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Radford University Fall Convocation
WELCOME Good afternoon—for those of you who have been away from campus for all or a part of the summer—Welcome Back! I am so glad that this day has finally arrived!! There is something just not quite right about college presidents beginning their terms when the faculty, the heartbeat of the institution, is on vacation. I have been looking forward to seeing you again since our first, and last, meeting on February 1st. Many of you have asked me what I have been doing since we last saw each other. I began working on your behalf long before I arrived on this campus. I will give you more specifics later on, but generally, I have spent the last five months since my appointment listening to the voice of many of our constituencies and learning about the complexity of Radford University. In order to facilitate my transition into what is a “new” environment for me, the Board of Visitors and I created a Transition Committee comprised of 12 members: 4 from the faculty, 4 from the staff, 2 students, and 2 members of the Board of Visitors. Dr. John Moore, the former president of Indiana State University and California State University consults with me and the transition committee. I know that several of you have had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Moore. One of the key elements of our transition plan was developing what we call a “stakeholders survey” and mailing that survey during my first week here to over 200 folks that we identified as our “stakeholders”, people who have or should have a relationship with RU. We decided that I should reach out to all of the different types of constituents, stakeholders and influencers with whom Radford University has a relationship. The completed surveys have been coming in all summer. I have read every single one of them and let me tell you what some of the respondents have written to me about Radford University: They find that RU has strengths, assets and sources of pride in several areas:
CHALLENGES OR OPPORTUNITIES: In addition to reviewing all of the survey responses, I have also met “in person with” faculty, students, staff, alumni, business, education and governmental leaders and community residents. I have asked to hear it all—and I might add, I have heard a great deal. Dr. Claire Waldron, Dr. Jack Call, and other members of the Faculty Senate Executive Council have freely given of their time to answer questions and to advise me about this great institution. This summer I have participated in, observed, talked to and been talked to about innumerable challenges, opportunities and issues here at Radford University. These weeks have probably been the equivalent of “academic boot camp.” The first group from RU with whom I met following my announcement, was the leadership of the Faculty Senate. Claire Waldron, Jack Call, Jim Lollar, Skip Thompson, and Ned Okie made the trip to Richmond on March 18th to have lunch with me and brief me on your Faculty Senate and on some of their perspectives on this institution. That initial meeting kicked off what I hope will be an open exchange of ideas between the leadership of the Faculty Senate and my office. On June 1, my first day here on the job, I hosted a luncheon in Muse Hall to begin an open dialogue among the faculty senate leadership, vice presidents, and deans. We broke bread together and then we spent time openly discussing issues that are important to all of us. One of the topics that we discussed at this lunch on June 1 was the “image” or perception of Radford University is outside of our little community here. Following that discussion, I asked Dr. Waldron to appoint a special task force to examine Radford’s “image” and to study and recommend to me what can and should be done to assure us that we are not perceived to be something less or different than what we know that we are. Dr. Waldron and I meet on a monthly basis now and a portion of these meetings is always dedicated to an update to the work that she is leading on the “image” issue. I know that some of you have been asked to serve or will be asked to serve on this special task force and I encourage you to get involved. At this juncture, before we even embark upon setting a new course for RU, it is critical that this institution be recognized for all that it has done in the past and for what we are today! And as a recent “outsider”, I can tell you that Radford University is not perceived as it should be. In addition to meeting with the faculty senate leadership, I have also spent the last 5 ½ months meeting with local civic and government leaders, members of the General Assembly, members of the Governors Cabinet (for example, the Secretary of Commerce and 2 Secretaries of Education, Belle Whelan and Peter Blake) the Presidents of 4 year institutions (VCU, George Mason, VMI, ODU, Longwood, Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, William and Mary, Norfolk State, and JMU) and the Chancellor of our Community College System and the Presidents of almost all of our community colleges. I have met privately with several retired RU faculty who love this institution and who want to give me some history about this wonderful place. I have been asked to serve on the Board of the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance representing RU and I have attended my first meeting. The chair of that Board is Dave DeHart who is also the chair of the RU Foundation Board. On my first day in the office I called on the Mayor and City Manager of Radford at their office. Last month the mayor of Roanoke, C. Nelson Harris, who, as you know is a graduate of our school, as well as his wife, hosted a luncheon for me at the Higher Ed Center in Roanoke. At that meeting I met the principals of the 2 public high schools in Roanoke City and the new Superintendent of the Roanoke City School System. The 4 of us are collaborating on ways that RU can educate the graduates of their schools and send these individuals back to Roanoke after receiving their degrees here to embark upon careers in public education. So as you can see, I have been “out and about” representing all of us, listening, learning, trying to plant the seeds of what can be. Another question you have asked is when I am on campus, and I assure you that I am not traveling all of the time, what am I working on?
I have been asked to touch upon administrative staffing on the third floor in Martin Hall.
Together we have begun another transformational time in the life of Radford University. While building on our past, we will begin forging a new future. Every action we take will be intentional and strategic. This will include having as one of our major goals moving the University to an enhanced group of peer institutions by developing additional masters, applied doctoral, and first professional graduate programs and through strategic enrollment planning and management. This cannot happen overnight, but until we begin to work towards this goal, it will never happen. RU is often cited as being a hidden jewel, but being hidden is not something in which to take pride. We must share the many successes that we have had and together we must begin to create a new vision for our institution. FACULTY Now let me talk with you about you, the faculty. At my “interview” with you in February, one of you asked me about whether or how I could shift my allegiance to Radford University since I attended and have been involved with two other Virginia universities, the University of Virginia and the College of William and Mary. Let me tell you what was most important to me as a student, now an alum of these two nationally ranked institutions—the faculty! No institution can be a great university without great faculty. RU is known for its dedicated and talented faculty. I will commit to you that together we will continue to strive to attract, recruit, mentor, reward, and retain the best and brightest to your ranks. I have been advised of the progress being made to building the faculty ranks to an acceptable level. Just four years ago, I understand the number of faculty stood at 337 and in 2003 a goal was set to reach a faculty complement of 395 by Academic Year 2008-09. Wil Stanton has told me that due to careful, deliberate, and purposeful planning, that goal has been reached this year – three years ahead of schedule. Just this week I welcomed the 46 new faculty members to our campus and noted that this was our largest class of new faculty members since the 80’s. But, our efforts are not yet over. We must continue to hire faculty in those areas which provide opportunities for strategic growth for this institution and we must continually strive to bring faculty teaching ratios into acceptable ranges. WORKLOAD I have heard directly from some of you that, in some instances, the workload expectations for faculty are not appropriately set. In order to determine what the real situation is, I have requested that Dr. Stanton appoint a task force to determine whether present faculty workload expectations are appropriate for a learner-centered institution with a balanced view toward research. And Finally— Many of you have asked me about my vision for Radford—there will be no Penelope Kyle vision for Radford. We all must work together and identify our core values and then begin a visioning process together. What we determine that Radford is and should be will be a collective effort by not only those of us in this room, but also by our representatives of all of our constituencies. And that process will be launched this fall. I truly am honored and blessed to be here as the 6th President of Radford University. I will not try to run Radford totally like a business—there are areas of our institution that can be improved with the application of principles from the corporate world, but there is no corporate model, of which I am aware, that accounts for faculty and teaching—I know that what you do is the very essence of what we are all about—teaching, educating our students—I want to work with you collaboratively—I need your advice and expertise—and I will continue to ask for it— PRESENTATION OF AWARDS Historically Radford has been known for its great teachers. That fact was noted by students and alumni alike in response to my recent stakeholders survey. They see their relationships with faculty as pivotal points in their experience here at RU. Each year Radford University presents three highly prestigious awards to individuals selected by the Faculty Awards Committee from a list of nominations submitted by faculty, students, staff and alumni. Although the names of these recipients were announced in May at commencement, it is my privilege to be asked to recognize these individuals today and present them with their plaques and checks. The Donald N. Dedmon Professorial Award, established by an alumnus in honor of Radford’s fourth president, recognizes Dr. James G. Lollar, Associate Professor of Marketing in the College of Business and Economics. Dr. Lollar joined the Radford University faculty in 1992. His 13 years here have been characterized by a significant level of scholarship as researcher, author, presenter, and consultant. His willingness to listen and advise is legendary among his current and former students. For many former students, from their first class with Dr. Lollar and throughout their careers, he has been available to answer questions, encourage, provide insight and expect the highest standards of excellence. A 1993 graduate wrote in a letter of support for Professor Lollar’s nomination, “one thing that was consistent in all of Dr. Lollar’s teaching was the resounding emphasis on doing the right thing—and doing things right.” He has been a Quest Faculty Advisor multiple times, and has advised a variety of student organizations. He was also recently honored by colleagues from throughout the state with his re-election to the Presidency of the Faculty Senate of Virginia. Ladies and Gentlemen please join me in congratulating Dr. James Lollar. The Radford University Foundation Award for University Service recognizes faculty who have contributed substantial service to enhancing the operations, academics climate and sense of community of the University over a sustained period of time. The recipient of the 2005 Radford University Foundation Award for University Service is Dr. Jack Call, Professor of Criminal Justice. Dr. Call joined the RU faculty in 1985, and over the ensuing 20 years, his work has had a remarkable impact upon shaping the Radford University we know today. He is an excellent teacher who, in the words of a colleague, “is tireless in his attention to his teaching and to working with students.” In addition to these responsibilities, he draws upon his experience as an attorney to serve (along with Dr. Bob Gill) as a pre-law advisor for undergraduates. Dr. Call has also been very professionally active. A colleague notes that “His scholarly work appears in respected journals in the field, and among his articles are several co-authored by RU students. He has written a variety of informative pieces for the Roanoke Times and publishes regularly in the Virginia Police Chief. However, even though he maintains heavy teaching loads and is a productive scholar, Dr. Call devotes untold hours to the service of his department and the University. As the first chair of the Department of Criminal Justice when it became independent of the Department of Political Science in 1989, he played an instrumental role as the department grew to become the largest undergraduate major at the University. He also played an equally important role in the development of a strong graduate program—one that is, in fact, the only criminal justice master’s program at a public University in the Commonwealth west of Richmond. He built, and he continues to coordinate, a far-reaching internship program. Dr. Call is highly respected by other members of the RU community because of his professional, dedicated, and diplomatic service on myriad committees and councils. Dr. Call’s work as Vice President of the Faculty Senate and his service on the Presidential Search Committee have been characterized by “thoughtfulness, careful listening, integrity, and substantive participation.” He has been an active member of the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee since 1999 and has provided leadership for two self-studies for NCCA certification. Ladies and gentlemen, today we honor this year’s recipient of the 2005 Radford University Foundation Award for University Service, Dr. Jack Call. Dr. Call, however, is unable to be with us today because of a prior family commitment. The third award—the Anna Lee Stewart Award for Contributions to Faculty Development—is named in honor of Dr. Lee Stewart, Professor Emerita of Recreation, Parks and Tourism, who was instrumental in the creation of the Faculty Development Center. This award recognizes faculty and staff who have contributed substantially to the professional development of their colleagues. Nominees must demonstrate a sustained commitment to imparting knowledge, skills, and techniques that their colleagues use to enhance the learning environment at Radford University. The recipient of the 2005 Anna Lee Stewart Award for Contributions to Faculty Development is Ms. Ellen S. Taylor, Director of Continuing and Extended Education. Ms. Taylor joined the staff of what was then the Office of Continuing Education in 1985, and during the past 20 years, her many talents have enabled her to attain a variety of important positions at the University, including Advising Coordinator for both the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the Waldron College of Health and Human Services, Assistant Director in the Career Services Center, Director of Conference Services, and Director of Continuing Education and Conference Services. The faculty who nominated Ms. Taylor for this award were effusive in their praise for the many ways in which she has assisted them in improving the learning environment at Radford University. In all of the positions she has held, she has asked the correct “bottom line” question: “What can I do to facilitate the success of our students. Her creativity, her problem solving skills, and her approachability enabled her to expertly assist hundreds of students with their advising, orientation, registration, and eventual career planning needs. Ms. Taylor has requested that the scholarship which is made available by the RU Foundation be awarded in her name to Mr. Aaron Shrewsbury, an M.F.A. student who has an assistantship in the College of Graduate and Extended Education. Ladies and gentlemen, the recipient of the Anna Lee Stewart Award for Contributions to Faculty Development, Ms. Ellen Taylor. Today we also honor individuals who collectively bring millions of dollars in grants to the university. The Million Dollar Circle recognizes those faculty members who have secured and directed projects at Radford University that have totaled at least $1 million. With the three individuals recognized today, there are now 20 faculty members who are part of that circle. I should point out that most of the projects directed by members of the Million Dollar Circle benefit both Radford University and the citizens of Southwest Virginia. Each member of the Million Dollar Circle receives a plaque to commemorate the honor, has their name placed on a perpetual plaque in the Office of Sponsored Programs and Grants Management, and receives a $1,000 research award. Let me present this year’s Million Dollar Circle Honorees. First, is Mr. Ken Hall, who, while working with the Virginia Economic Bridge organization, co-directed a series of projects which were funded by the New River Planning District, the Virginia Department of Commerce & Trade, and the Virginia Department of Education. Most recently, Mr. Hall has worked with the Business Technology Park, co-directing a Business Technology Incubator Feasibility Study funded by the Virginia Department of Business Assistance. Now I’d like to recognize Mr. David Shanks, who co-directed three years of funding that originated with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Mr. Shanks has responsibility for the day-to-day activities of the New River Valley Small Business Development Center and coordinates activities of five other centers around the region. These centers focus on small business entrepreneurs, providing technical assistance in such topics as loan programs, procurement, technology transfer, international trade and economic development. Ms. Jane Swing of the Educational Studies Department provides continuing education for teachers of adult literacy in Virginia. Across the years, she has directed and co-directed conferences with funding from the Virginia Department of Education, the Virginia Department of Correctional Education, and the Virginia Employment and Training Association. This summer she invited me to participate in the VAILL conference here on our campus, which I understand has been very successful every year. The Three Million Dollar Circle recognizes those faculty members who have secured or directed projects at Radford University totaling at least $3 million. Recipients of this honor receive a plaque and a $3,000 research award. Today, one individual will be joining three already recognized in previous years--Drs. Alice Anderson, Rachel Janney, and Franklin Jones. Joining the circle is Dr. Jerry Kopf, Economic Development Officer for Radford University, who has directed or co-directed a variety of projects related to small business development, international trade, environmental management, and the Business Technology Park. The funding sources for these projects include the Center for Innovative Technology, the Virginia Environmental Endowment, the Small Business Administration, the U. S. Department of Education, the U. S. Department of Agriculture, and the Allstate Foundation. For the first time, Radford University is recognizing faculty members who have secured and directed projects at Radford University totaling over $5 million. The two recipients of this honor will receive a plaque and research awards of $5,000. These individuals have worked together on numerous projects and together reached the Million Dollar Circle in 1999, attained the “Three Million Dollar Circle” in 2002 and three years later have now topped the “5 Million Dollar” mark. Dr. Rachel Janney, Professor of Special Education, has co-directed a series of impressive service and instructional programs, funded primarily by the Virginia Department of Education and the U. S. Department of Education. The "Training and Technical Assistance Center for Personnel Serving Students with Disabilities" project, for instance, is a collaborative venture of Radford University faculty members and staff working with Virginia Tech to facilitate long-range planning efforts to achieve systematic change in education programming for students with disabilities in Southwestern Virginia. This program began with an award of less than $130,000 in 1996 and has continued to grow each year. Last year’s grant of more than $750,000 placed Dr. Janney and her co-director into eligibility for the “5 Million Dollar Circle.” This year’s award was over $1 Million. Dr. Janney is also involved in projects to grow master’s programs in the College of Education and Human Development through “Personnel Preparation” projects. Our second honoree is Dr. Alice Anderson, Chair of Educational Studies and Special Education and Professor of Special Education, who joins Dr. Janney as co-director of the projects I just mentioned. An important additional recognition is that the T/TAC (Training and Technical Assistance Center) grant is the largest grant ever made to Radford University for one year’s work. In addition to T/TAC, the U.S. Department of Education is funding two projects in which Drs. Anderson and Janney are Co-Directors. This project will help prepare culturally responsive special education teachers at the graduate level. Drs. Janney and Anderson, please come forward. Let’s congratulate all of these colleagues on such outstanding achievements. |
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