Reception honors retiring Vice President Mark Shanley

Mark Shanley addresses a crowd of well wishers during his retirment party on Thursday at the Covington Center. Behind him are his wife, son and daughter who also were present for the celebration.
Vice President for Student Affairs Mark Shanley addresses the crowd at his retirement reception. His wife, Pam, and two children, Ian and Dana, stand beside him at the podium.

The campus community bid a fond farewell to Radford University Vice President for Student Affairs Mark Shanley, who is retiring after six years of service to the university and more than 40 years in the student affairs profession.

Faculty, staff and students celebrated Shanley and his many accomplishments at a reception in his honor at the Covington Center on July 28. Joined by his wife, Pam, and two children, Ian and Dana, Shanley greeted dozens of well-wishers and shared his gratitude for the entire Highlander family.

"I'm very proud of my staff and their many accomplishments," Shanley told the crowd. "You all are very important to me."

During his tenure at Radford University, Shanley served the campus community with a strong commitment to and unwavering passion for the success and well-being of each and every one of its students.

At the reception, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Irvin Clark lauded Shanley's "years and years of hard work."

"Mark is proof of what a good leader can do for an institution and the profession of student affairs," Clark said. "Job well-done."

Beyond the workplace, Clark and Shanley share a passion for motorcycles and spent many weekends riding throughout the New River Valley. Clark spoke fondly of those trips and the support he received from Shanley throughout the past several years.

"I appreciate your friendship," Clark told Shanley.

Shanley was appointed Vice President for Student Affairs at Radford University in August 2010. His professional service spans four decades and includes prior appointments as interim assistant vice president for Student Affairs at Miami University in Ohio, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management and Associate Professor of Education (College Student Development Administration) at Northern Kentucky University, dean of Student Affairs at Truman State University, assistant vice president for Student Affairs and Dean of Student Development at the University of South Carolina at Columbia and coordinator of Student Activities at Youngstown State University.

On Aug. 1, Clark began service as interim vice president for Student Affairs.

Shanley_reception2
Wesley Vest shakes Mark Shanley’s hand as he congratuates him on his upcoming retirement on Thursday afternoon at the Covington Center.

Aug 1, 2016
Mary Hardbarger
540-831-5150
mhardbarger@radford.edu