Unity Fest

By: Julia Nunez

Coming together is something universities and communities are always striving for. Radford University will be hosting the first ever Unity Fest on Saturday, April 22 from 1-5pm on Moffett Quad.

Unity Fest would like to recognize the diversity and inclusion on campus and in the community as well. This event was created by students for students. As the new President of Radford University wraps up his first year. His major goal was to get the university to be involved and be more inclusive. Not just with each other but with the Radford City community as well.

Jacinda Jones, Student Government president. Decided that it was time to take action. With this being her final year, and graduation a couple weeks away, Jones wanted to go out with a bang. This is the best way she knew how.

“I think it will be a great start of a new tradition, after we graduate, we can come back as alumni and know that this is what we were apart of,” said Jones.

Roanoke Satellite School is also getting involved. Jones went there just the other day to hand out flyers. For those who don’t know, Roanoke Satellite School works hand and hand with Radford University. It is usually older people who didn’t finish school when they were younger, or they went back to school. Jones really wants to emphasize that this event is not just for the students, but also for the community.

“We want the community to come together and bond, as well as establish that tradition as and end of the year celebration,” said Jones.

Jones is not planning this event all on her own. Her right hand man, Kevon DuPree, shares his insight on Unity Fest.

“I want to encourage everyone to come out and take it all in, find something you enjoy, the main purpose is for the students,” said DuPree.

DuPree is a senior as well, and wanted to find some importance to his Radford career. When he heard about Unity Fest and how it was about Diversity and Inclusiveness that really hit home for him. DuPree’s decision in coming here was largely influenced because of Radford’s diversity. For him to get involved and show how Radford really sticks to their word means a lot to him.

There is more to Unity Fest then just having the soul purpose of Diversity and Inclusion. What people really want to know is what is actually going to be going on to help include everyone. Well the list doesn’t shy away from anything. From a Live DJ, Food Trucks, Popcorn Machines and much more.

“There is truly something for everyone in the family, which is why we did that, so the Radford community could feel involved,” said Jones

Getting the community involvement is important to DuPree and Jones. They don’t see this as a problem or issue within Radford, but as an opportunity. It is a great way to get involved with the community, after all Radford University is apart of the Radford City community. This is the student’s way of giving back to the community and showing them that we do care about them.

“We have reached out to organizations, Greek life, student government associations and much more to help us put on this event”, said DuPree

The two seniors have put in so much time and effort into this one event. They took the opportunity as student government leaders, and thought why can’t we put on an event. It should always be the administrations job. If we as student want to prove that we are diverse and inclusive than we need to through the event ourselves.

“I think that this event will be successful because it was out on by students for students,” said Nicole Gallagher, a senior at Radford University.

Something that DuPree is immensely proud of, is that they are giving away free t-shirts. So, that at around 4pm that day, they will take a picture on Heth Lawn and will stand inside the words that spell out UNITY.

“That will hands down be my proudest moment, and realize that the stress was all worth it,” said DuPree

Unity Fest is a great opportunity and way to really get involved as a Radford University student. Not only that, but to show your support of the Radford City community as they have accepted us into their town for all these years.