UNO Alumni Larry and Cindy Bradley Establish First Endowed Professorship for Goodrich

Highlights

• University of Nebraska at Omaha alumni Larry and Cindy Bradley have established the first endowed professorship for the Goodrich Scholarship Program at UNO.

• Larry Bradley credits the Goodrich Program with his success as a first-generation college student. He says the Goodrich Program provided scholarship assistance and other support so he could attend college and helped lay the groundwork for his professional career.

• The Bradleys made a total pledge of $550,000, consisting of a $300,000 gift commitment and a $250,000 deferred pledge through their estate, to establish the Larry and Cindy Bradley Professor for Goodrich.

University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) alumnus Larry Bradley credits the Goodrich Scholarship Program for his success as a first-generation college student. In gratitude, he and his wife, Cindy, have pledged $550,000 through the University of Nebraska Foundation to establish the first endowed professorship for the program.

For over 50 years, the Goodrich Scholarship Program has provided tuition assistance to high-achieving Nebraska residents with financial need from all backgrounds and locations.

“I relied on Goodrich to mentor me through college,” said Bradley, who graduated from UNO with an accounting degree in 1983. “I developed tight relationships with the Goodrich professors. The overall family of support provided by Goodrich was remarkable, especially for a young, struggling kid.”

The support Goodrich provided helped lay the groundwork for Bradley’s professional career. He oversees more than 90,000 employees as global head of audit at KPMG International, where he has worked for over 40 years.

The Bradleys made a total pledge of $550,000, consisting of a $300,000 gift commitment and a $250,000 deferred pledge through their estate, to establish the Larry and Cindy Bradley Professor for Goodrich. The professorship will support a salary stipend, scholarly research and creative activities to enhance the program’s impact on its scholars and the university.

“This historic gift from Larry and Cindy Bradley is a testament to the transformative power of education and the lifelong impact of the Goodrich Scholarship Program,” said UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA. “Their generosity will not only elevate the program’s ability to serve future Mavericks, but also inspire others to invest in opportunities that empower students to achieve their dreams and strengthen our community.”

Established in 1972 through legislation championed by Nebraska Sen. Glenn Goodrich, the Goodrich Scholarship Program has made it possible for more than 3,800 students to pursue their academic dreams at UNO.

Bradley grew up in North Omaha with his three siblings (all of whom attended UNO). His father was a route delivery driver, and his mother worked in the Omaha Public Schools. His parents did not attend college but made sure their children knew college was their future.

Bradley said Goodrich courses were among his favorites at UNO, and the program’s emphasis on diversity provided valuable perspective. Goodrich has a two-year specialized curriculum centered around humanities and social science general education courses to complement and advance students’ pursuit of a bachelor’s degree.

“The program did give me a broad, diverse outlook,” said Bradley, who lives in New York City and Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina. “Goodrich offers the means for students from all backgrounds to succeed.”

The Goodrich Program has a saying, “Once a Goodricher, always a Goodricher,” and the Bradleys have stayed true to that. The couple has made regular gifts to UNO and the Goodrich Program since 1984.

“I deeply appreciate Larry and Cindy’s long-term commitment to the Goodrich Scholarship Program,” said Troy Romero, Ph.D., chair of the Goodrich Program. “Their support has been pivotal in helping fulfill the program’s mission, directly benefiting students and inspiring them to seize opportunities and pursue their dreams.”

Cindy Bradley graduated from UNO in 1985 with a degree in elementary education. In 2010, Larry Bradley was recognized by the UNO College of Business Administration as a Distinguished Alumni. He is also an honorary University of Nebraska Foundation Trustee.

The couple’s gift supports Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future. The campaign is a historic effort to encourage 150,000 benefactors to give $3 billion to support University of Nebraska students, faculty, academic and clinical programs and research to address the needs of the state. Creating new endowed chairs and professorships is a campaign priority.

About the University of Nebraska Foundation

The University of Nebraska Foundation grows relationships and resources that enable the University of Nebraska to change lives and save lives. During the most recent fiscal year, a record $388.8 million in new funds were committed to aid UNK, UNL, UNO, NCTA and UNMC and its clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine. In addition, 57,603 donors supported the University of Nebraska. Alumni engagement and fundraising are efficient, with the University of Nebraska receiving more than $7 in gifts for every $1 spent. Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future is its current campaign with a goal to raise $3 billion from 150,000 unique benefactors to support the University of Nebraska. More information is at OnlyinNebraska.org.