Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

An appointment for research is required. The collection is open to research. No interlibrary loan.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Penelope W. Kyle Official Papers, Radford University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University, Radford, VA. Penelope W. Kyle Official Papers , Accession # RU 2.6, University Archives, McConnell Library, Radford University

Acquisition Information

Accruals

Additional accruals are expected.

Processing Information

David Atkins, September 2011.

Biographical Information

On June 1, 2005, Penelope Ward Kyle, J.D. became Radford University's sixth, and first female, president. Prior to her appointment at Radford, she had more than 30 years of experience in state government, higher education, and the corporate and legal worlds. Since her arrival, Radford University has secured approval and funding for more than 216 million dollars in capital projects, including both new construction and renovation. In 2008, Radford opened the state-of-the-art Covington Center for Visual and Performing Arts. More recently, the university has renovated three major campus buildings, including the technologically advanced Young Hall. Construction has begun on a new signature building for the College of Business and Economics. Future expansion includes a new student fitness and wellness center, a new sciences building, new residence halls, and an addition to the Hurlburt Student Center.

During President Kyle's tenure, approval was secured from the Commonwealth of Virginia for Radford to offer its first doctoral degree, the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Counseling Psychology. More recently, Radford University has sought and gained approval for additional doctorates in physical therapy and nursing practice, and a master's degree in occupational therapy. Radford University now offers 67 degree programs and two certificate at the undergraduate level and 19 degree programs with 24 concentrations at the graduate level and five post-baccalaureate certificates. Last year, Radford University for the first time was named one of the nation's Top Up-and-Coming Schools in the U.S. News and amp; World Report's 2010 Guide to America's Best Colleges. In 2009, President Kyle signed the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment, pledging to help make Radford University a sustainable and environmentally friendly campus. Just a year later, in 2010, Radford University was named to the Princeton Review's first Guide to 286 Green Colleges.

President Kyle is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Directors of PRA, Inc., a publicly traded company. She was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Foundation for Educational Exchange Between Canada and the United States, which encourages and provides support for academic exchange between students and faculty in both countries through the prestigious Canada-U.S. Fulbright Program. he holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law and a Master of Business Administration degree from the College of William and Mary. She received her undergraduate degree from Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C.

Scope and Content

The Penelope W. Kyle official papers contain speeches and other documents relating to Radford University President Penelope W. Kyle. This one box collection holds various speeches such as the Martin Luther King Day Speech given on Jan. 16, 2007, the Special Olympic Participant Welcome Speech of April 25, 2007, the Fall Convocation at Radford University Speech of August 16, 2007 and the Freshman Student Orientation Speech of 2009. Other documents held in this collection include President's Report to the Board of Visitors of 2008 and 2009, Selu Picnic Remarks in 2008, information on the New College Institute Press Conference, the Radford University 1st Annual Conference on Homeland Security Booklet in Sept. of 2006 and three programs of the Centennial Charter Day Celebration Programs on Mar. 2010.

Arrangement

Box 1: Speeches and Event Programs

Folder 1: Martin Luther King Day Speech, Jan. 16, 2007

Folder 2: VDOT Administration Support Group Speech, Apr. 25, 2007

Folder 3: Special Olympic Participant Welcome Speech, Apr. 28, 2007

Folder 4: New College Institute Press conference, May 8, 2007

Folder 5: VHSL Spring Jubilee Kick-Off Luncheon Speech, May 15, 2007

Folder 6: President's Advisory Council Meeting Remarks, May 16, 2007

Folder 7: Remarks to Quest Assistants, June 7, 2007

Folder 8: Preseason Meeting of Athletics Coaches and Staff Remarks, Aug. 14, 2007

Folder 9: Lunch with New Faculty Remarks, Aug. 14, 2007

Folder 10: Fall Convocation at Radford University Speech, Aug. 16, 2007

Folder 11: Faculty Senate Meeting Remarks, Sept. 6, 2007

Folder 12: New Freshman Student Quest Orientation Speech, 2007

Folder 13: Martin Luther King Day Celebration Speech, Jan. 22, 2008

Folder 14: Women Education Leaders in Virginia Conference Speech, Apr. 3, 2008

Folder 15: President's Report to the Board of Visitors, Apr. 24, 2008

Folder 16: Galax High School Commencement Speech, May 23, 2008

Folder 17: North Cross School Commencement Speech, June 2, 2008

Folder 18: Radford University Fall Convocation Speech, Aug. 28, 2008

Folder 19: President's Report to the Board of Visitors, Sept. 4, 2008

Folder 20: Selu Picnic Remarks, Oct. 19, 2008

Folder 21: Covington Center fo Visual and Performing Arts Opening Speech, Nov. 15, 2008

Folder 22: Martin Luther King Commemoration Speech, Jan. 22, 2009

Folder 23: University Budget Forum, Mar. 26, 2009

Folder 24: Radford University Fall Convocation Speech, Aug. 27, 2009

Folder 25: Partners in Excellence Speech, Oct. 2, 2009

Folder 26: Radford Society Speech, Nov. 7, 2009

Folder 27: President's Report to the Board of Visitors, Nov. 12, 2009

Folder 28: Freshman Student Orientation Speech, 2009

Folder 29: President's Advisory Council Speech, 2009

Folder 30: Radford University 1st Annual Conference on Homeland Security Booklet, Sept. 11, 2006

Folder 31: Centennial Charter Day Celebration Programs (3), Mar. 24, 2010