This year there were quite a few memorable events left hidden within The Scout pages.
The staff picked a few of the most imporant articles to highlight as we finish out the 2014-2015 school year.
1. Administrative changes rock the boat
This year saw numerous administrative changes. University President Joanne Glasser will retire May 31 as Provost David Glassman leaves to become Eastern Illinois University’s president. Temporary replacements are in place, as former Provost Stan Liberty will become interim president, and Dean of the College of Education and Health Sciences Joan Sattler will become interim provost. Registrar Kathie Beaty retired last fall, and former Associate Registrar Andy Kindler took the top position. Former Associate Provost of Information Resources and Technology Chuck Ruch retired, leaving a vacancy that has yet to be filled. Norris Chase was appointed executive director of the newly named Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Former Director of Athletics Michael Cross resigned and was replaced by Chris Reynolds. And finally, Brian Wardle became head coach of the men’s basketball team after Geno Ford was fired.
2. Presidential Search Forums express frustrations, suggestions
This spring, the presidential search committee hosted two open forums for Bradley and Peoria community members to suggest ideal qualities of a new president. The conversation went beyond suggestions, however, extending to frustrations of faculty, staff, community members and students. Common topics discussed were athletics spending, lack of resources and the desire for interim leadership.
3. Ferguson dialogue continues the conversation
In December, students shared their thoughts on the protests, grand jury decision and issues related to Ferguson, Missouri and Michael Brown, illustrating how students can become positively involved on campus. Two “die-in” protests on campus also raised awareness about racial inequalities. These discussions and protests spurred a new event series, The Conversation Continues, was created. The series ran through the spring semester, focusing on fostering communication about diversity and inclusion.
4. Charley Steiner School officially dedicated
In January, alumnus and National Radio Hall of Famer Charley Steiner (’71) announced a donation for the establishment of the Charley Steiner School of Sports Communication, the country’s first endowed sports communication school. According to Department of Communications Chairperson Paul Gullifor, this donation will open the opportunity to new partnerships, internships, guest lectures and more. The school was formally dedicated in March when Steiner visited campus.
5. Amnesty program empowers sexual misconduct victims
Bradley’s Sexual Misconduct Policy was formalized last summer after a Student Senate initiative called for revisions to the previously informal policy. With the updates, victims of sexual misconduct that report violations are protected from punishment for illegal activities (such as underage drinking) in which they may have been engaged. These revisions are a reflection of a national trend of universities’ updates to similar policies.
6. U.S. Representative Aaron Schock resigns from office
In March, Bradley alumnus Aaron Schock (’02) announced his intention to resign as U.S Representative resulting after allegations of improper expenditure of taxpayer and campaign donor money were brought against him. Schock’s current and former staff were issued subpoenas to appear before a grand jury in Springfield, and a special election later this year will elect a new representative for Illinois’s 18th Congressional District.
7. Citizens pledge themselves to a new country
On April 23, more than 500 people from 97 countries were sworn in as American citizens before a crowd of over 1,000 in Renaissance Coliseum. Chief District Judge James Shadid presided over the ceremony, administering the Oath of Allegiance for the largest swearing in of American citizens in central Illinois history. Three speakers, including Bradley baseball’s head coach Elvis Dominguez, shared the stories of their immigrations to America and what that meant to them.
8. Wiz Khalifa performs at fall concert
Spirits were high leading up to the Nov. 14 concert by rapper Wiz Khalifa. With more than 2,000 tickets sold, the concert was the largest event to be held at Renaissance Coliseum. Safety concerns followed by logistics meetings brought heightened security and numbers of officials. Despite Khalifa’s tendency of smoking marijuana on stage, there were no issues of illegal substances by the main performer.
9. Students participate heavily in student government elections
This semester saw close races and significant participation in Student Body Officer elections. Numbers of both voters and candidates were more than doubled from 2014 numbers. The election for President of the Student Body was won by a single vote, and the failure of any candidate to receive a majority led to a run-off election for Speaker of the Assembly.
10. Second Safety Cruiser hits the streets
The Bradley University Police Department (BUPD) rolled out its second Hilltop Safety Cruiser this year in response to student concerns regarding delayed response times by the singular van. The second cruiser joins its original counterpart during peak usage periods throughout the week.
