Alumni Celebrate Lasting Friendships at Women of Radford event
President Penelope Kyle addresses the Women of Radford luncheon.
The lasting bonds of friendship between Radford University alumnae were renewed once again at the third annual Women of Radford luncheon.
President Penelope Kyle joined alumnae and friends of RU from several generations and classes to celebrate the university's prestigious origins and history. She assured the women of Radford that the institution's reputation for student-focused education continues today, and that students leave campus well prepared for their future careers.
"Our goal at Radford is for our students to succeed and earn their degrees. Radford University offers them opportunities for personal and professional success," said President Kyle.
Laura Thomas '78, Donna Martin '78 and Virginia Rappold '78 said Saturday was the first time they have been back to campus since their shared graduation. The Alpha Sigma Alpha sisters hailing from Virginia and North Carolina awaited the start of Women of Radford luncheon in the seating area outside of the COBE multipurpose room. Martin says this visit is special because they loved to get together and she couldn't wait to see her sorority sisters. After the luncheon they planned to stroll through campus and enjoy the changing leaves and the changing campus.
The College of Business and Economics multipurpose room played host to the third annual Women of Radford luncheon.
Barbara Lester '67 and her daughter-in-law Tiffany Lester '06, both of Richmond, looked forward to this special time together. "Our family is staying in Floyd this weekend. We came for Homecoming to attend the Women of Radford event and decided to make a weekend of it," said Tiffany Lester.
Former college roommates Katheryn Oddo and Callie Dalton together at the Women of Radford luncheon.
The theme of the event was "Design Through the Decades" with guest speaker Holly Cline, professor and chair of the Department of Design. Cline's keynote remarks sparked many conversations regarding the strict dress code many alumnae were made to follow as students. Lynne Goodall '69, of Fredericksburg, Phyllis Crabb '69 of Durham, North Carolina, and Dianne Graham '68, MS '70, of Dublin, reminisced around the table of wearing pearls and dress shoes to Virginia Tech football games and the necessity of a trench coat in their wardrobe. "We had to wear skirts to class, but some of us rolled up our slacks and put a trench coat over our clothes to hide the pants. We all had trench coats," said Belva Tiller '69 of Durham.
Former Board of Visitors members Sandy Cupp Davis (l) and Nancy Artis (r) together at the Women of Radford luncheon.
In her presentation, Cline discussed the changes in fashion throughout the ages and the current technology available for hands-on learning opportunities for RU students. "Students do better when they're making and thinking," said Cline, while she highlighted some of her student's work using a laser cutter recently purchased for the department.
Many attendees of the luncheon are already looking forward to next year. "During this event, I feel a sense of belonging with fellow alumni and enjoy visiting the campus. It is delightful to see the young faces on campus and all of the homecoming activities," said Patricia Moxely '72, MS '76.