RADFORD – Radford University alumnus Chris Skinner is one of 15 individuals recently honored by the National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA) as one of the most accomplished members of the spinal cord injury and disease community.

The 2002 RU graduate received the Emerging Leader award at NSCIA’s third annual SCI Hall of Fame induction ceremony and gala in Washington D.C. The SCI Hall of Fame recognizes excellence and honors individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions toward a better future for individuals with spinal cord injury or disease.

(IN PHOTO: Chris Skinner receives the Emerging Leader award recently.)

Skinner suffered a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the shoulders down during his sophomore year at RU. Following the injury, he quickly returned to RU and earned bachelor’s degrees in media studies and psychology. Skinner then completed studies for a master’s of science degree in community counseling and human development in 2006.

“I feel so incredibly honored to receive the Emerging Leader award,” Skinner said. “The best part about it is that I didn’t even know I was being nominated. A friend of mine that I went to school with in 1997 nominated me out of nowhere. I just felt so blessed that someone from that long ago would remember me and feel strongly enough to take the time to write for the nomination. It is just awesome. I couldn’t feel more blessed right now.”

As an RU student, Skinner founded The Chris Skinner Organization with which he now travels across the United States as a motivational speaker, sharing his life experiences. Skinner has addressed more than 750,000 people from Virginia to Alaska.

The RU alumnus remains active with his alma mater, speaking twice a year to freshmen through the Success Starts Here program, which is organized by the university’s New Student Programs.

Skinner has written an autobiography, “The Ultimate Learning Experience,” which was published in 2004 and chronicles his life experiences. The book is available online and at the RU Bookstore.

Skinner lives in Radford with his wife, Suzie, and their twin son and daughter, Caleb and Alethia.