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ALUMNI RELATIONS
PO Box 6914
6226 University Park Dr.
Suite 3400
Radford, Va. 24142
540-831-5248
1-888-4RUGRAD
alumni@radford.edu


Office of Alumni Relations
Radford University

Welcome Back Reunion Weekend

It's almost here.

Welcome Back WeekendThe inaugural Welcome Back Reunion Weekend is now just weeks away, and the event promises to be a terrific opportunity for alumni to reunite on campus and reconnect with old friends. Welcome Back Reunion Weekend is October 2 - 4.

The event coincides with the 14th annual Highlanders Festival Weekend and kicks off Friday, Oct. 2, with a golf tournament at Pulaski Country Club. An Alumni Celebration on the Muse Hall patio is also scheduled for that day.

Each group is responsible for planning its own reunion, and the Alumni Relations office is available to help. Contact us at 540-831-5248 or alumni@radford.edu.

A number of events already are planned for Welcome Back Reunion Weekend, including a volunteer luncheon and training at Cook Hall. Athletics reunion events for former baseball, softball, rugby, field hockey and lacrosse players also are planned. Read More>>
>>Register for Welcome Back Reunion Weekend

RU Fund-Raising Up Year-over-Year Despite Battered Economy

Radford University received more than $3.7 million in philanthropic gifts and pledges as a result of fund-raising operations conducted during the 2009 fiscal year, according to a report RU Vice President for Advancement Cathy Greenberg made to the Radford University Board of Visitors during its quarterly meeting September 9-10. The total represents a substantial increase over the prior year when $2.2 million was donated to the university, she said. Read More>>

RU and TOMS Shoes Announce
Unique Service Promotion for RU Community

Radford University and TOMS Shoes have formed a partnership in support of RU's century-long commitment of service. A key element of the partnership is the opportunity to engage RU students in TOMS Shoes' global shoe drops at which poor children are given free shoes. Read More>>

Greetings to all Alumni!

We are busy preparing for Radford University's Centennial, which will begin in January 2010, and we need your help to make it a success. Read more from Alumni Relations Director Laura Turk and complete the Alumni Call to Action form.
Alumni service letter (pdf file)
Alumni service call to action (pdf file)

Volunteer Workshop Set for Welcome Back Reunion Weekend

A comprehensive alumni volunteer training workshop is scheduled for October 3 to coincide with RU's Welcome Back Reunion Weekend and the Highlanders Festival. The workshop will focus on strengthening alumni leaders and groups, planning alumni engagement for the Centennial, creating brand awareness, using social networking, promoting reunion activity and recruiting alumni support. Read More>>

Black Alumni Weekend Celebrates its Fifth Year

RU's Black Alumni Chapter is celebrating its fifth annual Black Alumni Weekend on Oct. 16-18. This year's event features a Kids Kamp, a BAW Unity Banquet and a performance by comedian Rob Stapleton. To register and view a full list of events, visit the chapter's Web site.

Highlanders Festival Celebrates 14th Year
as University Celebrates 100th Anniversary

Highlanders FestivalThe annual Radford Highlanders Festival continues to be one of the most popular and well-attended fall events in the tri-state area. On Friday, Oct. 2, and Saturday, Oct. 3, downtown Radford and the Radford University campus will come alive with a series of events that promise to create one of the best years in the festival's 14-year history. A unique opportunity to celebrate the university's history coincides with the 2009 festival as RU is headed into its centennial year. Read More>>

Homecoming 2010

Homecoming 2010 is set for Feb. 5-6, 2010. Mark your calendars and visit the official Homecoming Web site for information about reunions and other events now being planned.

Coming Home to Radford
A Message from Jeffrey S. Douglas

Jeff DouglasAbout a month ago, I began work as Radford University's new executive director of university relations and chief communications officer. I've wanted this job for years, and I'm delighted to be here.

I thought I knew Radford. After all, I've worked at Virginia Tech for the past 25 years and lived right here in the New River Valley.

How wrong I was! I return to a campus that is so much more than I remember. Yes, the cultural emphasis on personal relationships is still here. Students matter -- a lot -- and opportunities exist for all of us to establish more substantial relationships with a greater number of people than you can in most places. Read More>>

Alumni Recommendation Program

Radford University alumni have a unique opportunity to give back to their alma mater by recommending academically-talented students to apply and attend RU. This program allows Radford University alumni to interact with students who soon will be attending college by sharing your personal RU experiences, pride and loyalty. By recommending talented students, you help ensure that Radford University increases the number of highly competitive students who are considering enrolling at RU. To recommend a student, please fill out the Alumni Recommendation form, and return it to the RU Admissions Office.

Centennial Cookbook: Call for Recipes

To celebrate RU's centennial, the Office of University Advancement is putting together a cookbook featuring past university presidents' recipes, RU dining hall favorites and, most importantly, recipes from the RU staff and faculty family.

Advancement is accepting recipes for appetizers and drinks, entrees, side dishes, breads and desserts. If multiple recipes are received of the same item, a random recipe will be selected for inclusion in the cookbook.

The most needed recipes are those for appetizers, side dishes and salads/soups. There is no limit on the number of recipes you can submit. All recipes must be submitted by Tuesday, Dec. 1, to circlgiv@radford.edu. The recipe submission form is available online as a pdf file.

Alumni Profile: Brian Korte
Building Blocks to Success

Brian KorteBrian Korte has built a career out of making art from LEGOs. It all began when the 2000 RU graduate designed and created a custom portrait for two friends as a wedding gift. Five years later, Korte is running his own company, Brickworkz, and recently designed a full-scale 18-wheel tractor trailer that spans more than 44-feet, is made of more than 1.2 million LEGO bricks and is a Guinness World Record holder. Read More>>

Recent Grads' Project Assists Pharmacists

May graduates Brandon Shaver and Jason Welch created a project this past spring for Pulaski Hospital nurses to help them provide the correct dosage of medication for patients. With faculty mentor Dan Spillman's guidance, their project paper "Development and Implementation of a Decision Support Tool to Assist Pharmacists to Determine Precise Dosing and Intervals of an Aminogycoside (Antibiotic)" was selected for presentation and publication in the Proceedings of the 45th Annual Conference of the Southeastern Chapter of the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences Oct. 1-2 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Read More>>

Connect with RU Alumni through Social Networking

Many RU alumni are connecting through popular social networks. Join RU's official LinkedIn and Facebook to network and reminisce with old friends.
RU Facebook
RU LinkedIn

Alumna Receives National Honor for Women Business Owners

RU alumna Cindy Chase '86 recently was named the National Association of Women Business Owners 2009 Chapter Corporate Partner of the Year. Chase, of UPS, was nominated by the NAWBO Florida Chapters of Lakeland Metro and Orlando. "Through active engagement and contributions, you exemplify UPS' values and practice and contribute directly to the growth and success of women-owned businesses at the local and regional level," read a letter informing Chase of the honor. "This was a surreal moment for me," Chase said.

Campus News:
RU Named "Up-and-Coming" University in U.S. News Guide, and a "Best in the Southeast" University in Princeton Review

Radford University has been named one of the nation's "Top Up-and-Coming Schools" in the U.S. News and World Report's 2010 Guide to America's Best Colleges. The designation recognizes colleges and universities that have recently made the most "promising and innovative changes" and are projected to soar higher in the rankings. Read More>>

In addition, RU has again been named to the "best colleges and universities in the Southeast" list, according to The Princeton Review. The education services company recently selected RU as one it recommends in its website feature 2010 Best Colleges: Region by Region. Read More>>

Kyle Pledges Unity, Cites Challenges and
Celebrates Success at RU Fall Convocation

President Penelope W. Kyle outlined a strong record of university achievement during the past academic year, discussed looming fiscal challenges and encouraged the RU community to embrace unity in the face of adversity during the 2009 Fall Convocation. Read More>>

RU Opens Young Hall

Young Hall Ribbon-CuttingRadford University opened doors to its newly renovated Young Hall, a learning facility that ranks among the top five most digitally advanced academic buildings in the United States, according to officials with Crestron, the primary technology contractor for the building. The RU community celebrated the completion of the $6.5 million renovations with a ribbon-cutting ceremony following President Penelope W. Kyle's address at the annual fall convocation. Read More>>

RU and SunTrust Announce Centennial Scholars Program

SunTrust Bank Foundation and Radford University are developing a program that will award graduate and undergraduate research on a competitive basis. The program is part of the university's Centennial Celebration.

Work is beginning now on the program and awards for the SunTrust Centennial Scholars Program will be presented in the fall of 2010 as Radford University celebrates 100 years of service. Read More>>

RU Athletics

Sophomore Courtney Poole scored a pair of goals in the final 10 minutes to lift Radford over Saint Francis, 3-1, in the Highlanders' home opener Sunday afternoon from RU Field Hockey Field. See RU Sports for more.

The Radford women's tennis team opened up its 2009 fall season at the James Madison invitational last weekend with three Highlanders reaching the finals in their respective brackets. See RU Sports for more.

Radford volleyball finished off an impressive showing in its inaugural home tournament with a 3-1 (25-14, 27-25, 17-25, 25-22) win over Bradley. The Highlanders won all three of their matches to claim the tournament championship. Freshman Desiree Aramburu was named tournament MVP. See RU Sports for more.

Upcoming Alumni Events

Saturday, Sept. 19
Seattle, Wash. Alumni & Family Picnic
Newcastle Beach Park in Bellevue, Wash.
Contact: Jim Bove '96 at bovejame@hotmail.com

Friday, Sept. 25
Williamsburg-Radford College Tea
Hosted by Sally Blanchard '69
3-5 p.m.
Contact: alumni@radford.edu

Friday-Saturday, Sept. 25-26
RU Ambassador Fall Student Retreat

Friday-Sunday, Oct. 2-4
Golf Tournament
Partners Luncheon
Welcome Back Reunion Weekend Reception
Family Weekend/ Highlanders Festival

Saturday, Oct. 3
Alumni Volunteer Training and Luncheon, Cook Hall
Highlanders Festival, Moffett Field
Parents Council Meeting, Bonnie Hurlburt Student Center
Lacrosse alumni game and gathering, Dedmon Center Field
Baseball alumni game/ home run derby, Radford Recreation Field
Softball tournament and gathering, Dedmon Center Softball Complex
Men's rugby game and alumni gathering, Fallen Brothers Field
Field Hockey reunion game and gathering, Dedmon Center Field

Friday-Sunday, Oct. 16-18
Black Alumni Weekend

Visit the Alumni Relations Web site for a complete events schedule.

Alumni in the News

Life On The Fringes: It's Not Easy Being Scene
Solo performance artist and RU graduate Slash Coleman teaches other artists how to maximize their earning potential. Read more at NPR.org.

Kenley Takes Reins as CEO
Growing up in a small town in Virginia, RU alumnus William Kenley had no idea that his big dreams would lead him to become CEO of a major hospital in a large Tennessee health system. Read more in the Germantown (Tenn.) News.

Teacher at Home at Carver
Ashley Tilley's dream was to be a teacher in the Henry County Schools. Recently, the RU graduate realized that dream as she began teaching second grade at Carver Elementary School. Read more in the Martinsville Bulletin.

New Manager Named for Mound Complex
Alumni David E. Rotenizer has been named by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History as the new site manager at the Grave Creek Mound Archeological Complex in Moundsville. Read more from the Wheeling News Register.


We have email addresses for less than half of our 60,000 Radford University alumni, so to help keep your classmates connected, please encourage classmates and fellow alumni to email us and subscribe to the Radford Alumni e-News.

To submit class notes for use in The Magazine of Radford University, please send your correspondence to alumni@radford.edu. Photographs may also be submitted; however, please note that photographs may not be returned to you.