Spring 2026 graduates prepare to embark on an adventure

Halfway through his speech on Saturday morning, May 2, Radford University commencement speaker Eugene Naughton '89 looked toward the crowd of gleeful graduates and calmly stated, “Let’s ride some rollercoasters.”

Throughout their time at the university, this group had experienced the many twists, turns and ups and downs of a rigorous Radford academic journey. So already, excitement permeated the air at having reached this momentous achievement, as Naughton delivered words of encouragement and wisdom.

However, there was more to come from the Radford alumnus and current president of The Dollywood Co. He had not one, but two surprises for the graduates that activated the same sort of shouts and squeals often heard at an adventure park.

The first came when Naughton introduced his “boss,” Dolly Parton, who appeared on two large screens flanking the stage, delivering an inspirational message to the graduates via pre-recorded video.

“You get out there, and you use what you learned at that school, and you build your own future. And maybe you’ll grow up to be a Eugene,” she said with her famous charm after identifying Naughton as one of the nicest and smartest people she knows.

“Congratulations to all of you.”

Parton’s words were like songs from the heart to the grads who cheered, clapped and smiled from ear to ear at the sight of the beloved country music legend and entrepreneur.

Moments later, Naughton told the 1,050 graduates receiving bachelor's degrees that morning that they each would receive two free tickets to Dollywood.

Louder cheers erupted from the grads and the thousands of family and friends sitting and standing on Moffet Lawn during Radford’s 113th commencement.

In all, 1,427 students participated in the commencement exercises, which included Saturday’s ceremony for undergraduates and the Graduate Hooding and Commencement Ceremony the night before in the Dedmon Center. Awarded degrees included 1,050 bachelor's degrees, 327 master's degrees and 43 doctoral degrees, along with a small number of certificates from Radford’s Artis College of Science and Technology, College of Visual and Performing Arts, College of Nursing, Waldron College and Health and Human Service, College of Education and Human Development, Davis College of Business and Economics and College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences.  

Speaking about his path from Radford student to a funnel cake stand supervisor at Kings Dominion to his current role at Dollywood, Naughton said his alma mater shaped his path. “I know it can help shape yours as powerfully,” he said on the cool, windy morning. “Each of you has your own version of that story, waiting for you to unfold.”

Naughton noted the courageous spirit of Radford students and alumni, saying they were living proof that “adventure belongs to the bold.”

“Adventure requires you to take risks, to try new things and not be afraid to fail,” he said to the Radford graduates who regularly have fueled their academic journeys by pouring themselves a cup of ambition. “Adventure isn’t a destination; it’s a mindset. It means waking up every morning ready to learn something new, to laugh and to lead others. It is, as Dolly says, figuring out who you are and doing it on purpose.”

Before Naughton’s address, Radford President Bret Danilowicz took the stage, asking, “Who’s ready to graduate?” while throwing his fists in the air, prompting the grads to roar their confirmation.

“You’ve worked hard. You’ve mastered new skills. You’ve acquired foundational knowledge and skills in your chosen disciplines. All of these things have prepared you for success in your professional career as well as the many other roles that you play in your life,” the president said. “This is your day, and you have truly found your place here at Radford University.”

President Danilowicz spoke of the graduates’ many accomplishments, singling out three specifically – Hunter Smith, Taylor Hudson and Phillip Lockey – for their extraordinary efforts.

Student Government President Owen Starr addressed fellow graduates, saying the group forever changed what it means to be a Highlander.

“You’ve raised the bar for everyone who comes after you,” said the cybersecurity major from Blacksburg, Virginia. “Carry that with you. Know that what you built here was real, and what you do next matters just as much. As you leave here today, don’t just go do great things; go do your things. The world doesn’t need a copy of someone else’s success; it needs exactly what you, and only you, can offer.”

Before degrees were conferred, the university recognized its ROTC program with newly commissioned U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Raiden Alston taking the oath of office on stage from Capt. Victoria Fou. Alston, of Tazewell County, Virginia, majored in criminal justice at Radford.

The day before, Alston and another new second lieutenant, Layla M. Miller, a public health major from Chantilly, Virginia, received their commissions at an early morning ceremony inside the Bonnie Hurlburt Student Center auditorium. The commissioning kicked off a full day of commencement activities on campus and at Radford University Carilion (RUC) in Roanoke.

A ceremony to recognize Honors College graduates was among those events. A record number of students, 64, received medallions for their excellent work throughout their Highlander academic career. Many of those graduates received the Highlander Honors Scholar award, the highest academic distinction given to undergraduates at the university.

“We’re so very impressed by your talent and persistence,” Honors College Director and Professor of Psychology Niels Christensen said to graduates and their families and friends, packing the auditorium inside the Artis Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity. “Please remember that graduation is not the end, but rather a beginning of your life. We suggest you approach your next steps with a balanced mixture of humility and confidence, which has taken you so far already. You’ll be a success regardless of your path and never forget we are here to support you anytime in the future.”

Soon after the Honors ceremony concluded, more than 150 newly minted nursing graduates gathered in Bondurant Auditorium for the College of Nursing’s annual spring pinning ceremony. Those graduates are the “modern-day influencers,” said keynote speaker and alumna Katrina Watson '87, M.S. '99.

“Many people these days want to be influencers, but guess what? You are one already,” said Watson, a board-certified health and wellness coach with roots in nursing. “You will measure your impact in the moments when you walk into a room and bring calm to a crisis or when a family trusts you completely with the care of their loved one. That is influence, the real kind.”

Nurses, Watson explained, are “the original influencers,” dating back to Florence Nightingale, who is credited as the founder of modern professional nursing and was the first to award pins to graduating nurses.

Additional activities Friday included various college award ceremonies and receptions, an athletics cording ceremony, the respiratory therapy pinning at Selu Conservancy and the Department of Physical Therapy white coat ceremony in Roanoke.

Avery Brown plans to be part of the white coat contingent in three years. But on Saturday, she celebrated earning a bachelor's degree in allied health sciences and becoming the seventh member of her family to graduate from Radford. The other six, including her father, Mike Brown ’97, and mother, Stephanie Brown ’96, were on campus to watch Avery walk across the commencement stage.

“It’s really cool to have them here to celebrate me,” said Avery Brown, who noted that some of those family members came from as far as Colorado.

Forty-five minutes before the ceremony began, Mike was preparing for the emotions he’d feel in that moment. “I’m a crier, and I will ball,” he said as the others laughed. “She’s worked really hard, and she’s done great.”

Avery’s mother, Stephanie, chimed in: “I’m just proud, super proud of her, and I’m excited for what’s to come next for her.”

Avery’s Radford journey resumes three weeks after commencement, when she begins the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at RUC. “So, I’ll still be a Highlander,” she said.

Among those receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees at the 2026 Spring Commencement ceremonies, the majority, 1,289 – like Avery, who’s from Spotsylvania – came from towns and cities in Virginia. Graduates also represented Maryland (17), North Carolina (17), California (10), Florida (8), West Virginia (8), New York (7), Pennsylvania (6), Tennessee (5), Ohio (4) and Washington, D.C. (4). International graduates from United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Canada, Ethiopia and Nigeria completed their Highlander journeys at commencement.

This year’s youngest Radford graduate was 19. The senior-most was John Luer, of Moreno Valley, California, who completed an M.F.A. in design thinking.

“I fully believe in being a lifelong learner; if you stop learning, you stop growing as a person,” said Luer, 71, who holds three bachelor’s degrees, three master’s and a doctorate. “Age is irrelevant to self-improvement and gaining knowledge.

“Getting a degree at Radford University,” he continued, “was rewarding and as a professor of 20 years teaching at a university on the West Coast, this fits nicely into my design theory, design thinking and business of creativity classes.”

Earning an M.F.A. from Radford will improve the courses Luer teaches, he said, “and my students will greatly benefit.”

Amber Nai first attended Radford while in her 20s. She moved to Colorado before completing her degree and became a business owner. Nai re-enrolled at Radford years later, falling “in love” with the university’s psychology program, she recalled. Nai received her bachelor’s degree Saturday and plans to return to campus in the fall to pursue a master’s in clinical counseling. “It’s something I’ve wanted for a long time but hadn’t really believed was possible until now,” she said. “Being here again means a lot to me, and I’m very grateful.”

Miecha Mitchell-James, who earned a bachelor’s degree in public health, is grateful, too, for her Radford journey. As a non-traditional student, the work was often strenuous and stressful. But she didn’t have to go it alone. By her side was her daughter, Jasia Green. The mother-daughter dynamic duo entered Radford together, and both graduated Saturday, side-by-side.

“I’m really more happy for her than I am for myself,” said Mitchell-James of her daughter. “I cannot be more proud of her.”

Green is returning to Radford in the fall to study for a master’s degree in healthcare administration. As for Mitchell-James, a trained educator originally from Jamaica, she said she is taking some time off.

“I’m tired,” she said with a quick smile. “I need a break.”

Perhaps a rollercoaster ride will be all the break she needs.

Discover more inspiring stories from our graduating class and what they're taking with them from Radford in our commencement student feature.