A Renaissance Man in the Making

09/23/2013 5:27 PM

By Bob Grimson ’81

California native Chris Golden ’17 admits he had not heard of Bradley University but relied on his friends’ positive impressions of the University when deciding to apply. His first exposure to the Bradley Experience came at a visit day for admitted students, and he liked what he saw and heard.

“Before the presentations began, Dr. Glassman, Bradley’s provost, sat down with me to answer the multitude of questions I had prepared,” Golden said. “After about a half hour, he excused himself, stood up and began his speech. After he finished, he sat back down at our table and continued talking to us. I wouldn’t trade Bradley for any of the 20 other schools I visited across the country.”

The mechanical engineering major was active in FIRST Robotics competitions in high school, serving as his team’s captain in the nationwide competition his junior and senior years. His team won the event’s world championship in 2010, reached the world semifinals in 2011, and was a regional semifinalist in 2012.

“I loved learning about all the mechanics and principles that go into the design of a robot,” he explained, adding he hoped to do robotics research while at Bradley and make that field or the aerospace industry his career.

An active hiker and backpacker, Golden is an Eagle Scout and played trumpet in his high school’s marching, jazz and concert bands. He also has an artistic side, noting that his favorite hobbies are drawing, painting and ceramics. Golden wants to continue his outdoors activities at Bradley, with plans to participate in the backpacking and skiing clubs.

 “I can’t believe that a place so far from home could make me feel this included and welcomed,” Golden said. “Every day here confirms my decision that Bradley was the right choice for me.”