Bradley University

Bradley University
Name	Bradley University
Established	1897
Type	Private
Endowment	$400.2 million (2023)
President	Stephen Standifird
City	Peoria, Illinois
Country	United States
Campus	Urban, 85 acres
Students	5,855 (Fall 2022)
Faculty	375 full-time
Colors	Red and white
Nickname	Braves
Affiliations	Missouri Valley Conference
Website	bradley.edu

Bradley University is a private university located in Peoria, Illinois. Founded in 1897, it offers over 185 undergraduate and graduate programs across five colleges and a graduate school. The university is known for its programs in engineering, business, communications, and the health sciences, and its NCAA Division I athletic teams compete in the Missouri Valley Conference.

History

The institution was founded in 1897 as the Bradley Polytechnic Institute by philanthropist Lydia Moss Bradley in memory of her husband, Tobias Bradley, and their six children. The original curriculum was influenced by the manual training movement and included both secondary and post-secondary education. In 1920, it became a four-year college, and in 1946, it was renamed Bradley University, reflecting its expanded academic scope. Key figures in its early development included President William Rainey Harper of the University of Chicago, who advised Mrs. Bradley, and its first director, Edward Sisson. The university grew significantly in the post-World War II era, aided by the G.I. Bill, and has since evolved into a comprehensive university with a national reputation.

Academics

The university is organized into the Foster College of Business, the Caterpillar College of Engineering and Technology, the College of Education and Health Sciences, the Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, along with the Graduate School. It is particularly recognized for its programs in mechanical engineering, entrepreneurship, television production, and nursing. The university operates on a semester system and maintains a student-faculty ratio of 12:1. Special academic features include the Turner School of Entrepreneurship and the Institute for Principled Leadership in Public Service. It holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

Campus

The 85-acre urban campus is situated in the West Bluff neighborhood of Peoria, Illinois, approximately 150 miles southwest of Chicago. Historic landmarks include the iconic Bradley Hall and the Williams Hall. Modern facilities include the Michel Student Center, the Marty Theatre, the Cullom-Davis Library, and the Markin Family Student Recreation Center. The campus also features the Peoria Civic Center-adjacent Renaissance Coliseum, which serves as the home for basketball and volleyball. The Robert H. Michel Alumni Center and the Dingeldine Music Center are other notable buildings.

Athletics

Bradley's athletic teams, known as the Braves, compete in NCAA Division I as a member of the Missouri Valley Conference. The men's basketball program has a storied history, including appearances in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament and winning the National Invitation Tournament in 1957 and 1982. Other sponsored sports include soccer, baseball, softball, track and field, and golf. The primary athletic venues are the Carver Arena for men's basketball and Renaissance Coliseum for women's basketball and volleyball. The university has a notable rivalry with the Illinois State Redbirds.

Student life

Student life is supported by over 300 student organizations, including fraternities and sororities governed by the North American Interfraternity Conference and the National Panhellenic Conference. Major annual events include Family Weekend, Homecoming, and the St. Jude Up 'til Dawn fundraiser. The student-run newspaper is the Bradley Scout, and the campus radio station is WCBU-FM. Leadership opportunities are provided through the Student Activities Office and the Student Senate. The campus is also home to the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, which is affiliated with the university's music program.

Notable alumni and faculty

Notable alumni include comedian and actor Richard Pryor, former Major League Baseball player Kirby Puckett, television producer Gary Smith, and former United States Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. Distinguished faculty have included sculptor and professor Preston Jackson, and former United States Congressman and longtime political science professor Robert H. Michel, for whom the alumni center is named. Other prominent graduates are found in fields such as broadcasting, business, and academia.

Category:Universities and colleges in Illinois Category:Educational institutions established in 1897 Category:NCAA Division I institutions