It's time to Put Up Your Dukes for Duke Dog. As part of JMU's yearlong Centennial Celebration in 2007-2008, uniquely painted and decorated versions of the Duke Dog statue will be on display throughout the JMU campus and Harrisonburg. The Duke Dog project is similar to those that have taken place recently in a number of cities. The city of Norfolk, for example, featured mermaid statues in its displays. Richmond and Baltimore displayed statues of fish; Chicago, cows; and San Antonio, steers. The JMU statues will be smaller versions of the large Duke Dog statue that sits in the front of the university's Plecker Athletic Performance Center. The project statues will be made by Lee Leuning, the South Dakota sculptor who created the Duke Dog statue as well as the James Madison statue near the Quad. The Put Up Your Dukes statues will be two feet long and 22 inches high. They will be made of a lightweight resin and are suitable for display inside a store or building. Businesses, clubs and individuals are being sought to sponsor statues to locate in Harrisonburg and at JMU. A number of talented artists from Harrisonburg, Staunton and JMU have agreed to take part in the project and paint the statues in unique patterns. Designs on the dogs can be chosen by the sponsor in conjunction with the artist. The subject matter on the statues is open although all designs are subject to regulations set by JMU. A special JMU committee must approve all designs. Sponsorship for a statue is $1,500, which includes the cost of the statue as well as all taxes and the artist's fee. Sponsors may select an artist from the pool of volunteers or choose their own artist. The statues can be displayed by the sponsor, beginning with the centennial kickoff in spring 2007. Sponsors can continue to display the statues as long as they like. All the statues will be displayed at the New Century Banquet in March 2008. For more information or for a sponsorship application, contact the Centennial Director Fred Hilton at (540) 568-3474, hiltonfd@jmu.edu, or Dr. Kathryn Monger, director of the Madison Art Collection at (540) 568-6934, or mongerke@jmu.edu.
— by Fred Hilton ('96M), Centennial Director

The JMU Offices of Admissions and Alumni Relations seek alumni to help recruit future Dukes through the Alumni Admissions Recruitment Network. Each year JMU receives more than 1,000 invitations to attend college fairs, and it is impossible for staff members to cover them all. Last year, JMU received more than 20,000 applications for admission — a record for JMU. As the university's popularity increases, so does the quality of students admitted to JMU. You can join in the excitement by representing Madison at a college fair in your area. This is a great way to stay involved with JMU and share your experiences with prospective students. Register to help with a fair or send in your current contact information here. The top portion of the Web site lists the fairs for which we need the most assistance. If you volunteer, you will be mailed training materials and brochures to hand out at the fair. Learn more here.
— by Adam Anderson ('93, '02M), Alumni Admissions Recruitment Network Coordinator

JMU alumni should be getting into the mood for one great big birthday party. Kicking off in March 2007, and running through May 2008, the JMU Centennial promises to be the grandest celebration in the school's history. Special centennial events will be held throughout the 2007-2008 academic year. There will be a number of special projects — including the selection of Madison's "100 Best" and the placement of uniquely painted Duke Dogs throughout Harrisonburg. The history of JMU will be chronicled in six display areas, each reflecting 100 years in the areas of academics, the arts, athletics, campus life, campus appearance and the university's leadership. An award-winning Web site on the centennial is already in place. The ever-growing site contains 15 major areas, a variety of facts and figures and more than 60 stories on the history of JMU. The historical articles contain information that is informative in some cases and just plain fun. See for yourself here: www.jmu.edu/centennialcelebration/.
— by Fred Hilton ('96M), Centennial Director

If you were putting together a list of Madison's "100 Best," who would you include? The list of 100 will include those who have meant the most to JMU during its first century. You'll get a chance to express your opinion on those who make the list, which is being developed as part of JMU's Centennial Celebration. Selections on the list are expected to include current and former JMU professors, administrators, staff members, alumni, students and friends. The list will be open to groups like the Marching Royal Dukes, the Stratford Players or a championship team. Those who are practically people, like Duke Dog, are also eligible. Nominations for the list will be accepted from throughout the JMU family. Suggestions should be sent to: jmu100best@jmu.edu. Nominations will be reviewed by a special committee composed of professors, staff members, alumni, students and local leaders. The final selection of the "100 Best" will be announced throughout the 2007-2008 academic year as the centennial is observed. A few names will be announced each week. The final list will be announced on the 100th anniversary of JMU's founding (the Centennial Convocation on March 14, 2008) and at the New Century Banquet the following evening.
— by Fred Hilton ('96M), Centennial Director

JMU Atlanta Chapter President Melissa Palladino Roberts ('98) reports that the Atlanta Chapter is planning a bowling event for Oct. 21 and the chapter's Holiday Party for Dec. 10. Learn more about these events or sign up for the Atlanta Chapter's e-mail updates here: www.jmuatlanta.com. If you have an idea for a chapter event, contact Roberts at Melissa.Roberts@turner.com.

Many JMU alumni expect to bump into fellow Dukes in popular post-grad locations like D.C. and Maryland, but those who fly overseas after receiving their diploma probably don't expect to see many people donning purple and gold sweatshirts. Jacqueline "Jackie" Wind Clinton ('94) found out just the opposite when she landed in the U.K. after graduation. After a few phone calls to the JMU Alumni Association she compiled a list of London-based JMU grads, and began building a new chapter. The first meeting was held during spring 2005. Over the next year and half, the London Dukes Chapter grew by word of mouth. This year, Jackie returned to the states, and has passed the leadership torch to current co-chairs, Eve Avedon Spirn ('91) and Scott Schucht ('96). Spirn worked for Accenture in both the U.S. and the U.K. for a few years, before becoming a full-time employee at the London-based office. Similarly, Schucht made the permanent move to London to open and manage a NeoNet firm. "Our chapter is still very much in the formation stages," says Scott. "The chapter's main focus is to reunite alums and create a contact network for fellow ex-pats here in the U.K." The chapter has hosted meetings and happy hours and, in the spirit of London, has met for an afternoon tea at Kensington Palace. In addition to meet-and-greets and charitable fundraisers, the alumni assemble to introduce current JMU students to the U.K. during semester-long Study Abroad programs. "We intend to continue with the welcome parties for the Study Abroad students and hope to be more involved with Madison House here in London," adds Schucht. The co-chairs say they hope to see more alumni join the chapter. If you live in the U.K. and are in search of someone who can sing the JMU Fight Song, contact Spirn at eveavedon.spirn@accenture.com or Schucht at scot.schucht@gmail.com.
— by Katelyn Wyszynski ('07)

London Dukes gather with co-chairs Scott Schucht ('96) and Eve Avedon Spirn ('91) to plan upcoming chapter events.

Join fellow Metro Dukes Oct. 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and volunteer at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore — a resale business that sells new and used building materials and home improvement items at discount prices. All materials are donated by local retail businesses, building contractors, suppliers and individuals. All proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia. Volunteers will help prepare items for sale, stock shelves, answer phones and assist customers. ReStore is located at 7770-G Richmond Highway, Alexandria. To volunteer, contact Caroline Chin ('05) at caroline.s.chin@gmail.com.

The Metro Dukes Book Club will meet Oct. 10 (Panera Bread in Ballston Mall, Level 1) at 7:30 p.m. to discuss Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer. For information, contact Evan Bolick ('05) at MetroDukesBookClub@yahoo.com.

Join the Metro Dukes Adopt-a-Highway volunteer day Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. to clean up Chain Bridge Road. Come out and see the leaves turn color in all of their glory along our adopted stretch of highway. Coffee and donuts will be provided. Meet in the Bob Evans' parking lot (10443 White Granite Drive, Oakton). For information, contact James Eustis ('03) at jeustis3@hotmail.com.
— by Shelly Santos ('01), Metro Dukes president

On Aug. 31, approximately 45 Metro Dukes got together to sample both red and white wine varietals at Best Cellars in Clarendon. Alumni learned the basic principles for successful food and wine pairings, and sampled six wines from different parts of the world. After the tasting, each participant received a gift bag featuring gourmet items from the store.
— submitted by Kendra Hastings ('01)

Rain showers didn't dampen the spirit of the 11th-annual Metro Dukes CrabFest. On Sept. 16, more than 560 alumni came out to munch on crab and catch up with old friends. Doug Segree ('92) provided musical entertainment, and alumni also enjoyed volleyball. Future Dukes amused themselves on the playground, moon bounce and enjoyed some clown entertainment. Special thanks to CrabFest coordinator Mike Jones ('94) and CrabFest sponsors: Planning Solutions Group, Jones CPAs, GHA Technologies, Tamara Inzunza ('95) of RE/MAX Allegiance-Kingstowne.

Doug Segree ('92) entertains Metro Dukes at the 11th annual CrabFest on Sept. 16.

President Linwood H. Rose and Duke Dog joined more than 300 alumni and friends for a crabby-good time at the second annual Richmond CrabFest in August at the Columbian Center. "The weather was perfect, the 11 bushels of crabs and 300 pounds of shrimp were tasty; but it was the JMU camaraderie that people enjoyed the most," says chapter volunteer Mary Jones ('91), one of the originators of CrabFest. Madison alumni in attendance represented every class decade from the 1960s through 2000 (and some May 2006 graduates). Future Dukes enjoyed a fun day playing in the Duke Dog's Puppy Pound area which included a moon bounce, a playground and a special kid friendly food table. "We want to thank all the alumni who helped sponsor CrabFest and make it a huge success," says sponsor and event coordinator Sam Jones ('91). Jones and his wife, Mary, helped create CrabFest while they were members of the Metro Dukes Chapter. After they moved to the Richmond area, Sam's brother, Mike Jones ('94), took the helm of the Metro Dukes CrabFest. The Richmond Chapter leaders want to thank all the 2006 CrabFest sponsors: Kin Headley ('91) of Hometown Realty, Eric Kuester ('92) of GHT Insurance Agency, The Rev. Jason Roberts ('97, '99M) of Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Brandon Hedrick ('00) of Hedrick Insurance and Financial, Sam Jones ('91) of Keiter Stephens CPAs, Thea Paul ('94) of EZS Language Resource, Bobby Baughan ('81) of Promotional Considerations, Tim Eades ('00) of Atlantic Financial Group and Mark Thompson ('90) of Starr Hill Brewery.

JMU President Linwood H. Rose thanks longtime Richmond Chapter volunteers, chapter co-president Tim Eades ('00) and his wife, Lindsey Eades ('00).

The Rocky Mountain Dukes' end-of-summer picnic and scholarship fundraiser was an overwhelming success. The Aug. 19 event capped off the Colorado chapter's most-active year and its first-ever scholarship benefit. More than 20 Dukes and friends gathered to raise funds for the chapter's scholarship. By popular demand, scholarship proceeds were evenly distributed to all 13 current students who call the Centennial State home — ensuring that all Colorado Dukes have a great semester back in the 'Burg. Scholarship award letters were signed at the September Thirsty Thursday event at Govnr's Park (672 Logan St.). Please send suggestions for chapter events to chapter president Sean Harrington at seantharrington@gmail.com. Register for Rocky Mountain Dukes e-mail updates at www.rockymountaindukes.com.

Rocky Mountain Dukes chapter members sign scholarship award letters at the September Thirsty Thursday event at Denver's Govnr's Park.

Chicago Dukes will host the monthly Purple Thursday happy hour Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. The location is yet to be determined, so check the chapter Web site often at www.chicagodukes.com/events.html. For more information or to suggest an event, please contact chapter president Raminder Chadha ('93) at turban8r@gmail.com.

New grads just settling into the Tidewater area, as well as veteran Dukes looking for a professional change, be sure to attend the Tidewater Chapter's annual Alumni Career/Networking Night Oct. 3, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Kincaid's (McArthur Mall). Job seekers are encouraged to bring their resumes. Even if you're not currently seeking employment or employees, it's a great opportunity to network. For more information, contact KellyWoodruff@spherion.com. For information on the Tidewater Dukes, or to suggest a chapter event, please contact chapter co-presidents Brooke Nielson ('01) and Jason Moore ('04) at TidewaterChpt@yahoo.com. For more information, visit the Tidewater Dukes Web site.

The Alumni Professional Network invites D.C.-area alumni to the third annual fall conference: "Secrets to Entrepreneurial Success," Oct. 24 from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner (1700 Tysons Boulevard). Pay in advance online ($35 by Oct. 6, $45 after Oct. 6) by clicking here. Robert Reid, dean of the JMU College of Business, will host the conference's breakfast panel. Alumni panelists will include Clint Heiden ('90) of the Heiden Group, Jeffrey Grass ('92) of Buy Safe, David Kay ('89) of Capital Automotive and Erik Linn ('96) of Financial Services, Navigant Consulting Inc. The 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. Learn more at the APN Web site.
— by Nicole Bono ('01)

Two holes-in-one stole the show at the fourth annual Craig Blass ('96) Memorial Golf Tournament on Sept. 16. One foursome wowed the field of 80 players and eight volunteers at the South Riding Golf Course in Northern Virginia. A variety of participants, ranging in age from 22 to 65, included avid golfers and those "just there to support charity." Doug Dickey ('76), Ben Dickey ('06), Brian Cosker ('06) and their friend, Joey Shapiro, finished second thanks to "aces" on two of the course's Par 3 holes. Cosker got a hole-in-one on No. 5's 133-yard hole and won two international business class plane tickets. His team wasn't quite finished, though. Not to be outdone, Shapiro aced hole No. 16, driving the ball 193 yards and winning $20,000 cash. Two prizewinning, hole-in-one shots from the same team made amateur golf history. The Craig Blass ('96) Memorial Scholarship was founded to honor Blass, who was lost while working at Cantor Fitzgerald in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. The fund awards an annual scholarship to a JMU student who best embodies Blass' character and campus involvement. The annual tournament is the major fundraiser for the scholarship fund. Read more at www.BlassMemorial.org. Or, for more information, please write Golf@BlassMemorial.Org.
— by Jason Sfaelos ('96)

UREC is celebrating 10 years of service to the JMU community. Join the UREC staff during Homecoming Weekend to reconnect with friends and colleagues. UREC will sponsor several events during Homecoming Weekend (Oct. 20-22). Anniversary events will include a Homecoming Tailgate on Godwin Field, an open house, the 11th-Annual Dukes Homecoming Family Fun Walk/Run and a Sunday brunch. Register here. For more information about UREC's anniversary celebrations, contact Allison Graham, coordinator of marketing and sponsorship, at grahamam@jmu.edu or (540) 568-8709.

• Oct. 28 — JMU @ Richmond
  3 p.m. kickoff | 1 p.m. tailgate | $25 per person
  Tailgate located behind Southwest Visitor stands (inside stadium)
  Catered by Extra Billy's
• Nov. 11 — JMU @ Villanova
  1 p.m. kickoff | 11 a.m. tailgate
  Tailgate located in Law School parking lot
  
• Nov. 18 — JMU @ Towson
  1 p.m. kickoff | 11 a.m. tailgate
  Special Tailgate Price for Kids!
  Kids 5 and under FREE; $10 for Kids ages 6-12.

To order a tailgate package, call the JMU Athletics Ticket Office at 540-568-DUKE. For updated information, visit www.jmusports.com/dukeclub.

• Oct. 3 — Tidewater Chapter Alumni Career/Networking Night
  Info: TidewaterChpt@yahoo.com
• Oct. 6-8 — Parents Council Meets Family Weekend
  www.jmu.edu/parents
• Oct. 10 — MetroDukes Book Club Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
  www.metrodukes.com
• Oct. 11 — Richmond Chapter meeting, 6 p.m. at Bottoms Up Pizza
  Info: richmondchpt@alumni.jmu.edu
• Oct. 19 — Tidewater Chapter 3rd Thursday Happy Hour, 6 p.m., ShoreBreak
  For info: TidewaterChpt@yahoo.com
• Oct. 20-21 — Homecoming 2006 and Homecoming Gala
  www.jmu.edu/homecoming
• Oct. 21 — UREC's 10th Anniversary
  www.jmu.edu/recreation
• Oct. 26 — Greater Madison Fall Banquet
  www.jmu.edu/greatermadison

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.

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The JMU department of athletics recently unveiled "Dukes Represent," a new sportsmanship creed that encourages first-class fan support at all venues where the Dukes play. Through the respectful support of student groups, such as the Student Duke Club and the Marching Royal Dukes, the creed provides an awareness about who JMU fans represent when cheering for the Dukes. "It's a new program at JMU, but it's one very similar to those implemented at the University of Colorado and the University of Texas," said Brad Edmondson, assistant athletics director for marketing who has much to do with the game-day atmosphere at JMU home sporting events. "It takes sportsmanship to heart — being loud, being proud, but most importantly, being considerate. We want to be top notch and continue to have a great atmosphere, but in a positive manner."

The Creed: Dukes Represent is a sportsmanship awareness program designed to promote top-notch fan conduct at James Madison University athletic events. At JMU, we take pride in representing ourselves, our fans, our alumni and our alma mater with the highest levels of class and dignity. We encourage our fans to be ambassadors of JMU in all athletic venues, both home and away. Disrespectful conduct results in a game-day environment that is less enjoyable for a majority of the fans at the event. While the extremes of this unwanted behavior are not commonplace at JMU athletic events, we are all responsible to join together as a team to represent JMU as a high-class institution. We encourage all Dukes fans to Be Loud ... Be Proud ... Be Considerate.

When head coach Mickey Matthews sends the Dukes to the gridiron on game day, JMU fans who can't be there in person can listen from nearly every corner of the commonwealth on the JMU/nTelos Sports Radio Network. WSVA 550 AM in Harrisonburg has been the longtime flagship and is the originating station once again for the football as well as men's basketball seasons. The network has expanded this season to include WMET 1160 AM in Washington, D.C., and the surrounding metropolitan area, 3WR 910 AM in Roanoke and WNRV 990 AM in the New River Valley. The 2006 season is the eighth that WGH 1310 AM, an ESPN affiliate, is carrying the Dukes' games into Hampton Roads. Listeners in Richmond can tune into WREJ 1540 AM and others in Roanoke can listen to WTOY 1480 AM, which is in its second season as an affiliate. Broadcasts begin 30 minutes prior to kickoff. The broadcasts are also be available, live and archived, around the globe on the Internet at JMUSports.com. Most of the network affiliates also carry the Dukes Huddle, a call-in show that airs every Monday from 7:10 to 8 p.m. and originates from the Harrisonburg Chili's.

The "Mickey Matthews Show," a look inside the JMU Dukes' football program, airs weekly and throughout the season on several television outlets around Virginia. Coach Matthews and host Curt Dudley talk about JMU and Atlantic-10 football, review game highlights and feature various aspects of JMU's athletic program. The schedule: Mondays — Telecast Outlet: WAZT, Woodstock, Shenandoah Valley, 8 p.m. Thursdays — Telecast Outlets: Comcast Cable 79, Richmond, 7 p.m; Cox Cable 71, Virginia Beach, 10 p.m. Fridays — Telecast Outlet: WDRL-TV, Roanoke, 9 p.m. Saturdays — Telecast Outlet: Comcast Cable 79, Richmond, 9 a.m.

A pair of JMU coaches reached milestone victories during the opening weekend of their seasons. Men's soccer coach Tom Martin got his 400th career win Aug. 25 in a 2-1 decision against Seton Hall. In his 30th season, and 21st at JMU, his overall record stands at 406-135-44 heading into the weekend of Sept. 29. He entered this season ranked among the top-five, winningest active NCAA Division I coaches by victories (fourth, 399) and percentage (fifth, 73.0 percent). Aug. 26, volleyball coach Disa Garner won her 100th game at JMU when the Dukes topped UNC-Asheville. Garner is the winningest coach in JMU volleyball history and owns a 106-75 mark in her seventh season at the helm.

Three of JMU's fall sports teams are nationally ranked heading into the final weekend of September. The football Dukes were 15th on The Sports Network Poll prior to taking a 2-1 record to Lexington, Va., for a non-conference game at Virginia Military Institute. The Dukes are 1-0 in the Atlantic 10, after a 52-14 win against Northeastern Sept. 23, and will face league opponents the final seven Saturdays of the regular season. The field hockey team was ranked 17th by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association with a 6-4 overall record, and all of its losses were to other nationally ranked squads, three of which were on the road. JMU plays one of the toughest overall schedules in the nation with 12 opponents ranked or receiving votes in the poll. Men's soccer emerged on three national polls after a five-match winning streak that gave the Dukes a 7-1-0 overall record, 2-0-0 in the CAA. JMU made its first national appearances at No. 21 by the National Soccer Coaches Association, No. 22 by Soccer America and No. 26 by College Soccer News.

Several JMU athletes earned special recognition for their outstanding performances in competition during the opening weeks of the fall sports seasons. Below is a list of those honored:

Field Hockey
Freshman field hockey forward Meghan Bain (Berlin, N.J./Eastern Regional) was named the Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week after leading the Dukes with a pair of game-winning goals against Michigan State and St. Joseph's for the week ending Sept. 10.

Football
In football, red-shirt senior Justin Rascati (Gainesville, Fla./ Buchholz/Louisville) and red-shirt junior Tony LeZotte (Augusta, Ga./ Westside) were included in the preseason "Watch Lists" for Division 1-AA's National Players of the Year awards. Rascati is in the running for the Walter Payton Award and LeZotte appears on the Buck Buchanan Award list.

Kurt Morsink

Men's Soccer
Senior Kurt Morsink (San Jose, Costa Rica/IMG) has received numerous awards so far this season. Morsink's most recent honor was being named College Soccer News National Player of the Week for the week ending Sept. 24. Morsink netted the game-winning goals in a 2-1 victory over Georgia State (Sept. 22) and 1-0 win over North Carolina Wilmington (Sept. 24). Soccer Times has recognized Morsink as one of "The Best of the Rest" in its national Player of the Week section. Morsink scored or had an assist on six of JMU's 10 goals in the Dukes' wins over Howard (5-0) on Sept. 13 and Albany (5-1) on Sept. 15.
Morsink has also been named the Brine Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Week twice (For the weeks ending Sept. 17 and Aug. 27). Morsink handed out four assists in a 5-0 win over Howard (Sept. 13). He netted a goal and an assist on the game-winning goal in the 5-1 victory over Albany (Sept. 16).
The senior midfielder gave the Dukes a 1-0 lead over the Pirates (Aug. 25) on a first-half free kick and then tallied a pair of first-half goals that put JMU ahead 3-1 over Alabama A&M (Aug. 27) at the break. For his performances against the Pirates and the Bulldogs he was selected to the College Soccer News Team of the Week and also earned all-tournament honors at the Virginia Commonwealth Nike/Alltel Classic.
Other JMU players on the all-tournament squad in the VCU event included senior goaltender Kevin Trapp (Charlotte, N.C./Myers Park), senior midfielder Mark Totten (Chalfont, Pa./Central Bucks West), and junior midfielder Tristan Murray (Brampton, Ontario/Marc Garneau).

Women's Soccer
In Women's soccer, freshman Diane Wszalek (West Chester, Pa./West Chester East) was named to the topdrawersoccer.com Team of the Week and was selected to the Soccer Buzz National Elite Team of the Week for the week ending Sept. 17. The goalkeeper was in goal for both of JMU's shutouts. She made five saves in a 3-0 home win over George Washington (Sept. 14) and two in a 1-0 victory at Georgetown (Sept. 17).
Freshman forward Corky Julien (Williamstown, Ontario/Char-Lan District) was recognized as the Brine Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week for the week ending Sept. 17 for a game-winning goal against Georgetown and her assist on the game-winning goal over George Washington.
Sophomore midfielder Kimmy Germain (McLean, Va./Langley) and freshman forward Jess Remmes (Grand Island, N.Y./Grand Island) were named to the JMU/Comfort Inn Invitational all-tournament team. Remmes scored both JMU goals in the tournament.

Allyson Halls

Volleyball
A 6-foot-4 middle blocker, volleyball junior Allyson Halls (Columbus, Ohio/Olentangy) was named the Colonial Athletic Association Co-Player of the Week for the week ending Sept. 24. Halls averaged 4.46 kills per game, 5-23 points, 1.54 blocks and had a .361 attack percentage for the week in 13 games.
Freshman Nicole Fenner (Duluth, Ga./Wesleyan) was named the Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week for the week ending Sept. 17. Fenner averaged 2.50 kills and 3.50 digs per game while recording a .344 attack percentage (15-4-32) for the week.
Junior libero Jena Pierson (San Antonio, Texas/James Madison) was named Coors Invitational All-Tournament team (Sept. 2). Senior Bayli Stillwell (Steamboat Springs, Colo./Steamboat Springs) was named the Most Valuable Player of the JMU/Days Inn Invitational, Aug. 25-26. Halls and sophomore setter Lauren Miles (Tampa, Fla./Tamp Preparatory) were also named to the all-tournament team.

Brandon Stevens was recently appointed the development associate of the JMU Duke Club. Stevens has worked with the Miami Dolphins in the records and archives department, and also has experience as a group sales representative with the Montgomery Biscuits, a Class AA minor-league-baseball franchise. He also made notable contributions at Marshall University working with the Big Green Scholarship Foundation and in the marketing department. Stevens earned a bachelor's degree in business management and a master's in health and physical education with a concentration in athletic administration, both at Marshall University.

JMU's Board of Visitors approved Sept. 29 a plan to bring the JMU Athletics program into compliance with Title IX. The plan will take effect July 1, 2007, when the following varsity teams will be eliminated: Men's Archery, Cross Country, Gymnastics, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track, Swimming, Wrestling; and Women's Archery, Fencing and Gymnastics. With 28 varsity teams, the JMU Athletics program ties for the rank of seventh in terms of the number of teams among all 327 Division I schools nationally. "The JMU Athletics program is unusually large for a public university of our size," said Joseph Damico, BOV rector. "With so many teams, we faced an insurmountable challenge coming into compliance with Title IX. Fundamentally, that is why the Board voted today for this plan." The proportionality requirements of Title IX mandate that collegiate athletics programs mirror a school's undergraduate population in terms of gender. As of fall 2006, JMU's proportions place it fundamentally out of compliance with federal law:

• Overall Enrollment: Female, 61 percent; Male, 39 percent
• Athletics Participation: Female, 50.7 percent; Male, 49.3 percent

The university will then have 18 intercollegiate sports: Men's Baseball, Basketball, Football, Golf, Soccer and Tennis; and Women's Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track and Volleyball. The decision affects 144 student-athletes and three full-time and eight part-time coaches.

Evans and Serpell

Psychology Professor Steven W. Evans, director of JMU's Alvin V. Baird Attention and Learning Disabilities Center, has been appointed to the Alvin V. Baird Jr. Centennial Chair in Psychology at JMU. The chair is the second $1 million endowed chair at JMU and the first chair in the College of Integrated Science and Technology; JMU's other two chairs are in the College of Business. The CISAT chair is funded by a $1 million bequest from Alvin V. Baird of Harrisonburg who died July 7. Baird and his late wife, Nancy, a 1939 Madison College graduate, established the Baird Center at JMU in 2000 with a $1.5 million gift, and funded the Alvin V. and Nancy C. Baird Professorship for Attention and Learning Disabilities, which Evans had held since its creation in 2002. With Evans' appointment to the Baird chair, psychology Assistant Professor Zewelanji Serpell has been appointed to fill the Baird professorship.

Work began in September on a new science-centered library near the Leeolou Alumni Center on the campus on the east side of Interstate 81. When completed in spring 2008, the five-story, 106,000-square-foot facility will supplement the university's flagship athenaeum, Carrier Library, and will be roughly the same size. The new library, which will house science and technology collections, will feature open study areas offering dramatic views of the campus and distant mountains, 24-hour use by students, computer lab, coffee bar, an Information Commons with access to information resources, new media, media production technology and support services. The building's fifth floor will be devoted largely to faculty support, with a seminar room.

The board of directors of the JMU Alumni Association selected the 2006 recipients of its four annual awards:

• JMU Distinguished Faculty Award — Rustin P. Greene, a professor of media arts and design and director of JMU's Semester in London program. The award for full-time faculty recognizes excellence in classroom teaching, student motivation and professional activities.
• JMU Distinguished Service Award — Hillary Wing-Richards, associate director for the JMU Office of Sexual Assault Prevention and Women's Resource Center and a licensed professional counselor. The staff award recognizes service to JMU and/or local, national or international communities.
• Inez Graybeal Roop Distinguished Alumni Service Award — Matthew A. Miller ('98), an actor, triathlete and founder of the C Different Foundation. The award recognizes an alumnus for dedication and volunteer commitment.
• Ronald E. Carrier Disinguished Alumni Achievement Award — Dr. Carole C. Baldwin ('81), a marine scientist with the Smithsonian Institution. The award recognizes an alumnus who has excelled in his/her profession and attained recognition from peers or other professionals.

Rustin Greene and Hillary Wing-Richards (top) received their awards Aug. 25; alumni Matthew Miller (bottom left) and Dr. Carole Baldwin will be presented the Roop and Carrier Awards at the Homecoming Gala, Oct. 20.