Radford University - Beehive Yearbook (Radford, VA)

Page 8 text:

During the Convocation Center’s final stage of construction, a helicopter flies above the gigantic “bubble” of the new Dedmon Center. A glimmer of light shines through the first stages of the Dedmon Center, symbolizing the dawn of progress for Radford University. 6 Opening

Page 7 text:

Moving in during the first days of school can be rather exhausting, so this student has decided to take a break from it all. Now that she’s finished with practice, this coed waits for a friend before walking to dinner. Going through registration is one of the more painful aspects of life at Radford. However, tne use of computers may change that in the future. Wade Wirt !pe hits, outdoor classes make college Opening 5

Page 9 text:

Opening the door to progress and the Highlanders got the best present ever — a brand new basketball court underneath the air-supported roof of the Donald N. Dedmon Center. Who could forget that historic day of December 9,1981? Beneath partly cloudy skies and standing in wintry winds, bundled from head to toe, students, staff and members of the administration stood outside the revolving doors of the convocation center, waiting in anticipation of what was contained within. After speeches of appreciation and dedication and, SGA president Kenny Henshaw’s presentation of the pool that never was, the release of colorful balloons signaled the official opening of the Dedmon Center. Once they pushed their way through the crowd, students stood in awe of the immensity of all that was spread beneath the bubbled ceiling — basKetball courts, indoor tennis courts, jogging track, weight room, racquetball courts and a gymnastic room. Before long racquetball became a popular after-class pastime, and Rowdy Red joined the ranks of the Virginia Tech gobbler and the UVA cavalier. And yet, amidst all these changes, students realized that some things really don’t change after all, like long lines at registration and the bookstore, high-priced textbooks, dining hall food and final exams. But despite all that stays constant in college life and a swirling cloud of national conservatism, for Radford University students, the W’inds of Change are here to stay. . . Terri Link Balloons, posters, pamphlets and the Highlander Band greeted vis-tors as they first stepped inside the convocation center. This little boy has decided to take home some balloons as souvenirs of that historic day. k Tiny snowflakes swirl about the Dedmon Center and the surrounding grounds on the morning of its grand opening. December 9. Opening 7