In this issue we have a lot to celebrate. On Founder’s Day we recognized extraordinary alumni and friends of Bradley, as well as faculty and staff who go the extra mile serving students and their peers. Vannesia Darby ’12, who received Bradley’s Outstanding Young Graduate Award, is also a featured player this issue, where she shares how a single message changed the trajectory of her career.

Class of ’46 grad, Toni Tejeda, just celebrated her 100th birthday! One of seven children from Mexican immigrants—five of whom attended Bradley University—her story is one of resilience and perseverance, aided by unwavering support from her parents. She’s now honoring her parents’ memory through the establishment of a Bradley student scholarship program in their names. Dennis Ritchie ’94 leads a new policy and strategy division for Goodwill in Kentucky to help those down on their luck get a second chance—something he’s intimately familiar with.

And finally, Dawn Garcia ’82, fondly recalls her memories as a geology student working in the lab in the basement of Bradley Hall.