RADFORD – “I’m fully confident that you will bring with you, wherever you may go, the real values that have always characterized Southwest Virginia: love of country; an abiding faith; a sense of service; and a determination to work hard,” U.S. Senator Jim Webb told students at Radford University’s 2007 Spring Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 5.

Addressing the crowd of approximately 10,000 students, families and friends on a cool, overcast morning, he went on to say, “And I personally hope that you will embrace another value as well. In the scriptures we are told, ‘For unto whomsoever much is given, much shall be required.’ Our country, and indeed our world community, needs you to follow this simple idea now more than ever.” Webb told students that their generation’s legacy “should be that you restored basic fairness to the economic affairs of our nation.”

Virginia Secretary of Education Thomas R. Morris also spoke and congratulated RU’s graduates on behalf of the Commonwealth.

RU President Penelope W. Kyle conferred 1,605 bachelor’s degrees and 320 master’s degrees.

She praised the Radford University student body for being “second to none in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

A traditional highlight of RU’s Spring Commencement is the announcement of annual faculty and staff awards President Kyle recognized the following 2007 recipients (see news release):

• Donald N. Dedmon Distinguished Teaching Professor Award: Rhett B. Herman, Associate Professor of Physics
• Distinguished Creative Scholar Award: Bruce P. Mahin, Professor of Music
• Distinguished Service Award: Claire M. Waldron, Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Anna Lee Stewart Award for Contributions to Faculty Development: Lisa McDaniel, Walker Technology Center Manager, Academic Computing
• Distinguished Faculty Advising Award: Dianne Friedman, Professor of Psychology
• Distinguished Professional Advising Award: Donna M. Dunn, Advising Coordinator, College of Education and Human Development

Kyle also recognized those recipients of the 2007 Outstanding Student Awards who were among the graduating class:

Graduate Students
Sally Leann Bosher, Midlothian 
Emily D. Murer, Portland, Ore.

Seniors
Robert Barrett, Roanoke
Mary Layne Broz, Virginia Beach
Shelley R. Gentry, Johnson City, Tenn.
Meagan Hilligas, High Point, N.C.
Gisela Helene Hornberger, Goochland
James Inman, Ashburn