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December 2005 |
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 ALUMNI NEWS |
Chapter Awards Presented at Homecoming Gala
JMU Alumni Association Board of Directors President Elaine Toth Hinsdale ('85) presented the following four chapter awards
during the 2005 Homecoming Gala in October:
- Chapter of the Year — Tidewater Alumni Chapter
- Most Improved Chapter — Richmond Alumni Chapter
- Chapter President of the Year — Vanessa Evans ('93, '97M) of the Black Alumni Chapter
- Distinguished Alumni Chapter of the Year — (Inaugural Award) The Metro Dukes.
'Tis the Season: Holidayfest & Alumni Chapter Holiday Parties
The President's Council Holidayfest is Dec 4. All of JMU's $1,000 donors are encouraged to attend to enjoy a 2-4 p.m.
reception at the Top Dog Cafe prior to the Wilson Hall Holidayfest. The Top Dog Cafe is located in the former PC Dukes
Ballroom. For more information on the event, please call Linda Elliott at (540) 5688791.
Alumni Chapter Holiday Parties include the following dates and locations:
- Dec. 9 — Richmond alumni at the home of Mary ('64) and Norman Sulser, Mechanicsville, Va.
RSVP by Dec. 5 by contacting the JMU alumni office.
- Dec. 12 — Tidewater area alumni at Blue Hippo Cafe, Norfolk Va.
RSVP by Dec. 2 by contacting the JMU alumni office.
- Dec. 13 — Charlotte N.C. alumni at the home of Dee Dee ('78) and Steve ('78) Leeolou in Charlotte.
RSVP by Dec. 9 by contacting the JMU alumni office.
For more information or to register for any of these alumni Holiday Parties, please call (540)568-6234 or visit
www.jmu.edu/alumni and click on the "Chapter Holiday Parties" link.
Metro Dukes Chapter Annual Jobfair is Jan. 6
Polish up your resume. It's time for the sixth annual Metro Dukes JobFair — Jan. 6, 2006, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the
Tysons Corner Holiday Inn (McLean, Va.). All JMU alumni and current students may contribute their resumes to the JobFair
resume CD, and attend the Job Fair for free. The event is a fundraiser for the Metro Dukes Chapter Scholarship fund. There
are almost 18,000 JMU alumni in the Washington, D.C., region, 3,000 in the Baltimore metro area and hundreds graduating in
December 2005. JobFair is your opportunity to network with more than 50 area employers and interact with their
representatives. Deadline for submitting your resume is Dec. 16. Or, bring hard copies of your resume and dress for success.
Special thanks are extended to the JobFair's "Gold Sponsor": Spherion Professional Services ( www.spherion.com).
Learn more about JobFair and submit your resume for the CD at:
www.jmu.edu/alumni/jobfair.
Chapter of the Month: ChicagoDukes Chapter Debuts
Raminder Chadha ('93) and a few Chicago alumni are bringing a taste of the 'Burg to the shores of Lake Michigan. Chadha
established the Chicago-area JMU Alumni Chapter in February. "When I moved to Chicago from the D.C. area eight years ago, I
wondered if there were any JMU alumni in the area," Chadha says. "Someone prior to me tried organizing something, but it
didn't come to fruition. ... I used to be a member of the active Metro Dukes Chapter and helped out with the immensely
popular CrabFest and the golf tournament." According to Chadha, there are about 150 alumni in the Chicago area, while about
14 fellow Dukes have attended most events so far. It's not because of a lack of interest, he says. "Alumni interest has
always been high because we're somewhat removed from JMU." Still ironing out details, the Chicago Dukes have sponsored
several events including a few happy hours at local watering holes, Tilly's and Ravinia. Pictured
below with fellow Dukes, Chadha (second from left, front row) says that the Chicago Dukes have also enjoyed a Chaka Khan
performance and have cheered on the JMU women's volleyball team during a Labor Day weekend match. Ken Horinko ('01) designs
the chapter's Web site,
www.chicagodukes.com, which, of course, shows weather conditions
for the Chicago and Harrisonburg areas. Angela Keaveny ('94) helped plan the group's first event, a happy hour at Tilly's.
Check out JMU's newest chapter at
www.chicagodukes.com or e-mail Chadha for more information at
turban8r@gmail.com. — By Erin Pettit ('05)
The Chicago Dukes.
Atlanta Alumni Chapter to Gather for Holiday Party Dec. 4
JMU's Atlanta Alumni Chapter will meet Sunday, Dec. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. for a Holiday Party at Jocks & Jills Brookhaven (in a
private, cozy room), 4046 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta; phone, (404) 816-2801. The cost is $30 per adult (21 & over), and
includes house beer and wine and hot hors d'oeuvres, and $20 for those under 21 and adults that choose not to drink. Visit
the Alumni Web site at
www.jmu.edu/alumni to RSVP and click on "Chapter Holiday Parties." For information,
contact Melissa Palladino Roberts ('98) at 404-822-8783 or by e-mail at
AtlantaChpt@alumni.jmu.edu.
Duke Club has Record-breaking Fundraising Year
The Duke Club raised $677,729 for the university in 2004-05. Duke Club officials presented the university with the check
during halftime of JMU's Sept. 17 football game against Delaware State. The game was designated "Duke Club Day," and a
variety of activities recognizing the efforts of JMU Duke Club members took place throughout the weekend.
Greater Madison Group Introduces Community Leadership Forum
Greater Madison, a JMU nonprofit organization, is aiming to bridge the gap between James Madison University and the
Harrisonburg- Rockingham County communities. In an effort to be more active in that role, the group recently hosted a
Community Leadership Forum, where JMU President Linwood Rose spoke with community leaders. Sherry King, director of JMU's
Parent Relations, says that Greater Madison will also sponsor a "Partnering with the Community" series. "In October, Dr. Rose
presented a comprehensive update on the university's achievements and near and long-term goals, including enrollment
projections through 2012," says King. His presentation was followed by a period of discussion about the relationship between
JMU and the Harrisonburg/Rockingham County community. Greater Madison updated its mission this summer to include a more
active role in facilitating communications between the university and the community. The tentative plan is that the
organization will hold a Partnering with the Community meeting every other month and cover topics including the following:
supporting the local economy, providing entertainment and cultural opportunities, promoting education and health, engaging in
service and celebrating Madison's Centennial. The next meeting is scheduled for late January and the topic will be "Promoting
Education and Health." Greater Madison also recognized the 2004-05 annual scholarship recipients. Kelsey Pack and Svetlana
Pustinovich, pictured above with JMU President Linwood H. Rose, are freshmen this year. Learn more about the Greater Madison
organization at
www.jmu.edu/greatermadison.
Greater Madison Honors Professor Emerita Lee Morrison
Lee Morrison
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For more than two decades, Dr. Leotus Morrison has been a driving force in the push for quality and equality in women's
athletics. For this reason, and many more, Morrison was honored with the Greater Madison Distinguished Service Award. The
professor emerita of physical education played an instrumental role in the formation of the Association for Intercollegiate
Athletics for Women, the original governing body for college women's athletics in the United States. Morrison held numerous
positions on athletics boards to voice her outlook on women in athletics. In 1984, she received the Honor Fellow Award from
the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport, which cited her as a "leader, teacher, humanitarian . . . to whom
people owe a great debt of gratitude for her contributions to girls and women in sport." In 1985, she was honored also with
the Katherine Ley Award by the Eastern College Athletic Conference. Joining the JMU faculty in 1954, she later became
associate athletics director in 1961. She was the university's field hockey team coach for 17 years and helped lead the team
to win a regional championship and to compete in the national tournament in 1977. Morrison retired in 1989 as JMU's associate
director of athletics emeritus and professor of physical education and health science emeritus. Read a "Professors You Love"
article about Morrison at:
www.jmu.edu/montpelier/issues/summer02/main/prof.htm.
— By Erin Pettit ('05)
New Physics/Chemistry Building Dedicated
JMU dedicated the new Physics/Chemistry Building during Homecoming Weekend, Friday, Oct. 28. The Chemistry Department hosted
tours of the new facility, and professors, students and staff heard from JMU President Linwood H. Rose. Pictured here, dean
of the College of Science and Mathematics David Brakke gets help cutting the dedication ribbon from President Linwood Rose,
chemistry Professor and department Chair Donna Amenta and physics Professor and department Chair Steve Whisnant. Conoco
Phillips executive John Powers ('84) served as keynote speaker for the building dedication festivities, and spoke on "Living
in a Materials World." Also during the weekend, alumni, students and professors enjoyed a reception in the College of
Integrated Science and Technology building and roundtable discussions led Jim Haley ('79) Amy Lynn Whitaker ('96), Kelli
Remines ('02), J. Kevin Gillie ('83), Dan Nardi ('79), Marcella Mullenax ('92), Kathy Rosa ('78) and Charles Lamb ('78).
Alumnus is Delaware's Teacher of the Year
Garrett Lydic ('92, '95M) is the 2005 Delaware Teacher of the Year. Garrett is a physical education teacher at North Laurel
Elementary in the Laurel School District. He is married to Leslie Reed Lydic ('95). Garrett's proud sister, Karlene Lydic
Lesho ('93) submitted this information to "Brightening the Lights." Keep those great story ideas coming, alumni!
Alum Opens Redskins Game Dec. 24
JMU alum Doug Segree ('92) will perform The Star-Spangled Banner before the Dec. 24 Redskins' game at FedEx Field. He also
sang the anthem prior to the Redskins' Aug. 26 game. Segree has performed at the Metro Dukes Crabfest for the past three
years. Learn more about Doug Segree at
www.dougsegree.com/.
Online Community Presents Class Notes Feature
Keep in touch with fellow alumni and share your career and personal news with Class Notes Online. Tell your friends about
recent marriages, births, career news and more through the community, and see your notes online. The new online community
feature also gives alumni the opportunity to look up classmates and friends, use career networking services, upload pictures,
see what events are happening in their area, and sign up for a free permanent e-mail forwarding address. Membership is free
and exclusive to JMU alumni. Online Class Notes will not replace the notes that appear in the university magazine, Madison.
Your submissions will still be forwarded to the magazine, which will continue to publish career and personal news. Check out
the new online tool at
www.alumniconnections.com/olc/pub/JMD. You must
be a registered user to submit a Class Note or to use the advanced features of the JMU Online Community.
Hey, Dukes, mark your calendars
FYI ALUMNI: If you're calling the JMU Alumni Relations Office during this holiday season, the university is closed Dec. 23 to
Jan. 2. Classes begin Jan. 9, 2006.
SAVE THE DATES:
- Jan. 6, 2006: MetroDukes JobFair in the Washington, D.C. area
- April 7-9, 2006: Spring Reunion Weekend for all classes in the 1950s with special attention to the class of 1956, which
will be inducted into the Bluestone Society. Plus the classes of 1961 and 1966 will be in reunion that weekend.
- Oct. 7, 2006: Family Weekend
- Oct. 21, 2006: Homecoming 2006
For more detailed information on any of the above listed events, please call the JMU Office of Alumni Relations, toll free
1-888-JMU-ALUM.
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UNIVERSITY NEWS |
Former NASA Scientist to Address December Graduates
Former NASA scientist and Madison alumna Dr. Elizabeth Wilson Gauldin ('50) will address graduates at the Dec. 17
commencement at 10 a.m. in the Convocation Center. Gauldin was a biology and chemistry major at JMU and spent her career in
the Apollo, Skylab and Shuttle space programs. She now devotes her time to history, travel and mentoring troubled youth in
the Houston area. She has endowed a scholarship at JMU for students studying space science. JMU has placed more than 60
student interns with NASA over the past six years.
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Gauldin is congratulated on receiving the 2004 Ronald E. Carrier Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award by
JMU Integrated Science and Technology Professor Jim Barnes. Gauldin frequently returns to campus to speak to Barnes' students
and other ISAT majors. |
JMU Community Mourns Associate Dean Vida Huber
The Madison community suffered a great loss Nov. 19 with the unexpected passing of Dr. Vida Huber, associate dean of the
College of Integrated Science and Technology and professor of nursing. Huber was known by many JMU professors, staff and
students as a visionary and inspiration. JMU honored Huber with the 2001 James Madison Citizenship Award for her work as a
private volunteer, registered nurse, beloved professor and community advocate. "Vida fostered the mission of JMU in
developing service-learning programs that are responsive to the needs of the community and that provide excellent learning
experiences for students," said Merle Maste, head of JMU's nursing department. "She had a genuine passion and commitment to
promoting health care to the underserved." Huber helped found the Harrisonburg and Rockingham County Office on Children and
Youth, and championed the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Free Clinic, the Valley AIDS Network, the Community Health Council, the
Mind-Body Task Force and the Blue Ridge Area Health Education Center. Survivors include her husband of 35 years, Harold E.
Huber, and a daughter, Heidi Huber-Schanberger of Baltimore. Condolences may be mailed to: 3115 Old 33 Road, Harrisonburg,
VA, 22801.
 Casey Templeton
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Senior is National 'College Photographer of the Year'
Casey Templeton of Roanoke, a senior majoring in media arts and design at JMU, is the national 2005 College Photographer of
the Year. In addition to the overall award, Templeton won the gold prize in the national contest's "Portfolio" category, and
a bronze in the "Domestic Picture Story" category, a bronze in the "Sports Feature" category and an award of excellence in
the "Personal Vision" category. As the winner of the 60th annual award, Templeton earns a 14-week internship at National
Geographic magazine, a Nikon Digital SLR System, a National Press Photographers Foundation $1,000 scholarship and a plaque.
Templeton's photographs have appeared in JMU's Montpelier (now Madison) magazine, in The Breeze, and he completed internships
at The Roanoke Times and the Staunton News Leader. See Templeton's work at
www.caseytempleton.com/.
54 Spend Thanksgiving in Biloxi Aiding Katrina Victims
The spirit of Thanksgiving hit home for 54 James Madison students, faculty and staff who spent Thanksgiving week helping with
hurricane-relief efforts in Biloxi, Miss. The 46 students and eight employees, who paid $325 each to participate, made a
15-hour bus trip to the hard-hit Gulf Coast city Nov. 20 and returned Nov. 26 after clearing debris from Biloxi houses and
serving Thanksgiving dinners in Biloxi and Bayou La Batrie, Ala. The JMU team of employees and students were part of a larger
National Relief Network effort working over the holiday in the hurricane-ravaged area.
Social Work Director Earns National Award
Social work Head and Professor R. Ann Myers received the first Outstanding Baccalaureate Social Work Program Director Award
from the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors at its national conference held in Austin, Texas, Nov. 6.
In nominating Myers, her colleagues stated she "maintains a professional environment that encourages openness, support and
teamwork while blending teaching, research and service in a collegial manner." Myers earned her baccalaureate degree from
Madison College and her master of social work degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After years of
social work practice, she began her academic teaching career at JMU in 1973.
JMU Ranks Second in Students Studying Abroad
James Madison ranked second nationally among master's-level institutions for the number of students who studied abroad in
2003-04, moving up one spot on the master's-level list from the previous year. The annual report, Open Doors, published by
the Institute of International Education, surveys institutions for study-abroad participation and ranks the top 20 schools in
three categories: doctoral/research, master's and baccalaureate levels. For 2003-04, JMU had 709 study-abroad students.
JMU Researcher's Exhibit at NYC Museum to March 5
The extraordinary 249-year document trail linking a 10-year-old African girl kidnapped into slavery in 1756 to her modern-day
descendant opened Nov. 8 at the New-York Historical Society in an exhibit curated by JMU historian Joseph Opala. Scholars,
including Opala, have used this document trail to identify one of the slave Priscilla's modern descendants -- an African
American woman living in South Carolina who, with Opala, this year made an extraordinary journey back to Sierra Leone, from
where her ancestor seven generations back was kidnapped. "Finding Priscilla's Children: The Roots and Branches of Slavery"
will be on view through March 5, 2006, at the NYC museum located at Central Park West and 77th Street.
Student's Poster Wins International Grand Prize, Trip to Rome
Kristie L. Kinch of Wilmington, Del., a James Madison senior majoring in graphic design, won the grand prize in the
international Design Against Fur competition for a poster she designed as a class project. Kinch accepted the award, which
included $5,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Rome, Italy, where she collected her award at a Nov. 4 celebration to honor
her accomplishment. The contest was sponsored by the Fur Free Alliance, an international coalition of animal-protection
groups. Kinch designed the poster as a project for a class taught last spring by art and art history Professor Trudy L.
Cole-Zielanski.
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ATHLETICS NEWS |
Men's Basketball Dukes Open Conference Play Dec. 3
JMU opens its Colonial Athletic Association schedule Saturday, Dec. 3, with a 7 p.m. tipoff against visiting Northeastern
University. Senior point guard Jomo Belfor's three-pointer with 44 seconds remaining in the second overtime lifted Madison to
an 81-79 non-conference victory against visiting Appalachian State Nov. 28 in the 23rd anniversary of the first game ever
played at the Convocation Center. The Dukes, who overcame a facility-record 16 three-pointers by the Mountaineers, twice sent
the game into extra time with last-second heroics. "It was the kind of environment that you would hope to have when you are
at home," said JMU Head Coach Dean Keener. On Nov. 26, Madison led from wire to wire to earn its first win of the season with
a 74-61 triumph over Virginia Military Keydets at the Convo. The Dukes dropped their season opener by a score of 73-66 to the
Georgetown Hoyas, who JMU was hosting at the Convo for the first time.
JMU Women Win NY Basketball Tourney
Sophomore Tamera Young scored a career-high 23 points and junior Meredith Alexis contributed a double-double to pace James
Madison (3-1) to a 70-50 win over Lafayette (3-1) in the championship game of the Long Island Turkey Women's Basketball
Classic Nov. 26. Alexis was voted the tournament's Most Valuable Player, with 39 points and 38 rebounds in the two tournament
games. Young was named to the All-Tournament team.
Free Safety LeZotte Named Atlantic 10's Top Defensive Player
Sophomore free safety Tony LeZotte was named Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year and, with 10 other Dukes, was named to
the Atlantic 10 Football All-Conference Team Nov. 22. LeZotte is the first player to earn first-team all-league recognition
as a freshman and sophomore since Boston U. offensive lineman Bob Speight in 1978 and 1979. In addition to LeZotte, JMU had
first-team, all-conference selections in sophomore punt returner L.C. Baker, senior cornerback Clint Kent, senior offensive
guard Matt Magerko and junior defensive end Kevin Winston. Dukes named to the second team included junior tailback Alvin
Banks, senior defensive end Isai Bradshaw, junior offensive tackle Corey Davis, and junior linebacker Akeem Jordan.
Third-team honorees from JMU were junior tailback Maurice Fenner and senior tight end Casime Harris. JMU, Hofstra and New
Hampshire each had 11 players named all-conference to lead the overall selections, and JMU and Massachusetts each had a
league-leading five first-team honorees. JMU won its final three 2005 games to finish with a 7-4 record.
Swimming Dukes Win Invitational Tournament
The JMU men's swimming and diving team closed out its fall semester of competition with a first-place showing in the Bucknell
Damon's Trials/Finals Invitational, Nov. 19-20, at Arthur D. Kinney Jr. Natatorium on the Bucknell University campus in
Pennsylvania. The Dukes amassed 905 points to hold off Old Dominion, which finished second in the four-team meet with 840
points. The Dukes will not hit the pool competitively again for nearly two months; JMU's next meet will be Jan. 15 at home
against the Blue Hens of Delaware. The women's swimming and diving team also finished first in the Bucknell Invitational. The
Dukes rolled up 1,246 points to leave behind host Bucknell with 991 points to claim second in the four-team meet. The women's
schedule resumes in January when they host Radford Jan. 14 and CAA foe Delaware Jan. 15.
Two Dukes Named to All-Colonial Volleyball Teams
Sophomore middle blocker Allyson Halls and freshman outside hitter Kelsey McNamara were named to the All-Colonial Athletic
Association volleyball teams. Halls, a 6'4" middle blocker, led the Dukes with 306 kills in 100 games, was selected to the
All-CAA second team, and McNamara, who played in 12 matches and recorded 82 total kills and eight aces, was named to the
All-CAA rookie team. The awards were announced Nov. 17 at the Colonial Athletic Association Championship banquet at Hofstra
University.
Four Dukes Named to All-Colonial Women's Soccer Team
Senior forward Kim Argy, sophomore forward Annie Lowry and senior goalkeeper Jessica Hussey have been named to the
All-Colonial Athletic Association Women's Soccer Team in November. Argy and Lowry were first-team selections, and Hussey was
named to the second team. Freshman midfielder Kimmy Germain was named to the CAA All-Rookie Team.
Three Named to All-Colonial Field Hockey Team
Sophomore midfielder/back Baillie Versfeld, red-shirt senior goalkeeper Lori Amicoand freshman forward Ashley Wallshave been
named to the All-Colonial Athletic Association Field Hockey Team. Versfeld earned first team honors for the second straight
year and was named to the All-CAA Team for the third consecutive season. She was a second-team honoree in 2003. Amico and
Walls were first-time selections and were voted to the All-CAA second team. Walls was also named to the CAA All-Rookie Team.
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Life Insurance as a Charitable Gift . . .
. . . A Creative Use for An Often Forgotten Asset
As you think about financial resources you may have available to make a charitable gift for Madison, one set of assets
that may not come to mind quickly — if at all — is the life insurance policies you may have collected over the years. Yet, a
life insurance policy can be an ideal asset to fund the special gift you've wanted to make for a while now.
In fact, whether you have several life-insurance policies or just one, once you determine that the need you once had for
life insurance has passed, a charitable gift can be the best way to put such an asset to good use.
If you have a paid-up whole or universal life policy, you can make a gift of the policy to the James Madison University
Foundation Inc. — and, both the accumulated cash value and the ultimate death benefit can be earmarked by you to fund a
generous gift that helps your alma mater in a special way.
And, it's easy to do. Your insurance representative can provide you with the forms you'll need to name the JMU Foundation
Inc. as the beneficiary and owner of the policy. Once the paperwork is completed, you would have made a thoughtful gift using
an asset that you no longer need.
Even policies for which you are still making annual premium payments can be used to make a charitable gift for Madison. In
fact, when you name the JMU Foundation Inc. as the beneficiary and owner of such a life insurance policy, you are able to
make an annual charitable gift to Madison for the amount of the premium payment — and then, the JMU Foundation will use each
annual gift to keep the premiums paid. Turning a premium payment into a charitable gift is an extra advantage of such a gift
of life insurance.
If you have a question, or would like more information about opportunities for creative charitable gift plans that take
advantage of existing or new life insurance policies, please contact Ted Sudol, J.D., director for the Office of Charitable
Gift Planning, by phone at (540) 568-1776 or (800) 296-6162, or by e-mail at sudoltj@jmu.edu.
You also can turn to the JMU Web site for more information, at
http://www.jmu.edu/
development/planned_giving.
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Latest edition of
Madison Scholar Madison's Dr. David Jaynes might just be on the path to easing pain, anxiety
and costs for both doctors and millions of patients who suffer from chronic, nonhealing wounds. Jaynes and his students are
working on a procedure that involves observing proteins collected from such wounds as diabetic ulcers and bedsores to
determine the effectiveness of treatments. Also: Two undergraduates surprised their professors and themselves by winning a
prize at a national chemistry conference; and General Education held its first-ever student presentation conference.
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JUST FOR KIDS
Dukes' fans who are age 12 and under can join an exclusive club just for them, the Puppy Pound. For more information on
club benefits and on how to join, visit the Web site at http://www.jmusports.com/
PuppyPound/.
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