In Memoriam: Dean Frances A. “Bonnie” Hurlburt ’58

March 8, 1937 – October 19, 2025
The Heart and Spirit of Radford University

Frances A. “Bonnie” Hurlburt passed away Sunday in Williamsburg, Virginia, at the age of 88.

For nearly four decades, Bonnie Hurlburt shaped not only the lives of Radford University students but also the character and soul of the institution itself. A proud member of the Class of 1958, she returned to her alma mater soon after graduation to begin what became a lifetime of devotion to Radford and its students.

As dean of students, she led with wisdom, warmth and unwavering conviction. She balanced compassion with accountability, guiding generations of Highlanders through moments of growth, challenge and discovery. Known for her “tough love,” she believed deeply in students’ potential –  and expected them to rise to meet it. As one alumnus reflected, “She didn’t just guide us – she believed in us. And because she did, we believed in ourselves.”

Her leadership philosophy was rooted in service, belonging and community. As the longtime advisor to the Student Government Association, she helped transform student governance at Radford into a national model for student responsibility and advocacy. She championed initiatives that advanced student well-being, strengthened diversity, promoted civic engagement and expanded funding for merit-based scholarships. Her leadership on the City/University Joint Commission also fostered lasting goodwill between Radford University and the surrounding community.

Her impact was recognized early and often. In 1979, 21 years after graduating, she received the Radford University Outstanding Alumni Award. She was a devoted member of the Radford University Golf Society, where she remained a beloved participant in alumni gatherings – first as dean, later as a friend. Upon her retirement in 2002, the Virginia General Assembly passed a resolution commending her “talent, energy, patience, skill and enthusiasm” and declaring her a “beacon of pride and inspiration to the entire university family.”

Hurlburt was a cherished presence at campus events, cheering for Highlander athletics, supporting the arts and joyfully celebrating Radford traditions. She delighted in reconnecting with former student leaders and was deeply moved when alumni continued to seek her guidance throughout their lives. She most recently gathered with alumni in August to sing the Alma Mater – a moment of shared pride and affection.

In 2005, Radford University honored her enduring influence by naming the student center in her honor. Today, the Bonnie Hurlburt Student Center –  affectionately known as “The Bonnie” – stands as the heart of campus life, a place of connection, joy and shared spirit that reflects her vision of community. She fully embodied the “Investing in Lifetimes” motto displayed at its entrance, believing that the impact of education extends far beyond a single moment in time.

Hurlburt also shaped Radford’s future through extraordinary personal generosity. A loyal donor for 36 cumulative years, she was recently recognized as a Tartan Fellow, the highest distinction in Radford University’s donor recognition program. Tartan Fellows embody the pinnacle of philanthropic commitment, representing profound loyalty and an enduring investment in the university’s past, present and future. Her financial support was an extension of the values she lived daily — belief in opportunity, faith in students and dedication to Radford’s mission.

Her legacy continues through the Bonnie Hurlburt Scholarship, awarded to students who exemplify the leadership, service, integrity and culture of care she championed. Through this scholarship and through the thousands of lives she touched, her influence will continue to shape the Radford experience for generations to come.

Hurlburt was not simply part of Radford’s story; she helped write it. She was a mentor, a visionary and the enduring spirit behind The Bonnie. Her legacy is not measured in years of service, but in lives uplifted, traditions strengthened and the community she created across generations.

The university invites alumni and friends to share memories or stories of Bonnie Hurlburt by emailing alumni@radford.edu. These reflections will help celebrate the lasting impact she made on our Radford family.

For those who knew Hurlburt and would like to honor her spirit and service, memorial gifts can be made to the Bonnie Hurlburt Scholarship online at radford.edu/give or by mail to:
Radford University Foundation
P.O. Box 6893
Radford, VA 24142

View Bonnie Hurlburt’s obituary:
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/williamsburg-va/frances-hurlburt-12562459