Radford University

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."

Radford University presented 1,165 undergraduate and graduate degrees during the 2022 spring commencement exercises. On Friday, May 6, 250 graduate degrees were awarded during a hooding ceremony at the Dedmon Center on campus in Radford, Virginia. On Saturday, May 7, 915 degrees were presented on Moffett Lawn. Stacey Price '99, M.S. '01 delivered the keynote address at the graduate hooding ceremony Friday night. "Congratulations to all of you. You made it!" said Price, a Washington, D.C.-based social entrepreneur who leads a retail incubator that supports nearly a thousand entrepreneurs. "You not only made it through all of the classes and the papers and the exams, but I want to you take a moment to acknowledge that you did it with the weight that you have felt over these last two years." Alumnus Nick Mayhugh, '18, delivered the message, "Be the best Highlander you can be," as undergraduates eagerly awaited receiving their degrees Saturday morning during spring commencement ceremonies on Moffett Lawn. Mayhugh, who won three gold medals in the Paralympic Games in Tokyo in August 2021, delivered the keynote address under gray, rain-threatening skies at Saturday morning's ceremony. He offered an inspirational message to the class of 2022, speaking about his journey from being diagnosed with and overcoming a mild form of cerebral palsy and his transition from Highlander soccer player standout to an international track star.

Radford University presented 594 undergraduate and graduate degrees during the 2021 winter commencement exercises. On Dec. 11, 2021, 461 graduate and undergraduate degrees were awarded at the Dedmon Center on main campus in Radford, Virginia, and 133 degrees were presented at Radford University Carilion events in Roanoke, Virginia. Alumnus Brian Robinson '93 delivered the keynote address. Robinson is Goldman Sachs's head of prime brokerage sales for the Americas. "As you embark on your journey, know there's going to be potholes, peaks, valleys, ups, downs, whatever. But put some soul into it. Put your soul into it," Robinson said. "I promise you today, if you rise and grind, a magic carpet ride awaits you. Greatness is upon you."