Springfield, Ohio -
Ohio's new lieutenant governor, Jennette Bradley, a 1974 graduate of Wittenberg University and current board member, has made history as the nation's first black female elected to that office. Moreover, she has also made history as the alumna to hold the highest public service office in Wittenberg's 160-year history.
Ohio Gov. Bob Taft named Bradley his running mate in February of this year, and the two have been campaigning throughout the state right up until yesterday's election.
"She brings to the ticket significant administrative and legislative experience and a distinguished career in the private sector," Taft said at the time of his selection of Bradley.
"Jennette Bradley is a distinguished alumna of Wittenberg," added Ingrid Stafford, Wittenberg University Board of Directors chair and associate vice president of finance and controller at Northwestern University.
"We've been proud to have her as a member of our board of directors and are very honored to have her take on the serious responsibilities of sharing in the leadership of the State of Ohio," Stafford continued.
A psychology major at Wittenberg, Bradley was active on campus, serving as a peer counselor working with freshmen students, a resident hall adviser, a tutor in Upward Bound, a member of Concerned Black Students, Union Board and a half-time entertainment group called Syncopates.
Bradley has said that she majored in psychology because she wanted to be a school guidance counselor, but she decided instead to pursue public service. Part of her duties now as lieutenant governor will be to work with educators across the state in addressing their needs.
The new lieutenant governor plans to focus on education, the economy and expanding health care for Ohio's children and seniors.
Bradley has been serving as a Columbus City Council member since 1991 and is senior vice president of public funds for Huntington National Bank. Currently, Bradley is serving her first year of a three-year term on the Wittenberg University Board of Directors.
Bradley and her husband Michael C. Taylor reside in Columbus.
