RADFORD (WSLS 10) - Radford University announced it has picked its new president. Dr. Brian Hemphill will succeed Penelope Kyle who's retiring after 11 years on the job. The Radford Board of Visitors made the decision last night.
Hemphill who's currently the president of West Virginia State University will serve as the Radford's 7th president. He is the 2nd African American to fill this position.
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"It feels like it's a move in the right direction to more diversify on campus," said senior Phil Valoyi. "But, it just shows a great step of how to move forward and not make race an issue."
"I like the idea that we're becoming more diverse, because it is a small town," added freshman Valerie Gonzalez.
The Director of the Radford Board of Visitors said they looked at nearly 70 presidential candidates but, comments Hemphill's energy, vision and personality landed him the job.
"I'm truly honored to have that opportunity to begin this step forward and lead what I see as a premier university," said Hemphill. "And, we have so much potential as we look towards the future."
The Board Director, Anthony Bedell, further adds the search began six months ago. While Hemphill currently serves as president at Western Virginia State University, a division 2 school, the board said it has all the faith Hemphill is the man for the job.
"He has scaled working at larger universities prior to his presidency at West Virginia State University," said Bedell. "He learned the scale of a large university at Arkansas and he delivered that message in his interviews in response. We're very confident that he's going to have somewhat of a learning curve, but I think it will be a quick one."
The board director also Bedell said Hemphill did his research; he thoroughly investigated the university, its history and all of its board members. Hemphill says enrollment growth, fundraising, and strategic investments are among his first priorities.
Hemphill will officially step into his new position July 1st, 2016.