Thanks to the generous donations of Radford University benefactors, 20 new endowments were established in 2007. These endowments were established in the memory or honor of family members and respected RU faculty members as well as out of a desire to see Radford University grow and students succeed. Thank you to all donors.

Nancy Eisenhart Artis and H. Pat Artis Scholarship in Information Technology
Dr. and Mrs. Artis established this scholarship to provide financial support to students who are attending Radford University and majoring in Information Technology. Mrs. Artis, ’73, is a member of the Board of Visitors of Radford University. She and her husband co-own and manage Performance Associates, Inc., a computer storage and replication technology company.

Dr. Martin Aylesworth Scholarship in Education Studies
Upon his death is 2006, family, friends and colleagues joined together to create the Dr. Martin S. Aylesworth Memorial Scholarship Fund for a student in the School of Teacher Education and Leadership. Dr. Aylesworth was dedicated to the University for over 25 years, serving in various roles as an administrator and educator at Radford University .

Richard and Elaine Baynton College of Business and Economics Scholarship
Mr. Richard Baynton MBA’98 is a small business consultant, primarily concerned with financial issues. He is a contributing author to Wood Digest and the past director of National Kitchen and Bath Association. Mr. Baynton received his MBA after his retirement. Because of the excellent program, he dedicated this scholarship to MBA students. He and his wife have been married 55 years.

Kristin Marie Beitz and Laura Beitz Turk Scholarship
This scholarship was established by Mr. and Mrs. William Beitz to honor their daughters. Laura Beitz Turk ’87, MS ’90 and Kristie Beitz ’96 , MS ’97 are graduates of Radford University . Both Laura and Kristie were active members of the RU community. The scholarship will benefit an undergraduate student who demonstrates leadership qualities and is involved with activities on campus. 

Kenneth Bondurant Scholarship
This memorial scholarship was created by friends and family of Ken Bondurant upon his death. The scholarship honors Ken’s impact on Radford University and the New River Valley . As president of the RU Arts Society, he was a voracious advocate of student scholarship support and expansion of the University’s many art facilities and galleries, including the Bondurant Center .

Ken and Carolee Bondurant Art Education Scholarship
Ken and Carolee Bondurant created this scholarship to support students pursuing teaching licensure in art education. Ken Bondurant served as chair of the Arts Society Leadership Campaign prior to his death. Carolee is a member of the Society of 1910, the Building a Legacy Campaign Committee, and serves on the Arts Society Leadership Campaign. 

Dr. Michael Cronin Scholarship
Upon Dr. Cronin’s retirement in 2002, the scholarship was created by family and colleagues in honor of his dedicated years of service to RU.  Dr. Cronin, Professor Emeritus of Communication, was the recipient of the 1985 Radford University Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching. Dr. Cronin has done extensive consulting for government, private and educational institutions.

Warren G. and Orene Harris Scholarship
Harris Contractors’ President, Benjamin Harris ‘80 and his sister, CEO Amy Harris ‘90, established this scholarship in honor of their parents. The scholarship will aid a student in the College of Business and Economics. Both are members of the President’s Advisory Council. Amy is also the owner of Bella Donna, an exclusive dress shop in Radford.

Jason Foundation Rehabilitation Endowment
Greg and Fran Rooker founded the Jason Foundation Brain Injury Services of SWVA. The Jason Foundation Rehabilitation Endowment will help establish Radford University and the Waldron College of Health and Human Services as a cognitive rehabilitation service offering support for families with members who have suffered brain injury and trauma. 

Margie Branscome Kark Scholarship
Mrs. Kark began her professional career as a counselor with the Virginia Employment Commission after completing her undergraduate degree in psychology at Radford University . After receiving her master’s degree in 1970, Mrs. Kark worked in management positions with the Virginia Employment Commission, Virginia Tech and RU. She retired from the position of Executive Director of Human Resources at RU in 2002.

Dr. Rosalyn M. Lester Scholarship in the College of Visual and Performing Arts
Dr. Rosalyn Lester, RU Professor Emerita in Fashion, established the first scholarship for the Fashion Design Department.  Dr. Lester served in an administrative capacity and as chair of the department for over 25 years.  Dr. Lester is the Immediate President of Costume Society, chair of the CSA Board of Trustees, and has been selected as a CSA Fellow, in recognition of her outstanding service to the CSA in the areas of preservation, conservation, education and design. Dr. Lester is also a member of the Arts Society Leadership Campaign.

Mattingly Scholarship for WVRU
Dave ’86 and Jennifer Mooney ’86 Mattingly endowed this scholarship to support leaders at radio station WVRU who intend to have a career in broadcasting or broadcast journalism. Since 1996, Dave has been employed at National Public Radio in Washington D.C. as a news producer, editor and anchor. Jennifer received her BS in business. She worked as a marketing service manager at Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg for nine years before becoming a pre-school teacher.

Mendiola/Cole Leadership Scholarship
During the 1999-2000 academic year, George Mendiola, Jr. ’00, MBA ’02 and Levar S. Cole ’02 were elected to serve the RU student community as the Student Government Association (SGA) President and Executive Vice President, respectively. Under the Mendiola/Cole Administration, these two student leaders instituted a philosophy that demonstrated the importance of serving the RU Student Community while providing a positive contribution to the surrounding Radford Community.

Presidential Biology Scholarship
Anonymous donors established this scholarship for an incoming freshman who plans to major in biology.  Presidential scholars are selected for outstanding academic achievement, honors and community service.

Virginia Strader Nunn Memorial Scholarship
Mrs. Virginia Strader Moore made a bequest to Radford University to establish a scholarship to aid exemplary students in the School of Teacher Education and Leadership. Mrs. Nunn was a 1944 graduate of Radford College , and taught elementary and middle school in Christiansburg for more than 30 years. 

Bethany Lorraine Rooker Dance Scholarship
Greg and Fran Rooker, members of the Arts Society Leadership Committee, established this scholarship in memory of Mr. Rooker’s mother. Mrs. Rooker attended Michigan State University . She founded her own dance studio and was a dance instructor for Dance Masters of America. Mrs. Rooker was active in numerous charitable organizations including the Red Cross, Literacy Volunteers of America, Junior Women’s Club and the American Heart Association.

Dr. Wayne and Dr. Lynn Saubert Scholarship in Accounting
Drs. Saubert, both popular professors in the Accounting, Finance and Business Law, endowed this scholarship specifically for students majoring in accounting. Their goal is to promote higher education in the business fields.

School of Nursing Alumni Scholarship in memory of Alice Maloney
In 2007 Le Williams ’97 and his wife Courtney endowed the School of Nursing Alumni Scholarship in memory of Le Williams’ mother-in-law, Mrs. Alice Maloney. Mr. Williams, an alum of the School of Nursing , was able to attend Radford as result of his mother-in-law’s generosity. This scholarship is a fitting tribute, and will enable nursing students to attain their goals through financial support.

Verlander Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship was established by the George W. Verlander and Cornelia M. Verlander Memorial Foundation. The Verlander Foundation offers scholarship assistance to students from Lancaster County, V a .  Mr. Verlander felt that higher education was a necessity for success.

James C. Turk, Jr. and Allison Blanding Turk Scholarship
Endowed in 2006, this scholarship was established to assist a student pursuing a degree in criminal justice.  Jimmy Turk is a prominent attorney who is an advocate for a vigorous defense in our legal system. His wife, Allison, is a 1993 graduate of Radford University . Both are active members of the New River Valley community.