New blogger signing on (January 19, 2009)

From Julie Schifeling ‘96 MA ‘03…

Growing up, I would watch every political convention, each State of the Union Address and Inauguration, and imagine that I one day I would attend one of these events.  Little did I know that Bradley University and its alumni would provide me with opportunities to turn these dreams into reality.  In 2003, while in Washington, D.C., to conduct thesis interviews, Congressman Ray LaHood ‘71 provided me with a ticket to the State of the Union address–historic because this was when President Bush laid out his plan to go into Iraq.  Fast forward to 2009.  Brad McMillan, Executive Director of the Institute for Principled Leadership, and my boss, returned from Washington, D.C., where he attended Rep. Aaron Schock’s ‘02 swearing-in ceremony and reception, and surprised me with the announcement that he secured a ticket for me to attend President Obama’s swearing-in ceremony.  I was speechless.  So, the airline tickets have been purchased, accommodations secured, and I will arrive in Washington, D.C. on Monday afternoon, excited and humbled to be able to attend this historic event.