The Artis Center Grand Opening

On Sept. 20, the Artis Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity was officially dedicated during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by several hundred people.

Named in honor of Nancy E. Artis ’73 and H. Pat Artis, Ph.D., this 178,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility is a cornerstone of interdisciplinary collaboration. It is home to the College of Visual and Performing Arts and provides unique learning spaces for students in the Waldron College of Health and Human Services and the College of Nursing. Highlanders from a variety of disciplines across the university will use the facility to exchange ideas and engage in hands-on learning and problem-solving.

As the largest academic building on campus and the most significant capital construction project in Radford’s history, the Artis Center represents a tremendous commitment to the university’s future. Thanks to the Artises’ generosity, generations of Highlanders will benefit from the opportunity to learn, collaborate and innovate in this space.

As members of the TOGETHER Campaign Steering Committee, the Artises inspire others to give by leaning into their own motto: “Find a need and fill it.” Their gifts, focused on providing scholarships and enhancing student-focused facilities, are outstanding examples of this campaign’s commitment to changing countless lives and leaving a lasting legacy.

Nancy Artis graduated from Radford with a degree in biology and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree in 2021. She formerly served on the Radford University Board of Visitors and Radford University Foundation Board of Directors, and she currently serves on the Artis College Dean’s Advisory Council. Pat Artis holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech, a Master of Science degree from Rutgers University and a Ph.D. from the University of Pretoria. Currently, he is a professor of practice in the Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering at Virginia Tech.

At the Artis Center dedication, the Artises offered one piece of advice to every current and future student who enters the building: “Your dreams are not large enough.” On behalf of Radford University, we extend a heartfelt thanks to Pat and Nancy Artis for their remarkable support during TOGETHER – The Campaign for Radford University.