Bradley University Caterpillar College of Engineering and Technology

06/19/2026

Congratulations, Braves!👏👏👏

https://www.bradley.edu

06/18/2026

Today our Alumni Spotlight shines on Pat Schmillen, a process engineer from the class of 2002.

A Bradley education allowed Pat to flourish in the fields of manufacturing, healthcare, and higher education, all as a process engineer. A degree in industrial engineering gives our graduates the flexibility to pursue a wide variety of engineering roles and industries.

06/11/2026

Today's Study Abroad spotlight shines on Stephanie Popovich, a rising sophomore, Civil Engineering major. Stephanie was a part of FCS 271, a class that focuses on how different cultures, religions, and countries have different traditions and beliefs surrounding food. ✈️🇮🇹

She learned all about Italian cuisine, eating habits, and so much more. Student-led in-class discussions go hand in hand with class excursions ranging from local markets, a food tour, and even a pasta-making class. All of the classes come together to take in the history of Rome from seeing the Colosseum, Vatican museums, visiting Orvieto and so much more. 🍝

"Taking FCS 271 in Rome is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, a class that pairs food, learning, and history all in one. I chose to study abroad because time doesn’t come back, but money will. The world is wide, and there will never be a better time than now to spend two weeks in another country. There’s so much to see, do, and experience." 🏦

Stephanie also wants to share that, "Study abroad is not only an academic experience, but it allows students to connect with others they otherwise never would’ve met. Never be afraid to follow your dreams. Our fellow Braves are amazing, and even if you don’t know anyone going to the same destination or taking the same class as you, everyone is so friendly and inclusive."🅱️

06/09/2026

Behind every senior capstone is more than just research--it’s growth, challenges, and lessons that last far beyond graduation. Hear directly from Bradley engineering students as they reflect on one key takeaway from their capstone experience. Because sometimes the most valuable outcomes aren’t on the final report.💡

05/27/2026

“Thinking of things as systems rather than small individual parts is invaluable.” ⚙️💻
For Zachary Dixon (’25), the path from Mechanical Engineering to becoming a Quality Engineer at Walmart was paved by a "holistic" mindset. While technical foundations like machine design and failure analysis remain a part of his toolkit, Zachary credits his Bradley education, specifically core classes like Thermo, Fluids, and Controls, for shifting his focus toward the "big picture."
“The biggest day-to-day work is lots of analytics on how to improve performance holistically, rather than in small finite parts,” Zachary explains.

Zachary’s Bradley experience wasn't limited to the engineering labs. A lifelong musician, he was a fixture in the Bradley University Chorale, Bradley Ballroom, and the Basketball Band, while also staying active in ASME. 🎶🕺
“At larger schools I considered, I wouldn’t have been able to perform in flagship ensembles while pursuing engineering,” Zachary says. “Bradley allowed me to have an excellent technical education and still be active in other passions, without sacrificing either.”

We love seeing our alumni find success by bringing their technical expertise and their creative passions to the professional world. Congratulations on all your success, Zachary! ️🚩

05/25/2026

Today, we remember and honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

05/21/2026

Congratulations to the Class of 2026!🎓

05/19/2026

Wednesdays are for Business & Engineering Club. This past semester, students from
Pekin Community High School District 303 and Peoria Public Schools District 150 visited the Business and Engineering Convergence Center to learn about career paths for the future. The students pictured had the opportunity to work with Jeremy Brockhouse, Machine Shop Supervisor and BECC Safety Coordinator, in the Machine Shop, and Professor Heidi Rottier explained the basics of marketing through a case study of Taylor Swift. We love giving these future Braves a glimpse of where their curiosity can take them.

05/18/2026

Things might be a little quieter here over the next few months. We'll still be here sharing stories of Braves learning new things and making a difference, but maybe not as often. We encourage you to savor the summer sun and make time to enjoy the break. August 26 will be here before you know it.

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05/16/2026

Today is a day of celebration and achievement. To all our graduates, our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for a lifetime of success.

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