Message from President Kyle

Dear Alumni and Friends,

Universities are unusual places. Each cultivates its own culture, its own sense of community and its own experience. When we began writing this magazine, we posed a question to members of the Radford University family: What makes the Radford experience unique to you?

Many alumni and students cited the relationships they formed with faculty members as one of their most valued memories of RU. They recalled with emotion the devoted professors who transformed from teacher to mentor to lifelong friend. Others remembered the opportunities they had both inside and outside the classroom to study and grow as scholars and as members of a global community.

For faculty members, there is no greater satisfaction than watching students excel in their chosen areas of study. As you will discover from our college deans, teaching and mentoring are labors of love and their passions in life. 

We also have nearly 500 staff members who work quietly behind the scenes to make sure we have a beautiful, well-run campus. They too have interesting stories to tell. Just ask boiler operator Stanley “Pete” Bolt, who has worked at Radford University for almost half a century.

You will also read about how the Radford experience is evolving. We continue to develop and strengthen our academic programs. We awarded our first Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees this year, joining the ranks of Virginia’s doctoral universities. We welcomed our first Doctor of Physical Therapy students this fall. We are also continuing with needed capital expansion on campus. Construction is progressing rapidly on our new state-of-the-art building for the College of Business and Economics, and planning is well under way for a new Center for the Sciences. The Radford Transit system, developed in partnership with the city of Radford, is connecting the university community and citizens of Radford with transit systems across the New River Valley.

Yes, Radford University is experiencing exciting change and growth, but it still is and always will be uniquely yours for life.

With warmest wishes,

Penny Kyle
President