September 2012 News for Radford University Alumni and Friends

News for Radford University Alumni and Friends
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Snapshot of the Month

2011 homecoming
Class of 1986 alumni enjoy reminiscing at RU's Homecoming in October 2011.

Do you have any photos from a previous homecoming? Share them at alumni@radford.edu.

waftos license plate
Amber Lane Parson '08 pays homage to waftos on her license plate. The appetizer is a popular menu item at BT's on Tyler Avenue.

To submit a photo from your days at RU, email alumni@radford.edu.

This Month in RU History

Sept. 28, 1996: The Highlander mascot was introduced at the first Radford Highlanders Festival. The Highlanders had been the nickname for athletic teams since 1979, a year after school colors changed from gray and purple to a tartan plaid. The Radford Highlanders Festival this year will be on Oct. 13.

Campus News


Upcoming Events

RU Spirit Tailgates
Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012

Onsite RU tent at Virginia Tech's Thompson Field, 5-7 p.m.

Men's Soccer at Virginia Tech
7 p.m. game time

RU Spirit Tailgates fee:
Free for members of the RU Athletics Club
and $5 at the door for non-members

Alumni Homecoming:
Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012

Highlander Fan Zone BBQ
Cupp Stadium tent from 4-6 p.m.
Women's Soccer vs.
Charleston Southern, 2 p.m.

Women's Volleyball vs.
Campbell, 4 p.m.

Men's Soccer vs.
Presbyterian, 6 p.m.

Highlander Fan Zone BBQ fee: $14 for adults, $8 for children 12 and under. Register online or pay at the door.

Please call (540) 831-5926 to learn how to become an RAC member, or visit www.RadfordAthletics.com. If you have questions about the tailgates, contact Sandra Bond at (540) 831-5248.

In Memory

Radford University honors classmates and friends who have passed away this month. View memory list.

Stay Connected

No matter your graduation year, your relationship with Radford University can stay strong. Stay connected, Stay involved!



In the News

The countdown begins to Alumni Homecoming Oct. 5-7!

2012 homecoming and reunion extravaganza October 5-7

Homecoming weekend at Radford University is just around the corner, and we hope you'll make the trek back to campus to reconnect with your alma mater and reunite with old friends.

Check out some of the weekend highlights below. To view a complete schedule of events and to register, visit www.radford.edu/alumni.

Friday, Oct. 5

    College of Business and Economics Global Capitalism Lecture Series
    Sponsored by BB&T
    Start your homecoming weekend with a presentation by two outstanding Standard & Poor's speakers, MaryRose Carosia, vice president for Enterprise Solutions, and Theresa Werner, senior director of Global Sales Operations and Strategy.

    College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences Networking Social
    Stop by and shake hands with alumni and friends while offering advice to current students on careers to internships. Guests will enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvres and entertainment.

    Golden Reunion Welcome Reception with President Penelope W. Kyle
    President Kyle invites the Class of 1962 to the Radford University President's House, Hickory Hill, for the Golden Reunion Welcome Reception. Classmates will be transported by shuttle to and from Comfort Inn.

Saturday, Oct. 6

    RU 27th Appalachian Folk Arts Festival
    Join alumni, family and friends for the Appalachian Folk Arts festival that will include a variety of activities as well as handcrafted art and crafts for purchase and folk music.

    School of Nursing Open House
    This event is an opportunity for alumni and families to visit and reconnect with faculty and staff, visit the home of our nursing school in Waldron Hall and engage in discussions to help shape the future of the Radford University School of Nursing.

    "Women of Radford" Luncheon
    Reminisce about Radford's history as an all-women's school and celebrate the RU women of today. The luncheon will be family style and include guest speaker Dr. Moira Baker, Program Director for Women's Studies at Radford University. Attire is business casual, but you are encouraged to wear your hats, pearls and gloves. Best hat wins a prize.

    Radford University Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Lunch
    Show your Highlander support as we honor five outstanding Radford University sports figures whose achievements have earned them acceptance into the 2012 Athletics Hall of Fame. This year's inductees are: 

    • Dr. Ron Bradley (1991-2001) — Former Head Men's Basketball Coach
       
    • Duane Filchner '96 — Baseball
       
    • Melissa Gaitka Halpern '96 — Women's Soccer
       
    • Suzie Rath '96 — Softball
       
    • Ian Spooner '98 — Men's Soccer 

    Lacrosse Alumni Game
    Relive and create memories as RU alumni dust off their lacrosse sticks and play hard on Moffett Quad!
     

Joy Samson Parker '88 is making the 'Buddy
Brigade' an outlet of support for children in need

Joy SampsonJoy graduated with a degree in finance and often relies on her education from Radford as she manages multiple hospital departments, budgets and personnel. As the volunteer services director at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters in Norfolk, Joy is responsible for the Buddy Brigade program. The Buddy Brigade is CHKD's pet therapy program that includes more than 50 certified pet therapy dogs. The purpose of the Buddy Brigade is to bring smiles to patients and comfort to their families as they make the rounds every week with their owners. Patients receive visits in the outpatient cancer clinic, the child abuse center, during outpatient therapy appointments and, yes, even in their hospital beds.

"The hospital can be a very scary place for kids, and the Buddy Brigade dogs often turn tears to smiles. This program is provided by our nonprofit hospital to help patient's better cope with the unique challenges of being diagnosed and treated as a child."

Joy is another example of how alumni are using their degree from RU to make a difference.
 

A gift that lasts a lifetime

The new COBE buildingRadford University is pleased to offer a beautiful and lasting platform to honor a loved one or commemorate a special occasion forever while supporting RU. By purchasing an engraved paver next to the new College of Business and Economics building, you will join us in marking a very special moment in our history. To purchase your paver today, visit us online or call (540) 831-5407 for details.

The new $44 million, 110,000-square-foot College of Business and Economics building is the latest addition in Radford University's more than $291 million building and renovation program designed to transform its American classic campus with 21st century opportunities. The building features state-of-the-art classrooms, conference rooms and gathering spaces designed to stimulate collaboration and teamwork. It also features the latest in educational technology and financial research capabilities, including a trading room that simulates an actual financial operations center. To view a slideshow of the new building, visit us online.
 

Scholar-Citizen Initiative at Radford University

The focus of the Scholar-Citizen initiative is to promote a teaching and learning culture that fosters our sense of how we can live our lives in ways that best contribute to the world around us. The Radford University Scholar-Citizenship is defined as active and scholarly participation in the complex and multicultural world by connecting and applying academic skills and disciplinary knowledge to the challenges facing our local, national and global communities.

Please join us for the following complimentary COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY SPEAKER SERIES

Monday, Oct. 1
5:30 p.m.
The Bonnie Hurlburt Student Center Auditorium
Dr. Richard Vedder
"The Future Challenges of American Higher Education"
- Dr. Vedder's bio

Wednesday, Oct. 3
4 – 6 p.m.
The Bonnie Hurlburt Student Center Auditorium
Dr. Rudy Fichtenbaum
"What's Behind the Cost of Higher Education at Public Universities"
- Dr. Fichtenbaum's bio

Thursday, Nov. 1
5:30 – 7 p.m.
The Bonnie Hurlburt Student Center Auditorium
Dr. Robert Archibald and Dr. David Feldman
"College Cost, Tuition, and Affordability: A Review of the Evidence"
- Dr. Archibald's bio
- Dr. Feldman's bio

Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 12-13
5 – 6:30 p.m.
McGuffey Hall 203
Andy Kroll
"The Stories We Tell about College Affordability"
- Andy Kroll's bio
To learn more about the Scholar-Citizen Initiative, please visit www.radford.edu/qep.