration and woodwork at Unity Temple in Oak Park, Ill., a UNESCO heritage location. Smaller jobs, such as restoring paintings or heirloom furniture, smooth the business flow for the company’s dozen employees, all of whom are cross-trained and serve a minimum three-year apprentice period during which attitude and a willingness to learn are critical.

Inset: Berlinger and his wife, Kathryn. Above, left: An earlier generation of Berlingers at work in Bavaria. Above, right: Before-and-after views of wood restoration at the studio. Background: Inside view of the Unity Temple in Oak Park, Ill.

“We don’t hire based on experience but on character. One day they might be heavy into wood restoration — doors, window frames, picture frames. Then the next day we might do stucco repair.” Family members deliberate over decisions on jobs and strategy, which Berlinger admitted was sometimes complex. “If you don’t know where you’ve been, you don’t know where you are and you have no chance of knowing where you’re going,” he said. “It’s an involved situation that requires a lot of communication, a lot of understanding, and a will to take it forward to the next generation.” — B.G.

Bradley Hilltopics Fall 2017

Class Notes

Food challenge: Chicago style The Travel Channel’s popular show “Man v. Food” may have returned to the small screen in August, but Andrew Reilly ’01 was way ahead with a challenge of his own. Using his home in Chicago as the stage, he set out in 2016 to visit a restaurant or bar in each of the city’s 77 neighborhoods. The rules for the Seventy-Seven Official tour were simple: establishments must be locally owned; no national chains (small, local chain restaurants were allowed); and he couldn’t have been there before. “I love to check out new parts of Chicago; it’s a very big playground and a very fun backyard,” Reilly said. The central location of his Printer’s Row neighborhood allowed Reilly to efficiently utilize public transportation. He averaged more than one neighborhood a week before wrapping up the 77th visit in November. “There were quite a few days, some Saturdays when I didn’t have anything to do, I’d plan to take a long walk and go to breakfast over here,” he said. “Then this bar should be open by the time I get to it and then another one a couple miles down the street. I think the most productive day was five (places).” The software projects manager with interests in photography, writing, music and live storytelling took suggestions from friends for places to include. He also went online and received unsolicited tips. Reilly’s personal tastes influenced the project. Waffles, chicken sandwiches and pizza were staples. “I know the things I like,” he said. “I’ll walk down any street, I’ll talk to anyone, but I can’t make myself eat strange foods.” Establishments on the tour ranged from steakhouses to corner bars. Reilly said the best meal was at a Cajun place on 43rd Street and the most memorable was at a wine bar on the South Side during a viewing party for one of the presidential debates. “The sleaziest was all the way at the southernmost edge of the city,” Reilly recalled. “It was little, had no sign, was in an unmarked strip mall and had 4-inch bulletproof glass. You paid the guy through an attachment. There’s some weird places out there.” During his quest, Reilly wasn’t concerned with the cost. He focused on the thrill of the search and crossing off another previously unknown area. “It was like being on vacation in the city where I live,” he said. “Western Avenue goes the length of the city and you think how different the ends are. If you follow a street you’ll see it change. The building styles change and maybe the language on the signs changes. You see all these different cities within the city. It’s amazing.” — B.G.

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2000s Brandon Beck ’02 is a construction project specialist with Hanson Professional Services Inc. and recently celebrated five years with the company.

Lindsay Mayer ’06 participated in Miami University’s Earth Expeditions global field course, studying in Thailand. She is an area supervisor at the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, Fla. Oy!Chicago and The United Jewish Fund have named Ben Schlan ’07 to its sixth annual Double Chai in the Chi: 36 Under 36 list of young Jewish professional leaders in Chicago. He owns Max and Benny’s restaurant in Northbrook, Ill.

Robert G. Stanley ’11 and Ashley Shanholtzer ’12 married Aug. 12. He serves as e-commerce manager for ConAgra Brands, and she is business development manager at Treehouse Foods. They live in Naperville, Ill. Denise Macaluso ’12 and Lauren Benton ’13 married December 2016. Lauren earned a master’s degree at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. They live in Champaign, Ill.

Bethany Stagen Prina ’08 and her husband, Jerry, announce the birth of Patrick Brian, Sept. 21, 2016. Bethany is an HR manager of the intern program at Caterpillar. The family lives in Goodfield, Ill.

Gena Stack ’03 M.A. ’05 and Scott Albert married May 23. Gena is assistant director of new student programs at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. The couple lives in Carbondale, Ill. John Lewis ’04 is a principal engineering manager for test and training instrumentation at Rockwell Collins, which services the defense industry. He has earned multiple honors for his work, including the 2015 Chairman’s Team Award. John earned his master’s degree from Iowa State University.

Jessica Ludolph Westerman ’06 and her husband, Ben, own the Glasford Gazette in Illinois.

2010s Kyle McEvilly ’10 is a senior academic adviser at the University of Iowa. He earned a master’s degree in political science at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Katie Nowlan ’12 and Todd McNulty ’13 married May 6. She is a consumer affairs manager for Midwestern Pet Foods, and he is an electrician apprentice. They live in Evansville, Ind. Josh Theisinger ’12 is a police officer in Peru, Ill.

Chicago neighborhood illustration: Kayu Tai.

Sarah Webber Schore ’04 and her husband, Matthew, announce the birth of London Genevieve, March 21. Sarah is a researcher for Ipsos, and the family lives in Chicago. Randall Moore II MSN ’05 serves as CEO of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), representing more than 50,000 certified registered and student nurse anesthetists. He was AANA treasurer and a region director for the organization. Randall also worked at Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville, Ill. A retired member of the Army Reserve, he earned his doctor of nursing practice from the University of Alabama and an MBA from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Ashley Seroka ’10 and Matt Zarate ’10 married Oct. 7, 2016. Ashley earned a reading specialist designation at Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.) and is a first-grade teacher in Kirby School District 140. Matt is a scheduling executive with Gilbane Building Company. They live in Lombard, Ill. Josh Shapiro ’11 and Kristen Swedo ’13 married Oct. 8, 2016. He is an account manager for C.H. Robinson and she is a research analyst with the National Insurance Crime Bureau. They live in Carol Stream, Ill.

Nicholaus ’12 and Allison Douglas Thommen ’11 announce the birth of Aurora Lydia, June 6. Allison earned a master’s degree from Northern Illinois University. The family lives in Royal Oak, Mich. Joey Ganske DPT ’14 earned the Orthopaedic Certified Specialist designation from the American Physical Therapy Association. He is a staff therapist for Capitol Physical Therapy in Madison, Wis.

Bradley Hilltopics Fall 2017

Class Notes HITTING THE BIG TIME

Beth Knapinski ’14 serves as public relations and marketing manager for Valley County Health System in Ord, Neb.

Yamaha Corporation of America’s Band & Orchestral Division selected Rachel Hibser ’16 from a national pool of applicants as the spring 2017 participant in the wind instruments internship program.

Spencer Siegel ’15 is a broadcaster for the Fort Myers Miracle, the Minnesota Twins farm team in the Advanced Class-A Florida State League. A cancer survivor, he was on the Braves Vision student production staff and honored with the university’s Megan Fong Inspiration Award. Matthew Smothers ’15 and Maria Bates ’15 married June 25, 2016. He works for the Chicago Bears, and she is a teacher at Heritage Grove Middle School. The couple lives in Plainfield, Ill.

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Leti Lerma ’17 signed a contract with a professional women’s basketball team in Romania. She is the all-time rebounding leader for Bradley women’s basketball and was the Varsity Club’s Outstanding Woman Athlete, as well as a first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection and chosen for the MVC’s All-Defensive Team.

Tauchman: Matt Dirksen / Colorado Rockies; Hibser: Yamaha Corporation; Homecoming: Duane Zehr and Daryl Wilson.

Former Bradley baseball star and 2013 national batting leader Mike Tauchman ’13 made his major league debut with the Colorado Rockies in late June. Tauchman, the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year and a consensus All-American his senior year, started this season in the outfield with Colorado’s Triple-A minor league team, the Albuquerque Isotopes. He had two hits and an RBI in seven games with the Rockies before being sent back down. Drafted by Colorado after graduation, he is the third Bradley player to reach the majors with the organization, joining Bryan Rekar ’94 and Rob Scahill ’09.

Brats on the grill, fireworks over Bradley Hall, joy at a soccer win. Tradition — with some newer touches — ruled on the Hilltop in mid-September as alumni, students, faculty, staff and families gathered on a warm fall weekend to celebrate Homecoming. Two other signature Bradley events, Founder’s Day and Family Weekend, further enriched the camaraderie.

Class Notes In Memory 1940s Helen Miller Fisher ’40, May 18, Garland, Texas William Massey ’41, June 17, Hamden, Conn. Gilbert “Doc” Hammond ’42 M.A. ’51, May 31, Peoria Shirley Ernsberger Lovely ’43, April 25, Columbus, N.C. Bessie Nott Mitchell ’43, Aug. 15, Peoria Lois Ryden Verkler ’45, June 23, Peoria Earl Lindenfelser ’46, Aug. 4, Armington, Ill. Maureen Franklin Dean ’48, April 19, Sun City, Ariz. Betty Peters Steinbach ’48 M.A. ’54, July 14, West Peoria, Ill. Elizabeth Royalty Von Tesmar ’48, June 26, Ocala, Fla. Wilbur Schaefer ’49 M.S. ’50, April 22, Peoria

1950s J. Robert “Bob” Dougherty ’50, June 26, Peoria Calvin Flaig ’50, Dec. 30, Naples, Fla. William Robinson ’50, June 25, Rotonda West, Fla. Kenneth Westerdale ’50, April 27, Peoria Russell Bondeson ‘51, Aug. 10, Litchfield, Conn. Michael Magliola ’51, July 21, Valparaiso, Ind. Edward Russell ’51, July 23, Peoria Howard Vohland ’51, June 7, Canton, Ill. William Bakamis Ed.D. ’52, May 18, Seattle Theresa Tillmann Fish ’52, June 3, Holliday, Texas Harry Maltby ’52, June 29, Round Lake, Ill. Norman Porch ’52, Aug. 11, St. Louis John Suehr M.S. ’52, April 4, Hilo, Hawaii Anne Seitz Wombacher ’52, May 12, Peoria Karen Smith Baker ’53, July 22, Peoria Clarence Parr ’53, April 6, Eureka, Ill. Maurice “Morrey” Patterson ’53, May 7, Wheaton, Ill. William Weerts ’53 M.S. ’57, May 4, Batavia, Ill. Louis Landon ’54, April 13, Peoria Lois Strayer ’54, May 1, East Peoria, Ill. Claudette “DeDe” Kitchell Waters ’54, June 17, Peoria Wayne Cheramy ’55, June 5, Bettendorf, Iowa Clark Christiansen ’55 M.A. ’62, June 16, Peoria Carl Meurn ’55, Feb. 24, New Port Richey, Fla. Arnold Parus ’55, May 26, Minocqua, Wis. Charles Rauschkolb ’55, April 15, Liverpool, N.Y. John Crayton ’56, Aug. 4, Peoria Thomas Hopp ’56, Aug. 5, Lake Placid, Fla. Mary “Marilee” Kesseler Jaegle ’56, Aug. 13, Peoria Robert E. Young CERT ‘56 ‘58, Aug. 18, Bartonville, Ill. Joseph Burdett ’57, July 1, Los Angeles Walter “Tony” Bushell ’57, June 27, Peoria Lyle Pool ’57, July 29, Pittsfield, Ill. Robert C. Gibson ’58, May 28, Peoria Thomas Oakes ’58, April 10, Pontiac, Ill.

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Paul Rickert ’58 M.S. ’63, April 19, Bentonville, Ark. Theodore Schlink, HON ’58, April 10, Walnut Creek, Calif. Dorothy Sikora Reidy ’59, May 16, Worth, Ill.

1960s Michael Hazen ’60, June 2, Peoria John W. Schmidt M.A. ’61, July 31, Madison, Wis. James White M.S. ’61, July 13, Quincy, Ill. Richard Wilkinson ’61, April 10, Springfield, Ill. Richard J. “Dick” Heller ’62, May 23, Peoria Robert Lundholm ’62, June 22, Dahinda, Ill. Thomas McKennie M.S. ’62, May 12, Wadley, Ga. Barry Allen ’63, June 4, Taylorville, Ill. Carol Shives May ’63 M.A. ’69, June 18, Peoria Patricia Bohanon Saal ’63, Nov. 1, 2016, Canton, Ohio Louise Vandenberg Heck M.A. ’64, July 2, Stroudsburg, Penn. Edward Dries ’65, May 7, Clinton, Ill. Richard Garner M.A. ’65, Aug. 11, Washington, Ill. David Hillis ’65 MEA ’76, June 6, Greenville, N.C. Gerald Hundley M.A. ’66, May 29, Lisle, Ill. Ralph Bordner M.A. ’67, July 22, Metamora, Ill. Norman Dixon M.S. ’67, Aug. 9, Taylorville, Ill. Jeanette “Jenny” Hart ’68 M.A. ’72, June 4, Peoria Robert Swigris ’68, April 30, Fort Collins, Colo. Harold Hahn ’69, Aug. 3, Trivoli, Ill. Glenn Mertes ’69, July 9, Charlotte, N.C.

1970s Susan Stevens Barton ’70, June 20, Minneapolis Michael Hailperin ’70, June 3, Raleigh, N.C. Andrew Picco ’70, Aug. 6, Fort Wayne, Ind. Gary Bartholomew ’71 MBA ’90, July 19, Peoria Evelyn Roark M.A. ’71, July 9, Toulon, Ill. Kenneth Grodjesk ’72, June 9, Monmouth, Ill. Barbara Giunta Jones M.A. ’72, April 24, Peoria Caroline Freeburg Schertz ’73 M.A. ’79, Aug. 8, Lowpoint, Ill. Larry Wilson, MBA ’73, May 16, Peoria Brice Bain ’74 MBA ’78, July 12, East Peoria, Ill. James Hutmacher ’74, July 24, Quincy, Ill. Terry King ’74, May 30, Largo, Fla. Diane Bibbs O’Grady ’74, July 11, Springfield, Ill. Larry Reiser ’74 M.S. ’76, May 4, Dunlap, Ill. Michael Seymour ’77, May 18, Alton, Ill.

1980s Stephen Ortland ‘80, Aug. 14, Rockford, Ill. Julie A. Cockerill Thompson ’80, April 13, Centreville, Va. Susan Vass Monteith ’81, July 24, Cary, N.C.

Address Changes:

Email alumnirecords@bradley.edu, or write to Alumni Records, Bradley University, 1501 W. Bradley Ave., Peoria, IL 61625. Patricia Tan ’83, Oct. 9, 2016, Campbell, Calif. Cynthia Wolf ’84, April 26, Waukegan, Ill. Art Moser MLS ’85 M.A. ’97, June 26, Peoria Margaret Boseke DeCoteau ’89, June 30, Pekin, Ill. Clyde “Sandy” Hendricks ’89, June 15, Peoria

In Memory Guidelines:

1990s

Complete the form below and mail to Bradley Hilltopics, 1501 W. Bradley Ave., Peoria, IL 61625. You may also fax it to (309) 677-4055, or use our online form at bradley.edu/go/ht-Classnotes.

Julia McCullough Perreman ’94, July 25, Lathrup Village, Mich.

Submit an obituary by mailing a newspaper clipping or memory card from the funeral home to Bradley Hilltopics, 1501 W. Bradley Ave., Peoria, IL 61625.

Class Notes Information: Send Us Your News!

Name________________________________ Maiden__________________

2000s

Class Year____________ Degree___________________________________

Brenda Groeper Hoyle ’02, July 3, Mapleton, Ill. Elizabeth R. Larson ’03, July 29, Normal, Ill.

2010s

Advanced Degree(s)____________________________________________ Institution(s)____________________________________________________ Home Address_________________________________________________

Justin Ibarra ’15, Jan. 18, Orland Park, Ill.

City _____________________________________ State______ ZIP________ Email__________________________________________________________ Phone_________________________________________________________

Faculty

Current Job Title(s)______________________________________________ Employer______________________________________________________

A Navy veteran of World War II, he retired from the Naval Reserve as a captain. He earned his master’s and doctorate degrees from Kansas University and served as president of the University Senate in 1969–70. Brown was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing cards, particularly bridge, earning the rank of Life Master. Surviving are three sons, including Daniel ’77, and a daughter, Kristin Brown O’Connor ’74, and five grandchildren, including Mark O’Connor ’05. Preceding him in death was his wife, Elizabeth Ann Etter Brown M.A. ’64. — B.G.

Name___________________________ Maiden__________________ Bradley Alum?______________ Class Year______________________

SPOUSE

J. ROSS BROWN, professor emeritus of mathematics who taught at Bradley from 1952–87, died Sept. 10 in Pekin, Ill.

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Bradley Hilltopics Fall 2017

Alumni Connections Alumni Events November TBD // Chicago Eric Petersen ’03 in Jimmy Buffett’s musical “Escape to Margaritaville” November 2–3 // Peoria Midwest Women Artists Symposium November 20 // Peoria Theresa S. Falcon Executive Speaker Series December 2 // Chicago Holiday Lights Tour December 3 // San Diego Men’s Basketball at San Diego State December 16 // Peoria Undergraduate and Graduate Commencement February 3 // Peoria Alumni Night at Men’s Basketball

Visit bradley.edu/alumni for details and registration, or contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (309) 677-3565 or (800) 952-8258.

Director’s Corner Tory McCord Jennetten ’96 We ushered in August with a rollicking good time at the CIBAC Bratfest. Scores of alumni and friends gathered at Jimmy’s Bar in West Peoria to ring in a new school year and toast our alma mater with good food and drink, music and wonderful stories. A few weeks later, our entering freshmen took campus by storm. Their sheer numbers — the largest class in many years — and infectious happiness made me grateful to be part of the Bradley family.

Homecoming, Founder’s Day and Family Weekend offered a whirlwind of activity, warm reunions, touching speeches and heartfelt school spirit. As we go to press, we look forward to a late fall and holiday season in which we’ll count our blessings and reach out to help others. Thank you so much for staying connected to Bradley. My best to you,

Tory McCord Jennetten ’96 Executive Director, Alumni Relations

VIEW MORE EVENT PHOTOS at flickr.com/ BradleyAlumni

1 1 Spain Members of the Bradley University Chorale Alumni in front of the Basilica at Montserrat in Spain. The group spent June 19–27 performing throughout the Catalonia region.

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2 West Peoria At least 150 alumni and friends gathered to raise scholarship money at the annual CIBAC Bratfest at Jimmy’s Bar, including (from left): BJ Ullom ’12, Adam Klaege ’10, Sammi Peterburs Klaege ’13, Greg Van Asch ’12, Cole Diekhoff ’14 and Allie Spencer. 3 Peoria Members relaunched the Bradley University Communication Alumni Network (BUCAN) at an August reunion and honored Paul Gullifor for his work as department chair. Contact the Alumni Association for more information about BUCAN. 4 Peoria EMBA cohort classes from 2003–17 reconnected with classmates, professors and staff at Simantel and discussed events in the program and ways to re-engage and support it. 5 Roselle Aaron Buchko MBA ’83, professor of management and leadership, discussed Leading in Turbulent Times with Chicago-area alumni. The event included food and a wine tasting at Lynfred Winery. 6 Peoria Members of the Bradley University Jewish Alumni Network (BUJAN) reconnected during Homecoming and made plans for the group. Participants included (back row from left): Ryan Lutker ’19, Daniel Shore ’09, Tara Turner, Joey Gerchen, Yona Lunken and Jordan Pernikoff ’09. (Front row from left): Stewart Stoller, Jill Stoller, Alison Morrissey, Cali Morrissey, Staci Tons Gerchen ’11 and Erin Subar Pernikoff ’09. For more information about BUJAN, contact the Alumni Association. 7 Raleigh, N.C. Alumni and friends — including (from left) Rachel Rudin ’00, Sean Madden ’07, Tom Hutchinson ’76, Harry Moncelle M.A. ’85, Michael Ferrer ’04 and Tiffany Larew ’04 — enjoyed happy hour and learned about changes at the university.

Bradley Hilltopics Fall 2017

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Hilltop View WoW, indeed A camper reacts with joy at his chance to wield a fire hose with Capt. Chance Barlow during the “First Responders: Community Heroes” class at Bradley’s 34th annual World of Wonder in June. Barlow, who’s served the Peoria Fire Department since 1993, is a chief master sergeant with the 182nd Airlift Wing of the Illinois Air National Guard and has been honored for combat operations. Photo by Duane Zehr.

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“ He forever changed the way I think about the world and my fellow humans.”

Bradley President Gary Roberts ’70, on his mentor, Professor of Economics and Provost Emeritus Kal Goldberg

Which professor(s) made a difference in your life? In 25 words or less, tell us who — and how they affected you. We’ll print a sampling in a future issue. Send ‘em to hilltopics@bradley.edu.