2015 Graduate Hooding Ceremony takes place at Radford University

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Fifty-five Radford University students were awarded master's and doctorate degrees on Dec. 18.

Fifty-five students were awarded master's and doctorate degrees on Dec. 18 at the Radford University College of Graduate Studies and Research Commencement and Hooding Ceremony.

Family, friends and faculty celebrated the graduate students’ accomplishments at the event, held in Bondurant Auditorium.

Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Joseph Scartelli offered remarks at the ceremony, encouraging graduates to not only seek a fulfilling career but to also become examples of civility and citizenship in a complex and changing world.

"But, right now, at this moment in the present, it’s time to celebrate," Scartelli said. "Take a very deep breath, pat yourself on the back and thank all of those who have helped you come to this very revered place."

Some of those helpers were on hand at the ceremony: students were hooded by a faculty member of their choice who had a strong influence on their graduate study.

Following the hoodings, RU President Penelope W. Kyle conferred the degrees on behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the RU Board of Visitors.

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The College of Graduate Studies and Research awarded the following degrees at the ceremony:

  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (5)
     
  • Doctor of Psychology (4)
     
  • Master of Science (18)
     
  • Master of Occupational Therapy (19)
     
  • Master of Social Work (5)
     
  • Master of Business Administration (4)
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Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Joseph Scartelli offered remarks at the hooding ceremony.

Jacob Pillis, of Salem, received his Master of Science in Corporate and Professional Communication after two years of hard work.

"It's an unbelievable relief," he said. "But there's joy, too, because I have to say, I'm pretty proud of myself."

Pillis took evening classes in his program and was able to work at the same time - a situation his faculty members were happy to accommodate, he said.

For Brook-Lynn Velvin, an Austin, Texas, native, Radford became the right place to study when she arrived. When she was looking for a Master of Science in Counseling and Human Development, she found several programs that might have fit the bill.

"When I got here, I realized I was in an awesome program," Velvin said. "And now I'm ready to get to work in my field."

Dec 21, 2015