News for Radford University Alumni and Friends

News for Radford University Alumni and Friends
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Upcoming Chapter Events:

All alumni, family and friends of the university are invited to attend events. To view a detailed list of events and to register, visit www.radford.edu/alumnievents

New River Valley Chapter
Nesselrod Outdoor Concert, New River Brewfest
Nesselrod on the New River
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Noon to 6 p.m.

Senior and Alumni Networking Social
BT's
Friday, April 29, 2011
5 - 7 p.m.

Roanoke Chapter
Wine Tasting
Wine Gourmet Shop
Thursday, April 21, 2011
5:30 - 7 p.m.

Richmond Chapter
Kentucky Derby Watching Party
F.W. Sullivan's Fan Bar & Grille
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Bring your old RU Express ID and receive 10 percent off your food order.

Become a Chapter Volunteer!
No other volunteer opportunity has the ability to reach more alumni than our chapter volunteers! Chapters are a wonderful way to bring alumni and friends together to share Radford University enthusiasm, support, recruit students and develop networking opportunities. You can…

  • Help select and plan events in your area
  • Help organize events by calling or e-mailing fellow alumni, family and friends
  • Attend social and educational functions
  • Network with other professionals

If you are interested in giving time to our chapter program, please contact Melissa Vidmar at mvidmar@radford.edu or 1-888-4RUGRAD.

Chapters Near You!

  • Roanoke
  • Northern Virginia
  • New River Valley
  • Richmond
  • Virginia Beach
  • Bristol
  • Martinsville
  • Baltimore
  • Raleigh/Durham

To find out more, visit our chapter page online today!

In the News

Fall Homecoming and Reunion Oct. 14-15!

Moffett Hall

Mark your calendars now and make plans to attend Fall Homecoming and Reunion on Oct. 14-15, 2011. Join us to recapture your Highlander spirit, catch up with old friends and make new ones.

You can explore our growing campus with tours and open houses, relive your student days with Radford University faculty in Classes Without Quizzes, enjoy the Highlander soccer match or play a round of golf on the Pete Dye River Course. And you won't want to miss your class reception and dinner. This year we are celebrating the classes of '56, '61, '66, '71, '76, '81, '86, '91, '96, '01, '06 and special affinity reunions.

A schedule of events and registration will be available soon at www.radford.edu/alumni. If you are interested in joining a reunion committee or volunteering, please contact the Alumni Relations Office at 1-888-478-4723 or alumni@radford.edu.

See you in October!

RU's Remodeled Baseball Stadium Is a Winner
Radford University's newly renovated baseball stadiumWith hundreds of students and hometown fans on hand despite threatening skies and storm warnings, Radford University officially opened its remodeled baseball stadium April 8 for the Highlanders' first night game at home.

In the parking lot adjacent to the stadium, the crowd milled around vendors selling barbecue, peanuts and Cracker Jack, and shopped at a tent offering merchandise from the RU Bookstore. The aroma of the barbecue wafted across the lot as cheerleaders passed out red terrycloth "rally rags" to fans as they approached the tunnel into the stadium for the opening ceremony and the Highlanders' game against the VMI Keydets, first in a three-game homestand.

"This is an amazing facility and it's going to help create a very promising future for Highlander baseball," said Athletic Director Robert Lineburg. "But the real story here is how everyone worked together, from the university administration to our alumni friends and partners, to make this dream come true." Read more

Historic Landmark Dedicated During Charter Day 2011
Charter Day  2011Members of the Radford University community joined with their neighbors from across the New River Valley on Wednesday, March 30, to celebrate the university's 2011 Charter Day through a series of special events. The highlight was a tribute to Lovely Mount Baptist Church, later renamed the First Baptist Church, one of the area's first African American churches. It once stood on what is now part of the university campus.

Dr. Nathaniel L. Bishop, president of the Jefferson College of Health Sciences and an alumnus of Radford University, was the keynote speaker.

Focusing on the university's centennial theme of "celebrating the past, forging the future," Bishop shared stories of his experiences and the positive impact his "beloved alma mater," his New River Valley community and a "rainbow of people" had on his life. He encouraged those in attendance to embrace the opportunity to mentor the students and youth of today as their demonstration of thanks.

"Be thankful for the past and be thankful for a tomorrow full of surprises," said Bishop, referring to the promising future of the university. Read more

Alumnus is "Bearfoot" and Making Sweet Music
Phillip "PJ" George '09, who studied music education at Radford University, and his bandmates in Bearfoot are finding success in bluegrass music. The Nashville-based group is preparing to release a second album on Compass Records. Read more on the Bluegrass Blog or check out their YouTube Video.




Make an Impact Today: Give to the Radford University Annual Fund
Gifts to the Annual Fund from alumni, family and friends of the university have a direct and immediate impact on the quality of a Radford University education. The Annual Fund is critical in maintaining the tradition of excellence we have come to expect from our university. The Annual Fund provides operating resources for all areas of the university and enhances the ability for us to seek and obtain outside funding, as many grants and corporate contributions made to higher education are based upon the Annual Fund participation rate by alumni, family and friends. Your contribution is important to help us reach our $5 million goal by June 30, 2011. Making a gift ensures you join a valuable list of donors who recognize the value of empowering Radford University with immediate cash resources to fund new ideas and initiatives as they emerge.

Become part of the excellence and make a gift today!



RU Athletics
Men’s Tennis Runs Win Streak to 14 in Home/Conference Finale
No. 65 Radford extended its school-record winning streak to 14 straight with a 5-2 victory over Gardner-Webb in Big South men's tennis action on "Senior Day" at the RU Tennis Courts. In addition to their winning streak, the Highlanders have won 33 of their last 36 conference matches, while improving to 18-3 on the season and 5-1 in the league. Dating back to their dual at Elon, Radford has outscored its opponents 78-12. Read more

Coming Up in RU Athletics:
April 13 – Softball at Virginia Tech, 7 p.m.
April 13 – Women's Golf at Big South Tournament, all day
April 15 – Women's Tennis vs. James Madison, 3 p.m.
April 15 – Baseball vs. Winthrop, 6 p.m.
April 15 – Men's Track and Field at Appalachian Open, TBA
April 15 – Women's Track and Field at Appalachian Open, TBA

For more on these and other Highlander highlights, visit RU Athletics.




The Arts @ RU
April 13-17 – The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, Pridemore Playhouse
April 18 – RU Choral Concert, Covington Center Performance Hall
April 22-May 5 – Student Graphic Design Exhibit, Gallery 205

For more information on these and other events, visit the arts calendar.

This Month in RU History
April 27, 1976: The first male SGA President, Richard LaBrie '77, was elected.

Give now

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