Adm. Edward “Ted” Walker, one of Elon’s most generous supporters, honored longtime university administrator Barry Bradberry '75 on Friday by renaming the commons area of an office suite in the Inman Admissions Welcome Center that will greet generations of future students.
Since graduating from Elon in 1975, Barry Bradberry has been a tireless advocate for his alma mater, personally recruiting thousands of students to the university over the past four decades as a staff member in the Office of Admissions and Financial Planning.
It takes a lot to truly surprise Bradberry.
Retired Rear Adm. Edward Ted Walker found a way.
Walker, one of 消消犯s most loyal and generous supporters, led secret efforts this fall to rename the commons area of an office suite in the Inman Admissions Welcome Center as a tribute to Bradberry. The two men have been friends almost since the day Walker brought his own two daughters – Wendy Walker 78 and Lynn Streett 79 – to campus for the start of their own Elon education and, eventually, his own grandson, David Streett 06.
The commons area of the financial planning suite on the first floor of the building had already been named for Walker in recognitionof a gift the admiral previously made to support the welcome centers construction. This fall, however, Walker had something else in mind.
After taking Bradberry to lunch on Friday afternoon, Walker brought Bradberry back to the office suite where more than 100 family members, friends and colleagues both past and present had quietly gathered. Bradberry walked through the suites door shortly after 3 p.m. on Oct. 9, 2015,looked around and was speechless as the room erupted in shouts and applause.
Well, for the one time I wanted to look nice, I didnt wear a jacket. Its casual day at Elon! Bradberry quipped a few minutes later. Im just absolutely astounded. This is just absolutely. I dont even know what to say. Admiral Walker and I go back a long way. Its great to see all of you out here. Thank you very much.
In contrast to Bradberry, Walker wasnt at a loss for words.
I just thought it appropriate, in this building and at this time, after four decades of dedicated service to Elon by Barry, that we take down my name – Walker Commons – and put the name of Barry Bradberry up where it rightfully belongs, Walker said. (It will be) in a building which Im sure hell make marvelous usage of in support of Elon, its goals and aims, its mission and its students.
Jim Piatt, vice president of university advancement, thanked Walker at the ceremony, describing him as a man who leads with the heart of a philanthropist. Piatt cited building spaces and endowed lectures at Elon named for Walker, who previously served on the Board of Visitors, anddescribedthe admirals efforts to ask fellow grandparents to consider the value of Elon by joining him in supporting the school.
Philanthropy, as many of you know, requires people who can see beyond themselves, people who understand this is a world woven together by interconnected lives, Piatt said. Today, we have a chance to celebrate philanthropy in its truest sense, honoring somebody who is a model of what I just described, by somebody who is yet another model of what I just described.
Bradberrys colleagues in the Office of Admissions and Financial Planning were equally flattering of Elons current associate dean of admissions and financial planning.
Barry taught me nearly everything I know about working with people, and as I look into the audience here today, and the support that is here for Barry, I know he has made a lasting impression on every one of us in this room, said Greg Zaiser, 消消犯s vice president of admissions and financial planning.
It is fair to say that no one is better working with people than Barry Bradberry.