Inspired gifts

I graduated from Bradley University on June 14, with the class of 1948, which included Congressman ROBERT H. MICHEL ’48 HON ’81. In October 1998, I attended the 50th reunion where I was asked to give the invocation. My wife is deceased, and I have three children, Cathie Schanes and John and Mark Heitz.

I grew up in Washington, Ill. During that time, Bradley was known for its Horology department or watchmaking.

In 1939, I enrolled at the University of Illinois, but had to quit shortly after that year. I started working at Caterpillar in 1940 and in 1942, I joined the U.S. Navy. After 30 months of duty, I returned to Caterpillar.

In 1946, I learned that Bradley was starting a mid-term enrollment, so I quit Caterpillar and enrolled under the GI Bill of Rights. After two years at Bradley, I graduated with a bachelor of science degree in business management. I received a wonderful education during my years at Bradley.

I worked 11 years in management for Montgomery Ward and 20 years for the Retail Clerks Union, retiring in 1978.

My aunt, IRENE PHILIPS HEITZ, graduated from Bradley Polytechnic Institute in 1906. Her estate granted money to Bradley, which was used to build a dormitory, Heitz Hall. My grandson, CORY SCHANES ’98 graduated with a bachelor of science degree in business management.

I am writing to Bradley Hilltopics to support the Campaign for a Bradley Renaissance. Bradley University is a wonderful school. The changes that are being made to the campus will provide space for better educational facilities and assure a bright future for the Bradley experience that was envisioned by the founder, Lydia Moss Bradley.

MERLE J. HEITZ ’48
North Fort Myers, Fla.

You may thank the staff of Hilltopics and all the dedicated people who appear in the pages of the Summer 2008 issue for this donation. I was inspired to contribute after reading about the plans described therein.

Though I transferred and graduated from UC Berkley in 1942, my two years spent at Bradley gave me a good start.

The alumni department seems to consider me worthy of receiving alumni news, for which I am grateful.

BARBARA WALKER SEEBURGER ’42
Carmel, Calif.

Submit your Last Lecture nomination

Who at Bradley inspired you the most?

The first annual Bradley University Last Lecture was given in April by President Joanne Glasser, who donned costume and makeup to play herself in the year 2033, on the eve of her retirement from Bradley. President Glasser “reflected back” on what her 25 years at the University might be.

Whose vision, ideas, passions, or thoughts on life would you like to hear? Did a professor or member of the Bradley staff inspire you to see the world in new ways, to do things you’d never done before, to work to make the community or the world a better place?

Students and alumni are encouraged to nominate faculty or staff to present the 2009 Last Lecture, to be delivered as if it were his or her last ever. To submit a nomination, include the following:

Faculty or staff nominee’s name, title, and position at Bradley
Essay addressing the following question: “Why would you like to hear this faculty or staff member address the question, ‘If this were your last time to speak to a group of students, what would you say to them?’ ”
Your name, graduation year (actual or anticipated), phone number, e-mail address, and major.

Nominations may be submitted online at bradleyhillel.org/lastlect.html; by e-mail to seth@bradley.edu; or by mailing the nomination to Last Lecture Nomination, c/o Bradley University Hillel, 702 N. Duryea Pl., Peoria, IL 61606.

Deadline for nominations is Friday, October 17, 2008. This program is sponsored by Bradley University Hillel.

Dr. Seth Katz
Assistant Professor of English
Peoria, Ill.

Inspired gifts

Submit your Last Lecture nomination

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