Elrose Plentovich Couric ('58) and Sue Plentovich Hollinger ('58), better known to their friends as "The Trekking Twins," hiked all of the maintained trails—and more—in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and for that achievement, joined 186 other members of the 900-Miler Club. The twins completed their feat Oct. 29, 2005, at age 69 after a 15.7-mile final hike to complete 1,411 miles. That total included 810.8 miles of maintained trails. Becoming eligible for the 900-Miler Club required documentation, so they began officially doing this on Sept. 11, 1996, on a hike from Newfound Gap to the 6,000-foot peak Mount Kephart. There are 16 other peaks that rise above 6,000 feet in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Couric and Hollinger hiked those with the Peak Seekers hiking group. They've hiked a total of 40 peaks over 6,000 feet. Hollinger hiked with her family most of her married life; for Couric, hiking remained a dream as she and her husband enjoyed cruises instead. Both women lost their husbands within two years of each other, and in August 1995, they moved into a cabin near Waynesville, N.C., and took their first hike in the Smokies that same month. The sisters also maintain five miles of the Appalachian Trail from Snowbird Mountain to Schoolhouse Road, as well as three miles of wildflower trails on their 100-acre property. Read more about these active twins in a story written by their classmate, Betty Walker Rudd ('58), for the summer issue of Madison magazine, which hits the mail this weekend. Elrose Plentovich Couric ('58) and Sue Plentovich Hollinger ('58), known as the Trekking Twins, joined the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's 900-Miler Club.

James Madison University's Centennial Web site contains about 50 stories of the rich and fascinating history of JMU. We'd like for there to be more, and we need your input. If there is a particular topic you would like to see addressed on the Centennial Web pages, contact the JMU Centennial Office: Centennial Director Fred Hilton at hiltonfd@jmu.edu or Assistant Centennial Director Debbi Long at long2da@jmu.edu. Many of the articles will also appear in the upcoming book that will be published on JMU's first 100 years. The book will be available in fall 2007.

JMU's Alumni Relations team has implemented a new reunion program, the Fall Reunion, which will be held on Sept. 2 for the classes of 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986, 1981, 1976 and 1971. There will be a university-sponsored celebration before the first home football game of the year, (Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. against Bloomsburg). Watch your mail, e-mail and Brightening the Lights for more information.

Black Alumni Chapter members celebrated each other's talents and talked about JMU to prospective students during an April 21-23 Reunion Weekend in the 'Burg. JMU's Students for Minority Outreach co-sponsored an alumni talent show, and JMU President Linwood H. Rose spoke to reunion participants about JMU's diversity initiatives. Alumni leaders, including Black Alumni Chapter President Vanessa Evans ('93, '97M), pictured at center below, spent time giving advice on "life after college" in a roundtable discussion for JMU students. Alumni leaders also spoke with prospective students in JMU's CHOICES program. Read more about the Black Alumni Reunion Weekend in the July issue of BTL. Photos by Diane Elliott ('00)

JMU's Hospitality and Tourism Management Program Director Brett Horton gives Tidewater alumni a "taste" of his Beverage Management and Marketing course.

By Kelly Stefanko ('94), chapter president
Nearly 20 alumni and friends got a "taste" of what students in JMU's Hospitality and Tourism Management program are learning from Director Brett Horton. Although Dr. Horton took it easy on the alumni—excusing them from the rigid tests in his HTM 473 Beverage Management and Marketing course—even the seasoned wine connoisseurs in the group were impressed with his presentation. The professor greeted each participant upon arrival with a glass of sparkling wine, and between sips of bubbly, the assembled enjoyed antipasto, seasoned shrimp, beef flank steak and other catered delicacies. Horton discussed everything from current trends like screw caps instead of corks and the effect of acidic or spicy food on a wine's taste. A total of six wines were sampled with a variety of foods including, buttered bread, salami, tomatoes, lemon and chocolate. Horton pointed out that wine was never intended to be consumed alone, but rather it was developed by wineries with the expectation to complement some of the favorite or common foods of a region. The Tidewater Chapter is grateful to the generosity of many who helped bring this classy event to alumni. Thanks go to Dr. Horton and the JMU College of Business. Thanks also go to David Grimm ('74) for donating the wine and to Jerry Kent ('86) for the use of the Towne Bank community room.

Twelve Madison College alumnae gathered for a luncheon in Tidewater on April 21 and heard a college update by Paul Campbell ('04), assistant director of Alumni Relations. Barbara Ohmsen ('55) plans the annual Tidewater luncheon, but she skipped last year's event to help plan her 50th Madison reunion. Discussion at this year's luncheon centered on campus changes and memories of Madison days. Campbell also gave an update on the Madison Century Campaign and shared JMU's new marketing video, "Be The Change," which can be viewed here: http://media.jmu.edu/.

Madison College alumnae enjoying the annual Tidewater Luncheon included (l-r): Annette Taylor ('47), Mary Lee Lowe ('44), Fran Allis Topping ('55), Katherine Samford ('57), Barbara Ohmsen ('55), Lucy Palmer ('51), Linda Daniels ('61), Anna Margaret Rhodes ('55), Aida DeLuca Boyle ('61), Nina Batzel ('60), Eugenia Ferrell ('47) and Virginia Bendura ('61).

The Boston Area JMU Alumni Chapter is sponsoring a night of Karaoke fun on June 6 at 9 p.m. at T's Pub in Boston. For directions and information, please click here.

Rocky Mountain Dukes elected 2006-07 chapter officers May 18. Congratulations to chapter leader Sean Harrington ('96), fundraising/service chair Allison Coffman-Leking ('01) and social chair Bryan Pigott ('94). The chapter's next Third Thursday event—Thirsty Thursday—will be June 8 at Wynkoop Brewing Co in LoDo. Thanks to Brandon Kacmarski ('04) for the event suggestion. Come enjoy some pool, darts, a great patio and fun with fellow Colorado alumni. RSVP to ColoradoChpt@alumni.jmu.edu.

Rocky Mountain Dukes enjoy each other's company at the Feb. 3 Thirsty Thursday chapter event.

The Chicago-Area Alumni Chapter kicked off summer with their first Cubs game outing on May 27. Alumni began their day at Wrigley with pre-game festivities at Goose Island Brewery and continued post-game at Sheffield's Bar in the Lake View neighborhood. "It was a great day to be at the ballpark, hopefully we can make this an annual event," says Danielle Turley ('00), who was joined by her brother Christopher Turley ('06), who graduated from JMU in May. The chapter had a great turnout for the game with alumni from several decades and some future Dukes attending. The chapter has two events planned for June. The Purple Thursday happy hour is June 8. Please check the chapter Web site, www.chicagodukes.com, closer to the date for location details. The chapter also will host a night at Ravinia to hear the BoDeans perform on June 10. Lawn tickets have been secured and are on sale for $20 each. Please contact Raminder Chadha at turban8r@gmail.com for tickets and information.

Chi-town Dukes root on the Chicago Cubs, who lost a tight game, 2-1, to the Atlanta Braves on May 27.

The JMU Chapter of Metro Washington will host the 14th annual Scholarship Golf Tournament June 12 at the Piedmont Club in Haymarket. Format is four-person captain's choice, and registration begins at noon with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Cost is $105 per golfer, which includes greens fees, cart rental, range balls and a picnic dinner. Join the Metro Dukes as they swing toward the goal of $7,500 for the chapter's scholarship fund. To register, enter the JMU online community, and click on the Events Calendar; or call the Alumni Relations Office toll-free at 888-568-2586 no later than June 7.

Metro Dukes will also "Race for the Cure" June 3. JMU alums Kate ('94) and John Finamore ('94) invite alumni to join Team Mommer in the National Race for the Cure. John established this team in 1997 when his mom was struggling with breast cancer. After she passed away in 1999, he stepped up his efforts and has registered a team annually. Kate says, "Our goal is simple, we just try to get more people registered on our team each year. And we're not too proud to bribe." Join Team Mommer and attend the free post-race brunch in Alexandria. Registration is $30 ($35 online) and you get a free T-shirt. The race starts at 8 a.m. for runners and 8:15 a.m. for walkers. Children are welcome. Register here for Team Mommer. Also, please e-mail the team at TeamMommer@aol.com for information on the brunch.

Other Metro Dukes events in June include a New Alum Happy Hour June 8 at Tara Thai at Ballston (outside patio at 4001 N. Fairfax Drive in Arlington). For more information, please contact Paul Vutiprichar at pvutiprichar@hotmail.com. Metro D.C. alumni will also participate in Adopt-a-Highway on June 10. Help clean up the stretch of highway off Chain Bridge Road in Vienna. Meet at 10 a.m. in the Bob Evans parking lot at 10443 White Granite Drive in Oakton. For more information, please contact James Eustis ('03) at jeustis3@hotmail.com.

Phil Antis ('97) and his wife, Katie Antis ('98), took the helm of the New Orleans Chapter last spring. "The chapter was pretty non-functioning at that time, and we were trying to get things running," says Phil. "We had a list of current alumni in the city and were trying to contact those people. But, as you may have figured, all those plans went out the window with Hurricane Katrina." Antis asks New Orleans-area alumni to contact him, so the chapter can start planning some events. If you live in or around New Orleans, please contact Antis at pjantis@yahoo.com, or 504-427-8416.

JMU President Linwood H. Rose and the Madison Fund have teamed up to engage donors more meaningfully in the life of JMU. Together they will recognize the university's loyal annual fund donors of $1,000 or more as members of the President's Council. Members will enjoy periodic communication with the president. In addition, the president will turn to the council when he is creating special university committees and commissions. Members will receive invitations to President's Council events and President's Council lapel pins. Further, all members who join the President's Council by June 30 will be designated as charter members and have their commitment recognized on campus in a place of prominence. All donors who make an annual gift of $1,000 or more to JMU are eligible for membership. Alumni from the classes of 2001-06, while they are establishing themselves in their careers, are eligible to enjoy the benefits of charter membership for an annual gift of $200 up to and including their fifth year out of JMU. For more information on how to make your $1,000 gift, please contact Anna Tremblay ('02, '05M), assistant director of leadership giving for The Madison Fund, at tremblar@jmu.edu, or call her at 540-568-8840.

The classes of 1976, 1986 and 1996 are invited to participate in JMU's Homecoming Gala on Friday, Oct. 20. Celebrating class milestones is just one of the highlights of this annual dinner that honors alumni and chapters around the country for their support of the university and the alumni association. All alumni are invited to participate; please submit your name and address to the Office of Alumni Relations by sending an e-mail to alumni_link@jmu.edu (please put "Homecoming Gala 2006" in the subject heading) or call 1-888-JMU-ALUM for details.

• Sept. 2—Fall Reunions and first home football game (vs. Bloomsburg State)
  
  • www.jmu.edu/alumni
  • www.jmusports.com
• Oct. 7—Family Weekend: www.jmu.edu/parents
• Oct. 20-21—Homecoming 2006 and Homecoming Gala: 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, or visit the online calendar.

With a $2 million gift to Madison, Tom and Karyn Dingledine of Charlottesville have established the Thomas and Karyn Dingledine Scholarship Endowment for Achievement in Academics and Service, creating the university's first privately funded, four-year scholarships. The gift is the third scholarship established at JMU by the Dingledine family, which is closely linked with the nearly 100-year history of Madison. Two previously donated scholarships honor Tom Dingledine's grandfather, Raymond Sr., and grandmother, Agness Stribling Dingledine ('15)—known as "Mr. Ding" and "Mama Ding" when JMU was a teacher's college for women. "Both my grandparents dedicated their lives to helping others in and out of the college classroom," said Tom Dingledine. Raymond Sr. and Agness were both on the faculty and together funded the school's first scholarship—$10—in 1919. One son, Raymond Jr., became a history professor at Madison and wrote the definitive history of "Madison College: The First 50 Years, 1908-1958." Madison dedicated Dingledine Hall to "Mama Ding" in 1970. Though neither is a JMU alumnus, Tom and Karyn Dingledine are following the family tradition of commitment to Madison with their latest gift for scholarships. "This will assist JMU in its continuing journey of excellence," said Tom Dingledine.

Tom and Karyn Dingledine, a couple of Madison boosters, have given a booster shot to the university's scholarships program with their gift of $2 million that will be used to recruit to JMU top students who also are committed to service to others. The Dingledine scholarships will serve as the "flagship" awards for the new student-recruitment scholarship program, the Bluestone Scholars Program, the name deriving from Madison's historic buildings around the Quadrangle. "These scholarships will honor that spirit and assist those students who are setting a positive example and leading the change to a better world," said Tom Dingledine. The first six Dingledine Scholars will be selected for JMU's 2007-08 freshman class. The scholarships will provide tuition and fees for four years, provided each recipient maintains the required grade-point average and sustains a high-level of community-service involvement. Among its requirements, scholarship candidates must write two essays selected by the university and the Dingledine family. The scholarships will be open for all academic disciplines and for in-state and out-of-state students. Dr. Mark J. Warner, senior vice president for student affairs and university planning at JMU, has agreed to serve as the first mentor for the Dingledine Scholars program.

Richard "Dick" D. Roberts will have to come up with something really big, really special, to give his wife for their 50th wedding anniversary next year because it may be hard to top his gift to his wife, Shirley, for their 49th year of marriage. Roberts, a retired cable-television executive, donated $1 million to JMU in May, with a portion of the gift earmarked for the university's planned Performing Arts Complex and its main concert hall—to be named the Shirley Hanson Roberts Concert Hall. It was another golden anniversary—Shirley Roberts' 50th year reunion of the Class of 1956 at Madison College held in early April—that put the idea into Dick Roberts' head, so impressed was the Virginia Beach resident with his wife's alma mater in Harrisonburg. Roberts, a U.S. Naval Academy and Harvard Business School graduate, reported that he asked every student he met that April weekend what he or she thought of JMU and heard only enthusiasm and positive responses. Roberts had already credited Madison with bringing him together with his future wife in the summer of 1954—they might never have met, he contends, if Shirley had followed her freshman-year roommate in transferring to an Ohio college. She preferred to stay at Madison. A concert hall is a tough act to follow, but Dick Roberts has until Aug. 3, 2007, to come up with something really special for his one true love on their 50th anniversary.

Thanks to the generosity of JMU donors, the Madison Singers are preparing for their first-ever tour abroad July 7-17 when they will perform in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. Richard and Shirley Roberts, after admiring the Madison Singers' performance during Shirley's Madison College 50th year reunion in April, agreed to allow a portion of their $1 million gift to JMU to help send to Prague 15 members of the choral ensemble, which is directed by Patrick M. Walders. Harrisonburg businessman James McHone, owner of McHone Antique Jewelry, also provided financial support for the students to make the trip. The highlight of the trip is the July 15 concert at Prague's Smetena Hall of Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana." The Madison Singers on tour will add their voices to a 160-voice choir of singers from Hartwick College, the Catskill Choral Society, Tiffin University and Converse College. The mass choir will perform the full orchestra version—featuring the Czech National Symphony Orchestra—of Orff's most famous work, a dramatic cantata set to a text taken from 13th century songs in Latin, German and French. The Madison Singers also will perform in Freiburg, Germany, prior to the Smetena Hall concert and at a Mass at St. Nicholas Church in Prague July 16. When not rehearsing or performing, the Madison Singers will see the sights in and near Prague, including composer Antonin Dvorak's home, castles and cathedrals, and attend music concerts.

Just before the start of another hurricane season, 56 JMU students, faculty and staff participated in May in hurricane-relief efforts in two Mississippi communities pummeled by storms last summer. The JMU group assisted in Waveland and Bay Saint Louis in such work as cleaning mold, rebuilding fences, installing drywall, serving meals and distributing clothing. Dr. Mary Landrum, an associate professor of exceptional education and a relief-team member, joined three other faculty and staffers and 10 students in returning to Mississippi to help with rebuilding after first spending last Thanksgiving Week in Biloxi aiding relief efforts. Each volunteer paid $275 to participate in the trip sponsored by JMU's Office of Community Service Learning.

The JMU Police Department received four automated external defibrillators in May that will go a long way toward increasing the survival chances of victims of cardiac arrest in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. The AED devices enable first-responders with little medical training to quickly begin administering treatment that could save a cardiac patient's life. The JMUPD is the ninth police department in the nation to be awarded the devices through a grant program established by Cintas Corp., manufacturer of the ReviveR AED. The automated external defibrillators are small, lightweight devices that evaluate a person's heart rhythm through special pads placed on the chest. The computer-driven devices also can shock the heart back into rhythm if necessary. The JMUPD is part of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community AED Initiative, which hopes to place the defibrillators in many public city and county locations.

JMU lacrosse players Kelly Berger of Columbia, Md., and Kylee Dardine of Broomall, Pa., were named to the 2006 Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Lacrosse All-America Team. Berger, a junior midfielder, was named to the first team. Dardine, a sophomore defender, was a third-team selection. Both players earned All-America recognition for the first time. Berger, the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year, led JMU in goals, assists and points. Dardine, the CAA Defensive Player of the Year, led the Dukes in caused turnovers and ranks 12th nationally in that category. The national All-Americas will be honored at an awards banquet June 10 in Baltimore.

After a rain delay of more than 13 hours, No. 4-seeded Virginia Commonwealth University clipped No. 1-seeded James Madison, 6-1, in the ninth game of the 2006 Colonial Athletic Association Baseball Championship May 27. In the title game, VCU lost to the 2006 CAA champions, University of North Carolina-Wilmington, May 28. The 38-21 Dukes went 2-2 in the four-day, six-team tournament and hoped to land an at-large berth to the NCAA Regionals, but were denied.

Madison sophomore outfielder Kellen Kulbacki of Hershey, Pa., was named the 2006 Colonial Athletic Association Baseball Player of the Year, presented May 23 at the CAA Baseball Championship Banquet at UNC-Wilmington. The league's head coaches voted on the award as well as the All-CAA squads and other individual honors. Kulbacki was joined on the All-CAA first team by senior teammates Nate Schill of Audubon, N.J., and Michael Cowgill of Lexington, Ky. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Ryan Reid of Portland, Maine, was named to the All-CAA second team, and freshman right-hander Kurt Houck of Gilbertsville, Pa., was an All-Rookie selection. Kulbacki also is one of 16 semifinalists for the Dick Howser Trophy, which many regard as college baseball's most prestigious award; the winner will be announced June 16 at the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

Four James Madison archers have qualified for the U.S. Archery Team for the 2006 World University Championships, to be held June 12-18 in Vinicne, Slovakia. U.S. Team qualifiers were the top-three finishers in each category of the FITA Round at the U.S. Intercollegiate Archery Championships, held May 19-21 in Los Angeles. JMU archers who qualified for the team include sophomore Jacob Wukie of Oak Harbor, Ohio, in men's recurve, sophomore Braden Gellenthien of Hudson, Mass., and freshman Stephen Schwade of Summerville, S.C., in men's compound, and freshman Brittany Lorenti of Trumbull, Conn. Gellenthien competed in the 2006 World University Championships in Izmir, Turkey, last August. He was a member of the U.S. men's compound bow team that won the silver medal. the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

Former JMU women's basketball coach Betty Jaynes is among 22 athletics administrators included in the 2006 induction class for the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Hall of Fame. Jaynes compiled a 142-114 JMU record in 1970-82 and since has served as executive director and then chief executive officer of the Women's Basketball Coaching Association. The inductees will be honored at NACDA's 41st annual convention June 20-23. Winners will receive their awards during the U.S. Sports Academy Directors' Cup Luncheon in New Orleans. Among Jaynes' JMU accomplishments was her team winning the 1975 Virginia Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women state championship.

JMU freshmen Julia Dominguez of Sterling, Va., Meredith Felts of Greenville, N.C., and Kaitlyn Wernsing of Clemmons, N.C., were named to the 2006 Colonial Athletic Association Softball All-Rookie team for their performances during the season. Dominguez, who was also named to the All-CAA second team, lead the Dukes in several offensive categories while handling her responsibilities behind the plate. She led the Dukes in hits, RBIs, on-base percentage and slugging percentage, while ranking third on the single-season leaders list in RBIs and batting average. Felts led JMU in wins with 11 while striking out 135 batters in 139-1/3 innings pitched, and finished the season with 12 complete games. Wernsing, who battled back from an injury early in the season, tied with Dominguez in batting average (.343) while stealing 11 bases, while batting primarily from the leadoff spot.

A draft of JMU's self-study report for intercollegiate athletics as part of its regularly scheduled 10-year NCAA Certification process is available at here. The report, designed by and administered by the NCAA, is organized into three sections: Governance and Rules Compliance, Academic Integrity, and Gender Equity and Student-Athlete Welfare. The draft self-study report will be finalized following feedback by JMU constituents. The external peer review team will visit campus in September to meet with members of the university community to discuss the report in detail. Feedback regarding the draft report may be sent to Dr. Al Menard, chair of the self-study committee, at menardaj@jmu.edu. Additional written feedback may be sent to Dr. Menard at MSC 1022, JMU, Harrisonburg, VA 22807.

Greg Werner, director of strength and conditioning at JMU, has been named a master strength and conditioning coach by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches association, the highest given in the strength and conditioning profession. Werner and seven other coaches who received the honor join the existing 50 Master Strength and Conditioning Coaches, bringing the total number of MSCC's in the world to 57. Besides Werner, Virginia Tech's Mike Gentry and William and Mary's John Sauer are the only other Master Strength and Conditioning Coaches in Virginia.