Come one, come all! I have a list of winners for the Tailgate Competition, Mr. & Ms. Madison and the Banner Contest. Also, sadly, the Dukes were not winners in their game today. It was a cold rainy game that was a shutout to those pesky felines. We are all ready sad but hope that they can come back next week in their game at William & Mary!

Spirit Competition Winners:
1st place: Rachel Frye "Hangin' with the Big Dogs"
2nd place: Shannon McElroy "The Wildcat Skinners"
3rd place: Marie Shepard "JM-U KNOW IT"
Recognition: Davey Ahearn and the Keefer's "The Corner Tavern"

Entree Competition Winners:
1st place: Floyd Spencer and Friends "JMUbalaya" and "Taming the Wildcats into Mildcats"
2nd place: Ken and Patty Picardi "DU-KE-BOBS" and "The Dirty Dogs"
3rd place: Wally and Kathy Hayden "Over The Top Shrimp"
Recognition: Michael Goodman "Duke Dog Big Top Chili Cups"

All the entree and spirit tailgates were FABULOUS! Delicious food, spirited crowds, everything you could ask for in a JMU alumni Duke! Thanks so much to everyone who participated!

Our new Mr. & Ms. Madison are Richie Blessing and Allie Weissberg! Congrats!

Student Banner Contest Winner: Student Ambassadors
Alumni Banner Contest Winner: Tampa
Great job to everyone who participated!

More updates later about the events of the day!

Dukes Love,
Jackie

10.17: Dukes 5K and Alumni Awards Breakfast

As I approached Festival this morning the 5k was finishing up and runners were rounding the bend, bundled up, with their numbers on their sweatshirts. Sadly I was not out there, but getting up at 8 a.m. was early enough for me. I applaud those dedicated JMUers though!

The Alumni Awards Breakfast this morning honored Gay Finlayson ('76) and Lois Forbes ('64). Finlayson received The Ronald E. Carrier Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for being an advocate for autistic children and their families. Gay is a member of the US Department of Health and Human Service's Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee's ASD Expert Working Group. I know that's a mouthful but it's a very important role because there are only 17 members, all autism experts. Although Gay could not accept her award in person, her daughter was there to receive it in her honor.

In addition to being a current member of the Board of Visitors, Lois stays connected closely with JMU and the community. Her and husband Bruce Forbes donated two JMU statues including the infamous life-size James Madison statue. Recently they made the single largest gift of $5 million to make the future Performing Arts Center became a reality. Congratulations to both of these amazing and inspiring women!

On to the tailgate competition and the game to beat those Wildcats! GO DUKES!

Until later,
Jackie

10.17: Welcome Home

So while I was at the parade I noticed that the bookstore sign reads "Welcome Home JMU Alumni" and it all came full-circle to what Dr. Carrier spoke about on Sunday night at the bonfire! Welcome home, welcome back to the place you called home for 4 years (or more!), what does it mean to you? Make sure you all are still sharing your Homecoming memories! I hope all of the alumni are here, back at home, and catching up with old friends. I am looking forward to meeting many of you today and taste testing entrees for the tailgate competition!

GO DUKES!

Note: Homecoming Photo Contest

Hit me with your best shot! (Well actually hit Madison mag with your best shot) Madison Magazine is putting on a contest to see who can snap the best Homecoming photo! Upload your favorite Homecoming shots to facebook.com/JMUAlumni and then vote for your favorites using the "likes" button! The photos with the highest number of "likes" will be featured in the next issue of Madison. Voting ends Oct. 30, so put your pics up ASAP to get the most votes in! (Remember to set your camera on the highest resolution!)

10.17: Get Peppy & Sunset Outside of Godwin

So Duke Dog totally made my night last night! He was hammin' it up all over Godwin, dancin', takin' pics, army crawling across the floor and eating cookies [I've never seen a mascot eat a cookie and it's very humorous].

Sunset On The Quad turned to Sunset Outside of Godwin due to chances of rain and the cold weather. "There's no sunset to watch now," I overheard one girl say, which was true but it was still a great time with a lot of entertainment. I mean ALOT.

My favorite, of course, was the dancing! It made me want to dance - and Duke Dog too since he spent a lot of time dancing with everyone (I got hilarious video footage!).

Mozaic, a co-ed hip-hop dance team, did a really fun dance with little kids that they taught in a workshop! The kids were just adorable, and the Mozaic team really knows how to dance! I heard one former member (an alumni) scream out "I miss Mozaic!" And we could all see why.

Madison Dance also performed three times, and got everyone really pumped for the night! My good friend and "little sister" Kaitlin Ewen ('12) who I danced with for 4 years is in Madison Dance and was fabulous of course!

The Breakdance Club did some amazing dancing as well and the Swing Dance Club also made an appearance. The Chinese Student Association did an awesome dragon dance that was just mind boggling. It was just two people in a dragon suit but they would pick each other up and make the dragon move its mouth and eyes and ears. Just really original and neat to watch!

The emcees for the night were the Mr. and Ms. Madison candidates. The winners will be announced at the football game (don't worry if you won't be there, I'll keep you updated)!

There was also a lot of singing talent - Madison Project, Low Key, Note-oriety, Exit 245, and the newest dancing and singing group Exit 247 B Flat Project. This was pure entertainment folks, and could have led a 3-ring-circus just with it's two acts. With their see through white shorts and colored polos the parody group of all things dance and acappella had the crowd rolling on the floor laughing. They sang Seal's "Kiss From A Rose" (a personal fave of mine) where they wooed the crowd by throwing out roses. And their dancing skills were unrivaled and I was honestly impressed with their creativity! Duke Dog even got up with them (we all know how he loves to dance).

It was an awesome time, I hope you were all there! And if you couldn't be there, I hope this helped you feel like you were there, even if just a little bit.

Dukes Love,
Jackie

10.17: Homecoming Parade

The parade came careening past Mr. Chips at about 5:15 last night, with President Rose revving his shiny red car past the bookstore with Mrs. Rose by his side. Clubs and organizations made floats, or simply walked in the parade throwing out candy and t-shirts to screaming and cheering fans.

"The bands coming!" you hear from multiple people as the Royal Dukes Marching Band passed by and "We Are The Dukes of JMU" chant began and continued to the beat of the music.

I'd never seen so many purple, yellow and gold clothing! Purple jeans, gold hoodies, purple and gold scarves, bright yellow boots, purple shoes, the JMU spirit was certainly abounding at the parade! The Glitterettes of Broadway even had fire-lit batons! Very cool. And it was nice to see that it wasn't just JMU involved, but the whole community!

As the parade passed us by, students began making a run for the Purple Out tees. Literally running. It was really intense. I kind of got swept up in the excitement and was speed walking along with the sea of students, but the lines were all the way out godwin, and I decided to skip shivering in the cold, although I still managed to get one of the last few tees right before the Pep Rally and Sunset on The Quad started! I did run into a highschool friend, Karen Zwolak ('12), who was waiting in line and said that the pep rally was what she was looking forward to most!

Student Ambassadors won for Overall presentation in the parade, as well as Best Production. Delta Gamma won most spirited with their cute purple and pink homecoming tees!

10.16: Hall of Fame Inductions and Madison Cafe

So yesterday I got a taste of the two events going on, the Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner and the new Madison Cafe, and also stumbled upon Scary-o-kee, where a zebra, a bee, the grim reaper and other costumed students sang karaoke! It was put on by Junior Tricia Bellew and the student union programs. Looked like tons of fun and I heard some great singing before I headed upstairs to Transitions for the first ever Madison Cafe!

Up there I heard some awesome voices as well, including Trinity Edralin who just got signed with John Mayer's producer. Her soulful voice and guitar playing was very refreshing. I spoke with her briefly and she told me she'd been singing "since she knew she could produce sound." And that was very apparent in her talented performances, which also included a ukulele!

Another performer, Josh, did a wonderful Bob Dylanesque job of playing the harmonica and guitar simultaneously. AND singing! The first two performers were poets from the Word Is Born Poetry Society (est. 2008) and poet Devan Ellison did a very Homecoming appropriate poem targeted at James and Dolly Madison. I didn't get a chance to stay the whole time but what I did see was great! A successful first Madison Cafe.

Earlier in the evening I stopped by the 22nd Annual JMU Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner, where everyone looked so nice! They were all dolled up for the black tie affair. I spoke with one inductee, Lynn Craun ('75), who is also in the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame. "I'm really excited, it's a great honor," Lynn said. Her highschool friends who attended Bridgewater College were there to support her, just as they were throughout her lacrosse career at JMU. "This induction is very well deserved and has been well worth the wait," said Dee McDonough, one of Lynn's friends.

Today is the parade and sunset on the quad! I am REALLY looking forward to this! I hope it doesn't rain! See you all out there- game day tomorrow!
GO DUKES

Dukes Love,
Jackie

10.14: Commons Day at Commons and Festival

Mmmmm funnel cake! I may have gotten powdered sugar all over my shirt and my face, but it was totally worth it. At Festival and the Commons today students stopped by to check out the juggler who did some impressive tricks, get airbrushed tattoos (one girl got a star on the inside of her wrist- very cute!), and see Duke Dog himself. And for funnel cakes of course! As well as popcorn and cotton candy- yum. The festivities continued to put people in the mood for the three-ring-circus that will begin Friday with the Homecoming Parade!

Tomorrow night there are two events- one for students and one for alumni!

For students, the Madison Cafe in TDU will be an open-mic event with performances, circus games, karaoke and free food! It's from 10 p.m.- 12 a.m. and should be a very entertaining event in the center of the ring!

At 6:30 p.m. the 22nd Annual JMU Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner will go on in Festival Ballroom. I'm excited to see the inductees accept their awards! Four former student-athletes and former JMU president Dr. Carrier will be inducted!

I better see you all at the induction or at Madison Cafe (maybe someone can convince me into some karaoke!)

Dukes Love,
Jackie

10.13: Madison Games Bring Out Students, Faculty and Organizations

Today I won a goldfish! Yup, you heard right. I was on fire today at the Madison Games on Godwin Field! As a new addition to the student events for the week, Madison Games had about eight games run by either the Madison Games committee or a student organization. I won the goldfish at the Safe Rides game where the object was to throw a ping pong ball into the solo cups shaped into an SR. Maybe I'll post pics of the little guy later! Here's a pic of the Safe Rides Group at their game. (From L to R: Parks Watson ('10), Emily Lordahl ('11), Jessica Lake ('12), Kaitlin Gragnano ('11), Matt Gerboth ('10))

David Casterline ('10) (at right) also won a fish! He's looking forward to taking pictures on the sidelines of the game Sat. for The Breeze (pretty awesome, and important, job).

I also managed to throw darts at and pop three balloons in a row at the "Balloon Pop Under The Big Top" game puton by the Chesapeake Hall Community Activities Board. It was a really great idea and was a lot of fun! Justin Cruz ('10) (at right), popped a balloon on his first dart throw. Everyone enjoyed the cotton candy, popcorn and JMU Homecoming prizes- frisbees, pom poms, tees, and cups! People were enjoying the games with friends and new friends they'd just met!

Co-chair of Madison Games, Caitlin Vansuetendael ('11) (pictured with other co-chair Jenn Wilcox ('11) (far right) and advisor Jeremy Hawkins), was happy with the turnout. "There's been a good flow of people. We wanted it to be like a huge field day," said Vansuetendael. "I hope that next year it will become a bigger thing. I just really wanted to get involved this year, I wanna bleed purple." Wilcox said her goal was to "get people excited and have fun, bring them back to being a kid."

Madison Games committee members Caroline Bourne ('10), Rebecca Kinsey ('12) and Meagan Ouellette ('11) manned the "I Bleed Purple" Boot Camp Challenge. "I always have a good time at Homecoming but I'm not much of a football person," said Bourne who looks forward to seeing friends and tailgating. "I'm just excited to see all the festivities," said Kinsey.

Madison Games was awesome! I wish you all had been there. As I'm sure you all are, I am getting pretty excited to see old friends. One of my old roommates and best friends is coming up from Georgia and my best friend and sorority sister is coming down from Connecticut and some friends from my study abroad trip to Ireland are coming in Friday! I hope you all are as ecstatic as I am! If you haven't gotten in touch with old friends yet, get on it! Even if you can't be at Homecoming this weekend, drop them a "hello" and I guarantee they will really appreciate it.

Tomorrow is Commons Day which will be held on the Commons AND Festival Lawn so I guess it's technically Commons and Festival Day. It will be from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. with free popcorn, sweet treats, face painting, cakewalks, tightrope walking and a unicyclist! You can even get your picture taken with the bearded lady! So hit up one location, or both, I promise it'll be a real circus! Until Tomorrow!

Dukes Love,
Jackie

Note: Get Your Vote On Dukes!

Vote for your favorite banner in the online banner contest, and for your Mr. & Ms. Madison of 2009! Don't forget to come out to Godwin field tomorrow from 3- 5 p.m. for Madison Games!

10.11: MadisonFest Sets Festival Ablaze with Bonfire and JMU Pride

Hey everybody! Tonight was MadisonFest- a wonderful way to start the week! I hope most of you were out there, but if you weren't, here's what you missed.

Students, staff, faculty and families got fired up tonight at MadisonFest on Festival Lawn. As the kickoff to Homecoming week, there was a bonfire, cotton candy and popcorn (essential carnival treats), a T-shirt swap for Homecoming tees, desserts, face painting where students displayed their JMU pride with purple duke dog paws on their cheeks, and a DJ who set the background music for the night.

Dr. Ronald Carrier, the 4th JMU president, started off the night by taking the mic and getting the crowd revved up for the week. He started by asking the audience, "What do you know about homecoming? What do you know about your home? It's right here." He challenged students to learn more about the institution of JMU that we call home. He urged them to go to the library (the one named after him, of course) and to learn how far JMU has come in over a century. I think he's right, it's definitely something to think about! I know I called this my home for 4 years (and even as an alum, still do!) because it was where I felt comfortable and where all my friends (who become like family) are there for you. Let us know why you love JMU as your home and your best homecoming memories on our memories page!

Carrier lit the bonfire, under H'burg Fire Dept. supervision of course, after he explained the historic significance of lighting a bonfire to ward off spirits. "I'm going to light this fire to ward off the evil spirits of fumbling and interceptions and to bring us victory," said Carrier. A humorous speech that I hope will come true!

Mr. and Ms. Madison contestants spoke on stage, showing their JMU spirit and proving why they would all make a wonderful Mr. and Ms. Madison of 2009! Richie Blessing, Senior Mr. Madison contestant, spoke with me about what he was looking forward to most about Homecoming. "I'm excited to see people I haven't seen in a long time and to enjoy my last Homecoming as a senior," he said. Freshmen students, Tara Willging, Evan Goodrich and Liz Wilson were excited about their first Homecoming at JMU. "Everyone who went to JMU is coming together," said Wilson. Goodrich looks forward to seeing family friends on the weekend and Willging was eager to get involved in the many events going on for Homecoming.

Playing well past sunset, the DJ's loud music and colored lights made Festival look more like a night club than the outside of a dining hall. Glow sticks shone on wrists and necks of students dancing to the music while the fire dwindled slowly. It proved to be a perfect start to a week filled with events that will bring together all JMU students, old and new!

Banner contest voting starts tomorrow and on Tuesday be sure to make it out to Godwin field for Madison Games from 3-5 p.m., and bring your friends!

Dukes Love,
Jackie

3 days until Homecoming Kickoff!

Hi everyone! The countdown has officially begun for the start to an exciting Homecoming week! The bonfire will kick off Homecoming on Sunday night at 6 pm on Festival Lawn.
Hope to see you there!

Dukes Love,
Jackie

Greetings, JMU Nation!

Hi everyone! I am so excited to be your Homecoming blogger this year. It's going to be an awesome week of events and a weekend jam-packed with a little something for everyone. So whether you're an alumni who'll be in town and wants a sneak-peek into student happenings before you arrive, a student who's checking out the schedule of events (there's A LOT) or an alumni who can't make it and needs complete details and updates, I've got you covered. There will be updates, photos, videos and reminders! So stay tuned for all the news Under the Big Top at JMU!

A little bit about me: I graduated in May of 2009 with a BA in English and minors in Dance and Creative Writing. I wrote for The Breeze, and interned with the Office of Planned Giving and Madison Magazine. Now, after a fun summer with Madison Mag, I'm a features editor at The Daily News-Record and keep up my JMU spirit by stopping by campus every week or so to check out new renovations and pretend I'm still a student (I wish!). I was a sister of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority and loved hanging out on the quad (still do), tailgating for games and cheering on our Dukes! I know you do too, so continue to check back often for updates!

Dukes Love,
Jackie