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October 2010

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ALUMNI RELATIONS
PO Box 6914
Martin Hall
Radford, Va. 24142
540-831-5248
1-888-4RUGRAD
alumni@radford.edu



The Newsletter for RU Alumni & Friends

Thousands of Parents, Alumni and Friends Enjoy Weekend
Spectacular at RU

While catching his breath between full-out sprints during the alumni lacrosse game, Mike Cumm ‘90 made a statement with which perhaps no one could disagree: “You couldn’t have ordered up a better day.” The sun-soaked Radford University campus was the scene Oct. 1-3 for Welcome Back Reunion Weekend, Family Weekend and the 15th annual Highlanders Festival. Read More.
To see a photo gallery of some of the weekend events, please visit our Facebook gallery.

100 Years of RU History at Your Fingertips
McConnell Library is currently bringing all of its historical archived materials into the 21st century’s digital age by making them available to anyone with online access. Drawing materials from boxes upon boxes of documents, books and photographs in the McConnell Library Archives, the collections contain hundreds of digitized items. Read More.

It's not too late to make a difference for Radford University in 2010!
As the calendar year draws to a close, there is still time make a tax-deductible (where allowed by law) donation to Radford University's Annual Fund. With YOUR help, we raised over $3 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010. This achievement included $1.2 million from over 3,000 alumni. Thank you for your generosity!

As funding from the Commonwealth of Virginia continues to decrease, donations from our alumni, parents and friends are critical to the success of the high-quality educational experience for which Radford University is known. This fiscal year, ending June 30, 2011, our goal is to raise $5 million in gifts and pledges and we are asking for your continued support.

The Annual Fund provides funding for programs such as academic scholarships, athletics and visual and performing arts. You can, however, designate your gift to go to any area of the university you wish.

Please support Radford by giving when a student calls, you receive a letter asking for support or by going to https://www.applyweb.com/public/contribute?ruf.

RU License Plate Fees Now a Charitable Tax Deduction
Showing off your Radford University pride is now tax deductible! As part of the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Motor Vehicle’s revenue-sharing special license plate college series, a portion of the purchase fee for a Radford University Highlanders license plate will go to the school, and net you a charitable tax deduction. Read More.

Hello, Mr. President, Radford University Calling
President Barack Obama recently hosted a conference call with student journalists and editors from colleges and universities around the nation in an effort to “keep them engaged with their democracy,” according to a news release from the White House. Obama spent time taking questions about everything from student debt to football scores. The first individual to have a chance to speak with the president was RU student and Tartan Editor Colin Daileda. RU student journalist Arielle Retting also participated in the phone conference. Read more in the official transcript released by the White House or view the video from WSLS-10.

University Advancement Welcomes Two New Staff Members
Two new employees have joined the Office of University Advancement at Radford University. Joshua Tessar has joined the university as the director of university advancement, and Melissa Vidmar has been named the associate director of alumni relations chapters and communications. Read More.

Calling All Alumni!

Alumni Chapter Volunteers
Our alumni are an invaluable asset to Radford University, and by volunteering for your local chapter, you can make a difference. Volunteering options include chapter activities, student recruitment, career networking and athletic events. If you are interested in becoming a chapter volunteer, please e-mail Melissa Vidmar at mvidmar@radford.edu for details.

Class Reunions
The level of alumni volunteer involvement is an important factor for any reunion, and we need your help. We are currently seeking volunteers from all class years. In 2011, we will be highlighting the following classes: 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006. Any volunteer for any class year is needed. Show your Highlander pride and volunteer to be your class representative today. Contact Sandra Bond at smbond@radford.edu for more information.

Alumni

Alumnus Trotting the Globe with Legendary Hoops Team
Former Radford University basketball player Eric Hill has signed a contract to play for the legendary Harlem Globetrotters. Hall, who is listed as “Hacksaw Hall” on the Globetrotters website, graduated from RU in 2009. The Greensboro, N.C., native was a member of the Highlanders team that advanced to the NCAA tournament and lost to eventual national champion North Carolina. Hall currently is in New York in training camp with the Globetrotters, who are preparing for their 85th season. Read more about how Hall made his way to the Globetrotters in The Roanoke Times.

Chemistry Alumnus Wins Prestigious Award in Polymer Research
Justin Kennemur, a 2002 chemistry alumnus, recently won the 2010 AkzoNobel Award in Applied Polymer Science. The award is sponsored by AkzoNobel and given to the best paper presented at the AkzoNobel Award Symposium as part of the Polymeric Materials: Science and Engineering (PMSE) program at the ACS Meeting. Read more on the College of Science and Technology website.

Upcoming Alumni Events

October 30
Fall Alumni Soccer Reunion
Honoring: Ian Spoon and Senior Day
Event contact: Kelly Underwood at kunderwood@radford.edu

November 2
Radford University Men’s Basketball Tip-off Banquet
Guest speaker: Keith Glass
6 p.m.; featuring silent auction and dinner
Dedmon Center
Ticket Information: Cheryl Cox at ccox51@radford.edu

Visit the Alumni Relations website for a complete events schedule.

Athletics

Soccer Star Honored
Radford University men’s soccer recently honored Dante Washington, the Highlander’s all-time leading scorer, with a Cupp Stadium banner that celebrates his storybook career. Washington, who also is the Big South Conference’s all-time goal scorer, was recognized at halftime of RU’s 5-1 win over Presbyterian College during Welcome Back Reunion Weekend. Read more and watch highlights of RU’s impressive victory.

Boots 4 Brian
Though he has a quiet demeanor, Brian Gwanzura of the RU men’s soccer program made noise this spring in the team’s locker room. He did it with the stroke of a felt pen on a whiteboard and a message that captivated the attention of his teammates. Read More.

Alumnus Signs in Switzerland
Former Radford men’s basketball standout Joey Lynch-Flohr recently signed to play professionally in Switzerland.

For more information on Highlander sports, visit RU Athletics.



We have e-mail 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 e-mail 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.