RADFORD – Rosalyn Lester, professor emeritus of fashion, has been named chair of the Radford University Arts Society. Greg Rooker served as chair of the Arts Leadership Committee for five years and will continue to participate as a member of the committee. Lester was introduced to the society at an October luncheon and Rooker was recognized for his leadership and commitment to the society.

The Arts Society, now in its 20th year, provides money for scholarship assistance for students in the College of Visual and Performing Arts and supports creativity, talent, performances, and local outreach. Varying levels of participation are available and contributors are recognized with invitations to special events.

Lester’s vision is to continue building a strong scholarship base which will help bring students to campus and achieve their educational and career goals. “Tuition keeps going up and will continue to go up. Studying in the arts discipline is not as affordable as other disciplines,” she says. “Students are having to buy their own supplies such as material for fabrics, paints, paper, framing and things like that.” She will work toward securing more patrons and donors and plans to promote the array of cultural choices available at RU for the students and the community.

One of the things that kept Lester at RU when other job offers came was the love she had for her students and her role as a faculty member and chair. “We have a smaller student body. I felt that I really got to know my students personally.”

“Rosalyn has been a wonderful and dedicated committee member for several years and now I am thrilled that she is stepping forward as our new chair,” says Director for University Advancement Elizabeth Ton. "With her leadership and expertise, I know that the Arts Society will continue to grow and thrive,” Ton says.

Lester met with the Arts Society Leadership Committee in October to discuss fund-raising goals for 2009-2010 and celebrate successes in the past year. Ton says the goal was to raise $105,000; the total was$219,000, a 108 percent increase.

The committee heard presentations at the meeting from CVPA chairs Lennie Scott-Webber of interior and fashion design department, Steve Arbury of the art department and Art Museum, Margaret Devaney of the dance department, Carl Lefko of the theatre department and Al Wojtera of the music department. The group also honored the memory of supporter and committee member the late Dr. Vivian Mah who passed away earlier this year.

To learn more about participating on the Arts Society Leadership Committee, contact Elizabeth Ton at 540-831-6117.