A Commission that will help chart the future course of Radford University has begun its work to study the institution's mission and create a strategic plan.  RU President Penelope W. Kyle, who established the Commission in January 2006, says it is imperative that "Radford clarify its vision and develop a document that will serve as a blueprint for future decisions."

At a recent meeting of the Commission for the Future of Radford University, Kyle told the group of faculty, students, staff, alumni, community leaders and Board of Visitors members that “the time was appropriate for the RU community to develop a plan that builds on our historic strengths while engaging in strategic and enduring change.”  Such a plan, Kyle says, “will position RU as a leader among truly outstanding universities in the Commonwealth and the nation.” 

The Commission’s work will be time consuming and demanding, Kyle added.  “Radford University has a solid history, and I believe our best years lie ahead,” she said.  “It is time for the RU community to establish its vision, seek a distinctive identity and plan strategically to take our outstanding institution to a new level of excellence.”

The Commission’s task forces will examine internal and external factors that impact the future of RU, institutional strengths and distinctions, the enhancement and engagement of faculty, undergraduate and graduate education, university governance and the role the university plays economically and culturally in the health and development of the region, state, nation and beyond.

(See Commission Task Force for a document detailing the roles and membership of the various Commission task forces.)

Throughout the year, the individual groups will create preliminary reports and ask for feedback and analysis from various constituencies.  The reports then will be presented to the Commission as a part of the planning process to establish the university’s future direction and initiatives.   A timeline calls for the Commission to have a strategic plan in place by 2007.

Kyle will chair the Commission assisted by co-vice chairs Dr. Jack Call, professor of criminal justice, and Charles L. Hayes, professor of theatre.   Other Commission members include:   Mary Ann Jennings Hovis, alumna and rector of the RU Board of Visitors; Nancy Agee, vice rector of the RU Board of Visitors; John Alderson, community leader; Tony Cox, Radford City manager; Thomas Fraim, alumnus and member of the RU Board of Visitors; Bittle Porterfield, III, former rector of the RU Board of Visitors and community leader, and Betsy Davis Beamer, alumna and former member of the RU Board of Visitors.

Also Peter Huber, Pulaski County administrator; David Rundgren, executive director of the New River Valley Planning District Commission; Dr. Florine Rogers Graham, alumna and member of the RU Foundation Board of Directors; Nelson Harris, alumnus and mayor of Roanoke; Barbara Stafford, mayor of Pearisburg, and David DeHart, president of the RU Foundation Board of Directors and president/CEO of First National Bank.

Also Dr. Patricia Shoemaker, associate dean of the College of Education and Human Development; Dr. Allen Bures, chair of the department of management and marketing; Dr. Raymond Linville, associate dean of the Waldron College of Health and Human Services; Dr. Arthur Carter, assistant professor of information technology; Margaret Devaney, chair of the dance department, and Dr. William Kennan, professor of communication.

Students Shelley Gentry, Brandi Mullins, Jasmine Elmore and Mallery Spencer; Dr. Carole Seyfrit, dean of the College of Graduate and Extended Education; Dr. Wil Stanton, acting vice president for Academic Affairs; Dr. Ivan Liss, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and  Dr. Joseph Scartelli, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Dr. Joe Chase, acting dean of the College of Information Science and Technology; Dr. Karma Castleberry, dean of the Waldron College of Health and Human Services; Dr. Alice Anderson, director of The School of Teacher Education and Leadership; Dr. William Dempsey, dean of the College of Business and Economics; Dr. Claire Waldron, professor of communication sciences and disorders, and staff members Marc Jacobson and Connie Phillips.

In addition, the alumni body is represented by:  Scott Silverthorne, Daniel Evans, Edwin Tirona, Paula Crawford Squires, Linda Whitley-Taylor and Barbara-lyn Belcher Morris.

Return to Commission Home Page