Bradley University Alumni Association

10/23/2026

Last Friday, we proudly presented our annual Alumni Awards and inducted three new members into our prestigious Centurion Society.

Congratulations to our recipients and inductees! Thank you for your leadership, contributions to your fields, and character which reflects the legacy of our Founder.

Lydia Moss Bradley Award: Polly Barton

Francis C. Mergen Award: Dr. Sokonie Reed ’05 ’09 ’20

Outstanding Young Graduate Award: Nicholas Swiatkowski ’12

Distinguished Alumna Award and Centurion Inductee: Sister Judith Ann Duvall ’82

Centurion Inductee: Gregg Holst ’80

Centurion Inductee: Calvin Butler ’91

10/23/2026

Bradley University Black Alumni Alliance is doing amazing things!🤩

ICYMI, the inaugural live stream of Black at Bradley was last night featuring a conversation with Dr. Vannesia Darby ’12 and Dr. Janie Charleston Clay ’14.

"Bradley gave me my foundation... Choosing to go to Bradley challenged me in ways I didn't expect. They exceeded any perceived expectations that I had. I am so proud to be an alum of Bradley University" - Dr. Janie Charleston Clay ’14

You can revisit this conversation on the BUBAA page at any time.

We're also calling out our local Central Illinois alumni! BUBAA has upcoming campus initiatives and is working with current students and recent graduates. We would love your help getting involved and shaping these experiences. If you have any questions or want to get involved, please email [email protected].

10/21/2026

You may have noticed a BIG change to campus recently with the installation of the giant red Adirondack in front of the Student Center. Our very own Alli Krone '18, Associate Director of Alumni Relations, commissioned her dad, John Krone, to build the chair as a gift to the place they've supported for decades.

Her dad finished the chair in a few days, and Alli spent time sanding and painting it before helping install it just before Homecoming. This weekend, her and her family were finally able to admire the chair in its new permanent home together.

“We donated the chair to Bradley because this University has shaped so much of who I am,” she said. “It shaped me as a student, as an alum, as a fan, and now as a professional. I hope current and future students have something on campus that makes them feel the Bradley spirit and reminds them what it means to be part of the Bradley community.”

Thank you to the Krone family for this fun new addition to campus!

https://gobrad.ly/3TZ4Pyv

10/20/2026

What a month to be a Brave!

Homecoming and Founder's Day brought plenty to celebrate, including three special campus dedications made possible by remarkable generosity.

🏓 Zaleski Recreation Complex, featuring new pickleball courts

🎤 Ken and Doris Kolb Pavilion and Jim Rasmussen Stage

✨ Goldin Gateway, honoring Ken and Pat Goldin's steadfast commitment to Bradley and the Peoria community.

Incredible generosity. Lasting legacies. And so much to be proud of. That’s the power of Bradley pride! 🅱️

10/19/2026

Meet Dr. Vannesia Darby ’12! A 2026 BUBAA Hall of Fame Inductee and member of BUBAA’s Past Presidents’ Council, Dr. Darby will host our inaugural Black at Bradley: Beyond the Hilltop conversation with Dr. Janie Charleston Clay ’14. Together, they’ll explore entrepreneurship, agriculture, storytelling, and how our experiences at Bradley shape the paths we take beyond the Hilltop.

Dr. Darby is a marketing leader, consultant, and scholar whose work sits at the intersection of entertainment, race, and online consumer behavior. A recipient of Bradley University’s 2023 Outstanding Young Graduate Award, she is the Digital Marketing Director at Shondaland and Founder and Principal Consultant of MOXIE Nashville. Through strategic marketing and research, Dr. Darby helps organizations understand audiences and drive meaningful growth.

Join us October 22 at 6pm CT on Facebook Live!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1HaThSbmHi/

10/16/2026

Happy Founder's Day!

10/15/2026

Our thoughts are with Kerry’s family and the Bradley alumni who had the privilege of knowing him.

Once A Brave, Always A Brave 🅱️

It is with deep sadness that we express our condolences on the passing of our beloved alumnus, Kerry Burrell. 🕊️

On behalf of the Bradley University Black Alumni Alliance, we extend our sincere sympathies to the family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.

May the cherished memories, lasting legacy, and meaningful contributions of Kerry remain forever in our hearts.

❤️🅱️

10/15/2026

We're heading to St. Pete! ☀️🅱️🏀

Our Bradley Braves Men's Basketball team will be playing in the Showdown in St. Pete on Nov. 12 & 14 and we'd love for our Bradley alumni to join us!

This is a great opportunity to cheer on the team, connect with fellow alumni, and enjoy some Florida sunshine along the way.

Join us and cheer on our Braves! 🅱️

10/14/2026

There’s still time to join us in Golden, Colorado!

Join fellow alumni for a social at the Golden Mill, where you can connect with fellow alumni and hear the latest university updates and campus happenings.

Then, we’ll take the fun to the streets for a haunted walking tour through the city of Golden!

Learn more and reserve your spot here: https://alumnievents.bradley.edu/e/colorado-social-haunted-tour/

10/12/2026

Still reliving all the Homecoming fun on the Hilltop! 🅱️

From reconnecting with fellow alumni to making new memories at the Yard Party, it was so much fun seeing Braves back on campus and celebrating what makes Bradley University feel like home.

Is it crazy that we’re already counting down to Homecoming 2027?