April 17, 2026

This year, over 1,400 Highlanders participated in Radford University’s Traditions Week, including 308 first-year students at the First Year Field Day; 262 sophomores at the Halfway There celebration; 241 juniors at the Junior Twilight event; and 376 seniors at the Senior Block Party.

Plus, 223 students participated in the Traditions Week Spring Renewal event at Radford University Carilion in Roanoke. That's 16.22% of our student body who took part in the celebrations.

And check this out: Aaliyah Robertson won a $4,000 Presidential Scholarship at Halfway There and she celebrated with her friends on site and her mother on Facetime.

With Round 3, the Exquisite 8 and UVA in our rearview mirror, we’ve advanced to the Fabulous 4 with only one destination plugged into our GPS: The top of the Blue Ridge Outdoors’ Top Adventure College mountain!

But to achieve that goal, we've got to overcome the formidable Mountaineers from Appalachian State. The voting for Round 4 runs April 13-19. So, be sure to cast your vote today and encourage family, friends and colleagues to do the same!

Don’t forget to check out Radford’s Top Adventure College video, featuring President Bret and some of our Highlanders in the great outdoors!

Radford University has earned the 2026-2027 Military Friendly School designation, recognized as both a Gold Level School and a Military Spouse Friendly School. This is Radford University’s third consecutive year earning the gold designation.

The honor comes from Military Friendly, a brand created by the advocacy organization Viqtory to promote civilian opportunities for veterans. Its ratings program began in 2003 as a vehicle to encourage civilian organizations to invest in programs to recruit, retain and advance veterans as employees, entrepreneurs and students.

“It is an honor for Radford University to be recognized as a Military Friendly Gold institution once again, but more importantly, it reflects a sustained commitment to those who have served and those who have supported them,” said Bill Wilson, director of the Radford University Military Resource Center.

Visit Radford University’s Military Resource Center website for more information about student veteran programs.

This week, the Perkins & Will project design team visited Radford University’s campuses from April 14-16 to engage directly with employees and tour facilities on the main campus in Radford and at Radford University Carilion and the Roanoke Higher Education Center in Roanoke. The project design team also hosted an information session that drew more than 70 participants and offered a broad overview of the design process and project timeline. Learn more about the week’s activities.

Engagement remains a central focus as planning continues. Employees across all Radford University campuses are invited to participate in a brief survey. Designed by Perkins & Will, the online survey seeks to gather employee feedback on current space utilization, satisfaction levels and priorities for the future facility. It will be open from Friday, April 17 through Sunday, May 10 and takes less than 10 minutes to complete.

Radford University is stepping up to the plate as a proud sponsor of several upcoming Salem RidgeYaks games this April, May and August. We are excited to be part of the action and invite all employees and their loved ones to join us for America’s national pastime.

Radford is proud to be one of the sponsors supporting these meaningful nights celebrating education and the outdoors, as well as honoring our military communities and families. The Salem RidgeYaks are offering discounted tickets to Radford University employees and alumni, so stop by to say hello, grab some Radford swag and enjoy a night at the ballpark.

The first workshop in the returning “Selu Scenery” workshop series is led by award-winning watercolor artist Matt Gentry on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Selu Conservancy, 3215 Dry Valley Road in Radford.

The workshop will focus on plein air painting, beginning with a guided walk to select a scene. Attendees should bring a sketchbook or drawing pad, pencils and their preferred painting materials.

The program is sponsored by Radford University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA). Registration is required by Thursday, April 23. Additional information will be provided at registration.

Contact Linda Correll for more information.

Radford University’s Department of Information Technology Services (IT) has extended the deadline for this year’s Security Awareness Training to Sunday, May 17. The original due date landed a little too close to finals, graduation and the general end-of-semester whirlwind, so employees now have a bit more time to complete the training without adding to the chaos.

This year, the university has moved to a new training platform, KnowBe4, replacing our previous SANS training. The format and appearance will be different, but the goal remains the same — providing practical guidance to help you recognize phishing attempts, protect sensitive information and safely use university technology.

To complete the training:

Thank you to those who have already finished it, and for everyone else, this is your friendly reminder that cyber threats do not take a break just because the semester is ending. Please complete your training by May 17.

Radford University is a sponsor of the 2026 Screamiverse Expo, a celebration of horror, sci-fi and the world of macabre arts on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19, at the Berglund Center in Roanoke.

Join us for a scary good time and stop by our table to say hi and grab some Radford goodies.

Sponsoring events like Screamiverse, Strawberry Fest and Radford Community Fest, as well as Salem RidgeYaks games and high school activities, allows us to increase awareness and engagement among high school students, their teachers and parents/guardians, along with alumni, community members, business leaders and the general public throughout southwest Virginia. 

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has been collaborating with the New River Valley Regional Commission on the Valley to Valley Corridor Trail Study. As part of this effort, there will be a series of public input meetings across our region over the next few weeks where you can learn more and offer your input.

Meetings will be held on:

Two B.F.A. graphic design and studio art exhibitions will be on view later this month, showcasing student work across disciplines. The Graphic Design Exhibition runs Thursday, April 23, through Thursday, April 30, in the Covington Gallery, with a show reception scheduled for Friday, April 24, from 4-6 p.m.

The Studio Art Exhibition will be on display Thursday, April 23, through Wednesday, April 29, in the Tyler Gallery, with a show reception on Friday, April 24, from 5-7 p.m.

Both exhibitions and receptions are open to the public and both receptions are free and open to the public with light refreshments served.

McConnell Library is offering extra hours for extra study time. On Friday, April 24, and Saturday, April 25, the Library on the main campus will stay open until 9 p.m.

And be sure to note these upcoming schedules for University Libraries:

As always, University Libraries’ online resources and 24/7 chat service are always open.

Are you interested in incorporating character into courses, curricula or academic activities? Share your passions with colleagues as a Highlander Center for Character and Public Impact Fellow. Variable grant-funded stipends are available.

Fellows will promote multidisciplinary academic activities and collaboration in advancing character education and public impact at Radford University by: 

Work in character and public impact could include things like: 

Note that compensation depends on an individual TR faculty member’s eligibility per the 2025 Supplemental Pay Policy, which can be found on the university’s policies webpage.

To apply or for more information, contact Heather Keith. The deadline for this program is rolling.

The last week of the semester will offer several free concerts from the Radford University Department of Music. All of the following events are free.

On Monday, April 20, at 7:30 p.m. in Davis Performance Hall at the Covington Center, a choir concert will feature works by Bach, Schumann and Vivaldi.

On Tuesday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m. in Davis Performance Hall, the University Community Symphony and Chamber Strings will perform music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Offenbach, Bacharach and Saint-Saens under the title, “Into the Underworld.”

The Guitar Ensemble will offer a program called “Magic, Dreams and Seduction” with music by Falla, Kindle, Loncar and Cordoba on Friday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m. in Davis Performance Hall.

There will also be a Piano Studio Concert on Saturday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m. in Davis Performance Hall.

There are also two bluegrass jam sessions on Monday, April 20, and Monday, April 27, both from 6-9 p.m. in the Performance Hub of the Artis Center. Everyone is welcome to jam, dance or just listen and there is no charge.

There has been one cancellation, unfortunately. Duo Firenze will not play on April 27 as originally scheduled but will hopefully reschedule in the fall semester.

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

Radford University earns 2026-2027 Military Friendly Schools designation

Young historians showcase their research at annual competition hosted by Radford University

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