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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

Radford Society Celebration Spotlights Friends' Cycle of Giving

Radford Society eventRadford University welcomed its most generous supporters -- alumni, friends, faculty and staff -- on Saturday, November 7 to the inaugural Radford Society Celebration Reception in the foyer and art gallery of the Covington Center for the Visual and Performing Arts. "This was a wonderful opportunity for us to say thank you to some of our most generous donors and friends," said Radford University President Penelope W. Kyle.

More than 100 guests from as far away as Texas and Georgia attended the event, which was sponsored by the RU Foundation. The reception was "red-tie" optional and featured the music of Dr. Stevan Jackson, Andrew Imhoff and Dustin Rakes. Read More>>

Make Your Year-End Annual Gift

Now is the time to make your year-end gift to the Radford Fund. Our goal is to reach $2.5 million and 4,000 alumni donors by the end of the fiscal year. Making a gift by the end of the year ensures that you join an elite list of donors who recognize the value of empowering Radford University with immediate cash resources to fund new ideas and initiatives as they emerge at the university. Through the Radford Fund you can direct your giving to those areas of the University for which you are most passionate. Funds received can be used immediately to meet Radford University's most important needs and priorities and support initiatives of RU's 7-17 strategic plan. The Radford Fund is the administrative umbrella for all the annual giving programs at RU and is the bridge that joins private support with the needs of the university. Make a Gift.

Calling All Volunteers for Homecoming 2010

Homecoming 2010Celebrate Radford's Centennial Homecoming February 5 - 6, 2010. Numerous events are planned, including reunions, tailgate, Highlander polar plunge, men's and women's basketball games, Presidential brunch, Alumni Teaching Day, TOMS Shoe project and more.

Volunteers are needed for the following:
Alumni Teaching Day (guest lecturers, mentors, panel presenters)
Reunion leaders for All-Greek Reunion, men's and women's alumni basketball reunions and swimming alumni reunion
Centennial Ambassadors and other affinity reunion liaisons

All volunteers welcome! Please contact alumni@radford.edu with your contact information.

We need your help for this to be the best Homecoming!

Homecoming to Feature Alumni Teaching Day

alumni teaching dayAs part of Homecoming 2010, the Office of Alumni Relations is hosting the second annual Alumni Teaching Day on Friday, Feb. 5, to give alumni an opportunity to showcase their expertise as guest lecturers in classes around the Radford University campus. "RU alumni are accomplished in many fields, and Alumni Teaching Day enables our students to interact with our successful alumni who can serve as role models," said Alumni Relations Director Laura Turk. To become a guest lecturer, please call (888) 478-4723 or email alumni@radford.edu. Participating alumni can check in at the welcome table at the Bonnie Hurlburt Student Center.

Visit the official Homecoming Web site for information about reunions and other events now being planned. Homecoming registration is now available online.

Centennial Service Challenges

Centennial Service Challenge Sparks Hampton Roads Coat Drive
Onelife Fitness and Radford University are joining forces to help generate a minimum of 1,000 coats for the less fortunate in Hampton Roads. The mission for this Centennial Service Challenge is to launch one of the largest coat drives in the southeastern part of the country, one that, with great momentum, will become an annual event. Read More>>

Messner Links Active Alumni Through Social Network
Michele Salyer Messner '88 is reaching out to fellow RU alumni who participate in runs, walks, swims, bike races or any activity for charity causes. Messner has created a Facebook page, RU Participating, that allows alumni to post and share information about events, such as marathons, half marathons and triathlons in which part of the event's proceeds are given to charity. Messner created the site also in hopes that alumni will register events with the Centennial Service Challenge. Read More>>

Drumstick Dash Calls On Alumni for Centennial Service Challenge
"Move your feet so others can eat" is the theme of the fourth annual Drumstick Dash on Thanksgiving Day in downtown Roanoke. The 5K race and family walk is set for Thursday, Nov. 26, and is sponsored by Rescue Mission Ministries of Roanoke. "This event is sure to get you into a thankful spirit as you and your family join us in feeding the hungry," said Lee Clark, and RU alumnus and Rescue Mission director. 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 personal RU experiences, pride and loyalty. By recommending talented students, alumni can 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.

The RU Admissions Office is hosting its next open house on Saturday, Nov. 14. Open houses provide a perfect opportunity for RU alumni to visit campus and share their alma mater with their children, family and friends who are applying to colleges. For more information about the Fall Open House, visit the new web site for undergraduate admissions at www.RUandYou.com. If you plan to visit Fall Open House, be sure to notify the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@radford.edu.

The Physics Faculty and Alumni Scholarship

The Radford University Physics Program provides unique opportunities and activities for its majors. The Physics Faculty and Alumni Scholarship will serve to encourage students who excel both in research and in their coursework. Research in physics probes the structure and dynamics of the physical world -- whether on the arctic sea ice in Alaska or in deep space at Selu Observatory. Unlike many schools that emphasize graduate research only, RU students often start work on these projects as soon as they start their undergraduate careers. Read More about the Physics Faculty and Alumni Scholarship >>

New RU License Plate

License PlateVirginia's new Radford University license plate is now available.

To get yours, visit the DMV Web site and click on the link for "Plate Purchase."

Catch Highlander Hoops on TV, Throw a Party

09 Big South ChampsThe Radford University men's basketball team begins defense of its Big South Conference title this month. During the course of the 2009-2010 season, the Highlanders will be featured in four televised games. The Office of Alumni Relations is calling on alumni to host watch parties for those TV games. Send photographic proof of your watch parties to alumni@radford.edu, and Alumni Relations will award party hosts with a Highlanders Fan Pack. RU is scheduled to play televised contests against Duke (Nov. 21), Kansas (Dec. 9), Liberty (Jan. 23) and Winthrop (Feb. 27). In addition, the Big South semifinals will air on ESPNU, and the finals on ESPN2. Visit radfordathletics.com to view the complete RU men's basketball schedule.

Alumni Profiles

Sean MageeAlumnus Helps Soldiers Find Better Nutrition
Sean Magee '86 and two other Radford University alumni are the entreprennurial forces behind Warrior Nutrition, a sales and distribution company that provides dietary supplements to the military. "Jeff Graves, Kevin Hudson and I are all Marines and we felt it important to give back to those who have sacrificed the most in the name of freedom," Magee said. Read More>>

Mimi KnoopAlumna Breaking Barriers in Male-Dominated Sport
Mimi Knoop '00 began skateboarding at an early age and now is a professional in a sport dominated by male competitors. As a pro, Knoop has co-founded a non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping develop and promote "girl's skateboarding by empowering and encouraging young women's participation as well as increasing professional opportunities," she said. Read More>>

RU Athletics

The Radford University Athletic Ticket Office is currently accepting orders for 2009-10 men's and women's basketball season tickets. Season tickets can be purchased online or by calling 540-831-RUTX (7889).

RU basketball coach Brad Greenberg now has his own radio show. B-RadHoops, a weekly hour-long radio show featuring the 2009 Big South Coach of the Year, can be heard at 7 p.m. each Monday on Super Sports 101.7 FM and on the Internet. Greenberg will join the "Voice of the Highlanders" Rick Watson as well as assistant coaches, student-athletes and special guests each week to discuss the happenings in RU basketball. Read more>>

Upcoming Alumni Events

Wednesday, November 11
Men's Basketball Tip off Banquet
Event Contact: Cheryl Cox at (540) 831-5125

Saturday, November 14
Centennial Service Project - NRV
Flying Changes First Annual Mane Event
7-9:30 p.m. at the German Club; Ticketed Event
Event Contact: ashley@flyingchanges.net

Tuesday-Wednesday, November 17 - 18
COBE Alumni Advisory Meeting
Contact: Mary Weeks at mweeks@radford.edu

Saturday, November 21
Nationwide Basketball Watch Parties -- RU vs. Duke
Raleigh/Durham Alumni Watch Party -- 2 p.m. at The Piper's Restaurant & Tavern (8304 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC)
Charlotte, N.C. Alumni Watch Party -- More info TBA
Contact: alumni@radford.edu to promote your watch party in your hometown

Thursday, November 26
Centennial Service Project
Roanoke Drumstick Dash

November 26, 2009 - January 1
Centennial Service Project -- Hampton Roads Area
"1000 Coats, 100 Years, Onelife" - Gently used or new children/adult coats can be dropped off at any of the five Onelife Fitness locations.
Contact: Jerry Donnelly at jerry@onelifefitness.com or (757) 424-1600

Wednesday, December 9
Nationwide Watch Parties -- RU vs. Kansas
ESPNU at 7 p.m. CST
Roanoke Alumni Watch Party -- More info TBA.
Contact: alumni@radford.edu to promote your watch party in your hometown

Friday, December 11
Roanoke Chapter Event
RU Choral Ensembles Holiday Concert
8 p.m. -- St. Andrews Catholic Church
Contact: alumni@radford.edu

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

Alumni in the News

Publication Lists Alumnus Among Its Top 40 Under 40
Richmond's Style Weekly has listed RU alumnus Ryan Traylor among its Top 40 Under 40. Traylor, 31, is the director of catering at Mosaic Unique Events and is heavily involved in volunteer work, particularly a nonprofit organization that he co-founded to connect dog owners with information and resources to fight cancer and other diseases. These individuals "embrace a mission of change," said Style Weekly of its 40 Under 40 group. "They help people who live down roads they've never walked, or ones whose situations they understand better than anyone possibly could. They may hope for change. But they are change, too." Read More about Traylor in Style Weekly.


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.