Bradley University hosted its 119th Founder’s Day convocation honoring the school’s namesake, Lydia Moss-Bradley.
Interim-President Stanley R. Liberty welcomed guests, which included current students, faculty and alumni.
Trustee Dave Bozeman gave the official remarks, addressing the university founder, as if she were alive and present. Bozeman praised Bradley officials for taking the time to evaluate candidates in the search for a new university President:
“Their commitment to Bradley during this time of transition is key to the future success of our university.”
Bozeman highlighted goals for the campus including having a business and engineering convergence center, and current additions like a new athletic director and the school's online nursing program. Bozeman is also a senior vice president at Caterpillar.
The praise comes in a year when the university and Caterpillar are experiencing economic hurdles.
Part of the ceremony included the induction of four alumni into the Centurion Society. Centurions are individuals who have become national or international leaders in their field. Khalid Al-Naif, a 1981 graduate in economics, was one of the inductees. Al-Naif was recognized for dedicating his professional career to eradicating global poverty.
“And I am happy that even as we speak today, the Pope is actually in front of the United Nations bringing attention to worldwide poverty and that in and of itself puts a smile on my face," Al-Naif said. "Because it’s something we’ve been trying to do for a long, long time.”
Al-Naif told current Bradley students seated at the Dingledine Music Center that he hopes they continue this effort for the next generation.
Al-Naif has worked on international development projects in Kazakhstan, Rwanda, Algeria and the West Bank -- among dozens of other countries. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell personally recognized Al-Naif with the State Department’s highest award for exceptional service of U.S. foreign policy goals.
WCBU is a service of Bradley University.