RADFORD -- Radford University President Penelope W. Kyle conferred more than 1,800 degrees during Radford University’s Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 3, before an estimated crowd of 14,000 spectators and participants on sun-drenched Moffett Field.

A total of 1,822 students earned degrees, including 263 graduate students. (See photo gallery and commencement video.)

The top 10 most popular undergraduate degrees by discipline were: interdisciplinary studies 119, management 107, marketing 70, criminal justice 68, nursing 67, media studies 61, psychology 60, exercise, sport and health education 46, design 39 and biology 33.

The most popular graduate degrees awarded included: counseling and human development 42, psychology 36, communication sciences and disorders 29, education 29, special education 27, social work 23, business administration 17, criminal justice 13, school psychology 13 and English 10.

Twenty-three Tazewell County educators received master’s degrees in reading education. The group of 23, who began the program together three years ago, includes school administrators, special education, technology, kindergarten, primary, upper elementary, middle and high school teachers.

Best-selling author John Feinstein delivered an entertaining keynote address.

Feinstein, citing Curly from the movie City Slickers, advised graduates to find “one thing you can do well … and do it. That’s the secret to happiness. If that one thing brings happiness to others, you’ll find happiness.”

Vice Rector Tom Fraim, a 1987 RU graduate, brought greetings from the Board of Visitors. Faculty Senate President James Lollar, Student Government President Matthew Shelor and senior class president Ashley Hall spoke on behalf of their constituencies. The RU Wind Symphony provided the prelude music and professor David Otis Castonguay sang the National Anthem.

The prestigious annual faculty and staff awards were announced with the following honorees:

• Associate professor of art Richard Bay won the Donald N. Dedmon Distinguished Teaching Professor Award. The award recognizes and rewards outstanding teaching at RU.
• Professor of biology Mark Cline received the Radford University Foundation Distinguished Creative Scholar Award. The award was established to recognize significant original contributions to the body of knowledge in academe. It also rewards contributions that have had a significant impact on effective classroom teaching.
• James Lollar, an associate professor and chair of the marketing department, was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, which was established to recognize faculty who have contributed substantial service to the university over a sustained period of time.
• Associate professor of psychology Jeff Willner was the recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Advising Award. The honor recognizes teaching faculty who demonstrate excellence in academic advising.
• Loretta Estes, advising coordinator and assistant to the dean of the Waldron College of Health and Human Services, received the Distinguished Professional Advising Award.

Additional commencement coverage:

• Faculty and staff award winners
• Commencement photo gallery
• Commencement video