Winter Commencement 2022 evoked a spirit of new beginnings
Diplomas arrive at the end of one phase of education, but the word “commencement” denotes the start of something, and indeed, numerous facets of Radford University’s winter 2022 graduation evoked a spirit of new beginnings.
Chief among those elements was recently inaugurated President Bret Danilowicz, avidly presiding over conferral ceremonies for his initial class of departing Highlanders – between undergraduates and graduate students, there were 677 in all, 179 of whom are first generation.
“This graduation will mark one of the most memorable moments of your lives,” Danilowicz told undergraduates Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Dedmon Center, as they sat beneath mortarboards both bedazzled and basic black. “It is your day to celebrate what you have accomplished.”
Winter Commencement also saw Radford’s first cohort to earn Doctorate of Education degrees – a group that includes Radford High School’s current principal – and Radford University Carilion marked the first student to receive its Master of Health Sciences degree, with a concentration in clinical research administration.
And while about 365 Highlanders have earned Bachelor of Science degrees in geology over the past 40 years, on Saturday one scholar became the first to attain a Bachelor of Arts in the field.
To be sure, every graduate concluded their weekend at an advanced stage of education, and those transformations were addressed in graduate and undergraduate commencement addresses on Friday and Saturday by Nicole Robinson ’02, president of Ursa Space Systems.
“When you leave here today, see this as the first step into your life unimagined. Be open to the potential, the adventure, the unanticipated opportunities ahead,” Robinson advised. “Life is truly about what you can’t imagine. In fact, it isn’t even about what happens to you but more about how you respond.”
Robinson, in her speech, challenged graduates to reject the oft-repeated saying that business isn’t personal (“Business is personal, as is your work and your worth,” she noted), and she urged them to embrace being a mentor to others and to take an active role in their own existence.
“Engage in whatever life presents you,” she said. “The wins, the losses, successes, the failures, relationships, experiences. Lean in for all of it.
“Put your hand up, be counted and take on that new challenge. Others will be watching and following your lead, and I will be among them, and I’m filled with excitement to see what you do.”
In addition to the College of Graduate Studies commencement and hooding ceremony, numerous other events occurred across Friday.
Early that morning, family and friends gathered in the Grand Dogwood Ballroom of the Vinton War Memorial for the Physician Assistant (PA) White Coat Ceremony, which recognizes PA graduates with the presentation of a clinical lab coat, an emblem of their ascension to becoming healthcare professionals. Forty-one students received their coats.
“This outstanding class of graduates has overcome many obstacles throughout their time at Radford University Carilion, not least of which was a global pandemic,” said PA Director Sara Nicely, D.H.Ed. “We are so proud of them for persevering throughout these strange times.”
The ceremony included recognition for several healthcare professionals who gave students their support. PA program alum Wesley Patterson ’14 was recognized as Alumnus of the Year, and four PA students were inducted into the Pi Alpha Honor Society — the national physician assistant honor society organized for the promotion and recognition of PA students and graduates.
On Radford’s campus, 41 students received their Master of Occupational Therapy pins at the Hurlburt Student Center Auditorium, and 131 graduates and undergraduates of the School of Nursing were pinned in Bondurant Auditorium.
The Honors College Medallion Ceremony, in the Covington Center on Friday afternoon, recognized seven Highlanders.
Four of those graduates – Asaijah Clements (psychology), Zoe Hannabass (psychology and biology), Caitlin Myers (English) and Kaitlyn Oliver (criminal justice) – were named Highlander Honors Scholars, the highest academic distinction Radford University bestows on undergraduates, for completing a 27-credit honors curriculum and presenting a capstone project while also achieving a grade point average of 3.5 or greater.
Two more – Randall Bohnert (geospatial science) and Beekengsa Ngu (criminal justice) –received Highlander Honors Distinctions for completing a 15-credit honors curriculum alongside capstone projects and a 3.5 GPA or higher.
Jonathan Infantolino (accounting and finance) was tapped at the medallion ceremony for the Honors Capstone, a category whose project is the most intensive component of the honors curriculum.
Seven stories from the Class of 2022:
Every Radford University graduate has a unique, personal account of the road they took to get their degree – recollections of challenges overcome, sacrifices made, knowledge gained, adversities weathered and victories logged.
There’s no easy way to tell all those stories, but here is a closer look at seven members of the winter Class of 2022, all exceptional students across different disciplines and with diverse experiences.
Sarah Cole (communications): “I’ve been waiting for this for a while. And so has my family. We’re all really excited for me to graduate.”
Anna Kate Draper (health sciences): “Learning about all of the aspects of the healthcare industry has taught me there is always an opportunity to improve patient care and outcomes. I am looking forward to carrying that philosophy into my career.”
Miriam Jones (art education): “Many people in my family are teachers, and I grew up in that atmosphere. I looked up to my middle and high school art teachers, and I’ve also worked a lot with kids. So, art education seemed to be the right choice for me."
Rashaad Jones (accounting): "Four years of college is the best time of your life; I don’t care what anyone says. You have ample time, and everyone’s telling you to explore every little facet of yourself.”
Brian Kitts (education): “I’ve devoted much of my life to education. I believe in the structure and systems we put in place to help young people to grow up and do whatever they want to do to be successful in life.”
Josey Lackey (nursing): “I absolutely love championing nursing students because our world needs nurses like them — especially Radford nurses who are taught compassionate, evidence-based care from day one.”
Gabi Richards (biology): “I’m super excited, and it doesn’t feel real. I’ve worked so much on school, and now, all of a sudden, everything is done. I have no more schoolwork left to do.”
