Radford University - Beehive Yearbook (Radford, VA)

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Old habits are hard to break Four years ago they began forming lines at registration. They lined up to buy books, to cash checks, and to eat at the dining halls. They formed lines to drop classes and lines to add classes. On May 28. they lined up for the last time. More than 760 graduates, the largest in Radford University's history, stepped forward to receive their diplomas, culminating four years of career planning. John P. Alderman, rector for the board of visitors, warned them, “A college degree isn't the life long meal ticket it used to be. But if you're willing to work, the opportunities are waiting. I promise you that. Unfortunately, no one could promise the 1982 graduates there wouldn't be lines. Tho “kats” m ow. Kit Neory smiles in anticipation ot receiving her diploma. last words. John Alderman, retiring rector of the board of visitors, tells graduates that opportunities are there if they're willing to work. Graduation 13

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Happy at last. The joy of graduation shines in this student's face. Daddy’s money. A graduates expresses her appreciation for four years of support. At the head of the class. Dr. Donald Dedmon awards honor student John Aosher the first diploma at the graduation ceremony. Forming the final line. The 1982 graduating class prepares to file across the stage to receive ther diplomas 12 Student Life

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Preparing for life at Radford I met a lot of people who have become close friends now. If you don't go to Quest and just come here, you won't know anybody, said freshman Daryl Carr, who attended Quest '82. Quest is a summer orientation program developed for new freshmen and transfer students. This year's program had five two-day sessions which ran from June 20 to June 30 and included 980 students. The program attempts to give students a working knowledge of academics, financial assistance, school policies, and campus facilities. According to comments from students, the program has been a success. “I felt a lot more comfortable coming here. I knew what was going on and I knew a little about what to expect, said freshman Ann Dunlap. Although Quest has become pretty standard, there have been efforts to improve it. Dave Robertson, associate dean of students said, The changes that have been developed the last few years in Quest are changes in the way we train the Quest assistants and faculty advisers. We're doing a much more sophisticated job. I don't think there was anything offered this year that we didn't offer last year. We just did a little bit better. The Quest assistants play a major role in success of the program. The Quest assistants by far have the most contact with students during the day and a half they are on campus. said Robertson. Most freshmen have nothing but praise for the Quest assistants. Everyone was organized They got me prepared to fill out the schedule, helped me if I needed help, and they were patient. I had a good feeling when I left, said Dunlap. But the new students aren't the only ones At first I dreoded coming to Quest, but I'm glad I did. it was interesting and it helped me alot. especially with doss schedules — Jennifer Amos, freshman to benefit from Quest. The assistants enjoyed and learned from the program too. Quest assistant Chris Simmons said. You were introduced to so many people that your interaction with them was so beneficial. It was a worthwhile experience; one that I'll never forget. I enjoyed helping those freshmen coming into Radford. It's a growing program that has the potential to go far. One problem with Quest may be that if s not going far enough They did a good job showing you where everything was but, they didn't do a lot to help you meet more people; like, they had a reception for parents but not for the students, said Car, who thought there should have been more time to interact outside the assigned groups Another student felt too much was crammed into the two days. At the end of the day I was exhausted. I think it was in the scheduling. I'd never done anything like that before. The new computer registration process was introduced to students at Quest '82. Although the process was meant to be more efficient, there were some misgivings. The problems came this fall when freshmen registered for winter quarter. Many freshmen breezed through scheduling at Quest and had few problems arranging their classes. Many students thought winter registration would be just as easy and forgot what they'd teamed at Quest. That created many scheduling problems for some freshmen according to Robertson. The computer registration program had a different meaning for Quest assistant Stephen Jones. He felt the computers limited their help to the students. At one time the assistants walked them through registration, offering the students help when they had difficulties in scheduling. Now we just stcnd around the wall and look, Jones said. I think one thing that we need to do here, without question, is an on-going orientation that picks up in the fall. What we do in the summer, I think, is excellent, but it can only do so much in a day and a holt. There are a lot of things that students encounter after they get here in the fall that we're simply not dealing with, said Robertson. Problems will be found in every program. yet the Quest program is better than what Radford had before, and Quest '82 is better than the first three Quests. Through trial and error, the future Quests will develop. As long as the goals remain to teach the new student more about himself and his environment at Radford, the program will always be worthwhile. 1 J Student Life