Positive Press

My alma mater did a great thing recently. Had to include it in this week’s edition of Positive Press.

If you’ve never taken a look at one of these weekly posts, it has three ‘good news’ stories to start your day in a positive way. So check out the stories below and have a great day!

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/09/07/bradley-signs-preteen-brothers-for-a-good-cause/related/
Bradley signs preteen brothers for a good cause

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2415894/Generous-high-school-athlete-17-sells-brand-new-Jeep-buy-teammate-car-practice.html
Generous high school athlete, 17, sells her brand new Jeep to buy her teammate a car so she can get to practice

http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/eyewitness/130911_18964.shtml
9/11 Donation Helps Local Nonprofit Organization

Homecoming on the Hilltop

What a weekend. The 2011 edition of Bradley University Homecoming was a lot of fun.

My parents (both Bradley alums) came up for the weekend and they joined me and the kiddos for the festivities.

Things got started with the giant bonfire Friday evening at Meinen Field. This thing was huge. Within a minute of lighting it, some of the people gathered around the perimeter were already having to move back a bit as the heat and the flames both intensified quickly.

The kids got a kick out of the firefighters that were on standby. They ended up hosing down the fire a few times…you know, just in case. It was a pretty impressive fire!

Saturday afternoon was the annual business meeting for the Bradley University Communication Alumni Group, or BU-CAN.

If you’re reading this and you’re a Bradley COM alum or a current COM student, I encourage you to check out the group. It’s a great way for alums to get involved and a great source of information and networking opportunities for students.

My parents mentioned that they had never been to a tailgate before. Conveniently enough, the BU soccer tailgate party was Saturday afternoon and I decided it would be a perfect chance for them to get a small taste of what this stuff is all about.

We sat outside the car and the kids threw the football around and kicked the soccer ball back and forth. Cranked up the tunes and enjoyed some good conversation on what was a beautiful fall afternoon.

Then it was time to head in for the soccer match between Bradley and SIU-Edwardsville. The placed was packed. I’ve never seen that many people there. Great atmosphere.

The Braves came out sluggish and went down 1-0. However, a clutch goal late in the second half tied it and sent it into overtime. That set the stage for the big finish.

We had moved down behind the goal so the kids could kick the ball around a bit. Turns out, we would have a front row seat to the grand finale.

Bradley pushed the ball up the field and Ross Williams sent a great ball into the box, where Wojciech Wojcik headed it in.

High drama at Shea Stadium. Braves win.

Before we left, the kids had a chance to get autographs from the players. My oldest son gave them his homecoming shirt to sign and my youngest son gave them his soccer ball. They loved it.

Good times had by all on the Hilltop this weekend. Go BU.

State of the Media Industry Panel at Bradley University

If you’re a member of the media, if you have an interest in how media affects you…heck, if you consume media in any form you should consider attending this event:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=251366394894033

Bradley University’s Department of Communications is sponsoring a panel discussion about the media industry. With the current state of things in the world of media, this should be quite a conversation and one you won’t want to miss.

Click this link for bios of the moderator and four panelists who will be present at the event.

You can follow #stateofthemedia on Twitter if you can’t make it in person.

I hope you’ll check this out!

Thursday, October 13th
7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Caterpillar Global Communications Center
Horowitz Auditorium
(Bradley University campus)

Step Down For The College Bound

Peoria area folks, here’s an event you won’t want to miss this weekend. Stop by Bradley University at 5:00 pm Saturday – I have a feeling you’ll be impressed by what you see.

Be sure to cheer on my friend Robbie Criss’ crew from Dream Center Peoria while you’re there!

Be True to Your School

So you went to college, paid your student loans, and that’s it. Maybe you’re going to college now or perhaps you’re still paying those loans. Wherever you are on the timeline…is that the end of the story for you when it comes to your school? Just a few words to let you know it doesn’t have to be – nor should it be!

Had the opportunity to join fellow Bradley University alums at a forum on campus this evening. We were invited to give feedback about our experience on the Hilltop. During the discussion, those in attendance gave any number of examples of how their time at Bradley has benefited them in their lives today. What caught my attention though was when the responses shifted to what people are doing to give back. Not just from a financial perspective but from a service standpoint as well.

Folks, there are numerous opportunities out there for you to get involved with the institution of higher learning that served as your home for four (or five, or six, or..) years. As much as financial support helps you can certainly do your part in ways that don’t require you to dig into your wallet.

Whether it’s getting involved with an alumni affinity group, attending alumni functions, speaking to students in a classroom, participating in job fairs…the list is much longer than this…you have a chance to not only support your school with the gift of your time but also have a lot of fun in the process. From personal experience doing some of these things in recent years I can tell you it’s been great to be involved once again. My only regret is that I waited so long to do so.

As I told the group during my comments this evening, my time at Bradley will always mean a lot to me. The question I responded to asked what the school did for me professionally and personally. For starters, the skills I learned through my course work there helped me get a job shortly after I graduated. The professors were top-notch and the resources were plentiful. Plus I made some lifelong friends. These are people I still talk with and get together with on a regular basis. Our kids hang out together sometimes. I’ve attended their weddings. I know their parents. Lifelong bonds that I am truly thankful for. Bradley was really good to me.

Perhaps you feel the same way about your college experience. Well, maybe it’s time to consider getting involved as an alumnus. These thoughts aren’t just directed at my fellow Bradley University alums by the way. They’re for anyone. Look into it. Whether you happen to live in your college town or if you’re thousands of miles away I’ll bet you will be surprised just how easy – and rewarding – it is to give back to your alma mater.