Highlander families reminisce, anticipate at Legacy Alumni Family Luncheons

The Radford University campus recently sprung back to life as students and their families participated in the yearly tradition of Move-In Day. A unique mixture of trepidation and anticipation, Move-In Day can be stressful, not to mention exhausting, for Highlander families.

The Office of Alumni Relations did their part to reduce some of that stress for over 150 alumni and their families, hosting the Legacy Alumni Family Luncheons on Thursday, Aug. 23 and Friday, Aug. 24. Held in Russell Hall, Highlander families were treated to a free lunch of barbeque sandwiches, baked beans, mac and cheese, and peach cobbler at the annual gathering.

While alumni mingled and reminisced, the newest members of the Highlander family reflected upon their decision to attend Radford University.

“Just hearing about how much my mother enjoyed her time here inspired me to attend,” remarked Hannah Rorrer, a first-year criminal justice major from Christiansburg, Va.

“I really did enjoy my time at Radford,” added her mother, Ellen ’91.

Mckenna Hamrick, a first-year music therapy major from Rocky Mount, Va., explained, “My dad most definitely influenced my decision to attend. He told me, ‘Radford University cares about you.’

“He was right. After I attended Quest, I was hooked.”

Mckenna’s father, Allan ’05, stated, “I had a great experience and I thought she would have a great experience as well.”

“I’m looking forward to meeting new people and having new, exciting experiences,” added Mckenna.

Echoing those sentiments was Henry Moore, who had just finished moving into his new home in Tyler Hall.

“I’m looking forward to making new friends and expanding my horizons,” he said. Henry then explained that he was so confident he would enjoy his time at Radford University that it was the only school he applied to.

“It’s the only place I have ever wanted to go,” he added.

That love was cultivated, in part, by his family’s relationship to the University. Henry’s great-grandmother, Zelma Gray Moore, attended Radford, as did his aunts, Callie Dalton ’82 and Beth Dalton ’92.

Henry’s father, Patrick, remarked, “Although I didn’t attend Radford, I love it here and I will do whatever I can to help the University.”

“I’m looking forward to getting a quality education,” said first-year computer science major Tony DiServio. “My dad shared his experience with me, so I knew a lot about the school coming in.”

“I am definitely happy that he is attending Radford,” said Tony’s father, former basketball star Pat ’90, who added, “I had a great experience. I’m looking forward to him having the best four years of his life, just like I did.”

To see pictures from the Legacy Alumni Family Luncheons, please visit the Radford University Alumni Association Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/radforduniversityalumni/.

Aug 28, 2018
Jeremy Norman
540-831-5491
jnorman9@radford.edu