Faculty Excellence

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.

Associate Professor of English Courtney Watson, Ph.D., has traveled throughout the southern United States and various locations around the world to examine the legacies of well-known authors such as Ernest Hemingway, Eudora Welty, Richard Wright and William Faulkner. Watson talks about her travels and research in an interview on the “With Good Reason” public radio program, which will air July 22-28, 2022 and be available as a podcast.

This week in Highlanders in the News: Matthew Dunleavy, executive director of the Vinod Chachra IMPACT lab, talks about new cybersecurity learning options funded by a recent $1.2 million grant, and the campus’ new Esports center lands with a virtual splash.

This week in Highlanders in the News: The Blacksburg Police Department hails a new chief, Todd Brewster ’96; former RU Rocker Julie Dickens ’98 talks dance instruction; Allyson Yankle, Ph.D., interprets the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade; and Zach Collier, Ph.D., discusses forces that drive the auto industry.

Following an extensive national search, Radford University has selected Steven Bachrach, Ph.D., for the role of dean of the Artis College of Science and Technology. 

An opportunity to use human cadavers to teach anatomy and physiology is what first persuaded Orion Rogers, Ph.D., to pursue a faculty position at Radford University. However, the “driving force” that has kept him at the university for the past 28 years, he said, has been the daily opportunities to make an impact on the lives of others.

Before his retirement in December, Bruce Chase, Ph.D., CPA, taught accounting at Radford University for nearly 30 years. He also founded numerous important initiatives for the business college, such as the Governmental and Nonprofit Assistance Center, the Virginia Government Finance Officers/Radford University Certificate Program and the student employment exposition known as Firm Night.