June 6, 2025

The Highlander Hotel is now a part of the Hilton family. Start accruing your Hilton Honors points now!

Virginia Business magazine has named Radford University President Bret Danilowicz as one of the recipients of the publication’s inaugural C-Suite Awards in the Higher Education category. A full list of recipients is available on the Virginia Business website.

The awards celebrate top executives who consistently demonstrate remarkable leadership skills, integrity, values, vision, commitment to excellence, company performance and community engagement.

The honorees must have their primary work offices in Virginia and hold a top executive position or equivalent job.

“Virginia Business congratulates this year’s honorees,” said Richard Foster, associate publisher of Virginia Business. “Our 2025 C-Suite Awards winners are outstanding leaders who demonstrate impressive resumes and lead their companies to success, making a positive impact on the lives of others. They are trendsetters who empower those who work with them in a professional setting and in the community. They are examples to all, and their leadership is growing the next generation.”

The 2025 Virginia C-Suite Awards recipients were recognized at a celebration in Richmond on June 5. Additionally, recipients will be featured in the June issue of Virginia Business magazine and online at VirginiaBusiness.com.

Radford University has launched a new coworking space, CoWorks@The HUB, in downtown Radford.

This spacious facility is designed to house creativity, collaboration and innovation among freelancers, startups, remote workers and small businesses while connecting them to university resources and student talent. 

Located within The HUB at Radford University, CoWorks offers flexible membership options ranging from daily passes to private offices. Members enjoy access seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., with amenities that include high-speed internet, meeting rooms, mailbox service, printing and copying allowances, coffee, shared kitchen access and parking.

Meeting spaces, including an executive room, strategy room and huddle rooms, are fully equipped with Zoom, TVs and whiteboards and are available for both members and non-members.

Conveniently positioned within walking distance to campus, restaurants, coffee shops and public transit, CoWorks is ideal for professionals seeking connectivity to downtown Radford and university partnerships. Members are also encouraged to engage with Radford students through internships and class projects, creating meaningful opportunities for both professional and academic development.

In partnership with the Greater Roanoke and New River Valley Small Business Development Center, CoWorks will also host office hours for free small business counseling and education. 

The Selu Conservancy will be open on Saturday, June 7, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in celebration of National Trails Day.

The day is an effort to engage communities in the benefits and responsibilities of being outdoors. All the trails will be open, and a variety of programs will be available for participants to choose from.

The schedule includes:

In addition, there will be an orienteering challenge, Leave No Trace resources and tick awareness materials. This event is free and open to the public. Everyone is invited.

Please note that trails are not accessible to strollers, walkers and wheelchairs due to uneven terrain, but indoor spaces are suitable for everyone. Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on the property.

Every day, Radford University faculty and staff go above and beyond for our students. Making a financial gift is another powerful way to show you care. With June 30, our fiscal year-end, quickly approaching, your support – no matter the amount – helps Highlanders stay on track and demonstrates our belief in both the students and the mission we serve. You can give to a fund that matters to you or help a student in crisis through the Highlander Student Emergency Fund.

Visit inspire.radford.edu, make a payroll deduction through OneCampus or give online at connect.radford.edu/facultystaffgiving.

We are close to reaching our 25% annual participation goal for faculty and staff. You can help us get there.

All Radford University faculty, staff and students are invited to Radford University Night at the Party in Elmwood on Thursday, July 10, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Elmwood Park in downtown Roanoke.

5:30 p.m.
Gates open. Mingle with university leaders and visit the Alumni Association and Marketing and Communication tents. Admission is free if you’re wearing Radford apparel or an alumni button!

6 p.m.
Live music by Gary Lowder & Smokin’ Hot.

Please note that food and beverages will be served on-site by vendors (see the Party in Elmwood webpage for information on costs). No outside food, drinks or coolers are allowed. Lawn chairs are welcome.

The Radford University Division of Student Affairs has reorganized some of its offices to better align resources and services for students. 

The office formerly known as the Center for Diversity and Inclusion and the space called the First Gen Center have found significant synergies in their work for student success. The functions are now combined under the leadership of Shannon Shastry within a new department called Connected Communities. This department is open to all students, and the core goals of this office will be to:

This structural change will bring a more blended and holistic way to support and help students find community. Additionally, it will provide opportunities for faculty and staff to engage, learn and be in community with students as well as with fellow faculty members. 

Connected Communities has two locations on the main campus, including Heth Hall 157 and Trinkle Hall 162. Laptop Loaners will continue to be available at the Heth location. Free printing will be available at both locations. Professional and student staff will continue to support community development, programming, campus celebrations and a variety of partnerships at both locations.

Feedback from students was instrumental in selecting 'Connected Communities' as the name for the new department, as well as in determining how the physical spaces will be used more effectively and creatively. It will be introduced to new and returning students as they arrive on campus for the fall semester in August.

The Jo Ann Bingham Clinical Simulation Center is offering an American Heart Association-approved Basic Life Support (BLS) course. The course utilizes the HeartCode BLS program through Laerdal’s RQI system, an interactive, self-directed eLearning program.

This competency-based training provides the essential skills for healthcare providers and others requiring BLS certification. The course is designed to ensure participants receive real-time, computer-generated feedback and scoring to track their progress and mastery of critical skills.

It will include an online learning segment, followed by in-person skills and practice testing. Upon successful completion of those course segments, a BLS certification card will be issued to participants via e-mail.

More information about this course, including fees and how to enroll, is available on the HeartCode BLS Course page on the Radford University website.

Radford University’s Family and Friends Weekend is coming up Sept. 26-28. This is a fantastic opportunity to help our Highlander families experience both our campus and our community. We invite you to consider hosting events and activities that will engage students and their families during this important weekend.

An event calendar will be shared on the Family and Friends Weekend webpage, across social media platforms and through the family newsletter. Click here to submit your event by June 25.

For more information, contact Jen Rentschler, director of student involvement, via e-mail at jrentschler@radford.edu.

Even our Highlander is taking some well-deserved time to float and recharge on the New River – with a furry friend along for the ride! As summer settles in, we hope you’re finding time to relax, recharge and enjoy the beauty around us. Thank you for all you do throughout the year – this season is for you.