RADFORD -- Radford University alumnus Randal J. Kirk has received one of the highest awards bestowed by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Kirk has been honored as Virginia’s Outstanding Industrialist of 2008.

The state’s Outstanding Scientists and Industrialists awards were announced Feb. 1 by Governor Timothy M. Kaine and Science Museum of Virginia Director Richard Conti.

Kirk, a 1976 RU graduate, is currently serving RU as Rector of the Board of Visitors. He also has a law degree from the University of Virginia. He is senior managing director and CEO of Third Security LLC, an investment management firm he founded in 1999.

“R.J. Kirk is an outstanding entrepreneur and a loyal and active alumnus of the University. He is truly deserving of this award and I heartily congratulate him on this notable achievement,” said Radford University President Penelope W. Kyle. 

The Industrialist of the Year Award is made to a living resident of the Commonwealth for recent achievement in any aspect of Virginia business or industry. The link between science and progress is an important component in the consideration of possible awardees. Recipients are those who have made a distinct contribution to a business or industry that has advanced business development through the innovative use of science or technology. Consideration is also given to the individual’s service to the community.

Recent award winners include: James E. and Robert S. Ukrop of Ukrop’s Super Markets Inc.; Stephen M. Case, former AOL Time Warner executive chairman; Robert H. Spilman, former chief executive officer of Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.; David R. Goode, former chairman, president and chief executive officer of Norfolk Southern Corporation; and Richard Fairbank, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Capital One Financial Corporation. Governor Charles S. Robb presented the inaugural awards in 1985.

Kirk’s success began as an attorney in Bland County in 1983 when he co-founded General Injectables Vaccines. By the time it sold in 1996, Kirk had founded New River Pharmaceuticals, which focused on improving versions of widely prescribed drugs. Last year, the company was sold to Shire, plc for approximately $2.6 billion.

In addition, Kirk was instrumental in creating NewVA Capital Partners LP to make investments in companies operating in or considering relocating to the Roanoke Valley, New River Valley and Alleghany Highlands. Today, NewVa is a major investor in four such local businesses including Synchrony and Intrexon.

Kirk serves on numerous boards including the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute, Clinical Data, Inc., and Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. In 2006, he was appointed by Governor Kaine to the Virginia Advisory Council on Revenue Estimates.

The honorees will be introduced to the General Assembly on Thursday, February 14, and will receive their awards at a banquet at the Science Museum on Thursday, April 17.