RU Inaugurates First Woman President

Images from the Inauguration of Penelope W. Kyle -- see photos
For more, please see Inauguration and Symposium photo series

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RADFORD -- Governor Tim Kaine, speaking at the inauguration of Radford University President Penelope W. Kyle, told Kyle that in undertaking leadership of a public university she is inheriting a “wonderful tradition in Virginia, one that was created by the patron saint of everything in Virginia, Thomas Jefferson.”

Clear skies graced the outdoor ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 12 while flags representing the many countries of the RU student body gave a colorful backdrop to the speakers.

Virginia Tech president Charles Steger, bringing greetings on behalf of Virginia’s institutions of higher learning, advised Kyle that acceptance of a leadership role requires courage, selflessness, vision, adeptness at bringing together diverse constituencies, and energy.

Speakers representing the students, faculty, staff and alumni of the university were unanimous in their support of their new president, expressing excitement and commitment for what lies ahead under her leadership.

“It’s a new season, it’s a new day….” said staff representative Connie Phillips, quoting a line from a gospel song. “This is an exciting place to be,” said Phillips, “President Kyle, we are truly excited to have you as our new leader.”

Faculty representative, Dr. Claire Waldron quoted Mark Twain and said, “According to Twain, and I agree with him, President Kyle….stands at the summit of human usefulness,” but added that the president need never feel alone at this summit because “the faculty join you…”

Student representative Martin Mash and Alumni representative Mary Ann Hovis were equally enthusiastic.  Mash said the students “are looking to President Kyle to enhance what it means to be an alumnus of RU” while  Hovis described Kyle as having the “stamina of the Energizer bunny,” and warned “Look out world, here comes Penny Kyle and Radford University.”

After Kaine installed Kyle as RU’s sixth president, Kyle spoke of growing up in the area and having classmates at Galax High School who went on to attend Radford when it was still called Radford College.  “I am one of you,” said Kyle. “I will use my energy, my talent and my experience to work for this university, to bring it all of the resources and the stature it deserves.” 

(See text of President Kyle's Inaugural Address.)

Kyle spoke about three historical RU hallmarks on which she believes the university must continue to build: accessibility, international perspectives and commitment to the community.

“In striving to provide equal opportunity for all, no matter their background, public higher education has been one of the glories of American life. That is why access to higher education is one of the great educational (and political) issues of the day,” said Kyle. “Radford and campuses like it have offered an education and a road out of poverty for thousands of students over the years. All of us can take pride in the part we have played in that.”

Radford, she continued, must maintain its tradition as a lower-tuition institution and its commitment to “keeping the doors of this campus open to those who most need its benefits,” including a broadly diverse population. “Our message to lower income families, to minority Americans, to immigrants, to those challenged in English, to those challenged with disabilities, to first-generation students, to the young, and those enjoying their retirement years must be the same: Radford University is a great place for you -- and we want you here and we will do all that we possibly can to enable you to be a student here.”

Second, Kyle said, “we absolutely must understand other languages and cultures.” One goal named by the Commission for the Future of Radford University is for RU to become a leader in international education. Through current study abroad programs and faculty and student exchanges, Kyle said, “Radford has a lot of which we can be proud in international education, but we absolutely know that we need to do more. I’d like to see the day when half or more of our students spend at least one semester, preferably a full academic year, studying and living abroad. And we need to have stronger ties to universities in other countries so that we can exchange students, faculty, and, most importantly, knowledge.”

Third, the university must do even more to serve its community, said Kyle, from supporting schools in teaching math and science to conducting graduate research on business development or environmental challenges in the region. She added that such efforts can be made even more effective with increased collaboration between RU and Virginia Tech. “If these two institutions pool their resources,” she said to President Steger, “our Southwest Virginia community will be well served.”

Kyle said she was conscious of the fact that she is Radford’s first woman president and acknowledged the five men who previously led the university, including retired President Douglas Covington, a guest at the ceremony, as “strong men, fine men, men of character, who were right for the times.”

But she also mentioned some of the women in Radford’s history who, alongside past presidents, have campus buildings named in honor of their contribution to the university, such as M’Ledge Moffett, the late dean of women, and retired dean of students Bonnie Hurlburt, also an inauguration guest. Mentioning Mary Draper Ingles, the pioneer hero of the story The Long Way Home, and for whom an RU residence hall is named, Kyle said, “I am certainly no pioneer hero!  But in some ways I guess I am a pioneer, and I hope I can draw strength and courage from Radford’s own great heroine.” Referring to the “long and circuitous” career path that brought her to RU, she added, “I did, indeed, take ‘the long way home’ to Radford!”

Kyle said that last year when she accepted the offer to become the university’s president, she knew she was doing the right thing, “and nothing I have seen or heard in my time on campus since has diminished my enthusiasm for the challenges that lie ahead.” She thanked faculty and staff for the support they have shown her and thanked her family, “the most important people in my world — and the greatest source of strength to me.” Kyle’s mother, husband, brother and three children attended the ceremony. “Your love and support,” she told them, “has made it possible for me to stand here today.”

A native of Galax, Kyle served for nearly 11 years as director of the Virginia Lottery prior to becoming RU’s president in 2005.

Kyle also served on the Board of Visitors and the Foundation Board at James Madison University for 10 years and the Virginia Commonwealth University Foundation for six years.