A Message from President Bret Danilowicz

THE CONCLUSION OF TOGETHER – The Campaign for Radford University – offers a moment to reflect on the power of achieving an ambitious goal and to celebrate its impact on our institution.

That we exceeded our goal in the largest fundraising campaign in university history, at a time of significant disruption in the world and change at Radford University, is a bold statement about the pride of Highlanders in their institution.

TOGETHER’s success was made possible by many people who may consider their gift small or who have not previously made a gift. Of the 18,478 donors who made a gift, 66% made their first gift to Radford. More impressively, 39% of donations were $50 or less. Every gift made a difference.

In this issue, we will offer greater insight into the overall impact made by TOGETHER. We will also pay tribute to how our institution’s 7,700 students, 1,500 employees and more than 84,000 alumni make an impact on people and communities here in Virginia and across the world, every day.

Radford University directly impacts lives by delivering a high-quality, affordable education for our students. This fall, we experienced one of our highest rates of year-to-year new student growth in history. Pages 20-23 explain more about our newest class and how our alumni, many of whom are local educators, helped recruit these new Highlanders. We proved to students from all backgrounds, including honors students, community college transfers, military veterans, students who are 25 years or older and students from diverse populations, that at Radford, you will Find Your Place. Here.

From day one, we empower our students to develop a lifelong love for learning. In “Rooted in Research,” on pages 28-31, you’ll see why Radford is a destination for undergraduate research and how this can impact the world. Bismark Amofah ’17, a senior scientist at

AstraZeneca, found his place at Radford – playing for a nationally ranked men’s soccer team that won the 2016 Big South Conference Championship and developing as an expert in biochemistry. Today, Amofah is contributing to research that shapes vaccines that are administered globally; the seeds of his wide-ranging impact were planted at Radford University.

A top priority upon my arrival was forging partnerships among our university, the communities we serve and the Commonwealth of Virginia to promote economic success. We prepare talented students for successful careers and instill the importance of helping others. On pages 32-33, you’ll read about how Radford students like Eastern Shore native MacKenzie Wallace are coming from great distances to find their future career here in the New River Valley. Or how Allison Felix ’01, the COO of Cassaday & Co. in McLean, Virginia, works to line up internships and careers at her company and across the financial sector for Highlanders. Individuals like these are strengthening Radford’s impact locally and across the Commonwealth.

It is my privilege to spotlight Radford University’s accomplishments and the stories of our incredible people. I hope this magazine inspires you to also make an impact.

- President Bret Danilowicz