From here to anywhere, the Class of 2026 finds its place

Hunter Smith, College of Education and Human Development

During his four years at Radford University, Hunter Smith has lived a little bit like a superhero.

He's a jovial, mild-mannered, bespectacled Elementary Education student, as well as a resident advisor and Quest assistant.

But ever since his freshman year, Smith would periodically vanish, and those absences generally coincided with appearances by Radford's mascot, the Highlander, as he stood side by side with President Bret Danilowicz, or roused the crowds during basketball games or represented the school at admissions or alumni events.

Now, as graduation nears, the truth can be told: Smith was indeed slipping away to suit up as the big man himself, to don the signature sash, kilt, boots, gauntlets and headpiece.

"It's definitely been a cool experience," Smith reflected recently. "There are different things that I can do as a mascot that the day-to-day person can't do. As myself, I can't walk up and just randomly tap someone on the shoulder like, 'Hey, what's up?' But you can do that in the mask.

"But mostly the way I act, as the Highlander, it's just me. I'm very interactive with people. And that's been my biggest thing - I was all about the fans and not necessarily about the game. Just making sure that fan interaction was there," he said.

Forming personal connections and getting involved have always been important to Smith, who most recently lived in Summerville, South Carolina. But he moved around a lot when he was growing up, and as a result, attended multiple institutions from the elementary level through high school.

"Coming to Radford was the first time in my academic career I stayed in one place," he said. "Getting involved with the campus was awesome. From Day One, I got to meet a lot of cool people and have kept those connections. There are a lot of different people on campus that know me and the different work that I've done, so that's definitely made a very life-changing impact.
"In my world, home is not a place. It's people."
As Smith prepares to leave Radford and his outsized alter ego behind, he's still going to be carrying that hero mantle, albeit in a more public way.

In August, he'll become a full-time educator, teaching fourth grade within the Fauquier County Public Schools system, where he'll instruct his homeroom class in writing and math. He'll also teach science school-wide.

"I love math; math is my subject, but science has to be the most fun. You can do a lot with science," Smith said.

"I have a big connection with kids, and I love the light bulb moment, when their imaginations get it. When they learn something, and they're like, 'Oh my gosh, now I know it!' That's always been a big thing for me with pupils. Watching that 'a-ha!' moment."