Elaine Toth Hinsdale ('85)

Are you an active alum who would like to volunteer some time and energy to the JMU Alumni Association? The JMU Alumni Association Board of Directors seeks candidates to fill two open positions. The board members, who represent JMU's 85,000 alumni around the globe, meet three times a year on campus and participate in alumni events around the country. If you would like to be considered for a board position, please e-mail JMU Alumni Relations Director Kim Hutto at huttokm@jmu.edu. The next Alumni Association board meeting is June 3 in the Board of Visitors Conference Room, Festival Conference and Student Center. All alumni are welcome to attend the open portion of the meeting. Looking forward to seeing you at many alumni events.
Thank you,
Elaine Toth Hinsdale ('85), President
JMU Alumni Association Board of Directors

Nearly 75 alumni gathered on Capitol Hill on March 16 for a few hours of socializing and networking. JMU President Linwood H. Rose shared details on the Madison Century campaign and highlights of James Madison Day (March 15). JMU Alumni Association President Elaine Toth Hinsdale ('85) joined Dr. Rose in thanking alumni for their support to the university and encouraged them to stay active in the JMU community.

On James Madison Day, JMU Alumni Association Board President Elaine Toth Hinsdale ('85) represented alumni as part of the platform party helping JMU President Linwood H. Rose and campaign chair Steve Leeolou ('78) cut the ceremonial ribbon to launch "The Madison Century: A Campaign for James Madison University."

Story by Charles May ('83)
A self-named group of "Old School" alums, a small sect of the Black Alumni Chapter, met March 18 at the Cage Conference Center in Norfolk, Va., in their inaugural chapter meeting. The reunion's goal: To reconnect and reinvigorate African-American graduates from the classes of 1982 to 1988 with each other and with Madison.

As we are now among the largest group of collective African-American graduates, we feel compelled to address two issues that we hope will help JMU — student recruitment and financial assistance. In support of recruitment efforts, we hope to reconnect with the current and ongoing efforts of the JMU Black Alumni Chapter to actively seek answers to the tough question, "Why are JMU's African-American student numbers so low?" To help change those numbers, Old School Chapter members have pledged an annual scholarship of $2,500. The scholarship will be bestowed by the Black Alumni Chapter and presented to an African-American student who meets JMU entry requirements, demonstrates financial need, and who submits the best written paper on a provided topic of choice.

After defining our goals, alumni in attendance were excited to help. Many of us had not seen each other in more than 20 years, and it was incredible to share the unforgettable experiences that we had at Madison. Our chapter will strive to educate more young African Americans about the benefits of a quality JMU education. If you would like to contribute to the Old School Chapter Scholarship, please contact Angela Russell ('85) at Angela_Russell@alumni.jmu.edu or Charles May ('83) at cmay@ncis.navy.mil. Or, mail your contribution to: Old School Chapter Scholarship, ATTN: Charles May; 528 W 35th Street, Norfolk, VA 23508.

The Old School Chapter event planning committee includes: Calvin Lawrence ('83), Ina Spells Marabel ('83), Charles T. May Jr. ('83), Devena Byrd Mclaurine ('85) and Angela Johnson Russell ('85), Bryan Moore ('82), Michael King ('82), Cynthia Wright ('85), Kimberly Booker Hundley ('85), Lesa Diggs and Derek Steele ('84).

Washington, D.C., area alumni come out and help the MetroDukes Scholarship Fundraiser at Chevy's in Ballston (4238 Wilson Blvd.) on April 18 at 6 p.m. Twenty percent of the restaurant's receipts that night (food and drink) goes to the Metro Washington Chapter Scholarship Fund. Help a student pay for his/her JMU education while you catch up with fellow alums. Be sure to tell your server that you are with JMU and write "JMU" on your receipt when you pay. Invite your family and friends, no specific JMU affiliation is required — just spread the purple love. For more information, please contact Megan Arzt at megmagoo@aol.com.

The Duke Club Spring Coaches' Tour stops in Richmond on May 4. Alumni are invited to dinner in a country club setting. Come meet Head Football Coach Mickey Matthews, Men's Head Basketball Coach Dean Keener, Women's Head Basketball Coach Kenny Brooks and JMU Athletics Director Jeff Bourne. And, stay for a live auction of JMU items to help raise scholarship monies for JMU student-athletes. For more details, visit www.richmonddukes.com/ or the Duke Club site at: www.jmusports.com/DukeClub/

Also save these dates:

• June 8 — Richmond Chapter of the Duke Club Golf Tournament (*you do not have to be a Duke Club member to participate)
• Aug. 5 — Richmond Chapter's Second Annual Crabfest

The Atlanta Chapter hosts its Spring Picnic in Piedmont Park on April 23 from 3 to 6 p.m. The cost is $10 per person; $5 for children 5 to 12. Children under 5 eat free. Pre-register and pre-pay by April 20 by clicking here.

The chapter will also host a Relay for Life event on May 19. To sign up for JMU's Atlanta Relay for Life Team or to make a donation click here.

Chapter leaders have also begun planning the annual Atlanta Braves outing. Mark your calendar for June 4 and check the chapter Web site for details at www.jmuatlanta.com. For more information on any Atlanta Chapter event, or to register for an event, contact chapter president Melissa Roberts at (404) 822-8783 or visit the chapter Web site at www.jmuatlanta.com.

The Chicago Alumni Chapter had a record turnout for March's Purple Thursday happy hour, which was held at Piece, a pizzeria and brewery in the Wicker Park neighborhood. The chapter also hosted a Salsa Dancing event on March 22. Alumni checked out the Buzz Club and got a free salsa lesson. April's Purple Thursday event will be held on April 13 at 7 p.m. at Duke's Bar and Grill in the Lakeview neighborhood. For more details, visit the chapter Web site at www.chicagodukes.com. The chapter also plans a Chicago Cubs Game outing on May 27. Join fellow alumni at the Friendly Confines to watch the Cubs take on the Braves. Tickets are $25 and are on sale on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, please contact Eric McCann ('99) at ericmccan@gmail.com.

Story By Nicole Bono ('01)
The JMU Alumni Professional Network consists of JMU professionals from all walks of life who are interested in expanding their personal and professional networks among all JMU alumni. The APN seeks to draw membership from all professionals in the Washington, D.C., area — from accountants to zookeepers. APN brings JMU alumni together in an atmosphere that encourages the development of relationships that will be personally and professionally valuable to the JMU community in D.C. On April 26, the APN will host its Networking Mixer at Mr. Smith's in Vienna (8369 Leesburg Pike). Join alumni from 6 to 8:30 p.m., and bring your business cards to share. Happy hour format is always fun. On May 24, the APN will host a luncheon with keynote speaker Roderick "Rod" Rohrer ('85), who is a partner and vice president of sales for Celerity IT, LLC. Rohrer will speak on "Entrepreneurial Success." Join us at Clyde's in Tyson's Corner at 11:30 a.m. Learn more about APN events here

Story by Kelly Stefanko ('94)
Are you one of those people that think alumni events sound fun but have a hard time working up the guts to actually go? The Tidewater Chapter is seeking a courageous soul to document their experience at the 3rd annual Beach Party on June 10. Your story will be featured in future issues of Brightening the Lights and Madison magazine. If the thought of warm sand between your toes and a cool drink in your hand isn't enough incentive, consider it outreach to thousands of fellow alums that suffer from "alumni-event-phobia!" Not a writer? No problem, bring your camera and the magazine staff will help you out. If you are interested, please contact TidewaterChpt@yahoo.com. Beach party details and tickets are on sale here.

Save the dates for these additional Tidewater events:

• April 20 — Tidewater Third Thursday Happy Hour, 6-8 p.m., Shorebreak in Virginia Beach
• April 21 — Hampton Roads area Madison College Luncheon, 11 a.m. at the Cavalier Yacht and Golf Club, Virginia Beach. Information: Barbara Ohmsen at basohmsen@cox.net
• April 27 — Food & Wine, Make them Match, Brett Horton, JMU Hospitality and Tourism Management director, Downtown Norfolk.

See all Tidewater Chapter event details at the Tidewater Alumni Web site.

Story by Elizabeth Puritz, Student Ambassadors Vice President for Alumni
JMU's Student Ambassadors was founded in 1988. In its early years, the organization worked to serve the Office of the President, aiding President Ronald E. Carrier with campus projects and alumni events. Later, the organization would meet advisers from JMU's admission office and alumni program. With increased efforts to work with current and prospective students, Student Ambassadors began giving tours, attending alumni chapter events and volunteering around campus for all offices. Today, we have evolved into a service organization that positively works to make a difference in the lives of others at JMU by serving students, past, present and future. Our goal is to maintain the integrity of the university by creating a positive first and lasting impression through service to JMU and the surrounding community. Learn more at the Student Ambassadors Web site.

Student Ambassadors officers

Nathan Lyon, a 1994 JMU graduate in health science, is one of eight finalists in "The Next Food Network Star" competition. The 35-year-old culinary artist, who lives in Los Angeles, first learned to cook in his grandmother's kitchen in Arlington, Va., and was classically trained at Le Cordon Bleu. His "signature recipe," according to the Food Network Web site, is: Asian Infused Pork Tenderloin with Melted Onions and Herbed Goat Cheese. The winner of the competition wins his or her own six-part cooking series on the Food Network. For more information on the competition, visit the Food Network Web site. Lyon's Web site is: www.goodtastechef.com/.

By Hali Chiet ('07)
Michael Way ('70), director of JMU's Judicial Affairs Office, won the 2006 Donald D. Gehring Award for his exceptional individual contributions to student judicial affairs. The Association for Student Judicial Affairs presents the lifetime achievement award to one judicial affairs staff member annually. "I am very proud of this honor because it says I am at the top of my field," says Way. "What's more important is that there are people at JMU who thought enough about me to nominate me." Former colleague and nominator, Dennis E. Gregory, associate professor at Old Dominion University, wrote, "I have the greatest respect for Michael's personal integrity, his professional expertise and his contributions to the judicial profession and to our organization." Way joined the JMU staff in 1973, and his significant contributions to Judicial Affairs include a successful program for handling alcohol violations, a values clarification workshop, a civic responsibility workshop and a civic learning program. "Our goal is to encourage student growth and development ... We really try to teach and role model citizenship," he says.

Three JMU alumni — two graduates of the School of Theatre and Dance and one graduate of the School of Music — are nominees for one of the nation's most prestigious cultural honors, the Helen Hayes Awards, which recognizes excellence in professional theater in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Erin Driscoll, who earned a bachelor's degree in music in 2003, received a Helen Hayes nomination for "Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Musical," for her portrayal of Hope Cladwell in the Signature Theatre's production of "Urinetown." Mark J. Sullivan, a 2001 graduate, received a Helen Hayes nomination for "Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Play," for his role as Justin Hammond in the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company's production of "After Ashley." Marni Penning, a 1992 JMU graduate, earned a nomination for "Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Play," for her portrayal of Ashley Hammond in the Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company's production of "After Ashley." The award ceremony for the 22nd Helen Hayes Awards will be held April 17 at 8 p.m. at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1983, the awards personify their namesake, Washington native Helen Hayes, known as "First Lady of the American Theater."

Driscoll, Sullivan, Penning

Lucky Day, a D.C.-area pop/rock band fronted by JMU alumna Victoria Patchen, will release its debut EP, "All My Rainy Days," performing the band's blend of jangly guitar pop and ethereal vocals at Jammin Java in Vienna, Va., Saturday, April 15. Only weeks after placing an ad on Craigslist, newly formed Lucky Day entered the studio as a three-piece: Patchen (vocals), Brian Huber (guitar) and Adam Gierisch (bass); drummer Dave Ray joined later. They recorded their EP (six-song CD) at The Mouse Trap in Louisa, Va.; the EP was mastered at Avatar Studios in New York City. The Washington Post Express said the band offers "some of the best pop-rock the '60s never heard." Lucky Day will also hold a New York City EP Release Party at Kenny's Castaways April 22, and will continue to tour the East Coast throughout 2006 to promote the EP, which is available on Awarestore and other music outlets this spring. Patchen graduated in 1999 from JMU as an English major with a music minor. She studied voice under the direction of Dr. In Dal Choi and Brenda Whitmer, and also performed as a singer/songwriter, fronting acoustic pop/folk duo "Angel Fall." To learn more about her band, visit www.luckydayband.com.

Kenny Giordano ('84) released his album, "Future Full & Free," in February. The native Virginian moved to Colorado five years ago and has been in the entertainment business since elementary school. "Because my home is in Colorado Springs, where there are several military bases, I'm particularly sensitive to the plights and sacrifices of those who wear our country's uniforms," Giordano says. "This album is a tribute to those who serve, and the trials of their families left behind; to the ups and downs of everyday life; to marriage and family; to the desires of the soul to build a future full and free." A portion of CD sales and concert tour proceeds from his album will be donated to nonprofit agencies serving the needs of the families of military, police, firefighter and emergency medical service workers. Learn more at www.kennygiordano.com/.

The Jacksonville Chapter of the William and Mary Alumni Association invites Jacksonville alumni of all universities to W&M's annual Taste of Virginia event. The registration deadline is April 19. For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Patricia Ellis, president of the W&M Jacksonville Chapter, at PELLIS@fccj.edu.

• April 5 — Greater Madison Community Series with JMU Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Mark Warner, 8-10 p.m., Board of Visitors Conference Room, Festival Center
• April 7-9 — Board of Visitors Meeting, Parents Council Meeting & Spring Reunion Weekend for the classes of 1966, 1961, 1956 and all Bluestone Society members. During the weekend, the Class of 1956 will be inducted into the Bluestone Society. Members of the Classes of 1957, 1958 and 1959 will also be invited.
• April 21-23 — JMU Black Alumni Reunion Weekend. For more information, contact chapter president Vanessa Evans at vevans26@earthlink.net or visit www.jmu.edu/alumni/chapters/bac/.
• May 6 — Commencement, Bridgeforth Stadium, 8:30 a.m., www.jmu.edu/commencement/index.html
• Oct. 7 — Family Weekend. www.jmu.edu/parents
• Oct. 21 — Homecoming 2006. www.jmu.edu/homecoming

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.
(Also visit this Web site.)

James Madison University launched its first-ever comprehensive capital campaign March 15, setting a goal to raise $50 million to support teaching and learning at the university by 2008 when Madison marks its 100th year. Actor Richard Dreyfuss delivered the keynote address at the annual Scholarship Luncheon, where "The Madison Century: A Campaign for James Madison University" was officially kicked off. The luncheon for student scholarship recipients and donors is held each March when JMU celebrates its founding on March 14, 1908, and the March 16 birthday of its eponym, President James Madison. The five priorities for "The Madison Century" endowment drive are:

• $7.5 million for faculty chairs, professorships and teaching excellence;
• $4 million to support student scholarships;
• $1.5 million for presidential initiatives and student success;
• $17 million toward improved facilities; and
• $20 million for annual ongoing support.

More information and updates are available at www.jmu.edu/madisoncentury/.

Among American undergraduate institutions, Madison is one of the nation's best values — offering excellent academics at relatively low costs — according to The Princeton Review, the New York-based education services company, in its just-released 2007 book, "America's Best Value Colleges." The guide profiles 150 colleges, and includes 103 public and 47 private colleges in 40 states. Random House/Princeton Review also publishes the "Best 361 Colleges," the 2006 edition of which includes JMU and its No. 6-in-the-nation ranking for "great campus food." In February, JMU ranked No. 17 nationally in The Kiplinger 100, a listing of best values in public colleges — schools selected for "their combination of top-flight academics and affordable costs" — published in "Kiplinger's Personal Finance" magazine.

U.S. Sen. George Allen, who has represented Virginia since 2001, will speak at JMU's main spring commencement May 6, when approximately 3,364 students will graduate. JMU is to confer about 3,025 bachelor's, 330 master's and nine doctoral degrees during the program, which begins at 8:30 a.m. in Bridgeforth Stadium. Previously, Allen was Virginia's governor from 1994 to 1998. From Nov. 5, 1991, to Jan. 3, 1993, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives, filling a vacancy caused by the resignation of D. French Slaughter Jr. Allen was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1983 to 1991. Allen earned a bachelor's degree in history with distinction and a law degree from the University of Virginia. He and his wife, Susan, live near Mt. Vernon in Fairfax County with their three children, Tyler, Forrest and Brooke.

Undergraduate researchers from 12 sports-affiliated colleges gather at JMU, March 31-April 1, for the fourth annual Undergraduate Research Conference of the Colonial Academic Alliance, an academic consortium created in 2002 of the 12 schools in the Colonial Athletic Association. The consortium aims to improve the quality of teaching, learning and research at all 12 CAA colleges: Delaware, Drexel, George Mason, Georgia State, Hofstra, James Madison, Northeastern, Old Dominion, Towson, Virginia Commonwealth and North Carolina-Wilmington universities and the College of William and Mary. JMU Professor Ronald G. Kander, head of department of integrated science and technology, will deliver a keynote address, "A 2020 Vision: The Future of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math," at a Friday welcoming dinner, and JMU chemistry Associate Professor Gina MacDonald will speak Saturday on "The Obvious and Subtle Benefits of Undergraduate Scholarship." A live Webcast of Kander's talk may be viewed beginning at 6:30 p.m. March 31 at http://media.jmu.edu/. Within a few days of the conference's conclusion, the addresses and taped highlights of Saturday presentations by student researchers may be viewed at the same Web site.

Small-scale production and use of biodiesel fuel will be the focus of a statewide conference at Madison April 3. Demand for information about how to make and use the clean-burning petroleum alternative prompted the theme of the 2006 Virginia Biodiesel Conference, said Dr. C.J. Brodrick, co-director of the fuels diversification program at JMU and an assistant professor of integrated science and technology. "We have so many farmers, hobbyists and schools calling JMU interested in making their own fuel," Brodrick said. JMU mixes biodiesel with regular diesel to fuel its fleet of facilities management vehicles, and is starting to make some of the biodiesel it tests from used cooking oil produced at campus restaurants. Currently, the university purchases biodiesel locally. The City of Harrisonburg also mixes biodiesel with regular diesel to power city transit and school buses. More information about the conference is available at the conference Web site.

COOL RIDE: James Madison University turned over the keys to a hybrid all-terrain vehicle to officials of Shenandoah National Park March 20. The converted golf cart runs on electric power from four 12-volt batteries charged by a generator that runs on biodiesel fuel. The multipurpose ATV was built by four students at JMU, including Fredrik Hutter (driving), a German exchange student from Hochschule fuer Technik und Wirtschaft des Saarlands.

Friends of JMU student Justin Armitage, a soccer player from Spotsylvania, Va., organized a memorial service March 23 to honor Armitage, who died March 10 following an automobile accident. The student-coordinated public service included student speakers and memorabilia relating to Armitage's soccer career. Armitage was a three-time, all-state player at Courtland High School, where he was a member of that school's state quarterfinalist teams in 2002 and 2005. He red-shirted during the fall 2005 season at JMU. A scholarship fund in Armitage's honor has been established; memorials may be made to the Justin Marshall Armitage Scholarship Fund for Soccer at James Madison University. Call 540-568-2823 or mail to Advancement Gifts, MSC 2603, Harrisonburg, VA 22807.

Charlotte (21-8) outscored James Madison (24-7) 13-5 in the final 4:23 to pull away for a 70-62 win in a National Women's Invitational Tournament first-round basketball game March 17 at Halton Arena in Charlotte, N.C. It was a tight game that had 10 ties and 15 lead changes, and neither team led by more than five points until the final 31 seconds. JMU sophomore Tamera Young of Wilmington, N.C., tied for game-scoring honors with 17 points, and juniors Meredith Alexis of Hanover Township, Pa., and Shirley McCall of Collinsville, Va., each had double-doubles. Alexis had 15 points and a game-high 15 rebounds and increased her school-record totals to 17 season double-doubles, 41 career double-doubles, 52 career double-figure rebounding games and 930 rebounds. She also tied her own school record with her 19th season double-figure rebounding game. McCall had 14 points and 11 rebounds for her third double-double of the season. Sophomore Jasmin Lawrence of Queens, N.Y., also scored in double figures with 10 points.

Sophomore right-hander Ryan Reid of Portland, Maine, struck out nine in eight innings and senior second baseman Michael Cowgill of Lexington, Ky., hit his 12th homer as Madison completed a three-game, Colonial Athletic Association baseball series sweep of Virginia Commonwealth with a 9-1 final March 26 at Long Field/Mauck Stadium. The Dukes were off to a 9-0 start in the CAA for the first time since the 1988 team won its first 13 league games. At 19-5, JMU ranked 25th in the March 20 Collegiate Baseball Newspaper poll. In mid-March, the Dukes shared the longest active Division I win streak with Mississippi State, but Maryland snapped the streak at 16 wins. The loss also denied the Dukes of tying the 1977 and 1982 JMU teams' 17 straight wins for the longest streak in the 37-year history of the program. The Dukes (19-7) dropped a double-header, non-conference series at Marshall University March 29.

The JMU football team opened its spring practice period March 30, and will continue drills through April 22 when its spring game will be held at Zane Showker Field/Bridgeforth Stadium. The Dukes are preparing for the program's eighth season under coach Mickey Matthews. Weekday practices will begin at 3:45 p.m. and Saturday workouts at noon and are open to the public. The April 22 spring game at Zane Showker Field/Bridgeforth Stadium is scheduled for a noon start. JMU is coming off a 7-4 season and the Dukes expect to return 37 lettermen, including 13 starters.

The Madison women's gymnastics team has five representatives set to compete at the USA Gymnastics Championships, April 13-15, in Ithaca, N.Y. Sophomore Melissa Morganstern of Falmouth, Maine, will compete in the all-around for the Dukes while senior Lindsey Ribeiro of Fleetwood, Pa., will compete in vault. Other Dukes that will participate include seniors Jessica Caravello and Lauren Caravello, both of Westfield, N.J., on balance beam, while junior Nicole Simmons of Mechanicsville, Va., will represent JMU on floor.

Two James Madison women's track and field athletes finished in the top five in their respective events at the Fred Hardy Track and Field Invitational at the University of Richmond that concluded March 25. Freshman Candace Nelms of Bedford, Va., won the long jump with a jump of 18 feet, 5 1/4 inches, and finished fifth in the triple jump. Freshman Jessica Wade of Chesapeake, Va., finished fourth in the shot put.