B. J. Lawrence 

Biography

Betty Jane (B. J.) Lawrence joined Bradley University as a faculty member in the Department of Communication in 1967 and retired after more than 40 years in 2021. She was named Associate Dean of the Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts in 2007 and served in that position until retirement. Lawrence directed the Basic Speech Communication (COM 103) program, redesigning the curriculum, selected and integrated new textbooks, and developed workshops for the emerging technology used to teach the course. She directed the capstone course (CFA 421), reorganized CFA 100 and coordinated all SCCFA Global Scholars programs, seminars (CFA 300) and International expeditions. She taught courses in Vienna, Austria and Dublin, Ireland. Lawrence created and directed the Bradley University Hollywood Semester program in Los Angeles, CA. This program allowed Bradley students the opportunity to live, study and intern in the entertainment industry while earning academic credit. She was named as an Emeritus Faculty in 2021.
Lawrence received the Bradley University Francis C. Mergen Memorial Award for public service, Academic Advisor of the Year, and the SCCFA Faculty Achievement Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Additionally, Lawrence was elected President of the Illinois Speech and Theatre Association in 2006. In recognition of her service, she received the WP Stanford Award for “outstanding and meritorious service to the organization”.
She continues to work in the Peoria community following retirement as a member of the Executive Board and Secretary of the Fine Arts Society of Peoria, a member of the Peoria Symphony Guild, the Junior League of Peoria, and was appointed by the Mayor of Peoria to the City of Peoria Public Arts Advisory Commission.