RADFORD – Radford University celebrated Winter 2025 Commencement Dec. 11-13, honoring approximately 580 graduates, including 388 undergraduates who crossed the stage during ceremonies in Bondurant Auditorium on Dec. 13.
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Bethany Usher recognized the determination that carried students to this milestone.
“It hasn’t always been easy,” she told them. “But that’s good, because we know that the best learning happens when you’re challenged You found your place by applying what you learned.”
President Bret Danilowicz echoed that pride, thanking families, faculty, staff, athletes, veterans and all who supported the graduates along their journey.
“This is your day to celebrate what you’ve accomplished,” he said. “No matter the path you took know that at Radford University all our faculty and staff are extremely proud.”
Commencement speaker Lara Ramsey ’90, M.S. ’92, president and CEO of the National Bank of Blacksburg, offered graduates a candid reflection on her own start at Radford and the foundation it provided. “I did not arrive with a clear blueprint of who I was going to be,” she said. “Radford gave me a home, a base and a belief system. Many of you will look back one day and say the same: Radford shaped you, changed you and gave you more than you expected.”
Ramsey encouraged graduates to keep learning, serve their communities and carry their Highlander pride forward.
“As you walk across the stage today, you are not just finishing something – you are beginning something new,” she said.
Friday’s graduate hooding ceremony also recognized students earning advanced degrees, including 173 master’s, 18 doctorates, and one post-bachelor’s certificate. Among them was Tamara Rice, M.F.A. ’25, who said the program “challenged me intellectually and provided me the mentorship and support I needed.”
She now heads to the University of Edinburgh to pursue her Ph.D. in design.
Radford University
