February 2012 News for Radford University Alumni and Friends

News for Radford University Alumni and Friends
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Snapshot of the Month


This Month in RU History

February 1987: A U.S. Supreme Court justice (1962–65) and ambassador to the U.N. (1965–68), Arthur Goldberg served as a distinguished visiting professor at RU during the 1987-89 academic year, teaching a bicentennial course on the U.S. Constitution.

Campus Highlights


Radford University Highlanders

Alumni, parents, faculty, staff, friends and advocates of the university recognize the value of the intercollegiate athletics experience and enthusiastically participate in a variety of ways. Click on the links below to learn how you can become more active with Highlander athletics today!

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

Radford University Pride

U.S. News Best CollegesRadford continues to be recognized for the strength of its academic programs, the success of its sustainability efforts and its overall dedication to excellence.
 

  • "Top Online Education Programs" (Doctor of Nursing Practice) – U.S. News & World Report
  • "Best Colleges in the South" – U.S. News & World Report
  • "Best Colleges and Universities in the Southeast" – The Princeton Review
  • "Top 10 Interior Design Programs in the Nation" – DesignIntelligence
  • "Best 294 Business Schools" – The Princeton Review
  • "Top 311 Green Colleges in the Nation" – The Princeton Review
  • 2011 Goldwater Scholarship Recipient – Senior Biology Major Brandon Newmyer
  • Awarded First Doctoral Degrees in August 2011
  • Designated All-Steinway School in September 2011
     

Did you know that financial support from alumni and friends is a key factor in the ranking of universities by influential media such as U.S. News & World Report? Such rankings are important because they raise the public profile of universities among potential students and faculty. By joining donors, you are moving Radford University toward a bright, boundless future. If you would like to make a gift in any amount, please visit www.giveto.radford.edu. Thank you for your support.
 

2012 Winter Homecoming

Indulge in a delicious BBQ spread while catching up with alumni and friends during our HOOPla BBQ Bash!

2012 Hoopla BBQ

All alumni and friends are invited to attend the HOOPla BBQ Bash during Winter Homecoming weekend. All guests will be entered to win fabulous door prizes and treated to BBQ, side items and desserts. Cash bar available. The bash will feature the Radford University coaching staff and a Young Alumni Reunion for the Classes of 2001–2011.
 

  • Feb. 25, 2012, at 12:30 p.m.
    Dedmon Center
  • Homecoming package
    Adults: $19; Children 10 and under: $17
    Includes tickets to the women's and men's basketball games and HOOPla BBQ Bash
  • HOOPla BBQ Bash package only
    Adults: $8; Children 10 and under: $6
    Includes a ticket to the HOOPla BBQ Bash only. You must have a pre-purchased game ticket to enter the arena and attend the HOOPla. To purchase game tickets, please call the RU Ticket Office at (540) 831-RUTX.

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

New Center for the Sciences Building Receives Continued Support with a $50,000 Donation

center for the sciencesThe excitement of the new Center for the Sciences building continues to rise with alumna Nancy Artis and her husband, Pat, of Pagosa Springs, Colo., making a $50,000 gift to name a computing laboratory, the "Artis Computing Laboratory for Biological Sciences." The lab is designed to accommodate up to 24 students, and will house desktop computers with specialized software for scientific and mathematical applications.


 

Alumna Nichol Chancler Exercises Her Opportunities

Oakton native Nichol Chancler '89 feels good about helping others feel good about themselves—so much so that she has dedicated her life to promoting healthy living through good nutrition, plenty of exercise and simply having a good time.

A longtime fitness instructor, Chancler recently stepped into entrepreneurship with her sister, Shelly Modes, opening Alice and Louise Catering and Cooking School in Chantilly. The mission of the new business is to delight customers' taste buds with dishes that encourage a healthy lifestyle.

"I am passionate about helping people reach their optimal potential," Chancler said. "I like to help people feel good about themselves, to feel successful, to wake up each morning with smiles on their faces and a positive, loving attitude to tackle the day."

She describes Alice and Louise as "our dream to share our passion for good food and our enthusiasm for entertaining and special events with our friends and the community."

Modes says her sister "radiates enthusiasm and warmth" while noting that the two are "each other's best friend, advocate, support system, cheerleader, personal coach and spiritual advisor."

Chancler, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in commercial and corporate fitness, is also a personal trainer and fitness instructor. Shortly after graduating from RU, she managed three fitness centers and taught fitness training at Marymount University. "Every class I've ever taught leaves me with a high of excitement for the people in the class," she said. "I love sharing the feeling of a step toward a better life and the joy."

She admits that balancing work with her personal life—she has three teenage daughters and a son—is challenging, but she embraces every minute of it.

"I love both my jobs," she said. "I get so much from the people I am around and how they feel learning something new. Be it exercise or food, it empowers them to reach their personal goals, and it always feels fantastic to gain knowledge. I learn something from everyone I come in contact with."

People who know the energetic, Harley-riding Chancler say she has been a positive influence on them in many ways. RU classmate Mike DeFilippo '90 said she always supported him in his studies and helped him land his first job out of college.

"I think the key words are 'passionate' and 'supportive' when thinking of Nichol," said DeFilippo, who also majored in commercial fitness. "Nichol helped me tremendously with my study sessions."

Chancler, a Sigma Sigma Sigma alumna, recalls her college days fondly. Exercise physiology was her favorite class. "The human body amazes me, and I was beside myself when we got to look at each muscle on a human cadaver," she said. "It was exciting to see the actual muscles on a human body."

Chancler has long since left the anatomy lab but still applies the knowledge she gained at RU.

"Radford gave me the foundation for the science behind the exercise and the basics for working a business and marketing your business," she said. "And I'm ready to go back! I am always in need of more education and guidance in the ever-growing business world!"
Pictured above: Nichol Chancler (l) with her sister Shelly (r).
 

 
 

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.