President's Message

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President Hemphill at his Inauguration ceremony on Oct. 13.

GREETINGS, FELLOW HIGHLANDERS!

I am pleased to share the latest edition of The Magazine of Radford University, which features some of the many ways in which the Radford family is working each and every day to bring to life our collective vision of transforming Radford into an innovative, premier university in the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond with a keen focus on teaching, research and service. In this edition, many voices tell the Radford story—a powerful story of progress and promise through a cross-section of Highlander students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends, who boldly and proudly share what the Radford experience has meant and continues to mean to each of them, their families and their communities.

Since I became president of Radford University on July 1, 2016, I have witnessed first-hand the passion and dedication of the Radford family. As I traveled the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond for alumni events, hosted forums for students, faculty and staff and attended my first Highlanders Festival, Homecoming and Family Weekend, the Radford family has shared its memories of the past and hopes for the future. As a campus and a community, we have reflected on our rich and storied history and began to set the course for our bold and promising future. In doing so, we have outlined the fundamental principles of excellence, transparency, accountability and student-centeredness, which will guide the University as we seek to fulfill our mission. Furthermore, brand identity, academic excellence and research, student success, strategic enrollment growth, economic development and community outreach and philanthropic giving and alumni engagement will serve as our strategic areas of focus as we move forward in this exciting journey.  

With the dedication of the new College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences Building and the Center for the Sciences, the campus footprint reflects the growth and aspirations of Radford University and the dedicated members of our campus community. These new buildings enhance our beautiful campus with its century-long heritage of teaching and learning and are symbols of the many developments that are yet to come through our year-long strategic planning efforts, which began this Fall. To stay up-to-date on such campus developments, follow me on Twitter at @BrianOHemphill. For an in-depth look into the Radford family, subscribe to RU Connected, our biweekly Enewsletter.

Please know that I am honored and humbled to serve as your president and eager to lead the Radford family now and well into the future. I look forward to working with each of you, as we share the Radford family. Please enjoy this edition of The Magazine of Radford University. Go Highlanders! 

With Highlander Pride,

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President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D.