2017 Alumni Awards Presented

In a tradition that dates back many years, Bradley University believes in honoring alumni who have given back to their communities in incredible ways and make their alma mater proud. Three of the Bradley University Alumni Association's most distinguished awards include the Lydia Moss Bradley Award, the Outstanding Young Graduate Award and the Distinguished Alumnus Award.

The Lydia Moss Bradley Award was established to recognize outstanding commitment and service to the University.  

As the daughter of a Bradley Professor and Coach of the National Champion Speech Team, Kim Armstrong practically grew up on campus. Since her graduation in 1980, she has remained involved and committed to the University. Her involvement with the national champion speech team and Chi Omega sorority are proof of her love for her alma mater. This year, she chaired the Bradley Forensics Alumni Network reunion during the American Forensics Association National Tournament. The following weekend she co-chaired Chi Omega’s 70th reunion for over 200 guests.

Each spring Kim hosts and prepares a celebration for the graduating speech team students. She has also been involved with the Alumni Center Planning Committee and the Greek Alumni Council Board. 

Kim is described as, ‘a walking ambassador' for Bradley. The incredible amount of service Kim continues to provide for the University has made a strong network for Bradley's students within the community as well as with our alumni, promoting the accomplishments of Bradley well beyond the campus borders. In 2007 Kim was inducted into the prestigious Centurion Society.

The Outstanding Young Graduate Award recognizes professional, civic and charitable activities of a graduate who is 40-years-old or younger.

Eric Petersen has had an outstanding career that has taken him from Bradley to Broadway. He hit the stage when he graduated in 2003 and joined the national touring company of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and he hasn’t stopped since. He starred as Shrek in the first national tour of Shrek: The Musical in 2010, and has had leading roles in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in 2010, and Elf: The Musical in 2015.  

Eric is currently the leading role as Dewey Finn in School of Rock on Broadway. Next, Eric will begin working on the highly anticipated new Jimmy Buffet musical, Escape to Margaritaville, which opens on Broadway in March 2018. Eric has also appeared on the small screen with his most recent role as Kirstie Alley’s son on the sitcom Kirstie. He’s appeared on Modern Family, CSI, Big Bang Theory, NCIS and a variety of Disney Channel shows.

Even with a hectic schedule, Eric has made time to work with students at Bradley. He has collaborated to develop a new academic focus and curriculum for the Department of Theater Arts and frequently participates in prospective student and parent events around the country. In 2015, he joined with the Bradley University Jazz Ensemble and the Department of Theater Arts for three-days of sold out performances of ‘Come Fly with Me: A Tribute to Frank Sinatra.’

His nominator says Eric has given back to Bradley through ‘numerous visits to the Hilltop since his graduation and hosting countless workshops for theater and music students. He mentors, teaches, inspires and leads students through career advice into successful paths for their lives.’

The Distinguished Alumna Award is presented by the Bradley University Alumni Association to recognize a graduate whose professional or civic activities bring the highest distinction to themselves, their community and to Bradley University.

The 2017 honoree is Deidre Lhamon who is a 1985 graduate of Bradley and the Founder and Executive Director of The Covering House.  The Covering House is a non-profit organization focused on residential care, counseling and education to minor girls who are survivors of sex-trafficking and exploitation providing safety, dignity and freedom.

Starting the Covering House, was certainly no easy task. Deidre spent over a year researching the impact of sex-trafficking which is a offensive $9 billion industry in the U.S. She spoke directly with family members, and learned the girls being victimized come from diverse backgrounds across the U.S. with an average age of 13. All her work led Deidre to realize there were too few resources available to support these young girls, and she had to do something.

It was clear during her time at Bradley, Deidre was capable of doing something special. Coming to Bradley from Southeastern Illinois College in her hometown of Harrisburg, where she has also been named a Distinguished Alumna, she was a member of our nation’s best Forensic Team. She was certainly one of Bradley’s best, being named a national champion in both Persuasive Speaking and Communication Analysis and being asked to represent the state of Illinois in the Interstate Oratory Contest in 1984 and again in 1985.

Deidre started out teaching speech communications at the collegiate level but after learning about the child sex trafficking issue in the U.S., her focus changed. The Covering House was incorporated in 2009. In 2013, it started seeing clients through an out-client program, and in 2014, The Covering House opened a residential home to help girls, many with no financial support whatsoever.

The Covering House now provides residential care, counseling and education to minor girls who are survivors of sex-trafficking and exploitation. And she is making a difference, Deidre’s work has been recognized by NBC, CBS, Fox and CNN. She has also partnered with the St. Louis Cardinals wives to raise support for children and the Covering House.

Deidre is a successful professional and a proud alumna, and she is a humanitarian to be emulated for her work on protecting children. Like our founder Lydia Moss Bradley, Deidre is providing more than shelter, Covering House is providing a place where these young ladies can live, survive and thrive.