RAYMOND “RAY” P. BRADY ’74 & KRISTINE “KRIS” BARONE
FIAT LUX SOCIETY MEMBERS
Through their generous contributions to Millersville University, Ray Brady ’74 and Kris Barone are making a valuable difference in the lives of students. Ray and Kris have created two scholarships in the College of Science and Technology that provide transformational opportunities for Millersville University students to succeed in their academic pursuits. Created in 2024, the John R. Brady Opportunity Endowed Scholarships honor the memory of Ray’s father, John R. Brady.
The life journey of John R. Brady is an inspiring and unlikely success story. Born in 1917 in New York City, by the time he was three years old, John R. Brady had been relocated to an orphanage on Broad Street in Philadelphia. John was lucky to have been befriended by a family in West Philadelphia who instilled in him a lifelong love of Villanova football. He graduated from West Catholic High School in Philadelphia and at the age of 18, John boarded a ship bound for Honolulu, Hawaii, where he served in the military and experienced the attack on Pearl Harbor. In 1943, he returned to Philadelphia and re-enlisted in the 513 Parachute Infantry Regiment, bound for the Battle of the Bulge. Following WWII, John married and fathered two children who he raised as a single parent. For most of his life after the War, John typically worked two full-time jobs (at the U.S. Post Office and the Pennsylvania Railroad) to support his family. After retirement, he continued to travel, and was a self-educated, life-long learner. He was always a generous person. The scholarships were established in his name to provide opportunities for students to succeed and to positively impact their future.
Ray Brady earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education with a concentration in library science from Millersville State College in 1974, with minors in history and psychology. While a student at Millersville, Ray worked in the University library. He has earned multiple advanced degrees and certifications, including a master’s degree in computer science from Villanova University; a master’s degree in management & business administration from Penn State University; and a master’s degree in library & information science from the University of Pittsburgh. Ray credits his professional success to his STEM education and remaining current with emerging technologies.
Professionally, Ray is currently retired following a successful career in the field of Information Technology, which included a variety of software/systems engineer, technical management and leadership positions at corporations like NCR, Exxon, DuPont and Johnson & Johnson. Ray has led teams to deliver complex technology solutions across various industries, with a focus on security, data center infrastructure, and business continuity.
Kris Barone shares her husband’s motivation for making a difference, by dedicating time as a volunteer at local organizations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Chatham College; master’s degree in library and information sciences from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as a master’s degree in health care administration from Penn State University. In addition, Kris has an advanced diploma in local history from the University of Oxford (UK). Her professional career has included roles in director-level positions in the fields of science and health.
As Fiat Lux Society members at Millersville University, Ray and Kris are making a lasting impact that provides meaningful opportunities for students to fulfill their dreams and achieve success far into the future.