Radford University - Beehive Yearbook (Radford, VA)

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chairs the end awaits 1 One of the changes of 1985 concerned graduation. Seniors were no longer exempt from final exams as in the past and due to the time period between the ceremony and the final exam, it was impossible for registrar to evaluate seniors in time for graduation. Therefore, it was necessary to send the diplomas through the mail. The result was many disappointed students who had waited four, five, or even six years to receive that precious piece of paper but instead they marched to the platform and received only an empty degree cover. Many seniors were unhappy about the change and felt cheated. But, nonetheless, graduates received their diplomas in the mail six weeks after the ceremony. For hours after the ceremony, hugs, handshakes and pats on the back were abundant. Friends and relatives of the graduates grouped together and discussed the past years of experiences, the ceremony, the future and the celebration that followed. “After all the congratulations had been said, the former students returned home and faced reality and their new status -unemployed. Many had jobs lined up but, the fears of fulfilling an employee’s expectations were different than the worries of fulfilling a professor’s anticipations. Some had college loans to pay off while others had to find jobs. But, it was friday night and the former RU students had reason to CELEBRATE! } by Sharon Walthall Yvonne Knudsen anticipates the post-graduation celebration as she hides a bottle of champagne. B Surrounded by her family. Pebbles Maynard flashes a smile to signify her excitement on conn mm emenl day. Graduation 13

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■ Tim Wall raises his diploma high in the air for all to see as he follows Van Vogel off the stage. ■ One final hug is appropriate for Lisa Register and Lynda Bonieskie as they sadly lease RU to begin separate lives in the real world. Empty mark Future A lthough RU had experienced many changes during the year. X JLone tradition remained. The week of the graduation ceremony, the rows of chairs were carefully stretched out across the lawn in front of McConnell library. RU students, faculty and administrators walked by the rows of chairs during that final week and anticipated an emotion-filled event. These empty chairs portrayed the end of one lifetime and the beginning of another. The chairs were quickly filled with friends and relatives on the morning of May 10. Eight-hundred and forty-nine graduating seniors filed onto the field dressed in cap and gown. Mortar boards became a form of advertising a message to the crowd. “Thanks Mom and Dad. “Give Me a Job. or “At Last were a few messages that expressed the graduate’s feelings of the day. The degree candidates sat amidst friends, relatives and the professors who made it all possible. They thought of the changes that had taken place during their past college years. The class of 1985 experienced the conversion to semesters, the renovation of Whitt, the opening of a second computer room, the opening of the Dedmon Center, the opening of the first fraternity house, new additions and losses to RU. the faculty and administration as well as the personal changes they endured during their years at RU. 12 Graduation

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Biff, pori raved by Burry Delaney, attempts to boost his father's morale by reassuring him that he is not a failure to the family. 14 Death of a Salesman