Madison

et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011 winter 2011

Madisonthe magazine of James m adison university

The Forbes Center for the

Performing Arts educates future

artists, welcomes audiences

and builds community The cur T ain i s r aised winter

INSIDE: PluS: Seeing Differently: The Institute for Visual Studies asks, A Breeze keepsake poster to

2011 what if Da Vinci had a Flip video? PagE 24 savor the brightest spot of the JMU Alumni Board member Scott Rogers(’00, ’02M) Dukes’ 2010 football season. Publishedsmoothes by JMU the Scholarly way for Commons, meal helpers 2011 to really help. PagE 22 Get 2011 season tickets now!1 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1 FULLFRAME

tuba Photogra P h by kathy lam; wilson by s arah https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/1DavisMadison (’13); D uke MagazineD og an D football by D an gorin (’11) 2 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011

Homecoming reflections The , Purple Out on the Quad, Mr. and Ms. Madison, CMSS 25th anniversary, reunions, tail- gates and tours of the Forbes Center. If you missed Homecoming 2010 — where were you? This year’s Homecoming included a couple of firsts: the faculty/ staff/community door decorating con- test and a tailgate wedding! Congratu- lations Sarah Headley (‘96) and Fred Boyd, who got married. Stay tuned to next issue for a story about the pair.

Though the University of New Hamp- shire Wildcats topped the Dukes 28–14, the JMU Nation’s spirit was not defeat- ed. Dukes packed and tailgate spots all over campus. The Marching Royal Dukes wowed the fans. ✱ Read the official 2010 Homecoming blog by Jacquelyn Walsh (‘09) at www.jmu.edu/homecoming/blog.shtml

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2011 winter 2011 3 winter 2011 * VoL .34 * n o.1 ContentsMadison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1 Red, Blue and JMU Two politi- cal party leaders, two alums, two Daves, two “hands across the aisle.” Page 40

Featured 24 Time for the Arts to Soar at Madison Up Front by Chris Edwards and Jamie Marsh showtime! the $90.5 million Forbes Center for the Performing arts is the premier destination for cultural 1 Full Frame arts in the shenandoah Valley. the College of Visual and Performing arts now has a magnificent home to Homecoming 2010! match Madison professors’ and students’ 100-year dedication to the arts. on Page 24, Chris edwards shows how the college’s institute for Visual studies is helping students “see differently” and be innovative and 4 22807 creative. edwards also shares several theater alumni’s “adieu to theatre ii” on Page 28. Jamie Marsh captures Your letters and feedback the excitement of the Forbes Center grand opening on Page 31. 6 Contributors 36 A Confederacy of Dream Builders by Martha Bell Graham with the help of numerous volunteers, JMU connections and community organizations, Lisa shull (’85, ’91M) 7 Directions has created the perfect environment for children to “learn by doing and develop by creative play.” the former JMU President Linwood elementary school teacher created the explore More discovery Museum, an innovative H. rose addresses student learning and play space serving thousands of area children. retention and success

On ThE COvER: �� 25K / Football Program Insert Lisa Shull (‘85, ‘91M), (regional com- dukes in the JMU nation never want to be bad sports, but the football team’s se pt . 11 munity cover) by Pat Jarrett. Forbes win over Virginia tech was special cause for celebration. Check out the enclosed poster Center (arts cover/Metamorphoses) featuring sept. 13 front page and more details on the team. Have you purchased by Richard Finkelstein. See both Madison cover versions at your 2011 season tickets? Help make the JMU nation 25K strong. www.jmu.edu/MadisonOnline.

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/12 Madison Magazine rexroDe (’01) an D mills (’02) Photogra Ph by casey tem Pleton (‘06) 4 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011

M@ dison 8 news renovated wayland Hall will be a unique arts learning community, Christina delfico (’87) is producer for sesame workshop, the nonprofit organization for Sesame Street, Virginia sports Hall of Fame honors ronald e. Carrier, greater Madison, roanoke M.P.a. cohort, the “Price of Life,” students represent JMU at Usa science and engineering Festival, Contents Jenna wagner (’10) is on a fast-track career path, and much more 11 By the numbers what’s the no. 1 Bluestone reunion gift? a clean-shaven no. 2? what are 15, 25 and 260? what are the stats on the Class of 2011? Be the Change 19 Dukes Digest by Michelle Hite (’88) Kinesiology professor Men’s and women’s 2010–11 basketball schedules. Use your Madison Tom Moran embraces promo code for discount tickets and empowers differ- ent ways of learning. Visiting Fel- Page 43 Seeing Differently lows, like Michael Singer (above), and Departments professors in the Institute for Visual 13 Connections JMU is on Facebook, Flickr, Linkedin, twitter Studies help students approach cre- ativity differently. Page 24 and wordpress.com. get connected to the JMU nation

17 Special Report by George Sparks Cultivating and nurturing Five E’s of creativity: the Forbes Center sets the stage for the arts to soar at JMU health 20 Concrete shredder and professor Howard gelfand, Pediatric Bright Lights dietitian Dana Healthcare executive of the Year Carrie owen Plietz (’97) and Casendino’s takethemaMeal.com creator scott rogers (’00, ’02M) approach to better health 40 One World by Sande Snead (’82) is educating red, Blue and JMU: two political parties, two mirror positions, two families. daves. dave rexrode (’01) and david Mills (’02) lead Virginia’s Page 35 republicans and democrats 43 Be the Change by Colleen Dixon Kinesiology professor tom Moran is inspiring children, parents and tomorrow’s teachers with Project CLiMB (Children Learning to improve Movement Behaviors) 46 Professors You Love Kevin elliker (’08) honors history professor david dillard 47 Mixed Media Book announcements and book signings by professors and alumni Adieu Theatre II No Frost 17 players alumni return to campus to say Get connected: 49 news farewell to Theatre II/ Wampler and to see the Letter from the new home for JMU arts. www.jmu.edu alumni association Page 28 tell us about your president, 2010 Legacy Picnic, new alumni board members, Bright Light madison experience: freshmen are “alums from day one,” Virginia What’s happening at JMU? What’s on your History professor mind? Tell prospective students and alumni dMV license plate program supports JMU Howard Gelfand about your Madison Experience or share scholarships, chapter news and a save the surfs the side- other JMU-related thoughts: date calendar walks to help save www.facebook.com/jamesmadisonuniversity the environment. 54 Class notes news from alumni Page 20 visit jmu: and faculty emeriti, scholarship thank yous, Prospective students, JMU alumni, community members, JMU friends: Find it all here. The JMUworks features alumni house-flipping JMU events calendar, campus map, com- entrepreneurs, scott williamson (’93), Kurt munity news, area lodging and dining. Log on Morsink (’06), Heather before you roll in to the ‘Burg: schwarz (’08, ’09M) www.jmu.edu/jmuweb/visitor/ also: 64 Picture This Follow @JMUnews on Twitter. road dawg logs thou- Alumni news sands of miles to share Dukes share their parents: the Purple Pride with memories of JMU’s Visit www.jmu.edu/parents alumni and friends win over Virginia Tech. Page 49

singer an D moran Photogra P hs by mike miriello (’09 m); casen D ino (’06) by basil fargnoli/hackensack university Publishedme byD ical JMU center; Scholarly theatre Commons, ii grou P by holly 2011 marcus (’03); gelfan D by P at jarrett; P late by casey tem Pleton (‘06) winter 2011 3 5 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1 22807 Madison Your letters and magazine feedback winter 2011 * VoL .34 * n o.1 Talofa FROM P URPLE An D gOLD Board o F Visitors 2010-2011 AMERICAn SAMOA ! PAREnT JaM es e. “J i M ” haR tMan (’70), Rector WhaR ton B. Rive Rs J R. (’02P), Vice Rector “talofa!” greetings from the beautiful i’m a parent of a 2007 JMU alumna, ashley sUsan a llen (’10P) island of american samoa. My name is eden schaefer. i received my copy of Madi- Kenneth BaR tee (’83) Katherine smith, and i graduated in May son and read it cover to cover. absolutely MaRK t. BoWles (’86) 2010 with a B.a. in history and a minor wonderful. so uplifting! go dukes. Joseph F. da M ico (’76, ’77M) Ronald c. devine (’78) in international humanities. after gradu- Bob Schaefer (’07P) vanessa M . evans (’93, ’97M) ation, i decided i wanted to try and “Be Virginia Beach, Va. lois caR daR ella Fo RBes (’64, ’90P) the Change” by becom- Joseph K . FUn KhoUseR ii (’99P, ’02P) Q UALITY TIME e lizaB eth v. lodal ing a high-school eng- l aRRy M. Roge Rs (’79, ’81M) lish teacher in american Let me thank you s teve sMith (’79) samoa — a U.s. terri- again for sending me a JU dith s . s tR icKleR (’60, ’91P, ’92P) tory that goes largely print version of Madi- FRed d. tho M pson JR. forgotten. today in . if a paid subscrip- daniel M. sMolKin (’11), Student Member son donna haR peR (’77, ’81M, ’86ed.s.), Secretary my rural village, i was tion ever becomes the President reading the latest Madi- only way to get a hard linWood h . Rose son magazine online. copy, i’ll gladly sign d i V ision Heads i decided to e-mail up. i enjoyed a lovely a. J e RRy B enson and see if you had any 90 minutes of quality Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for interest in a story from time with the magazine Academic Affairs a recent grad about this evening, sitting on Joanne caRR Senior Vice President, University Advancement her first-year teaching a blanket outside while chaR les King experience in ameri- my daughter was at soc- Senior Vice President, Administration and Finance Read any issue of Madison online can samoa? thanks so at www.jmu.edu/MadisonOnline. cer practice. i plan to MaRK WaR neR (’79, ’81M, ’85ed.s.) much and go dukes! visit old college pals in Senior Vice President, Student Affairs and University Planning Katherine Smith (’10) Harrisonburg this weekend, so the tim - V iCe P roVos ts Online from American Samoa ing was perfect to catch up with JMU teR esa a. gonzale z (Academic Programs) news. thanks for your continued efforts John B . no F tsingeR JR. (’85) (Research) ☛ EDITOR’S nOTE: Readers, stay in creating a stellar publication. d eans tuned to a future issue to read more about Irene Gammon (’90) Ralph alB e R ico Katherine’s first-year teaching experience. Charlotte, N.C. Libraries/Educational Technology david F. B R aKKe Science and Mathematics ShARIng Th E MADISOn P ROUD ALUMnA An D linda halpeR n ExPERIEn CE JMU g RAn DMA University Studies i’ve been receiving Madison for years but i just spent two hours reading Madi- david K. Je FFRey never felt compelled to comment on it until son magazine. so far, i’m only halfway Arts and Letters now. the fall 2010 issue is exceptional. read- through, and it’s wonderful! each issue R eid linn Graduate School ing from the back, as i typically do, i scanned gets better and better. i’m also proud to shaRon lovell (’85) the marriage and birth announcements for have my granddaughter, Katie Lee ryder Integrated Science and Technology familiar names; and then things got more (’14), at JMU as a freshman. always RoB e R t d. Reid interesting: profiles of students and profes- proud of JMU even though i graduated Business sors; eye-catching design and typography; 56 years ago. g eoRge s paRKs Visual and Performing Arts content that manages to be engaging, hon- Jackie King Ryder (’54) phillip M. Wishon est and diverse without being overwhelming Saint Simons Island, Ga. Education or busy. i don’t know if you intended this, a LUMni assoC iation o FFi C ers but part of what this magazine does is reveal D I g ITAL D ISPLEASURE aJ F ischeR (’92), President the community of students, professors and Please allow me to voice my displeasure with JaM ie Jones Mille R (’99), President-Elect alums; and then nurtures it. this continues the online format of Madison magazine. it P arents C o U n C i L C H airs online, where you invite engagement and is uncomfortable to read, the pages are slow cRaig and li BBy FR itsche (’11P) stories of shared experiences. i work in mar- to turn and it is never handy. For the most Madison is an official publication of and is produced quarterly for alumni, parents of keting in Charlottesville, Va., and my team part, the online format means the magazine JMU students, faculty and staff members, and friends of works with very similar goals: community, goes unread in our house. i am sure the staff the university. It is produced by the Division of University Advancement. Editorial and advertising offices: JMU, 220 engagement, interest. as a professional i can works hard on the university publication, but University Blvd., MSC 3610, Harrisonburg, VA 22807. say, this is very well done. as an alumnus unless you send it out as a print magazine, it JMU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, (1995 history), i’m proud to be associated will be a waste of your efforts. Proud JMU political affiliation, sexual orientation or disability with both JMU and this publication. parent of gwendolyn ross garrett (’12). (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act) with respect to employment or admissions, or in Seth Wood (’95) Jennifer E. Stille (’12P) connection with its programs or activities. Charlottesville, Va. Lynchburg, Va.

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/14 Madison Magazine 6 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011

{guest Editor’s note}

M ORE On LIn E ful edition. the university magazine is a FORMAT FEEDBACK reflection of the greatness i sense about a lifelong Madison is it possible to get a print edition of the JMU. the magazine was so informa- love affair Madison? it is difficult to read online. tive and interesting on many levels. My as big a fan as i am of JMU (where my whole family read it, and it increased s Madison was ready to go to son Lucas is a senior), i am not willing our excitement over the prospect of my press, JMU learned of the death to take the time to tackle this online. attending JMU. My first choice for col- of an exceptional alumna, inez nor do i want to print out 91 pages. i lege is James Madison, and my parents graybeal roop (’35). this for- am the vice president of communica - are 100 percent behind my decision. we mer english and history major tions for a foundation, so i identify with have neighbors and family friends who adied peacefully last month at a desire to “be green.” However, you have graduated from JMU. they are age 97. it is as though an era has may be jeopardizing your readership if intelligent, social and active people, and passed at Madison, as inez’s life this is strictly offered online. they embody the passion of the school. has been so inextricably interwo- Sally Hartman (’10P) these alumni truly loved their experi - ven with that of JMU’s. Norfolk, Va. ence and are always eager to talk about “during a long life spanning it. JMU offers everything i am looking most of the 20th century, inez ☛ EDITOR’S nOTE: Mrs. Hartman, for in both education and an equally roop lived through enormous your copy is on the way. Readers: request important college experience. i would changes,” said her Richmond a print copy at [email protected] and love the opportunity to be a student Times-Dispatch obituary. “Most important to stay tuned for more e-Madison updates. ambassador and know JMU will be a her personally was the expansion of tiny Har- place for me to grow. risonburg state teachers College into the not- ThAnK YOU ADMISSIOnS Tom Campbell (’14) so-tiny James Madison University.” dear sarah nilsen and the JMU freshman she was the JMU Board of Visitors mem- admissions team: i received the copy of ber who made the motion to change the name the fall 2009 Madison that you sent me. ☛ EDITOR’S nOTE: Tom: Congratu- of Madison College to James Madison Uni- thank you for mailing me this wonder- lations on becoming a Duke! versity in 1977. she stood beside gov. Mills godwin and JMU President ronald e. Car- Keep those letters and story ideas coming! Madison welcomes letters in response to maga- rier in richmond when the governor signed zine content. The staff reserves the right to edit for clarity, length and style. Anonymous letters will not the declaration changing the name. be published. Send to “22807” Madison, 220 University Blvd., MSC 3610, JMU, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, all five JMU presidents have counted inez or e-mail [email protected]. among their friends. she served on the JMU alumni association Board of directors, as alumni Fund drive chair, richmond alumni Chapter creator and president, and as a Blue- Forbes Center Fo r t h e P e rFo r m i n g A r t s stone society officer. she, and her husband, ralph (’05H), who died in 2006, gave numer- ous gifts and scholarships to JMU. she was a charter member of (and suggested) the Madi- You’ve never seen the arts like this! son Founders society — the group of individ- uals who have included JMU in their estate plans. in 1994, roop Hall was named in her honor. in 1977, inez received JMU’s distin- guished alumni service award, which was renamed in her honor in 2003. i first met inez as a high-school senior, when she and ralph hosted a “Meet the Pro- spective student” reception in their rich- mond home. inez loved and believed in JMU. she enjoyed JMU basketball and celebrated our 2004 football national championship and the recent victory over Virginia tech (ralph’s Come see the arts soar at JMU alma mater). i remember how proudly she represented her class in JMU’s 2008 Centen- Put a trip to the Forbes Center on your “must see” list next time nial Celebration processional. i last saw inez you are back in the ‘Burg. Plan your visit, get your tickets, read in april, when she was at JMU celebrating about JMU arts in the news and check out the events calendar at: her 75th class reunion with style. www.jmu.edu/JMUarts we all will miss her Be the Change spirit. she made JMU part of her entire life. who will take up the torch? — Steve Smith (’71, ’75M), associate vice president, JMU Constituent Relations

Publishedvirginia by JMU reP Scholarlyertory Dance Commons, com Pany P hotogra2011 P h by richar D finkelstein winter 2011 5 7 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1

COnTRIBUTORS

Madisonw inter 2011 VoL .34 n o.1 George Sparks is dean of the College of Visual and Performing * * Executive Editor arts, which includes the JMU school of art and art History, school paM BRocK of Music, school of theatre and dance, the institute for Visual Managing Editor studies, and the Madison art Collection. while his artistic roots Michelle h ite (’88) are in the realm of music — as a professional conductor and clarinet Art Director player — sparks considers himself an enthusiastic advocate for all Bill thoM pson the arts at JMU and beyond. in this issue he writes a special report Writer/Communication Assistant about setting a stage for the arts to soar at JMU. (see Page 17) colleen d ixon JMU Web Managing Editor Jan g illis (’07, ’11P) Paula Polglase (’92, ’96M) is a writer in the JMUo ffice of Public Be the Change Coordinator MaR tha Bell gR ahaM affairs covering the JMU graduate school, student affairs and the College of Business. she joined the staff this year but has previously University Photographers d iane e lliott (’00) worked in the JMU offices of residence Life, student activities Kathy l aM and involvement, and annual giving. she has volunteered for 15 University Designers years as adviser of sigma Kappa sorority and has served four years on lynda RaMsey the board of the explore More discovery Museum. she is married caRolyn Wind M illeR (’81) to geoff Polglase (’85), JMU’s deputy director of athletics. Her news Proofreader stories in this issue begin on Page 8. s heRRy Matthe Ws Editorial and Design Interns MaR issa d ennehy (’11) tyleR M c avoy (’12) Mike Carpenter (’97) and Alyssa Gerlando (’07M) gaBRielle p iccininni (’11) helped create this issue’s 25K Strong / JMU Football Insert aMelia Wood (’13) (Page 48). Carpenter has served JMU athletics for 10 Additional Contributors FRanK aM e K a years. He is assistant athletics director for ticketing gina g iaMBattista cesaRi (’88) and customer service. He spends his spare time in the hali c hiet (’07) J e FFRey cRetz (’03) mountains playing and working on trails and other saR ah d avis (’13) david dRiveR advocacy projects with the shenandoah Valley Bicycle chRis e dWaR ds Coalition. gerlando is director of athletics marketing david e h R enpR eis Kevin elli K e R (’08, ’09M) and has been at JMU since 2004. she is responsible for angel e lza (’10) the department’s advertising and promotional efforts, RichaR d Fin Kelstein a J Fische R (’92) including football and men’s and women’s basketball. she is also an adjunct professor Bill g entRy dan go R in (’11) of sport and recreation management and the faculty adviser for Phi epsilon Kappa, l isa ha (’04, ’10M) a professional coed fraternity. Under gerlando’s leadership, the JMU department of Katie hUdson (’10) Bo B KolvooR d athletics Marketing has won several national association of Collegiate Marketing awards cathy KUshneR (’87) including the 2009–10 bronze award for “single day attendance promotion.” david lonnqU est (’11) Jessica lUMsden (’04) l isl Mag Boo (’12) h olly MaRc U s (’03) JaM ie MaRsh Tyler McAvoy (’12) is an intern in the JMU Communication office toni M ehling MiKe Mi R iello (’09M) and writes for the Be the Change program and Madison. the english J ean e. p U gh (’50) saR a Riddle (’10) major is a Breeze staff writer and wants to pursue a career in print or e M ily saBBatini (’10) web journalism with a focus on editing. He plans to attend graduate Rinn s iegR i s t steve s M ith (’71, ’75M) school and hopes to one day write and review internationally, and sande sneade (’82) maybe even write a book or two. in this issue he writes about history a aRon s teWaR t (’08) Kelly sWeet (’84) professor Howard gelfand (Page 20) and the Legacy Picnic (Page 51). casey te M pleton (’06) JacqU elyn Walsh (’09) Rachael Walte Rs MattheW Wo R den Pat Jarrett is a photographer based in staunton, Va. For this issue, Contributing Offices he photographed the explore More discovery Museum (Page 36) offices of alumni, Be the Change, Public affairs, sports Media relations, Photography services and history professor Howard gelfand (Page 20). Jarrett is currently For address updates, e-mail: working on his first gallery show in addition to his daily work at [email protected] or call (540) 568–2821 the staunton News Leader. His work has also been published by the To contact the magazine staff: national Public radio website, The Wall Street Journal, The Nation www.jmu.edu/MadisonOnline E-mail: [email protected] and The Christian Science Monitor. He has appeared on The Daily Voice: (540) 568-2664 ☎ Fax: (540) 568-7913 Show With Jon Stewart. Jarrett is president and founder of the Beard Madison, the magazine of James Madison University MSC 3610, James Madison University and Moustache society of the Blue ridge. Harrisonburg, VA 22807 ☛ the Madison staff offers a special “thank you” to The Breeze staff for the poster side of the 25K Strong / JMU Football Insert. (see Page 48)

s Parks P hotograP h by D iane elliott (’00); car P enter (’97) an D gerlan Do (’07m) by cathy https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/16 Madison Magazine kushner (’87); P olglase (’92, ’96 m) by kathy lam; m c avoy (’12) by Dan gorin (’11) 8 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011

DIRECTIOnS

The chemistry of student success Self-examination, proactive support and professors who challenge

t JMU, we are programs of study progress and always looking in evolve. our student success pro- the mirror. a con- gram is the best of the best. the tinuous process of work that associate Vice Presi- self-examination dent randy Mitchell is leading, informs our desire which begins with freshman ori- ato become ever better at what we entation, is regarded across higher do — educate students. we owe education as a national model. this kind of ongoing attentiveness the program establishes a to our mission, to our students, tone of support and sends a mes- our employees, our donors, the sage that success — rather than a taxpayers of Virginia and, quite weeding out of those who can’t cut frankly, to intellectual integrity. it — defines the Madison experi- we don’t take a step without it. ence. our students can cut it. our when we broke ground this fall admissions data prove that we have on our future bioscience build- JMU President Linwood H. Rose says the university’s Student bright and capable students. Success program is lauded among higher education admini- ing, for instance, we had already strators as a “national model.” even so, some students do asked soul-searching questions to leave for a variety of reasons. our get us to this stage. what is the future of biology? where will the mutual investment is not lost, however, as those who earn four-year pioneering activity in the life sciences be centered? what will our degrees elsewhere increase the graduation rate of the JMU fresh- future biology majors need to know when they graduate? How do man Class of 2004 to 92 percent. professors need to array themselves in a biosciences headquarters in the academy was once regarded as an aristocracy only the most order to teach them, mentor their research and conduct their own intellectually elite were welcome to join and from which they were research? what equipment will they need? How will they collabo- then vigorously culled. today, however, Madison is at the forefront rate? on what scientific topics of investigation? the level of exami- of grasping that it takes a successfully educated citizenry to make nation led by College of science and Mathematics informed decisions and address the world’s prob- dean david Brakke, and professors Judy dilts and ‘A continuous lems. Mark gabriele and involving the entire biosciences process of self those twin, some might say contradictory, pil- faculty, prepares Madison to educate the students examination lars of student success and academic rigor highlight who will occupy the building when it opens in 2012. the complexity of a developing mind. Both success it is in the nature of our JMU faculty to investi- informs our desire and high standards together — and decidedly not gate deeply. our professors continuously challenge to become even one without the other — will enable society to cre- themselves, and their students, and our undergradu- better at what ate a bright future. ates rise to the occasion with an impressive stu - we do — educate to further ensure that we serve our students well, dent retention rate. Freshmen who entered JMU in students.’ JMU undertakes a six-year reaccreditation process 2004, the most recent student cohort for whom we through the southern association of Colleges and have complete data, took an average 4.12 years to graduate, while schools every 10 years. an in-depth self-study, to be followed by 82.4 percent of students who were freshmen in 2004 graduated in a saCs review, is under way. it involves every unit on campus and six years. a similar 82 percent graduation rate among freshmen measures us against our very reason for being — student learning.a who entered JMU in 2002 ranks JMU 11th nationally along with new component has been added to this all-consuming process. after three other institutions, putting us in the 94th percentile among thorough vetting, we will select a theme for a Quality enhancement the other 193 universities of similar size and scope. Program capable of galvanizing the entire JMU community and the reason JMU maintains such a remarkable retention and directly benefiting student learning. the process of input and selec- graduation rate is twofold. First, the same formidable faculty minds tion has begun, under the leadership of associate Provost Lee stern- that continuously challenge and raise our academic standards are berger, to determine what topic will further transform us in our just as dedicated to student success. our professors tell us they ongoing quest to educate students. You will hear more about this enjoy teaching undergraduates and guiding their development QeP in the spring, as our process of self-examination continues. into mature adults and scholars. our students have compassionate Ph.d. mentors who deliver intellectual challenge. augmenting the work of our faculty is JMU’s proven program of student success, resources increasingly sought out early by stu- Linwood H. Rose dents in their academic careers to hone efficient intellectual habits President and seek new skills that will serve them as the demands of their James Madison University

PublishedP hotogra by JMUP h Scholarly by kathy lam Commons, 2011 winter 2011 7 9 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1

@ Keep current and connected

[Renovating Wayland]

outdoor space for students to sit and read or Artists renderings talk,” adds evans. show a LEED- Transformed by the arts platinum-status Wayland Hall will offer a very arts-active renovated Wayland Renovated Wayland Hall will be a unique community, allowing students to gather for Hall with arts per- learning community group rehearsals, meet for class, or view and formance, exhibi- critique hallmates’ performances all in the tion, classroom and By Paula Polglase (’92,’96M) and Lisl Magboo (’12) living spaces. comforts of “home.” “it is comforting for students to begin their college experience in imagine entering your residence hall and being a community where they can express their pas- greeted by a gallery of art-studded walls. Visual- sion for the arts right off the bat,” says george ize yourself watching a practice dance rehearsal sparks, dean of the College of Visual and Per- or catching the faint murmur of a saxophone forming arts. streaming through the air. Beginning in fall Wayland’s new learning community will be 2011, the Forbes Center for the Performing the first of its kind at JMU. The community will arts will not be the only place to witness and cater to the multiple CVPa disciplines, includ- hear such talent. next year, students can expect ing theater, dance, music, art and art history. this and more in Wayland Hall. Facilitating the development of a broader, holis- The residence hall will house JMU’s newest tic appreciation of art, the learning community learning community, which features a unique col- will expose students to a wider range of skills and laboration between the office of Residence Life Students will be able to critique each talents separate from their fields of concentration. and the College of Visual and Performing arts. others’ performances and practice in “i am excited that all the arts will be intercon- The redesign is focused on creating a living and the renovated Wayland Hall. nected in one living community,” says sparks. learning center for students interested in the arts. students choosing this learning community will The project also exemplifies JMU’s commitment to strive for sus- take one common class together taught in their hall. sparks is excited tainability. Wayland Hall is undergoing a redesign with an environ- about the potential of teaching a cross-theory class to this diverse group mentally conscious approach. Construction is focused on achieving of students that will include excursions and lectures from visiting faculty. Leadership in energy and environmental design platinum certifica- although future composers, performers, art educators and artists will be I naturally drawn to this learning community, Wayland Hall is envisioned tion, the highest Leed certification status. The renovation is the first building on campus to attempt Leed platinum status. to be a “melting pot” of students. The learning community will welcome according to Maggie evans, director of the office of Residence freshmen from any major with an interest and passion for the arts. Life, the renovation includes plans for new performance, exhibition, While the learning community will consist of roughly 15 to 60 practice and classroom spaces. The multipurpose space on the ground freshmen during the first year, evans said the option of incorporating floor will offer impeccable acoustics, retractable stadium seating and upperclass students will be considered as the program grows. M traces of bluestone interior walls. “instead of parking, there will be a ✱ Read more about the project at www.jmu.edu/jmuweb/general/ series of gardens, seating and bike paths that will provide a relaxing news/general11283.shtml.

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/18 Madison Magazine artist renderings courtesy of vmdo architects 10 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011

[Engaging Education] [Greater Madison] Fuzzy friends and Emmy nods Greater Alumna leads cast of characters to make children’s education engaging Madison By Sara Riddle (’10) scholarships Community organization hristina delfico (’87) had two helps local students dreams growing up: to live in new reater Madison York City and awarded six local Cto work in television or film. high-school seniors during a trip to new York as with $2,000 scholar- a child, she remembers looking Gships for the 2010–11 academic out from the back seat of the year. The community organiza- car at the thousands of people tion chose one winner from on the sidewalks of 42nd street. each area high school in addi- “i literally looked at each person tion to two at-large recipients. and made a secret promise that scholarships were offered i would see them later when to drake Cary (Harrisonburg i grew up and moved to new Christine Delfico (‘87) spends her days as vice president of Sesame Workshop surrounded by fuzzy friends who help her High school), shvan Kareem York,” she says. educate children on a variety of topics. (Harrisonburg High school), Following graduation, delf- amy Leeth ico packed her belongings, said her farewells to delfico has worked with many media stars like (Turner ashby northern Virginia, and headed toward the Big Katie Couric, Queen Latifah, John Mayer, al High school), apple. “i figured if the TV thing didn’t work out Roker, Cuba gooding Jr. and Vanessa Williams. elizabeth Reut i would at least be in one of the greatest cities in originally, delfico came to JMU to study biol- @ (spotswood the world,” she says. ogy. Her love for watch- High school), Fortunately for her, ‘When I was deciding what ing shows featuring shana sher- both dreams came true. to be, my main fascination the late oceanographer JMU officials man (Broad- now at work in the with Jacques Cousteau Jacques Cousteau aided honored way High city of her dreams, her decision. However, Greater Madi- school) and delfico doesn’t spend was that he was always a class on testing the son Scholar- Rachel smith her days in a confer- exploring. Now, every day, behavior of rats as they ship winners like Drake (Broadway ence room or behind a I am exploring.’ learned to navigate High school). desk. instead, she takes through a maze for Cary and — Christina Delfico (’87) Rachel Smith The greater part in music recording food soon changed her at their high Madison sessions with elmo and friends. mind. “i thought to myself, ‘i don’t actually have schools. scholarship delfico is vice president and producer for to be a scientist to learn about the world,’” she committee sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization says. “When i was deciding what to be, my main selected the behind Sesame Street. she is responsible for pro- fascination with Jacques Cousteau was that he was recipients ducing television specials, live concerts and com- always exploring. now, every day, i am exploring.” based on aca- munity outreach initiatives with both domestic delfico returned to campus to give the keynote demic achieve- and international reach. she “conducts an orches- address at the school of Media arts and design’s ment and tra of people who come together to create a show spring conference. she shared her experiences commitment from the story concept to final delivery,” she says. working with Cuba gooding Jr. on the set of to community involvement. “We delfico is the driving force behind several prime- When Parents Are Deployed, a show on the impor- saw so many terrific applicants time family specials including, emmy-nominated tance of communication when parents who serve who were actively involved in the When Families Grieve, and Coming Home: Mili- in the military are away for long periods of time. community. We’re thrilled to tary Families Cope with Change and Families Stand “He really understood what we were trying to do help out local kids who are com- Together: Feeling Secure in Tough Times. and mentioned that even though he is not getting mitted to their communities,” delfico credits her double major in commu- shot at when he is doing a movie, he really feels says greater Madison president nication arts and psychology as a “tremendous the distance from his family,” she says. James R. sipe Jr. asset” for her career. Her communication arts This primetime special and delfico’s work with greater Madison was estab- skills help her find story angles, write scripts, Katie Couric on When Families Grieve both earned lished in 1971 to advance a and learn the basics of camera work, editing and emmy nominations. “it is a real honor when your mutually beneficial relationship music. Psychology knowledge helps her lead industry peers vote for your work,” she says. M between JMU and the Har- a multitude of personalities, including artists, ✱ Learn more at www.sesameworkshop. risonburg and Rockingham musicians, accountants and network executives. org/newsandevent. County community. M

Publishedscholarship by JMU Scholarly recipients Commons,by diane elliott 2011 (’00) and holly marcus (’03); delfico (’87) courtesy of sesame workshop W inT e R 2011 911 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1

[Hall of Fame] [Graduate Programs] Virginia Sports Hall of Fame First M.P.A.s conferred honors Ronald Carrier in Roanoke President emeritus named “Star of Commonwealth” program By Michelle Hite (’88)

MU’s Master of Public administration Pro- gram at the Roanoke JHigher education Center graduated its first cohort in august. The inaugural class began stydies in 2008. The M.P.a. program at the Roa- noke Higher education Cen- ter operates as a sequenced group, with students taking two courses per semester and finishing in slightly less than two years. The schedule allows students to form pro- fessional relationships that will benefit their careers. “going through the entire riends of the The Virginia Sports Hall of been a mainstay in Virginia program with a core group Virginia sports Fame honored JMU Presi- education for many years. He of individuals really helps dent Emeritus Ronald E. Hall of Fame and Carrier for his dedication to provided quality leadership for you develop an appreciation Museum, JMU student-athletes and uni- 31 years and was dedicated to for varied backgrounds and administrators and versity athletics during his building JMU into one of the skill sets. i now have a group @ Feducators across the common- tenure as president of JMU. top universities both in Vir- of friends whom i can call wealth gathered at the Hall of ginia and the nation.” on for professional advice Fame in april to honor JMU Under Carrier’s admini- on policy issues,” says James President emeritus Ronald e. stration, the JMU athletics Lyon (’10), a budget analyst Carrier at the dedication of program grew and added a for Roanoke County. the “stars of the Common- football team and Bridgeforth RHeC director gary Kirk wealth.” athletes born, bred stadium. The university itself says, “Roanoke is under- and educated in Virginia, and changed from a 4,000-stu- served in terms of higher who have gone on to some of dent, predominantly female education opportunities. the most memorable and sto- teachers college to a major There are no master’s-level ried careers in american sports comprehensive university with public institutions there, and are represented on the second 14,000 students. The school JMU saw this as an oppor - floor of the Virginia sports changed its name from Madi- tunity. The program really Hall of Fame and Museum. son College to James Madison fits with the M.P.a.’s focus The Virginia sports Hall of University in 1977. The size on serving local communities Fame recognized Carrier for of the campus was enlarged by and the region.” M his dedication to academics more than 100 acres and the ✱ Learn more at www.jmu.edu/ and athletics while serving campus spread to the east side mpa/roanoke.shtml. as president of JMU (1971– of interstate 81. M 1998) and for his leadership in ✱ Read more about Ronald ‘The program education. Carrier at www.jmu.edu/ really fits with david Tynch, hall of fame madisononline/Carrier.shtml. the M.P.A.’s focus chair, said, “Ron Carrier has on serving local ‘He provided quality leadership for 31 years and was communities and dedicated to building JMU into one of the top universities the region.’ both in Virginia and the nation.’ — Gary Kirk, — David Tynch, hall of fame chair RHEC director

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/110 Madison Magazine carrier portrait by diane elliott (’00); action photographs courtesy of special collections 12 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011

BythenumbersJMU remains among the best. U.S. News & World Report’s 2011 Best Colleges guide- book ranks JMU the no. 1 public regional university in the south. JMU has held the top spot for 17 years. JMU is also listed in No.1the top universities in the 2011 Princeton Review’s The Best 373 Colleges edition. ✱ Learn more at www.jmu.edu/jmuweb/aboutJMU/rankings.shtml.

$838,613The Class of 1960 JMU Board of Richmond and d.C.-Metro March 16, 2011, dukes know how to get their marks James made a gift of $838,613 Visitors member to JMU during its Judy Strickler grub on — 6,378 hotdogs, Madison’s 260th (’60) says, “I was 4,198 ears of corn, 3,948 birthday. Two 50th reunion in april, so excited for 15 pounds of shrimp and 260U.s. navy ships were named USS James and classmates are still the Class of 1960 320 bushels of crabs Madison in honor raising funds through to present such a equals 15 years of of the fourth presi- december. This is the significant class gift to President Crabfest fun. More dent. The first was largest class gift ever Rose and JMU.” than 6,000 alumni a revenue cutter made during a Bluestone and family members launched in 1807, Reunion Weekend. President Linwood H. have attended the and the second was a nuclear-powered Rose accepted the check on behalf of JMU. annual Crabfest submarine commissioned in 1964. chapter events to It all adds up to fun! have a @ 410 alumni cele- good time The JMU Center brated Richmond and raise for Multicultural Crabfest and 950 chowed down in D.C. scholarship student services is money. “We 25 years old. Past want to thank our many volunteers directors, 2 students 5 and current staff for these successful events,” says members celebrated the anniversary ashley Privott, director of JMU in october. alumni relations. Students and staff Hair- members raising statis- Current and former administrators and direc- join in the tics? The mak- tors gathered for the 25th anniversary of 25th CMSS ers of schick the Center for Multicultural Student Services anniversary during Homecoming Weekend in October. celebration. No.2 Hydro razors are closely checking col- lege guys’ faces. JMU ranks no. 2 on the “cleanest 7,Ralph Cohen, 0 the 0 0 shaven schools” JMU Provost distin- list in schick’s guished Professor in first Hydro Hairiest Colleges study. Rut- the school of Writing, gers University ranks as the “hairiest” Rhetoric and Techni- school. smooth, dukes. cal Communication, donated nearly 7,000 books to JMU seniors, the JMU. His collection includes Class of 2011, several extremely rare books like hail from 46 states a 1613 copy of Workes of Lucius and 90 countries. Annaeus Seneca Both Morall and Watch a video of Ralph Cohen (inset), JMU Provost Distin- Virginia cities represented the most by Cohen also donated a 2011 Naturall. guished Professor, talking about his JMU donation with seniors are Virginia Beach and Richmond 1734 copy of Roman History, Interim Provost Jerry Benson (above) at www.jmu.edu/ with 147 students each. one of only three known copies. jmuweb/general/news/general11314.shtml.

Publishedclass by JMUof 1960 Scholarly photograph Commons, by kathy lam; 2011 crabfest cup by a shley p rivott; cmss and cohen by diane e lliott (‘00) W inT e R 2011 1113 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1

[International Focus] says, “We realize many people haven’t The price of life heard about human/ sex trafficking and Intervarsity members educate have misconceptions students on human trafficking as to why it exists. as Christians we are By Marissa Dennehy (’11) called to restore peace o you think slavery by not only meeting still exists in the the physical needs of world today? if so, humans but also the how many slaves do emotional and spiri- Dyou think there are? intervarsity tual needs of people.” Christian Fellowship’s Justice Price of Life events Team asked these questions and included a guest more of JMU students during speaker and two their “Price of Life” three-day outreach projects. series of events in october. intervarsity Justice now called “human traffick- Team members ing” by human justice groups, hosted a table on the term is defined as “the use The Commons of force, fraud or coercion to to raise awareness detain a human being for the and ask for dona- purpose of profit.” interna- tions. For each tional human justice organiza- $10 gift to World JMU Intervarsity members tions estimate that there are Vision students educate fellow students about between 12.7 and 27 million were given a Price human trafficking in the Price people in bondage today. out of Life T-shirt and of Life event in October. of that total sum, nearly 20,000 information about (Left): Guest speaker Jesse Eaves of World Vision urged are imported into the United human trafficking students to take action. states annually. and World Vision Kendra Miller (’12) a social outreach. students could also cant difference; the organization ing issues to the attention of @ work major and co-leader of pick up a pair of bolt cutters and raised more than $2,700. policymakers.” intervarsity’s Justice Team, snap a metal chain link for $1. on the third day of Price Ryan dennehy (’12), a kine- The action symbolized the sig- of Life events, the intervarsity siology major and co-leader of ‘We realize many nificance of their gift and gave a Justice Team hosted World the intervarsity Justice Team, people haven’t visual example of their personal Vision guest speaker Jesse says, “We hope that this event involvement in breaking the eaves, who urged students to sparks enough interest that peo- heard about chains of slavery. students were take action through advocacy. ple begin to own the issue for human/sex traf- encouraged to drop off pocket He told students to ask poli- themselves. That is how we can ficking and have money into a “Loose change to cymakers to pass laws to bring start to make some real change.” loosen chains” bucket. When about change and end human misconceptions as ✱ Learn more at about human to why it exists.’ pooled together, the pennies trafficking. “How do you fix trafficking prevention at www. and dimes of a few hundred a problem this big?” he asked. worldvision.org and JMU’s Inter- — Kendra Miller (’12) passing students made a signifi- “By taking action and bring- varsity chapter at www.jmuiv.com.

Innovation in today’s business environment JMU offerS two progrAMS to help yo U get A Step AheAd Master of Business Administration evening classes meet once a week and are tailored to working professionals.t he Jmu m.b.a. program is fully accredited by the aacsb, the only nationally recognized business school accrediting body. Information Security M.B.A. a nationally ranked part-time online program. class meets virtually online weekly and once per eight weeks in reston, va. aacsb accredited, nsa certified

‘the information security m.b.a. at Jmu allowed me to transition from a systems engineer to an information systems security professional, and it has given me the practical tools and knowledge to provide a multidiscipline approach to solving real-world complex business problems.’ www.jmu.edu/cob/mba/ — Henry Bromley III, M.B.A., PMP, federal agency cyber security professional, Booz Allen Hamilton https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/114 Madison Magazine gordon photographs by diane elliott (’00) 14 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011

Connections onlI n E Get connected ✱ JMU’s front door: www.jmu.edu JMU has more than 19,200 Facebook ✱ everything alumni: fans, 2,500 Twitter followers, 6,700 www.jmu.edu/alumni/ Linkedin members and more than 29,611 YouTube channel views. ✱ The Be the Change blog: http:// jmubethechange.wordpress.com/ JMU Flickr pool ✱ The newsroom and JMU Public Been back in the ’Burg lately? Check out affairs: www.jmu.edu/news/ JMU’s Flickr pool. Comment on JMU ✱ Madison Channel: Video of JMU photos or upload your own. ✱ www.flickr. com/groups/1132487@N22/pool/ events: http://media.jmu.edu/ 4,000 freshmen connect art and Are you plugged in? science in the Orientation Week HEadlI n E s + DNA Dance, choreographed by the HIGHl IGHts ✱ www.facebook.com/jamesmadisonuniversity Liz Lerman Dance Exchange. VIsIt ✱ www.twitter.com/JMUnews ✱ Brightening the Lights of Madison ✱ www.youtube.com/DukeDogTV JMU and the JMU online Community: VIa: ✱ www.linkedin.com (search James Madison University Alumni Association) } www.jmu.edu/alumni/publications/ ✱ http://jmubethechange.wordpress.com/ ✱ The Family Connection for JMU parents: www.jmu.edu/parents/ Parent_Communication.shtml

t E l EVIs I on @ ✱ WVPT: students intern at the PBs Be the Change blog affiliate for central Virginia, shenandoah How are new grads making the change into the real world? How is the JMU office of disability Valley and northeastern West Virginia, services changing the perception on campus for students with disabilities? How is JMU changing (540) 434–5391: www.wvpt.net afghanistan? and the lives of hundreds of people caught in war zones? How is JMU influencing politics? Bringing back the american chestnut tree? What is changing on campus? Keep up with R adI o these changes and hundreds more on the Be the Change blogspot and see how Madison’s extra- ordinary brand of change is shaping a bright new ✱ www..org: FM 88.7 student future all over the world. Log on and chime in at programming, news, talk and music ✱ http://jmubethechange.wordpress.com/ ✱ aM 1610: Tune in when you roll in JMU breaks ground ✱ WMRa: http://wmra.org/ for bioscience building nPR, local news and programming. Mark gabriele, biology professor, explains the WMRa, WMRY, WMRL, WMLU benefits of the new bioscience building, which is at 90.7, 103.5, 89.9 and 91.3 on your now under construction and scheduled to open in FM dial fall 2012. Check out his video at ✱ www.youtube. Biology professor Mark Gabriele shows off the com/user/DukeDogTV construction site of the bioscience building. PRInt ✱ Madison, the JMU magazine, and A world of opportunity Madisononline: www.jmu.edu/ alumni know there is nothing like seeing the campus in person. Prospective students: Plan your campus visit today. MadisonOnline/. story ideas: e-mail schedule a trip to coincide with a concert, lecture or athletics [email protected] match-up by viewing the events calendar online, and sign up for a student-led tour (like Hoffman Hall, left) at s P o R ts ✱ www.jmu.edu/admissions/visit/ ✱ www.JMUSports.com exciting JMU sports action and live and Facebook.com/jamesmadisonuniversity on-demand video and audio in the Tell us about your Madison experience and plug into other JMU conversations. Recent topics have focused on JMU RoTC cadets training on Black Hawk helicopters and MadiZONE Homecoming Purple out. ✱ facebook.com/jamesmadisonuniversity ✱ Pawprint: duke Club newsletter, alumni, share your chapter news and learn more about the alumni association.✱ facebook.com/JMUAlumni (540) 568–6164

price of life photographs by dan gorin (’11); dna dance by frank ameka; tour by holly marcus (’03) Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2011 W inT e R 2011 1315 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1

[Usa science Festival] and secondary education), Kaitlyn gordon (biology and Lego robotics, secondary education), and Casey Marshall (earth science hydrogen cars, and secondary education). geospatial tech steven Whitmeyer (geology and environmental science on the D.C. Mall professor) and students natalie Students and professors Caro and sharon Porter dem- offer hands-on demos onstrated plate tectonics educa- tional materials at tudents and professors the nsF earth- from multiple disci- scope booth. plines and programs Kristen st. represented JMU at the John (geology Sfirst Usa science and engi- and environmen- neering Festival on oct. 23–24 Students and professors from many disciplines rep- tal science profes- resent JMU at the first USA Science and Engineering at the national Mall in Wash- Festival on the National Mall. Education professor Nick sor) worked with ington, d.C. The JMU Center Swayne (above) and JMU National Science Teacher the Consortium for science, Technology, engi- Student members offer hands-on learning booths. for ocean Leader- neering and Mathematics edu- ship deep earth cation and outreach hosted academy, where a booth featuring First Lego she guided visitors through League robotics. The hands-on activities on the marine geo- exhibit also focused on hydro- logic record of the end Creta- gen-fueled cars and a display ceous mass extinction. of geospatial technologies. Lt. Costel Constantin (phys- Col. nick swayne (College of ics and astronomy profes- education) and Bob Kolvoord sor) volunteered with both (co-director of the Center for nanoscale informal science sTeM education and out- education networked/Mate- reach) staffed the booth along rial Research society and PBs @ with a number of students: Wg BH/noVa Making danielle Tamulis (human stuff booths, with the help of resource development), and JMU physics students anita integrated science and technol- Vincent-Johnson, anthony ogy students daniel attard, isaT professor Bob Kolvoord. student Chapter with their Chieco, Jimmy Hauver, Chey- ellis gore, daniel Knox, Tay- JMU science and engineer- adviser david slykhuis enne shafte, denise McKaig, lor Moellers, andrew spurr ing professors and students (middle, secondary and math alexandra iuga, Christina and Vincent zampelli. also represented a variety of education) led hands-on Hanks and nursing student “We had the opportunity national organizations. eric demos at the national science emily schofield. The students to interact with many people Pyle (geology and environ- Teachers association exhibit. explained properties of carbon interested in science and engi- mental science) and three stu- The students representing the nanotubes, nano sands and neering and shared many activ- dents from the JMU national nsTa student Chapter were strengths of nanofabrics to ities happening at JMU,” says science Teachers association Meghan Flynn (earth science festival visitors. M

the 2010 madison association of clarinetists named a seat in the forbes center for the performing arts, right next to a seat named by their director and professor, Janice minor. Join them in becoming a permanent part of the arts at madison. The fine name a seat and help support scholarships for Jmu students in the performing arts. name a seat today! art of l e A rn M ore A t: www.jmu.edu/JMUarts/seats giving or c A ll: (800) 296-6162

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/114 Madison Magazine science festival photographs courtesy of bob kolvoord; seats and pierson by diane elliott (’00) 16 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011

[In Memoriam] Remembering Joan Pierson and John Stewart

oan K. Pier- son, professor emerita of Jinformation and decision sci- ences, died sept. 16 in salina, Kan. she served on the JMU faculty for 16 years and returned home to Kansas after retiring. Pierson represented the College of Business on the JMU general education Committee, which made recommendations regard- ing the structure and implemen- tation of the general education curriculum. she wrote several books including Introduction to Business Information Systems (1989) and Managing with Com- puters (1997). Pierson specialized @ in information systems curricula development and evaluation and was active nationally and interna- tionally in curriculum develop- ment. she received a Fulbright scholarship to study in the West indies in 1985–86. ohn gideon stewart, asso- ciate professor emeritusJ of german, Latin and education, died on aug. 27. Born in Vienna, austria, stewart came to the United states in 1939. He served in the U.s. army from 1941 to 1945. His and his wife nancy Branner stewart (’67, ’73M), were members of greater Madison. stewart served the faculty in the JMU department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures from 1957 to 1984, teaching mostly german and Latin. after retirement, he contin- ued to teach classes in american Folk Culture in the sociology department. He was one of the founding members and served as president of the shenandoah Val- ley Folklore society. M

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2011 W inT e R 2011 1517 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1

[Fast-track career] states and Mexico. one of her first races in this fairly new A ‘circular’ division fell on the same day as JMU’s 2010 May Commence- career path ment. after walking across the This charged-up Duke stage and tossing her graduation takes life one circuit at cap in the air, Wagner raced to new Jersey in time for the start a time of the race. “Racing is kind of By Katie Hudson (’10) a way of life,” she laughs and admits she does have one “off hile most college track” speeding ticket. students spend in her first season in the their weekends Volkswagen Jetta Tdi Cup, relaxing or which launched in 2008, Wag- Wstudying, Jenna Wagner (’10) ner finished 24th in points. The pushes herself as fast as she can series features cars with turbo- — literally. Wagner has raced charged direct-injection engines. cars professionally for five years. The series was launched as a way Her passion for motorsports to introduce clean diesel tech- sparked after watching her dad nology to the U.s. motorsports and uncle race. The weekend market and to develop up-and- warrior’s passion was certainly coming talent. drivers between nurtured by her family’s home- the ages of 16 and 26 compete town — , Va. — with on road courses around north nasCaR short track Bristol america in identical factory- Motor speedway in its backyard. prepared clean diesel powered Wagner’s father built her Jetta Tdis. Fans can follow the first racecar by the time she action at www.vwmotorsport was 16. at the beginning of her usa.com. senior year at JMU, she already Wagner also competed in the had more than 40 races under 2010 Charger division. Her @ her belt. fans can follow her on a website “Racing is definitely a fam- she designed, www.jennawagner ily thing,” says Wagner. “My NASCAR hopeful Jenna Wagner (‘10) currently has more than 60 racing.com/. The site features family loves to watch me race. professional races under her belt. She has taken Rookie of the Year her racing biography, photos honors in two regional racing series and won a coveted spot on the My dad takes on the public 2010 U.S. team to compete in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series. and weekly team updates from relations role for my race team, both racing series. and he’s my mechanic and tiac. “i’ve raced all different more powerful engines. she as an undergraduate, Wag- spotter every saturday. it’s nice types of cars since i started,” again took rookie honors and ner never let her academics take to have a father and a fan!” says Wagner, who is often the ranked third in points. “it’s a backseat. she double majored Wagner first competed in a only female at any given race- always nice to be honored for in media arts and design with beginners’ series — the Lone- track. “Respect is a common hard work,” she says. a concentration in converged some Pine Racing 101 pro- quality among my opponents,” Hard work also plays a role media; and in writing, rhetoric gram — in 2005. she began she says, “no matter the gen- off the track. it’s often up to and technical communication her pro career strapping in for der. it’s nice to beat the boys, Wagner to find sponsors for her with a concentration in online races in the Charger division though, especially when you’re racecars. “it’s all about making publications. she minored in — driving a 4-cylinder Pon- the only female at the track.” contacts,” she explains. “i’ve computer information systems. While racing in the Mod-4 found so many JMU alums she also completed intern- ‘Respect is a com- division in 2007 and 2008, who are willing to support my ships with the JMU office of mon quality among Wagner drove Thunderbirds. team.” Wagner’s JMU friends athletics Photography services my opponents, no she’s proven her love and mas- and classmates often make trips and immerge Technologies in tery of the Charger and Mod-4 to the track to cheer her on. downtown Harrisonburg. Her matter the gender. divisions by winning the Rookie during her senior year, Wag- future career dreams include It’s nice to beat the of the Year title in both series. ner traveled to Las Vegas to try freelance Web design and, of boys, though, espe- she took rookie honors in 2008 out for the sCCa Pro Racing course, competing in nasCaR. cially when you’re in the Mod-4 division and Volkswagen Jetta Tdi Cup. she But, for now, she’s taking it the only female at ended up sixth in the point nabbed a coveted spot to com- “one circuit at a time.” M standings. in 2009, she moved pete in 2010 and spent the sum- ✱ Learn more about Jenna the track.’ into the Charger division, mer after graduation competing Wagner (’10) at www.jenna — Jenna Wagner (’10) which features heavier cars with in races all over the United wagner.com.

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/116 Madison Magazine wagner photograph by david lonnquest (’11) 18 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011

sPECIalREPoRt

Cultivating and nurturing creativity The Forbes Center sets the stage for the arts to soar at JMU By George Sparks

ach spring, hundreds of Madison College alumni who graduated from the 1930s to the 1960s travel back to cam- pus to celebrate Bluestone Reunion Weekend. in their Eformal invitation, these alums are asked to bring back Madison memorabilia to share for a display in the Leeolou alumni Center. Their Madison treasures tell a significant story. The “Bluestone” era women and men bring back ticket stubs from favorite con - certs, programs from the best theatrical per- formances, dried corsages from senior dances, song sheets from glee Club shows, photos of themselves dressed up for their favorite musi- cal performances and lyric sheets from their senior class song. The performing arts have always been at the center of the Madison experience. For decades, spring Commencement cere- monies featured the student glee Club. Music and theatrical performances were a part of (Left): Donors, patrons and Founders day, May day, campus celebrations alumni tour the Forbes Center for the Performing and special events welcoming campus guests. Arts prior to its opening on now, the performing arts at JMU have a June 4. (Below, l-r): Patrice magnificent home that matches the commit- Jegou (soprano), Cristina ment shown by students and professors for Pato (piano) and Phil Vas- sar (‘85) (songwriter) teach 100 years. masterclasses in the new classroom spaces in the now is the time for the arts Forbes Center. to soar at JMU in 2005, President Linwood H. Rose announced JMU’s “decade of the arts.” Five years later, we have built a $90.5 million Forbes Center for the Performing arts. His powerful statement was followed by a true commitment. The Forbes Center opened its doors on June 4, 2010, to dedicate the center and to recognize major donors. The two buildings that comprise the Forbes Center are the first part of a strategic initiative to build a world- class stage for the arts at JMU. The center includes the dorothy Thomasson estes Center for Theatre and strengthen its relationships with local businesses, enhance the cul- dance and the shirley Hanson Roberts Center for Music Perfor- tural life of the community, and support economic growth and social mance. The next infrastructure investment in the arts is a planned interaction in the region. Located near Harrisonburg’s arts and Cul- renovation to double the space in duke Hall. This will provide tural district, the Forbes Center is in a prime position to transform more space for the school of art and art History. When duke Hall how university and community members engage in the arts. is completed, JMU will be among the elite universities in the United When conceptualizing and planning the Forbes Center for the states with state-of-the-art arts facilities. Performing arts, university administrators and faculty members as the premier destination for arts in the shenandoah Valley, focused on four key concepts: curriculum, creativity, community the Forbes Center gives the university a unique opportunity to and commerce.

Publishedforbes by JMU center Scholarly by richard Commons, finkelstein; 2011 tour and masterclass by diane elliott (’00); vassar by kathy lam W inT e R 2011 1719 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1

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the arts curriculum The Forbes Center boldly affirms JMU’s longstanding commitment to the arts as an essential component of a liberal arts curricu- lum. during the institution’s first year, faculty members embraced the arts. Lida P. Cleve- land established the glee Club in 1909–10, and students presented their first major con- cert on arbor day 1910. during the last several decades, JMU’s the- A scene from ater, dance and music students have pushed Metamorphoses, a fall 2010 pro- the envelope of possibility in less-than-ideal duction in the performance venues. Performance is an Forbes Center. integral part of the arts curriculum. in fact, performances serve as capstone events in an artist’s academic life. Their performances scends changes in economies and job markets, another community that the Forbes Cen- represent and reflect hundreds of hours of prepares students for a lifetime of intellectual ter has embraced is donors and patrons. The research, planning, critical analysis and prac- flexibility and includes the arts as an integral center established the largest community of tice. They are one of the most important tests part of a well-rounded curriculum. donors for a single project in the history of during performing artists’ academic careers. JMU. The center as a whole, as well as the and now we have state-of-the-art facilities the arts and community buildings that comprise it, are named after for both practice and performance that allow Community is especially important to per- JMU graduates and donors: Bruce and Lois artists to push the envelope even further in forming arts. What is a performance with- Cardarella Forbes (’64), shirley Hanson Rob- both quality and complexity in their art. out an audience? it’s really more like a dress erts (’56), and dorothy Thomasson estes our professors, directors and choreographers rehearsal. The audience actually helps com- (’45). donors have also named numerous have the latest lighting and sound technol- plete the young artist’s educational process rooms, lobbies and practice rooms. now that ogy, and our conductors and musicians work by providing feedback, applause, attendance the building is paid for, all of the new funds in almost perfect acoustical conditions. and ticket purchases. Performers’ educational will go to scholarships in the performing arts. experiences are enhanced by vigorous audi- We are also in the process of naming seats in Sparking and nurturing creativity ence participation. seasoned professionals the major venues, where again, the funds ben- “Human creativity is the ultimate economic and artists in training would agree that there’s efit scholarships. The real, long-term impor- resource,” and “the industries of the 21st nothing like playing to a sold-out house! tance of donors’ contributions is the signifi- century will depend increasingly on the gen- Professors and administrators in the cance of their connections with the university. eration of knowledge through creativity and Forbes Center also focus on community by Forbes Center donors have helped build a cul- innovation,” says Richard Florida in his 2003 inviting guest artists to perform on campus. ture of giving among the JMU community. book The Rise of the Creative Class. Many other We built an “encore series” of performances current prognosticators, who look at long- that serves a wide demographic, covers a the arts and commerce term economic trends, say that the coin of the broad range of tastes and crosses multiple Patron and donor outreach is just one kind of realm for the 21st century will be creativity. curricula. guest artists performing this year outreach supporting the Forbes Center. We While creative thinking is not the exclusive have included: Phil Vassar (’85) of songwrit- are also developing relationships with hotels, provenance of the arts, there is probably no ing and country music fame; denyce graves, restaurants and other arts organizations to place on a university campus where it is more the international-operatic star soprano; and establish Harrisonburg as a destination for prominent and important than the visual and the Liz Lerman dance exchange, famous for the arts. This benefits both JMU and the local performing arts. Those of us in the arts have cutting-edge artistic productions that illus- community. The Forbes Center has the poten- a responsibility to nurture and facilitate cre- trate and explain science. tial to be a powerful economic driver in the ativity throughout campus. We also need to all Forbes Center guest artists will connect shenandoah Valley. it can help to strengthen engage every student on campus in the arts with students at JMU through lectures and the overall economy of the valley while helping to strenthen JMU’s identity as a top liberal master classes. They will also connect with attract high-paying industries to the region. arts institution. That identity has won JMU our community through pre- and post-per- The Forbes Center is patron friendly many accolades in national reviews of higher formance talks, meet-and-greets and amazing and offers educational and entertainment education. it is this identity, along with an performances. audiences will see and hear opportunities for all who visit. grab a friend attendant core mission, that allows institu- artists under stellar acoustical conditions — or family member and make your way to tions like JMU to provide holistic educational with great technical capabilities — in a place the center for concerts, plays, musicals and opportunities. This kind of education tran- where every seat is a great one. dance performances. Be part of the curricu- lum, creativity and community, and watch About the Author George Sparks is dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, which includes the School of Art and Art History, School of Music, School of Theatre and Dance, the Institute for Visual Studies, and the arts soar at JMU. M the Madison Art Collection. A professional conductor and clarinet player, his artistic roots are musical, but Sparks ✱ Read more about the Forbes Center on considers himself an advocate for all arts. “I also enjoy the professionalism and collegiality of the JMU faculty,” he says. Page 31 and at www.jmu.edu/JMUarts.

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/118 Madison Magazine metamorphoses photograph by richard finkelstein 20 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011

dUKEstURF

Reading Madison is a slam dunk Readers can get discounted tickets to select basketball games this season By Michelle Hite (’88)

ometimes, it’s all in who you know! Madison readers the checkout process. This promotions code gets you discounts on who are JMU hoops fans can get discounted tickets select men’s and women’s basketball tickets. to select men’s and women’s basketball games dur - Let Madison help take you courtside for all the hoops action. ing the remainder of the 2010–11 season. ( see the Remember to type in the promotions code, MADMAG. For more schedules below). To redeem your Madison discount, information, please call the JMU athletics Marketing office at visit JMUsports.com and follow the “Tickets” link to (540) 568–3853. M S“order Tickets.” enter the promotions code — MADMAG — at ✱ Keep up with all the JMU sports action at www.JMUSports.com. 2010–11 JMU Basket B all W oME n’s ME n’s

dEC. 12 at Middle Tennessee dEC. 11 at Radford dEC. 18 at Monmouth dEC. 18 at South Florida (Tampa) dEC. 20 vs. Virginia dEC. 22 vs. Marshall dEC. 30 vs. Western Carolina dEC. 31 at Kent State Jan. 2 vs. Northeastern * Jan. 3 vs. Northeastern * Jan. 6 at William and Mary * Jan. 5 vs. Towson * Jan. 9 at Old Dominion * Jan. 8 at William and Mary * Jan. 13 vs. Drexel * Jan. 12 vs. Georgia State * Jan. 16 at George Mason * Jan. 15 vs. Univ. of North Carolina-Wilmington * Jan. 20 vs. William and Mary * Jan. 19 at Old Dominion * Jan. 23 vs. Virginia Commonwealth * Jan. 22 vs. George Mason * Jan. 27 at Drexel * Jan. 24 at Hofstra * Jan. 30 at Towson * Jan. 26 vs. Drexel * FEb. 3 vs. Georgia State * Jan. 29 at Delaware * FEb. 6 vs. Old Dominion * FEb. 2 vs. William and Mary * FEb. 10 at Virgina Commonwealth * FEb. 5 vs. Virginia Commonwealth * FEb. 13 vs. George Mason * FEb. 9 at Drexel* FEb. 17 vs. Towson * FEb. 12 at George Mason * FEb. 20 at Delaware * FEb. 15 at Towson * FEb. 24 at Georgia State * FEb . 1 8 - 2 0 ESPN BracketBusters (JMU hosts) FEb. 27 at Hofstra * FEb. 24 vs. Old Dominion * MaRCH 2 vs. Univ. of North Carolina-Wilmington * FEb. 25 vs. Virginia Commonwealth * (CAA Tournament March 10–13) (CAA Tournament March 4–7) Check JMUsports.com for the most up-to-date game times, Duke Club information and TV times. *CAA Games

order select men’s and women’s basketball tickets online and receive a discount. score! order your basketball tickets at www.JMUSports.com and use promotion code Let Madison help take you courtside MAdMAg at the checkout. come cheer on the dukes!

Publishedteam by photographs JMU Scholarly by cathy Commons, kushner 2011(’87) W inT e R 2011 1921 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1

BrightThe professors, students and alumni who shine in Madison’s constellation

Skateboard aficionado and history professor Howard Gelfand is researching the culture and history of board sports. He has also published Sea Change At Annapolis: The United States Naval Academy 1949–2000. The book explores the social development of the U.S. Naval Academy and how it reflects the social develop- ment of American culture.

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/120 Madison Magazine p hotographs by pat Jarrett 22 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011

Lights[Howard “H” Gelfand] ting water on a surfboard, the tarmac likes to remind you just how powerful gravity can be. “i have great respect for asphalt, which Concrete shredder almost always leaves a mark and, in my case, a variety of broken bones,” admits gelfand. History professor surfs the sidewalk to save the His worst accident resulted in a broken chin, jaw and wrist. “i environment By Tyler McAvoy (’12) had to write a lecture at the University of arizona after that acci- dent. That was not fun,” he says. “But the surgeon who repaired oad rash” is not a term generally used by anyone my jaw said, ‘Hey, you’ve been riding your board for years without beyond the concrete shredders who regularly coast an accident, why stop now? Have fun.’ so i’ve followed his advice.” around on skateboards. Most students and profes - The practicality of skateboarding can’t be denied. Cheaper and sors choose to get around campus on a bike or by more portable than a bike, skateboarding is beginning to gain a just plain old walking; but for those few brave skat- strong following at JMU and in Harrisonburg. ers, skateboarding is a die-hard passion that even the it’s also better for the environment, says gelfand, who has fitted worst of asphalt injuries can’t diminish. his boards with soy and bamboo wheels, making them more envi- “RJMU history professor Howard “H” gelfand is a concrete ronmentally friendly than the traditional plastic-based wheels. He shredder from way back. also owns boards made from materials like bamboo and koa wood, a skater since his days as a doctoral student at the University of which are grown on tree farms and not cut from hillsides. arizona, gelfand has chosen a skateboard as his vehicle of choice. “i remind my students that each of us can make a small dif - Carving the hills of JMU’s campus to get to ference in reducing our carbon footprint,” and from his history classes, gelfand’s style is gelfand says. “We can take small steps to unique. He is perfectly relaxed on his board, improve our personal health and the health slowly gliding down JMU’s sidewalks and of our environment.” roadways. The crux of gelfand’s academic research He knows all too well the difficulties of in JMU’s history and interdisciplinary stud- dedicated skaters. “i’ve been beeped at, given ies programs is examining the culture around the middle finger, sworn at, and told once i board sports. He is interested in how skating should ‘grow up and get a car,’” gelfand says. and surfing culture intersects with other dis- But he has seen improvement. “as the num- ciplines like business, engineering and ocean- ber of skaters has increased on campus, i’ve ography. His research has included visits to seen more welcoming behavior.” new York’s Metropolitan Museum of art skateboarding has piqued some inter - and the University of California to pursue the est from JMU police as well. officers have history of boarding culture. stopped gelfand several times while skating The largest part of gelfand’s study is his around campus. “JMU and Harrisonburg ongoing research with the surfrider Founda- have been tough places to be a skateboarder,” tion in southern California. The foundation gelfand says. “JMU police, Harrisonburg includes large groups of academics, lawyers police and even a state trooper have stopped ‘Each of us can make and physicians who work to protect the coastal me for riding my board.” a small difference in environment from business and governmental The professor applauds the officers for abuses. surfrider representatives have partnered looking out for everyone’s safety but still reducing our carbon with music groups like incubus and profes- touts skateboarding as the best mode of cam- footprint, and we can sional athletes like champion surfer Kelly slater. pus transportation. When he travels to other From academic research to health benefits, parts of the country, gelfand takes his board take small steps to skateboarding is a part of gelfand’s daily life. with him. “i see things that everyone else improve our personal “instead of stressing out about traffic, worry- misses,” he says. gelfand has logged miles on health and the health ing about the price of gas or finding a parking his board in places like Honolulu, Portland spot, i get some fresh air, a little exercise and and san Francisco. of our environment.’ a chance to enjoy myself.” M as any good thrasher will admit, you can’t — Howard Gelfand , ✱ Learn more about Howard Gelfand at http:// skate without earning a few scars. Unlike hit- skateboarder and history professor web.jmu.edu/history/faculty/gelfand.html.

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2011 W inT e R 2011 2123 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1

bRIGHtlIGHts

JMU Alumni Association Board member Scott Rogers (‘00, ’02M) is co-founder of TakeThemA Meal.com, which helps families coordinate meal deliveries to those in need.

[scott Rogers (‘00, ‘02M)] More than 25,000 people visit TakeThem aMeal.com each week, and almost all of them find out about the free service via Feel-good food helps families in need blogs, Facebook and other social media. By Jamie Marsh “one friend telling another is how we’ve grown,” says Rogers. “Word of mouth has organ stone Langley for families with members who have had been the best advertising.” delivered her second surgery, those with a death in the family or since the site’s 2007 launch more than child in January, with the elderly. 250,000 meals have been coordinated, and a 2-year-old waiting at Testimonials like Langley’s are the people living in every state have used the home. naturally, her best kind of advertising for the website. site. Part of the appeal is the site’s simplic- best friend Heather’s ity: Participants log on using the recipi - first thought was, “What can i cook?” ‘We’re helping people ent’s name and a password. Then, they sign MRather than whipping up a favorite cas- up for a specific day and list what they’re serole and dropping it off, Heather opted in times of grief and bringing. Meal duplication is no problem, to throw technology into the mix by using joy. We’ve made some- and food allergy information and driving TakeThemaMeal.com, a website created directions are at volunteers’ fingertips. by scott Rogers (’00, ’02M) and adina Bai- thing that was once Rogers never anticipated the site would ley (’99M). in just a few minutes, she cus- a burden into some- be so helpful to so many people. “Take tomized a sophisticated meal coordination thing easily organized, ThemaMeal.com was created in response spreadsheet that all of Langley’s family and to one particular family’s need,” he says. friends could access online. so people can focus When a Harrisonburg-area mother of four Langley was so impressed by TakeThem on making meals and was faced with a six-month medical issue, aMeal.com that she wrote about the web- her large network of family and friends site on her blog, telling followers it was “an helping loved ones.’ were eager to help. adina Bailey (’99M), incredible gift.” she recommends the site — Scott Rogers (’00, ’02M) the mother’s close friend, was quickly over-

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/122 Madison Magazine rogers p hotographs by mike miriello (’09 m) 24 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011

bRIGHtlIGHts

whelmed by hundreds of people needing to [Carrie owen Plietz (‘97)] know what the kids liked to eat and what day food was needed. “i asked scott if we could put the needs online,” recalls Bailey. Perfecting patient care By Sara Riddle (’10) “i wanted more of my time to be spent with her kids and at the hospital, not on ince graduating, Carrie owen where i first learned about and joined the the phone.” Rogers responded with the first Plietz (’97) has been bettering student chapter of the american College of version of TakeThemaMeal.com. the lives of patients. From devel- Healthcare executives.” Rogers is no stranger to the volunteer spirit. oping skilled nursing facilities to Plietz serves as president of the aCHe The media arts and design major served as supervising the development of a chapter for the California association president of the JMU student ambassadors full electronic health record sys- of Healthcare Leaders and serves on the and as a student member of the alumni board. tem, Plietz has helped raise patient satis - aCHe early Careerist Committee, and the He is active in the Harrisonburg alumni Sfaction for thousands. northern and Central California Regents Chapter and currently serves on the JMU Plietz’s hard work and care for others advisory Council. “i’m a volunteer board alumni association Board of directors. was honored this year as the american member for the Women’s Community The momentum of TakeThemaMeal. College of Healthcare executives named Clinic, which provides free primary and com has continued to grow since its initial her the 2010 Young Healthcare execu- reproductive care to uninsured or underin- use in Harrisonburg. “several people from tive of the Year and presented her with the sured women,” she says. our first group of users wanted to keep Robert s. Hudgens Memorial award. The as one of the most promising young using the site,” Rogers says. a church secre- annual award is presented to an excep - healthcare executives in the country, Plietz tary organized a regular meals ministry, and tional healthcare executive who is under dedicates herself to “guiding aspiring execu- small groups coordinated snack sign-ups. an 40 years old and who is the chief executive tives, improving the care of patients and 80-year-old fan posted, “great delight in officer of a health services organization. providing healthcare services to those who helping take care of lifelong friends.” “it’s amazing and very humbling,” says need it most.” “it must have saved hours in phone calls Plietz, who received the award at the annual Plietz is married to Jasen Plietz (’97), for my friend,” Leah in Florida wrote on her aCHe conference in Chicago. “our pro- who graduated with a busi - blog after having surgery. “and they didn’t fession is blessed with many talented indi- ness degree with a concen- just bring some spaghetti and bread. We’re viduals. To be acknowledged in such a way tration in computer sci- talking meat, bread, salad, drinks, dessert … by my national organization, one that i ence. He works on soft- the works.” TakeThemaMeal.com has been respect tremendously, is just thrilling.” ware development in very useful for Jacqueline dost of atlanta, as chief operating officer of the Mills- the Bay area, having who used the free service after her husband’s Peninsula Health services/sutter Health worked in silicon Val- cancer diagnosis. she posted on Facebook system in Burlingame, Calif., Plietz has ley on major projects saying, “it’s a great way to coordinate meals been responsible for several major initia- such as the entire from our friends with a little input from us.” tives, including implementation of sutter infrastructure for the With the help of user feedback and testi- Health’s first acute care electronic health California Paid Fam- monials, Rogers and Bailey continue to tweak record system. she was the driving force ily Leave act. The two the site for usability. Both founders say they behind a major “patient affordability” ini- welcomed their first will do whatever it takes to never charge for tiative that helped lower costs and improve child in april. M the service. “We’re helping people in times patient satisfaction. Plietz brought in a Health sciences of grief and joy,” Rogers says. “We’ve made team of caregivers to listen to the “voice major Carrie something that was once a burden into some- of patients” through satisfaction survey Owen Plietz (‘97) thing easily organized, so people can focus on results, letters and family comments. is the Ameri- making meals and helping loved ones.” M Prior to her current position, Plietz can College of Healthcare served as chief administrative officer and Executives 2010 vice president of operations for specialty Robert S. Hud- services at sutter Health’s California Pacific gens Memorial Medical Center in san Francisco. There, Young Health- she developed new centers for cancer, car- care Executive of the Year. diac and endoscopy treatment, achieved a 96th percentile patient satisfaction score, and developed a regional referral network for transplant services, including a Vietnam collaborative for liver transplantation. Plietz credits much of her success to JMU’s health science faculty. “My pro- Scott Rogers (‘00, ‘02M) and Adina Bailey fessors taught real-life scenarios, which is (‘99M) work on enhancements to their extremely important in healthcare’s ever TakeThemAMeal.com website. changing environment. JMU was

p hotograph courtesy of Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2011 carrie owen p lietz (‘97) 25 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1

See ing Spring 2011 IVS seminar students will help redesign the sculpture garden near Duke Hall with IVS Fellow and noted architect dif Michael Singer (above). 2008 IVS guest artist and lecturer Xu Bing (left) shared his artwork and philosophy with students and the campus and local communities via fer lectures and an exhibit. ent Multimedia, multidisciplinary center is a catalyst for re-envisioning environments and creating change By chris edwards ly

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/124 Madison Magazine 26 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011

Students studying in the Institute for Visual Studies share their final projects in campus exhibits like this one (left) in the Carrier Library. ing planets, fractal geometry and a mouse genome on a wall of 75 TV screens. sochacki and the High-Resolution Visu- alization and animation group are inter- ested in visualization and animation sys - tems with a resolution that is an order of magnitude greater than that provided by traditional graphics workstations. The group consists of students and professors from computer information systems, math- ematics, physics and psychology programs. (Learn more at www.jmu.edu/hyper/visual ization/index.html).

a n increasingly visual world Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, Vitruvian Man. even if you’re not an art major “digital technology has changed the way i think, work and teach,” says ehrenpreis. “it or an art enthusiast, you are probably familiar with these famous images and also made me think about the democratiza- tion of the image, and wonder about how other academic disciplines use this kind of cultural icons created by Leonardo da Vinci. now, imagine what da Vinci technology. ... The ‘vision’ or visual part of the institute for Visual studies refers to one, could have done with a Flip video and a computer! That’s how professors and the eye; and two, re-envisioning our world.” ehrenpreis’ observations have grown from students in the JMU institute for Visual studies think, work and create. his own evolution as an art historian. When JMU introduced the Madison digital image database, ehrenpreis, like many professors, The institute was created as a center for ative and bring together students and pro- took a dim view of “replacing slides with scholarly, scientific and creative inquiry fessors from multiple academic disciplines. online files.” He soon found Mdid not into the nature and workings of images students from diverse majors and academic only eliminated waiting his turn to check and our visual environment. “i give profes- programs collaborate in iVs studio semi- out that Mona Lisa slide, but Mdid allowed sors opportunities to share what they abso- nars to create landscapes, graphic novels, him to zoom in and study its detail. lutely love — their passions — with stu - and scientific and mathematical illustra- ehrenpreis began to wonder, “How can dents. and the outcomes have been extraor- tions. Faculty members representing multi- education best use today’s much-discussed dinary,” says david ehrenpreis, institute ple disciplines help guide and shape the stu- visual turn?” director and art history professor. dents’ multimedia, multi-dimensional proj- an incubator for new ideas, the institute ects. “iVs is a catalyst for creating change,” The BirT h of for Visual studies also upholds a longstand- explains ehrenpreis, “from theory to lab T he ivs cen T e r ing JMU tradition — projects are collabor- work to implementing real-world changes. “We got faculty and students together and The institute and its studio seminars are the investigated visual transformations happen- ‘i give professors nexus where this creativity comes together.” ing everywhere,” ehrenpreis says. “i organi- The seed for iVs took root after ehren- zed a group from many academic disci - opportunities to share preis began noticing “people all over cam- plines — now an advisory board including what they absolutely pus and in different disciplines investigat- sochacki and Rogers — that envisioned a ing the visual realm.” kind of crucible, an experimental site. We love — their passions — in 2005, ehrenpreis found JMU psy- tried to create the conditions for creation.” with students. and the chologist sheena Rogers researching the Paradoxically, while technology sparks outcomes have been way timing of video images alters viewer the changes, iVs’s vision is Renaissance- perceptions. around the same time, math- inspired: Can creativity transcend the extraordinary.’ ematician/statistician Jim sochacki spear- rigid specialty boundaries that we may — d avid e hrenpreis headed the JMU “video wall” project, accept unquestioningly but Leonardo da institute director and art history professor in which students create images includ - Vinci did not?

video wall photograph by casey templeton (’06); singer and carrier exhibit Publishedby bydiane JMU elliott Scholarly (’00); bing Commons, and artwork 2011 by aaron stewart (’08) W inT e R 2011 2527 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1

An IVS studio seminar team project — “Allu- vial Garden” — became part of an environ- mental stewardship presentation to uni- versity officials. (Left): President Linwood H. Rose and IVS Director David Ehrenpreis listen to students Brittany Lyn Boveri (‘10) and Phillip Gockel (‘10). (Below): A student checks out an exhibit on The Gilgamesh Machine, a graphic novel by two students.

iVs planners refused to limit the institute ence,” says ehrenpreis. “The lay- to technology. “We agreed that the important out of the institute demonstrates thing for students was actually using their the way we think and put into hands and creating,” ehrenpreis explains. the world what we create. The Hence, the iVs studio seminar was iVs space itself expresses the born. These multidisciplinary, collaborative idea of moving from theory to studio seminars most clearly exemplify the creation to practice.” iVs philosophy. each course begins, con- ceptually, in “the seminar” with ideas, then working wiT h moves from implementation to “the studio;” ivs fellows of or in scientific parlance, lab and field work. disTincTion like my voice was heard in iVs. My time as Consensus emerged among the plan - ehrenpreis intends two things to happen for a student and employee of iVs was the most ners to keep seminar classes small. iVs stu- iVs seminar students: studying with and memorable part of my years at JMU.” dio seminars are team-taught by professors receiving critiques from a visiting iVs Fel- iVs is not a typical academic program from two disciplines, while students (also low of distinction, and creating things that that offers a major or minor. Having no from diverse disciplines) team up to work extend out into the world. Books are created catalog prefix, iVs seminars have attracted on projects. ehrenpreis says, “We don’t want to be published; landscapes are designed to students majoring in at least 25 fields. The the artist to become a mathematician, or vice be implemented. spring 2010 seminar, Writing and illus- versa, but for each to learn from the other.” in the spring 2008 iVs studio semi- trating Literature, included literature and These are the courses where professors nar image & Text: The art of Persuasion, graphic arts majors who formed eight can be completely innovative. The spark ehrenpreis and writing and rhetoric profes- author/illustrator teams to create children’s for most iVs studio seminars comes from sor Kurt schick brought together students books, graphic novels, a Flash-animation one of those moments, explains ehrenpreis, from creative writing, art and art history. video and other multimedia projects. “where a professor says, ‘You know, i have “as director of JMU Learning Centers, a professional editor has expressed inter- always wanted to teach ... .’ Kurt was interested in the intersection of est in publishing one of the student collabora- “Fill in the blank,” ehrenpreis says. “and image and text,” says ehrenpreis. “Who bet- tions, The Gilgamesh Machine, by writer Chris we’ve made those class ideas and connec - ter to ask to come to campus than interna- Parthemos (’10) and graphic artist Julia Licht- tions among disciplines happen in the stu- tionally renowned artist Xu Bing, whose blau (’10). Parthemos describes the graphic dio seminars.” art reflects communication styles. Bing, the novel as “an attempted fusion of science fic- With a JMU general education grant, first-ever iVs Fellow, has investigated the tion with a blend of world mythology.” (www. and support from then-Provost doug relationship between image and text since his jmu.edu/bethechange/stories/telling-showing.shtml.) Brown, iVs launched in spring 2005 in a arrival in america in 1990. He strives to cre- The idea for the course began three years computer room in Burruss Hall with the ate art that communicates across cultures.” ago when graphic design professor Rich studio seminar World of Maps. Xu Bing’s visit to campus included a Hilliard spoke to ehrenpreis about his The institute has become a centerpiece sawhill gallery exhibit (including pieces dream to “link student artists with writers.” of the new College of Visual and Perform - never before exhibited), class visits, critiques When writing professor Jared Featherstone ing arts, and the center is located on the sec- of M.F.a. students’ art, and a public lecture expressed a similar idea, ehrenpreis (who ond floor of Roop Hall. The center includes a that drew more than 900 participants. calls himself “the glue”) suggested they talk. learning space, a social space and a workroom as a program assistant for iVs, Christine Hilliard says, “in the 12 years that i have that all intersect with an exhibit space. The Bednarz (’08) helped prepare for the visit. “i been teaching at JMU, my iVs class was the institute’s flexible learning and work space lay- was privileged to help dr. ehrenpreis research, most rewarding and inspiring classroom expe- out was designed by JMU interior and indus- design and organize an exhibition for noted rience by far. The support of the iVs staff, trial design professor and iVs board member artist Xu Bing,” she says. “i learned how to combined with the enthusiasm and drive of Ronn daniel. “We wanted the physical space organize art exhibitions from start to finish the students and my partner instructor, made to mirror this new educational learning experi- and explored new technologies. i always felt this the highlight of my career in higher ed.”

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/126 Madison Magazine rose photograph by diane elliott (’00); gilgamesh exhibit by mike miriello (’09m) 28 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011

collaBoraTive, real- environmental design The JMU Institute for world applicaTions studio seminar professors Stewardship of the Natural each iVs studio seminar culminates with a McCusker and daniel and World adopted this logo by Kevin Edwards (‘05, ‘10M). public exhibit by students. Creative solutions their students were ecstatic are offered to answer real-world challenges. to work with iVs Fellow about JMU’s commitment to When planning the fall 2009 iVs sem- Michael singer. ehrenpreis environmental stewardship. inar, environmental design, ehrenpreis says, “Michael is the exemplar although students often invited JMU facilities management staff of these two academic fields, consult each other, says members to talk about areas of campus that graphic design and industrial design professor dawn needed “creative solutions to challenging design. He also models the importance of Hachenski McCusker, “to actually have to problems.” The seminar was team-taught multidisciplinary approaches to projects. His rely on each other for the success of a whole by graphic design professor dawn Hachen- architectural project team includes an engi- project was difficult. These students met ski McCusker and interior design professor neer, draftsman and an environmental sci- that challenge with pure professionalism.” and architect Ronn daniel. entist. He shows that a designer doesn’t have ehrenpreis agrees. “We raised the bar, and Phillip gockel, Brittany Lyn Boveri and to be a ‘master of all’ — he just needs to see they went right over it.” emilia Randler — 2010 grads in graphic everything and bring it together.” design and interior design — chose an irreg- Because of his work with the iVs studio a caTalysT for ular area near Black’s Run that ehrenpreis seminar, singer has returned to campus to creaTing change calls “a marshy mess.” The students came serve as a fellow for the 2010–11 academic “iVs studio seminars take theory into prac- up with a plan for alluvial garden, a walk- year. He is designing improvements to new- tice” says ehrenpreis. “This new educational way, garden and layout directing water away man Lake and the landscaping in the bowl experience is creating a multidisciplinary from flood-plagued Mr. Chips. after pre- area near the College of integrated science learning community of professors and stu- senting the plan to JMU President Linwood and Technology. dents and is creating solutions for real-world H. Rose, the students followed up with an problems. Faculty members from departments independent study and created a budget. mulTidisciplinary throughout the university are encouraged “This is about as real as it gets,” says Ronn approaches to develop new course proposals and submit daniel. Though the concept did not fit JMU’s The iVs students’ alluvial garden project them at the iVs website.” (www.jmu.edu/ivs) long-range plans (the 10-year master plan calls brought together students and professors from since 2005, iVs studio seminars have for an extension of grace street that will go three academic areas. The student team that explored cross-disciplinary connections in where the garden would be installed), ehren- planned the garden also worked with envi- art, advertising, animation, computer science, preis feels it went beyond mere exercise. “You ronmental Rhetoric students from the JMU creative writing, mathematics, philosophy, can demonstrate new possibilities, whether institute for stewardship of the natural World psychology and science. art history profes- they happen immediately or in the future.” (their project’s “client”), explains daniel. “The sor Corinne diop and mathematics professor iVs Fellow and noted architect Michael projects became part of an environmental elizabeth T. Brown have co-taught Math and singer, who advised the fall 2009 iVs semi- stewardship PowerPoint presentation, which art: Beautiful Rigor several semesters. nar groups, found that team interaction was the iVs and isnW students collaborated in This semester’s iVs studio seminar: gen- the “most challenging and rewarding aspect presenting to officials and President Rose.” der issues and Visualization in science poses for students.” That is much like the case in The iVs studio seminar environmen- the challenge of freeing scientific illustration real-world working environments, he adds. tal design and the school of Media arts and from gender bias. JMU professors Louise “autonomy is usually an earned position, and design environmental Rhetoric course were Temple (biology) and alysia davis (women’s collaborative skills are a helpful asset. The running concurrently in fall 2009. Faculty studies) are working with iVs Fellow and JMU students’ work was beyond my experi- members from sMad and the College ofi nte- Brown University geneticist Kathy Takayama. ence of what undergraduates usually produce.” grated science and Technology guided multi- in addition to iVs studio seminars, iVs disciplinary student teams through the process sponsors multidisciplinary colloquia such as ‘autonomy is usually an of creating a campuswide environmental stew- inference mapping and illustration and creative ardship communication campaign. The team’s writing (graphic novels). The iVs board hopes earned position, and col- campaigns included target audiences, tactics, to conduct more community outreach projects laborative skills are a brands and slogans to address important focal like a photography workshop that part-time helpful asset. The Jmu points such as waste and energy consumption. iVs assistant daniel Robinson conducted with one teams’ campaign — “Choose stew- middle-school students in summer 2009. students’ work was ardship” was adopted and refined by thei nsti- ehrenpreis says, “our iVs seminars not beyond my experience tute for stewardship of the natural World and only teach students to be critical consumers of of what undergraduates marketers in the JMU division of University visual culture, but we help students build col- advancement as the official university stew- laborative skills and critical thinking. The iVs usually produce.’ ardship campaign. The “Choose stewardship” studio seminars have changed the way people — michael singer logo designed by Kevin edwards (’05, ’10M) on campus think about what a course can be.” IVS Fellow and architect is a visual reminder to the campus community Perhaps they are seeing differently. M

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2011 W inT e R 2011 2729 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1

Theater grads say “farewell wampler, hello forbes center” By c hris e dwards

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TheaT re ii. wampler. e xperimenTal T heaT er Both names were dropped in nostalgic reminiscence as alumni from The term “experimental theater” is a bigger concept than any build- 35 years of productions in a former turkey hatchery convened in May ing. at JMU, however, it’s received a major site upgrade. to take a last, fond look and reprise a fun play from their student days. For several centuries the more formal, “proscenium” theater — Theater professor Roger Hall, packing to move his office across where a frame separates a risen stage from its audience — prevailed Main street into the new Forbes Center for the Performinga rts, called throughout the Western world, says emeritus theater professor Tom the get-together the “Wampler Farewell.” King, who shepherded JMU’s experimental theater for 30 years. Cast members — in improv mode — razz each other during “all this began to change in the 1950s with theater-in-the-round rehearsals and catch up on each others’ careers. and experiments with thrust staging” — allowing cost savings and “it’s funny to come back and everybody has the same personality,” flexibility,” he says. muses alumnus Jay zehr while running his lines as “Baking soda,” King adds, “The experimental theater movement of the ’60s intro- one of the food-product characters in No Frost 17. duced the idea that the design for a theater production should include some alumni recalled a rumor that the hatchery-come-theater’s con- the whole space, including the space occupied by the audience and crete floor was designed to slope toward Main street for draining (yuck!) turkey blood. in reality, it was a stage area for hatchlings, not slaughter. The slope facilitated mucking out litter. Yet the gothic rumor may better match the building’s second act: drama. Reunion planners gina giambattista Cesari (’88) and Joyce Peifer Forbes (’89) rounded up alums, friends and former profes- sors for the “Wampler Farewell.” animation producer Randy Parker (’88), a JMU swimmer and three-time Caa athlete of the Year, was not present to see the final production of the award-winning farce he’d penned. The theater’s youngest alumna, however, served as No Frost 17’s stage manager: Bekah Wachenfeld (’10), winner of this year’s UsiTT Clearcom national stage Management award. altogether 23 alumni put on one last show in Wampler/Theatreii . “This was our way to pay respect to the building that fed our creativ- ity and expanded our Madison experiences,” says Cesari. “alumni, spanning 30 years among their classes, came back. some traveled from as far away as Texas. This was the only production to ever be simultaneously streamed live on the Web.” Theater majors reprised No Frost 17 in Theatre II/Wampler e xiT, T urkeys to say farewell to the place in 1974, when the stratford Players — many called “home” during their Madison Experience. JMU’s drama club founded in 1914 — (Left): Gina Giambattista needed space for an experimental theater, Cesari (‘88) helped coordinate then-President Ronald e. Carrier offered the reunion event. (Below): now-emeritus professor Tom a rthur the Theater professor Roger Hall. hatchery, which Wampler Foods planned to vacate. “i was the first to come into the building,” recalls emeritus professor allen Lyndrup. “The smells and the sounds were incredible.” Then-physical plant manager Lou Frye gave the space a “bare bones” renovation into a no-frills theater, with office space that theater faculty shared with Frye’s department. at the reunion, the physical relationship between the audience and performance.” Lyndrup spotted Frye’s remaining light fixtures, still equipped with Campuses began opening black box theaters for such innovation. bare bulbs. enter, ex-hatchery. The facility became “Wampler” until the 1994 opening of nearby JMU’s experimental and mainstage theaters have never been Wampler Residence Hall (named for donor, alumnus and poultry considered two tiers. aspiring student actors do not start with company founder Charles Wampler). The ex-hatchery then became the first and move up to the latter, alums say. known as “Theatre ii.” The two experiences are “parallel, and they’re different,” says gina arthur recalls more than a decade of annual returns by large, giambattista Cesari (’88), director of No Frost 17 and now employed by migratory “turkey flies.” not to mention the mice. Cornell University. While faculty members direct most mainstage pro- air conditioning became urgently needed during warm-weather ductions, students choose and direct experimental offerings, while also rehearsals for K-2, a production that had climbers stranded on the handling budgets, casting, sets and costumes, and often writing scripts. world’s second-highest mountain. all were grateful to a student’s “The shows typically done in here were a little edgier, more exper- father who donated an old unit from his business, and for acquisition imental” — providing chances to learn from mistakes, says John of a former garage to store costumes. Michael schott (’04). Theatre ii/Wampler was razed in august to make way for more park- “as i used to say,” King recalls, “We give them some rope and then ing for arts patrons attending Forbes Center events. stand back to see whether they escape or hang themselves.”

Publishedphotographs by JMU Scholarly by holly marcus Commons, (’03) 2011 W inT e R 2011 2931 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1

getting that “rope” entailed ing configurations. The ability to compromise. in 1975, the theater’s platform down into the stage floor, debut production, Hair, followed and also use a second-level balcony intensive negotiations. eventu- for either audience members or ally, the administration agreed the performers, is a distinct advance- script could stand unaltered, while ment in creative possibilities. The the cast agreed to avoid nudity (an space will challenge students and omission that would continue for faculty to use their imaginations more than a decade), says King. to think three dimensionally while He recalls the theater was training with state-of-the- “absolutely packed,” with audiences joining A breathtaking art lighting and sound Forbes Center sets Hair’s cast to dance. denise Cooper (’75), the stage for the equipment. on the other having first proposed staging the musical, arts to soar at JMU. hand, simple productions later managed new York theater produc- (Right): The former can also be presented with tions and currently teaches at nYU. Theatre II building better acoustics and light- was razed to offer ing than has been available more parking for f inale the new center. in the past.” No Frost 17, produced several times by under- Hall is pleased with the graduate casts, competed by invitation in the temperature and noise control, scene shop access, 1989 KCaCTF regional playwriting festival. ‘The experimental and seating for up to 200 — versus 140 maxi- The edible personas bear larger-than-life theater movement of mum in Theatre ii. hats, product labels and hand-held foods. stage the ’60s introduced the JMU’s 15-year-old Children’s Playshop, lighting simulates the refrigerator door opened founded by Buck, also moved across the and shut by unseen humans. The characters idea that the design street along with the experimental theater. struggle to escape being eaten by backsliding for a theater produc- The Children’s Playshop musical production, dieter Kathleen Hannon (’85), a children’s Miss Nelson is Missing, was the first-ever pub- novelist and veteran of Hollywood films, now tion should include the lic performance in the Forbes Center. Wait- living near Charlotte, n.C. whole space.’ ing outside to line up for tickets and cramped Fellow-alums, professors, friends and fam- — T om king, hallways are no longer issues for JMU audi- ilies heard “Russian dressing” and “Ranch emeritus theater professor ences. attendees for Miss Nelson enjoyed a dressing” — annette Fama Jarred (’85) and light show projected beneath the foyer’s high Will Jarred Jr. (’87) — trade deftly-accented wrap,” and one-time Marat-Sade inmate, con- ceiling, and student actors had plenty room Cold-War barbs. This year the Jarreds of ducts public relations for Virginia Historic to mingle with the audience after the show Trenton, n.J., veterans of mid-1980s produc- Resources. John schott (’04), “asparagus,” and sign children’s programs. tions including lead roles in Candida, cele- who performed a leading role in HBo’s Angels The moveable stage, an innovative feature brated their 23rd wedding anniversary. in America, is a financial aid administrator at of the studio Theater, thrilled the Miss Nelson “Lettuce,” aka, Tee Morris (’92), a fantasy/ JMU. andi arndt (’91), reprising her role as audience. Forbes Center director Regan Byrne science fiction book author, gets dropped on “Milk,” teaches theater and dance at JMU. explains. “The stage can move up or down, the floor and eaten by a gerbil, but comes arndt recalls the time Hasser sought advice or even contain audience seats while perfor- back as “Cottage Cheese” — a transformation while rehearsing to portray the lead in Ham- mances happen in the normal seating areas.” groaningly dubbed “re-in-CaRTon-ation.” let. Hasser confessed, “i’m confused. i really The cast and crew of Miss Nelson took For the finale, the 22-member cast spells have a problem with this character.” arndt just advantage of the stage’s changeable structure out the old theater’s names, singing in Mickey shrugged, “so, what else is new aboutHamlet?” as the announcer (a cat) surprised the young Mouse Club style. audience by peering out from a porthole in Kevin Hasser (’07), “salami,” is a profes- sTudio TheaT e r : the moveable stage’s colorful frame. sional actor based in Washington, d.C. The- h ello f orB es c enT er attention was soon redirected to the main ater has shaped other thespian alums’ careers Poignant as the “Wampler Farewell” event felt, stage as the curtain opened to a classroom in varied ways. The audience included steve theater alums recalled Theatre ii/Wampler scene of lively, miscreant children. The main- Vitalos (’90), who manages event bookings hardships. stage tech Hoofnagle says the site stage is not without its own state-of-the-art at “a Hollywood mansion,” and Reed Hoof- “was a very flexible space” but contained “lim- tricks, as exhibited by the teacher “Miss nel- nagle (’92), who taps his stage-tech skills as ited height and access coming and going.” son,” played by elizabeth Chidester, (’10), a remodeler. Tracy Camp (’89) — “Tomato” Problem solved. studio Theatre — the who disappears and reappears during the in No Frost 17 and remembered for playing venue in the new Forbes Center for the Per- course of the play. Wampler’s first nude scene — says teaching forming arts designed to house experimen- More than 90 years after the founding in a Fairfax County elementary school now tal productions and the Children’s Playshop of JMU’s drama club, 36 years of Theatre ii fulfills her yen for performance. — “provides greatly enhanced safety and performances and 20 years of planning, the Jay zehr, one of several alums who have technical capabilities,” says William J. Buck, Forbes Center ushers in a new era of outstand- remained in town, attended JMU from 1987 director of the school of Theatre and dance. ing performing arts at JMU. M to 1989. He works in a group home, and acts safety issues ranked high in the design of the ✱ Get a taste of the Forbes Center’s future and directs for Harrisonburg’s Playhouse catwalk. Buck adds, “The seating units will successes and save your seat at www.jmu. productions. Randy Jones (’79), “Handi- provide for an almost infinite level of stag- edu/JMUarts.

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‘seeing this the curtain is raised building, i Forbes Center for the Performing know that Art sets the stage for JMU arts to soar harrisonburg, the valley, By J amie marsh and the world Mary sue nelson (’56) always imagines campus just as she left it in the 1950s. “ i remember the will finally beautiful Quad and rows of big old homes that were sorority houses,” she recalls. it’s no wonder she get to see how got “a bit turned around” when she returned this summer for the opening of the Forbes Center for truly remark- the Performing arts. able the pro- Facing Wilson Hall, the new bluestone and glass building is anything but hidden, but nelson grams are at didn’t think about crossing Main street — especially through an underground pedestrian viaduct. Jmu. i’m glad “i knew i was close, and then i saw a sign that said, Miss Nelson is Missing with an arrow pointing into i could be a a tunnel. i stared at it and just cackled to myself. Well, i thought, that’s my name so i’d better go that part of that.’ Mway.” There was no search party seeking this “Miss nelson,” but the signs for a JMU Children’s Playshop — mary sue production did lead her to the Tea and Tour open House for Forbes Center donors and seat namers. nelson (’56)

Publishedphotograph by JMU Scholarly by diane elliott Commons, (’00) 2011 W inT e R 2011 3133 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1

elson joined hundreds music and smooches of JMU alumni and Longtime Tri-Sigma and Glee Club friends Shirley McKinley (’58) and Mary friends who visited the Sue Nelson (’56) call themselves “huggers and kissers.” Their target — George Forbes Center over the Sparks, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The scene — Forbes course of two days in Center Tea and Tours for mid-august. donors donors and seat namers. “Dean Sparks, and this were invited to tour the spaces and seats now building, are both big, big nbearing their names, and JMU administra- assets to Harrisonburg,” tors thanked them face-to-face for making says McKinley. “I’ve trav- this dream a reality. “obviously, buildings eled through much of the are important,” says sheila smith, director world, and there’s no better location on Earth than the of annual giving. “For the arts, buildings are Shenandoah Valley with its even more important. These students need beautiful countryside and special spaces to perfect their craft.” genuine people. Now the This building will also help students display valley has a real home for their skills — another big change from nel- music and cultural events.” son’s days at Madison. “The music depart- Former Glee Club friends Shirley McKinley (‘58) and ment here was well-known for training, but Mary Sue Nelson (‘56) we lacked a space like this to show off our abil- enjoyed their tour of the Forbes Center for the Per- ities. seeing this building, i know that Harri- forming Arts. “Now the valley has a real home for music and sonburg, the valley, and the world will finally cultural events,” says Nelson. get to see how truly remarkable the programs are at JMU. i’m glad i could be a part of that.” a sept. 8 performance by alumnus and country music superstar Phil Vassar (’85) was a sellout in the shirley Hanson Roberts Cen- Between snapping photos of the view toward Wilson Hall ter for Music Performance, which seats 600 in and exploring the new Shirley the Concert Hall and 196 in the Recital Hall. McKinley Piano Practice Room across the building, the cast and crew and Nelson Orchestral Library, of Metamorphoses, based on the myths of the Madison duo indeed planted Roman poet ovid, were in rehearsal. The a few kisses on Sparks’ cheeks. “I’m at a time in my life when I’m happy to be able to pass on what I can,” Nelson play opened oct. 5 in the dorothy Thomas- says. “With my gift to the Forbes Center, I’m passing on my great love for music.” son estes Center for Theatre and dance. This wing features three performance venues: 450 seats in the Mainstage Theatre, 200 seats in the studio Theatre, and 200 seats in the ear- lynn J. Miller dance Theatre. Behind-the-scenes tours and open houses, led by volunteer guides, were offered for com- munity members and employees throughout the fall. “Visit here anytime you want,” College of Visual and Performing arts dean george sparks told one group of visitors. “You’re always welcome. Your attendance at our per- formances makes you part of our family. Your College of Visual and Performing Arts Associate Dean Marilou Johnson (‘80) visits benefit our art students, all students, and CVPA Dean George Sparks lead a tour of the new Forbes Center for alumni, Harrisonburg, the valley and beyond.” M donors and arts patrons.

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/132 Madison Magazine p hotographs by diane elliott (‘00) 34 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011 forB es cen T er

B leeding purple for season T ickeT s

coming home for T he ar T s For Bev Harris (’68), there’s nothing better than catching a show in New York or Chicago, except perhaps seeing the Joe (’77) and Jo Ann Converse (’78) never lost touch with Boston Pops. “They are divine,” she says. Harris seeks out JMU, but their love affair with the campus was reignited the arts wherever she travels for “the uplifting experience when their daughter, Jennifer Burke (’04), enrolled as a I get when I see the talent other people can exhibit.” Out- music education major. “Now we’re diehard JMU fans,” the side the Black Box, the new Harris Studio Theatre Lobby is former Parents Council members say. “We bleed purple,” a space that “celebrates experimental theater,” she says, adds Jo Ann. In while bringing quality addition to pur- shows a bit closer to ‘you’re always chasing football her home in Roanoke. welcome. your season tickets, “My husband and I the Converses travel to see a variety attendance at our made the trip of theater, sometimes performances from Williams- long distances, and makes you part of burg to Harrison- now I can also come burg for Jenni- home to JMU.” our family. your fer’s many musi- visits benefit our cal performances. art students, all “My daughter has performed in a (Above): Former Parents Council Co- students, harri- chicken hatchery, Chairs Joe (‘77) and Jo Ann Converse sonburg, the val- the old Theatre (‘78). Jennifer Burke (‘04), inset, says the new center matches student talent. ley and beyond.’ II,” Joe says. “She did her senior recital in Anthony-Seeger Hall. We have seen — george sparks the need for upgraded performance space.” Now, the space dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts matches the talent, Burke adds. “They knew how much JMU music meant to me. JMU is part of our family.”

Forbes Center Executive Director Regan Byrne talks about College of Visual and Performing Arts Associate Dean Marilou areas of the Costume Shop, which offers state-of-the-art Johnson (‘80) shows university arts donors some of the creative and storage spaces. academic areas in the Forbes Center.

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Dana Casendino (‘06) says her Madison Experience as a whole encouraged her to be a more well-rounded per- son. “I felt encouraged to get involved in vari- ous organizations and in the community, and that has definitely stuck with me in my career.”

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/134 Madison Magazine 36 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011

To lead children on a path to being healthy adults, Casendino tells parents to focus on the “Five E’s” of health:

1 environmenT The F i v e e ’ s o F set children up for success, not fail- ure! make sure the house is filled with fresh foods to provide kids with the healT h energy they need to get through their busy days. we cannot expect chil- dren to make good decisions if they are only surrounded by quick fixes. i Pediatric dietitian Dana Casendino (’06) combines always encourage parents to invite nutrition and education to help parents improve their children to join them on the next kids’ health By h ali c hieT (’07) trip to the grocery store so they can help pick out some new and excit- ing healthy foods.

For dana Casendino (’06), being a pediatric dietitian isn’t just about caring for patients — it’s 2 educaTion also about educating patients and their families. “ i often see patients who just aren’t aware of don’t preach to children, teach them. proper nutrition and that can lead to various health problems,” she says. “By simply educating unfortunately many elementary and people, many of these problems can be avoided.” middle schools are lacking nutrition after graduating from JMU with a B.s. in dietetics, Casendino completed a clinical internship education so parents have to play a bigger role in teaching their children at geisinger Medical Center in danville, Pa. The internship consisted of inpatient and outpatient the right things to eat. pick a new work as well as a variety of assignments and presentations. “This experience gave me exposure to color of fresh food to focus on every all the different areas of the hospital, which helped me decide what i wanted to specialize in,” she week, read food labels or whip up a Fsays. “i knew right away that i wanted to work in pediatrics.” new recipe together. this will not only Casendino completed the internship in June 2007 and then took a job at Westchester Medical provide you with some quality time Center in new York. during the year she spent at Westchester, Casendino worked in various areas with your kids, but it will also provide them with the tools to make the right of the hospital including the maternity floor, a high-risk infectious disease clinic and the internal decisions in the future. medicine floor, where she put together meal plans and educated patients on proper nutrition. When she saw an opening for a pediatric dietitian at Hackensack University Medical Center in new Jer- 3 example sey, she was eager to apply. “i have always wanted to work with kids, so i applied immediately.” as much as they may deny it, some- The staff noticed Casendino’s knowledge, skills and enthusiasm and offered her the position times kids are their parents’ no. 1 in June 2008. as a pediatric dietitian, Casendino works with a team fans. it’s unfair to expect certain ‘The best part of behavior from our children that we of doctors, nurses and specialists to incorporate a proper diet plan for my job is seeing each patient’s diagnosis. she covers the general pediatrics floor, epilepsy do not expect from ourselves. lead that something I by example and you will get the best monitoring unit and pediatric intensive care unit, and also does a weight did for a patient followers. management clinic for obese children and a clinic for children with renal actually made a disease. “The best part of my job is seeing that something i did for a difference. The 4 exercise patient actually made a difference,” she says. “The fact that i am able to fact that I am emphasize that eating healthfully is have a positive impact on the health of my patients is really rewarding.” able to have a only half the battle. exercise and eat- in addition to her full-time job, Casendino teaches a nutrition class positive impact ing right go hand in hand for good at a local gym, and also works with children with epilepsy and other sei- on the health of health. make physical activity fun for zure disorders, implementing diets that help control seizures, as well as my patients is both you and your children by partici- really rewarding.’ pating in a variety of family-oriented special diets for those with weight issues caused by medication. in June, activities such as bicycling, soccer, Casendino spoke to an epilepsy support group about proper nutrition — d ana c asen- swimming or relay races. for children who suffer from seizures. dino (’06), “My job is the best of both worlds,” explains Casendino, who com - pediatric dietitian 5 esTeem bines her love of working with kids with her passion for nutrition and education. Casendino says emphasize that staying active and JMU’s dietetics program was great preparation for her career: “The program exposes you to all eating for health is not about look- the career areas you can focus on and gives you a strong foundation in each of them.” ing good; it is about feeling good and appreciating our bodies and minds. Casendino says that she would like to get even more involved in her community and in school Feeling good comes from treating programs to get kids participating in their own nutrition education. “By teaching proper nutrition ourselves well — and being happy when kids are young, we can help slow down today’s childhood obesity epidemic and make posi- with the outside will start by how we tive change in today’s youth.” M treat the inside.

Publishedphotograph by JMU Scholarly by basil F argnoli/hackensack Commons, 2011 university medical center W inT e R 2011 3537 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1

A confederacdy of ream

Explore More Discovery Museumu volunteers, Bwho help thousands of area children learn through play activi- ties, include (above, l-r) Jessica Strawn, Gail Grusler, Adrienna i d Rinella and Cathy Biller. l er Giving back to the area’s children By marT ha B ell graham S volunteer at the explore More discovery Museum corrals children asking, “Who wants to make snow?” Together, the group measures, pours and stirs. Voila! Cold, feathery snow. The children are enthralled. “Can you eat it?” one asks. “ is it cold?” “Yes, feel it,” the vol - unteer says. she lifts the bowl in the child’s direction. elsewhere on a stage replete with curtains, costumes and a row of padded seats for an audience, two young girls ply their theatrical skills while a boy in a sound booth produces sound effects ranging from howling winds to waves crashing. somewhere in between, two boys make their way up the loft of the big red barn. nearby, two siblings build a gigantic struc - ture and then delight in knocking it down. ¶ i t feels like chaos. it sounds like a playground. But it’s the purest kind of learning children can do. and it goes on daily at explore More discovery Museum, a place that provides an innova - tive learning space for thousands of children throughout the shenandoah Valley.

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Lisa Shull (‘85, ‘91M) has coordinated a confederacy of dream builders to create the Explore More Discovery Museum in down- town Harrisonburg. JMU connections — Col- lege of Education professors and students, volunteers, student teachers and parents — have deep roots in the children’s museum. And, yes, the museum features a two-story constructed tree inside the learning space.

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“Children learn by doing, and ‘i did know that it born. “When we started reaching play is essential to healthy develop - out to others, it started to snowball,” ment. a children’s museum is the would be essential to shull says. “in a whirlwind fashion, we perfect environment,” says Lisa shull pull others with var- started drafting a mission statement, (’85, ’91M), the museum’s executive completing nonprofit paperwork, and director and a driving force behind ied talents together developing an official name and logo.” its institution. “it’s a place where Three months later, the museum children can follow their own inter- to make it happen began as a traveling show. “our first ests, set their own pace, interact pos- and that our museum week, we hosted an exhibit called Sheep itively with parents and caregivers to Sweater at the library,” shull says. and discover new opportunities and should be a reflection “Kids could spin and dye wool and talents. They get the chance to try there was even a sheep shearing dem- things out without the risk of failure. of our community.’ onstration. i recall our uncertainty every child succeeds.” — Lisa Shull (’85, ’91M), on opening day. We had no idea how shull, formerly an elementary executive director, Explore More Discovery Museum many participants might show. Much school teacher and supervisor of stu- to our delight, there was a line wind- dent teachers for JMU’s College of education, and her hus- ing down the street before the doors were open,” she remembers. band, Brian, economic development director for Harrisonburg, during seven weeks of that first summer, thousands of chil- discovered children’s museums with their own two children. dren participated in a series of traveling museum opportunities Then, they wondered about Harrisonburg. “My husband and appropriately named Where in the world is the Harrisonburg Chil- i decided that we were going to gauge interest in starting a chil- dren’s Museum? “We traveled from location to location,” shull dren’s museum. it just wouldn’t go away. The passion was so says, “showcasing the many aspects a museum would incorpo- strong,” says shull. “We invited people we knew with varied rate, including the performing arts, science, communication, and interests and skill sets.” health and wellness. at the end of the summer, we were over- Together they formed a confederacy of dream builders. whelmed with requests asking us to consider opening year round.” out of an initial meeting in January 2002 at Massanutten so, they found a building. once again volunteers sprang into Regional Library, the explore More discovery Museum was action. as shull looks back, she is amazed at how much work volunteers did and how timely their help was. shortly before (Clockwise from left): opening the downtown museum (first known as the Harrison- Lisa Shull (‘85, ‘91M) leads museum goers through a burg Children’s Museum), she recalls, the bathrooms desperately Farmers Market, while needed cleaning. “a man came in off the street. ‘i’m a profes- future teacher and sional cleaner,’ he said.” The man, whom shull had never seen JMU sophomore Gail before, got right to work. “i’ve never seen anything sparkle so.” Grusler (‘12) helps a on oct. 15, 2003, the museum opened on Court square. friend have some fun with JMU head gear. seven years later, the explore More discovery Museum hosts more than 35,000 annual visitors, including curriculum- driven field trips in conjunction with area schools. at the beginning no one — not even the shulls — knew if the dream would grow wings or how much work it would entail. “i did know that it would be essential to pull others with varied talents together to make it happen and that our museum should be a reflection of our community,” shull says. Fortunately, the shulls were surrounded by a cadre of volunteers quickly committed to the vision for a museum designed just for children. among those volunteers were Tammy (’94) and Ted Brown (’93). Tammy served as volunteer coordinator for the museum until stepping down this year to open a new downtown restaurant called Pennybackers. Brown is unequivocal in her praise for the museum’s volunteers. “Without them we couldn’t operate.” shull agrees, adding that volunteer support from JMU has been critical to the museum’s success. in fact, the list of JMU supporters is long. in addition to hundreds of students who volunteer, support comes from all quarters of the university including President emeritus Ronald e. Carrier and edith J. Carrier, who serve as honorary

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chairs of the museum’s cur- visitors are discovering that Harrisonburg Mayor Kai rent capital campaign; downtown offers outstand- Degner (‘03, ‘05M) shows off Harrisonburg Mayor Kai ing attractions such as this the Explore More Discovery Museum’s new sign with Lisa degner (’03, ’05M); board of museum, plus awesome restau- Shull (‘85) at the November visitors member Judy strick- rants and specialty retail shops.” opening in the museum’s ler (’60); glenda (former JMU Last year shull embarked new space. Future voters, staffer) and Pat Rooney, former on another adventure almost museum board members and JMU volunteers shared in the Marching Royal dukes director; as daunting as creating the moment. (Left): JMU volun- JMU professor Martha Ross; and doz- museum. in november, the teer Pat Buennemeyer. ens of local alumni like Laura Conklin (’86, museum moved into a reno - ’93M), Paula Polglase (’92, ’96M) and scott Rogers (’02, ’00M). vated Main street building through a lease/purchase agreement every academic year, JMU’s Community service-Learning in partnership with the city. Phase one of a three-phase renovation Center contacts the museum to organize volunteers, Brown to transform the building into a Mecca for children is complete. says. Circle K, a JMU service organization, is another significant of course, accomplishing the renovation all at once would source of student volunteers, as are academic departments. be nice, shull says, but phasing makes sense. The new 36,000- “i volunteer because i want to get involved in the commu - square-feet location will increase the usable space six-fold when nity,” says Jessica strawn (’12). “i missed working with kids. The all phases are complete. Phase one doubled the museum’s space museum offers a great outlet for this experience.” The history and, for the first time, provided sufficient storage and adminis- major from Roanoke hopes to work in a museum. “i have learned trative areas, as well as generous space for innovative displays. a lot about educational tools and techniques from my work here.” The new museum contains a two-story discovery Tree com- sophomore gail grusler (’12) earned valuable academic plete with seasonal lighting and a tree house facade to cap - enrichment. “The museum has definitely given me more experi- ture the imagination of visitors young and old. While the new ence working with children. it has further enforced my desire to museum reprises some of its most popular attractions, it has be a teacher.” grusler, from Cinnaminson, n.J., is studying excep- added a science lab, television studio, super service center, early tional education in the interdisciplinary Liberal studies program. childhood area and a full-sized ambulance to anchor the health The museum’s impact on children is not its only positive impact. exhibit. it features party rooms, an expanded Creation station, Consistently cited as one of the most positive draws to downtown, a new facade and signage for the building’s exterior that will the explore More discovery Museum is part of Harrisonburg’s further enhance the community’s impact and involvement. successful downtown revitalization. Volunteers are often asked to it’s a big dream, but shull has learned: “dream big and follow share the story of their grassroots efforts with other organizations. your vision. don’t let every detail sideline your ability to move area businesses, including realtors, regularly arrange visits to the forward. surround yourself with great people and encourage museum for families of prospective employees and potential retirees. them to add their gifts to make the project the best it can be.” “The children’s museum has served as a key attraction to “nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm,” reads downtown,” says eddie Bumbaugh (’73), director of Harrison- a plaque over shull’s desk. Undoubtedly, she would add: “and burg’s downtown Renaissance. “increasingly local citizens and enthusiastic volunteers.” M

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Virginia Republican Dave Rexrode (’01) and Democrat David Mills (’02) — who graduated from JMU within a year of each other — hold mirror positions as executive directors of the two primary Virginia political parties. Madison recently caught up with the alums to get their take on the pulse of their respective parties, as well as issues facing the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Red, Blue and JMU: Virginia Republicans vs. Virginia Democrats JMU alums and party executive directors face off By Sande Sneade (’82)

Madison: What are the top three challenges Madison: What is the top challenge facing turned around the budget challenge with- facing Virginia today? Virginia Republicans? out picking the pockets of hardworking Virginians. Virginia Democrats Executive Director Virginia Republican Party Executive David Mills (’02): The economic reces- Director Dave Rexrode (’01): at the Madison: What is your primary job as sion affects everything in the state and the state level, achieving a balanced budget executive director of the Virginia Republi- country. it’s global and has slowed growth is always a challenge, but it’s a good one can Party? everywhere. The challenges this creates for to have. The governor started with a $1.6 the commonwealth are: no. 1 transporta- billion deficit and has just announced a Rexrode: My job is to help elect Repub- tion, no. 2 education and no. 3 our eco- $400 million surplus. He did that with- licans at all levels, from school boards to nomic identity. in other words, we must out raising taxes and by working with president of the United states. i also advo- figure out how to establish ourselves as a democrats and Republicans to balance cate our core principles and build grass- 21st-century business destination. the budget. it’s a good message of how he roots efforts to help candidates get elected.

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Madison: You didn’t mention fundraising. Rexrode: My wife, Kathryn scott Rexrode have kids — i would not have believed it. (’00), is the communications director for Crazy things happen in politicss. Rexrode: Fundraising is a big part of it. Congressman Bob goodlatte. it really You have to have funds to get your message helps that she’s in politics, too, and she gets Madison: What’s been the biggest tri- out. You need volunteers to take the message it. she commutes to d.C. every day while umph for you in the job? out and to make that personal door-to-door i commute to Richmond. she takes our contact and make those phone calls. By June daughters to the House of Representatives Rexrode: President george W. Bush’s of last year, we made more personal contacts day Care Center, which is a phenomenal re-election in 2004. i was working in his than John McCain did in all of 2008. facility. That helps tremendously. national headquarters but was sent to ohio for the last eight weeks of the cam- Madison: How did you get this position? Madison: You drive your own car every paign. on election day 2004, the presi- day? no amtrak? dent flew in and spent about 15 minutes Mills: i was involved in gov. Tim in our office. That’s the best cam- Kaine’s election in 2005 and gained paign i’ve ever worked on at the a lot of experience from 2006 to national level. 2008. in 2008, i left the state to work on other governors’ races. Madison: What’s been the biggest our staff was divided into three thrill so far? races, but 2009 didn’t go well for us. i was done for a time and was Mills: Jack being born was pretty looking forward to the time off, awesome. But the biggest thrill but then was told that my leader- on the job has been meeting other ship was needed at the state level. i states’ democratic Party executive started as the financial director first; directors. it’s a little bit like a club. and then after a long interview pro- They are going through the same cess i became executive director. things you are experiencing, so it’s nice knowing you are not alone. Madison: What are the best and worst That and JMU beating Virginia Tech! parts of this job? ‘JMU’s political science department is phenome- Rexrode: election night for gov. Bob Mills: The worst part is also the best. Man- nal. We have a great group Mcdonnell. i was in a suite in the Mar- aging people is both rewarding and difficult. of professors. The unique riott in Richmond watching the election When you work on a campaign, you feel results with people i have worked with like you have a lot of control. You are part thing about JMU is that for a decade. all of us grew up in politics of a team, and if you work hard enough professors encourage peo- together. it was just thrilling when they good things will happen. But the truth is ple to find opportunities to called the race and he won Virginia — that there are some things you can’t control. lead and to do things out- especially in such a spectacular fashion. The most challenging thing is figuring out what you can control and focusing on it. side the classroom.’ Madison: How did JMU prepare you for — Dave Rexrode (’01) your present position? Madison: You’re both married and have young children. How do you make it all work? Rexrode: My schedule is too unpredict- Rexrode: JMU’s political science depart- able to take the train. i drink a Red Bull ment is phenomenal. We have a great Mills: My wife, Jennifer McClellan [Vir- in the morning and i’m dressed and out group of professors. The unique thing ginia House of delegates, 71st district], the door. Plus, my car has multiple JMU about JMU is that professors encourage and i had our first child, Jack, in august stickers, so i give the dukes free advertis- people to find opportunities to lead and 2010, so it’s going to be interesting. Most ing up and down the interstate. i like get- to do things outside the classroom. people live a kind of moat lifestyle. When ting thumbs up for that. you leave work, you cross the bridge to your Madison: How well do you know david home life and leave that other world sepa- Madison: How unlikely do you think it Rexrode? rated. But when both spouses are involved is that Virginia has two daves in mirror in politics, there is little or no separation positions as executive directors of Virgin- Mills: dave and i have a good relation- between work and home. it’s great to have ia’s two primary political parties? ship and a healthy respect for each other. a spouse who understands the sacrifices that When issues come up on the trail, or politics and public service demand. i have Mills: if you had told me in 2000 dur- when a staff person or volunteer is out an aggressive schedule. But, when Jenn is ing dr. david a. Jones’ political science of line, we tend to pick up the phone on the ballot for re-election, i come home course on elections that 10 years later i and talk to each other. We get it resolved after a week of traveling, and we spend our would be in this position — and married because of our relationship as opposed to weekends out shaking hands. to someone in the Virginia legislature and some anonymous adversary.

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Virginia Republican Party Executive Director Dave Rexrode (’01) and Virginia Democrats Executive Director David Mills (’02) both say the faculty in the JMU Depart- ment of Political Science prepared them well to serve Virginians and lead their respective political parties.

Madison: What challenge would you like Madison: What do you do in your spare the Byrd Theatre, walk our two big dogs to issue to david Mills? time other than sharing with family? around Maymont Park or go to museums.

Rexrode: Come up with as strong a pro- Rexrode: i love golf and being outside, Madison: What’s one thing most people JMU family ticket as we have for your and i’m a diehard dukes fan. My favorite don’t know about you? next gubernatorial race. gov. Mcdonnell’s color is purple. My grandmother was Class daughter was a cheerleader at JMU and of 1941 and i met my wife at JMU. i chair Rexrode: i was president of Theta Chi fra- she graduated in May. Lt. gov. Bill Bol- the JMU alumni association Market- ternity for two years. one of the things i’m ling’s son was a Marching Royal duke and ing Committee, and i’m a member of the most proud of is that i started the “12 days he graduated in May. attorney gen. Ken duke Club. Project,” where our fraternity would sleep on Cuccinelli’s wife is a JMU grad, and sen. The Commons and collect money and toys george allen’s daughter also graduated Mills: Before Jack, it was golf. Jenn and i for Harrisonburg children. The first time from JMU in May. We had the most pro- like to travel a lot as well. now, because we did it, it felt like it was 20 degrees below JMU ticket in Virginia history. the job has me traveling so much, we just zero, and all we had was a tiny camper. it find something fun to do wherever we snowed halfway through the event, so i Mills: i accept that challenge. are. at home, we like to see old movies at wasn’t real popular. But we raised $5,000 and collected 3,000 toys. My faternity broth- About the political leaders Virginia Republican Party Executive Director Dave Rexrode (’01) ers are still doing this project today. serves on the JMU Alumni Association Board of Directors and is a member of the Duke Club. The public policy and administration major is a JMU legacy (grandmother was Class of 1941), and he was involved in University Mills: i’m allergic to salmon. it’s my kryp- Unions and Theta Chi as an undergraduate. He lives in Stafford with his wife, Kathryn Scott Rexrode (’00), and tonite. next time dave and i have dinner, their children. She is communications director for Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R). watch it be salmon. M Virginia Democrat Party Director David Mills (’02) was involved in the Student Government Association and the Senior Class Challenge as an undergraduate. The political science major lives in Richmond with his wife, Jennifer ✱ Learn more about the JMU Department McClellan, who serves in the Virginia House of Delegates representing the 71st district. They have one son, Jack. of Political Science at www.jmu.edu/polisci.

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BETHECHANGE

Embracing and empowering difference Professor inspires community children, parents and tomorrow’s teachers By Colleen Dixon

odwin Hall gymnasium is alive with colors, Kinesiology professor Tom motion and children’s gleeful squeals. delight Moran has created several is evident on each face — children, their par - community outreach pro- grams that inspire children ents and JMU students. is this a pickup game of with different learning abilities dodge ball, or a party? actually, it is part of an and their parents, all the while adapted physical education class for JMU stu - showing JMU students how to dents who want to become teachers. be incredible, well-prepared G future teachers. (Above): Chil- Welcome to Project CLiMB — Children Learning to improve dren learn through play and Movement Behaviors — a 10-week program giving children with physical activity in Project disabilities the opportunity to learn through play and physical CLIMB, offered in Godwin activity. Tom Moran, professor of kinesiology, had the vision Gym. (Right): Mark Casstevens for Project CLiMB before he arrived at JMU in 2008. “ i really (‘09, ‘10M) gets valuable stu- dent-teaching experience. wanted to create an outreach program associated with my adapted physical education class,” he says. “i came up with the CLiMB tomorrow’s teachers. Without interaction with children with dis- acronym once i got here.” abilities teacher training is not meaningful. His experience in an undergrad teacher prep program showed Back in godwin, the noise and excitement echo off the walls. Moran that hands-on experience is essential to gaining confi - Five-year-old Brody is playing swords using foam noodles. emma dence to work with children with disabilities. Moran is also part is reluctant to join the group and pulls away from her mother. of JMU’s physical and health education teacher education fac - Kinesiology major Mark Casstevens (’09, ’10M) plops down in ulty. He says that creating an interest in and passion for working front of emma and signs “play with me” repeatedly. emma even- with children with disabilities are key elements in truly preparing tually relents and joins Casstevens to play.

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Hands-on teacHer in Project CLiMB. “i get a lot of training good feedback from parents not each child is paired with a JMU stu- only about improving the skill levels dent for individual attention. The of their kids, but also about how it main activity begins with the children improves their self-confidence and and students huddling around Moran self-esteem,” says Moran. “some as he gives instruction about the day’s of the kids have gone on to join activities. They do each activity as other community programs. Parents quickly as possible, and after each return and say, ‘i didn’t even think is complete, children run back to they would join Project CLiMB,’ Moran to receive a small foam figure and now my child is saying, ‘Can as a reward. impatient to begin, the i join a baseball team? Can i get kids explode with noise and motion involved in a different program?’ once Moran signals the start. We’re starting to see some self- super-energetic donnie loves the actualization and some improved “wrestling” pit. Brody likes to chase self-image. Children who have been and catch people. Brandy is working through Project CLiMB go from on smooth movement in a specific thinking, ‘i can’t do these things,’ to direction. emma is crawling through asking, ‘What can i do next?’” a small tunnel toward Casstevens. Parents have told Moran that The quick pace and fun games they want their children to learn make this seem like a play session how to ride a bike or how to swim, rather than serious work, but serious work is or continue to work on their motor skills so what is happening. each child concentrates Children who have they can throw and catch in the backyard. on activities suited to his or her learning or been through Project “The spinoff of this program we created is physical challenges. Moran’s kinesiology a community-based adapted physical educa- students have developed individualized pro- CLIMB go from tion program that, hopefully, we’ll be able to grams of learning for their child that focus thinking, ‘I can’t do bring under the JMU academic umbrella,” on developing motor skills. says Moran. “We’re able to provide either The individual interaction not only benefits these things,’ to asking, one-on-one or small group instruction for the children by giving them a chance for social- ‘What can I do next?’ children with disabilities through the aca- ization, physical activity and skill development, demic year, and some during the summer.” — Tom Moran , but it also benefits the kinesiology students. on a donation basis, parents can sign up professor of kinesiology and Moran says, “it’s nice when i’m lecturing on for various programs. “We have a mechanism Project CLIMB founder autism and a student says, ‘oh, is that what where we can continue to provide services my student has, is that why he starts getting dents get to see the growth of a child across year-round,” adds Moran. “in 2009 we cre- overwhelmed when we’re in a certain situa- the program. at the same time, i don’t want ated, as an offshoot to Project CLiMB, the tion?’ it makes the content that much richer them to only gain experience with a child Helping Hands program, where instructors for my teacher education students. not to with down syndrome, or a child with cere- assist community children and adults with dis- mention that we’re now able to provide a ser- bral palsy. i want to create an environment abilities.” Helping Hands can assist an adult vice in the community. Children who unfor- where they get multiple experiences. That’s who wants to go to a local gym and work tunately didn’t have a program when everyone where i came up with the progression of out or a child who wants to sign up for a self- else was joining Little League or Youth soccer one-on-one interactions, then pairs, then defense class at Boys and girls Club. now have their own program, at least for 10 small groups. By the end of the 10 weeks “now parents can sign up for those com- weeks, that they can call their own.” the students have opportunities across dif- munity programs, and we’ll provide an ferent settings, and also work with different instructor who can accompany them and Breaking down students. it’s really the best of both worlds.” provide one-on-one support within the teacHing Barriers John Parks (’09) enjoyed working in Proj- larger group setting. This is a great mecha- Moran developed Project CLiMB by put- ect CLiMB for the instant feedback, which nism to get the kids out into other commu- ting together parts of other adapted learning helped improve his teaching abilities. “dr. nity programs,” says Moran. programs he observed. “The year prior to my Moran impressed me with the way he was Beyond Project CLiMB and Helping coming to JMU, i was able to observe simi- able to get us comfortable with working with Hands, Moran desires to provide even more lar programs and blend my ideas to develop kids with disabilities, something a lot of us outreach programming. He’s always asking, Project CLiMB. some programs offer just had never done before,” he explains. “it can “What can we do, within our resources, to one-on-one interactions the whole 10 weeks. be intimidating, but he gave us the tools to continue to provide services? We just need other universities don’t assign teachers to a break down barriers. We’re able to give these financial support to keep it going,” he adds. specific child; they work with somebody dif- kids a quality experience.” shannon dougherty (’10, ’11M), a kine- ferent throughout the hour they’re there. i Parents are equally excited about the siology major in physical and health educa- liked the idea of one on one, because stu- opportunities opening for their children tion teacher education, has been involved in

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/144 Madison Magazine 46 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011

BETHECHANGE

it’s more than ‘i just bring my kid ized training and support to six community here and they have some fun for organizations to train their staff members to an hour.’ They realize there are better meet the needs of all participants. some real goals behind our pro- Moran says these programs are a good grams. each of my students takes part of reaching out to the community. “We that mission personally.” The are always serving two purposes,” he says. students want to make sure they “i’m meeting the needs of my students by are improving upon something, giving them hands-on experience in educa- whether it’s a child’s skill levels, tion, but we’re also filling a need for these self-confidence or self-esteem. programs in the community.” once the noise has died down at god- growing commu- win, it’s time for Moran’s students to dis- nity opportunities cuss how things went during that session This year, Moran received funding — the good and bad. struggling for compo- to implement an overcoming Bar- sure, one student relates that things did not Kinesiology major Shannon Dougherty (‘10, ‘11M) says riers Project through the i Can do go well with her child. she is immediately Tom Moran’s outreach programs offer valuable com- it You Can do it Program grant. surrounded by classmates offering encourag- munity services, as well as learning opportunities for JMU students interested in becoming teachers. JMU was selected as one of eight ing words and hugs. another asks her peers, sites nationally to receive the grant “How do i get through to Faith? How do i several programs Moran coordinates. “dr. of $15,000 to conduct a physical activity and get her to participate?” Moran has really helped me get into work- nutrition mentoring program for individuals another student says, “The reward sys- ing with children with disabilities. … all with disabilities. tem worked; he wasn’t screaming.” another: the kids are so loving and appreciative, and in addition to Project CL iMB, JMU “i was amazed at the energy and smiles.” their parents are the same way,” says the now offers a Physical activity and nutri- The students’ comments will join other future teacher. “They are grateful that there tion Mentoring Program, and local par - information about the children and form the is something the kids can do other than just ents are able to enroll their children in an basis of new methods in succeeding weeks of going to school and coming home.” aquatics class or an individual sports/recre- the program, according to Moran. Because there have been limited programs ational activities program. The pool at Vir- The young children were not the only ones in the shenandoah Valley for children with ginia Mennonite Retirement Community learning and growing on this day. M disabilities to participate in physical activi- is the venue for the aquatics activities. The ✱ Learn more about Tom Moran and his ties, parents are excited by Moran’s outreach sports/recreational activities program allows outreach at www.jmu.edu/bethechange/ and the students’ mentoring. individuals to choose from several outdoor stories/projectClimb.shtml. Also read “our JMU students embrace these oppor- activities: golf, personal training, bike rid- how Moran is training Shannon Dough- tunities. They really want to work with the ing, hiking and tennis. terty (‘10, ‘11M) to help get kids healthy kids and take them to the next level,” says To sustain the impact of the overcoming at www.jmu.edu/bethechange/stories/ Moran. “i think even the parents realize that Barriers Project, Moran has offered special- dougherty-healthy-kids.shtml.

Project CLIMB offers children — who may not make a Little League team — the opportunity to have a program to call their own. JMU student teachers get immediate feedback from children and their parents.

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2011 W inT e R 2011 4547 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1

PROFESSORSYOULOVE

Seek the answers that resonate within you Professor David Dillard’s life lessons have stayed with me By Kevin Elliker (’08, ’09M)

n my first day of college classes in fall 2004, i (’06), who had also taken his classes. in addition to his duties as walked into a humid classroom in Jackson Hall. a history professor and director of the interdisciplinary social sci- i was there for an Honors Program section of ence minor, dr. dillard has spent significant time working with gHisT 225, survey of United states History. students in JMU’s RoTC program. From 2002 to 2005, he taught There were 16 students. This course stood in stark RoTC classes. He can relate; the gulf War vet served 11 years as contrast to an army officer. Oanother gened-level history More than just a profes- course i had attended that sor, dr. dillard is a sound- same morning, held in the ing board, an ally and men- Phillips Center (now Top tor. When i decided to par- dog Café) with close to ticipate in study abroad, he 200 students. i didn’t have quickly wrote a letter of rec- to participate in that class; ommendation. as a sopho- there was no interaction. more resident adviser, i Clearly, the same would asked him to speak with my not be true for this class. dr. residents about his experi- david dillard engaged us in ences in the gulf War. He a semester-long dialogue that stayed late into the night to not only made me excited share his story. for class, but it also began a When i asked if he would conversation that continued be an adviser on my senior through my entire under- Honors Thesis, he agreed graduate and graduate expe- without hesitation. When riences at JMU. i sorrowfully trudged into during my first semes- Kevin Elliker (’08, ’09M), center, receives graduation congratulations from his office a few months later his older brother, Mike Elliker (’06), and history professor and mentor ter, i came to appreciate David Dillard. to inform him that i was no the passion and conviction longer interested in com - with which dr. dillard taught history (any student who has heard pleting the project, i wasn’t sure what to expect — disappoint- him tell the story of the newburgh conspiracy in the american ment, hesitation or regret. instead, dr. dillard encouraged me Revolution can attest to this). He goes out of his way to involve to seek out only those endeavors that excited me. He told me he students in class. He asks for would support my decisions, including the one to abandon a stale ‘Dr. David Dillard their thoughts and solicits com- paper. My experiences with dr. dillard outside of the classroom engaged us in a ments on the topic of the day. brought me back to his office time and again, even while i was a i especially appreciate how dr. graduate student in the College of education. semester-long dia- dillard reaches out to students dr. dillard taught me some of the greatest lessons a student of logue that not only in the education programs — history (or life) can learn. don’t oversimplify. embrace complex- made me excited sometimes meeting separately ity and seek out the answers that resonate with you. There can for class, but it also with them to discuss curricu- never be enough perspectives or knowledge or questions about lum and content issues in rela- history. simple answers do not provide fulfillment or meaning. began a conversa- tion to history courses. These lessons have stayed with me, especially as a social studies tion that continued dr. dillard gets to know stu- teacher, where, too often, the tendency is to give the simplest through my entire dents as individuals. He remem- answer to complex questions. undergraduate and bers our names, where we come i don’t regret my decision to abandon my senior thesis. if i do from and what we did in his have a regret, it is that i didn’t take enough of dr. dillard’s classes. graduate experi- classes. He frequently asked me He provided important opportunities for me to grapple with dif- ences at JMU.’ about my older brother, Mike ficult questions. i will always be grateful. M

About the Professor David Dillard, associate professor of history, is a About the Author Kevin Elliker (’08, ’09M) majored in interdisci - Gulf War veteran who spent 11 years as an Army officer. He earned a B.A. and plinary social science and history and completed a minor in secondary educa - M.A. in American History from the University of Georgia and completed his tion. He also earned his Master of Arts in Teaching degree from JMU in doctorate at Rice University in Houston. Dillard teaches courses on the Ameri - 2009. As an undergrad, he was actively involved in Student Ambassadors, can Civil War, the History of the Old South and Caribbean History. He works served as a resident adviser in Logan Hall and spent a semester abroad at extensively with the Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies Program and is completing the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. He lives with his wife in Atlanta, a manuscript examining the Confederate debate over arming slaves. where he teaches sixth grade social studies.

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/146 Madison Magazine photograph courtesy of kevin elliker (’08, ’09 m) 48 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011

Books Music MixedMedia & FilM Books{ } Midnight in Chattanooga: The game, the team and the dream behind the rise of JMU football By JAMES IRWIn (’06); (self-PUBlished), AUthor hoUse, 2010; isBn: 9781449081898

uring a five-year stretch in the mid-2000s, the JMU dukes emerged as one of the elite programs James Irwin (’06) in Football Championship series football. Behind gets a howling good a confident coach and an established recruit- review from D for Midnight in Chat- ing pipeline, the dukes steamrolled their way to four playoff tanooga, which details appearances, one national championship and a 49-15 record JMU’s 2004 national championship. Read from 2004 to 2008. James irwin (’06) examines the dispar- more about the Dukes’ ity between the pre- and post-championship JMU gridiron 2004 season at www. jmu.edu/montpelier/ landscapes, giving fans an exclusive look at the pivotal season 2005Winter/national — and game — that catapulted the dukes to the upper levels Champions.shtml. of the FCs. as sports editor of the Washington Examiner, irwin covered the dukes throughout the storied 2004 season. Midnight in Chattanooga shares the stories of a group of young men on the doorstep of JMU’s first national championship, their friendships, the tragedies they overcame and the community that embraced them. ✱ www.authorhouse.com/Bookstore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=69914

Civil War Humor Cameron nickels’ comprehensive Dancing in the Rain: By CAMERon C. nICKELS Finding Joy in the University Press of overview examines humor’s role in Midst of the Storm MississiPPi, 2010 shaping and reflecting the cultural By CynThIA PAynE ShUffLE- isBn: 978-1604737479 imagination of the nation during its BARGER (’94) Professor emeritus of english (self-PUBlished), WinePress Cameron C. nickels examines most tumultuous period. PUBlishing, 2010 the various forms of popular isBn: 1579219837 comedic artifacts produced in military tactics. This comprehen- partner cruised from Pensacola, sive overview examines humor’s Fla. across the gulf of Mexico, Cindy Payne shufflebarger (’94) america from chronicles a life-altering, heart- 1861 to 1865 role in shaping and reflecting through the okeechobee Water- the cultural imagination of the wrenching and looks at way to the east coast of Florida. nation during its most tumultu- event — the how wartime The duo then sailed on to the ous period. a former president of loss of a humor was Bahamas, Hispaniola, Puerto the JMU Faculty emeriti asso- child. she created, dis- Rico, the Caribbean islands, ciation, nickels is author of New shares her seminated Bermuda, Humor: From the Revolu- thoughts, and received and across tionary War to the Civil War. feelings and by both sides the atlan- ✱ attitudes, of the Civil www.upress.state.ms.us/ tic ocean books/1340 and how War conflict. to the her per- Broadsides, Mediter- sonal faith newspaper journalism, sheet Cross the Atlantic? ranean changed music covers, lithographs, politi- What was I Thinking?!? and back them cal cartoons, printed envelopes, By WEnDy E. M CKEE (’63) again. throughout her journey of loss. comic valentines, humor maga- (self-PUBlished) infinity Her diary shufflebarger offers an online zines and inexpensive novels — PUBlishing, 2010 is a run- ministry with free resources, and from and for the Union and the isBn: 0-7414-5750-4 ning says she hopes her book “offers Confederacy — are analyzed. Wendy e. McKee (’63) chroni- account hope, understanding, reassur- More than 60 war-time illustra- cles a four-year sailing cruise in of the adventures and misadven- ance, and love to those who are tions and texts give context to personal diaries and correspon- tures of the sailors and their cats. hurting.” wartime history, economy and dence. McKee and her sailing ✱ www.buybooksontheweb.com ✱ http://cindyshufflebarger.com

Publishedi rwin by JMUp hotograph Scholarly by k Commons,evin g ibson (‘05) 2011 W inT e R 2011 4749 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1

Books{ } Cont. MIXEDMEDIA IBM Lotus Sametime Sleep in Me The Big Book of Chris- his blog, The Website of Unknow- ing, at www.anamchara.com. 8 Essentials: A User’s By Jon PInEDA (’94) tian Mysticism: The Guide University of neBrAskA Essential Guide to Con- ✱ christianmysticism.wordpress. com/ By MARIE L. S CoTT (’81) AnD Press, 2010 templative Spirituality isBn: 978-0-8032-2535-0 ThoMAS DUff By CARL MCCoLMAn (’82) Travel Writing 2.0: PAckt PUBlishing ltd, 2010 against the backdrop of his teen- hAMPton roAds PUBlishing, isBn-13: 978-1-84968-060-8 age sister’s car accident — in AUgUst 2010 Earning Money From Using real-world scenarios and which a dump truck filled with isBn-10: 1571746242 Your Travels in the tasks, Marie L. scott (’81) and sand slammed into her small car Carl McColman (’82) celebrates new Media Landscape co-author Thomas duff show — Jon Pineda (’94) chronicles his the tradition of experiential and By TIM LEffEL (’86) exactly how to use all the features sister Rica’s sudden transforma- conscious spirituality within the (self-PUBlished), sPlinter of iBM tion from a vibrant high-school Christian faith. From the recogni- Press, 2010 Lotus same- cheerleader to a wheelchair-bound tion of mys- isBn: 978-1-60910-108-4 time soft- girl who was unable to talk. For tery in the Travel writer Tim Leffel (’86) ware, which the next five years of her life, her new Testa- advises readers to toss out their allows you only ability to communicate was ment, to the old travel writing books because to col- through her rudimentary use of austere spiri- the media landscape is changing laborate sign language. Barnes & noble tuality of the fast. “old paths are disappear- and com- chose Pineda’s book for its “dis- desert fathers ing but new ones are opening up,” municate cover great and mothers, says Leffel, the with oth- new Writ- the insights author of four ers in real time. The practical ers” series. of the vision- books on travel. guide enables users, no matter Pineda aries and He describes their skill level, to develop and teaches in contemplatives of the Middle ages, opportunities increase knowledge of sametime the M.F.a. to the interreligious and interdisci- tempered with and how to use each feature from creative plinary explorations of 20th-Cen- realism and start to finish. Readers will learn writing tury mystics like Thomas Merton shares advice everything from how to conduct program and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, from dozens a quick chat to conducting an at Queens mysticism has had a role within the of other travel online meeting. University of Charlotte and is the Christian life. McColman is the writers, bloggers, editors and book ✱ www.packtpub.com/ibm- author of two books of poetry, The author of 10 books on a variety of publishers. Read his travel blog at lotus-sametime-8-essentials-a- Translator’s Diary and Birthmark. spiritual topics. He is also a blog- http://travelwriting2.com/. users-guide/book#in_detail ✱ www.jonpineda.com/ ger, retreat leader and teacher. Read ✱ www.timleffel.com

Order 2011 JMU football season tickets before Dec. 31, 2010, and receive a Bridgeforth Stadium replica and two free tickets to the 2011 home opener!

Learn more about the Bridgeforth Stadium renovation and the football team in the enclosed poster/insert at right.

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/148 Madison Magazine 50 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011 News More than braggin’ rights When the football team beat the Virginia Tech Hokies on Sept. 11 in AlumniBlacksburg, the JMU Nation went wild. Read more about the historic win and updates to Bridgeforth Stadium on the attached insert (left). The insert includes a keepsake poster courtesy of The Breeze and information about purchasing season tickets. Don’t miss any Dukes gridiron action: Get your 2011 season tickets now. (Below): When Roland Pieterman (‘95) decided to show off his Purple Pride, $15 of his DMV license plate fee went to JMU Legacy Scholarships. Drive the Purple Pride home and learn how you can support JMU scholarships (Page 52).

Inside:Alumni News Letter from the alumni association president, new alumni board members, freshmen are “Alums from day one” ...... 50

Annual Legacy Picnic by Tyler McAvoy (’12) ...... 51

Support JMU Scholarships by Emily Sabbatini (’10) and Chapter News ...... 52

Dukes’ Dialogue Dukes share memories from JMU’s win over Virginia tech compiled by Jessica Lumsden (’04) ...... 53

Class Notes news from alumni and faculty emeriti, alumni profiles, scholarship thanks, and JMU Works ...... 54

Picture This road Dawg logs thousands of miles to share the Purple Pride with alumni by Michelle Hite (’88) ...... 64

Publishedphotograph by JMU Scholarly by Casey templeton Commons, (‘06) 2011 Winter 2011 4951 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1

{Alumni Association} {Purple Pride} 100 years strong Alums from day one Communicate, connect, cultivate and Alumni association shares Purple Pride with freshmen create alumni connections By Emily Sabbatini (’10)

By AJ Fischer (’92), president, s an incoming freshman, it seems as though are ever doing JMU Alumni Association Board is learning new things and trying to keep up with everyone around you . Figuring out your meal plan, class schedule and the bus system t’s hard to believe that the JMU Alumni Associa- A are important, but learning the JMU Fight Song is a necessary step tion is nearly 100 years old . Yes, we are 100 years in becoming part of the JMU nation! one of the best parts of the Madison strong in 2011, but it was only a few years ago that experience is jumping up and down at football games and chanting the fight the alumni board created its first-ever strategic song in the midst of a sea of screaming students . I the JMU Alumni Plan . if the alumni association is going to provide the same top-notch experience to alumni as JMU currently Association has provides its students, strategic planning is imperative . embraced this tra- We are all part of the alumni association for the rest of dition . since 2007, our lives . What could be better than extending our great the association has Madison experiences from the time of graduation for- given JMU Fight Song ward? this ties seamlessly into the alumni board’s mis- t-shirts to incoming sion: “the JMU Alumni Association connects alumni freshmen at the start to extend the JMU experience . We create an environ- of each school year . ment that engages, enriches and celebrates our university since their debut, and alumni — building lifelong relationships .” these shirts have been Have you connected to JMU lately? Have you sup- a hot ticket . While Freshmen show off their Class of 2014 T-shirts ported a scholarship? Attended a chapter event, a the back of the shirt courtesy of the JMU Alumni Association. game, or traveled back to the ’Burg to speak to a class? displays the class

News there are countless ways that alumni can fulfill the year, the message on the front is what gets JMU students excited . At first association’s mission, but the board’s strategic Plan glance, it may look like gibberish, but a closer look reveals the lyrics to the helps us focus on the most meaningful and efficient JMU Fight Song — printed upside down, of course, so you can pull out the priorities for alumni . We call them the “4 C’s:” Com- shirt and read the lyrics . municate, Connect, Cultivate and Create . the asso- the shirts also feature the slogan “JMU Alum From Day one” to help stu- ciation leadership will communicate both internally dents embrace their connection to the alumni association . this year, prior to and externally with JMU alumni; connect with stu - the annual freshman pep rally, new students gathered to pick up their Class of dents and alumni; cultivate volunteerism and rela - 2014 t-shirts . As professors, student leaders and Duke Dog welcomed fresh- Alumni tionships; and create meaningful alumni engagement . men, excitement and energy grew . JMU spirit was at a maximum as faces were stay tuned to future issues of Madison, and we will painted and the fight song was practiced to perfection . M explore what each of the “4 C’s” means to you . M ✱ Download the JMU Fight Song at www.jmu.edu/MadisonOnline.

{Volunteer Leadership} WeL coM e a LUMNi L eaD e RS the Jmu alumni association board of directors wel- comes five new members in 2010–11. dan boxer, a 2008 graduate of the College of business, lives in Charlotte, n.C., and works for bank of america. he served as presi- dent of Jmu student ambassadors and served as the student representative to the alumni board. Stephanne S. Byrd (’92M) received her M.B.A. from JMU. She lives in Harrisonburg and serves as the presi- dential appointee to the alumni board. Dan Boxer Stephanne S. Larry Caudle Heather Easley Emily Govel Larry Caudle (’82) is a College of Business alumnus (‘08) Byrd (‘92M) (‘82) Hedrick (‘00) (‘11) and Sigma Phi Epsilon brother. He lives in Oakton, Va., and is a partner with Kraftson Caudle. Emily K. Govel (’11) of Manasquan, N.J., is president of JMU Stu- Heather Easley Hedrick (’00) of Glen Allen, Va., earned a degree in dent Ambassadors and serves as the student representative to accounting and is a senior manager with Ernst & Young in Richmond. the alumni board. M

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/150 M ADison M A g A zine a lumni board and t-s hirt p hotographs by Jessi Ca l umsden (‘04) 52 AlumniNews 53 51

------M mu has hope i mu speech ducation, ducation, e freshman freshman ot forot Vanessa mu inter 2011 n needed to com to needed i W icensure of

l ne of the biggest pay have desired have since my i feel like our family is epartment of o i d (’14) get accepted to J to accepted get (’14) ’s program’s was an answer to iii e watched me sacrifice and and sacrifice me watched e ) of Fredericksburg,of ) Va. mu t is good to know that J m i icnic honoring J honoring icnic ays p Facilitating Facilitating m mu he flexibility of the program allowed - com in master’s her completed Collins t Collins was impressed with the 2010 etting a master’s degree is no easy feat. etting a master’s degree while working full working while degree master’s a etting athologist program. Funded by a grant grant a by Funded program. athologist egacy egacy instilled in him strong positive values and a the program helps grad students achieve achieve students grad helps program the time reasonable a within their licensure frame. Collins was able to complete her degree at her own pace and take advan tage of the program’s off-campus course offerings.“J By McAvoy Tyler (’12) g g time and children, raising well, most would say that’s a real challenge. Collins(’03 through disorders and sciences munication the J p from the Virginia Collins family joins family Collins JMUlegacies prayer and the open door plete a career goal teenyears,” says Collins. Collinsbalanceto her time between being a single parent with two young sons and hav ing a full-time job. offs for Collins was watching her oldest son Joel W. this year. “h year. this study hard to obtain my master’s, so had such a positive impact on the lives of so many people. partmovement.”a of i ethic.” study good l legacies. “ Vanessa Collins (’03M) was proud to show off JMU to her son Joel Mays III who (’14), plans to pursue a pre-med degree. “It was wonderful to see President Rose at the Legacy Picnic,” she says. “I truly remem ber him from my graduation ceremony.” - - - M odd Lani . t . . sponsored by .” his day was picture per t orma Lanier and (’55) her “ . get share to one-of-a-kind a n . i he says,he “ . Braudaway shared her Phi sorority Mu . . s he psychologyhe major hopes to be a school et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011 Winter - Magazine al.: Madison et . t - - xperiences odd Lanier (’92) and Chris Lanier (’92) e By Tyler McAvoy (’12) McAvoy Tyler By 25 to celebrate to the at annual 25 Legacy Picnic . ose and alumni relations staff members hosted the picnic- the staffhosted alumniand ose relations members . }

. . r ran is a freshman (’14) Juanita Mowles Milby gives (’56) granddaugh her Brooketer, Milby a JMU(’14), pin to mark the start of her Madison Experience. (Inset): The Lanier family, includingfreshman Carolyn (‘14), Tan had the largest alumni contin gency at the 2010 Legacy Picnic. t ------i “ . . it felt i n pre Juan Welcome Class of 2014 .” “When .” . “Being a JMU legacy is a really wonderful experience early300 students andtheir alumni parents gathered theLeeolouat Alumni AugCenter on the JMU Alumni Association, the event honors the members of the incom ing freshman class are who “legacies” sons, — daughters grandchildren or JMUof alumni . . i Legacy families welcome freshmen to the JMU Nation .

paid my way paid way my i “

. he picnic concluded with a new tradition — a pinning ceremony, where parents parents where ceremony, pinning a — tradition new a with concluded picnic he Kerin Braudaway (’82), an office administration Jim Braudaway and son, her major, President Linwood H While most leg the 2010 legacy family the2010 with thelargest alumninumber of was theLanier family . Five For For the first time, t hotographs by kathy lam LegacyPicnic 2010 attended JMUattended

p N { (’13), talked about their Madison style lunch and welcomed the legacy Class 2014 of families memories and said take could parents solace in JMU’s safe environment i threechildren: Beth Lanier (’85), t daughter Carolyner’s bond with them only that’s found at JMU safe and secure was a haven; it still feelsthat way psychologist ing hall,” she said through school by working in the din fect,and the food was delicious,” said Braudaway Laniers, spanning three generations, have attended JMU: acy families include include families acy alumni from con secutive generations, some, like Juan ita Mowles Milby (’56) and her grand daugther, Brooke will (’14), Milby graduate nearly 60 apart years ita Mowles Milby, a nursing major, fondly recalls her Madison College days think quite don’t it’s that easy now vious years, the Legacy Luncheon was inside held the center the picnic-style lunch lunch picnic-style the was offered on the Leeolou Alumni Center lawn attachedJMUgold lapela their to pin child’s shirt . Hopefully, this will mark the first of many Madison memories Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2011 https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/1

52 AlumniNews M { t dents fund Legacy Association Alumni JMU the of Motor Vehicles supports Department Virginia’s from plate license JMU gold and purple your of price purchase the of portion A scholarships? JMU support and purchase memorabilia you can JMU of piece another is there know you flops flip Pride Purple the own even bottle water Y dad’s shoulders at JMU when when at JMU shoulders dad’s to help send me them thing a cool wax (’85)] went to JMU, and they’ve always wanted me to come wanted (’85)] went to they’ve JMU, always wax and Weather Kirby Holly and (’84) [Bob “My (’14) parents says, Weatherwax Kaylie Freshman Beth Blinstrub says, “ says, Blinstrub Beth Blinstrub (’03) represented D-U- represented (’03) Blinstrub Charlotte Charlotte Dukes Dukes Chicago r K- Michael s s race and said that he dated a JMU JMU a dated he that said and race us rock ‘n’ roll unteer Cleanup Cleanup unteer called us out at the start of the of start the at out us called dukes@gmail due to cuts budget able yellow shirts, the announcer announcer the shirts, yellow able together, or in the correct order correct the or in together, some having the crowd cheer for cheer crowd the having some shirts spelled when we weren’t we when spelled all shirts girl Bardeau Beth and (’01) strub sell sell figure out what the backs of our our of backs the outwhat figure Chapter News Alumni chapters and chownetwork,Alumni down recruit AD eptember at the Mecklenburg County Parks and and Parks County at Mecklenburg eptember the eth Painter (’03), Laurie Lyck Laurie (’03), Painter eth Put your Purple Pride where it counts it where Pride Purple your Put he Charlotte Dukes ( Dukes heCharlotte oll half marathon in August in marathon half oll i . e-s Because of our very notice n 2009–10, association awarded $49,000 the alumni in scholarships to stu 48 legacy . i r ison M ison . . r . Purchase a plate, show your spirit and help fund education at JMU at education fund help and spirit your show plate, a Purchase t was fun having folks try to try folks having fun t was ubel (’01),ubel Kate in the Chicago Chicago the in ecipients applied by writing about what their meant status JMU legacy to them r d n purple the a t r i h s sweat JMU the got ou’ve Support Legacy Scholarships with your JMU license plate plate license JMU your with Scholarships Legacy Support ubel (’00), (’00), ubel . You may . com A g A e . Did Did . vent . } For more Charlotte events, e-mail charlotte For charlotte more e-mail events, Charlotte zine g - . i g Dukes helped clean up a park struggling struggling park a up clean helped Dukes irerd (’05), (’05), irerd n .

t was awe was t rock ‘n’ ‘n’ rock reg Blin C . C ) joined forces for a day of service in in of service day fora forces joined ) i By Emily Sabbatini (’10) Sabbatini Emily By was 4 years old years 4 was .” . - - - - . i actually have a picture in my dorm room me room of on my in dorm my a have picture actually i . cheer for us,” says Beth Blinstrub (‘01). Blinstrub Beth says us,” for cheer crowd the having awesome was “It August. in marathon half Roll ‘n’ Rock Chicago the in D-U-K-E-S represented alumni Six Madison Magazine,Vol.34[2011],No.1,Art.1 .” r ecreation Vol ecreation t . - he Legacy heLegacy McClellan-Holt (’81) has been working hard to recruit an execu an recruit to hard working been (’81) has McClellan-Holt chapter e-mail JMU e-mail chapter and the cornhole tournament in in tournament cornhole the and exciting fall events, the “ the events, fall exciting tive team for the the for team tive . liC s ense plate plate ense cholarship is is cholarship scholarship scholarship t idewater Alumni Chapter Alumni idewater M p t hotographs by kathy lam and sarah da sarah and lam kathy by hotographs - - . idewaterDukes@gmail tgi Drive home the Drive home the When you buy a JMU license plate, plate, license a JMU buy you When F at Purple Pride! Purple Get your JMU plate today at at today plate JMU your Get www.jmu.edu/alumni/plate Legacy Scholarships. from two designs: Duke Dog Dog Duke designs: two from 15th year of this yummy event yummy 15th of this year Tidewater Chapter Tidewater Vineyards t

D .C . D .C Crabfests 2010Crabfests Dukes of all ages for fun, food n n jmu e wine with fellow alumni at a at alumni fellow with wine nearly 1,000 alumni, volunteers alumni, 1,000 nearly mond alumni and MetroDukes — — MetroDukes and alumni mond Nashville Alumni Nashville and a crabby good time good crabby a and and friends — friends and tember wine tasting at Arrington Arrington at tasting wine tember hosts monthly alumni happy hours happy alumni monthly hosts $15 of the $25 annual fee fee annual $25 the of $15 is transferred to JMU for for JMU to transferred is o t -mail nashvillespirit@alumni-mail he annual annual he ashville area Dukes enjoyed fine enjoyed fine Dukes area ashville ew chapter president Jeanpresident chapter ew own Point Park” in in Pointown Park” ctober . edu for more information more for edu Crabfests brought together or the JMU seal. JMU the or . t . . t . o get involved in the the involved in o get . com he he . s . r celebrated the the celebrated s he planned two two planned he ichmond and ichmond . pirit City also also City pirit c s eptember, hoose hoose . r . V is (‘13) is .

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et g U e inter 2011 2011 he response response he ECTIO W t shAre I am teaching in Slovakia. This is my Litera American 3B3 ture class. I honestly had I thought never this much JMU gear! Jon Covel (‘99): s Centennial Centennial nn into Buffalo Wild Wings Wild Buffalo into fALL O AN C re you connected?re JMU Alumni Association’s Association’s Alumni JMU a

Mary Macdonald Jones (‘91): Jones Macdonald Mary We venturedWe inRichmond Virginia— terri Tech tory — rubbing salt into their wounds. Thisphoto was taken Virginiaa by Tech fan! Richmond Dukes celebrating the ut”in celebration. o CarmenCarmen Hicks Hicks Doherty Doherty (‘01): (‘01): We traveled allall the the way way from fromtraveled traveled Tampa Tampa We We forfor the the game, game, and and what whatan an amazing amazing gamegame it it was. was. both both We’re We’re alumni alumniandand havehave two two Future Future Dukes. Dukes. Go Go JMU! JMU! www.jmu.edu/jmuweb/calendars MEDIA ebook f

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urple AC p From JMU f SOCIAL ALog 28–30, 2011 28–30, victory over Big Virginia at Tech Al’s Sports Bar. Paige Thomas (‘04): Thomas Paige www.facebook.com/JMUAlumni. Carrie Hanayik Hanayik Carrie riL watching party with Hawes(‘04): JMU Park Hokies Chapter. and the JMU N.C. Triangle the Research Triangle alumni chapter’s game chapter’s alumni Bluestone Reunion Weekend Weekend Reunion Bluestone Class of 1961’s 50th Reunion, AP witter followers and Facebook fans. fans. Facebook and followers witter fans were asked to “ t mu

d i alumni alumni www.jmu.edu/alumni/calendar ept. J 11, mu We are We s de echon h 18, 2011 18, h Purple Out at t et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011 Winter - Magazine al.: Madison et NCLU 15th reunion concert @colleenlegge: are Purple’d Out. Go JMU! The Madison Project’s Three of us alumni, and we www.twitter.com/JMUAlumni www.twitter.com/JMUAlumni MArC s i representing work at in Texas! T SkylineMiddle School in the ’Burg! @BrooksChrissy: Class2000of

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deC JMUNation goesPurple Out t’s a date! a t’s heck JMU calendars for updates on campus events:campus on updates calendarsfor JMUheck Melissa Melissa Melissa (‘00) Isaacs Dukes of Austin greater celebrating JMU’s victory. Go Dukes! was incredible. Check out these creative photos from J involved in alumni conversations at (’09) and(’09) my little sis (VTpost ’10) game. sport. good a She’s

c i @BR_James@BR_James Brandon Hedrick (‘00) Hedrick Brandon Followingthe historic win overVirginia 21–16 dU & Class& Showing2032 of off our purple! Faculty Emeriti Holiday GalaHolidayEmeritiFaculty Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2011 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1 Stay in touch, get involved and be Mad cool

Katherine Beales Godwin Frank D. Hughes and Victoria Gambill Alexander 37 lives in Williamsburg. 72 his wife, Gail, both 75 retired from Virginia Beach The former Virginia First Lady, retired from teaching for Allegheny Public Schools after teaching for 33 Classwife of the late Gov. Mills E. County Schools. Their son Ryan, a years. She is married to Casey Alex- Notes Godwin Jr., is a former third- and JMU grad, works for Miller-Coors ander, a U.S. Air Force veteran. The fourth-grade teacher at Chuckatuck in Charlotte, N.C. Their daughter couple has three children and one Elementary School. Laura, also a JMU grad, works for grandchild. ✱ Vickie L. Kimmons is named for the late Gov. and Mrs. Rockingham Memorial Hospital in retired from Chesapeake Public Godwin. The Katherine Beales Harrisonburg. Schools in July. She taught cross-cat- Godwin Scholarship in the JMU egorical special education at Hickory College of Education is also named Alice G. Anderson is dean High School in Chesapeake, Va. for the former first lady. 74 and a tenured professor She also taught special education in of education at Purdue University. other schools in Virginia and North Margaret Young Gifford Previously she served as dean of the Carolina. Kimmons has served as a 40 Haley enjoys watching University of Findlay College of mental retardation case manager at college sports on TV and is work- Education. Anderson also served as the Chesapeake Community Ser- ing on her life story. Sheary Darcus Johnson (’70, ’74M) interim associate dean at Radford vices Board for more than nine years, congratulates Claude Grand- University, where she was a found- and she has worked as a rehabilita- ford Perkins, 12th president of ing director of the School of Teacher tion counselor for the Department of Grace Pitts Shackleford Virginia Union University. 44 celebrated her 90th birth- Education and Leadership. Rehabilitative Services. day with friends. Jean E. Geiser-Miller 70 (’81M, ’88EdS.) of Jean E. Pugh, Ph.D., of Fishersville, Va., has been certified scholarship thanks 50 Hayes, Va., plants the by the International Academy of Dear Mrs. Maria-Lorna Teves Alcantara and Mr. Thomas Knob- Madison Centennial Celebration Behavioral Medicine, Counseling lauch and Donors to the Victoria Alcantara (’10) Scholarship: and Psychotherapy Inc. as a diplo- Purple Pride zinnias in her flower I cannot begin to express my sincere gratitude and heartfelt thanks garden each spring. The seed pack- mat in professional and chemical ets were created to honor the JMU dependency counseling. The acad- for your extreme generosity. When I heard from the director of the centennial in 2008. Pugh shared a emy is a multidisciplinary profes- JMU Department of Nursing that I would be the first recipient of photo of this year’s blooms with the sional association dedicated to the this honor, tears filled my eyes and I was speechless. I cannot say pursuit of excellence and advanced JMU Office of Development. thank you enough. You have relieved a tremendous financial burden clinical competency throughout the world. Geiser-Miller earned an as I make my way though my final year as a nursing student. Your M.Ed. in secondary education and gift will enable me to be the best nurse I can be, and I am humbled an educational specialist degree each time I think of you and Victoria Alcantara’s story. I know Vic- in counseling psychology from toria was a JMU nursing student, and she lives on at JMU through JMU. She is a psychotherapist with Augusta Health Associates in Fish- this memorial scholarship. I hold the entire Alcantara family in my ersville. ✱ Representing JMU and prayers. So much goes into the making of a person, and I want you President Linwood H. Rose, Sheary all to know that you and Victoria have helped form me through this Darcus Johnson (’74M), Ph.D., of generous gift. It is with a humble heart and sincere gratitude that I Richmond attended the Sept. 10 hold you in my thoughts. Thank you. presidential inauguration ceremony Clair Karaffa (’12) of Claude Grandford Perkins as the Staunton, Va. 12th president of Virginia Union University. Johnson marched in the academic procession and was accom- Class of 1961: Make plans now for your 50th reunion! Purple Pride zinnias from Jean E. panied to the event by her husband, April 28–30, 2011. For more info, call (540) 568–6234 Pugh’s 2010 garden. The Rev. Russell T. Johnson (’74).

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/154 M ADISON M AGAz INE Zinnia Photogra P h courtesy of Jean e . Pugh (‘50); i naguration courtesy of s heary D. Johnson (‘70, ‘74M) 56 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011

Stay in touch To submit a class note or emeriti note to appear in Madi- son, read the instructions and fill out the form on the inside back cover or e-mail [email protected]

Beyond the classroom Award-winning teacher prepares students for life By Hali Chiet (’07) ClassNoteseather Schwarz of the remainder of the school Dumfries, Va., has day includes working on various accomplished a great life skills like laundry, cooking, deal as a first-year grocery shopping, as well as job teacherh at stafford high school. skills like working at a food bank in addition to teaching students once a week. “My main focus is with autism, making a differ- on preparing students for life ence in the lives of her students after school,” says schwarz, who and taking courses to complete takes her students into the com- a graduate certificate, schwarz munity twice a week to expose is the first-ever recipient of the them to everyday experiences. heather M. empfield scholarship schwarz can see that she is in autism. making a difference in her stu- the $1,000 scholarship honors a dents’ lives. “after my first school former autism program coordina- year ended, i saw a lot of improve- tor for the stafford county school ment in many areas that my stu- system who passed away in May dents initially struggled with.” 2009. the award is a professional schwarz says she chose JMu development scholarship to help knowing that she wanted to teach, pay for continued study in autism. but she wasn’t sure what grade “i was shocked, excited and hon- level or subject area she wanted ored when i found out the good to specialize in. she discovered news,” says schwarz, who is using her passion for helping those with the money for a graduate certifi- special needs through her many cate in teaching students with extracurricular and volunteer autism. she is taking the course activities. she was a member of online through the university of the service fraternity aPo; Best Mary washington. Buddies, an organization in which “as a first-year teacher, i didn’t JMu students develop friendships have too much experience work- with adults with disabilities; and ing with students with autism,” Big Brothers Big sisters, an orga- she says. “i’m excited to complete nization where students serve as Heather Schwarz (’08, ’09M), an award-winning teacher of this graduate certificate so i can students with autism, says, “I absolutely love my job. I couldn’t mentors to local children. learn new strategies and ideas imagine doing anything else.” “Big Brothers Big sisters was and better myself as a teacher.” one of the best parts of my Madi- schwarz is currently the only teacher of students with autism son experience,” says schwarz, who had three little buddies she at stafford high school, where she is in charge of a class of ninth- devoted several hours to each week. i“ really felt like i made a differ- and 10th-graders. “our classroom is very structured because my ence in the lives of these kids.” students like having a routine,” she says. schwarz begins each day in addition to her experiences outside the classroom, schwarz by having her students work on social skills — making eye contact, says JMu’s education and graduate programs gave her a solid foun- practicing greetings and interacting with one another — in addition dation for her career. “i had outstanding professors who made me to writing in a journal. the journal maps out the day’s schedule, so realize what kind of teacher i wanted to be,” she says. e“ ducation if something differs from their routine, schwarz helps prepare her professor Melinda Burchard is an excellent role model and mentor. students for change. “teaching flexibility is important because my she’s a positive and compassionate person. she has such great students struggle with that concept.” ideas and always shares positive feedback.” M

PublishedPhotogra by JMUP h courtesy Scholarly of heatherCommons, schwar 2011Z (‘08, ‘09M) WINTER 2011 5557 https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/1

56 ClassNotes M ADISON tory as D. as tory and in March the most successful team in M in team Morsink. successful most the March in and named head coach of D. 2009 season, but that was not the end of to that their connections Morsink. but season, 2009 the derman were let go by to to 2009. Kansas fourth round. ican midfielder in the former JM former Kansas and coach, assistant Kurt Morsink.” M the with the challenges cope of and rookie a as in step could who player “i him,” Kelderman recalls. about feeling good a of number times to have league, about Morsink. friend and col o inform to sure made w for the Kansas under assistant coach derman was the tant tant coach with s l spring 2007 Major pretty game the than much more all experienced of the other players.” understands away well,” Kelderman right says. “[ know you guy a also a eague eague uperDraft, Kel- felt he was the type of of type the was he felt nalfo, nalfo, a long-time izards. Kelderman Morsink played with with played Morsink o “i By By the of start the but player well-rounded very a only not player, total a is “Kurt w saw him play a good good a play him saw nalfo trusted his ls izards during the the during izards c urt urt soccer c c . s o M ity from 2007 2007 from ity c i ity drafted the the drafted ity was very pro- very was hortly after, Kelderman was back in familiar terri familiar in back was Kelderman after, hortly u u a nalfo and Kel and nalfo . o

u who was impressed was Kris Kelderman, then an assis an then Kelderman, Kris was impressed was who goals goals (nine), assists (six) and points (24). Morsink s nalfo nalfo AGA - nited’s assistant coach. assistant nited’s a senior a for senior ll- c c a ity ity olonial mer z Former JMU All-American benefits from connectionsCAA INE was an all- an was - a c - a thletics thletics the Dukes soccer team in 2006, in team soccer Dukes the . s a student player,] he came across as as across came he player,] student a s u nited prior to the 2010 season, season, 2010 the to prior nited from coaches and teammates for his leadership on and off the soccer field. field. soccer the off and on leadership his for teammates and coaches from praise high receives United, D.C. MLS for (’06), amidfielder Morsink Kurt caa a A leader, on and off the field ssociation rival ssociation player who led the team in in team the led who player Madison Magazine,Vol.34[2011],No.1,Art.1 ls history signed signed history g o eorge Mason. o nalfo was was nalfo ne observer Kurt Kurt - - coach. coach. the field. like what he off brings the field as much as what he on brings is a guy we value in the locker room. that that he is a guy that together,” people brings as a student-athlete, was able to see Morsink play for D. for play Morsink see to able was at student-athlete, a as an assistant under an new under assistant coach Ben o it is better to be in D. in be to better is it for three years in Kansas for the club biggest in the is league a good thing. nalfo nalfo was fired as the rf JMu “i was very happy,” Morsink says. “ says. Morsink happy,” very was K men’s soccer coach s i view him as one of those guys.” those of one as him view tadium during the 2010 season. Morsink, a kinesiology kinesiology a Morsink, season. 2010 the during tadium y ou ou need guys who are an of extension as yourself a PhotograP c By David Driver . since u nited coach, but Kelderman remains remains Kelderman but coach, nited c t ity, but om Martin, who coached Morsink hs c hs i have friends here.” here.” friends have ourtesy of alex caulfiel alex of ourtesy i o am happy here. here. happy am h lsen. a real quick,” he says. he quick,” real from from field communication goes ink speaks his mind in both both e in mind his speaks ink native of teammates. his to effort the about says. he it,” know them let first-half performance: team’s “ the with upset was During a July game in s in game July a During D. for starts nine 10 of the in first 17 games with played Morsink son important in that.” was Martin extremely a big and transition, me for this league. ink. “ ink. Mors says mentor,” a great but coach great a only (1985–2010). team sary to the list (93) and seventh in goals (32). in seventh and (93) points list the on fifth (29), list the school’s all-time assist career JM ranked fourth his on finished major, e is very charismatic. ny chance nglish and an an Jose, “Kurt’s best quality is is quality best “Kurt’s

Morsink also spoke up During the 2010 sea 2010 the During “c M oach Martin was not not was Martin oach h e

caa nglish nglish to e helped prepare o c nalfo says. “ says. nalfo c h osta osta s alif., alif., s i i o e was named named was e get to play play to get ilver a t was good good was t panish. “ panish. n nd, as a a as nd, f s r or me, me, or c a o panish panish c ica, Mors . ug. 4, 4, ug. a u nalfo nalfo . nniver D u nited nited it was c /D. tom nited. nited. u on- he he i - . u i - - - nite D 58 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011

The Rev. Pam Driesell R. Jones was Wendy A. Battleson BlueStoNe 82 is senior pastor of Trinity 87 named chair of the 90 was promoted to senior Presbyterian Church on Howell Mill Virginia Society of Certified Public vice president and senior counsel ReuNioNS Road in Atlanta. She started serving Accountants Board of Directors for at Christie’s, the fine art auction April 28–30, 2011 the 2,200-member congregation on the 2010–11 fiscal year. VSCPA’s house in New York. She, her hus- MAdiSoN AluMNi Oct. 3. Driesell earned a master’s of 9,000 members work in public band, John, and their daughter, divinity from Princeton Theologi- accounting, industry, government Evelyn, live in Montclair, N.J. CoNfeReNCe cal Seminary. She is the daughter and education. An accounting June 3–5, 2011 of former JMU men’s basketball major, Jones is principal/owner of Dagney White Monson Extend your Madison Experience coach Lefty Driesell. ✱ Hampton PBGH in Fredericksburg and has 91 celebrated five years of Roads Publishers has released Carl a long history of leadership in the employment with Target as a lead D. McColman’s book The Big Book VSCPA and the CPA profession. As process analysis for risk assessment of Christian Mysticism. Check out chair, Jones will continue to sup- for Target distribution centers McColman’s blogs about Christian port the VSCPA’s top five strategies nationwide. spirituality at www.anamchara.com. and maintain an intense focus on increasing the VSCPA’s member- John Speer of Oak Hill, ship. ✱ Christopher Kepley shared learn more or register for events at 83 Va., won the 2010 Ernst the 2010 Phadia Allergy Research scholarship www.jmu.edu/alumni and Young Software Entrepreneur Forum Award with Nikolaos Papa- thanks of the Year Award for greater Wash- dopoulos. Kepley’s research focuses on finding new ways of preventing The New Jersey School ington, D.C. Speer is president and Dear Ms. Ashley Lusk (’06): CEO of Datatel Inc. allergic responses by inhibiting Board Association Dele- As the first recipient of the Write 76 the IgE receptor on mast cells and gate Assembly elected Donald basophils. ✱ Representing JMU of Passage Scholarship, it was an Webster vice president for finance of Robert (’10P) and Jill Wilhelm Williams and President Linwood H. Rose, honor to have you present me the the association for a two-year term, 84 (’10P), Class of 1984 sweethearts Dean A. Leipsner of Austin, Texas, scholarship at the School of Writ- 2010–12. The NJSBA is a statewide and JMU parents, write that they attended the Aug. 23 presidential federation of local school district ing, Rhetoric and Technical Com- “are the proud parents of Megan inauguration ceremony of Phil Class boards of education that advocates, munication Program banquet this Elaine Williams (’10), who double Schubert as 11th president of Abilene past spring. This scholarship is espe- trains and provides resources for the majored in journalism and anthro- Christian University in Abilene. advancement of public education pology and graduated cum laude “The prayer breakfast was lovely, cially wonderful to receive, because in New Jersey. Webster has been an from JMU in May.” and I met many members of the although I landed a great summer

elected member of the ACU faculty who were impressed internship, it was an unpaid posi- Notes Township, Ocean County, Board of that JMU had sent somebody for Scott Kizner (’85Ed.S, tion. The money that I make dur- Education for 13 years. ’88Ed.S) was appointed this important event,” says Leipsner. 85 ing summer jobs supports me dur- superintendent of Harrisonburg City Peter Lazzaro retired Schools in 2010. He most recently Melanie Alnwick of ing the school year. I cannot express 78 from Sachem Central served as superintendent of Mar- 89 Washington, D.C., is how much this scholarship means School District. He taught social tinsville (Va.) City Public Schools. the money to me — from books, chapter dues, reporter for studies for 32 years and coached He earned two Ed.S. degrees from gas, school supplies and furniture I football for 30 years. He remains WTTG- JMU, the first in school psychology needed to purchase this year. the head varsity track coach for in 1985 and the second in commu- Fox 5 and The work that you are doing with Sachem East High School. His son, nity counseling in 1988. He is mar- currently Kevin, attends State University of ried to Lori R. Kizner, who earned co-anchors the National 4H Council and the New York at Geneseo. an M.A. in counseling psychology Fox Morn- Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s from JMU in 1985 and an Ed.S. ing News Capital must be rewarding. I wish Sue Bunch Jenkins was Sunday. in community counseling in 1988. you all the best. I am glad that I got promoted to instructional ✱ Patricia Toliver Shifflett is the In 2008, 79 to meet you and hear about your specialist for math and science in 2010 Assistant Principal of the Year Alnwick grades K-12 for Culpepper County for the state of Maryland. ✱ Linda received Melanie Alnwick Madison Experience and your time Public Schools in Culpepper, Va. Wankow retired after 20 years an Emmy in the writing and rhetoric pro- service in the U.S. Navy. She spent Award for news writing, and an gram. This is a wonderful major, Emmy for specialty reports. She Susan Spradley was named 10 years on active duty and another and it is prospering because of the in Best Lawyer magazine’s 10 as a reservist during which time came to WTTG-TV from NBC-17 81 many wonderful alumni, professors “Best Lawyers in America 2011” list. she held full-time contractor com- in Raleigh, N.C., where she was a She is an attorney with GrayRobin- puter/IT related jobs. She currently general assignment reporter and and students. Your gift is an amaz- son PA. ✱ Karl Stoll and his blues works with Lockheed Martin in the weekend anchor. She specialized in ing gesture and greatly appreciated. band, The Danger zone, appeared Northern Virginia area. covering U.S. Army and Air Force I hope if you find yourself back in issues at Fort Bragg, Pope Air Force on National Public Radio’s A Prairie the halls of Harrison that we will Home Companion with Garrison Base and Seymour Johnson Air Jill Roulley Barber have the opportunity to meet again! Keillor at the New Jersey Perform- founded River City Refer- Force Base. She also traveled with 86 Thank you. ing Arts Center. Listen to the show rals LLC in 2004. City Referrals the Air Mobility Command to at prairiehome.publicradio.org/ connects Richmond homeowners Bosnia and Albania to cover Oper- Kelly A. Morris (’12) programs/2010/04/17/ or visit www. with quality contractors for any ation Allied Force and Joint Task Morristown, N.J. karlstoll.com. household task. Force Shining Hope.

Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2011 WINTER 2011 5759 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1

Jennifer DiOrio’s original those who cannot afford veterinary ences that led President Madison Amanda Bradley Gift 94 play, Offsides, opened services. Pasternak is married to to advocate for religious freedom 99 was interviewed for the Oct. 22 at the Watchung Arts Jacob Pasternak (’92), and the and the separation of church and cover story of the September 2010 Center in Watchung, N.J. She says, couple lives in Richmond. Pasternak state. In addition to his role as issue of Financial Planning maga- “The play has something for every- and her business have been featured researcher, Chapman also serves zine. Gift is a financial expert with one — drama, humor, uplifting in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, as Montpelier’s associate curator Signature, a wealth management moments and romance.” New York- regional Clear Channel radio sta- and the archaeology field director. firm in Norfolk. Paul Menchaca’s based veteran writer/actor/director tions, Bark radio, the local CBS-TV Prior to joining the Montpelier cover feature, “Who’s Wealthy Alberto Bonilla directed the play. news affiliate, Pet Tails magazine, staff, he completed an internship Now?” addressed financial experts’ DiOrio, an English major, teaches Family Dog magazine and Best with the Smithsonian Institution and wealth managers’ advice to British and European literature at Friends Animal League Magazine. National Museum of American baby boomers — America’s wealthi- a high school in Edison, N.J. ✱ The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts History. ✱ Nathan Hess joined est generation. To read more, visit Marion Haynes joined Portland recognized Pasternak with its Muse the Ithaca College School of Music www.financial-planning.com/ General Electric’s government rela- Award for creativity in business. piano faculty as assistant professor fp_issues/ and click on “September tions department, where she will Learn more at www.helpinghands- of piano. He previously served on 2010” under the Past Issues link. focus on PGE’s state government vetva.com. ✱ Joe Tedesco, a com- the piano faculty at Mercyhurst ✱ Richard Scott Obenschain per- policy matters. Most recently, puter information systems major, College in Erie, Pa., and the State forms early jazz in New Orleans Haynes served as vice president for and Erik Linn (’96), an accounting University of New York at Fredo- with the New Orleans Racket Mak- legislative affairs and general counsel major, successfully launched the nia. ✱ Jeff Sant, a finance major, ers whose members are inspired by for the Oregon Business Association. private equity firm Potomac Invest- and Michael Therrien (’96), an their love of the city and its tradi- ✱ Savoy magazine recognized ment Partners. accounting major, are co-founders tions. He performs under the name Raquel Oden in its 2010 list of of Primatics Financial in McLean, Richard Scott. “100 Most Influential Blacks in R. Bernie Pritchard Va. They sponsored the JMU Col- Corporate America.” The magazine 96 accepted the position of lege of Business Duke Club Golf JMU photographer states these leaders have “an exem- vice president for client solutions at Tournament in August. 00 Diane Elliott was one plary record of accomplishments, BPI Group, a global management of 97 artists chosen from 272 inspire others and are influential in consultancy focusing in human Michael Sciallis has for the 2010 multimedia juried helping to better the community.” capital, leadership development and 98 worked for or been affili- art show at Virginia Mennonite Oden is managing director of career management. ated with ESPN since graduation. Retirement Community. The banking services at USBS Financial After working for ESPN for six seventh-annual show featured art- Services ✱ Lori Pasternak says that C. Thomas Chapman, years, Sciallis started his own pro- ists from across the United States. it is her “mission to see that no pet 97 research coordinator duction company, Victory Pictures, Elliott also exhibited her photog- goes without the care it needs or at James Madison’s Montpelier, with partner Rico Labbe, a director raphy at the Virginia Highlands

Notes deserves because of the financial discussed religious freedoms and in sports entertainment and for- art show in Abingdon, Va., in July. hardship.” She owns Helping Hands President James Madison at a mer NFL cornerback. Sciallis has ✱ Michael Andrew Kahl earned Affordable Veterinary Surgical and talk at Trinity United Methodist worked on several ESPN Emmy an M.B.A in project management Dental Care in Richmond and has Church on Sept. 11. During his Award-winning shows and has from George Mason University in practiced as a veterinarian for 12 presentation, “All Men are Equally been personally nominated for his December 2009. ✱ Adam Justin

Class years. Pasternak donates $5 from Entitled to the Free Exercise of work on the NFL Draft, Monday Points was promoted to a major the cost of each procedure to the Religion: James Madison and the Night Football, Sports Center and X in the U.S. Army in 2010. He is Good Citizen, Helping Hands Roots of Our Religious Freedom,” Games. He has won two Edward R. assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Fund, which generates money for Chapman discussed the influ- Murrow Awards. Bangkok, Thailand. Do you remember? Do you remember the Quad tunnels? May Queen? Call

downs for ‘cutting campus?’ Trips to the

University Farm? The Stratford Players?

Sitting on the hill watching the Marching

Royal Dukes? Decorating the Jemmy statue?

Get your copy of Madison Century, a great holiday present for your favorite JMU student or graduate. Buy yours now at www.jmu.edu/centennialcelebration.

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/158 M ADISON M AGAz INE 60 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011

Conducting his way to the top Chorale and opera artistic director is a passionate advocate for the arts By Sar a Riddle (’10) Class

hile most third-grade boys dream of lives of trustees President roger Music major Scott Williamson Notes as firefighters, policemen, and nfl or nBa Dalton told the The Roanoke (‘93) serves as artistic director stars, as an 8-year-old, Scott Williamson Times, “scott was the ideal of both the Virginia Chorale and Opera Roanoke. (’93) had a clear-cut grasp on his future. choice to maintain artistic con- W“My first solo as a boy soprano in my church’s childrens’ choir tinuity and provide dynamic leadership.” started my lifelong love affair with singing,” he says. rehearsing music and programming concerts are wil- from that point on, all of the singing, musical arranging and liamson’s favorite job duties. “as a conductor, the rehearsal conducting williamson participated in have led to some major process can be the most meaningful, as it mirrors life’s trial and high notes in his career. on June 24, 2008, williamson was error processes, experimentation, discovery and growth,” he named music director of the norfolk-based Virginia chorale — explains. “sharing the best a cappella choral music and Virgin- Virginia’s only fully professional choral ensemble. his title was ia’s finest singers with our appreciative audiences is especially changed from music director to artistic director in the middle of meaningful.” last season following staff cutbacks. the behind-the-scenes administration of a major chorale a member of Madisons ingers from 1990 to 1993, william- or opera company is something “no college course can pre- son started conducting professionally while he was an under- pare one for,” says williamson. the Virginia chorale is a small, graduate at JMu. after finishing studies at JMu and westmin- independent nonprofit organization that depends entirely upon ster choir college, he earned a Doctor of Musical arts degree the contributions of individual supporters. “it is hard to run the from the university of Maryland. williamson then spent time program in an environment where corporate and government in new york city performing regularly as a tenor in new york’s support is dwindling,” he adds. premier choruses. undaunted by challenges, williamson is a passionate advo- while in new york, he heard about the Virginia chorale cate for the importance of the arts. “art is vital in our com- leadership position from a colleague, and he inquired about and munal lives, and i enjoy the challenges of enlisting support for applied for the job. williamson thought he was a long shot. “i what we do.” was elated to be a finalist and even more thrilled to get the job,” williamson, who chose to attend JMu because of the repu- he says. tation and quality of the school of Music, is proud that he fol- williamson has proved his leadership on Virginia’s musical lowed his passion and can’t imagine what his life would be like scene. in June of this year, he accepted a second job as artistic if he hadn’t. “My other option was a pre-law track at the univer- director of opera roanoke. a familiar face to southwest Vir- sity of Virginia via a navy rotc scholarship,” he says. ginia audiences, williamson has appeared in more than a dozen Quite a different tune; thank goodness for children’s choirs opera roanoke productions as a tenor. opera roanoke Board and 8-year-olds’ dreams. M

PublishedPhotogra by JMUP hs courtesy Scholarly of Commons, the Virginia c2011horale WINTER 2011 5961 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1

Brooke Cashman of Essex ous landmarks to learn about the Cities area with his wife, Christie performed with the Virginia Opera 01 Junction, Vt., was named history of Hampton Roads.” Learn LaPorta Hendrickson (’03). They and at the Aspen Music Festival. a McGowan Fellow at Georgetown more at www.norfolkwalkabouts. are interested in meeting any Dukes The JMU music major earned an University School of Business where com. ✱ Billboard magazine named who live in the region. ✱ Samantha M.M. in vocal performance from she is completing the M.B.A pro- Brian Nolan to its list of “Top 30 Lentz Watts graduated cum laude the Manhattan School of Music. gram. McGowan Charitable Fund Executives Under 30” in the music with an M.A. in arts management View her performance bio at www. sponsors the fellowship program. industry. The marketing major from George Mason University. She glimmerglass.org/yaap/young An English major and JMU Hon- is an executive with Columbia won the prestigious Dean’s Award americanartists_bio.html. ors Program graduate, Cashman Records and lives in New York. ✱ for academic excellence and service is a former staff member of JMU’s Michelle Quick is a Peace Corps to the university. Lindsay Breitenberg is student literary magazine Gardy volunteer in Belize. 08 an admissions recruiter Loo. ✱ Lane Major is senior vice Kimberly Glenn is com- for Regents University. She won the president for global marketing and 05 pleting the doctoral epi- 2010 Rookie Recruiter of the Year one of the founders of the K2M demiology program at Vanderbilt Award from the North American company. Major works with several University. Coalition for Christian Admissions alumni at K2M, including: Eric Professionals and received additional Major (’91), president and CEO; Tyler Cabell Dickinson recognition for her work in under- Greg Cole (’91), CFO; Luke Miller 06 graduated in May from graduate admissions in the South. (’01), corporate counsel and com- George Washington University ✱ 1st Lt. Michael D. Parrish’s unit pliance officer; Dave MacDonald with a master’s in elementary is mobilized at Fort Dix, N.J., in (’79), senior vice president for education and has accepted a teach- preparation for deployment to serve operations and human resources; ing position with Fairfax County in support of military operations in Caroline Weirich (’02), director Schools. ✱ Jamie Overbey gradu- Iraq or Afghanistan. A member of of complex spine study group; and ated from the West Virginia School the 3rd Adjutant General Personnel Elizabeth Venafro (’06), marketing of Osteopathic Medicine with a Center in Jackson, Miss., Parrish communications manager. ✱ Mat- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine is a postal officer and is married to thew Brandon Peters appeared in degree. She was honored as a mili- Lillie Parish. ✱ Shannon Thacher three episodes of last season’s Show- Billboard magazine named tary graduate and commissioned is a fourth-grade teacher at Arling- time series Weeds. He also appeared Brian Nolan (‘02) one of its top as an officer during the WVSOM ton Traditional School in Arling- in the 2010–11 season premiere. 30 young power players in the Senior Awards Banquet on May ton, Va. The former JMU orienta- Peters lives in Los Angeles and per- music industry. 27, 2010. Overbey was accepted to tion program assistant will marry Robert Crawford (’08), a former forms stand-up comedy. Robert M. Hendrickson the pediatrics program at the Naval

Notes JMU 1787 Orientation coordinator, is the campus director at Medical Center in San Diego, 03 in Pasadena, Md., in August. Brooke Anderson is the Minnesota School of Business, Calif. She is married to Adam Crawford is completing a doctor- 02 serving as a Peace Corps a private post-secondary school in Overbey. ✱ Matthew Shechtman ✱ ate in physical therapy at Virginia volunteer in Belize. Zack Man- Richfield, Minn., that provides graduated from Roger Williams sell of Virginia Beach founded career training through its master’s University of Law. ✱ Mary Cath- Commonwealth University.

Class Walkabouts in April. His company degree to the Southern Minnea- erine “Kate” Staab is senior graphic provides walking/food tours and polis region. After three years of designer at CB Richard Ellis Group Erin L. Beechel is pursu- historical tours in Hampton Roads. working in accreditation, Hen- Inc. She has worked with the com- ing an accelerated B.S.N. The health sciences major says, 09 drickson accepted the position as pany since 2007 and specializes in at . ✱ Colin “During our food tours, our guests the onsite administrator overseeing the development of high-end print, D. Bussert graduated from Officer sample house specialties at five 800 students and more than 100 Web and multimedia projects to Candidate School at Fort Benning, restaurants and also visit numer- employees. He moved to the Twin support the firm’s professionals in Columbus, Ga., and was com- and clients. Prior to joining CBRE, missioned as a second lieutenant Staab worked as a graphic assistant in the U.S. Army. He is an air scholarship thanks for the Journal of Mine Action and defense artillery officer with one as an intern for The Push Group ✱ Dear Drs. George R. and Andrea F. Pitts: year of military service. Chinah in Fairfax. She has received several Helmandollar served as the produc- As a recipient of the Frances Hugh Pitts Memorial Scholarship, I awards for photography and graphic tion coordinator for Lake Effects, design and lives in Chicago’s Gold would like to thank you for your generous donation to JMU. I am a a movie that was filmed at Smith Coast neighborhood. Mountain Lake this fall. She and senior at JMU and will graduate in May 2011 with a B.S. in geology. graduate Brad I plan to pursue a master’s degree in geology and will use these schol - Lon Hopkins, a JMU Jewell are planning a 2011 wed- ROTC alumnus, is serv- ✱ arship funds to take my GRE and visit prospective graduate schools 07 ding. Erica Howe is serving as a ing in the U.S. Air Force. He is Peace Corps volunteer in Belize. ✱ that I am applying to. Your scholarship will help alleviate some of the also an assistant professor in the Akeem Jordan of Harrisonburg is financial stress that comes with obtaining a higher education, and it Air Force ROTC program at St. in his fourth season with the Phila- Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. delphia Eagles. The linebacker was will allow me to focus on my studies throughout my final year at JMU. ✱ Lindsay N. Russell of Wood- picked up in the 2007 season, but Thank you again for your generosity. Your gift is much appreciated bridge, Va., performed the lead role finished his degree in sociology in and will be put to good use. of “Laurie Moss” in the Glimmer- 2009. ✱ School of Media Arts and Susan Hoffman (’11) glass Opera’s summer 2010 produc- Design major James Loizou is an Broadway, Va. tion of Aaron Copland’s The Tender editor and animator with Leading Land. A soprano, Russell has Authorities Inc. He was a finalist Continued on Page 62 https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/160 M ADISON M AGAz INE 62 ClassNotes 63 61 ------2011 u - t was i as a Works u u eighton’s eighton’s l e’re also hop JM WINTER eighton. Maier Maier eighton. w l love.”

i ’ve been focused climbed onto the i i eighton, a political political a eighton, ometimes we go thought this place l s i t gives me the inspi i idge Mountains.idge r ortunately, the economic economic the ortunately, orthern Virginia area and and area Virginia orthern f Maier’s philosophy and and philosophy Maier’s e’re creating houses that xperiences. Maier remem Maier xperiences. n . area. . transfer student. “My room “My student. transfer and mate science major, remembers remembers major, science after evening particular a he first arrived at JM edge of psychology is great psychologyis of edge for the real estate business.w people fall in loveexplains. with,”buy“Dealingwith he and investors sellers, ers, of lot contractorsrequiresa how about understanding work.” people affected have downturnsthat country have the of much not slowed the workorMaier pace for explains,“ younger brother, Matthew, Matthew, brother, younger is also a Duke and is currently “having a greatMadison.”at time majors double psychology have come in handy. “Knowl e bers the great friendships he he friendships great the bers formed, and he is still in con friends. townhouseandour of roof watched the sunset over Blue the tact with many of his JM his of many with tact about 75 degrees withbreeze. a nice was a paradise.” a was c eighton says, “ l ach week is different.is week ach By Jeffrey Cretz (’03) Cretz Jeffrey By e

eighton have fond memories of their Madisontheirmemories fondof have eighton l M olumbiamarkets. c hey are establishedthe are in hey t Maier andMaier Learn more at www.Davidsellsproperties.com or www.hgtv. or www.Davidsellsproperties.com at more Learn

ing to expand our operations into the realm of commercialof realm the operationsinto ourexpand to ing estate.” real on growing my business and working with bank-owned fore closures.” Both grads are excited for what the future has in hasfuture the what for excited are gradsclosures.” Both store. are looking to increaseDistrictof their presence in the Maryland and ration to keep working hard and doing whatdoing and working hardkeep to ration but he stresses, “ to mega mansionsD. andthe of panoramicviewsgreat ultra-luxurious townhomes that have ✱ com/my-first-place/show/index.html. - - My First Place.

ong ong l et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011 Winter - Magazine al.: Madison et eighton. “Jeff is fasci series became a popular l Real estate entrepreneurs David Maier (’91) and Jeff Leighton buy,(’09) fix up and sell “rehab” real estate projects and have been featured on HGTV’s Jeff Leighton (’09). - - u - . - - - and - - alumni duo flips houses, reaps rewards reaps houses, flips duo alumni - eb Flipping Out Flipping V and en f V’s D he JM eigh the word “entrepreneur” in the diction the in “entrepreneur” word the t’s the best of both worlds.”both of bestthe t’s t i V’s or

l enjoyed hgt i t w lthough lthough hgt HGTV show features partners’ sweat equity and expertise expertise and equity sweat partners’ features show HGTV V produc he buyer buyer he a JMu “t e placed a clas raigslist and raigslist hgt have a relation

alum partner, i c h u liked the work and ow i y Matthew

David Maier (’91) n eighton says they each work around 50 hours a week, a hours50around work each they sayseighton h B f you looked uplooked you f

ary and photos were included,of you mightBravo before see the faces

eighton is not as expe as not is eighton hen you flip a house, you can design your own vision while is enthusiasm and passion passion and enthusiasm is Both alums agree that their particular line of work comeswork particular theirof line that agree alums Both l Maier made a decent Maier was featured on a

with some fantasticand benefits. a vision from Maier the lovedschedule ground building up. and “Being working a businesssays.l able in to a team set my atmosphere own is great,” he still making a profit. a makingstill nated by architecture“w and running a business,” says Maier. link and similar career goals goals career similar and link principalhiredMaierreasons were rienced JM rienced Maier second-to-none.” are partner/ a for looking began right-handassistantin ruary2010. on ad sified “h rienced in thebusiness, expe more his accordingto but inter and reviewing began viewing candidates. viewing

for one of my properties was my of one for on scheduledbe to agents several with worked beforechoosing me,”Maier. says “ regularlytheycon anders, tact me for future episodes.” i ship with the with ship My First Place.First My household name, Maier was finding homes, fixing them up up them fixing homes, finding was Maier name, household profit a sellingat themand putting my mark on“ it,” recalls. he put my own sweat equityhouse.”the into it is more common to hear about houses “beingflipped,”andMaier profit on the very firstvery the on profit house he flipped. “ July 17 episodeof 17 July ton also sometimesterm use the “rehab” to describeprocess. their P Photogra Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2011 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1

in the Walt Disney ImagiNations AnnounCeMenTs design competition with fellow alumnus Ryan Holman (’09), a freelance video editor and designer. As part of a Virginia team with two Weddings Virginia Tech alumni, Loizou and Holman spent eight days in Glen- 1980s Susan Dawson dale, Calif., and placed third in the McVeigh (’81) to Thomas international competition. Learn Edwin Whittington, 5/15/10 more about Loizou’s work at www. jamesloizou.com/reel. ✱ Scotty ✱ David Corbett (’87) to McGee of Virginia Beach is a kick Michelle Good, 11/07/09 returner/cornerback for the Jack- sonville Jaguars. The rookie was 1990s Joanna P. Sny- picked up in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. ✱ Laura Pruner der (’93) to Matthew Stott, is completing a juris doctorate at 6/25/09 ✱ Nicole J. Klein Liberty University School of Law. ✱ Damien F. Seelbach graduated (’98) to Taylor Ray (’02), from Air Force basic military train- 7/17/10 ✱ Susan M. Stovall ing at Lackland Air Force Base (’99) to Rick Faint, 7/24/10 ✱ in San Antonio, Texas. ✱ Former Melissa Rubin (’99) to Colin JMU Student Ambassador Kim Picture them, frankly beaming: Whitney Hanner (’10, ‘11M), Lindsay Wheeler is serving in AmeriCorps, Spurlock (’05) and Brandon Spurlock (’06) cheer on the Dukes in McGowan (’98), 10/03/09 a 10-month, team-based, travel- their 21-16 victory over Virginia Tech on Sept. 11 in Blacksburg. ing national community service 2000s Jessica F. Smith program. The School of Media Steelers signed Dorian Brooks of Diamond Duke closer Kevin Arts and Design major has lived Richmond as a rookie free agent 11 Munson of Roanoke, Va., was (’00) to Michael Phillips, on a Native American reservation, on April 26. He worked on the selected in the fourth round, No. 121 8/7/10 ✱ Kerri Bianchet trained as a wild land firefighter Steelers’ preseason practice squad overall, in the 2010 Major League (’01) to Michael Duffy (’01), and traveled to the Gulf of Mexico but was cut as the team finalized Baseball First-Year Player Draft. The to help clean up the oil spill. the 53-man player roster. ✱ Arthur Arizona Diamondbacks picked up 5/21/10 ✱ Claudia Saenz Moats of Chesapeake, Va., is a Munson, who is the ninth-highest (’04) to Marcus Glover (’04), Meg Allin (’11M) attended rookie linebacker with the Buffalo MLB Draft selection in JMU history. ✱ Notes 10 the JMU vs. Virginia Tech Bills. He was a sixth-round choice He was the third player selected from 5/01/10 Meredith Weiss football game on Sept. 11 with in the 2010 NFL Draft. ✱ Alison the state of Virginia this year. Last (’04) to Jacob z eller, 5/23/10 Rosen is a site coordinator for season, Munson was the Colonial JMU friends and captured an ✱ Jennifer Burnett (’05, image of three alumni cheering on LIFT-Evanston and has been cited Athletic Association Pitcher of the the Dukes with four seconds left on for her dedication, passion and Year and earned his second straight ’07M) to J.D. Beard, 5/30/10

Class the game clock. ✱ The Pittsburgh experience in public service. First Team All-CAA honor. ✱ Amy Martha Johnson (’05) to Andrew Cuming (’04), eMeriTinoTes 7/10/10 ✱ Martina Williams and former faculty news (’05) to Cecil L. Wilson III, Professor Emeritus of Education Charles “Bill” Blair presented 7/31/10 ✱ Laura Sutphin an overview of Jed Hotchkiss’ pre-Civil War life with specific (’05) to Paul Riner, 5/29/10 attention to the Mossy Creek Academy and other aspects of his ✱ work relating to the local area. Blair spoke to members of the Elizabeth Knutsen (’06) Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society in Dayton on to Andrew Johnson (’06), Sept. 16. His lecture was part of the 2010 Strickler Lecture Series. 8/28/10 ✱ Christopher Koon Professor Emeritus of History Sidney Bland spoke at the New (’06) to Kira McGroarty, Jersey Women’s Equality Day observance in Mt. Laurel, N.J., 5/30/10 ✱ Kristin Mimm on Aug. 22. The event was held at Paulsdale, home of Alice Paul, a noted women’s suffrage leader and author of the Equal (’06) to Steven Gaberdiel Rights Amendment. Bland reflected on his three interviews (’06), 9/04/10 ✱ Amber Gar- with Alice Paul in the late 1960s, which were part of his doc- rity (’07) to Stephen Filingeri toral dissertation, “The Militant Suffrage Techniques of the (’05), 6/5/10 ✱ Megan Kelly National Woman’s Party,” completed at George Washington University in 1972. Bland has also been elected to the Alumni (’07) to Daniel Porter (’04), Association Board of Directors of his alma mater, Furman Sidney Bland shares his personal 6/12/10 ✱ Elissa Winarski University in Greenville, S.C. knowledge of noted women’s suf- frage leader Alice Paul at the 2010 (’07) to David Peshler (’07), ✱ All former professors are encouraged to contrib- New Jersey Women’s Equality Day 7/2/10 ✱ Lauren Hasky (’08) ute an “Emeriti Note” at [email protected]. observance. to Matt Harrison, 7/31/10

https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/162 M ADISON M AGAz INE JMu Vs. Virginia tech Photogra P h B y Meg a llin (’10, ’11M); Blan D By D iane elliott (‘00) 64 ClassNotes 65 63 - - -

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a son, Brody Daniel, Brody son, a

and and Amber, a daughter, of Richmond, of 7/23/10 of Florence, S.C., 4/10 Ben (’00), Kate F. Ahearn Keefer (’01)

liam, 7/26/10 2/02/10 rington(’03) Troinbley (’04) Troinbley Olivia,Meredithdaughter, 6/2/10 Lynn Allgood (’03) Sophia daughter, a Madden, Grace, 3/2/10 Woods Sakshaug Woods (’02) Richard(’02), 6/22/09GuinevereFaith, Nabours ’07M)(’06, ✱ (’02) 4/15/10 KaliNicole, ’06M), Bocock(’07) and Anne Sweeney BowmanAnneSweeney (’02) son, Wyatt Allen, 4/07/09 Meagan Boyd Grand (’02)Grand MeaganBoyd and Frank, twin daughters,Lila Grace and Julia Hope,5/14/10 Alsbaugh (’06)Alsbaugh Lindsay, Madeline daughter, 7/7/10 vara, a daughter, Aura Maria,6/13/09 Benjamin,11/23/09 of Arlington, Va., 3/24/09 of Richmond, of 6/26/10 of Hopkinton, Mass., 6/30/10 of Richmond, of 5/27/10 of Chesterfield, Va., 6/26/10

of Harrisonburg, 8/27/10

of Norfolk, 7/17/10 -

of Fayetteville, 6/22/10 N.Y.,

of Marshfield, Mass., 3/03/09 ✱

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a son, John a son, John and a son, Grady son, a ✱ et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011 Winter - Magazine al.: Madison et Noelle Webb Webb Noelle Terry (’99), a son,

a son, Grady Alexan and of Virginia Beach, 5/20/10 and Andrew, a daugh Geoff (’98), Jason (’96), of Bluefield, Va., 6/30/10 Melissa Schanz Koser AmyFoutz Sfaelos (’98)

of Virginia Beach, 7/16/10 of Springfield, Va., 5/19/10 of Aventura, Fla., 3/17/10 ter, Caitlynter, Elise, 3/18/08 Georgia Lynn, 8/09/10 SharrocksThanos (’98) Theodore (’91), Theodore, 6/29/10 nifer Malone Sulanke (’98) and dolph Robert, 10/3/09 McGoldrickSheehan (’99) and Matt, a daughter, Riley Patricia, 7/12/10 Kimberly Plamondon Moore (’99) Ryan Harper, 8/16/09 Castiglia(’00) 12/31/09 der, VorthmanSmith (’99) Andrew(’98), James, 5/07 and a daughter, Jovianne Willamina, 3/09 (’99) and 2000s ✱ ✱ HamiltonJackson (’99) and Colin, twin sons, Dylan Wood and Sean Christian, 4/10/10 DanaWillie (’99) a daughter,a Erin Olivia, 6/25/09 (’00), of Harrisonburg, 2010 of Grafton, Va., 7/10 ) of Virginia Beach, 9/14/10

of South Boston, Va., 8/18/10 of Richmond, of 11/11/10

of Rockbridge Baths, Va., 6/22/10 of West Columbia, S.C., 8/15/10 - - a ✱ of Franklin, 7/14/10 W.Va.,

✱ ✱ of Virginia Beach, 2/24/10

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Isaac (’99), , a daughter, and Angela, a and Joshua, a MaggieGlenn and Bryan, a and

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Jeff (’91),

Julia D. Trevey (’89 Trevey D. Julia Amy Bender Walsh

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and Memoriam and Kevin, a daughter, (’95, ’98M)(’95,

James (’95) Matthew (’98), d uture Maria Alexis Maria Georgeadis Christy Callan (’95) Wood Stephen AndrewMacKinStephen

Marguerite Wilson Gregory (’49) Betty Clougherty Miller (’45) LillianDemodena Punaro (’48) Betty Kabler Forbes (’49) Iris“Titi” Ruiz Williams (’42) MaryDyer Dalen (’44) NancyRowe Maddox (’44) MildredAlley Hancock (’42) WilmaLarue Mast (’42) Anna(’42) Long Watson LouiseGilliam Tate (’34) InezGraybeal Roop (’35) Frances Coates (’40) Mary Stevens Greene (’41) in daughter, Caroline, 11/06/09 daughter,Rose,Eva 8/4/10 and Olen Crane, a daughter, daughter, a Crane,Olen and Berkeley Maria, 1/20/10 ter, Mollyter, Rose, 5/18/10 Riley Savannah, 5/16/10 (’90) non Hicks(’98) CatherineKirklandCrews (’92) Thomas Jefferson V, 1/15/10 daughter, Juliana Genevieve, 12/22/09 Muldner (’97) and Katherine James, 11/03/09 ✱ ✱ ✱ 1990s 1980s. f Kelly Austin Mitchell (’98) and Carter (’98) daughter, Alex Elizabeth, 6/4/10 and Ben, a daughter, Willa 5/27/09 Callan, Elizabeth Glasser Sibley (’98) Sibley Elizabeth Glasser Published by JMU Scholarly Commons, 2011 Madison Magazine, Vol. 34 [2011], No. 1, Art. 1 PICTURETHIS

Party Dawg Road Dawg puts on his best coat and tails for four alumni weddings By Michelle Hite (’88)

ou’d think Road dawg would be dog tired from his many visits with alumni since Megan Klas (‘07) and Patrick McNeil (‘05, ‘07M) being unleashed Nursing majors Megan Klas (’07) and Patrick McNeil (’05, ’07M) Yduring the 2008 JMU Centen- married on Oct. 3, 2009, in Duck, N.C. “All alumni stood proudly nial Celebration; but dukes’ best as we hoisted Road Dawg and sang theJMU Fight Song,” says friend is still kicking up his paws. Patrick. “We knew Road Dawg was a must-have forour wedding. Road dawg has hit the road with All 15 alums were proud to see him.” Megan is an R.N. in Atlanta Children’s Healthcare in the AFLAC Cancer Center, and Patrick 53 dukes traveling 10,772 miles is a firefighter and emergency room R.N. in Atlanta. around the United states. He has welcomed Future dukes, attended Trish Tyler (‘91) and Brooks Ferrett (‘91) numerous weddings, hit the slopes in Breckenridge, howled for the Music industry majors Trish Tyler (’91) and Brooks Fer- rett (’91) were married on the Quad on May 15, 2010. Redskins at Fedex Field, toured a Road Dawg shared in the Purple-and Gold-theme brewery, kicked up some sand at nuptials. “Nearly everyone involved in our wedding ocean City, n.J., and survived a was an alum — from our photographer Susan Som- few unprintable excursions. (You merfeldt (’09) to our minister Cecil Conley (’95),” says Trish. “When we were introduced as husband and wife, dukes know who you are!) Check we walked out to a recording of the Marching Royal out these images from Road Dukes performing the JMU Fight Song.” Even though dawg’s scrapbook, as he donned the classmates shared a major, the couple never dated his best coat and tails at four Pur- at JMU. “I took a picture of Brooks at graduation and ple and gold weddings. M kept it in my photo album. But, that was the last time we saw each other, except once at Kings Dominion. Flash forward 15 years to the booming social media craze. I searched for classmates via MySpace and there was Brooks. The rest, as they say, is history.”

Kira McGroarty (‘06) and Chris Koon (‘06) Rachel Schmid (’08) and Scott Lemn (’08) Road Dawg celebrated the marriage of health sciences Centennial Dukes Rachel Schmid (’08) and Scott Lemn (’08) began dating majors Kira McGroarty (’06) and Chris Koon (’06) on as sophomores. Lemn was a team captain and an All-American center for May 30, 2010, in Pasadena, Md. The Rev. Sandra C. Bot- the football team, and Schmid was involved in the Club Ski Racing Team. toms (’83) officiated. “We were ecstatic to have Road They wed on July 10, 2010, at First Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg and Dawg and several alumni share our big day,” says Kira. had their reception at the Spotswood Country Club. Road Dawg and several “Marissa R. Bonaiuto (’06, ’07M) and Andy Runyan (’05, alumni celebrated with the couple. Rachel says, “Road Dawg was a big hit. We ’07M) were the maid of honor and best man.” all sang the JMU Fight Song as we took a JMU group picture.”

Schmid/Lemn Photogra P h by Ja Son m ichaeL PhotograP hy; t y L er/Ferrett by https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/164 Madison Magazine SuSan Sommer F eL dt (’09); K L aS/m cn eiL courteSy o F Per SKie StudioS 66 et al.: Madison Magazine - Winter 2011 Submit your Madison class note The magazine staff welcomes news for class notes and notes from alumni and former faculty members. Please submit news of personal and career achievements online at www.jmu.edu/alumni/classnote or use this form and mail news to: Class Notes, Madison, James Madison University, 220 University Blvd., MSC 3610, JMU, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

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Madison, Jmu, 220 university blvd., mSc 3603, harrisonburg, Va 22807-0002 CHIm E I n! Go to the Be the Change blog and reconnect with JMU. You’re doing great things that make a difference, all of which highlight the extraordinary nature and impact of the Madison Experience. www.jmu.edu/BeTheChange

‘Change is noticing what’s happening around us and taking positive action to change the bad things.’ — maIlIzaR (‘11m) graduate student and education advocate

Raising the bar for Indonesian students and teachers

after a devastating 2004 tsunami killed thousands in indonesia and destroyed his hometown, JMU graduate For Mailizar (‘11M), education is more student Mailizar (‘11M) worked to rebuild the houses that were the homes of his friends and family. While than a personal quest for fulfillment. He plans to take his JMU graduate working with U.s. aid workers, Mailizar realized that the rebuilding needed to be deeper; the foundations degree in educational technol- of the society needed to be reshaped. Receiving encouragement from his relief worker friends, he enrolled in ogy and help teachers in Indonesia a syiah Kuala University in indonesia and graduated in 2006 with a degree in mathematics education. He incorporate technology into their classrooms. Mailizar will use educa- started teaching children right away. Making do with the limited funds and resources, Mailizar taught math- tion to help rebuild a nation. ematics in an indonesian school, contributing to a growing sense of importance of education in indonesia. To the tsunami-stricken nation of indonesia, education is a luxury. Yet teaching wasn’t enough, he realized. Without proper materials or training, teachers couldn’t meet his country’s growing educational demands. Mailizar traveled around the world to James Madison University, to earn his master’s of educa- tion with a specialization in educational technology. after he graduates, Mailizar plans to return to indonesia to teach teachers — to help educators learn new methods for incorporating technology into the classroom and to change his country by raising the bar and the opportunities fori ndonesian students.

BePhotograP h by diane e LLiott (‘00) changeBe the Change for a brighter future! www.jmu.edu/BetheChange/ https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/madisonmagazine/vol34/iss1/1the 68