Burt Bradley

A fundraising event to benefit the Burt Bradley Endowed Humanities Scholarship will take place from 4:30-7 p.m. Thursday, July 8 at Plaza Diane in Powell. It will coincide with Plaza @5 with music by Tia Ibarra and food from the Fresh Prince of Philly.

Bradley was a longtime professor of English at Northwest College who was devoted to his students and to teaching. He died in January at the age of 70.

Thursday’s fundraiser will be a silent auction format where supporters can bid on gifts and art from well-known local artists. The opportunities include drawings, paintings, photographs, ceramics and gift baskets as well as books of Bradley’s own poetry. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. with the final bid entries due by 7 p.m. All proceeds will go to the scholarship in memory of Bradley.

“The Burt Bradley Memorial scholarship will assist students studying humanities at NWC, with preference for those enrolled in writing fields,” said NWC Foundation Executive Director Shelby Wetzel. “The goal is to raise $5,000 and qualify for matching funds to complete the endowment, so the scholarship will forever honor Burt’s commitment to teaching and his passion for poetry, writing, music, and art.”

Bradley’s career as a faculty member and then as Humanities Division chair began at Northwest College in 1986, according to his obituary.

He taught English and interdisciplinary courses for 30 years, including “Writing in the Wild,” which introduced students to the beauty and wonder of the Yellowstone ecosystem and the Southwest desert. Bradley was known for his teaching style that was collaborative, inclusive and inspiring.

He was honored with the status of professor emeritus when he retired from Northwest College.

Writing was his way of life, something he did every day. After retiring in 2016, he was finally able to pursue, more fully, this passion. His book, “After Following,” was awarded first prize in the 2018 Homebound Publications Poetry Prize and published in April 2019. A second book of poetry, “Letters to Michelangelo from Wyoming,” was published from Homebound Publications this year. 

As well as being a respected, sought-after instructor, Bradley was valued by his colleagues and community members for his willingness to collaborate on projects both local and far-reaching, such as poetry readings and exhibits, workshops and performances. 

For more information about Thursday’s fundraising event, contact Rowene Weems at 307-272-8457.