Chris Puddy, Interior Design
Chris Puddy has known since middle school that he wanted to be an interior designer. His passion for interior design began when he was in the eighth grade and his family was house hunting.
Jessica Frazelle, Spanish and Biology
Valedictorian of her senior class, Jessica Frazelle had specific criteria she was seeking in an undergraduate institution: great academic programs, undergraduate research opportunities, study abroad options, and a Division I swimming program.
Jerry Frech, MFA
Jerry Frech has always been an artist; however, when he was young he didn’t dream of pursuing his passion as a career.
David Morabito, Biology
While searching for a college, David Morabito had a list of specific amenities an institution needed to offer to meet his needs: small class sizes, abundant recreation opportunities and resources to help him get the most out of his education. Radford University fit the bill perfectly.
Olga Martinez, Foreign Language and Middle School Education
The gorgeous campus, enriching academic programs and abundant opportunities for student involvement all added up to make Radford University Olga Martinez’s first choice for her college education.
Lauren Taylor, Art Education
When searching for a college, Lauren Taylor knew she wanted to find a public institution with a strong art education program. While there were several options in Virginia, an inspiring setting, a diverse student body and a small student to faculty ratio made Radford University rise to the top of the list.
Willie Ward III, MBA
For Willie Ward, completing his undergraduate degree was just the beginning of his educational pursuits. His passion and drive for a career in business inspired him to seek a master of business administration (MBA) program that would help open doors to job opportunities.
Jasmine Jackson, Biology
Radford University was practically a household name throughout Jasmine Jackson’s childhood. Living just 45 miles from campus and having an aunt who was an alumna, Jackson grew up hearing about the close-knit campus community and outstanding academic programs the university offers.
Dustin Edmiston, Criminal Justice
With a military background and a desire to continue serving his country, Dustin Edmiston sought an undergraduate program that would provide him the opportunity for a career that combines his love for the United States with his passion for keeping it safe. Radford University’s renowned criminal justice program was the obvious choice.
Kayla Whedbee, Special Education
Kayla Whedbee struggled with recurring hearing loss throughout her childhood. Despite undergoing seven surgeries in any attempt for healthy ears, by age 12 she was diagnosed with hearing loss.
Steven Archibald, Finance and Management
After completing his service in the U.S. Navy, Steven Archibald knew he wanted to obtain a business degree. He looked closely at business programs around Virginia, but after talking to friends who attended Radford University and learning about the high-quality programs in the College of Business and Economics, he made his choice.
Danie Curtis-Williams, Media Studies
Small class sizes, high-quality academic programs, a close-knit campus – everything Danie Curtis-Williams heard about Radford University was exactly what she wanted in a college experience. After talking to admissions counselors at several college fairs, she applied to Radford sight unseen. Then she visited campus.
Stephanie Miller, Music Therapy
Radford University is one of only two universities in Virginia to offer an American Music Therapy Association-approved master’s degree in music therapy. After speaking with alumni, talking with professors, and researching the program, Stephanie Miller quickly realized Radford University’s music therapy program was the best choice for her.
Patrick Manges, Criminal Justice
Patrick Manges always wanted to attend college, but he wasn’t sure the best way to finance his education. With a family tradition of joining the military, Manges decided to apply for an Army Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) scholarship.
Jenny All, Geology
As she researched colleges, Jenny All hoped to find a university that would offer enriching educational experiences that would help her reach her career objective of becoming an engineering geologist. She soon discovered Radford University offered the perfect blend of quality academics in a geologically rich region.
Cassidy Lawson, Engish and Psychology
While attending a larger university, Cassidy Lawson often felt alone in a sea of students. She soon decided she no longer wanted to feel like a nameless, faceless number and transferred to Radford University.
Dante Lavendar, Psychology
When Dante Lavender began his college search, he knew exactly what he wanted: a university with a well-respected psychology program, great campus services, affordable tuition and a robust student life. After looking at universities all over Virginia, he soon realized Radford University fit his needs perfectly.
Lily Field, Nursing
Lily Field knows exactly what she wants to do with her future: serve her country as an active duty nurse in the United States Army.
Rene Vega, Nutrition and Dietetics
Rene Vega came to Radford University hoping to find his direction in life. He was drawn to the welcoming atmosphere and reputation for academic excellence that the university had to offer.
Brandon Newmyer, Biology
As a recipient of the nation’s highest undergraduate science honor, the 2011 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, Brandon Newmyer is grateful to Radford University and his faculty mentor, Dr. Mark Cline, for realizing his potential and giving him opportunities to conduct research as an undergraduate student.
Dixie Mitchell, Music Therapy
With her heart set on studying music therapy, Dixie Mitchell set out to find a university offering a program that would be the perfect fit for her.
Kala Marshall, MFA
Radford University was an easy choice for Kala Marshall. Not only was it close to home, but more importantly, it had an art program where she could pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a professional artist.
Mrunal Bhome, Accounting
As an international student who transferred to Radford University, Mrunal Bhome has found the campus community to be a welcoming environment to call home. While Radford University is much smaller than the first university she attended, it offers her rigorous academic programming and preparation for her future career in accounting.
Holly Mueller, Elementary Education
Like so many other students, Holly Mueller had heard great things about the challenging yet fulfilling academic offerings at Radford University. She also knew the university had a well-respected elementary education program. Weighing all her educational options and considering all she had heard, Mueller decided to check out Radford University for herself.
Benjamin Ruehl, Nursing
Benjamin Ruehle wanted the most out of his college experience. Drawn to Radford University’s reputable nursing program, affordability and warm atmosphere, Ruehle transferred to Radford.
Trumaine Becoat-Wade, Criminal Justice
As a high school senior in Virginia Beach, Va., Trumaine Becoat-Wade first learned about Radford University and was impressed with what he was hearing. Once he visited campus, he was sold.
Rebekah Webster, Chemistry
Growing up right outside of Radford University, Rebekah Webster was very familiar with the campus. She loved the close-knit campus community and knew the chemistry program was solid, so attending Radford was an easy choice.
Jade Okamoto, Social Science
Thousands of miles from her California home, Radford University was slightly off the beaten path for Jade Okamoto. Because she wanted to play golf for a Division I school and because the campus offered strong academic programs, she added the university to her list of options.
Jedidiah Stalker, English
Jedidiah Stalker’s dream is to teach English, either in the U.S. or abroad. While researching graduate programs that would help him achieve that goal, he discovered that Radford University’s English Department offers a robust graduate teaching assistant program, making it the best choice for his master’s degree.
Cody Kesling, Music Education
Cody Kesling chose Radford University for its well-known, tight-knit music department, but the university also chose him. Kesling was awarded the Presser Foundation Scholarship, the most prestigious award in the Department of Music, and a Presidential Scholarship, which recognizes high-achieving students.
Mariela Alvarez, Biology
Radford has offered Mariela Alvarez more than a pretty place to study. Thanks to small class sizes that facilitate one-on-one faculty collaboration, Alvarez has had the opportunity to participate in research projects typically reserved for graduate students at larger universities.
Kirnelius Williams, Media Studies
Although Radford University was the last university Kirnelius Williams visited during his college search, it quickly became his first choice.
Hannah Weiss, Education
After completing her undergraduate education, and wandering from job to job on the East Coast, Hannah Weiss decided it was time to head back to school to pursue the master’s degree she knew she always wanted.
Nicki Shackleford, Dance and Political Science
Frequently spending 25 hours a week dancing either in class or at rehearsals, Nicki Shackleford feels challenged by the dance program, which she believes is preparing her for a career doing what she loves most.
Blake Smith, Marketing
Blake Smith, of Charlotte, N.C., is not only an accomplished team player for the Radford University men’s basketball team, he is also involved in the campus community as a Quest Assistant welcoming new students to campus during orientation.
Waleed Sarwari, Information Technology
Although not fluent in English when he arrived in America, Waleed Sarwari of Stafford, Va., was determined to learn it and turned to his computer for help. Those early experiences working and playing on the computer ignited Sarwari’s desire to pursue an education in information technology.
Tori Robeson, MBA
After earning her undergraduate degree, Tori Robeson decided she wanted to enhance her business knowledge and broaden her career possibilities. She soon discovered that Radford University’s Master of Business Administration would give her the education she needed to make her ambitions become realities.
Gina Sultan, Criminal Justice
After visiting a number of universities, it didn’t take Egyptian-born Gina Sultan long to decide that Radford University was the place for her.
Lee Hicks, Political Science and Social Science
While Lee Hicks is pursuing an education that will lead to a career as a high school teacher, he hopes one day to run for political office – perhaps even for president of the United States.
Katrina Koussis, Business
Coming from a large, suburban school district, Katrina Koussis knows what it is like to learn in crowded classrooms with teachers who don’t have time to get to know their students. She chose Radford University because it was the exact opposite.
Chelsea Cromwell, Management
Chelsea Cromwell hopes to someday manage her father’s company, and because of that desire, receiving a top-quality education from a well-known, and respected in-state institution, such as Radford University, was incredibly important to her.
Whitley Davis, Fashion Design
Whitley Davis has a passion for creating. Radford University has given her the opportunity to harness that creativity while studying both fashion design and studio art in the university's renowned College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Hannah Williams, Secondary Education
When Hannah Williams visited Radford University during an Admissions Open House weekend, she knew immediately that the campus was the place for her.
Claire Percoco, Anthropological Sciences
Attuned to the ever-increasing, student-focused vision of Radford University, Claire Percoco knew that she wanted to be a part of Radford University’s growing campus community.
