CHBS alumni awards honor impactful Highlanders
Two impactful College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences (CHBS) alumni were honored for their achievements in a special ceremony on October 25, 2019 as part of Homecoming Weekend celebrations.
The two recognitions are the Outstanding Alumni Award and Outstanding Posthumous Alumni Award with the former awarded each year and the latter only awarded at the CHBS Advisory Board’s discretion.
“I’m proud to be associated with a College where such distinguished people provide service to their professions, to their communities and to each other,” said Matthew J. Smith, Ph.D., CHBS interim dean. “The two award recipients embody what it means to be a Highlander, both while attending the University and well after.”
The winner of the 2019 Outstanding Posthumous Alumni is Virginia State Police Trooper Lucas B. Dowell ’13, who was killed in the line of duty. The award honors Trooper Dowell’s endless commitment, compassion and courage to his family, community and country. The winner of the 2019 CHBS Outstanding Alumni Award is Dave Mattingly ’86, a graduate of the School of Communication.
In April 2019, Radford University students honored Trooper Dowell in a special ceremony with his family, fellow State Troopers and Senator Bill Carrico, a retired State Trooper and proud supporter of Radford University. At the ceremony, a plaque was unveiled that honored Trooper Dowell, reading “Radford University honors a dedicated member of the Highlander family, who gave his life in the line of duty, while protecting the citizens of Virginia.” Below the engraving are the words commitment, compassion and courage – words that will forever be etched in the minds and hearts of those who remember Trooper Dowell.
“We are grateful for the life of Trooper Dowell, and we acknowledge his sacrifice, as well as that of his family and friends,” Smith said. “Trooper Dowell served his community with honor, and we are forever proud to be able to call him a Highlander.”
“As a member of the State Police, you serve and try to help others. One thing in the back of your mind is if you made a difference in somebody’s life. That’s one thing that this award shows – that Lucas Dowell made an impact on people’s lives that he met and those that he never met,” said Senator Carrico.
Left to right: Jen and Dave Mattingly '86, and Rebecca and Mike Dowell.
Mattingly is now the morning newscast anchor at National Public Radio (NPR), where he has worked in various capacities since 1995. Mattingly has anchored the morning show since 2013.
In Mattingly’s journey to morning show anchor at NPR, he utilized the tools and experiences he gained as a Highlander. He gained his experience in working at WVRU, the student radio station, where he wrote, anchored and produced newscasts. Mattingly and his wife, Jen Mattingly '86, also started a scholarship to help students interested in journalism.
“It’s not something I ever expected,” Mattingly said of winning the CHBS Outstanding Alumni Award. “It’s one of the nicest honors I’ve ever had in my life. To know that the people at Radford appreciate the work I have done 30-plus years after I have graduated is really special.”
The CHBS Alumni Awards reflect the lasting impact that Highlanders have not only on their communities, but also the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation. All nominations for the 2020 Alumni Award are due by March 30, 2020 and should be submitted in electronic form to Kerie Benson.