Finding Your Place: Then and Now

Do you remember your first steps onto Radford University’s campus? That mix of excitement and nerves as you wondered where you’d fit in and how your journey would unfold? For so many of us, Radford wasn’t just about classes and exams – it was where we started figuring out who we were. It was late-night conversations near the fountain, joining clubs we’d never heard of before and even a few missteps that taught us more than we expected.

I’ve learned that belonging isn’t just about where you are but about the connections you build along the way.

Finding your place isn’t something you do just once. It’s an ongoing journey, one that unfolds with every new chapter of life. Author Ursula K. LeGuin said it best: “It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”

My own journey began in 1983, moving into Muse Hall, the “Tower of Power.” Within days, I was playing flag football in front of the dorm, meeting so many new people I lost count. I joined Phi Kappa Sigma, played intramural sports and even started a student services business to earn a little extra money so my friends and I could fully enjoy campus life. I was a speech and communications major, but it was on campus that I first discovered my passion for business. My advisor and professor, Ted McKosky, challenged me constantly –pushing me to develop the skills I’d need to succeed.

One of my favorite roles was becoming Rowdy Red, the school mascot. I’ll never forget the moments of school spirit and community, especially when Radford’s president, Dr. Dedmon, and his wife became my biggest fans. Mrs. Dedmon, with her signature beehive hairdo, was a regular at Radford basketball games and always took my playful antics in stride, even when Rowdy Red used her beehive as a punching bag to get the students and spectators at the game fired up.

Over the last eight years as president of the Alumni Board, I’ve had the privilege of reconnecting with Radford. Looking back 41 years later, I realize Radford was a place where we could grow, gaining confidence and courage before stepping into the world. It wasn’t just about academics – it was about discovering who we were meant to be. Whether it was late-night study sessions in the library, cheering on the Highlanders or the friendships that turned strangers into lifelong connections.

The challenges we faced back then taught us resilience and adaptability. Now, as alumni, those lessons continue to guide us. Radford didn’t just prepare us for careers; it gave us the tools to navigate life’s uncertainties, reminding us that finding our place is a continuous journey.

Your journey didn’t end at graduation; it’s still unfolding. And now, you have the opportunity to help today’s Highlanders find their way. Whether through mentoring, sharing career advice or volunteering, your experience can make a lasting impact. Let’s give back to the place that helped shape us.

Visit www.radford.edu/alumni-volunteer to learn how you can get involved and inspire the next generation of Radford leaders. Together, we can ensure that the journey of finding one’s place continues for generations to come.

With Highlander pride,Kevin Rogers ’87 Rowdy Red (ʼ85-ʼ87) Radford University Alumni Board President