brought back distinguished alumni and invited new students to enjoy a variety of events on campus. Photo by William Craine.
During the liberal arts and science (LAS) celebration week, distinguished alumni were invited to share their successes with a panel at a networking reception on Sept. 12 in Westlake Hall.
Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat, Dr. Michael Jakoby and Henry Vicary were the three featured panelists that gave insight on how a Bradley education prepared them for a successful career and fulfilling life.
Desmoulin-Kherat received her undergraduate degree in history at Bradley and is now a board member of trustees for the university. She is also the superintendent for Peoria Schools District 150.
Jakoby is an associate professor and division chief of endocrinology at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.
Vicary is the director of community relations for Caterpillar and received his political science degree at Bradley.
The moderator, Dr. Rob Prescott, asked the panel three questions and they provided in depth answers.
“This department prepared me to realize that what we’re doing is not working and we have to do things differently,” Desmoulin-Kherat said.
She said she realizes there is room for improvement in the Peoria area and aims to strategize ways to fix the issues in the education system.
Jakoby stated that he was prepared for a career in bio-medical sciences due to this experience in the chemistry department. He acknowledged the rigorous curriculum and remembered being the first graduating class in the honors program.
Vicary said that he took constitutional law and realized he wanted to be a lawyer. He found what he wanted to do at Bradley through the help of classes and the counselors.
“I found the legal profession as a great path,” Vicary said. “You really need to follow your passion if you want to be successful.”
The panel also talked about the surprises in their Bradley education.
Desmoulin-Kherat shared her study abroad experience in Europe. She believes that an education should be “meaningful, authentic and a lot of fun.”
Jakoby became a “bigger picture thinker” due to his LAS experience.
“I think the LAS background I’ve gotten here at Bradley has helped me become a more expansive thinker,” Jakoby said. “That, in turn, has helped me to lead my division effectively.”
“You never stop learning and achieving,” Vicary said.
Vicary said that one can learn something from everyone they work with.
The panel ended with a conversation on soft skills. Examples include time management, empathy and open-mindedness.
According to Desmoulin-Kherat, soft skills are important in developing relationships with others. She stated that leadership, humility, service and being self-aware are important skills to have to be successful.
Both Desmoulin-Kherat and Vicary said that problem solving is an important attribute to have in the professional world.
“Be a problem solver, not a problem maker,” Vicary said.
Jakoby stated that a leader needs to be an effective communicator and know how to manage their time.
Prescott ended the panel discussion and introduced several alumni that were in attendance for the reception that followed. Students and faculty were able to ask them questions about their professional success and how a LAS education at Bradley helped prepare them for their careers.
