Radford University Gains More Than 500 New Alumni

RADFORD – Radford University President Penelope W. Kyle conferred more than 500 degrees during RU’s Winter Commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 15 in the Dedmon Center Arena. A total of 529 students earned degrees, including 71 graduate students.

The most popular undergraduate degrees by discipline were: interdisciplinary studies 58, nursing 49, criminal justice 30, management 29, media studies 25, art 24, marketing 16, exercise, sport and health education 15, biology 13 and communications 11. The most popular graduate degrees awarded included: educational leadership 15, reading 9, special education 7, criminal justice 7 and fine arts 7. 

Award-winning physics professor Rhett Herman delivered the Commencement address.

“We don’t have to change the whole world to make a difference, just our own little pieces of it,” said Herman. “The cumulative effect of all of us doing this will then be impressive.”

Vice Rector Tom Fraim, a 1987 RU graduate, brought greetings from the Board of Visitors. Faculty Senate President James Lollar, Student Government President Regis McKoy and senior class president Ashley Hall spoke on behalf of their constituencies. Senior music major Clara Lee sang the national anthem.

Spring Commencement at RU is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, 2008.

(See Winter Commencement Photos for a collection of images from Saturday's commencement ceremonies. Watch Winter Commencement video.)