Highlanders in the News: Week of Dec. 1, 2025

Our Highlanders are using their education to do extraordinary things. In this column, we highlight some notable mentions from local, regional, national and international news media. Whether our students, alumni, faculty and staff are featured as subject matter experts in high-profile stories or simply helping make the world a better place, we'll feature their stories.

"A voice for Radford"

A little over a week after election day, state governor-elect Abigail Spanberger announced her selections for her "United for Virginia's Future" transition committee, an 86-member team designed to help lay the groundwork for Spanberger's incoming administration.

The list included names from such fields as business, education, politics and more, with at least one Highlander represented - Radford Mayor David Horton '90.

"These leaders are united for one purpose: putting Virginia first," Spanberger said in a statement.

The appointments were covered by WDBJ-7 (Roanoke, Virginia) and by the Radford News Journal, among other outlets.

"I am incredibly humbled and honored to have been asked to serve on the Transition Committee for Governor-Elect Abigail Spanberger," Horton wrote in a Facebook post. "I look forward to serving with outstanding leaders from across the commonwealth and to being a voice for Radford, the NRV and Southwest Virginia as she assembles her administration."

Structural integrity

Late last month, not long after it celebrated its first birthday, Radford University's Artis Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity won an American Architecture Award.

The prize was presented by the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design and its partners, the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and Metropolitan Arts Press.

Roanoke, Virginia's WFXR covered the announcement in its broadcasts on Nov. 20.

The Artis Center was recognized in the "Schools and Universities" category, an honor that lands the building alongside innovative educational facilities around the country and beyond. Other structures that won awards in the category include the University of Hong Kong Global Innovation Centre; the Davis Center at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts; the University of California's Riverside School of Business building; and Thurgood Marshall Hall at the University of Maryland's School of Public Policy.

Radford's Vice President of Finance and Administration Rob Hoover said the Artis Center "represents Radford University's commitment to hands-on learning that connects creativity with collaboration.

"Its recognition on a national stage underscores the university's growing reputation for excellence in both academics and innovation."

You can read about the award and Radford's showing and see the full list of winners and recognitions at the American Architecture Awards website. A full overview of the prize can be found on Radford University's online news page.

Taking a timeout for tinsel

Last month, we told you about Mike McGuire and his rise, in his 13th season at Radford, to be tapped as the winningest coach in the women's basketball program's history.

This month, we have to circle back to McGuire one more time, and for good reason - he was just announced as grand marshal of the 2025 Radford Christmas/Holiday Parade, slated to take place Tuesday, Dec. 9, starting at 7 p.m.

"We are honored to have Highlander Women's Head Coach McGuire serve as Grand Marshal," Mayor David Horton said in a city announcement. "His outstanding leadership has helped Radford student-athletes succeed on and off the court, providing them a pathway for great success in life after college."

McGuire said he's been proud to serve as the women's basketball coach and to be part of Radford's community, and his upcoming parade duties are an extension of that.

"It is an honor to be asked to be grand marshal," he said. "We look forward to being a part of this annual tradition and help build the Christmas spirit."

Radford's women's basketball team will also join McGuire in the parade, the city said.

Radford Athletics' coverage of the event is available here, and an NRV News article on it appears here.

The city invites all residents, students, faculty and fans to join in the parade festivities.