February 6, 2026

Teams from Radford University's Offices of Facilities Management, Emergency Management and Housekeeping Services worked tirelessly over the past two weeks during adverse winter weather conditions. In fact, many worked five consecutive nights and 12-hour days to keep our sidewalks and roads clear and our campus safe.

A sincere thank you to all of these amazing Highlanders!

The Radford University Office of the Provost will host Rob Warren, assistant professor of accounting in the Department of Accounting, Finance and Information Systems, as the next RAD Talks speaker on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m. at the Radford Public Library, 30 W. Main St. in Radford.

Warren’s topic will be “Investigating Tax Fraud and Financial Crimes.” He previously worked with the IRS investigating complex fraud scenes. He’ll tell some remarkable stories from his career and about the billions of dollars that the IRS does not collect yearly. Refreshments will be provided. This event is free and open to the public.

All Radford University students and employees are invited to join Connected Communities for Connection and Community on Thursday, Feb. 12, from 4-5 p.m. in the Scartelli Atrium in the Douglas and Beatrice Covington Center for Visual and Performing Arts.

This event will give members of our student and professional communities the opportunity to connect while enjoying music and light refreshments. This is a drop-in, casual event providing a space for those attending to take a breath and slow down for just a moment.

Calm Day 2026 will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 18, continuing its core mission of creating a lower‑stimulus, lower‑stress environment that promotes well‑being and self‑care.

For one day, intentional changes across campus will better support individuals who identify as atypical or neurodivergent, including those with ADHD, autism, sensory processing disorder and dyslexia.

Why it matters
As our campus community continues to foster a culture of care, Calm Day highlights how small acts of understanding and respect ‒ toward ourselves and others ‒ can have a significant impact.

This year, Radford University’s Division of Student Affairs is excited to partner with even more campus collaborators and anticipates a full day of programming focused on well‑being, education, accessibility and, of course, a bit of fun.

Activities begin on Tuesday, Feb. 17, with keynote speaker Jen Stanford, a Radford alum and author of the book “De‑Stressed.” Be on the lookout for the full schedule in the coming weeks.

Join us to create a calmer, more connected campus community.

University Libraries will host historian and author Mills Kelly for a special talk on his book “A Hiker’s History of the Appalachian Trail” on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 3 p.m. in the Ross Gallery at McConnell Library on the main campus.

At this author talk, Kelly will explore the rich past of the iconic trail, share stories from his research and discuss how the Appalachian Trail has evolved into a cultural landmark for generations of hikers.

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a history lover or simply curious about one of America’s most storied trails, this event offers a unique opportunity to learn from a leading scholar in Appalachian Trail history. 

Copies of Kelly’s book will be available for purchase at the event. All are welcome, and light refreshments will be served.

The Radford University Office of Undergraduate Research (OURS) understands the disruption the winter weather has had across campus and, in response, is extending the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) deadlines one week. The goal is to help relieve a bit of stress for everyone.

Applications must be completed and submitted by midnight on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Please let students know about this extension.

As a reminder, OURS invites proposals from Radford University students in Radford and Roanoke in all disciplines for the SURF program. All currently enrolled, degree-seeking undergraduate students who will graduate after the fall 2026 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.

The expectation is that students will work under a faculty mentor to complete the proposed project for 30 hours a week, 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. For more on the program and the proposal process, visit the Support Your Research webpage or contact OURS at ours@radford.edu or 540-831-7203.

The Radford University recycling program, a part of the Office of Sustainability, will host a Shred-A-Thon in conjunction with campus Earth Week on Friday, April 24, from noon to 4 p.m. at Heth Clock Plaza on the main campus in Radford.

This free, campus-wide event will provide you with safe, secure shredding and recycling of unwanted confidential paper documents. It is open to all Radford University on-campus offices and departments, as well as students and employees with a valid Radford University ID.

Please note: This event is for university-related paper materials only. Offices and departments must follow proper disposal procedures. Departments with more than 20 boxes of material should contact Recycling Program Coordinator Neal Thompson at lthompson@radford.edu or 540-831-7207 in advance to discuss accommodations.

Join us in promoting sustainability and secure recycling as part of Radford University’s Earth Week celebrations.

Radford University’s Archives and Special Collections unit, a part of University Libraries, invites the campus and community to join them for McConnell Day 2026 on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 10 a.m. at McConnell Library on the main campus.

This is a special celebration honoring the 160th birthday of Radford University’s founding president, John Preston McConnell. This year’s program is filled with meaningful moments that will highlight McConnell’s lasting legacy. Festivities will begin with a performance by the Radford University Highlanders Pipes and Drums, followed by opening remarks from President Bret Danilowicz. Guests will gather on the McConnell Library steps for the christening ceremony and then enjoy a special presentation from Mayor David Horton ’90.

Additional highlights will include:

Parking is free in Lot GG, and all are welcome to attend. Join the Highlander community as we honor a visionary leader and the enduring spirit of Radford University.

Since 2020, Radford University’s Yarn Makers Club has recognized the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service by giving away scarves, gloves, mittens and headwear they’ve knitted, crocheted or sewn over the previous 12 months.

This year – as has frequently been the case – their efforts had to be postponed from Jan. 19 due to severe winter weather, but when they hit campus to launch their giveaway on Tuesday, Feb. 3, students seemed ready to pounce.

“I’ve been needing a scarf, so this is the perfect opportunity,” said one, who claimed the first item as they were being put out.

“We’ve never had people take them from the basket before,” said Samantha Blevins ’03, an instructional designer with the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning who also serves as the Yarn Makers’ head.

This year, the Yarn Makers put out 55 items on Radford’s campus and have sent others to the Radford University Carilion site in Roanoke.

The items were left at the Highlander sculpture near Heth Hall and on the benches around the Main Quad fountain.

Thank you to the Yarn Makers for their continuing efforts to foster our culture of care by keeping all of our Highlanders warm during these wintry months.

The Radford University Office of Housing and Residential Life is pleased to share that the main campus housing application for the 2026-2027 academic year is now open for all students. We want to ensure that the campus community has all the necessary information regarding main campus housing options for students. Please let students know that this application is now available to them.

Radford University’s Residential Boarding Policy requires main campus first-year students under the age of 21 to reside in university housing for their first two years, comprising four semesters. Once students fulfill their boarding policy obligations, they are considered non-obligated, and university housing becomes voluntary and based on availability.

Please share the answers to these frequently asked questions about student housing with those who plan to apply for main campus housing in the fall:

Who can apply for housing?
Everyone. The main campus housing application is open to all students, new and returning.

Who is guaranteed housing?
Students obligated to live in university housing under the boarding policy and new transfer students are guaranteed a spot on campus.

Who is not guaranteed housing?
Housing for non-obligated students cannot be guaranteed and is based on availability.

Will non-obligated students receive housing?
Yes, but not everyone who applies.

What housing support is available to students?
Housing and Residential Life is committed to assisting every student in finding housing, whether on-campus or off-campus. Several opportunities are scheduled to help students understand and explore their options.

How can faculty and staff help?

Housing and Residential Life appreciates the assistance and support of the Highlander community. Together, we’ll help students as they find their place at Radford.

Students can contact Housing and Residential Life at 540-831-5375 or housing@radford.edu for more information.

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

Shadow Day 2026 – “Highlanders helping Highlanders”

Highlander Highlights:
Week of Jan. 26, 2026