A Message From President Bret Danilowicz

On March 10, 1910, the 106th Virginia General Assembly approved an act establishing a State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Radford, to be located on a 33-acre tract of farmland situated along Tyler Avenue. The first 72 students matriculated three years later, in September of 1913, enrolling in either the teacher training curriculum or “industrial” pathway – defined as rural arts, household arts or manual arts.

From this foundation, the institution eventually expanded to 211 acres in Radford, added learning locations in Roanoke and Abingdon and developed a robust online presence while growing more diverse in its degree programming and its makeup of students and employees. Over 115 years, Radford University has evolved into a place that holds special significance for all who call themselves Highlanders.

And yet, many aspects of the place where the first class enrolled remain today. The curved sidewalks, laid upon the paths students regularly traveled, still hold their shape. The names of John Preston McConnell, the institution’s first president, and M’Ledge Moffett, the first dean of students, are prominent on the Radford main campus. And Tyler Hall, which opened in 1916, still stands on the original footprint.

Today, our message to those seeking to join our community is to “Find Your Place. Here.” This phrase is a promise we make to students, employees and visitors, as well as an empowering call to action. In this issue of the Radford Magazine, place is defined not only as a specific location; place represents anywhere that Highlanders forge their identity, feel a sense of belonging, experience memorable social interactions, explore learning opportunities and immerse themselves in new cultures or natural beauty.

Radford University offers an environment where students can flourish in a classroom or research lab setting, but also beyond. Second-year student Jade Horton grew up exploring her natural surroundings in Appalachia and recognized the urgent need to protect them for future generations. Her interests led her to Radford’s geospatial science program, the Green Team Environmental Club and an internship in the university’s Office of Sustainability. First-generation student Cora Burt found her place while participating in

Radford’s Summer Governor’s School for the Visual and Performing Arts, and after enrolling as a full-time art education student, has brought her talents to the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (OURS), designing materials to help recruit future Highlanders. Read about their stories and others on page 18.

Students often arrive at Radford University in search of a place where they will realize the best version of themselves, achieving goals and dreams they never anticipated. On page 26, you’ll read about five alumni who found transformational support here. Charmaine Edwards-Thomas ’10 found mentors in accounting professors Lynn and Wayne Saubert, who later co-signed the loan on her first business. Today, Charmaine is the owner of a popular, award-winning salon in Blacksburg. Justin Willard, MBA ’16, saw Radford as a place where he could maximize his potential as a person and thrive in a high-stakes career. He currently serves as the director of pitching for the Boston Red Sox, one of the most successful franchises in professional sports.

Countless other success stories began here, and we are fortunate to have alumni who have played significant roles in Radford’s history – and its future. This academic year alone, milestones include the dedication of the Artis Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity, the remarkable achievement of the TOGETHER – The Campaign for Radford University and historic new student growth that has increased our enrollment. We hope that all alumni will come back – and give back – and continue to make our place special for the next 115 years.

Radford University students, faculty, staff and alumni are deeply proud of our place, our people, our past and our future. I invite you to learn more about how Highlanders make our environment distinctive within the pages of this issue.

Tartan Proud,

President Bret Danilowicz