On Sept. 27, the third annual Henri de Tonti award celebration recognized collaborative community leadership, a determination to find solutions for critical issues and a commitment to developing future public servant leaders.
Bradley’s Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service partnered with the Peoria Historical Society to honor former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. The award recognizes a member of the Peoria area who has demonstrated significant community leadership.
“As someone who is trying to develop outstanding new leaders for our region, for our state and for our country, I can honestly say you’re the role model that we hold up for Bradley University,” Brad McMillan, executive director of the institute, said.
In his acceptance speech, LaHood attributed his community leadership success to members of the Peoria community.
“[This] has been done mostly by people like yourself who care about our community, who care about one another, who get involved and who volunteer,” LaHood said. “That’s why we love Peoria. That’s why we love our citizens. And that’s why we continue to see our community grow.”
LaHood’s public service career spanned 36 years, including time spent as U.S. Representative for the 18th District (1995-2009) and U.S. Secretary of Transportation (2009-2013).
“In accepting that responsibility, you accept the mantle of leadership to move forward, to solve problems, to be a friend and to make things happen,” LaHood said.
The 1971 graduate’s influence on his Hilltop alma mater was especially evident in his efforts to secure federal funding for Westlake Hall renovations and his donation of excess campaign funds to create scholarships for seniors studying American government.
As Bradley’s first Honorary Senior Fellow of the Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service, LaHood also set an example for current students and future leaders.
“What inspires me the most is hearing him and all the others here tonight talk about all the people who he’s helped change their lives,” junior finance major Josh Haywood said. “It’s kind of a cliché when people say, ‘Oh, I’m going to go out and change the world.’ These people have changed people’s lives, and that itself changes the world.”
Haywood, who plans to run for school board of Peoria District 150, represented College Republicans at the event.
In addressing LaHood, Peoria Historical Society President Mark Johnson highlighted LaHood’s leadership qualities that others may model.
“Ray, you’ve demonstrated that by maintaining a positive attitude and working diligently to find and implement solutions, you can do great things,” Johnson said. “Your example of principled community leadership serves as an inspiration to all of us.”
