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Office of Alumni Relations
Radford University
Alumni Make Welcome Back Reunion Weekend a Success
Alumni, student families, and guests joined the RU community of students, faculty and staff for a festive weekend that included the first-ever Welcome Back Reunion Weekend, the 14th annual Highlanders Festival and Family Weekend.
 An estimated 11,000 people visited campus and alumni returned for activities that included several reunions by baseball, field hockey, softball and lacrosse alumni, and a volunteer leadership program that included the organizational members for the upcoming class of 1960 reunion.
"It was fabulous to see and greet so many RU alumni and to feel their enthusiasm for their alma mater," said Laura Turk, director of alumni affairs. Read More>>
(Please see Photo Gallery for an online slide show of photographs from the weekend's events.)
Scores Gather for Athletics Reunions
 Numerous former RU athletes gathered on campus for reunions during the inaugural Welcome Back Reunion Weekend. Among those was Steve Govett, who currently serves as a president and general manager for the Colorado Mammoth professional lacrosse team. Govett played lacrosse at RU as was the university's all-time leading scorer. More than 50 former lacrosse players attended the sport's reunion. In the photo, Govett (center) poses with RU President Penelope W. Kyle and Athletics Director Robert Lineburg.
Have you been to an RU alumni event lately? If so, you may find yourself on the Alumni Relations online photo gallery. Visit the Gallery>>
Two Alumni Chapters Emerge from Volunteer Training
Alumni gathered during Welcome Back Reunion Weekend recently for a comprehensive volunteer training workshop. Participants reviewed the master plan for RU's Centennial celebration and discussed chapter and alumni opportunities, and the class of 1960 planned its Golden Reunion for 2010. In addition, new alumni chapters emerged in Lynchburg and Raleigh, N.C. Workshops focused on strengthening alumni leaders and groups, planning alumni engagement for the Centennial, creating brand awareness, using social networking, promoting reunion activity and recruiting alumni support.
New RU License Plate
 Virginia's new Radford University license plate will be available in November.
To get yours, visit the DMV Web site and click on the link for "Plate Purchase."
2009 BAW Unity Step Show Featuring
The Dean of Students Alumni Challenge Competition
Tasha Beene '04, a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and Trent Peterson '99, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc., will host the 2009 Unity Step Show as part of RU's Black Alumni Weekend.
The competition begins at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 16 in Preston Auditorium. This year's show features two competitions, one for undergraduate chapters and another for alumni chapters and groups. To learn more and to register for the competition, visit the step show Web site. All groups wishing to participate must complete the registration form.
The fifth annual Black Alumni Weekend is October 16-18. This year's event features a Kids Kamp, a BAW Unity Banquet and a performance by comedian Rob Stapleton. To register and view a full list of events, visit the chapter's Web site.
Student Thanks Benefactors for Their Generosity
 Senior Stacey Fernandez, a former Presidential Scholar and a current recipient of the Geneva Funk McClung scholarship, represented student scholarship recipients recently at the Radford University Partners in Excellence Celebration.
The dance major from West Virginia thanked benefactors for their generosity and support for her and other scholarship students. "You have given every student here today the momentous gift of education," Fernandez said. "It is amazing to me how the simple kindness of one person can affect so many, and as we enter our adult careers, I only hope that we may pass along the kindness you have shown us to help others in need. You are truly an inspiration to every student here, and I am honored to have the opportunity to thank you for your continuous support."
Please read Fernandez's speech in its entirety (pdf file).
Read more about the Partners in Excellence Celebration.
Alumni Profile
Alumna Sparks Love of Math in Students
 Math education alumna Heather Lineberry '08 says that the key to piquing students' interest in math is applying it to real-world activities.
"I love to show them how math is applicable to daily situations," says the Fries native who is living her dream of teaching at Grayson County High School.
To learn more, see the RU News Release.
Alumnus Jayma Mays Stars in "Glee"
The new Fox musical comedy "Glee" is a hit with TV critics and viewers, and it stars RU graduate Jayma Mays '00. The Grundy native plays the role of Emma Pillsbury, a high school guidance counselor whose interests include hand-washing, rug-fringe-straightening and local news. "Glee" follows administrators and members in a school show choir at a fictional Ohio high school. The series airs Wednesday nights on Fox.
Alumnus Elected President of National Federation of Press Women
Cynthia Price '87 of Richmond was elected president of the 1,500-member National Federation of Press Women during its annual conference in September. Price will serve as president through 2011 and is only the second Virginia president of the organization in its 70-year history. Read More>>
Homecoming 2010
Homecoming 2010 is set for Feb. 5-6, 2010. Mark your calendars and visit the official Homecoming Web site for information about reunions and other events now being planned.
Get Your Crusties in Richmond
Nothing brings Radford University alumni together like Crusties, and at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, those tasty treats will be served during an RU alumni gathering at Easy Street Café in Richmond. Alumni are invited to gather and reconnect with Highlander friends. To learn more, contact Jake Crocker '99 at jcrocker15@yahoo.com.
RU Athletics
 Radford scored three unanswered goals in the second half, breaking a scoreless streak of 594 minutes in the process, for a 3-1 win over Virginia Tech last Tuesday night in non-conference men's soccer at Cupp Stadium. "This was a performance that I was very proud of," head coach Spencer Smith said. "I thought we fought from the first whistle to the very end." See RU Sports News for more.
Just days after Athlon Sports released its college basketball preseason predictions, Lindy's Sports also picked Radford to repeat its 2008-09 Big South title run in its 2009-10 College Basketball Preview. The Highlanders return four starters from their 2008-09 NCAA Tournament club that finished 21-12 and 15-3, while becoming the first team in Big South history to win the regular season title after finishing seventh the year before. See RU Sports for more.
Upcoming Alumni Events
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 16-18
Black Alumni Weekend
Saturday, Nov. 7
Radford Society Event
Thursday, Nov. 26
Centennial Service Project
Roanoke Drumstick Dash
Friday, Dec. 11
Roanoke Chapter Event
RU Choral Ensembles Holiday Concert
8 p.m. - St. Andrews Catholic Church
Contact: alumni@radford.edu
Visit the Alumni Relations Web site for a complete events schedule.
Alumni in the News
Biology Alumna Joins Optometry Practice
It was bad eyesight that gave Dr. Kari Boothe crystal clear vision with her career goals. Read more from the Bland County Messenger.
We have email addresses for less than half of our 60,000 Radford University alumni, so to help keep your classmates connected, please encourage classmates and fellow alumni to email us and subscribe to the Radford Alumni e-News.
To submit class notes for use in The Magazine of Radford University, please send your correspondence to alumni@radford.edu. Photographs may also be submitted; however, please note that photographs may not be returned to you.
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