Bradley University Hollywood Semester

Congratulations to all the Hollywood Semester alumni who just graduated!

Rome Tews! Autumn Buckner! Keira Hickey! Cara Nowlin! Sarah Arseneau! Marisel Schalck! Rae Kaczmarek! Owen Robison! Elias Velazquez! Katie Brown! Patrick Sheeley!

We like to think that 100% of your success in life will be because of the Hollywood Semester and the sheer tonnage of exclamation points in this post!

The Spring 2026 Bradley University Hollywood Semester Farewell Dinner.

As long as we're quoting great writers, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." And, a little like life itself, it's impossible to not hold our joy in one hand while holding our grief in the other.

But we know that we are lucky to have had Katie, Kiera, Chris, Cara, William, Christian, Will, Patrick, Rome, Elias, Sam, and Cameron. You did remarkable things because you are remarkable people.

We will miss you in one hand, we celebrate your future in the other.

Also, we've got like 7.5 metric tons of refried beans here from last night. Someone take it. Please. Seriously. Take the beans.

Stars in the sunlight. That's what you get when you visit L.A.'s iconic hilltop observatory, that storied background to "La La Land," "The Terminator," "Rebel Without a Cause," and endless more.

Laying there in the dark, eyes up at the celestial dome, you never know who might be living in the vast, ineffable space around us.

A couple of weeks ago, the Hollywood Semester crewed a short film. A mix of Bradley and seasoned professionals, the production was two days in the California desert outside of Acton.

The Hollywood Semester showed up as novices, but left as experts. And, if you'll allow me a personal note, the students brought it. They learned fast and worked hard, and it was remarkable to watch.

Because of our recent loss, these memories will always be bittersweet, but we could not be more proud and impressed with the incredible job done by the Bradley University Hollywood Semester.

Cameron Paul

In Loving Memory

Jonny Dam's legendary, high-speed, high-octane, one-of-a-kind encounter with the mythical streetscapes of the Sunset Strip is a tradition in Prof. Amanda's California Rock History class.

The RockWalk challenges your shin splints in a spirited sprint on the Sunset Strip.

Am I alliterating too much? I feel like I'm alliterating too much.

Photos 2 - 9: Out and about
Photo 10: No comment

The Hollywood Semester makes music.

Literally.

Had a great time at the legendary Chinese Theater in Hollywood (just next door to the Dolby Theater where the Oscars are held) seeing "Project Hail Mary" on the largest IMAX screen in North America.

But what's going on with this photo? Something weird. It makes it look like the three in front might represent the Lollipop Guild.

Just saying.

You want to meet Howie and Terry? Okay, then, it's all very simple. Spend a semester with us in Hollywood and we can personally guarantee that you could possibly maybe might almost get to, in some fashion, potentially be in a situation where you likely might be in a position to maybe meet Howie and Terry.

Or at least wave at them when they stick their heads out the window.

Hey, we think those are pretty good odds.

Going to a taping of "America's Got Talent," you see a lot. You see how the sausage is made. You see Sophia Vergara just a few feet away. And that's where I'm going to end this post.

Big shout-out to Aidan for jumping in and manning the Hollywood Semester table at the BU Activities Fair. We could've asked for no finer ambassador! Thank you, Aidan!

The poster, the table cloth, the flyers, the tee shirt. No stones left unturned to lure you into the glittering grasp of the Hollywood Semester. Resistance is futile. Join us!