Day of Gratitude

What is Day of Gratitude?

The annual Day of Gratitude is dedicated to celebrating philanthropy at Radford University. This exciting day includes the Partners in Excellence luncheon, which provides the opportunity for scholarship recipients to meet their donors.

Dress Guidelines

The Partners in Excellence luncheon is a business event. The dress code for this event is business casual. When considering your attire, think of what you would wear to a job interview or class presentation.

What works well:

Dress pants (slacks, khakis, etc.), neatly pressed; a belt is also suggested
Black or dark jeans
Button-up shirt
Collared shirt/polo
Dress (if appropriate)
Blouse
Sweater

What to avoid:

Regular jeans
Shorts
Athletic leisure
Mini skirt or short dress
Tank top
Holes/tears
Flip flops
Hiking boots

Career Closet

To prepare for this event, students can visit the Career Closet supported by the Career and Talent Development team. Through the Career Closet, students can obtain professional and business attire for free! The Career Closet is located in Young Hall 121.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why was I invited to attend Partners in Excellence?

You are invited to attend Partners in Excellence because you are the recipient of a Radford University Foundation scholarship, and you may have the opportunity to meet your scholarship donor or representative. Donors often travel great distances for this event for the opportunity to meet you, so it is critical that you make plans to attend.

When and where is the event?

The Partners in Excellence lunch is held in the fall. The 2024 date, time and location will be announced soon!

Can I bring a guest?

Please do not bring any guests with you. Space is very limited, and we work hard to make sure there is space for you to be seated with your donor.

What do I do when I arrive at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center?

When you arrive, go to the basketball courts on the second floor and visit the "Student Recipient" table to pick up your name tag. Your name tag will tell you which table you will sit at. You can network with other student scholarship recipients and donors. Please make your way to your assigned table before the program begins at noon.

Where do I sit?

Find the table that corresponds with the table number on the back of your name tag. Try to introduce yourself to your donor, if possible. Be sure to say thank you for the support they provided to make your scholarship possible.

What happens during the lunch and program?

Someone from Radford University will welcome everyone and invite you to start eating. As you eat, tell your scholarship donor about yourself, what you are studying at Radford and your future plans. Other speakers will take the stage during lunch. During this time, or after lunch, you will be asked to take a photo with your scholarship donor.

I have more questions.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Cherie Durbin at cdurbin2@radford.edu or 540-831-7171.

Helpful Dining Tips

Don't sweat over forks and glasses! These simple tips will help you navigate lunch:

Place the napkin in your lap immediately upon sitting. If you need to leave the table, place the napkin on your chair. Only at the completion of the meal should the napkin be placed on the table.
Utensils are used from the outside of the place setting in towards the plate. Typical place settings include a salad fork and a dinner fork on the left and a knife and teaspoon on the right.
Your drink will be to the right of your dinner plate, and your bread plate will be to the left of your dinner plate.
When finished with a utensil, place it on the plate, never back on the table.

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