RADFORD – A familiar face to many Radford shoppers years ago in downtown Radford will be among the two Radford University alumni who will serve as speakers at the university’s Spring Commencement.
Nick Mayhugh ’18, a Paralympic gold medalist and international track star, will serve as the keynote speaker for Radford University’s Spring 2022 Commencement on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at 9 a.m. on the university’s Moffett Lawn.
Also, Stacey Price ’99, M.S. ’01, will be the university’s first graduate hooding ceremony keynote speaker. That ceremony is set for Friday, May 6, 2022, at 5 p.m. at the Dedmon Center. Price is the former owner of Encore! Artful Gifts and More, which used to operate on East Main Street in Radford.
This marks the first time two speakers were chosen to address graduates during Spring Commencement exercises.
“In a few weeks, we will gather as a collective community to celebrate the academic achievements of our graduates. Faculty, staff, family, and friends will come together on Moffett Lawn for this joyous occasion,” said Radford University Interim President Carolyn R. Lepre, Ph.D. “This year, we are incredibly fortunate to have two outstanding Radford University alumni serving as our commencement speakers, Nick Mayhugh ’18 and Stacey Price ’99, M.S. ’01. Their personal and professional success exemplifies how transformative a Radford education can be on the lives of Highlanders. We are thrilled to welcome them back to campus as they celebrate the achievements of our graduates and inspire us all.”
Mayhugh, a former Radford University men’s soccer player, traveled to Tokyo, Japan, in August 2021 as part of the U.S. Paralympic track & field team and dominated three of the four races in which he competed. He won gold medals in the 100- and 200-meter races and the 4-by-1 universal relay. He broke the world record in all three of those races and won a silver medal in the 400-meter race.
Mayhugh has a mild form of cerebral palsy. During his last year at Radford in 2017, he discovered that his diagnosis qualified him to try out for the U.S. Para 7-a-Side National Soccer Team. He has participated in six major competitions and played in seven different countries, all while scoring 34 goals and having 31 assists in only 25 appearances.
Price has two decades of experience activating community. Price, first an economic development consultant and now a talented curator, is on a mission to grow the maker economy. In 2017, she launched Shop Made in DC, a new generation incubator that uses inventive space to empower and scale Washington, D.C. artisans. Since opening, she and her team have launched Shop Made In Virginia and Shop Made In Maryland, supporting over 1,000 makers with access to customers, education, and capital. In less than five years, she has helped launch eight locations and generate nearly $5 million back to local makers.
Price has a master’s degree in corporate communication from Radford University, having completed thesis work in social capital and community engagement. She currently serves on the board of directors for Pyramid Atlantic, MESS HALL and on Kaiser Permanente’s PFCC leadership team as a patient partner for the Mid-Atlantic region.
