Campus Update 2/12/16

Greetings,

The first month of my presidency has included listening to many of you. Among the very most important campus perceptions are those dealing with the primacy of our academic endeavors and the critical focus on academic excellence that we all need to share, especially given the challenges facing higher education today. Therefore, I have initiated some changes to campus leadership groups that should more clearly reflect the primacy of academics. My resolve is to provide reassurance of Bradley’s commitment to offer the highest quality education to all of our students.

The Provost Council (most of the direct reports to the Provost), will now be called the Academic Council and will also include the Vice President for Student Affairs and the Vice President for Enrollment Management. This group provides academic leadership to the institution, and including the views of student affairs and enrollment operations in its deliberations are important to the quality and vitality of our academic execution. The Council of Deans group, which is a subgroup of the Academic Council, will continue to meet and function at the pleasure of the Provost.

The direct reports to the President, previously referred to as the President’s Cabinet, will now be called the Administrative Council. Its function, as it has been in the past, will be solely to share information among the various administrative departments and to coordinate important campus efforts so that the departments do not function in isolated silos. The Administrative Council does not set academic policy or procedures, make resource allocation decisions, or establish university priorities.

In addition, a new President’s Council will be formed consisting of the Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Senior Vice President for Business Affairs and the VP’s for Advancement and Student Affairs. The Senior Vice President titles are newly created for the two highest ranking executives with University-wide responsibility. This small executive-level group will thus be comprised of those who represent the academic constituencies, the student constituency, the external constituencies, and financial and business perspectives.

There are no changes to direct reporting lines or compensation as result of the above (although the VP's for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management will now have a dotted line to the Provost).

I believe that these changes will create a structure that both enables us to be more effective and efficient in accomplishing the purposes of each group and more clearly reflects that the administration understands and is committed to focusing on our academic opportunities and priorities. These changes are now effective.

Sincerely,

Nursing Pass Rate

Join me in congratulating the Department of Nursing for a 100% pass rate by 78 graduates from May and August on the National Council Licensure Examination. This is the first time that has happened since 2003. Kuddos to the faculty and staff for their excellent preparation of our students. Read the full release.

Dr. Stan Liberty appreciation reception and honor

I hope you will join me at an appreciation reception for Dr. Stan Liberty on February 23 from 3:30-5:30 in the Founders Room of the Hartmann Center. Dr. Liberty provided invaluable leadership as interim President and I am thankful to him for all of his dedication and hard work on behalf of this institution.

I am also proud to report that the Board of Trustees designated Dr. Liberty an Honorary Alumnus at the recent Board meeting. This distinction is given to select individuals who have dedicated themselves unselfishly to the betterment and growth of the University. He joins a very select group of only 45 others who have received this distinction. Dr. Liberty is very much deserving of this honor.

Spring Concert

ACBU put together another successful campus concert with touring artists Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. Attendance was close to 3400 at the sold-out show that received rave reviews. Watch this time lapse video of the concert from set up to tear down courtesy of student Mitch Pericak. As the video illustrates, it takes quite a team to put together a show like this. Thank you to all the students and staff who worked to make it a success.

I am Brave

More than 290 students were recognized by their peers at the annual “I am Brave” celebration. This is the 3rd year for the program that recognizes student leaders who embody the University’s mission.

For the Love of the Game

Donna and I had the honor of attending the first ever “For the Love of the Game” event that honored the 40 years of intercollegiate athletics for women at Bradley and to recognize those who paved the way long before that. Graduate Mira Panajotovic Vukelich ‘54 received special recognition. She represented Bradley in tennis competitions long before there was a women’s team on campus. This was a chance to celebrate our history, introduce our current student-athletes to those who blazed the trail and to foster new relationships. It was a great success with more than 300 students, alumni, staff and friends in attendance. Read more.  

Alumni night/1000th MVC game

On February 20, we will celebrate alumni night at the men’s basketball game against Drake. Our alumni are a vital part of this University. I have had the pleasure of meeting many these past few weeks and I hope to meet many more at this game and encourage them to remain engaged with their alma mater. There will be an alumni reception in the Theater Lobby prior to tip off. Registration is required. It also is a celebration of Bradley’s 1,000th Missouri Valley Conference game.

Alumni News

Congratulations to alumna Alicia Washington who recently was selected as an Associate Judge of the 10th Judicial Circuit. Judge Washington is a Peoria native who earned a master’s degree in Leadership in Human Service Administration from Bradley in 1997. She credits Bradley with preparing her for success. “Faculty members taught me to structure my thoughts into worthwhile community projects. The department allowed my creativity to grow. Significant role models walked the hallways of my department and left a tremendous impact on my professional techniques. I walked away from Bradley feeling respected and treasured. Bradley served as a great launching pad for my career.” Washington becomes the first African-American woman to take the bench in the 10th Judicial Circuit. Congratulations Judge Washington! Read more.