Alumni Honored at Founder's Day

Two College of Education and Health Sciences alumni were honored during Founder’s Day 2016 activities at Bradley. Nursing alumna Andrea Parker ’92 received Centurion honors and longtime Executive Director for Student Development and Health Services Ray Zarvell ’62 MA ’69 received the Lydia Moss Bradley Award.

Parker is the Executive Director for Hult Center for Healthy Living in Peoria. She also oversees UnityPoint Health Methodist’s in-school health program, which provides services to Peoria-area schools. She began her nursing career with UnityPoint Health Methodist, then served as a public health administrator for the Peoria City/County Health Department and regional health officer for the Illinois Department of Public Health Office of the Director.

Parker has been active with many organizations, including the Crittenton Center, Red Cross Heart of America Region, Human Service Center, Peoria Rotary Club and the Peoria Alignment Governing Board with Peoria Public Schools.

Additionally, Parker is a member of the Black Hall of Fame of Central Illinois and has been recognized by 40 Leaders Under 40, 25 Women in Leadership, Central Illinois Women of Influence, Peoria Jaycees and Peoria Public Schools.

Zarvell served his post at Bradley for 39 years with responsibility for counseling, testing, student health, orientation, advisement, learning assistance, and peer counseling programs. He pioneered college orientation programs and played a key role in the creation of the Academic Exploration Program for undecided majors.

He was a founder of the National Peer Counseling Association and its national conference; served on the regional planning committee of the National Orientation Directors Association; and was founding director of a major component of the community mental health system in the State of Illinois for which he was awarded an honorary doctorate. He was elected to the Board of Directors of Delta Upsilon international fraternity, a role in which he was responsible for organizing educational conferences and programs. The fraternity recognized him in 2001 with its Founders Medal for Service.

Zarvell began his career as a teacher at Williamsfield and Limestone high schools, and was named State of Illinois Teacher of the Year in 1968.