January 17, 2025

Radford University’s own Daniel Berry, assistant professor of psychology, was featured on the Public Radio program, “With Good Reason,” discussing the importance of mindfulness. Check it out as a New Year’s reminder of the benefits of meditation.

With a mix of freezing temperatures and precipitation forecasted for this weekend and extreme cold extending into next week, the Center for Diversity and Inclusion has rescheduled the MLK Day of Service (originally scheduled for Monday, Jan. 20) to take place Tuesday, Jan. 21-Friday, Jan. 24. Please see the following volunteer opportunities on those days. 

Note that the Radford Animal Shelter would like donations of cat food, dog food, cat litter and cleaning supplies. The Women's Resource Center would like new or used donations of coffee makers, microwaves, vacuums, 8+ sized shoes and baby monitors; as well as new donations of Chef Boyardee, canned fruits, canned soup, Ramen noodles, paper towels, toilet paper, paste sauce, dishwater detergent, cleaning supplies, trash bags, kids body wash and shampoo, coffee, deodorant, zip loc bags, condiments, children's toothpaste, gas gift cards and cell phone chargers.

A special thank you to the MLK Committee: Alyssa Archer, Dr. Fredrick Douglas Dixon, Dr. Jean Mistele, Ricky Rogers, Dr. Shannon Shastry and Paula Vaughn-Burroughs. 

For more information, contact the Center for Diversity and Inclusion at 540-831-5765 or diverse@radford.edu.

The Office of Marketing and Communication will take headshot photos for any new employees on main campus who need one for the website directory, as well as for returning employees who would like a more current photo for the directory. If you are interested in having your photo taken, please come to the Photo Studio (adjacent to the Marketing and Communication suite 115 on the first floor of Martin Hall) during one of the following times:

An announcement for dates and times for Roanoke headshots is forthcoming.

The Radford University Honors College invites campus and community members to the 2025 Honors Lecture on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 4 p.m. in the Hurlburt Student Center Auditorium. Science journalist and author Jason Bittel will present “From Star Stuff to Snow Leopards: The Science of How You Are Connected to Literally Everything.”

Bittel has been funded as a Knight Science Journalism Project Fellow at MIT and a National Geographic Society Explorer. Appearing in numerous outlets, including the New York Times and the Washington Post, he is also the author of three books and the forthcoming “Sort of Funny Field Guides” in 2026. A reception with Bittel will follow the talk. This event is free and open to the community.

Jason Bittel

The Office of Undergraduate Research & Scholarship (OURS) invites proposals from Radford University students in all disciplines for the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program. All currently enrolled, degree-seeking undergraduate students who will graduate after the fall 2025 semester are eligible to apply. Awards are for a $6,000 stipend to the student recipient, a $1,500 stipend to the faculty mentor and a small supply budget.

Completed applications must be submitted by midnight on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025.

The expectation is that students will work under a faculty mentor to complete the proposed project for 10 weeks during the summer. The faculty mentor should help plan the project, assist with proposal development and actively participate in the implementation of a student’s project. Biweekly professional development meetings will be held virtually to support and celebrate the participating students.

Students are encouraged to make an appointment or visit the OURS office during normal business hours in Whitt Hall 118 for guidance and direction on their proposal drafts.

The Provost’s Speaker Series draws upon the expertise and experience of Radford University’s faculty members to make their research and perspectives accessible and relevant to a wide audience. The first event in this new series will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. on the Artis Center Main Stage. Luke Liska, Ph.D., assistant professor in marketing, will present, “Navigating the AI Revolution: Leading Communities into a Smarter Future.” 

Liska will discuss how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way we live, work and connect and explore actionable strategies to harness AI, empowering you to make an impact in your community and beyond. Whether you’re a Radford student or employee, business leader or community member, this presentation will equip you to leverage AI for meaningful change.

Luke Liska, Ph.D.

The event is free and open to the university community and the general public. No registration is required.

Remaining events in the inaugural year of this series will be announced soon.

Effective Jan. 1, 2025, the IRS increased the standard mileage reimbursement rate from $0.67 to $0.70.

The full IRS rate will be reimbursed for the use of personal vehicles during official university business travel up to 250 miles per day. Travel exceeding 250 miles per day will be reimbursed at a decreased rate of $0.21 per mile

The new IRS mileage rate has been updated in the university’s travel management system, Chrome River Travel & Expense Reporting, on OneCampus.

Please review Radford University’s Travel Policy for additional travel information.

Are you or your department interested in being part of Earth Week or Worldwide Climate & Justice Education Week this semester?

If so, e-mail Aysha Bodenhamer, sustainability manager, at abodenham3@radford.edu for more information.

Pursuant to Commonwealth of Virginia Law (Code of Virginia, Section 23.1-800), all incoming full-time students are required to complete a Student Immunization Form regardless of campus.

Please let your students know that Radford University will require immunizations for all full-time students, including distance learners, to comply with Virginia law. This will be managed by the Division of Enrollment Management and Strategic Communication.

The Radford University Office of Sponsored Programs and Grants Management (SPGM) encourages all faculty and staff to save the date for an all-day Grant Writing Workshop presented by Hanover Research. This event is for faculty and staff who are interested in writing external grants to either the National Science Foundation or the National Institutes of Health.

The workshop will be held on Friday, Feb. 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Heth Hall 014.

It will educate participants on how to develop competitive AREA R15, NIH and NSF proposals. Breakfast and lunch will be included.

The Radford University Office of Career and Talent Development is in need of new and gently used suits, pants, blazers, dress shirts, blouses, skirts, dresses, belts and ties for its Career Closet. The Career Closet provides students access to free professional attire for interviews, career fairs, networking events and other career-oriented activities and occasions. The goal of the program is to help students feel prepared, professional and comfortable when making a first impression.

Used clothing should be dry-cleaned or pre-washed, ready-to-wear and appropriate for interviews, networking events and other career opportunities.

The Career Closet also accepts monetary gifts that will be used to purchase clothing for the closet. Donations can be dropped off in Russell Hall, third floor, Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monetary gifts can be made online.

Please let your students know that they are invited to stop by the Career Closet, located on the third floor of Russell Hall, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., to try on and keep professional attire and accessories. No appointment necessary.