Kaylan Brown’s journey to Radford University wasn’t part of his original plan. In fact, he’ll be the first to tell you that the school wasn’t even on his radar.
“I didn’t have the slightest clue about who, what, or where Radford was,” he said.
But what started as an unexpected leap of faith transformed into four years filled with purpose, community and personal growth, ultimately culminating in his graduation in May 2025 with a degree in management from Radford’s Davis College of Business and Economics.
Brown, a standout high school student with a 4.43 GPA and multiple college acceptances, said his choice came down to something bigger than test scores and rankings. “As I prayed and asked God where he wanted me to go, his plan was Radford,” he said. “From the outside looking in, it really didn’t make any sense.”
That step led Brown not only to a strong academic foundation but also to a support system that helped shape who he is today.
A recipient of the Pompa 757 Excellence Scholarship, Brown said the financial support made a critical difference. “There’s been some tough times trying to get through school, but that scholarship has provided me with the support I needed to get through it,” he said.
More than just tuition assistance, the scholarship introduced him to Radford CRU, a campus ministry that quickly became a meaningful anchor in his college life.
Brown’s decision to study management was influenced by his time in a high school business academy and his love of basketball. He compares the role of a business manager to that of a point guard, which he described as someone who “facilitates … that puts the teammates in the best position to win.”
Throughout his time at Radford, Brown embodied the university’s spirit of finding your place and making the most of it. He not only found his place, but he also helped shape it for others through leadership, faith and optimism.
“I’m so grateful he allowed me to make that decision,” Brown said. “These have been the best years of my life.”