CVPA welcomes spring 2019 graduates to family
Radford University President Brian O. Hemphill (far left) and Dean Margaret Devaney (third from right) congratulate graduating CVPA students on the stage of Bondurant Auditorium.
Graduation day is the culmination of years of work, struggles, and the ups and downs of learning a new career path. The process of acquiring a college degree is wrought with discovery, including learning more about our personal limitations and strengths. On May 11, 2019, Radford University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts celebrated with nearly 140 graduating seniors who completed this major milestone and joined the CVPA family of alumni.
The threat of bad weather forced a change of plans from a single university-wide ceremony on Heth Lawn to a series of smaller ceremonies for each college at different locations across campus. The College of Visual and Performing Arts held their ceremony in Bondurant Auditorium at 1:30 p.m. Some departments within the CVPA held small gatherings prior to the ceremony, where graduating seniors and their families could celebrate and enjoy photo opportunities prior to their degrees being conferred.
Despite the last-minute venue change, Bondurant Auditorium made a nice setting for the graduates and their families to enjoy the special moment without the threat of wet weather. The excitement was palpable as graduating students took to the stage as their names were called and families and friends cheered them on.
While it was a special day for the students, it was also significant for faculty members Carl Lefko (Chair, Department of Theatre) and Monica Weinzapfel (Professor of Design and Technical Studies, Department of Theatre) who will be retiring after decades of service to the university. “I know that I and my colleagues cannot quite imagine university life without Carl Lefko and Monica Weinzapfel,” said CVPA Dean Margaret Devaney during her opening remarks to the crowd at the commencement ceremony.
The College of Visual and Performing Arts would like to congratulate the graduating class of spring 2019 on their significant accomplishment. We encourage you to keep in touch with your departments and former professors to update us on your life adventures. We are excited to have you as part of our family, and look forward to following your journeys as you each change the world in your own unique way!