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Radford University highlights community programs, Hub and plans for amphitheater
Summary
Radford University vice president Angela Joyner told council the university contributed thousands of volunteer hours, runs public programs (planetarium, camps, library access), and supports local economic development via the Hub and upcoming amphitheater planning; council expressed support and interest in joint projects.
Radford University’s vice president for economic development, Angela Joyner, presented a summary of university–community engagement and opportunities to strengthen local economic development.
Joyner said students, faculty and staff logged more than 7,000 hours of community service across a range of programs, from food‑packing events to pet‑therapy and STEM camps. She described campus assets open to the public — the planetarium, McConnell Library (public checkout with a library card), summer camps and the Museum of Earth Sciences — and said the university has a certification center, developed with a GO Virginia grant, that offers thousands of professional exams.
Joyner highlighted the Hub at the corner of Tyler and Main, a co‑working and small‑business support center where the university partners with the Radford Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Authority to offer programming, office space and a certification center. She also described a student project that produced storefront design concepts for Main Street and early planning collaboration on a potential riverfront amphitheater intended to boost events and local business revenue.
Councilors thanked Joyner and the joint commission, praised community events like Radford Community Fest and asked staff to continue coordinating on the amphitheater and other joint projects. Joyner said the university will share her presentation and QR codes to event and athletics calendars to increase public awareness.
Next steps: Continued joint commission meetings, outreach on the Hub’s programming, and early exploratory work with the city on amphitheater siting and impacts.
