The day began with the annual Partners in Excellence luncheon, which provides the opportunity for scholarship benefactors to meet their student recipients. Penny White, Vice President for University Advancement, welcomed attendees in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

“This luncheon allows us to express our deep appreciation for your generosity. It is also a chance for you to connect with the students and see firsthand the impact of your support. You are making the dream of a college education a reality for many young people,” said White. “Today, we celebrate the opportunity that education provides and the transformation it makes in our students’ lives.”

Attendees had the chance to hear from U.S. Air Force veteran, first-generation student and scholarship recipient Troy Stallard. Stallard is a senior studying biomedical sciences and emergency services; an active member of the Student Veterans Organization and American Medical Student; the student ambassador to the Blue Ridge Partnership; the student representative to the Radford University Board of Visitors; and an employee at the Military Resource Center.

“As a scholarship recipient, I have the ability to pursue my professional and academic goals. Every dollar is one more minute a student can spend studying and not working, and through your contributions, the only way possible for us to be successful. The ability to dream, and the ability to attain those dreams, [stems] from the security that your basic needs are met,” said Stallard.

During the 2022-23 academic year, Stallard was one of more than 900 students who benefited from the $2.6 million in scholarships awarded by the Radford University Foundation. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1973 to advance and further the mission of Radford University by raising, investing and administering private gift funds. This year, the Foundation celebrated 50 years since its establishment. The first gift to the Foundation was made by Ms. Mae R. Huddle who served as the dining room supervisor on campus. After learning about the purpose of the Foundation, she wrote a check for $100.

“She felt the college had done something for her, and now she wanted to do something for the college,” said Michelle O’Connor, Chair of the Radford University Foundation Board. “I am so grateful to the donors who continue to demonstrate this same sentiment through their actions by generously giving to Radford University.”

“This year we celebrate five decades of scholarships that have transformed lives, helping students graduate with the skills they need to be successful. These graduates have transformed communities near and far. The Foundation, its staff and its Board of Directors are committed to ensuring the current and future needs of our students are met. This would not be possible without the support of the donors who are with us today.”

Following Partners in Excellence, all were invited to enjoy academic excellence and research on display during the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences (CHBS) Experience in Hemphill Hall. Students and faculty presented their work and welcomed attendees to tour their state-of-the-art facilities during this event. The four floors of activities included:

• Bring Content to Life with Green Screens – School of Communication
  
• Can You Lift It? Mastering Fingerprint Forensics – Department of Criminal Justice
• Center for Archives and Digital History ­Tour – Department of History
• Center for Assessment and Psychological Services Tour – Department of Psychology
• English Children’s Library Open House – Department of English
• English on Display – Department of English
• The Game of Life – Department of Sociology
• Interdisciplinary Humanities Research Lab Tour
• Mock Trial Demonstration – Department of Criminal Justice
• Philosophy and Religious Studies on Display – Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
• Psychology in the Workplace – Department of Psychology
• Public Radio WVRU Open House
• Radio Communications, Call for Fire and Nine Line Medevac Training – Army ROTC
• Russian Music in Culture – Department of History
• Safe Zone Tour
• Student Research Poster Session – Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Department of Political Science, Department of Psychology, Department of Sociology and Wicked Problems
• Table Talks – Department of Criminal Justice, Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Interdisciplinary Studies, Department of Psychology and Wicked Problems
• Tracking and Trending in the Smart Lab – School of Communication
• Use of Force Simulator Demonstration – Department of Criminal Justice and Department of Political Science
• Welcome to African American Studies – Department of Sociology
• Women’s Studies Trivia – Women’s and Gender Studies

Day of Gratitude concluded with the Celebration of Giving at The Highlander Hotel Radford. This event celebrated donor support and the University’s momentum toward the successful completion of TOGETHER – The Campaign for Radford University. Invitees included the Radford Society, which recognizes donors who have given $1,000 or more during the last fiscal year; the Society of 1910, which honors those who have generously included Radford in their estate plans; and the President’s Circle, which celebrates contributors who have cumulatively given $100,000 or more.

Making engaged learning opportunities, such as undergraduate research, accessible to all students is a priority of the TOGETHER Campaign and the University at large. Financial support of this goal empowers students to take advantage of these transformational opportunities without worrying about cost.

“I am very privileged in my current role supporting faculty and students as they embark on the journey of scientific discovery, developing new scholarships and producing creative works,” said Associate Provost for Research, Faculty Successes and Strategic Initiatives, Jeanne Mekolichick, Ph.D. “Both as a faculty member and as an administrator, I have benefited from private support to create and deliver these impactful opportunities for our students, igniting lifelong curiosity and empowering graduates to lead thriving communities through service, research, leadership and innovation.”

Junior nutrition sciences major and scholarship recipient Leah Ellis has also experienced the impact of private support firsthand. Ellis has been able to conduct full-time research funded by the Highlander Research Rookies program and Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship; present at the Summer Research Celebration, Student Engagement Forum, and Virginia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Meeting and Educational Conference; and intern as a research assistant at an NIH-funded lab. She spoke about this impact during Celebration of Giving.

“When I was a sophomore, I was terrified when I received my school bill because I saw that bill and I did not know how I was going to pay it. I remember exchanging so many emails and phone calls with the Financial Aid Office. One day my luck changed, and I received an email from the foundation scholarship coordinator and that email was labeled, ‘Congratulations.’ I was brought to tears instantly because that email meant I could come to school that year. Because of people like you, I can continue on my career path,” said Ellis. “My biggest dream is to one day be like you, able to give back to my community.”

Attendees also enjoyed musical student performances from criminal justice major Jamori Harris and music composition major Joey Harrington.

Radford University President Bret Danilowicz, Ph.D. closed the evening with University updates and gratitude to those who have supported the TOGETHER Campaign.

“Together, we are building a brighter future for our students. Together, we will cross the finish line for the largest campaign in our University’s history,” said Danilowicz. “Each person in this room has made a contribution to the TOGETHER Campaign. You have all helped us move closer to our goal, and every dollar – it doesn’t matter if it’s toward a scholarship, facility, or programming – every single dollar is making our students better, and it’s elevating them into their careers. Thank you for paying it forward.”