In today's society, the arts are very easily overlooked. However, because of your generosity the artists at Radford University do not go unnoticed. You allow actors and theater technicians to hold a mirror up to an audience, and perform magic upon a stage. Because of your love for the arts, dancers are allowed to portray movements of the soul, musicians express the inexpressible, visual artists create scenes so moving it escapes our imagination, and fashion designers create the art which we wear. 

Our work as artists takes months to prepare but only hours, sometimes minutes, to perform. Our final product is perfect and pristine, it is simple yet elegant, it contains, just the right harmonies, the proper emotion, precise steps, and perfect brush strokes. However, as artists our lives are spent in theaters, practice rooms, dance studios, at an easel or at the foot of a sewing machine. It is the process we as artists love; the product is simply for an audience. 

The benefactors who so generously donate money to the Foundation do not just give the gift of money, but they give the gift of education. Because of you, students are able to lead better lives. We have received a higher education and will go into the world full of the knowledge you allowed us to have. On behalf of the scholarship recipients, I say a warmhearted thank you. Thank you for allowing us to receive our college degrees, thank you for putting our dreams within reach and thank you for truly investing in lifetimes. 

On a personal note, I would like to thank Chairman Dr. Lee Van Dyke and the Radford University Department of Theater. The magic that takes place inside the walls of Pridemore Playhouse is a true phenomenon. We are given three months at most to produce a production and during that time, actors are born, lights are hung, and costumes are created. Our blood, sweat, and tears are put into one piece of artistic work, and on one night in a matter of hours, costumes are stored, actors are put to rest, and our stage is bare awaiting its next production. 

It is awe inspiring, but a bittersweet moment that no one knows until they have experienced it. I would also like to thank Nancy Necessary Pridemore for being such an inspiration to the department of theater and to myself. Ms. Pridemore thank you for supporting my academic career as well as my artistic career. To Dean Scartelli and the Radford University Foundation, thank you for supporting the students as beautifully as you do. Please keep up the impeccable work. To the benefactors, again thank you for your generosity and guidance. And to my classmates, best wishes in all your endeavors, keep running after rainbows and reaching for the stars we deserve them all.

Thank you.