Chance Smith, a 2012 graduate of ߹ۿ, credits his alma mater for playing
                                                      a pivotal role in shaping both his personal and professional journey. As the COO and
                                                      co-founder of GoghNow, a tech marketplace that provides event amenities and services,
                                                      Smith reflects on the sense of community and the transformative experiences he gained
                                                      during his time at Radford.
                                                   
                                                   "My time at Radford was great. I think there was a huge community element to Radford,
                                                      and it made me feel like I was a part of something that was a lot larger than myself,"
                                                      Smith said. He graduated with a degree in Business Management, a field he always felt
                                                      drawn to, though he was unsure of the specific path he would take.
                                                   
                                                   "Across the board, I had different professors who had different experiences, and they
                                                      would share their insights,” he said. “It was always leading in a direction that would
                                                      just really help the growth and the pathway that leads you to where you need to go
                                                      in life."
                                                   
                                                   Smith's entrepreneurial journey began before Radford but gained clarity and focus
                                                      during his time at the university. GoghNow, which now serves four major markets, has
                                                      grown into a "one-stop shop" for event services. 
                                                   
                                                   "While at Radford, I think I really honed in on a lot of these different experiences.
                                                      I did not know it was going to be what it is today,” Smith said. “Those lived experiences
                                                      and challenges really lead to finding something you're not only passionate about but
                                                      also something that leads to impact for others."
                                                   
                                                   A dedicated basketball player since the age of five, Smith also cherishes the cultural
                                                      exchange and camaraderie he experienced on the court at Radford. "From a basketball
                                                      standpoint, I don’t think I’ve ever played with people from so many different countries
                                                      and backgrounds, and that was a great learning experience," he said. Even today, Smith
                                                      continues to follow Radford’s basketball team closely, feeling a deep connection to
                                                      the Highlander spirit. "When you see that red on TV... you get cold chills. It’s something
                                                      where you feel like this is a part of me."
                                                   
                                                   Smith’s connection to Radford extends beyond sports. The relationships he formed as
                                                      a student remain a cornerstone of his personal and professional network. "Radford
                                                      was a place for me to make connections with people I’ve probably never come in contact
                                                      with ever in my life. And I still have those connections to this day," he said.