Editing Radford University

{{Short description|Public university in Radford, Virginia, US}}
{{about|the university in Virginia|the university in Ghana|Radford University College|the school in Australia|Radford College}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Radford University
 | image                  = Radford University seal.svg
 | image_size             = 160
 | accreditation          = [[Southern Association of Colleges and Schools|SACS]]
 | former_name            = State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Radford (1910–1924)<br />State Teachers College at Radford (1924–1943)<br />Women's Division of Virginia Polytechnic Institute (1943–1964)<br />Radford College (1964–1979)<ref>{{cite web |title=Our History |url=https://www.radford.edu/content/radfordcore/home/about/history.html |website=radford.edu |publisher=Radford University |access-date=June 28, 2022}}</ref>
 | established            = {{start date and age|1910}}
 | type                   = [[Public university]]
 | president              = Bret S. Danilowicz
 | provost                = Bethany Usher
 | students               = 7,531
 | undergrad              = 5,704
 | postgrad               = 1,827
 | faculty                = 433
 | city                   = [[Radford, Virginia|Radford]]
 | state                  = [[Virginia]]
 | country                = United States
 | coordinates            = 
{{Coord|37.138274|N|80.551222|W|source:placeopedia_region:US-VA_edu|display=title,inline}}
 | campus                 = Small suburb
 | campus_size            = {{convert|211|acre|km2}}
 | sporting_affiliations  = [[NCAA Division I]] – [[Big South Conference|Big South]]
 | endowment              = $72.8 million<ref>{{cite web |title=Data USA: Radford University |publisher=Data USA |date=October 4, 2023 |url=https://datausa.io/profile/university/radford-university}}</ref>
 | academic_affiliation   = [[State Council of Higher Education for Virginia|SCHEV]]
 | colors                 = {{color box|#C2011B}}{{color box|#003C71}}{{color box|#808285}}
Red, Blue & Gray
 | sports_nickname        = [[Radford Highlanders|Highlanders]]
 | mascot                 = The Highlander
 | website                = {{URL|www.radford.edu}}
 | logo                   = Radford University Logo.svg
 | logo_size              = 250
 | free_label             = 
 | free                   = 
 | free_label2            = Newspaper
 | free2                  = ''[[The Tartan (Radford University)|The Tartan]]''
}}

'''Radford University''' is a [[public university]] in [[Radford, Virginia]], United States. It is one of the state's eight doctorate-granting public universities. Founded in 1910, Radford offers curricula for [[undergraduates]] in more than 100 fields, graduate programs including the [[Master of Fine Arts|M.F.A.]], [[M.B.A.]], [[Master of Arts|M.A.]], [[M.S.]], [[Ed.S.]], [[Psy.D.]], [[M.S.W.]], and specialized [[Doctor of Philosophy|doctoral programs]] in health-related professions.<ref name="RUdoc">{{cite web |url=http://www.runet.edu/%7Epsyc-web/psyd/index.htm |title=Doctor of Psychology |publisher=Radford University |access-date=April 13, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723131405/http://www.runet.edu/%7Epsyc-web/psyd/index.htm |archive-date=July 23, 2008 }}</ref> It is [[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education|classified]] among "Doctoral/Professional Universities".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Carnegie Classifications {{!}} Institution Lookup |url=https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=233277 |accessdate=March 19, 2023 |publisher=[[American Council on Education]]}}</ref>

==History==
The '''State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Radford''' was founded in Radford as a [[Women's colleges in the United States|women's college]] in 1910.<ref name="Archived copy">{{cite web |url=http://www.runet.edu/content/radfordcore/home/about/history.html |title=Our History &#124; Radford University |access-date=September 12, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505013518/http://www.runet.edu/content/radfordcore/home/about/history.html |archive-date=May 5, 2016 }}</ref> In 1924, the school was renamed the '''State Teachers College at Radford''', with the primary intent of training teachers in the [[Appalachian region]]. In 1943, as part of the state's consolidation movement, the college merged with the [[Virginia Tech|Virginia Polytechnic Institute]] in nearby [[Blacksburg, Virginia|Blacksburg]], serving as the then predominately male [[land-grant]] college's women's campus.<ref name="Archived copy"/> The merger dissolved in 1964 and Radford College became a [[coeducational]] institution in 1972. Following a period of sustained and significant growth, Radford College was granted university status in 1979.<ref name="Archived copy"/> In 2008, the Virginia General Assembly authorized three [[Doctorate|doctoral programs]] at Radford University, and the first doctoral degrees were awarded in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radford.edu/content/radfordcore/home/about/history.html|title=Our History {{!}} Radford University|website=www.radford.edu|access-date=January 17, 2021}}</ref>

===Presidents===
Radford University's current president is Bret S. Danilowicz, who took this role on July 1, 2022. The university's administration is overseen by a 15-member board, whose members are appointed by the [[Governor of Virginia|Governor of the Commonwealth]] and serve four-year terms. Each year, the board also selects a student and a faculty member to serve as advisory representatives.

List of presidents:

* [[John Preston McConnell]], 1911–1937
* David Wilbur Peters, 1938–1951
* Charles Knox Martin Jr., 1952–1972, Chancellor, 1972–73, President Emeritus
* [[Donald Dedmon|Donald Newton Dedmon]], 1972–1994
* [[Douglas Covington]], 1995–2005, President Emeritus
* [[Penelope Ward Kyle]], 2005–2016, President Emeritus
* [[Brian Hemphill]], 2016-2021
*[[Carolyn Ringer Lepre]], (interim) 2021-2022
* Bret S. Danilowicz, 2022–present

==Academics==
{{Infobox US university ranking
| USNWR_REG = 29
| Wamo_MASTERSU = 87
| Forbes = 465
| Wamo_NU = 105
| THE_WSJ = 600-794
}}

Radford University's undergraduate programs emphasize the liberal arts, business, sciences, and teacher education. The graduate and undergraduate programs in business administration offered by the College of Business and Economics at Radford University are accredited by the [[Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business]] (AACSB).

The university has a student/faculty ratio of 14:1 with an average class size of 19.<ref name="RUfacts">{{cite web |title=U.S. News & World Report |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/radford-university-3732 |access-date= |publisher=Radford University}}</ref>

More than 80 percent of faculty members hold [[doctorates]] or other terminal degrees (M.F.A., M.B.A., Ph.D., J.D., etc.) in their fields.<ref name="RUfacts" /> Special programs include Study Abroad, Honors Academy, RU Connections freshmen living/learning communities, internships, co-ops, practical and service learning, Army [[ROTC]], leading to commissions in the [[U.S. Army]], and undergraduate research opportunities.

Radford University and [[Northern Virginia Community College]] signed a Guaranteed Transfer Partnership Agreement on August 28, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radford.edu/content/radfordcore/home/news/releases/2017/august/Radford-NOVA-sign-landmark-agreement.html|title=Radford, NOVA sign landmark agreement {{!}} Radford University|website=www.radford.edu|access-date=September 4, 2017}}</ref>

==Undergraduate and graduate colleges==
The university is organized into seven undergraduate colleges and schools, and one graduate college:

* College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences
* Davis College of Business and Economics
* College of Education and Human Development
* Waldron College of Health and Human Services
* Artis College of Science and Technology 
* College of Visual and Performing Arts
* College of Nursing
* College of Graduate Studies and Research

The College of Graduate Studies and Research offers eighteen-degree programs in fields such as art, business, communication, counseling, criminal justice, education, English, music, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, and social work.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radford.edu/content/grad/home/academics/graduate-programs.html|title=Graduate Programs and Degrees {{!}} College of Graduate Studies and Research {{!}} Radford University|website=www.radford.edu|access-date=September 5, 2017}}</ref> The [[State Council of Higher Education for Virginia]] has authorized three doctoral programs at Radford in counseling psychology, physical therapy, and nursing practice. The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) program in Counseling Psychology admitted its first students in the fall of 2008. The doctorate in physical therapy program began in the summer of 2009. The first Doctor of Nursing Practice students began their studies in an online program in the fall of 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nurs-web.asp.radford.edu/news/0108dnp.html|title=Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree|publisher=Radford University |access-date =March 8, 2009}}</ref>

==Campus and community==

Radford University is an {{convert|211|acre|km2}} campus located in a residential area of Radford, Virginia. The town is located in the Virginia Highlands, between the [[Blue Ridge Mountains|Blue Ridge]] and [[Allegheny Mountains|Allegheny]] mountains at a double bend in the [[New River (West Virginia)|New River]]. Nearly all of the 31 administrative, academic, student services, and residence halls, some built in a red-brick Georgian style, are located on a main lawn and two quadrangles and a pedestrian thoroughfare in a {{convert|76|acre|m2|adj=on}} area, while a large adjoining area along the New River separated from the main campus by [[U.S. Route 11]] and the [[Norfolk Southern]] railroad holds the university's athletic facilities, student parking lots, and student apartments. The university opened a new COBE building (College of Business and Economics) in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.radford.edu/content/cobe/home/about/cobe-history.html |title=History of COBE &#124; College of Business & Economics &#124; Radford University |publisher=Radford.edu |access-date=July 6, 2016}}</ref> In 2014 a New Student Fitness Center opened. A new Center for Sciences opened during the spring semester of 2016.  The following fall semester, the new CHBS (College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences) Building opened its doors. As of 2016, nearly all dorms at Radford have been renovated. Renovations are currently ongoing for several buildings on campus. Radford is located on exits 105 and 109 of [[Interstate 81]], with accessibility to nearby [[I-77]].

Bordering the [[Little River (New River)|Little River]], and about five miles from campus, is the Selu Conservancy, a {{convert|376|acre|km2|adj=on}} reserve, observatory, retreat, and conference center owned by the University Foundation.<ref>{{cite web|author=Selu Conservancy |url=http://www.radford.edu/content/radfordcore/home/audience-navigation/community/selu.html |title=Home &#124; Selu Conservancy &#124; Radford University |publisher=Radford.edu |access-date=July 6, 2016}}</ref>

Radford University is also home to the Radford University Planetarium, a permanent planetarium with a 55-seat theater (front facing) with a 10-meter dome, two central floor-mounted 2k projectors running the Digistar 7 planetarium software. The planetarium is primarily operated by work-study students and is maintained by the Physics Department. Shows run by the students and professors are free for attendees. Yearly attendance is approximately 6,000.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

==Student life==
[[File:Claytor Lake from New River Trail.jpg|thumb|[[New River (Kanawha River tributary)|New River]] upstream from Radford]]

Around 3,800 of Radford's students live on campus in 15 residence halls.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radford.edu/content/radfordcore/home/news/releases/2015/july/radford-dorms-rank-among-the-best.html|title=Radford University dorms rank among the best|publisher=Radford University|date=July 7, 2015|access-date=November 25, 2016}}</ref>

Radford University has more than 250 student clubs and organizations. These range from service and honors organizations to performing arts and intramural sports. Radford is also home to Highlander Student Media (RUHSM), with a variety of student media organizations, such as ''[[The Tartan (Radford University)|The Tartan]]'' (student-run newspaper),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rutartan.com/|title=The Tartan|publisher=Radford University|access-date=November 21, 2016}}</ref> [[Radio Free Radford]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiofreeradford.com/|title=Radio Free Radford|publisher=Radford University|access-date=November 21, 2016}}</ref> ''The Beehive'' (yearbook/magazine), ''Exit 109'' (literary magazine),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ruexit109.wordpress.com/|title=Exit 109|publisher=Radford University|access-date=November 21, 2016}}</ref> ROC-TV, a.k.a. "Radford On Camera" (student TV station), and ''Whim'' (online magazine)

Radford also has a variety of Greek life fraternities and sororities. More than 17 religious organizations are part of the Radford University Campus Ministers' Association (RUCMA). They hold religious events, masses, and ceremonies throughout the academic year.

==Athletics==
{{main|Radford Highlanders}}

The university's teams are known as the Highlanders (in honor of the region's [[Ulster Scots people|Scots-Irish]] heritage) and compete in the [[Big South Conference]]. Radford offers 16 NCAA varsity sports for men and women. The Radford men's [[basketball]] team won the Big South Conference tournament in 1998, 2009, and 2018. Radford also won the Big South Conference Men's [[Tennis]] Championship in 2007, 2008, and 2009 as well as the Big South [[Softball]] Championship in 2009.

The Radford baseball team has won the Big South Conference Championship in 2015, and 2017. In 2015, they defeated the Chanticleers of [[Coastal Carolina]] with a walk-off single by Hunter Higgerson. The team finished with a final record of 45–16. The team was selected to compete in the Nashville Regional where they went 2–2, with wins against [[Lipscomb University]] and [[Indiana University]], before losing to the 2015 National Runner-up [[Vanderbilt University]], in the Regional Finals.

The Radford men's [[Rugby union|rugby]] club team won the Division II National Championship in 2003 and 2008.

Student athletes have exclusive use of the [[Dedmon Center]], a recreational and convocation complex that opened in 1981. The Dedmon Center features a 1/6-mile indoor [[jogging]] track, a [[weight-training]] room, locker rooms, and several team rooms. The main arena features a basketball floor and a secondary [[volleyball]] arena for intercollegiate competition with four recreational courts for basketball or volleyball. Adjoining facilities include [[intramural]] [[soccer]], [[American football|football]], [[softball]] fields, and intercollegiate fields and courts for [[baseball]], softball, [[field hockey]], and tennis. The [[Patrick D. Cupp Stadium]] adds an intercollegiate soccer, lacrosse, and [[track and field]] complex.

==Notable alumni==
[[File:James Hoge Tyler.jpg|thumb|[[James Hoge Tyler]] was a Confederate soldier and Governor of [[Virginia]]. His home sits next to Radford's campus and is the namesake of a residence hall and the main street of the campus.]]

* [[Lynne Agee]] (born 1948) – women's college basketball coach with 600+ wins<ref name=Spartans2010>{{cite web |title=Lynne Agee - 2009-10 - Women's Basketball |url=https://uncgspartans.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/lynne-agee/1248 |website=UNC Greensboro Spartans |access-date=July 12, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Belinda C. Anderson]] – 11th president of [[Virginia Union University]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Robertson |first=Gary |date=2004-05-26 |title=VUU names first female president |pages=A1 |work=Richmond Times-Dispatch |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119826131/vuu-names-first-female-president/ |access-date=2023-02-27 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
* [[Frank Beamer]] (born 1946) – former head coach of Virginia Tech's football program
* [[Eddie Butler (baseball)|Eddie Butler]] (born 1991) – former [[MLB]] player with the [[Colorado Rockies]], [[Chicago Cubs]], and the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]]
* [[Kiera Cass]] (born 1981) – author
* [[Javonte Green]] (born 1993) – [[NBA]] player for the [[Chicago Bulls]]
*[[Spencer Horwitz]] (born 1997) – Major League Baseball first baseman for the [[Toronto Blue Jays]]
* [[Randal J. Kirk]] (born 1954) – founder of New River Pharmaceuticals and CEO of [[Intrexon]]<ref name="rukirk">{{cite web |url=http://www.radford.edu/NewsPub/February08/0202kirk.html|title=Radford University's Randal J. Kirk Receives Prestigious State Award|date=February 2, 2008|publisher=Radford University Office of University Relations|access-date=March 15, 2009}}</ref>
* [[Scott Long]] – human rights activist focusing on LGBT people at [[Human Rights Watch]]
* [[MaryLynn Magar|Marylynn Magar]] – [[Florida House of Representatives]]
* [[Nick Mayhugh]] – track & field gold medalist at the [[2020 Summer Paralympics]]
* [[Jayma Mays]] – actress and singer
* [[Ryan Meisinger]] (born 1994) – MLB player for the [[St. Louis Cardinals]]
*[[Artsiom Parakhouski]] (born 1987) – Belarusian basketball player
* [[Politicks]] – rock band
* [[Steve Robinson (basketball)|Steve Robinson]] – [[University of Arizona]] assistant head coach<ref name="steverobinson">{{cite web |url=http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/robinson_steve00.html|title=North Carolina Official Athletic Site|access-date=March 20, 2009}}</ref>
* [[Marty Smith (reporter)|Marty Smith]] (born 1976) – [[ESPN]] commentator and host of ''Marty Smith's America''<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=20199662|title=Get ready to experience Marty Smith's America – ESPN Video|work=ESPN.com|access-date=September 5, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Joseph R. Yost|Joseph Yost]] (born 1986) – [[Virginia House of Delegates]] (R); indicted for embezzlement charges in January 2022

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons}}
* {{Official website|http://www.radford.edu/}}
* [http://www.ruhighlanders.com/ Radford Athletics website]

{{Radford University}}
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[[Category:Radford University| ]]
[[Category:Education in Radford, Virginia]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1910]]
[[Category:Former women's universities and colleges in the United States]]
[[Category:Public universities and colleges in Virginia]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Radford, Virginia]]
[[Category:1910 establishments in Virginia]]