Enhanced schedule, careful planning clear the path for a smooth fall Move-in Day 2025

When more than 2,600 Highlanders got to campus last week for the fall semester move-in, they found a new refinement to the process.

Radford has, in recent years, staggered arrivals into three-hour blocks, to prevent traffic congestion and crowds and to provide as much elbow room for incoming students and their families and friends. By all accounts, it’s been a success.

But for this year’s move-in – from Aug. 20-22 – the schedule was streamlined even further still, into one-hour time slots. A bar graph produced by the organizers even displayed the exact number of arrivals expected at each part of campus, every 60 minutes, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. across all three days.

That extra efficiency is also designed to help shift the focus of the day from logistics to a warmer welcome for newcomers and returning students alike.

“We’ve definitely made it a well-oiled machine,” said Andrew Price who on Aug. 25 officially became Radford’s director of housing and residential life. “We want ­­­it to be smooth and invisible, almost, so that the students’ arrival during move-in is truly the kickoff to Rad Welcome.”

One of the earliest arrivals on Thursday, Aug. 21, was Alexander Armknecht (above, right), a freshman from Fredericksburg, Virginia. He and his mom, Jen Armknecht (above left), got on the road about 4:30 a.m., and by 8:30 that morning, they were already busy unpacking his belongings in his new room in Muse Hall.

“When I got the email about early check-in, I’m like, ‘Oh, I have to do that,’” Alexander said. He also brought two carts along with him to help transport his stuff into the building and was surprised to discover Radford already had a large fleet of shopping buggies waiting, with dozens of staffers and student volunteers on hand to assist.

“Whoever made that connection with the carts? Brilliant,” Jen said, adding of the move-in: “I like it because we can get in, get done, and everybody seems to know what they’re doing out there. It’s just super quick and easy.”

Around the same time, in a different part of Muse, another freshman, Joseph Rodriguez from Herndon, Virginia, was busy setting up the pair of computer monitors he’ll use as he begins studying cybersecurity.

“I’m looking forward to the independence,” Rodriguez said of coming to college. “Just to be on my own, with my classes and meeting new people. I’m ready to explore.”

Incoming junior Leah Brethren, an art education major from Charlottesville, Virginia, transferred to Radford from Averett University, where she played on the women’s soccer team. She was on the field for each of her team’s 15 games in 2024, and though she missed the transfer window, she still intends to play club soccer at Radford.

As she maneuvered her buggy into Moffett Hall on Thursday, Brethren briefly explained how she wound up at Radford.

“I like the campus and the art program, and my twin sister goes to VT (Virginia Tech), so now we’re both right here,” she said. She’s already had experience teaching art to children ages 3-12 in her hometown, but she hopes to ultimately instruct at the high school or college level. 

For now, however, she said plans to enjoy campus life with a little less athletic rigor: “I was playing soccer for, like, 60 hours a week, so it’ll be weird to have some freedom.”

Over in Draper Hall, Addison Poston, a freshman from Stafford, Virginia, studying early childhood special education, was getting settled into her dorm and marveling at her new circumstances. 

“It’s different, you know, because you’re not going to be with your mom or your dad, and you kind of have to do everything on your own now,” she said. She’s the second of five siblings to come to college. 

“I’m really excited,” Addison said, surveying her room. “It’s very ‘real estate-y’ in here. I was just like, ‘Oh, gosh! This is my house!’” 

John and Angela Comstock, of Roanoke, Virginia, served double duty this year.

On Aug. 20, they moved their freshman daughter, Paige, into Floyd Hall, and the following day, they got their daughter Grace, a junior studying art, situated in Bolling Hall.

“We're becoming empty nesters in one fell swoop, even though they're two years apart,” John said, revealing a small chest of drawers they’d tucked away beneath Grace’s elevated bed. “We were able to come in yesterday and make her bed and get the rug down, so we had a little bit of a head start.”

Like his eldest daughter, John also studied art as an undergraduate, but ultimately wove his way into graphic design. Today, he’s the director of sales and marketing at Magnets U.S.A. in Vinton, Virginia, and an enthusiastic Highlander fan to boot. 

“I actually have a history of hiring Radford grads,” he said. “I have one in my employ right now, but historically I’ve hired three others that have been great … one in particular is now president of a company, he’s done really well for himself.

“The Radford grads that I’ve hired have all been great for me, so I’m always telling people that I’m a believer in the program enough that I send both my kids here.”

Thursday also saw 83 students move into residence halls at Radford University at Carilion (RUC) in downtown Roanoke, Virginia. RUC students take classes at Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital and are housed on the third, fourth and fifth floors of the nearby Patrick Henry building on Jefferson Street. 

Their move-in included a welcome area for students and families, with free giveaways and games, a coffee bar hosted by a student club, welcome bags and a nighttime event, “Cirque du Res Life,” with popcorn, cotton candy and activities. 

“Move-in Day went really well. Everything flowed smoothly,” said RUC’s Assistant Director of Student Engagement & Residence Life Cierra Womack. “Everyone, from parents to students, seemed happy and had great things to say. We’re excited and ready to kick off the semester.” 

The official launch of the fall term, however, came early in the evening Aug. 22, as the students on the main campus met with faculty outside Bondurant Auditorium before filing into the building for remarks from Student Government Association (SGA) president Owen Starr, distinguished alumnus Eugene Naughton ‘89, Provost Bethany Usher and President Bret Danilowicz.

“Try to always challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone,” Starr, a senior cybersecurity major, encouraged the crowd. “Moments like those not only shape your college experience, but you as a person. And remember: Radford is what you make of it.”

Naughton, president of The Dollywood Co., recalled his first days at Radford, living in Muse Hall and being away from his family for the first time. He said he saw some young faces in the auditorium that reflected the anxiety and uncertainty he, too, had felt as a new freshman. 

“All that you have to do is take a deep breath,” Naughton advised. “I promise you are going to find your place here at Radford. I fondly look back on my experience here, shaping me as a young adult. I found it to be a nurturing environment.” 

Danilowicz, before leading the students out onto Moffett Lawn to pose for their class photograph, reminded the students that “today marks the start of a new chapter.”

“We like to say, ‘find your place here,’” the president noted. “That is not a tagline; it is our promise, because this is a place where you can discover who you are and who you want to become. You will be working with people who will inspire you, challenge you and support you. You will be taught by professors who care about you, and you will be supported by staff who want you to succeed and believe that you can succeed. 

“And you’ll be surrounded by classmates who are walking this journey with you.”