Joy of Giving

News & Updates

The joy of giving: From her first gift, to his 56th There are countless stories behind the reasons alumni choose to support Bradley University, and they are as unique as the individuals themselves. Whether it is the first time support received from recent graduate like Nicole Cassidy '08 or Evert Ralph "Andy" Anderson '49 who has supported the University consecutively for the past 56 years, every donor has a story.

"For four years, Bradley was my home.

It was where I went to class, to work, to play and to grow. I enjoyed being involved in the many opportunities provided by the University. Everything I did there made me appreciate Bradley," said Cassidy, the psychology and sociology major from Oak Lawn, Illinois.

During her years at Bradley, Nicole worked for the Bradley Fund. It was this experience that taught her what Bradley has meant to so many and it deepened her commitment and desire to support the university.

Nicole Cassidy '08

"I truly enjoyed working for the Bradley Fund. It allowed me to share in the stories and memories of generations of alumni. Sometimes I would speak to recent alumni who shared similar experiences, but my favorite stories came from people who attended Bradley decades ago," said Cassidy. "It was interesting to hear about how the campus and Peoria had evolved and how different and yet similar our experiences were."

Although Nicole is just beginning her professional career as a training specialist for Jewish Vocational Services, she felt compelled to start giving right away. Many of the activities provided to Bradley students are funded through unrestricted gifts from the many friends and alumni across the country and around the globe.

"All of the activities we were able to participate in at Bradley were because of the generosity and support of so many alumni. They made these opportunities happen. I was so excited when I received my first call from the Bradley Fund. I wanted to be able to add to the experiences of future Bradley students," said Cassidy.

Cassidy credits Bradley as being a "friendly and down to earth campus" and a university where students receive not only professional guidance but also "real world" experiences through internships and campus activities.

Andy Anderson, who lives in San Palo, California with Pat, his wife of 56 years, also considered Bradley to be friendly and down to earth. "You could always find President David Owen mingling with the students. He had a good presence," Anderson said. Because of his experience at Bradley, Andy felt compelled to support the university and has done so for the past 56 years — more consecutive years than any other donor.

Evert Ralph "Andy" Anderson '49 After WWII many servicemen, including Anderson, enrolled at Bradley. "There were many transformations in our country at that time and Bradley was a part of that. It was a time of innovation," said Anderson. "I first began my education at the Bradley Polytechnic Institute. During my education, Bradley became a college and eventually, the prestigious Bradley University. From the very beginning, Bradley has always been full of integrity and a forward moving university," said Anderson.

After graduating with a bachelor of business administration, Anderson began his 34-year career with Wear-Ever Aluminum whose parent company is ALCOA. "I have always supported Bradley because it is a school of innovation and progress. The University has a strong history of success due to the clear vision of strong leaders who stay true to Bradley's mission and always have their eye on the future. They understand that if it is a righteous vision, Bradley can survive and grow," said Anderson.

Like private institutions, Bradley University relies on the generosity of its alumni for support of current operations and future endeavors. Without this support, the University would not be able to maintain its competitive edge and remain a progressive and innovative institution, attracting top students from around the country. It is the ability of the University to remain competitive that perpetuates this success. And whether it's a person's first gift or 56th, it is important to the University and it is greatly appreciated.