August 2012 News for Radford University Alumni and Friends

News for Radford University Alumni and Friends
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Snapshot of the Month

Students in a convertible
Alumnae Michelle Carlson '08 (left) and Elizabeth Boyd '04 celebrate Highlander spirit with Director of Annual Giving Tony Lee at a July social in Virginia Beach.

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

This Month in RU History

August 2008: Radford graduate Goran Nava set a Serbian national record in the 1,500-meter event at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Campus News


Alumni in the News

Megan McWhorter '12
College of Education and Human Development

Congratulations to McWhorter, the new assistant coach for the women's volleyball team at Christopher Newport! At RU, she was a two-time team co-captain (2009 and 2011) and finished her career fourth on RU's all-time list in kills and, as a senior, averaged 2.1 digs and a team-high 2.75 kills per game.

View RU's video profile of then-senior McWhorter.

In Memory

Radford University would like to honor our fellow classmates and friends who have passed away this month.

To view a complete "in memory of" list, please visit us online.

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



In the News

Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Luncheon

Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

Five individuals will be inducted into the Radford University Athletic Hall of Fame ceremonies on Oct. 6 during 2012 homecoming weekend.

Established in 1995, the Hall of Fame welcomes Ron Bradley (1991-01), former head coach of Men's Basketball; Duane Filchner '96, Baseball; Melissa Gaitka Halpern '96, Women's Soccer; Suzie Rath '96, Softball; and Ian Spooner '98, Men's Soccer. With this year's class, the Athletic Hall of Fame will have honored 35 individuals.

The induction ceremonies and luncheon will take place outside Cupp Stadium beginning at noon. To purchase tickets, visit our website today!

The following are brief bios of the 2012 inductees.
View complete bios.
 

  • Head Coach Ron Bradley, 1991-2001, Men's Basketball
    During his 11-year tenure, Bradley compiled a 109-47 regular-season Big South record (.699 winning percentage) and was 193-124 overall (.609), becoming the conference's all-time leader in both categories. He held the overall win record until 2007 and the Big South victory standard until January 2010.
     
  • Duane Filchner, 1996, Baseball
    A four-time first-team all-conference performer, Filchner was selected Big South Player of the Year in 1994, the first Highlander to earn the honor. Radford's all-time leader in batting average (.389), RBIs (189) and runs scored (198), Filchner also ranks among the school's Top 10 in home runs (34, 4th), including three against Richmond on April 20, 1995. Later that season, Filchner became just the second position player at that time to be selected in the Major League First-Year Player Draft when the Oakland Athletics drafted him in the 23rd round.
     
  • Melissa Gaitka, 1996, Women's Soccer
    A Kearny, N.J., native, Gaitka was a standout player for RU Women's Soccer from 1991 to 1994. In 1993, Gaitka collected 34 points (11 goals, 12 assists) on the way to earning second-team All-Big South honors. She returned in 1994 to record one of the best individual seasons in program history. With her 19 goals, a single-season program record, Gaitka was named first-team all-conference and Big South Player of the Year.
     
  • Suzie Rath, 1996, Softball
    A three-time Big South All-Conference selection, Rath left her mark on Radford Softball program by setting several records, some which still stand. Rath joined the Highlanders' new program in fall 1992, following its first year of NCAA competition, and made an immediate impact. She was the first Radford softball player to win Big South All-Conference honors, selected for the first team as a freshman in 1993.
     
  • Ian Spooner, 1998, Men's Soccer
    One of the most accomplished men's soccer players in Radford and Big South history, Spooner is the only two-time Big South Player of the Year in program history. A native of Oxford, England, Spooner ranks second to Dante Washington on Radford's all-time list in career points (140), points per game (1.89), goals (58), shot attempts (286) and shots per game (3.86) while sitting third in assists with 24.

Successful lawyer credits RU with inspiring him to excel

Curtis Martin, '92Curtis J. Martin II '92 of Atlanta is one of the most respected and successful litigation attorneys in the city. He practices at Miller & Martin PLLC, a full-service law firm with about 200 attorneys. As a student at Radford University, however, Martin wasn't sure the practice of law was where he would find his career. Martin received a B.B.A. in marketing. He credits RU with helping him learn how to think critically and was encouraged by professors who took great interest in his development.

"RU provided a special environment where it was evident that the professors and staff were invested in successful outcomes for their students. I entered RU as a 17-year-old student and greatly benefitted from the patience and guidance that I received early on from my professors. The campus environment and class sizes were also conducive to learning and contributed greatly to my growth and maturity."


 

A Highlander Hello to Two New Advancement Staff Members

Radford University is pleased to welcome Tony Lee and Ja'Marcus Hampton to the Division of University Advancement. Please look for them in your area—they will be out and about often. If you see them out, give them a Highlander hello. Let them know you saw them in the Alumni & Friends e-News to get a free RU Alumni decal!

Tony Lee, director of annual givingTony Lee, director of annual giving, joined RU in May, bringing more than 10 years of annual giving and program development experience from Florida State University, Florida Atlantic University and the Lowry Zoo in Tampa. He is a graduate of Florida State University. If you would like to talk with Lee, please call (540) 831-5407 or email alee11@radford.edu.

Ja'Marcus Hampton, director of advancement for athleticsJa'Marcus Hampton, director of advancement for athletics, joined RU in August and comes from Ohio State University as its director of development for the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. He received his M.S. in recreation and sport management from Indiana State University and MBA from the University of Findlay. While at Findlay, Hampton was a four-year letter winner for the Oilers men's basketball team. If you would like to talk with him, please call (540) 831-5407 or email jhampton5@radford.edu.

 

Homecoming and Reunion Extravaganza Registration is NOW OPEN!

Fall Homecoming image

Honor the past and celebrate the future during the weekend of Oct. 5-7. What a perfect way to honor your place in RU history and get the scoop on how your classmates have written the stories of their lives! Turn the pages back to your most cherished memories while celebrating future friendships, new experiences and renewed connection to your alma mater.

To gear up for your weekend, check out class yearbooks and begin the journey down memory lane. You have a lot of catching up to do with fellow classmates, so start spreading the word and encourage them to join you in October!

Weekend highlights:
 

  • Froggy Friday at BT's
  • Aloha at Sharkey's
  • Tours of campus and the new College of Business and Economics building
  • Greek Social
  • Highlander Fan Zone BBQ
  • Alumni and athletics games
  • Women of Radford luncheon and presentation
  • Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony and luncheon

To view a schedule of all weekend events and to register, visit www.radford.edu/alumni.