Published: August 20, 2008 10:28 pm         

New ISU first lady sets up lemonade stand to greet students, faculty and staff

Effort by ‘neighbors’ impresses Sycamore students

TERRE HAUTE — Dressed in Sycamore blue and white, Cheri Bradley welcomed Indiana State University students, faculty and staff back to campus Wednesday with a lemonade stand set up in front of Condit House.

Bradley is the wife of Dan Bradley, ISU’s new president.

ISU’s outgoing first lady chatted with students, offered them words of encouragement and showed great interest in attending their activities.

“It’s nice to meet you,” she told one group of students who had stopped by. “Don’t be strangers.”

She didn’t want anyone to walk away without partaking in the refreshments. “Did you all get some cookies?” she asked. “Please help yourself to some more lemonade.”

She said she came up with the idea of a Charlie Brown-like lemonade stand recently when she woke up in the middle of the night.

“I want students to know that I’m here now and Dan and I are your neighbors on campus and we’re a part of who you are,” she said in an interview.

She and her husband are living in a house owned by ISU on North Seventh Street, but they hope to reside in Condit House by the end of November. It is undergoing some renovation to convert it back into a residence. For several years, it had been used for offices.

“It’s such an exciting thing to live on campus,” she said. “We’re really looking forward to it.”

Students were impressed by her efforts to get to know them. “I think it’s amazing,” said Kristin Gaither, an ISU junior and a sorority recruitment counselor.

She and some other students invited Bradley to a sorority event once the recruitment period ends. Bradley gave them her business card and said she’d like to attend. “Let me know. If I don’t know, I can’t be there,” Bradley said.

Gaither said she’s already seen the Bradleys several times around campus, both walking and bicycling. A resident assistant, Gaither said she’s also seen Dan Bradley in the residence halls. “He’s showing support. He’s visible,” she said.

Samantha Kozyra, an ISU senior who also is a sorority recruitment counselor, said the Bradleys’ accessibility “is a good way to bond with the students and show that they’re supportive.”

Also visiting the lemonade stand was Andy Henry, a sophomore aviation major. Cheri Bradley talked to him about the aviation industry, which is facing hard times. She expressed optimism that ISU’s aviation graduates will find jobs in their field.

Henry said he appreciated her efforts to extend a warm welcome to students.

Matt Ulery, a junior aviation major, said Cheri Bradley made it clear she enjoys being at ISU and “she wants to be part of our lives.”

The refreshment stand was open for about four hours.

“This has been a great morning. It’s been the most beautiful day and I’ve met so many incredible young people,” Cheri Bradley said. “They’ve shared some of their stories with me and some of the things they are looking forward to in their lives. I see some really strong leaders emerging from ISU.”

Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.