BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Fall Convocation Address
of
Dr. Douglas Covington,
President,
Radford University

August 18, 1995

For those of us who are new to the campus, as well as the seasoned veterans, a personal refresher course on Radford is timely. It's beneficial to understand the mission and the genesis of this place, and to keep it clearly in focus during our daily work...as a help rather than a shroud. As you review our institutional heritage and take note of its substantial current work, you will continue to be as impressed as I am with the University's progress. Our institution's real merit is clearly established historically and is being tested and reaffirmed through numerous examples of quality education. This tangible evidence of success is a credit to each of the past presidents, including my immediate predecessors, President Donald Dedmon, and the Interim President, Charles Owens. Likewise, the University's great strides grow out of the concerted diligent efforts of the faculty, staff and visitors who supported their stewardship.

For the coming academic year, throughout the University, we must extend and build upon these accomplishments realized through years of devoted service and leadership. Moreover, in order to build for the future, we must lay the foundation for change in a positive direction. And then we must bend a special effort toward making those steady improvements that are needed and toward providing renewal and fresh insights for our work.

That is why I enlisted the assistance of the faculty, even prior to my assuming office on June lst., in ensuring an inclusive, systematic strategic and long-range planning process. I requested the formation of a representative, ad hoc faculty committee that would willingly and unsparingly devote its energy, expertise, experience and time to several important assignments:

     1.  revising the restructuring plan;
     2.  outlining the strategic and long-range plan;
     3.  re-organizing the administrative and governance structure; and
     4.  drafting by-laws for the University's newly proposed Faculty Senate.

Any one of these several major tasks could have easily required a full year of intensive deliberation, debate and drudgery. However, through a shared commitment and harmonious working relationship among faculty and administrators, each document has been prepared and endorsed by the Board of Visitors. At the risk of sounding patronizing, I can honestly say that the Faculty Advisory Committee and its various sub-committees are among the most highly motivated, productive and professional faculty group with which I've been privileged to work. Since arriving on campus two and a half months ago, they have reinforced my optimism for the Faculty Senate, and my commitment to shared governance.

In a sense, this Convocation marks the dawn of a new era in the history of Radford University and a new beginning for those of us who now come together as partners in its advancement. In that regard, I must continue to rely upon your commitment and inspiration as we rise to meet a number of challenges that demand our special attention this year and in the foreseeable future.

Any progressive organization must make a bold decision (and reaffirm it daily) to strive for excellence rather than tolerate mediocrity. Radford University's commitment to the pursuit of excellence is evidenced in a number of eminently successful academic programs ... some of which can and should become preeminent. Our University must position itself as Southwest Virginia's comprehensive regional university. Radford must establish undisputed centers of excellence in the health sciences (with emphasis on fitness and wellness); in the visual and performing arts; in international studies; in recreation and environmental sciences; and in teacher preparation.

We must increase support for the procurement and, application of educational technology, as well as the continued expansion of library resources and services. Maybe I'm from the old school, but I still believe that the library is the "nerve center' of the University's academic network ... it ought to be reflected in the University's budget as well as its geography. If I had to evaluate the educational philosophy, commitment and quality of a University in one hour and could visit only one facility...l would go to the library. I would see what's there and who's there and what's happening. Having recently completed its major addition, our McConnell Library has automated its services and increased its holdings to over 300,000 volumes.

We must place greater emphasis on strengthening our General Education Program in order to ensure every student a sound foundation in liberal studies. In addition to strengthening the core curriculum, along with orientation and academic advisement for new students, we should promote scholastic achievement and increase student retention. We must also continue to focus our efforts on the enhancement of upper-level programs in the arts and sciences, as well as advanced professional degree programs. We must press ahead with careful planning of new courses of study in selected areas and attractive, unique new degree programs based on career trends and job opportunities locally and nationally.

We must allocate the human and material resources necessary to build the University's outreach capability by offering a more comprehensive program of continuing education and experiential learning. This important priority includes the acceleration of such initiatives as articulation agreements and two plus two programs with selected community colleges, expanded evening and summer school offerings, broader opportunities for internships and service learning experiences, and increased emphasis on fuller use of educational technology in distance learning. International education will remain one of Radford University's highest priorities, and will become an integral part of our curriculum across disciplines. I am asking each of the Deans and Department Chairs to become prime movers in advancing the initiatives.

We must work diligently toward the strengthening and addition of selected graduate programs, while promoting faculty and student involvement in basic research which complements the teaching/learning process.

And we must boost enrollment through creative, aggressive student recruitment strategies and effective enrollment management services. Much of the leadership will continue to spring from the General Division of Student Affairs, but each of us must play a vital role in marketing the university to prospective students. We will also continue to provide a wide range of student activities, residence life and counseling services which maximize students' chances for social development and intellectual growth.

We will continue our vigorous, successful efforts to maintain and enhance what is already one of the nation's most scenic campuses and best managed physical plants. The capital improvements accomplished during Dr. Dedmon's tenure have been phenomenal. I'm sure he would agree that the University owes a debt of gratitude to the General Division of Business Affairs for its masterful building and maintenance of its physical plant, along with its thorough, efficient management of its financial resources. The campus facilities master plan is being updated to reflect completion of major additions to the library and Preston Hall. As you know, the renovations of McGuffey Hall and the Health Services Center in Moffett Hall are underway. The newly acquired Catholic Church on Tyler Avenue, adjacent to the campus, is being adapted for use as the University's Child Care Center. Ground-breaking for the Heth Hall addition and the new academic building, which will feature multi-media technology, is anticipated within the next year. I will request that a review of the University's campus facilities master plan be placed on the agenda of the October meeting of the Board of Visitors and that it be presented at an early meeting of the Faculty Senate. You will see an ambitious plan for the further enhancement and expansion of our 177 acre campus, as well as the development of Selu, our 378 acre conservancy and a greater physical presence of Radford University in Roanoke.

As a complement to the superb job performed by our buildings and grounds staff, a comprehensive campus beautification program involving students will be encouraged.

In addition to continuing, cogent appeals for state-appropriated dollars, we will intensify and broaden efforts to secure much-needed extra-mural funds through an on-going program of institutional planning, cultivation and solicitation aimed at the private sector; an accelerated effort to attract grants and contracts from some new federal quarters; and a special in-family thrust through a continuation of the University's successful, well-organized annual giving programs. I anticipate that in two years a capital campaign will be launched in order to construct a major facility for the Waldron College of Nursing and Health Sciences and increase the University's scholarship endowment fund.

We must continue to build and enhance Radford's image through public service, community involvement in on-campus programs, increased cooperation with business and industry (as well as other local educational agencies), and through the effective dissemination of positive information via the local media. We're determined to continue showcasing the excellence exemplified in our academic and athletic programs, and personified among our faculty, students and alumni.

And finally, faculty and staff development... . This priority is presented last but not least ... to the contrary, I take this opportunity to stress its importance. We must absolutely persist in the development of our human resources by attracting and retaining and reinforcing the best qualified personnel available. I am convinced that the ultimate success of any organization rests with those individuals charged with making it "come alive". In many ways, everyone working together can make Radford a better University ... a strong faculty working harmoniously and productively with the students, staff, alumni and Board of Visitors. But it's the faculty that directly influence the quality of education. The students are the lifeblood of the University, but the faculty is its soul. It will be no better and no worse than the faculty want it to be. Good teachers are indispensable because they can stimulate an appetite for learning and elevate an entire culture. I concur with Lee lacocca's belief that "in a completely rational society, the best of us would aspire to be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something less, because passing civilization along from one generation to the next ought to be the highest honor and the highest responsibility anyone could have".... It's a proven fact that when the teacher is perceived as caring and charismatic, and accepts the student as a worthwhile, autonomous individual, that student is motivated to work harder, learn more, retain it longer, and apply it better. The effective teacher can create a meaningful, exciting learning experience and a conducive educational environment where neither had existed. This was what James A. Garfield, an alumnus of Williams College meant in 1871 when he said to the alumni, concerning one of its teachers, Mark Hopkins: "Give me a log hut, with only a simple bench. Mark Hopkins on one end and I on the other, and you may have all the buildings, apparatus and libraries without him." The message here is that when a serious scholar is exposed to a good teacher, much can be overcome, much can be attained. The competent, dedicated teacher is the necessary ingredient. Over the past six months, I've enjoyed the privilege of getting to know a number of Radford teachers who fit that description ... teachers who make sure that course syllabi are up-to-date ... that course objectives are understood ... that course outlines and course requirements are distributed at the outset ... that lesson plans are prepared ... that bibliographies of required and optional readings are available ... that examinations are current and that homework assignments are relevant and graded, with notations of commendations or concern, as the situation warrants. These are the teachers that make sure that audio-visual aids are employed ... that guest lecturers and resource persons are used ... that field trips are scheduled ... and that academic advisement is a continuing process. These are the faculty that teach! They're the ones that students remember with respect, gratitude and devotion ... they're the linch-pin that connects and balances the teaching research and public-service missions of the academy.

It's important that we go about our work with patience, diligence, and understanding. The most anti-intellectual attitude is one which suggests that our students can't learn, and our faculty can't teach them. We have many talented, eager, and perhaps anxious students. Reaching them and inspiring them to develop their ability to its fullest potential is a constant and difficult challenge ... but also a rewarding and lasting contribution.

The direction that Radford University will take this year and in the coming years is in our hands. As I said earlier, I subscribe fully to shared governance in principle and in practice. In order to maximize your role in the decision-making process, you as a faculty must be empowered and intrusted with responsibility along with commensurate authority. So, as President, I'm banking on your competence, your dedication, your loyalty. I am investing everything in our ability to complement each other and our will to work together cooperatively.

Many of you know that I'm an avid basketball fan. When Isaiah Thomas, a professional NBA guard with the Detroit Pistons played his last game and announced his retirement, he was asked by a TV sports announcer to comment on his playing career in basketball. He said, "I held nothing back; I left it all on the court; I gave evervthing that was in me." Where we're concerned, our University deserves no less. I guarantee you that I'm going to work hard to make this the best academic year possible at Radford University. I hope that you will make a silent but firm commitment to join me in that endeavor; because this University needs each of us; and together, I know that we can move it to a higher level of excellence.

Official Papers of Douglas Covington