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A gift of gratitude

Doug Hill has enjoyed much success in his life. A graduate of Kansas State University, he has built a long career with the St. Louis-based investment firm Edward Jones, where he is currently a senior partner. For nearly 40 years, he has shared his life with his wife, Vicki.  Together, they have raised three wonderful and successful children — all graduates of Bradley University.  But when the Hills' three children departed from the Hilltop, their relationship with Bradley didn’t end.

“Parents get used to paying tuition year after year.  It's a happy day when it ends -- and it's a relief.  All parents are proud and pleased when their children graduate from college, and even more pleased when they become fully employed,” said Doug Hill. 

After nine years of paying tuition for their children, Jana Hill Carani ’92, Reid Hill ’94 and Renee Hill ’97, you might expect Doug and Vicki would have put down the pen and let their checkbook rest. But that is not what they decided to do. In 1998, they established the Douglas and Victoria Hill Endowed Scholarship for Foster College of Business, and their commitment to the University didn’t stop there.  In 2006, they made another commitment, this time through Renaissance Campaign, to the same scholarship fund.

"In my opinion, funding a scholarship is not as much about raising funds for the University as it is a way to say thank you for what they have done for your children. One of the key reasons your child will be able to start a career and succeed is due to the quality education he or she received at Bradley University.”

To be sure, all three of the Hill children have successful careers. In addition, two of them met their spouses at Bradley. You might say the Hill family has taken Bradley to heart--literally.

Jana Hill Carani graduated with a degree in advertising and is currently focused on raising the three children that she and her husband, Steve Carani ’92 have.  Steve, also a regional partner at Edward Jones, completed his degree in business and works as a financial advisor in the St. Louis area.

Reid Hill, who earned his degree in business, is also married to his college sweetheart, Maria Albetini ’94.  Reid, who has his CFA, works for Mizuho Securities USA Inc. as a director in the Corporate Finance Division in Chicago where the family resides.  Maria, who majored in elementary education, is an assistant principal at Immaculate Conception.  Reflecting fondly on their time at Bradley, Reid and Maria recently named their third child after their Alma Mater—Theodore Bradley Hill.

Renee Hill also earned her degree in elementary education. She enjoys teaching fourth grade at Forsyth School in the St. Louis area.  Her summers are spent in Colorado where she is a lead instructor for Outward Bound, a non-profit organization with programs emphasizing personal growth through experience and challenge in the wilderness for young adults.

Doug and Vicki have clearly expressed their gratitude to Bradley, and the University and its students have greatly benefited from the generosity of the Hills. Bradley students who have received scholarships from their endowment have said thank you in return.  The Hills have received many letters from grateful scholarship recipients.

“You would be amazed how the endowment builds up over time, and it's a wonderful feeling to help other students.  We know from our experience how meaningful this can be to a young person.  The thank-you letters you'll receive from the recipient of your scholarship are wonderful, and well worth the price of admission.”

When it comes to contributing to the university, the Hills believe investing in education is investing in everyone's future.