
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, September 30, 1995                   TAG: 9509300004
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ALLISON BLAKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

RADFORD'S TOP POST PASSED; 'KEYS' GIVEN

The symbolic torch gracefully passed from one president to the next at Radford University on Friday, when Donald Dedmon officially returned to campus to give his successor, Douglas Covington, the school's first presidential medal.

"I'm here to support Douglas Covington as he formally assumes the presidency of Radford," Dedmon said in his first remarks to the campus since he stepped down more than a year ago.

"I, for one, will do anything I can to help."

The occasion was Covington's inauguration, full of traditional academic pomp and circumstance - as well as three pieces of music composed and performed just for the occasion. State Secretary of Education Beverly Sgro spoke briefly, as did Radford Mayor Tommy Starnes, during the outdoor ceremony on campus.

Margaret MacKay, director of the Scottish Studies Program at Scotland's University of Edinburgh, quoted Appalachian and Scottish poets as she saluted the Highlanders of Radford.

Friday's ceremony was decidedly upbeat. Ovations met Covington's arrival, as he was escorted by university Rector Karen Waldron, and the close of his remarks.

"With the presentation of the presidential medallion, Dr. Dedmon has, symbolically, conferred upon me the mantle of the presidency, and entrusted me, in a way, with the 'keys' to the university," said Covington, winding down his acceptance speech.

"So, in keeping with the tradition and the definition, I am reminded that keys have a dual function. They can be used to lock the door and keep something out, or to open the door and let something in.

"I accept them to lock the doors against pessimism, jealousy, prejudice and hostility. I accept they keys, and I gladly share them with you, so that together we will open the doors of cooperation, opportunity and knowledge."

Covington was unanimously appointed to his post on a snowy Sunday in January and assumed his duties in June. His arrival came after a year of turmoil that followed Dedmon's departure, marked in part by the school's difficulties with state-mandated restructuring.

But many of Friday's speakers echoed the words of Sgro, who said Covington's arrival "marks an important new beginning for this very fine institution."

by CNB