Graduate Kasey Campbell gives back to the NRV community

Kasey Campbell wasted no time in lining up her next project after her graduation from Radford University at the Spring 2014 Commencement.

Campbell, a dual major in sociology and psychology, is spearheading a project to promote community involvement at the Wilderness Road Regional Museum in Newbern, Virginia. A grant from the Community Foundation of the New River Valley will allow the Lebanon, Virginia, native to undertake a construction project to build a new picnic area at the museum.

"The museum often has families and groups of visitors explore the grounds overlooking the mountains," Campbell said. "I just thought one day that it would be very nice to have someplace for them to sit. Picnic tables would be very functional for general guests, future art and educational programs for kids and other guests, and have an aesthetic appeal as well since the plans reflect the nineteenth century time period of the museum."

Kasey-campbell

Kasey Campbell, '14

Campbell began interning at the museum during the summer of 2013 and upon graduation took a summer position as a Collections Manager. As a condition of the grant, Campbell is working with students from Pulaski County High School's building trades program for the construction.

According to Randy Roope, PCHS building trades program director, undertakings like Campbell's appeal to students because they get the chance to work with "real projects" where the products will be used in the community.

The PCHS building trades students, under the instruction of Roope, will work on this project this fall. All students are high school sophomores or older and will become OSHA-certified, in order to understand the dangers of working with tools.

"This is the first grant that the museum has received from the Foundation, and Kasey’s work brought about this grant," said Carolyn Matthews, RU professor of English and president of the New River Historical Society. "I believe that the museum received this grant because Kasey thought so carefully about ways to involve the community and Pulaski County students in this project. Kasey’s achievement underscores the role that RU students play in the region."

May 29, 2014