Faculty Senate President Claire Waldron quoted Mark Twain and said, “According to Twain, and I agree with him, President Kyle ... stands at the summit of human usefulness,” but she added that the president need never feel alone at this summit because “the faculty join you.”

Student Government President Martin Mash and alumni representative Mary Ann Hovis were equally enthusiastic. Mash said the students “are looking to President Kyle to enhance what it means to be an alumnus of RU,” while  Hovis described Kyle as having the “stamina of the Energizer bunny” and warned, “Look out world, here come Penny Kyle and Radford University.”

Later in the day, phenomenal women Maya Angelou, Jehan Sadat and Anne Holton came together to discuss women’s leadership and to answer questions from students. Kyle served as moderator for the symposium, “Women’s Leadership in a Global Society,” and noted the appropriateness of the discussion given RU’s installation of its first woman president.

What followed was a compelling look into the historic lives of three inspiring women. They responded to student questions selected from more than 100 that had been submitted and offered advice to the packed auditorium of students, faculty, staff and inauguration guests. Sharing anecdotes that were poignant and at times humorous, they each drew applause and cheers for their candid and insightful discourse.

Following a reception for symposium guests, the inauguration day culminated in a performance of “Cat On a Hot Tin Roof,” featuring visiting artist Sally Struthers.

On these pages are selected photographs of the day’s events. We hope they will bring to mind pleasant memories for those who attended and, for others, offer a glimpse of this star-filled, historical day for Radford University.