A group of Highlanders encircled the campus fountain on a cool, cloudy Friday afternoon, eagerly awaiting a count of three.
“One-two…,” they shouted.
When they reached three, the group collectively lifted the black rail fence that for years had enclosed the beloved sanctum.
“Free the fountain,” someone in the crowd said.
Opening the Friday, Oct. 10, ceremony to rid the fountain of a fence that had enclosed it for about three decades, Radford University President Bret Danilowicz gave the gathering a brief history of the treasured campus landmark.
“Back in the ’70s, this used to be a geyser fountain,” the president explained. “This was the hang-out spot.” The geyser was later replaced with the current pedestal fountain. “And sometime in the ’90s, a fence was put around it,” Danilowicz continued, prompting someone in the crowd to utter out a soft, “boooooo!”
The president said he hopes freeing the fountain will make the area a place of connection like it once was for the campus community.
The fountain “was the meeting place, way before cellphones, where we’d catch up and make plans,” said alumnus and Radford Alumni Association Board of Directors member J.P. Beckham ’97. “This crowd here today reminds me of how many people would typically be around the fountain on a warm day.”
The fountain is now affectionately known as “Chip,” named for Radford alumnus John “Chip” Perkins ’86, who passed away in 2024.
“Chip was fun and mischievous,” said Beckham, a classmate and friend of Perkins. “He loved Radford, and we could think of no better place to honor him than the fountain.” A plaque on the fountain bears Perkins’ name.
“Chip, in my assessment, is not somebody who wanted to be fenced in,” Beckham continued, prompting warm laughter. “So, it’s only appropriate, and thanks to President Bret, that we get to be here today and do what we know needs to be done.”
Once the fence was lifted and set aside, people abandoned their shoes and socks, rolled up their pant legs and walked into the cool, pooling water, taking selfies, group photos and videos.
“Free the fountain” was one of many events offered to alumni during Homecoming 2025 weekend, Oct. 9-11.
To kick off Friday’s events, Danilowicz hosted a Q&A session with alumni and friends in a cozy corner of the Bonnie Hurlburt Student Center dining area. The president provided news and updates regarding academic programs and campus infrastructure while the attentive gathering sipped coffee and enjoyed free pastries.
A couple of hours later, the Radford Alumni Association held its annual Alumni Volunteer Leadership Awards and Lunch, honoring alumni who have made remarkable contributions to their professions and communities. This year’s Outstanding Alumni Award was given to Kevin Rogers ’87, “who has made his mark through his professional career in technology, entrepreneurship and innovation as well as his boundless energy for Radford University and strong commitment to his family,” Turk said during the announcement that was a surprise to Rogers.
Rogers thanked the gathering, saying it is the university’s more than 90,000 alumni who are continuing to build a strong base and a “culture of care,” he said. Radford “is an amazing place.”
Turk announced each award via a video in which she described the many accomplishments of each winner during the awards presentation, including Nehemiah Bester ’18, recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.
“Wow, I can’t believe I did all of that,” Bester said, prompting laughter, after his video announcement. Since graduating from Radford, Bester has become an influential voice in various forms of media.
“As a writer, I’m honored to do what I can to help spread the word about this amazing and unique university, a school that taught me so much,” Bester said. “And as a journalist, it is my deepest and my humble privilege to be a part of this Radford story that we are all telling together.”
The Outstanding Young Alumnus Award is given to an alumnus who is 35 or younger.
Faith Akovi Cooper ’02 received the Alumni Association’s Outstanding Service Award as someone who has made exceptional contributions to furthering the university’s mission and has demonstrated how an alumnus can support their communities and Radford through their time, talent and resources. Turk called Cooper a “trailblazing refugee advocate with a professional background in humanitarian assistance, global health and international development sectors spanning Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas.”
Vickie Cundiff Felts ’76 received this year’s Outstanding Alumni Philanthropist Award for her “exceptional generosity and civic responsibility demonstrated through financial contributions to charitable organizations,” Turk explained, within her community and the Radford University Foundation.”
The night before, on Thursday, Radford’s Class of 1975 celebrated 50 years since graduating at the annual Golden Reunion celebration. The event gives alumni an opportunity to reconnect and share stories about their days on campus. They were also presented with medallions and inducted into the prestigious Golden Reunion Society.
“It was a wonderful experience. It was good to see people I went to school with,” said Nancy Morris Love ’75, who taught home economics for 42 years – that includes 10 years teaching as a substitute – after earning her Radford degree. “I don’t always recognize everybody, but it’s good to get together to see what they’re doing. One of my roommates from graduate school was here. I hadn’t seen her since her wedding, and that was 50 years ago,” Love said with a smile.
Jane Blevins M.S. ’75, a retired art teacher, also came away from the Golder Reunion event with a smile and warm memories.
“It was very special to me, just to be recognized and meet up with folks who graduated the same year that I did,” said Blevins, who attended Homecoming with her daughter, Samantha Blevins ’03. “I just love hearing everyone’s stories.”
Another event unique for alumnae each year is the Women of Radford Luncheon, held this year on Saturday afternoon in Kyle Hall, home of the Davis College of Business and Economics. The college’s dean, Donna Weaver McCloskey, served as the event’s special keynote speaker, sharing the story of her path to success while keeping the gathering laughing and engaged along the way.
The event is known for its fashionable guests, many of whom wear stylish and colorful hats that brightly display their Highlander pride. The Best Hat Award was given this year to Anita Williams, a friend of the Alumni Association.
As the guests dined, seven students from the Department of Design walked through the room with runway pizzazz, showing off their unique, handcrafted designs. “That’s so beautiful,” one of the alumnae said of a dress worn by a student-model-slash-designer.
Among the plethora of Homecoming events was the induction of the latest members into the Radford Athletics Hall of Fame. The Class of 2025 included Mike Jones (men's basketball), Javonte Green (men's basketball), Yvette "Pebbles" Smith (women's basketball), Rachel Wiechecki (volleyball) and Vincent Wyatt (men's track and field).
This year, alumni had the unique opportunity of enjoying the on-campus Highlander Festival, which fell on the same weekend as Homecoming. Alumni were part of festival activities, including the Highlander Games and the Parade of Tartans, alongside the many families attending the event. In the afternoon, alumni gathered in the Under the Kilt Tent, enjoying the festival and live music emanating from the Moffett Lawn stage. The Alumni Association handed out Homecoming T-shirts at its check-in tent.
Many of the university’s colleges and departments held events for their alumni throughout the weekend.
On Wednesday, alumni volunteers participated in the 10th annual Radford Gives Back, an event that collects food items for the Bobcat Backpack program, an organization founded by Radford alumnae to provide nutritious weekend food and snacks for needy schoolchildren in the community.
“We were thrilled to welcome seven decades of alumni to Homecoming,” Turk said. “The variety of activities provided opportunities to celebrate, learn and reconnect. Highlander pride shined all weekend.”
