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Bradley Hilltopics

Fall 2007 • Volume 13, Issue 4
Notebook
President •  Fore Warn •   Rankings •  Wikipedia •  London Adventure

Travel group

London adventure attracts all ages

Bradley University Continuing Education recently partnered with the University’s Study Abroad Program to create an innovative educational travel opportunity for Bradley alumni, friends of the University, and retirees. The “sacred and dramatic spaces” theme resulted in 18 adult students visiting a variety of sites in London while exploring ideas such as, “What is a space? What makes a space sacred?”

The group toured the Royal National Theatre and attended two productions during their eight-day stay in late May. They also visited a Hindu temple, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Hampton Court Palace, and other traditional London sites. Using public transportation was a part of the adventure. Students from Bradley’s Study Abroad Program joined the adult group for an intergenerational mixer—afternoon tea at a Bloomsbury hotel with 67 people attending.

Sue Manley MA ’01, program director of continuing ed; Janet Lange MA ’93, executive director of continuing ed and professional development; and Jon Neidy MA ’01, assistant director of continuing ed and professional development, planned the adventure.

Dr. Dan Getz, associate professor of religious studies, led the educational activities concerning the sacred, and James Ludwig, associate dean of the Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts, was in charge of the educational activities related to drama. Dr. Christine Blouch, director of international programs, shared her expertise in planning the trip and provided logistical support while the group was in London.

“The streets of London were our classroom,” said Getz. “I gave a lecture on Hinduism on a bus, and Jim [Ludwig] spoke about drama while we stood in front of the Royal National Theatre.” Getz added that experiencing the sites alongside the students was a highlight.

The electronic London Trip Journal, a daily journal with photos, was posted on the Continuing Ed Web site so family and friends of travelers could follow the tour from home. This was the first combined trip for the Continuing Ed Program and the Study Abroad Program since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. Because of its success, future trips of its kind are being planned.

Visit bradley.edu/continue for more information or to view the London trip journal site.

 

Affinity Group

Nora Wilburne ’93, Michele Pitman ’76, Janet Nalls Lewis ’76,
Renee Jones Webb ’74, Greta Anderson ’89, Kimberly Echols ’85,
and Laura Johnson Jones ’80 were among 30 alumni who met May 31 for a
Bradley University Black Alumni Alliance event at the Negro League in Chicago.

Affinity groups keep alums connected

When your time at Bradley ends, do your relationships falter as well? The Bradley University Alumni Association doesn’t think so. In fact, the BUAA is working to ensure that close friendships forged on campus flourish after graduation.

“The mission of the BUAA is to build enduring, mutually rewarding relationships between Bradley and its alumni,” said associate director of alumni relations Reggie Bustinza ’03.

One method of supporting such ties is through affinity groups—alumni organizations based on a shared common interest while at BU. Currently, the Bradley Forensics Alumni Network (BFAN) and the Bradley University Black Alumni Association (BUBAA) are the only active affinity groups, but the Alumni Association hopes more will be organized.

“What we do for the alumni groups is provide assistance with communication,” Bustinza said. “We’re also the liaison between the University and the group.” Additionally, the Association solves logistical issues for cross-country meetings, such as event planning and setting up conference calls.

“It’s a great chance for people to catch up,” said interim BFAN president Tom Doyle ‘87. Doyle competed on the Bradley speech team and is working on the group’s November 2–4 reunion.

To contact BUBAA, e-mail Michael R. Davis '75 at mrdavis@alum.bradley.edu. To contact BFAN, e-mail Tom Doyle '87 at tadoyle@saundersdoyle.com.

 

President •  Fore Warn •   Rankings •  Wikipedia •  London Adventure