January 2012 News for Radford University Alumni and Friends

News for Radford University Alumni and Friends
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Snapshot of the Month

marilyn monroe
The Radford University Art Museum is hosting a traveling exhibition from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) in Richmond. "Goya, Dali, Warhol: Masterpieces of World Art" is on campus until March 2, 2012.

College of Visual and Performing Arts Schedule of Events

Become an Arts Society Member

This Month in RU History

January 20, 2006: The NCAA announced that Radford University was the only Division I school to reach 100 percent in the NCAA Graduation Success Rates for the time period 1995–1998.

Campus Highlights


Radford University Highlanders

The Radford University Athletics Department sponsors 19 Division I teams. The commitment of its coaches and student-athletes makes its programs competitive, but it's the loyal support and enthusiasm of the Radford University family and its friends that drive athletic success. Visit www.ruhighlanders.com and click on "schedules" to see the many opportunities for you to enjoy and support the winter sports Radford Athletics has to offer.

RU Connected?

There's a special connection alumni and friends have with Radford University and with each other. Help us keep you connected by updating your information today. You can change your home, work or email address, and let us know what you have been doing since graduation for inclusion in the class notes section of The MAGAZINE of Radford University by completing our online form today! By updating your information, you will receive the Alumni e-News each month as well as the magazine.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@radford.edu or (888) 4RUGRAD.



In the News

RU Homecoming

Registration Is Just a Click Away for Your Winter Homecoming Experience!

Winter HomecomingWhether or not you are celebrating a reunion this year, homecoming is a perfect reason to return to campus to reconnect with former classmates and enjoy the Highlander spirit! Join fellow alumni, parents, students and friends in a fun-filled weekend of homecoming events and activities!

The weekend will include a HOOPla BBQ Bash, Highlander Polar Plunge, Alumni Teaching Day, men's and women's basketball games, Young Alumni Reunion for the classes of 2001–2011 and much more fun for the whole family.

Experience the best of Radford University on Feb. 24–25, 2012, and rediscover those special memories. Homecoming weekend truly has something for everyone. We look forward to seeing you then!

To view a schedule of events and to register, visit the Alumni Association online. Also, join us on Facebook today!
 

University Advancement Launches New Website

class challenge

The Office of University Advancement is excited to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website. The renovated site is content-rich and interactive. It will keep RU alumni, family and friends better informed and connected than ever before.

You are invited to visit www.giveto.radford.edu and see the site's many new features, including Gifts in Action, alumni stories, videos and more. We are also looking for donors who would like to share their story on why they give to Radford University. If you are interested, please email alumni@radford.edu with your name and contact information. We may select you for a feature story for our new site.
 

Looking for the Perfect Gift for the Highlander in Your Life?

History Book CoverYou will enjoy giving Radford University's "Celebrating the Century: Forging the Future" to that special Highlander in your life and having copies for yourself, close friends and relatives who may enjoy reading about the place that helped shape your future.

"Radford University: Celebrating the Century, Forging the Future" draws from official sources and personal accounts to chronicle the university's first 100 years. On these pages, many Radford notables come to life, and snapshot histories of The Redcoats, Radford Rules, and May Day, among other Radford traditions, reveal the uniqueness and significance of RU culture. If you would like to purchase your copy for $35 (plus shipping and handling), visit the bookstore or call (540) 831-5144 today.
 

An Email to the Office of Alumni Relations Leads to a Marriage Proposal!

Amanda Savarese and Jerome KoernerAmanda Savarese and Jerome Koerner were strangers when they both graduated in 2009 from Radford University. Several months after graduating, Amanda was living in Pennsylvania and contacted the Office of Alumni Relations about becoming more involved. Her first step was to create a Pennsylvania Alumni Facebook page to help connect alumni in the area. Amanda did just that. When she was looking over the friends of the page, she knew everyone in the class of 2009 except for Jerome Koerner, who had accepted her Facebook request to join.

At the time, Amanda was student teaching and working at Dick's Sporting Goods. When Jerome came in shopping one day, Amanda immediately recognized him from Facebook but was nervous to approach him since she did not know him personally. After he walked past her several times, she got the courage to approach him and simply asked where he went to school. When Jerome told her that he graduated from Radford University, she explained who she was. It was February 2010, and Jerome was making plans to attend the upcoming homecoming. When he returned, they chatted about his experience at Radford, which led to their first date.

As their relationship grew, so did the irony of how many times they almost crossed paths while students at Radford. Jerome was a bouncer at several local establishments that Amanda frequented on the weekends. They had many mutual friends and acquaintances, took some of the same classes (just not together) and attended some of the same sporting events. Amanda was actually in Jerome's apartment his junior year, but Jerome wasn't home and she didn't even know he lived there. Amanda switched to a different math class after the first day of class her senior year. Jerome had been waiting for a seat to open in that same class. His first day was the second day of class.

Sending one simple email to the Office of Alumni Relations changed both their lives forever. On Dec. 17, 2011, Jerome proposed to Amanda in front of the Washington Monument (pictured above). After tears of joy, Amanda said yes, and they are planning a fall 2013 wedding in Pennsylvania.

Congratulations, Amanda and Jerome.
 

 
 

Give Now

Each donor to Radford University has a special motivation for giving – what's your story?

We would like to hear from you about your reasons for giving. Please email us at alumni@radford.edu, and tell us. Whether your inspiration was a new program you heard about, an ongoing project you saw or a Radford student you met, we are interested. With your permission, we may select your story for one of our future publications. Thank you for your continued support and investing in Radford.