Leaving a Legacy: Kathie Applegate '85

By Bailey Black

One of the many ways Kathie Crawford Applegate ’85 gives back is by supporting students at Radford University.

Applegate has recently established a scholarship for students studying interior design and included the College of Visual and Performing Arts in her estate plans.

Applegate is part of a family of Highlanders. Her son McKinley graduated from Radford in 2017 with a management degree, and her sister Anne graduated from Radford in 1989 with a graphic arts degree. Each of them had a positive experience at Radford; this inspired Applegate to give back to ensure that future students would be given the same opportunity.

“I also want to know that when I pass, there will be a legacy established at Radford,” Applegate said.

Her journey toward becoming a Highlander began during her college search in high school. The campus size, student population and mission for the future all appealed to Applegate.

“Radford was really looking for well-rounded students: people who had participated in community service and people who were going to get involved in clubs and organizations on campus. That appealed to me,” recalled Applegate, “and I feel like I made the perfect decision.”

As a freshman, Applegate knew exactly what she wanted to study: interior design. She paired that with a business minor to prepare herself for life after graduation. Her favorite class at Radford focused on barrier-free design, which taught the importance of making interior spaces more inclusive. Applegate has always been passionate about making the world better for others, and she has continued to pursue that mission throughout her life.

After graduating from Radford, Applegate began her career as an interior designer. A few years later, she went into business with her father, who worked in real estate. Having taken classes at Radford that focused on insurance and real estate, Applegate felt prepared to earn her real estate license. From there, Applegate worked in other design and marketing-related roles before deciding to stay home with her children until they reached middle school. She became active in her community in Midlothian, Virginia, serving on several boards and becoming involved in her children’s school.

In 2012, Applegate and her family moved to the Nashville, Tennessee area, where she became philanthropically involved with organizations like Thistle Farms, “a nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to helping women survivors recover and heal from prostitution, trafficking and addiction by providing a safe place to live, a meaningful job and a lifelong sisterhood of support.” She remains involved with other organizations like Healing Housing, a nonprofit residential recovery program serving women with limited resources throughout Middle Tennessee who are healing from addiction.

In 2015, after being afforded the opportunity to retire, Applegate moved to Anna Maria Island, Florida, where she has continued to support local organizations she is passionate about. One of those is The Blessing Bags Project, which is dedicated to providing basic necessities to local homeless populations. Another is the Anna Maria Island Pup Rescue, Inc., which Applegate has been volunteering for since its inception two years ago. Fostering animals and helping them find their “forever homes” has been one of her most fulfilling endeavors.

When Applegate is not volunteering or giving back, she enjoys many hobbies, including creating art in multiple mediums; attending sporting events, concerts and the performing arts; repurposing old items found in thrift stores, estate sales and flea markets; traveling; entertaining; and spending time with family and friends.

This passion for giving includes supporting her alma mater. Applegate has enjoyed staying connected to Radford over the years, visiting her son on campus while he was a student, attending annual events and keeping in touch with her former roommates and sorority sisters from Sigma Sigma Sigma. The relationships she has built have strengthened her Highlander pride.

“I would encourage all alumni to get involved at Radford. It doesn’t have to be financially; it can also be through volunteering or speaking to students in class, even via Zoom,” Applegate said. “Radford was such a great experience for me. I loved it, my sister Anne loved it and my son McKinley loved it. It’s a great school. I hope that one day, maybe my grandchildren will go there too.”