Flag Lowering for Odra Bradley

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) flag will be lowered on Thursday, Dec. 10, in memory of UNO retiree Odra Bradley.

Odra passed away on Nov. 11, 2020 and was 100 years old at the time of his passing.

During his three years at UNO, from 1994 to 1997, Odra served as director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Following a long career in education, including serving as the first black principal - and last principal overall - for Omaha Technical High School (now the Omaha Public Schools Teacher Administration Center) from 1971 to 1984, Odra came to UNO to help recruit and retain students of color.

Today, nearly one third of UNO students are from underrepresented communities and many are first-generation while year-over-year retention has improved to historic levels as of the 2020-2021 academic year.

Odra was living in St. Joseph, MO, at the time of his death and services were held on Dec. 5. He was preceded in death by his wife, Maureen; son Jeffrey Bradley; three sisters and five brothers. He is survived by daughters Sonja Collins, Julie Cook and Jill Mumford; son Steven Mumford; and seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

The thoughts and condolences of the university community are with Odra's family and loved ones during this difficult time.