About the BUAA
Message From the President
Dear Fellow Alumni,
Welcome to the Bradley University Alumni Association (BUAA) web site. As President of the Association, my hope is that you will find the site a useful and valuable tool for staying in touch with Bradley University - your alma mater.
As a Bradley graduate, you are a lifetime member of the association. We charge no membership dues, yet provide many membership benefits – from discounted insurance offerings and Hilltopics Online to volunteer and networking opportunities. I encourage you to take the time to explore all the resources and opportunities available to you. Here are just a few to start:
• Reconnect with friends, students, staff and faculty online using the Alumni Online Community, online Classnotes, and monthly “Spotlights” featuring interesting stories about fellow alumni, students, and faculty.
• Upload your resume or post a job for your employer at eRecruiting Alumni, our newest career resource for experienced alumni job-seekers and employers.
• Want others to experience the same spirit and passion you have for your alma mater? Refer a Student to Bradley!
• Network with fellow alumni from your home town, or get reacquainted with your favorite student organizations or groups through the programs and events offered by Bradley chapters and affinity groups.
We’re confident that your Bradley experience prepared you for a rewarding life and career. However, that was just the beginning. The BUAA is committed to providing you with resources and opportunities for a life-time.
Allow me to reminisce a little…Once upon a time, the student center was a “Wigwam,” classes were held in portable steel buildings, an Indian danced at the basketball games, and the Western Tap was the place to be. Robertson Memorial Field House (I’m sure you remember the field house) was home to the number one basketball team in the nation, and the entire Peoria community came out to see the Homecoming parade and to “cruise” campus to marvel at the “house decs” constructed by enthusiastic students.
Those days may be gone, but the future just keeps getting brighter on the Hilltop. Just peek at the Renaissance Campaign to see the amazing changes about to take shape. Join me in celebrating those wonderful memories and traditions of the past while we create exciting new ones! And if you want to hear even more about the “good old days,” just connect with some of us “old timers” at any one of the many alumni events across the country or online via the Online Community to learn more about Bradley’s history.
I’m proud to serve my alma mater as president of the Bradley University Alumni Association, and encourage you to consider serving your alma mater in a way that’s meaningful to you, too. Contact the alumni office for more information. It is a rewarding experience to connect with fellow graduates that have a common background.
Welcome to the BUAA web site.
Ed True '54
President, BUAA
Mission and Vision
“The BUAA builds enduring, mutually-rewarding relationships between Bradley University and its alumni.”
We envision a future in which highly energized alumni interact with students, support affinity groups, and work to advance the mission and goals of the University, while Bradley faculty, staff and students actively build relationships with alumni. Alumni, students, faculty, and staff recognize the Alumni Relations office as a center of collaboration between alumni and the University.
In 2004, the BUAA identified 3 strategic initiatives on which to focus as we strive to enhance alumni connections and resources. First, to consider alumni needs based on life-cycle and life-stage to help guide program development. As a result, we have more fully developed our Alumni Insurance Program, and created more young alumni opportunities, including travel.
Second, to more effectively engage alumni in the life of the university through strategic partnerships with colleges, departments and affinity groups. The development of affinity groups like the Black Alumni Alliance and the Forensics Alumni Network provide members with a new means of connecting with each other and with that part of the university that means most to them. In addition, the BUAA has developed more effective means to support these groups as well our geographic alumni chapters (hyperlink to chapter page).
Finally, to bring students into the larger Bradley family by building relationships between students and alumni, and between students and the alumni association while the students are still on campus. The Bradley Ambassadors, our student alumni association, is strong and growing, and offers today’s students the opportunity to interact and network with alumni in both casual and informal ways, as well as more formal organized activities. Partnerships with the Smith Career Center, Student Activities, Admissions, and Athletics; and activities such as Homecoming, Founder’s Day, Legacy events, and others, further help to strengthen the connection and raise awareness.