Students recognized for academic excellence
Hundreds of students celebrated their academic achievements on Jan. 25 at Radford University's first-ever Dean's List reception.
Sponsored by the Provost's office and organized by the Office of New Student Programs, the celebratory event was in honor of the more than 700 freshmen and new transfer students who made the dean's list during the fall 2015 semester. To be placed on the dean's list, students must have 12 semester hours of coursework graded A-F; earn GPA's of at least 3.4 for all courses not graded on a pass-fail basis; obtain no grade lower than a "C"; and obtain no incomplete grades.
Nearly 200 students attended the event in Muse Hall Banquet Room where they were warmly greeted by the deans of their respective colleges.
Keynote speaker Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Joseph Scartelli congratulated students on the distinguished honor.
"Nobody believes that anything was handed to you," he said. "You are here because of your very own hard work and dedication to your major and your future. Please know that when you get that dean's list letter, to us, that's a pretty nice shiny trophy."
Scartelli lauded the collaboration of deans and students, a strong partnership that contributes to Radford University's success.
"It is my privilege and honor to work directly with the deans and their leadership teams to do one thing - to provide the strongest academic programs and set of curricula that we possibly can to best prepare you not only for success here at Radford, but more importantly, for your success once you graduate," Scartelli told students.
Kenna Colley, dean of the College of Education and Human Development, chats with students from her college before the start of the ceremony on Monday afternoon.
Dannah Pritchard, a social work major, was thrilled when she received an email informing she had made the dean's list. She wasn't the only one.
"My mom was really excited, too," Pritchard said.
Pritchard credited hard work, focus and "great advising" for her success.
"This is a big deal, being able to accomplish this," she said. "I think it's great they are taking the time to recognize us today. It means a lot."
Freshman Jared Haga, a recreation, parks and tourism major, offered advice to students seeking to land on the dean's list in the future.
"Go 110 percent," he said. "Talk with your faculty members, your deans, and surround yourself with people who want to see you succeed."
Sacrificing some social events and hitting the books hard during her first semester is the reason Allie Criss was recognized, she said.
"It does take sacrifice," said the freshman nursing major. "But it pays off in the long run."
In addition to the special recognition, Criss said the reception allowed her to mingle with fellow nursing majors and network with deans and faculty.
"It's a great opportunity to meet students who value their education like I do," she said.
College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences Dean Kate Hawkins said she was proud to participate in the reception and recognize students "whose hard work and perseverance resulted in such outstanding academic performance."
"It was an excellent networking opportunity for our students, who discovered in their colleagues shared interest and aspirations," Hawkins said. "The exemplary habits of mind the students cultivated in their successful first semester at Radford University will serve them well throughout their academic careers."