4 minute read
A Message from President Bret Danilowicz
During Homecoming festivities in October 2023, I introduced a two-year strategic plan for Radford University that articulated how we will best serve our students and their communities.
At that time, we revealed a new brand for our institution, including a dynamic new visual identity and five pillars that define the Highlander experience: Excellence That is Easily Accessible; Centered on Those We Serve; Freedom to Learn From Experience; Active Learning and Active Doing; and Ready for All Life’s Roles.
The principal question addressed in our new plan and branding was ‘What makes Radford University distinctive?’ A significant part of that answer is our culture of care.
Those who learn, teach and work at Radford extend their hands to those in need, both inside our university and beyond. In this issue of our Radford magazine, you will learn how far our culture of care has reached.
Psychology graduate students are enhancing mental health services for young people in our region, including fellow Highlanders, through the Center for Assessment and Psychological Services. Our Master of Science in Athletic Training program is an emerging degree addressing the shortage of qualified athletic trainers and preparing them to provide care in schools and clinics. Scottish Rite has a long tradition of supporting our free summer programs to children with speech and language disorders. Those programs are powered by students in Radford’s SpeechLanguage-Hearing Clinic, who work, serve and benefit from Scottish Rite’s research funding and scholarships.
In 2023, Radford nursing celebrated 50 years of graduating professionals with a steadfast commitment to the well-being of others. This year, the School of Nursing became the College of Nursing, establishing Radford University as the commonwealth’s only four-year public institution to offer a college wholly devoted to this critical profession. More about our history of nursing education, our accomplished graduates and the college’s future can be found on page 4.
Radford’s faculty members are dedicated to teaching and conducting research with students that improves lives across the globe. We feature Associate Professor of Biology Laura Gruss, who is studying the biomechanics of head load carriage in developing countries, focusing on girls and women in Zambia who haul heavy loads atop their heads for miles each day. Her research work involves Radford students, with plans of traveling to Africa to collect relevant data and provide recommendations that will enhance quality of life.
You will be amazed by the stories of Radford alumni who have reached impressive heights as health system administrators, university faculty members, nonprofit directors and doctors who work across the nation and world to improve lives. Highlanders are transforming their communities and making the world a better place.
Anticipation is building for the opening of the Artis Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity later this year. Modern instructional studios and performance halls will be available for our arts programs alongside instructional and clinical laboratories for health science students. On page 26, you’ll learn about how integrated learning among these fields in the Artis Center will create life-changing outcomes for future patrons and patients.
Private support raised through TOGETHER – The Campaign for Radford University has made many of the stories you will read in the following pages possible. This historic campaign will conclude on June 30, 2024. Thousands of alumni, faculty, staff, parents, friends, foundations and corporations have positively impacted our students by supporting the TOGETHER Campaign and its $100 million goal. Next fall, First Lady Kay and I look forward to celebrating the generosity of donors to the TOGETHER Campaign and recognizing the power of philanthropy for our students.
Kay and I are honored to share with you the culture of care demonstrated by our students, faculty, staff and alumni.
Tartan Proud,
