While presenting at DrupalCon in Boston this year, webmaster Steven Merrill got to see a preview of BU Theatre alum John Schacchetti on Broadway in Gypsy with Patti LuPone.

In a cell phone streetside interview, John talks about the Broadway experience, making it big, and what it's like to perform with legends like Patti LuPone.

For information about our talented alums, keep watching the Alumni News section!

During a recent pops concert put on by the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, members of Bradley music department faculty (many of which play in the PSO), the remainder of the professionals employed by the Peoria Symphony, and the Bradley Chorale, under the direction of Dr. John Jost, all collaborated to bring the music of John Williams to the Civic Center theatre stage.

They were also joined by members of the Midwest Garrison of the 501st Legion, who added their own theatrics to the concert. The above video was taken and hosted courtesy of their group.

Marcia Henry Liebenow, a professor of strings in the Music Department and acclaimed performer, is also a member of the Concordia String Trio. The trio has recently been involved in several recording projects and performances, both on Bradley's campus, and nationally. The trio held a recital in Dingeldine Music Center this February and has recently performed in Boston.

Marcia is no stranger to recording, having released her recording with Antonio Pompa-Baldi recently. Her trio also records regularly. The preview track above is from a recording featuring all chamber music works written by Alan Schmitz. Schmitz wrote a three-movement suite just for the Concordia String Trio in 2000, and an excerpt from the 3rd movement is featured above.

The Concordia String Trio is made up of Marcia Henry Liebenow on violin, Leslie Perna on viola, and Darry Dolezal on cello.

"Striving for Cultural Diversity in the Broadcasting Industry!”

June 15 - June 19, 2008
A 5-Day, Expenses-Paid Hands-On Workshop in Broadcasting For High School Students at Bradley University

Sponsored by:
Bradley University &
Illinois Broadcasters Association

Electronic Media graduate Anna Diep produced an excellent video journal of her visit to Hollywood with her January 2007 expedition course. It details the class's travels, who they met, and what their reactions were.

Marcia Henry-Liebenow and Antonio Pompa-Baldi performa a sonata by Edvard Grieg from their new recording, Works for Piano Volume 7. Information on the CD, and additional samples are available at the album's page on CDUniverse.com.

Gary Panetta of the Peoria Journal Star explains: The disc features the Grieg sonatas for violin and piano Opus 13 and 45, both of which were performed at the March concert. (The second movement of the sonata for violin and piano Opus 8, which also is on the CD, was performed at the earlier concert as an encore).

The project grew out of Pompa-Baldi's appearances in recent years with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, where Liebenow serves as concertmaster. Pompa-Baldi, who has an international reputation as a rising piano virtuoso, liked Liebenow's temperament, musically and personally, and asked her to collaborate with him on the CD.

"His background is all different from mine - he grew up in Italy, he's a pianist, he's been in the competition circuit," said Liebenow, who grew up in Mansfield, Ohio, in a family of musicians and later attended the New England Conservatory. "It was really exciting for me to play with someone of Antonio's musical stature who performs all over the world."

Slane College faculty took top honors on Founder's Day, winning all four of Bradley University's most prestigious awards for faculty during the Founder's Day Convocation.

Dr. Ron Koperski, Dr. Kyle Dzapo, James Ferolo and Steven Synder were four of six recipients of awards recognizing excellence among Bradley University's faculty.

See the recipients and read about their awards!

The Peoria Journal Star writes that Renee C. Byer, BU a staff photographer with the Sacramento Bee since 2003 and an alum of the Bradley University class of 1980, won the award Monday for her series of black and white pictures, entitled "A Mother's Journey."

"I am totally honored to win this award," the 48-year-old California resident said by telephone Monday. "It's really important to me because it shows the power of what a story can do."

In addition, former Bradley University professor Howard Goldbaum said of her work, "This is wonderful news. Renee always had very wide horizons... I still share her work with some of my students."

Read the entire story in the Peoria Journal Star, and be sure to visit a slideshow of her Pulitzer-award-winning entry here.

The Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts introduced Betty Jane (B. J.) Lawrence as its third Associate Dean on June 1, 2007.

Lawrence came to Bradley University over twenty-five years ago to teach in the Department of Communication. Her affiliation with the university continues as she transitions from Director of the Basic Speech course into the role of Associate Dean of the SCCFA. She served as the Interim Associate Dean of the College during the 2005-2006 academic year.

Bradley University and the Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Paul F. Gullifor as the new Chairperson of the Department of Communication.

The process for choosing the new chairperson for the largest department at Bradley began last fall when a national search was announced to replace Dr. Ali Zohoori who served as chairperson for seven years. Zohoori stepped down as chair to focus on research and publication of a new book on mass communication issues in Iran. Dr. Ron Koperski, senior member of the Communication faculty and of the Public Relations Concentration, chaired the search committee. Koperski’s committee received nominations and applications from throughout the country and from abroad, narrowing the candidates to three finalists who interviewed on campus in April. Gullifor’s appointment has been greeted enthusiastically across all campus constituencies from faculty, staff, and students to administration and alumni.

“I am honored,” said Gullifor, “to lead the largest department on campus. I’m looking forward to the opportunities and challenges of this position, and I’m eager to work with wonderful colleagues and students in the pursuit of excellence in everything we do.”

Read the full article about this exciting new role for one of our best and brightest.