April 3, 2026

The Board of Visitors increased the university’s credit cap from 16 to 18 hours, allowing students to speed up their time to graduation without paying more.

After taking down the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga in the opening round of 32 in the Blue Ridge Outdoors’ Top Adventure College Tournament, Radford University has advanced to the Savory 16, where we face a familiar rival, Virginia Tech.

This isn’t just another round. It’s Highlanders vs. Hokies, with a spot in the Exquisite 8 on the line.

We proved what Radford is all about in round one; now it’s time to show it again. From the New River to our endless outdoor opportunities, we know Radford belongs at the top.

Check out Radford’s Top Adventure College video, featuring President Bret and some of our Highlanders in the great outdoors!

As part of our new six-year strategic plan, Shaping Tomorrow — Together, Radford University is committed to becoming the premier destination for healthcare education and talent in southwest Virginia, producing skilled healthcare professionals who serve our local communities. Work is already underway to achieve that goal, including planning for a new academic health sciences building in Roanoke.

The Star City has been home to Radford University programs for over two decades. Radford’s Nursing program has trained students in the Roanoke Valley for many years and in 2010, Radford’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program relocated to Roanoke.

In 2019, Carilion Clinic’s Jefferson College of Health Sciences merged into Radford University forming Radford University Carilion (RUC), which resulted in one of the largest nursing programs in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Both the DPT program and RUC are located in Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital in downtown Roanoke, with the university’s College of Nursing and other programs offered at the Roanoke Higher Education Center.

This month, planning will begin on a new building that is expected to bring all of Radford University’s Roanoke-based healthcare programs under one roof in state-of-the-art classrooms, innovative labs and simulation centers, and other flexible learning spaces. The university is partnering with architecture and engineering firm Perkins & Will on the initial design and planning phase for the new building.

Garnering the input of employees and students who will be working and learning in the new building is vital, and we would like to capture their initial input before many of them begin summer break. With that in mind, the project team will invite a broad representation of people from across the university to participate in the initial design-planning process, which will include a visioning survey, informational questionnaire, needs assessment interviews, town hall meetings and workshop sessions. This inclusive approach will ensure we capture the best ideas from a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives and areas of expertise.

This work is expected to begin in the coming days, so you may see groups of representatives from Radford University and Perkins & Will on both the Roanoke and main campuses, touring spaces and gathering information. In addition, surveys and questionnaires will be distributed via email to various stakeholders as part of the information gathering phase. Many details about the new building are not yet available with the planning process just beginning; the university will share updates as the project progresses in this newsletter as well as in a new section of our website currently in development.

For more information, contact Margie Vest, Assistant Vice President for Business Operations, or Paul Ely, Director of Capital Planning and Construction.

Join President Bret Danilowicz for a virtual Coffee with the President on Tuesday, April 7, from 9-10 a.m.

The session will begin with a university update from Danilowicz, followed by Senate presidents Ashlee Claud, Matt Close and Fallon Kreye asking the president questions submitted by you, our employees.

This webinar is limited to the first 1,000 participants accessing the link provided. Participants are required to log in to the Zoom application using their Radford University credentials to participate.

Experience the creativity and talent of student artists at the Student Choreography Showcase, Wednesday, April 8, and Thursday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m. each evening in the Artis Center Studio Theatre (AC 428).

This performance is presented by the Radford University Department of Dance.

This free event features original works choreographed and performed by students in an intimate setting. Seating is limited to 75, so reserve your spot in advance by ordering online or calling 540-831-5420.

Commencement is one of Radford University’s most meaningful traditions – a time when our campus comes together to celebrate the achievements and promise of our graduates.

You are invited to be part of this special moment by serving as a commencement volunteer.

From welcoming families to supporting ceremony logistics, volunteers play an essential role in creating a memorable and seamless experience.

Volunteering is one of the many ways we live out Radford’s culture of care by showing up for our students at one of the most important milestones in their journey. 

It is also a wonderful way to celebrate the close of the academic year, connect with colleagues and share in the pride of seeing our Highlanders reach this moment.

If you have yet volunteered on behalf of your college or department, no additional action is needed. If you have not already volunteered through your college or department, you can sign up online now. Thank you for helping us celebrate our graduates and uphold one of Radford’s most cherished traditions.

Universities Studying Slavery (USS) has announced that Radford University is its newest member institution. Radford joins a growing international consortium of more than 100 colleges and universities committed to research, acknowledgment and atonement regarding institutional ties to slavery, racism and their enduring legacies.

USS seeks to promote institutional truth-seeking as schools research their own sometimes difficult pasts; to foster a collaborative community of scholars researching and educating broader publics; and to provide consulting advice as institutions craft more inclusive school histories.

You can learn more about USS on its website.

While University Libraries’ primary collection goal is to support faculty and student research and the curriculum, the collection also includes materials for leisure-time enjoyment. University Libraries is actively expanding the graphic novel, young adult and popular reading collections. Also, based on feedback from students, more science fiction and fantasy books are being added at both McConnell Library and the RUC Library.

If you have requests for books you would like to read, please submit them online. Of course, the libraries also recommend interlibrary loan and using your public library as well, but they want to hear about forthcoming fiction and nonfiction books you are looking forward to reading.

For faculty who want to request books to support the curriculum, please contact your library liaison.

Don’t miss your chance to see “Little Shop of Horrors” at the Artis Center Main Stage Theatre this weekend. Shows will be on Friday, April 3, and Saturday, April 4, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 5, at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for general admission; $6 for Radford employees and seniors; and free for students. Group rates are also available.

This darkly comic musical about a down-on-his-luck florist and a mysterious, bloodthirsty plant is a crowd-pleaser.

You can learn more about this production in the recent feature story on the Radford University website.

The deadline to nominate students for the 2025-2026 H.S. (“Buddy”) and Janet N. Johnston Outstanding Student Worker Awards has been extended to Friday, April 10.

As a reminder, two undergraduate students and one graduate student will receive awards. Each nomination requires a minimum of two letters of reference, and all information is submitted via an online form.

Selection of recipients and determination of award amounts will be conducted by a committee within the Radford University Foundation, and awards will be distributed by the end of the semester.

Nominees for the award should:

Are you doing academic work concerning character? Then, you may be right to become a research fellow with the Highlander Center for Character and Public Impact.

Projects could include:

Awards of $500 to $1,000 are available in academic year 2026-27 for students and/or faculty. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 1.

For more information, contact Heather Keith.

Join the Radford University Symphonic Wind Ensemble for “A Journey Remembered” on Thursday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m. in Davis Performance Hall.

Under the direction of Shelley Axelson, with graduate conductors Megan Whatley and Dakota McBride, this free concert offers an evening of reflective and powerful wind ensemble repertoire. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience a moving musical program performed by talented student musicians.

Radford University’s Office of Accounting Services will offer Emburse (Chrome River) Travel Training and Food and Beverage Policy Training in April for employees.

The April training sessions will be:

To attend a session, email travel@radford.edu with the subject line “Training.” In the body of the email, indicate if you would like to attend the Emburse (Chrome River) Travel training session or the Food and Beverage Policy training. You may also indicate in the email that you would like to attend both sessions.

Each Zoom session is limited to 20 participants. Once your email request is approved, you will receive a link to attend the requested session.

Radford University is conducting a structured review of its Learning Management System (Brightspace/D2L) as it approaches the end of its current contract period. Broad stakeholder feedback is essential to ensuring this review reflects the needs of our campus community.

The Office of Faculty Development invites employees and students to participate in one of the following feedback sessions:

Access the Zoom link for both days' feedback sessions here.

Your feedback on features, tools and usability will help Faculty Development create a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) that addresses our needs to ensure instructional quality, student success and responsible institutional stewardship. There is no assumption at the outset of this review that the current LMS will be replaced. To do a thorough review, we need your time and participation in this important process.

If you’re a fan of HGTV, the Radford University Senior Interior Design Show may be right up your alley. College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) Design program seniors will showcase their interior design work in the Covington Gallery from Thursday, April 9, through Sunday, April 19, with a catered reception on Sunday, April 19, at 2 p.m.

The exhibition and reception are both free and open to the public. If you want a look at what’s going on now in interior design, please make a point to come by.

The Radford University Department of Student Recreation and Wellness will collaborate with Spartan DEKA to host DEKA Strong and DEKA Mile on Sunday, April 19, at 2 p.m. in the three-court gym.

DEKA is the ultimate test of strength, endurance and grit, bringing together standardized fitness challenges that push limits and celebrate progress. These competitions are designed to celebrate fitness across the community and offer patrons the option to compete individually or with a partner.

DEKA Strong features 10 functional training zones with no running, while DEKA Mile includes 10 functional training zones preceded by a 160-meter run, totaling one mile.

All finishers will receive a T-shirt and medal. Registration is now open with limited spots available.

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

Dollywood Co. President Eugene Naughton ’89 to speak at Radford
University’s 2026 Spring Commencement

Hattie M. Strong
Foundation scholarships pave the way for six emerging teachers

Schoolhouse Living Learning Community named for Nancy Sullivan Ray ’55

25th International Guitar Festival brings uncommon strings

Regional bee lands in Radford for a spell

Radford students
gain firsthand experience
in policymaking through Government Relations internship

Board of Visitors
briefed on planned
public health efforts,
strategic plan

Highlander Highlights: Week of
March 23, 2026

International Culture Night raises ‘bridges of understanding'