Radford University

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.

Dr. Heather Keith, executive director of faculty development at Radford University, co-authored a book, "Lives and Legacies of People with Intellectual Disability," that was included in Association of College and Research Libraries' CHOICE list of DEIA Resources.

Fifty Radford University students joined faculty and staff representatives, Board of Visitors members, and President Bret Danilowicz and First Lady Kay Danilowicz for the university's annual Advocacy Day. A tradition that is in its 23rd year, Advocacy Day allows students to share the importance of their state-supported education with General Assembly members and to ask elected representatives to consider voting for legislation that would benefit the university. Several students spoke across 12 different meetings over a three-hour span on Wednesday, Feb. 1, inside the Pocahontas Building in Richmond.

Radford University associate professor of nursing Katie Katz, D.N.P. '13, M.S.N. '09, is being honored by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) as the 2023 recipient of the AANP State Award for Excellence in Virginia.

Ally Meier, a senior nursing major from Windsor, Virginia, has received the Citizen Leadership Spotlight Award at Radford University. The program highlights those who go above and beyond the Citizen Leader Program requirements. The Citizen Leader Program helps students develop into effective leaders who tackle important issues from the local community level to the global community level. The students reflect on their curricular and co-curricular experiences as they hone their leadership skills. They examine their personal values, values held by the group, and the values embraced by the larger community.

A contingent of 19 students from Radford University traveled to Richmond, Virginia, Jan. 24-25 to advocate on behalf of the university. As the Radford students gathered in and around the State Capitol building, they spoke in person with Virginia legislators, many of whom represent their home districts, as well as others who play important roles in the Virginia political system.