Radford University - Beehive Yearbook (Radford, VA)

Page 17 text:

Looking towards tha future An RU graduate relives memories during commencement photo by Jack Jeffers The final moment Reaching for the diptoma. a graduate shakes hands with Dr. Dedmon photo by Jack Jeffers Good advice Former Supreme Court Justice Arthur Goldberg addresses the future, photo by Jack Jeffers Graduation 13

Page 16 text:

Stepping into the real world: Graduation! he month was thousand students were about to become college graduates. Their mentors, led them along the sidewalk that had become their main walkway in getting from one class to the next. For some this was their final student duty. The forever familiar tune of May. the year, 1987. Over a CAMPUS m Pomp and Circumstance flowed through the air. The benefactors of countless hours of studying paraded proudly past hundreds of people who came to share in their joy. The graduates' steps were slow allowing them time to revive memories. share smiles and shed tears. “You are, to quote a phrase, free at last. said Distinguished Visiting Pro- fessor, Chief Justice Arthur Goldberg. There were shouts of joy; then there were the stifled cries of Yes. Yes free at last. Borrowing from a great president, the world will little know, nor remember what I or any commencement speaker may say,” predicted Goldberg. Or will it? Goldberg commented about what would be a milestone in the continual growth of the na- tion. For later in his speech he declared that ... tuition fees in public universities should be abolished. Such fees are incompatible with the concept of universal free education. And again, there were shouts of joy. In 1984. when the majority of the graduating class entered Radford University their in state tuition fees were $1,576 for the year. By their senior year, their tuition and fees were 1,920 A large amount in comparison to the statement of Goldberg, but not an impossible fee to pay. Many students managed to pay for their education through scholarships, grants, loans, work-study programs, off-campus, and summer jobs. Noting that it was too late, or too early for them to be recipients of free education, the graduates’ thoughts must have again drifted to the present. Their black robes, the tassels, and the caps, some decorated and some blank, all added to the outfit that simply said. I made it. The facial expressions of the parents, their presence and their tears showed that it was worth the cost to send their children to school. They will never experience a precious moment like this ever again. Now only the future remains. The world awaits the action of these distinguished few who chose not to give in to internal or external pressures,- but to persevere to the very end: these distinguished few whose hopes and dreams spring eternal. by Tony Philpott Sharing lira joy Graduates express thc»r excitement with each other pholo by Jack Jeffers 12 Campus Life

Page 18 text:

Making it though the long lines verything is final ly ready. All personal possessions have been packed into 10 boxes and are waiting to be loaded into the car for the big move. Parents start the trip early so you aren't late for school. All the running around has been tiring but. the mind won't go to sleep. It was too busy thinking of all the experiences college will bring. Once at RU. the lines to get into the dorm were incredibly, almost in conceivably, long. Dad complained about the lack of parking and mom recited every item that was forgotten. The day was frustrating because it took so long to get unpacked. This meant time taken away from visting friends and seeing campus again. “I arrived at 8 30 and by 8:451 was all set. clothes hung up and all. That was the easy part. said freshman Eric CAMPUS IE Johansen. Students living in dorms with only three floors were the lucky ones, but for those moving into Muse the story was quite different. I stood in line for two and a half hours and waited for the elevators. I had no choice since I was on the 13th floor, said freshman Beth Michaud. Before long it was five o'clock and time for Mom and Dad to leave. Everything was moved in and the room looked pretty good, even though changes were made once the upperclassmen rooms were looked at and copied. The walk back to the car didn't seem to go fast enough but. in a special way everyone wanted it to last a year. Mom tried not to cry while Dad slipped a twenty in a pocket while giving a big hug to say good bye. Waving vigorously as they drove away it was hard to believe it was finally the beginning of the year. by Susette Ritenour M Campus Life