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February 2010

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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


The Newsletter for RU Alumni & Friends

Centennial Homecoming Rescheduled for Feb. 19-20
Homecoming 2010It's difficult to tell which is greater: the amount of snow that has been dumped on Radford over the past couple of weeks or the excitement building over the rescheduled Centennial Homecoming 2010.

A winter storm postponed RU's Centennial Homecoming this past weekend, but all events have been rescheduled for Feb. 19-20. University alumni who registered for this past weekend's activities will be automatically registered for the rescheduled "Centennial Homecoming" celebration. Alumni who are unable to attend festivities that weekend are asked to contact the university's Office of Alumni Relations at (540) 831-5248. To learn more, see the RU News Release.

Highlander Polar Plunge to Benefit Special Olympics
Jumping into the New River on a cold, February day may seem a bit extreme, but a number of individuals are ready to dive into the chilling waters, and it's all for a good cause. The inaugural Highlander Polar Plunge is scheduled for noon on Saturday, Feb. 20, at Dudley's Landing at Bisset Park.

The event, part of Radford University's rescheduled Centennial Homecoming 2010 festivities, gives RU alumni, friends and the entire campus community an opportunity to make a contribution of service. Participants in the Polar Plunge will pay $25 for the opportunity to dive into the cold waters of the New River, and all proceeds from the event will benefit the Special Olympics.

Join the Parents Executive Committee Now
and Attend the Spring Meeting and Presidential Brunch

The Parents Executive Committee (PEC) will hold its spring semester meeting at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2010, during festivities associated with RU's rescheduled Centennial Homecoming Weekend. The meeting will include brainstorming and goal-setting sessions, as well as presentations from areas of the university campus that have benefited from the Parent and Family Fund. Members of the council will also have the opportunity to attend brunch at 10 a.m. with President Penelope W. Kyle in The Gallery at the Covington Center.

A message from PEC Chair Robin Dearing. See pdf file>>

Celebrate RU's 100th Birthday on Charter Day
Radford University will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the signing of its charter with a day full of festivities on March 24 that will serve as the pinnacle event of the university's year-long Centennial celebration.

It begins at 11 a.m. with the Centennial Charter Day Celebration in the Dedmon Center. A birthday party for the university will also be held later in the day. RU students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community are invited to join the celebration as RU commemorates 100 years of excellence in education and service. Read More>>

Be Part of the Centennial Service Challenge: Buy a Pair of TOMS Shoes
In honor of Radford University's year-long Centennial celebration and 100 years of service, the university has partnered with TOMS Shoes to give students, alumni, and friends a unique opportunity to help needy children around the world by purchasing a pair of the popular shoes.

For every 1,000 pairs of shoes purchased through the challenge, a RU student will have the potential to join TOMS staff and volunteers during one of the company's "shoe drops." In addition, members of the RU community will also save $5 on their first purchase. To redeem this offer and be part of RU's continued mission of service, simply enter the promotional code "RADFORD" during checkout. Read More>>

Purchase Your Limited-Edition RU Centennial Calendar
Enjoy "Celebrate the Century," a limited-edition, color RU Centennial wall calendar for 2010, and explore the photographic and narrative retrospective commemorating RU's 100 years of service. Call RU Alumni Relations at (540) 831-5248 or e-mail alumni@radford.edu to get this limited-edition commemorative wall calendar. Cost is $10, plus $3.50 processing fee to cover sales tax, shipping and handling.

"Celebrating the Century" is produced by the Radford Heritage Foundation (RHF) and the Radford Centennial Celebration Committee. It is sponsored by Taylor Hollow Construction and benefits the RHF.

RU Hosts Belated Winter Commencement Ceremony
Winter Commencement 2009With true Highlander spirit, 76 graduates and about 800 family members and friends braved harsh winter weather conditions to participate in Radford University's Winter Commencement Ceremony for 2009 graduates in RU's Bondurant Auditorium on Sunday.

RU President Penelope W. Kyle conferred degrees, greeted and congratulated each member of the university's seven colleges who participated in the ceremony, and she recognized 20 of those graduating with Latin honors of cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude or honor society recognition. To learn more, see the RU News Release. See also the Winter Commencement photo gallery.

RU to Welcome Inaugural Class of Doctor of Nursing Practice Students
Radford University will welcome its inaugural class of Doctor of Nursing Practice students in fall 2010. This program will allow individuals with bachelor's degrees and/or master's degrees in nursing to continue their education and will prepare them as advanced practice nurses.

The program is the first of its kind in the Commonwealth of Virginia to be offered in an online distance-learning format and to be offered to both post-baccalaureate and post-master's degree nursing students. Read More>>

RU Student is on a Mission for Haiti
RU junior Jon Kilgore was on a mission trip in Haiti the day a category 7.1 earthquake rocked the city of Port-au-Prince. Read More>>

Alumni

Alumni Profile:
Alumnus' Career Has Brought Quality of Life to Thousands

To truly excel in a career, it takes pride in one's work and a passion for the profession. Often times, compassion is a key component for success.

When Radford University alumnus Doug Call bought Virginia Prosthetics in 1992 from his father-in-law, Fred Murko, he wanted his business to offer the very best in prosthetic and orthotic services. And it has a reputation of being just that -- the very best. Since its founding in 1966, the Roanoke-based company has serviced more than 50,000 amputees who have benefited from the compassion and professionalism both Call and his father-in-law brought and continue to bring to patients.

Their business slogan is "We know your potential. We believe in your possibilities." 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.

Upcoming Alumni Events

Tuesday, February 16
Nationwide Watch Parties -- RU at Liberty
TV: MASN
Tipoff: 7 p.m.; Come earlier for dinner
NOVA/DC Watch Party – First Down Sports Bar (4312 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA)
Contact alumni@radford.edu to promote your watch party in your hometown.

Saturday, February 27
Nationwide Watch Parties -- RU vs. Winthrop
TV: MASN
Tipoff: 4 p.m.; Come earlier for lunch
NOVA/DC Watch Party – First Down Sports Bar (4312 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA)
Contact alumni@radford.edu to promote your watch party in your hometown.

Wednesday, March 24
Centennial Charter Day Celebration
Featured speaker: Blake Mycoskie of TOMS Shoes

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

Giving

Make Your Annual Fund Gift
Now is the time to make your 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 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.

Athletics

For the fourth time in the last five contests, Radford placed five players in double figures as the Highlanders rolled past High Point 77-63 in Big South men's basketball action on Feb. 7 at the Dedmon Center. The win put the Highlanders into a tie for second place in the Big South standings with Winthrop, two games behind first-place Coastal Carolina.

In a thrilling Big South women's basketball contest from the Dedmon Center, Radford was edged by first-place Gardner-Webb 84-80 in double overtime on Feb. 10.

Radford's 2010 baseball season is just around the corner. Get the inside scoop on Highlanders' baseball from head coach Joe Raccuia, who recently sat down for an Audio Extra segment with Patrick Reed.

Defending Big South champion Radford was tabbed the favorite in the 2010 Big South preseason softball poll and juniors Kristen Shifflett and Chelsea Kelley garnered preseason player and pitcher of the year honors.

Fresh off a conference best mark in the weight throw, Aimee Veatch of the RU women's track and field team has been named the Big South Conference Women's Indoor Track Athlete of the Week.

Thomas Dehaen of the RU men's tennis team was named the Big South Conference Choice Hotels Player of the Week and The Crons Brand Freshman of the Week for matches played Jan. 25-31.

For more information on Highlander sports, visit RU Athletics.



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 University 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.