Art alumna wins gold Addy
Jenna Repass ’25 bested national competition to take home the gold in the American Advertising Federation (AAF) ADDY Awards last month.
Repass, who graduated summa cum laude with a degree in art, won top honors in the student packaging category for her Burpee Seeds design. She advanced to the national level after winning both student gold and the student judge’s choice awards at the regional competition in Roanoke, Virginia, in February.
A gold ADDY is recognition of the highest level of creative excellence and is judged to be superior to all other entries in the category. Radford students have a history of success in AAF competition with numerous top award winners, including Shawna Hession ’16, who won gold in the illustration-campaign category.
Geospatial science student awarded scholarship
Geospatial science student Kayla Fields has been selected as a recipient of the Virginia Lakes and Watersheds Association (VLWA) Leo Bourassa Scholarship. This competitive award supports students in Virginia who are pursuing studies related to water resources. As part of the scholarship, she has also been invited to present her work at the VLWA Virginia Water Conference in March 2026.
Fields was also awarded first prize in the Oral Presentation Competition at the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) Spring Conference held in Alaska. “Kayla’s awards are a recognition of her strong academic standing and commitment to research in the field of water quality and watershed management,” said Assistant Professor Naveen Joseph.
Fields’ research has been supported by the Office of Undergraduate Research, the McGlothlin Center for Global Education and Engagement, Sponsored Programs and Grants Management and the Artis College of Science and Technology.
Seven earn emeritus faculty status
Seven retired Radford faculty members have been newly designated as emeritus faculty.
- Ian Barland, computing and information science, professor
- Carol Bienstock, marketing, professor
- Kim Gainer, writing, language and literature, professor
- John O’Connor, art, professor
- James Newman, recreation, parks and tourism, professor
- Gary Schirr, marketing, associate professor
- Hsin-Min Tong, marketing, professor
Criteria for emeritus status include a minimum of 10 years of service to Radford University, evidence of effective teaching and significant professional contributions. The privileges and responsibilities attached to emeritus status include the use of McConnell Library, a university computer account, the use of athletics facilities available to the university’s current faculty, a Radford University ID card and special events discounts and attendance at university functions that are open to all current faculty.