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Our Story

In the beginning …

The first graduates of James Madison University enrolled in 1909 at what was then called the Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg. Two years later, in 1911, the first-ever commencement ceremonies were held with 20 women receiving degrees. Those 20 women were presented with an alumnae pin with the school seal on it. As part of their commencement exercises, the first graduating class organized the Alumnae Association and elected Minnie Diedrich as its first president.

Graduation and the Alumnae Association remained linked throughout the Normal School’s early years. The first meal served in Harrison Hall was the Alumnae Banquet in 1915. The first “homecomings” took place on commencement weekend, rather than some date earlier in the spring. This largely was due to graduation weekend also serving as induction weekend for new alumnae. In 1916 the Class of 1911 held a five-year anniversary reunion the weekend of graduation, inaugurating a policy of placing an emphasis on a reunion every five years. NEXT »