September 11, 2026

Mark your calendars for these upcoming opportunities and scroll down to read more about them in this issue of CONNECTED.

Radford University’s fall census was completed this week, and our enrollment is up over a full percentage point, with Highlander undergraduate and graduate enrollment growing by 80 new students. Also, Radford University hit our highest-ever retention for new freshmen, up to 79.9% over our record of 79.1% in 2000. And that's up over 5% from last year alone!

The work of author Sharyn McCrumb often merges Appalachian folklore and tradition with more complex themes of social and political commentary. Ghazala Hashmi, lieutenant governor of Virginia, will explore these concepts in the lecture, “Songs of Appalachia: A Lecture by Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi,” on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 11 a.m. in Davis Performance Hall at the Covington Center on the main campus in Radford.

The lecture is one of a series of Literature & Government sessions featuring the lieutenant governor. She will examine how folklore, memory, place and political power come together in the novels “The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter” and “She Walks These Hills.”

The event is free and open to the university community and members of the public. A meet-and-greet reception with light refreshments will follow at noon in the Scartelli Atrium.

Advance registration is required. You can also use the registration form to suggest questions for discussion.

Event parking for off-campus attendees is in Lot S, located at the corner of Jefferson Street and Downey Street. Accessible parking spaces are located directly in front of the Covington Center.

A reminder that the Office of Marketing and Communication will offer professional employee headshot photos on the Radford University main campus next week.

Employees who need a new headshot or would like to update their existing photo can stop by the temporary photo studio in Martin 109 during either of these times:

Martin 109 is located inside the Office of Marketing and Communication suite on the first floor of Martin Hall.

Next week, you can take a moment to slow down and welcome the changing season at Fall into Calm, hosted by Radford University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) Arts and Wellness Center.

The event will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 11 a.m. to noon in the Artis Center Performance Hub and will include an hour of relaxation and reflection with meditation for the changing seasons, soothing music, fall-themed artwork, hot tea and healthy snacks. Everyone is welcome, and the event is free.

The Radford University Office of Career and Talent Development will host the Fall Career and Internship Fair on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 4-6 p.m. in Kyle Hall 340 on the main campus in Radford.

This event helps students find jobs and secure internships. Please let your students know about this opportunity so they can add it to their calendars.

As part of Radford University’s partnership with the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke, all Radford University students and employees are automatically members of the museum.

Membership benefits
As a member of the Taubman, you can enjoy:

Learning opportunities
Radford University’s partnership also provides opportunities for learning and engagement at the museum. These opportunities include:

All Radford University employees and students are encouraged to take advantage of this wonderful partnership and the many opportunities available through the Taubman Museum of Art.

In support of the Hurricane Preparedness for Inland Communities Training:

In support of the Board of Visitors meeting:

In support of the Virginia Credit Union Financial Success Center dedication:

Alternate parking suggestions include, but are not limited to, Lots E, DC, BF, Z, IM and BL. Please see the Radford University Parking Map for these locations and for alternate parking lots for use.

Parking access remains available with a valid disabled parking placard or disabled license plate in handicapped spaces or regular parking spaces.

Parking Services appreciates your understanding and support of these updates and events on campus.

While Dolly Parton’s recent death left many of us devastated, we will always remember the unwavering kindness and help she gave to others. That includes her founding of the Imagination Library program for fostering early childhood literacy and a love of books and reading. Those early readers may become Radford University students someday.

Please stop by McConnell Library on the main campus in Radford to see the display of books by and about Dolly Parton, shelved on the third floor near the front elevator. You can check out the print books, access the e-books or find many more books, articles and media on Dolly Parton by searching Super Search on the Radford University Libraries homepage.

Join Radford University for the Selu Scenery Plein Air Workshop on Friday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Selu Conservancy, 3215 Dry Valley Road in Radford. Led by artist Phil Ramsey, this free workshop invites participants to explore the art of plein air painting while creating oil or acrylic artwork inspired by the surrounding landscape.

Participants should bring their own painting supplies, including oil or acrylic paints, canvas or another substrate and brushes. Additional materials information will be provided upon registration. The rain date is Saturday, Sept. 26.

Register online by midnight, Tuesday, Sept. 22, at https://radford.nbsstore.net/selu-scenery.

What happens when students create a mural without a sketch or plan? They respond, adapt and build – one piece of tape at a time. As part of DSN 100: Design Fundamentals, students in the classes of Department of Design faculty Laura Kimball, Kevin Peterson and Maria De Oliveira collaborated to create temporary tape murals in the showcase at the entrance of the Artis Center, taking turns and responding to what had already been added.

The project challenged them to explore balance, rhythm, unity, emphasis, space and shape while making quick creative decisions. Designed to go up and come down quickly, the murals encourage experimentation, iteration and generating ideas without overthinking.

Radford’s University Libraries is welcoming Amanda Lawson ’11 as the newest collection development liaison. Though new to her position as serials and acquisitions librarian, she brings more than 14 years of staff experience at McConnell Library and is a Radford University alumna with a B.S. in History.

In her new role, Amanda will be serving as the library liaison for anthropological sciences, biology and information technology.

University Libraries appreciates all the library liaisons and faculty library liaisons working together throughout the year. If you have library materials you wish to request, such as books, e-books, CDs or DVDs to support your students, please send your request to your department’s faculty member who serves as your liaison to the University Libraries.

Your liaison will then submit your department’s requests to the libraries via their designated library contact. If you have a recommendation outside the scope of your department, please submit it using the Collection Recommendation Form.

Experience an unforgettable evening of world-class bluegrass when Grammy Award-winning fiddler Jason Carter takes the stage at the Main Stage Theatre in the Artis Center at Radford University on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.

A native of Kentucky’s legendary Country Music Highway, Carter has spent more than three decades shaping the sound of modern bluegrass as the celebrated fiddler for the Del McCoury Band and a founding member of the Travelin’ McCourys.

Honored with three Grammy Awards and five IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year awards, Carter has shared his remarkable talent with artists ranging from Ricky Skaggs and Vince Gill to Steve Earle and Dierks Bentley. Now, with his acclaimed solo work and recent album Lowdown Hoedown, Carter brings his signature virtuosity, deep Appalachian roots and captivating stage presence to Radford for a night of extraordinary musicianship that bluegrass fans won’t want to miss.

Find out how Radford students, faculty and staff are finding their place and shaping tomorrow – together.

Radford University brings regional economic and business leaders together to advance growth in the New River and Roanoke valleys

Radford University marks third consecutive year of enrollment growth

Disney intern finds the magic behind the scenes

Highlander Highlights: Week of Sept. 8, 2026