Bartons Make Significant Gift to Bradley Convergence Center

Glen and Polly Barton continue their commitment to education in the Peoria area with a seven figure gift to help fund the Bradley University Business and Engineering Convergence Center and a partnership program with Quest Charter Academy. 

The Bartons' gift will be used to fund what is called the Maker’s Lab in the Bradley Convergence Center, a space where someone can bring their innovative new product ideas to life. 

The Convergence Center is a new way of thinking about education. It is both a brick and mortar facility and an academic program. The concept is a shared space facility that creates a collaborative environment between the colleges of engineering and business where the students work with each other and the university partners on projects with regional, national, and international members of industry.   

One of the Bartons' wishes was for this gift to allow Quest Charter Academy students to use the Maker’s Lab so they too can develop new product ideas and work side by side with college students. Lex Akers, Dean of the Caterpillar College of Engineering and Technology, says this gift will allow for that to happen. “This space will allow for our students and members of our community to build their ideas, it will provide resources and access for collaboration with young people in our community. We hope to see students from Quest and many other schools throughout our region reap the benefits of this world-class facility.”

To speak with Dr. Akers, contact the Office of Public Relations at Bradley.