This week in Highlanders in the News: Professor Emeritus of Economics George Santopietro, Ph.D., pens a Roanoke Times op-ed and takes a summer job; a tech-centric website rates Radford University in the upper half of its list of the top 10 online colleges in Virginia; and Digital Spy uses the school’s serial killer database to analyze a new Apple TV+ drama. 

Olivia Simmons, ’16 has many memories of and connections to Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital, now home to Radford University Carilion. From the time she was born until well after her graduation from college, she would return again and again to the downtown Roanoke landmark.

Michael Clegg ’99, CEO of The Q Works Group, spoke about hiring and retention at the Business Development Forum luncheon, presented July 28 by the Radford-Blacksburg Technology Council and hosted at Kyle Hall by Radford University’s Davis College of Business and Economics.

"I wanted to teach at a school that focuses on teaching, said Katie Arnold, Ph.D. "That's what I care about and that's what Radford University cares about, too." The combination of teaching both undergraduate students and master's program students are some of the many reasons Dr. Arnold loves Radford University.

The July 21 roundtable was attended by nearly two dozen of the New River Valley’s municipal and educational figures including Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Caren Merrick; Jason El Koubi, president and CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP); Radford University President Bret Danilowicz and many others.

This week in Highlanders in the News: Recent graduate Shaly Farmer ’22 hosts a theater workshop out of Marion, Virginia’s Lincoln Theater; choreographer Fiona Scruggs ’19 and her new dance company unleash a new project; and Bleacher Nation sends birthday greetings to Chicago Bull Javonte Green ’19. 

The new Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), adopted by Radford University and consistent with its 2018-2023 Strategic Plan, is included in the university's 10-year Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) reaccreditation. The new QEP is called RISE: Realizing Inclusive Student Excellence-Highlanders RISE Together!

Radford University Associate Professor of Music Jennifer McDonel, Ph.D., writes, sings and records songs to help children ages 2 to 5 better learn mathematics through music.

Francis C. Dane, Ph.D., capped off his long career in higher education with a teaching and research position in the Department of Psychology at Radford University Carilion. Though his tenure there was short compared to some of his other postings, he found it a good and productive time.