Radford University

The Big South Conference announced Tuesday afternoon that two Highlanders that included Jan Maldonado and Alex Eydelman had earned all-conference awards.

The Big South Conference announced Monday afternoon that DaQuan Smith and Chandler Turner have earned end of the season conference honors. Smith was named to Big South's Second Team All-Conference, and Turner made the All-Academic team.

Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, welcomed 348 new initiates from 12 universities during October 2023. Students initiated into the Society must be sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate/professional students in the top 35% of their class, demonstrate leadership experience in at least one of the five pillars, and embrace the ODK ideals. Fewer than five percent of students on a campus are invited to join each year.

The Big South Conference announced today that a league-record 68.08 percent of eligible student-athletes earned Presidential Honor Roll status for their work in the classroom in 2022-23. Radford University placed 79.72 percent of its 281 eligible student-athletes on the list.

After a five-year hiatus, as of April 10, 2023, Radford University again has a circle of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK). During a ceremony in the Bonnie Auditorium at the Hurlburt Student Center on campus, 31 students were inducted into the revitalized student organization. Dr. Jean Mistele, director of the Citizen Leader Program and professor in the mathematics and statistics department led efforts to restart the ODK circle at Radford University (RU). Her efforts were supported by team members Dr. Timothy Reed, vice president of membership and operations at ODK headquarters, Dr. Pamela Frasier, professor in the health and human performance department, Dr. Chapman Rackaway, chair and professor in the political science department, and Jacob May, Circle assistant and undergraduate student at Radford University. Mistele, Frasier and Rackaway were also inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa per national requirements. Mistele serves as Circle coordinator, and Frasier and Rackaway serve as faculty advisors. The unique mission of ODK is to recognize and encourage collaboration among collegiate leaders. The Society seeks to identify, celebrate, and engage collegiate and community leaders from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations. Members enjoy scholarship opportunities, leadership development programs, access to a national network, and more. The eligibility requirements for ODK include: -Two semesters (one year) as a full-time student at Radford University. -Sophomore, junior, or senior standing. -A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.4 (sophomores), 3.5 (juniors), or 3.6 (seniors). -Exemplary character as evident by the submission of a resume and character references. -Achievement of special distinction in leadership.

The Radford University Office of Sponsored Programs and Grants Management (SPGM) has announced that Shala Cunningham, Ph.D., received a $24,049 external grant from Physiopedia Plus, LTD for the project, "Managing and supporting the ReLAB-HS project research activities for Physiopedia."

Last month, Radford University Eminent Professor of Anthropological Sciences Donna Boyd, Ph.D., and senior anthropological sciences major Tori Pate presented their research on skeletal trauma at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences' 75th annual meeting in Orlando, Florida.

In only its second year, the Radford University mock trial team made incredible progress at the American Mock Trial Association regional tournament Feb. 18-19 at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. Coach Don Martin, instructor of criminal justice, said the team has competed in only three in-person tournaments in the history of the program. In those tournaments, Radford's best performance was a one win and tie (out of eight possible ballots to win). At the regional tournament in February, Radford University's A team won four ballots and won in head-to-head competition against Lafayette and Elon. A total of five ballots are necessary to advance to the next stage of the playoffs, and the A team came close. The team lost by two ballots with a score of 99-97 and 98-96. The B team faced one of the best teams in the country, UVA, and perennial power house, Richmond. The team now turns it focus to preparing for next year, forming a student organization and recruiting incoming freshmen for next year.

Radford University presented 677 undergraduate and graduate degrees during the 2022 winter commencement exercises. On Dec. 9, 2022, graduate degrees were awarded and on Dec. 10, undergraduate degrees were awarded at the Dedmon Center on main campus in Radford, Virginia. This ceremony marked the first for President Bret Danilowicz to confer diplomas for departing Highlanders. Keynote speaker and alumna, Nicole Robinson '02, president of Ursa Space Systems, left the graduates much to think about, saying, "When you leave here today, see this as the first step into your life unimagined. Be open to the potential, the adventure, the unanticipated opportunities ahead." Robinson advised, "Life is truly about what you can't imagine. In fact, it isn't even about what happens to you but more about how you respond."

Two Radford University student veterans will appear on an upcoming segment of "Military Makeover with Montel." The episode airs on the Lifetime TV at 7:30 a.m. EST on Thursday, Jan. 19. The student veterans are highlighted in "Operation Career," a segment that highlights businesses and organizations, such as Radford University, that help former military members and their families as they transition into civilian life after service. Cullen Chavis '19 also joined the team for the day off camera to offer current students insight into his career and the benefits of the Military Resource Center.

Two Radford University students, Caleb Belcher and Jaxon Turner, were recognized as 2021-22 Scholastic All Americans in August by National Collegiate Rugby. This annual program recognizes high performing student athletes across college rugby. Men's rugby and women's rugby were founding members of Radford's Sports Club Council (SCC). Since its inception, the SCC has helped develop 22 sport clubs with more than 450 participants. These clubs participate in collegiate leagues similar to those of varsity teams. National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) is focused solely on the growth and development of collegiate rugby teams, student-athletes, and coaches. NCR evolved from the National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO), founded in 2007. Initially created to support the growth and development of small college rugby, the organization now serves men's and women's college rugby programs of all sizes.

The Big South Conference announced today that 59.92 percent of eligible student-athletes earned Presidential Honor Roll status for their work in the classroom in 2021-22 -- the third-highest percentage since 2004. To be named to the Presidential Honor Roll, student-athletes must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or better for the recently-completed academic year, and this past season, 2,441 out of 4,074 eligible student-athletes achieved the benchmark. Radford University led all Big South institutions for the first time since 2012-13, as RU had 77.83 percent of its 230 eligible student-athletes on the Presidential Honor Roll -- one of five members to have at least 70 percent of 3.0 students. High Point University placed 76.60 percent of its 282 eligible student-athletes on the list, followed by Presbyterian College at 73.39 percent (182-of-248), UNC Asheville at 71.92 percent (146-of-203) and Winthrop University at 71.31 (174-of-244) for the year. An additional four members reached the 60 percent plateau for 3.0 GPAs: Gardner-Webb University (67.84), Longwood University (65.89), Campbell University (65.84), and USC Upstate (60.78). The Big South had 207 student-athletes receive Commissioner's Award distinction in 2021-22 for having a 4.0 GPA. Gold Award scholars (3.75-3.99) totaled 559 while another 570 received Silver Award (3.50-3.74) accolades in 2021-22 for a combined total of 1,336 student-athletes with at least a 3.50 GPA last year - 54.73 percent of all Presidential Honor Roll members at or above that threshold.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is proud to announce the 2022 Study Abroad Grant recipients. The grants, worth $1,000, were awarded to 125 students nationwide.

Radford University has released its Dean's List for Fall 2021. Appearing on the Dean's List is the most prestigious academic recognition RU students can receive for their performance during a semester. Students will be placed on the Dean's List if they meet four specific criteria. They must have 12 semester hours of coursework graded A-F; earn GPA's of at least 3.4 for all courses not graded on a pass-fail basis; obtain no grade lower than "C"; and no incomplete grades.

Private Ahava E. Heart of Silver Spring, Maryland, received special recognition from the Jewish Interest-Free Loan Association of Atlanta (JIFLA) as a winner of the "She's a Maccabee" Award. The annual Chanukah awards honor powerful Atlanta women who use their talents, passions and strong commitment to the Jewish community to help others. "Ahava embodies the tradition of the Jewish woman warrior! She is the direct third generation serving in the United States Armed Forces. She is enrolled in the U.S. Army Nursing ROTC program at Radford University in Virginia, with the career goal of serving as a U.S. army nurse. Continuing her family's Maccabean Jewish woman warrior tradition, with this exception - she will be saving lives instead of taking them," JIFLA wrote. For more information, go to the atlantajewishtimes.com.

Six business students who will graduate this month received acknowledgment at the Davis College of Business and Economics Honors Ceremony, held Dec. 1.

Approximately 30% of undergraduates at Radford University are first-generation students. The Center for Opportunity and Social Mobility (COSM) opened its doors at the beginning of the fall 2021 semester with this in mind.