4 minute read
President's Letter
It’s hard to believe that Kay and I are nearly through our first year as members of the Radford University family. Starting new positions in a new community came with high hopes yet some uncertainty. Our experiences have far exceeded our hopes due to the people we have connected with on our campuses, in the city, and in the region we now call home. We knew the area was beautiful, and we have affirmed that the people in the community are wonderful too.
There have been many highlights in our explorations these first months. We’ve shared (a lot of!) coffee with our outstanding students and talented employees, met numerous new friends, participated in rich classroom experiences, taken part in community service at our main campus and Radford University Carilion, and enjoyed time with our wonderful alumni.
The fall semester culminated in my being able to congratulate each one of the nearly 700 new graduates who earned their degrees in December. Celebrating this milestone achievement with our newest Highlander alumni and their families is something that we will look forward at the end of each semester.
We proudly maintain our reputation as one of Virginia’s most affordable public institutions, and we continue to focus our efforts on delivering a high-quality experiential education. To help prospective students and their families understand that affinity better, we are in the process of a branding study that will help all of us best tell the story of why Radford is a destination university.
You’ll notice some special photos at the end of the magazine. The first president of the institution, John Preston McConnell, Ph.D., was also Radford’s longestserving president. One of his lasting commitments to the women of the then Normal School was establishing scholarships and what we now call “work-study,” to make a degree affordable to all students. On Inauguration Day, I posed for a photo in homage to McConnell and reflected on how we must continue to provide affordable degree pathways for all who set foot on our grounds.
Radford University’s Together campaign links McConnell’s visionary commitment to our ongoing efforts to support students. The TOGETHER campaign is the largest fundraising initiative in university history, and the outstanding progress to date has been a testament to this commitment. What sets TOGETHER apart from past campaigns is that it is entirely student focused. Whether the funds are for student research, scholarships, developing flexible learning pathways or anticipating future needs, all the dollars raised will be used to help Radford University students reach their full potential. No matter the amount, you can help create remarkable student experiences through this fundraising effort.
However, your greatest contributions may also be intangible. Since we arrived, people have constantly reached out to ask an important question – in what ways can I help support Radford University?
One way is for our alumni to continue the careers and lives that you are leading and tell the story of where you developed the skills that got you to where you are. Throughout the commonwealth and the world, Radford University alumni stand out as award winners in their professional fields and as leaders in their communities. We want you to share how the Radford experience shaped you.
We also believe in the power of shared expertise to prepare our students. Your knowledge and professional experience can provide a key touchpoint to real-world success. You can reach out to faculty members to offer a guest lecture opportunity. Or contact a dean to offer internship, shadowing and mentoring opportunities. These connections can be life-changing for everyone involved.
We hope that the stories in this magazine inspire you with Highlander pride and that each of you will be involved in moving forward a university that means so much to all of us and our students.
Tartan proud,
Bret Danilowicz, Ph.D.
