Bradley University - Anaga Yearbook (Peoria, IL)

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1-? f 'ff I 1 il the endowment of an institute similar in character to the present school. Such will was redrafted several times within the following ten years, securing with each rewriting a greater strength and fullness. In 1895 the interest in her work was greatly quickened and she took new steps for obtaining larger and more definite knowledge along the line of manual training schools, send- ing Mr. NV. VV. Hammond as her personal representative to the Wfashington School for Boys, in St. Louis, Throup Institute in Pasadena, California, and to the National Educational Convention which that year assembled in Buf- falo, New York. She conducted large correspondence with the Louisville High School, Rose Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology, the Case School of Applied Science, and other schools of like char- acter, procuring their catalogues and copies of their charters for refer- ence. From individuals of large experience she gained much aid, especially from President VVoodward, of the XVashington School for Boys, in St. Louis, and Mr. Kleinschmidt, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, who had organized the Louisville High School Manual Training Department, he made suggestion of plan for buildings and outlined to her his idea of a proper course of instruc- tion. Dr. Gunsaulus, of Chicago, and Mr. George N. Carmen, Director of the Lewis Institute of that city, kindly furnished her with data regarding size and character of buildings and expense of supporting school. Later, Mr. N. C. Dougherty, Superintendent of the Peoria Public Schools, suggested to Mrs. Bradley that she have conference with Dr. Harper, President of the University of Chicago, and Dr. Harper in his Hrst interview with Mrs. Bradley, realizing that her plans were well matured, urged upon her the advisability of such action as would establish the school and perfect its endowment in her life time. This was a new view of the undertaking, as every consideration of the matter so far had contemplated the execution of her purpose after death. This new idea was like the opening of a bud into the full fruition of its possi- bilities and brought with it the interest of new life, new courage, new hope. W'ould she now be able to look upon this child of her old age, for whom she had so long expected the closing of her eyes forever that it might have being, would she with active hand and moving lips guide and direct the foundation life and character of this her all-absorbing ambition? It might be so. Her estate was in readiness at any moment when needed, and her physical strength of body and mind gave happy promise. Renewing her search for still more definite knowledge, she visited the Chicago Manual Training School and Lewis Institute. Returning from them she entered at once upon the administration of her estate and plans. Novem- ber 13, 1896, a charter was secured under the University Act of the State of Illinois, giving to the school its name, Bradley Polytechnic Institute, out- lining the scope, aim and powers of the institution and methods of perpetua- tion, naming as the first Board of Trustees, Wlilliam R. Harper, Leslie D.

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il' AIS' .l 1 l 41 .ii-if U History of the Institute .U BY OLIVER J. BAILEY. Build to-day then strong and sure, With a firm and ample base: And ascending and secure, Shall to-morrow find its place. -I.0lIg:fi'f!f07l . 6 g , RADLEY POl.YTliCHNIC lNSTl'liU'l'li is a beautiful . memorial, linking the sweet memory of departed life i JAM i.,,W with all that is truest and best in the elevation of human- ,p ity, through that cuiture which enlightens the mind and 1 A7TI,lULl ! directs the hand in harmonious development. It is the Q expression of a thought not dreamed in a night or !4 ',e.,I,l ,.I. wink brought forth in a day, but dreamed over and over in .ITT the night-time and in the day-time, through months and years of earnest purpose and patient waiting, until its growth burst forth into rugged being endowed with the attributes of immortality. Laura Bradley, a beloved daughter of Tobias and Lydia Bradley, though called away while young, had lived to noble purpose: and the going out of her life brought into being an inspiration to father and mother prompting a determination never departed from, to establish with their fortune a memorial which should have life and power for good. Not a graven monument of stone or bronze, but a living force with shielding arms and helpful interest. The death of Mr. Bradley in H67 interrupted the progress of plans then under way, but later these were renewed by Mrs. Bradley, who devoted herself unreservedly to the accomplishment of a great undertaking. She traveled much, personally investigating the best polytechnic and manual training schools in the country, considered carefully plans adopted for the perpetua- tion and maintenance of such institutions, as well as their structural arrange- ments and advantages, her strong mind grasping details with wonderful accuracy, and suggesting new problems to be thought out with greater cer- tainty. She knew the value of money and realized the difficulties in guarding an endowment against contingencies of coming time. That no institution is better guarded in the perpetuation of its endowment is the Firm conviction of those best acquainted with the undertaking. Mrs. Bradley first gave to her plans definite form through will made in lS85, the purpose of which was to convey the bulk of her estate at death, for

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l'uterbaugh, Rudolf l'l'eiffer, Zealy M. lrlolmes, llarry A. llammond, Albion XV. Small and Oliver gl. Bailey. The objects, ethics and aim of the Institute are defined by Section Two of such charter as follows: The objects for which this corporation is formed are to organize and maintain forever a school for the education of young people of both sexes in all the practical and useful arts, sciences and learning usually taught in polytechnic schools, includ- ing a department of ethics in which instruction shall be given in the principles of morality and right living as exemplified in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ: and so far as the resources of the Institute shall warrant there shall be added such courses of study and means of instruction in science, literature and art as may be deemed advisable by the Trusteesg but the chief aim of the Institute shall be to fur- nish its students with the means of living independent, industrious and useful lives by the aid of a practical knowledge of the useful arts and sciences. To establish the terms of admission of students to the Institute: to make and enforce rules and regu- lations for the government of faculty and students, but neither in the terms of admission nor in the treatment of students, the selection of officers, agents or instructors, nor in the appointment of trustees, norin any matter whatever connected with this Institute shall there be any distinction made or preference given on account of sect, creed, nationality. politics or partyg but with a view to its greater usefulness, this Institute shall be and ever remain non-sectarian, non-politiggal and non-partisan. Power is conferred to hold real and personal property for the use and occupation of the school and as income producing investments, and to admin- ister any estate or fund devised or bequeathed to the school for any purpose connected with its general object. lt is also given power to grant such liter- ary and scientific degrees as are usually granted by like institutions for work done in its various departments. The entire management of the Institute is vested in a board of seven trus- tees, two of whom by the terms of this charter are to be representatives of the University of Chicago. The other members of such Board are to be residents of l'eoria County or vicinity: and all hold office during life unless disqualified by incompetence, insolvency or other sufficient cause. The services of a Court of Chancery of Peoria County may be involced in perpetuating the suc- cession of such trustees, in emergency. Four members of such board consti- tute a quorum and all matters of important business must have the sanction of at least a quorum, and that fact must be shown by the record of proceedings. It is safe to say that no institution organized under the laws of the State of Illinois has been more safely guarded at every point looking to the present, and to that future which we reclcon as eternity. The first meeting of this charter board of trustees was was held at the residence of Mrs. Bradley, November lti, Hilti, when the charter referred to was tendered and accepted, by-laws were formulated and adopted and the following officers elected: ULIYER J. BAILEY. .. ............,. ........ ............... P r esident LESLIE D. Pu'1'ERBAuoi-1... . . ..... .Vice-President HARRY A. HAMMOND. . . . ........ ....... S ecretary VVILLIAM R. HARl'ER .... .... P resident of Faculty