During Traditions Week, you can observe a snapshot of a student’s entire college experience at Radford University, set to the background of music, fun, freebies and food.
Freshmen are still full of energy and excitement for new experiences; sophomores take a pause to appreciate their accomplishments and prepare for the work ahead; juniors face the twilight of their final year; and seniors celebrate the journey that has come to a close.
Seniors Jalysia Younger and Tara Patterson sat in front of Russell Hall, painting crafts at the Senior Block Party. The Block Party offered seniors the opportunity to decorate their graduation caps, win candy for some Highlander trivia, receive their class gifts and connect with the Alumni Association before their final farewells.
When asked how they felt about closing this chapter of their lives, they had varying responses. Young, a criminal justice major from Wytheville, Virginia, said, “It’s exciting but sad that it’s coming to an end. I’ve loved my time at Radford; it feels like a community here. And I've learned a lot over the years.”
Patterson, a psychology major also from Wytheville, Virginia, had a different perspective.
“Oh, I'm ready for it. It’s been a long road.”
Meanwhile, freshmen Kaitlyn Wheeless, a business major from Bristol, Virginia, and
Fatou Jatta, a social science major from Abingdon, Virginia, have already learned
many lessons during their first year. With a DJ blasting popular song mashups, a giant
inflatable slide and a jousting ring on Muse Lawn, freshmen gathered for First Year
Field Day to blow off steam before the last push of the semester.
“Try to join a club if you can,” Jatta advises incoming freshmen. “It helps build community and get to know people from different majors, so you’re hearing different perspectives.” With a laugh, Wheeless added, “Go to class!”
Somewhat between the beginning and the end, sophomores celebrated Halfway There by the fountain. Each sophomore is given a challenge coin that represents their goals for the future; they flip it into the fountain to commemorate their efforts thus far and the work yet to be tackled.
A political science sophomore from Elon, North Carolina, Will Stimpson was in disbelief at the passage of time. “I can’t believe I’m already halfway through college,” he said. “It feels like it’s going by so fast.”
Stimpson has also learned some valuable lessons and is putting them to good use for the second half of his Highlander journey. “The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is that college is hard, not just academically but socially as well,” he said. “This has led me to believe it’s important to never give up, and thankfully, due to the resources I’ve found on campus, I am better set up for success both in and outside of the classroom.”
A Highlander’s journey does not consist merely of celebratory block parties and bragging rights for jousting their friends with giant inflatable Q-tip-looking things. Behind those moments lie countless study sessions, group projects, a pile of library returns and a few too many cups of coffee.
However, it’s just as important to celebrate the wins as it is to acknowledge the moments we aren’t so proud of. As Dominika Butler, a middle school social studies major from Ashburn, Virginia, senior and student representative to the Board of Visitors, says, “It’s okay to fumble, but you’re going to pick yourself right back up.”
The Division of Student Affairs hosts Traditions Week every April on both Radford and Roanoke campuses to celebrate students’ hard work from the year.