Mary Dalby Bradley Named Clemson Honorary Alumna
The Clemson Alumni Association (CAA) has named one of the university’s most enthusiastic and dedicated champions, Mary Dalby Bradley, an honorary alumna for her lifelong devotion and demonstrated loyalty to her adopted school.
Mary wed her husband, Phil, in 1963 while he was a student at Clemson and has supported the school ever since.
“Mary Bradley has earned her way into the Clemson family with a smile on her face each step of the way,” said Clemson President Emeritus James F. Barker in his nomination letter. “After they were married, she and Phil moved into married student housing in our prefabs. This began a lifelong love affair for Mary with all things Clemson.”
The Bradleys have become well known for hosting meetings of Clemson in the Lowcountry — a group that keeps Clemson alumni in the Charleston area in touch with one another and with the university — at their home on Johns Island, where they have built a “tavern” next to the main house that is decked out from top to bottom in Clemson paraphernalia.
“One visit to their home confirms their ‘all-in’, ‘orange-blood’ relationship with Clemson,” said Thomas Thornhill, former president of the Alumni Association “The tavern next to their home contains practically every Clemson memento ever made.”
“(Mary) hosted events in the Lowcountry for decades to bring the Clemson Family to celebrate, mourn and strengthen our bonds together,” said Barker. “This leadership and hosting continued into her service and commitment to our Board of Visitors. Further, Mary has been joyful in her financial support of Clemson. The Bradley Award in the Creative Inquiry program is a wonderful example of a gift helping to transform undergraduate education on our campus.”
The Clemson alumni and development staff reiterated Barker’s sentiment in a letter supporting Bradley’s nomination.
“Mary is a true giver of time, talent, and treasure to Clemson,” it reads. “Though she married into the Clemson family, Mary’s commitment to our university is unmatched. Her work with Clemson in the Lowcountry has brought a warmth to the organization for over a decade, as she opens her home and brings that special touch only Mary has. She leads with her heart, which truly bleeds orange.”
Any Clemson alumnus can nominate someone to be an honorary alumnus. Honorary alumni are selected based on their outstanding service to Clemson and/or the CAA, their lifelong devotion to Clemson University and their demonstrated loyalty to Clemson and the CAA.
To see a list of past honorary alumni or to view the award guidelines, visit the honorary alumni web page.
