Marisela Rosas Hemphill stressed importance of education and community service during Homecoming’s Women of Radford Luncheon

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Dr. Marisela Rosas Hemphill served as keynote speaker at the Women of Radford Luncheon.

Marisela Rosas Hemphill, Ph.D., wife to Radford University President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. served as keynote speaker during the Women of Radford Luncheon on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016. Her remarks expressed her passion for education and making a difference in the local community.

“I am proud to have discovered that Radford University has a rich tradition of service and engagement with the community,” said Hemphill. She said that those in higher education have a responsibility to provide opportunities for students to become involved in the community.

“Our goal here at Radford should be for us to continue to challenge our students to be informed and actively engaged citizens. In looking around, our students here have a multitude of opportunities to make meaning of their actions and their motivations while connected to local/national/global community issues,” said Hemphill.

Many Radford University alumni carry their passion for civic engagement throughout their lives. Ten years ago, Gail Henshaw ’82 and her husband Ken Henshaw ’82 founded the Richmond chapter of the "I Have A Dream" Foundation. The foundation encourages and supports Richmond inner-city students to complete high school and attend college.

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View more photos from the Women of Radford Luncheon.

During the luncheon, Henshaw and her friends Patricia DeLoatche ’82 and Denise White ’83 reminisced about their service and leadership roles while at Radford. “I was super, super shy,” said White. “Pattie came along and talked me into getting involved. She said you should do this!,” said White about the time DeLoatche encouraged her to be the representative for Pocahontas Hall in the Inter-residence Hall Council.  The next year, White became a Resident Assistant (RA) and served in that capacity for two years. 

All three friends were members of the Student Government Association while Radford students. “Gail’s husband Kenny was very persuasive in recruiting us to be involved. He was the president of SGA,” said DeLoatche.

The passion for community service begins at Radford University and alumni continue to make a difference across Virginia and beyond.

Oct 17, 2016
Ann Brown
540-831-6715
abrown238@radford.edu