Today's Stories:
President Kyle Speaks to the Future and Vitality of RU
RU Honors Outstanding Faculty and Staff at Convocation
RU Student Blogs from Democratic National Convention
Field Hockey Begins Season Tomorrow
Outdoor Movie Scheduled on Heth Lawn Tonight
Kudos: Retired RU Professor Nicholas Pappas
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Today's Top News

President Kyle Speaks to the Future and Vitality of RU
The Radford University academic year kicked off yesterday, as President Penelope W. Kyle addressed a capacity crowd of faculty, staff and distinguished guests during her convocation speech. Kyle spoke about the future of the university and the dedication of the campus community, expressing her enthusiasm for all that is yet to come for RU. See President Kyle's remarks.

RU Honors Outstanding Faculty
and Staff at Convocation
The Radford University Foundation honored five outstanding faculty and staff members during the university's Convocation on Thursday.

Each year, The RU Foundation bestows awards upon faculty and staff for their exceptional individual performances. In addition, the Foundation allows each award recipient to select an outstanding RU student to receive a scholarship in the recipient's name.

Award winners and scholarship recipients this year included:
-- Associate professor of art Richard Bay and senior Keri Beltz (photo top right);
-- Assistant professor of biology Mark Cline (on right in bottom right photo above) and senior Brian Prall.
-- James Lollar, an associate professor and chair of the marketing department, and senior Jessica Webb (bottom left photo);
-- Loretta Estes, advising coordinator and assistant to the dean of the Waldron College of Health and Human Services, and junior Rebecca Nightingale (see middle photo below);
-- Associate professor of psychology Jeff Willner (bottom right photo) and second-year graduate student Laura Gardner (who was unable to attend the convocation).

To learn more, see the RU News Release.

Campus News

RU Student Blogs from Democratic National Convention
Radford University student Elizabeth Chitwood was recently featured on the WSLS 10 website, where she was invited to blog about her experiences at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Denver. In her post, she describes her reaction to several key events, including the historic announcement of Barack Obama as the official Democratic nominee, Joe Biden's speech and an encounter with Luke Russert, son of the late Tim Russert.

Chitwood was one of four delegates chosen at the Ninth Congressional District Convention to attend the DNC. To learn more, see the August 20 edition of RU Today.

Field Hockey Begins Season Tomorrow
The Highlanders' field hockey team will open the season with a pair of games against nationally ranked Albany and New Hampshire in the nation's capital at American University tomorrow and Sunday, Aug. 31.

Both games begin at 1 p.m. To learn more, visit Radfordathletics.com.

Outdoor Movie Scheduled on Heth Lawn Tonight
The blockbuster hit Iron Man will be shown on Heth Lawn on Friday, August 29, at 9 p.m. The rain location will be Hurlburt Auditorium. The event is sponsored by CAB and admission is free.

Kudos

Retired RU Professor Nicholas Pappas Named
Outstanding Alum of the Year at Shepherd University
Retired Radford University political science professor Nicholas Pappas was recently named one of two outstanding alumni at Shepherd University. In 2005 Pappas retired from RU, where he had taught international relations and political philosophy since 1984. Prior to that, he taught in the Virginia public school system and served as an assistant football coach at Radford High School.

A 1963 graduate of Shepherd University, Pappas served as a platoon officer in the U.S. Marine Corps for two years following graduation. He was wounded during his service in Vietnam and subsequently wrote a book about his experience in the war.

The Outstanding Alumni award is given annually by the Shepherd University Alumni Association to graduates who have been a member of the alumni body for a minimum of 15 years, are recognized in their profession and have an exemplary record of service to the university and to the community. The awards will be presented at a reception during Shepherd University's homecoming weekend.

The Back Page

On this date in 1966, the Beatles played their final tour date at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. -- History.com

Photo answer for August 28 edition of RU Today: Flowers in front of Waldron Hall.

Recent Releases from University Relations

Students Return to Campus for Fall Semester >>Fall Opening Web Site

Board of Visitors to Meet Sept. 2-4 >>Story

Coming Up at RU

8/28-31, Fall Opening Activities for Students and Parents
8/29-30, Residence Halls Open
8/29-30, VB at UNCW Tourn.
8/30, FH vs. Albany, away, 1 pm
8/30-9/1, MSOC at UNLV Tourn.
8/31, FH vs. New Hampshire, away, 1 pm
8/31, WSOC vs. Evansville, 2 pm
9/1, First Day of Classes for 2008-2009 School Year
9/2, VB at JMU, 7 pm
9/5, Club Fair, Heth Lawn, 3:30 - 6:30 pm
9/5, MSOC home vs. Xavier, 7 pm
9/5, FH vs. California at Longwood, 4 pm
9/5, WSOC vs. Mount Saint Mary's at Marshall Tourn., 4:30 pm
9/5, XC at VT Alumni Invit., 6 pm
9/5, VB at USC Upstate Tourn., TBA
9/7, WSOC vs. Marshall at Marshall Tourn., 1 pm
9/7, FH vs. VCU at Davidson, 2 pm
9/7, MSOC at Clemson, 2 pm
(See RU Calendar for more listings)

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