Graduates ready to jump into their careers
CVPA Dean Margaret Devaney (center) congratulates each graduating student during the fall 2019 commencement ceremony.
Graduating college with a bachelor’s degree is a tremendous milestone for those able to achieve it. As seniors in Radford University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts walk the stage and receive their degrees, they leave behind great memories, experiences and valuable life lessons, while simultaneously starting a new chapter in their lives. The commencement ceremony is less about the end of their undergraduate experience, but rather, the beginning of becoming a college graduate.
Theatre major Becca Redifer has performed in multiple stage productions in the Department of Theatre and Cinema during her studies at Radford. She said that she enjoyed her role as the lead character “Cass” in the 2019 production of “Wonder of the World” the most. “The whole process of it was blissful, from start to finish,” Redifer said. “It was one of my favorite characters to explore and one of the best casts I’ve worked with.” Now that she has finished her undergraduate studies, she plans to audition for graduate school in New York City in January 2020, and if that doesn’t work out, she plans to move to California to pursue a career in film.
Monica Tirado is a graduating dance major who has dreamed of being a dancer since she was four years old. She said that her time at Radford has imparted a number of valuable lessons, including learning to manage work-life balance. Her studies in dance came with rigorous schedules and practice habits, however she learned the value of taking breaks to avoid burnout. When asked about advice for students thinking of taking up dance, she said, “Allow yourself to rest when your body asks for it. It will definitely help in the long run.”
CVPA seniors line up backstage prior to commencement as they prepare to become Radford University alumni.
Jermaine Alex Grandison and Vanessa Oghenerukewve Oruma are each graduating seniors from the Department of Design and they are excited about what the future holds in store for them. Grandison is currently interviewing for a position in healthcare recruitment in Tampa, Florida. Oruma says that she has accepted a job in sales with an information technology firm in northern Virginia and will begin shortly after graduation.
As these new Radford University alumni prepare to go out into the world and make their mark in their respective careers, they enter into a robust family of alumni from across the globe. For the moment, these graduates can relax and take pride in the accomplishment they have earned in achieving this important milestone in their lives.