Radford University - Beehive Yearbook (Radford, VA)

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A Reflective Moment The smell ot Iresh towers and the sight ol a gorgeous day lor commencement exercises led to a chapter ending. and another peginning, dmo ry xkx Jt'tei Graduation Gne Chapter Ended ... Another Eegun Name after name after name Each (soon-not-to-be) student waited for his or her name to be called as the largest graduating class in RU's history participated in commencement ceremonies on May 9th. Finally, after the last student received h'S diploma and a short prayer hushed the crowd, the caps went flying and these adults were no longer students. They were graduates. For some, it meant moving onto jobs they had secured in the real world For others, it meant looking for jobs in the real world. For still others, it meant continuing on to graduate school, either at RU or elsewhere And for a few more, graduation meant returning to RU for summer school to finish up one or two more classes so they could officially be called graduates. Whatever the scenerio was all had walked. and each new graduate had reason to celebrate For the class of 1987, this day brought an end to an era. For the previous four (five or six) years, all had put forth their efforts to reach this simple moment of peace. From the day they first arrived at RU as freshmen or transfers, to the day they were able to give mom and dad a hug saying, I did it! , the trials and tribulations of being a college student had paid off. Graduation was special because it was the chance to end a chapter with the people who began it: those closest to students over the past four years. It felt great to be able to receive my diploma after all the time and effort I had put into it. said Sherri lachetta. a grad uate from Charlottesville. It was gratifying to see the end result of all that hard work. When this class arrived in September 1983 (or earlier for some), little did they realize the importance of their academic and social years ahead They were the last class attending RU on the tri-quarter system instead of the present semester system How strange it would seem to graduate with 126.33 credits hours. What was .33 of a credit anyway? This same class was the first to have freshman car privileges, but they were also instructed to park at the Dedmon Center lower level, a popular flood zone. This class of 1987 witnessed RU growing by over 1000 students Never before had freshmen been tripplcd. The most thrilling of significant changes during this now closed chapter was the leap from Division II to Division I sports. The Dedmon Center was always packed with fans when RU played the arch-rival and rational champion University of DC. There has been much to reminisce from past years, but now the time has come to make new memories. Radford has meant so much to me. said lachetta. summing up the feelings of many graduates But I can t wait until 1989 to walk' again and receive my mas ter's degree It's a very special feeling O by Pete Guldseth Graduation 015

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Empty Rows flew alter tow awaited the largest graduating class at RU. Not an empty seat was to be had. photo by j c Jotten A Love Flower A red rose arxJ a graduation program made lot a moment o piece o mind, as Dr Dedmon spoke about the future m the background, owo , j jt:w CONGRATULATIONS! This little boy wasn't exactly sure ot what was going on. but still, he was proud ol his big sister, pttxo by McM jo tots A Lonely Walk Thinking ol what ust happened, this graduate need ed a moment by herself to catch her breath photo Jackjohon 014 Campus Life

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TEACHER, TEACHER Can you Teach Me? Warm, breezy nights, a carefree atmosphere, and a wide variety of courses were just a few of the things that made summer school at RU special , and last summer was no exception. Less than 2000 students attended each session, taking courses to complete general education. electives, and core requirements. The long, sun-filled days and the laid-back attitude of all. allowed students time to concentrate on their classes, and yet still have time for play. Riding bikes barefooted. tubing on the New River, and hanging out at the city pool, were just a few of the many ways students enjoyed the summer school experience. For students trying to catch up in school or pull up their GPA's. it was a welcome change from the demanding pace of the regular schoolyear. The best part of summer school was the classes were condensed, so it made for a real easy boost to your GPA. said Karen Krayeski, a senior education major. Although students could take summer courses at colleges near their hometowns that would transfer for credit, many chose to stay in Radford for several reasons. Courses needed in majors only taught at RU forced some to spend their summer here. Other students stayed in Radford because they had to pay rent on an apartment during the summer months, so they decided to make the best of the situation and attend classes too. For them, attending summer school was the best option. Those who didn't have financial obligations to work entirely through the summer attended summer school for a relaxed, easy going experience. “You could go to the first session, be finished by the end of June, and still have all of July and August to go home and make money, said Patrice Biagi, a junior interior design major. It was like a minivacation before starting the grind of a fulltime summer job. The friendly atmosphere and small student population helped create bonds of friendship between the 1.500 summer school students There was an element of closeness you didn't feel during the fall and spring semesters, said Chris Higham. a junior public relations major. The cliques disappeared and everyone was just them- selves. The average course load during the summer was six to nine hours, compared to the 12-18 for the official academic year. While most classes were held everyday, as opposed to two and three times a week, students had only two or three subjects to concentrate on at a time, and generally tended to receive higher marks that during the regular semesters. In contrast to the futuristic philosophy behind the university, last summer also provided a journey into the past. Elderhostel, a program designed to draw people over 60 back to school was held at RU for the first time. Courses were offered in music, health care, and history. 38 students stayed in Norwood's newly-renovated Summer (continued next page) While RU students were hard at work and at play, the campus played host to a series of events. Students-to be made the transition from high school to college at Quest '87 The summer orientation program for incoming freshmen and their par ents was held in five two-day sessions It included campus tours, scheduling for fall classes, and a welcome address from President Donald Dedmon. A Picnic in the River Summer Days bring ptentes. as Karon Oktavec sets up one for a Mac ado's ad. pmo t tt g 016 Campus Life