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Class of 2012: Welcome to the JMU family

An alumni parent's perspective

By Marilou Moore Johnson ('80, '08P, '11P)

Marilou Johnson addresses JMU's Class of 2012 legacy students

Marilou Johnson addresses JMU's Class of 2012 legacy students

About the author

Marilou Moore Johnson ('80), associate dean for the College of Visual and Performing arts, addressed Madison's Class of 2012 legacy students who moved into their residence halls on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008. More than 200 legacy students (students whose parent, sibling or grandparent attended JMU) were invited to the 2008 Legacy Luncheon. The luncheon, sponsored by the JMU Office of Alumni Relations, is held annually in the Leeolou Alumni Center. Johnson talked to more than 70 legacy students' families at the event.

Johnson brings a full Madison Experience perspective to the event. She is an alumna, an administrator, a legacy and the mother of two JMU students -- one who graduated in May and one who is a sophomore. Johnson's family connection to Madison dates back to the days of the Normal School. Her advice to legacy students and alumni parents and grandparents was a poignant moment, and her words are fitting for all JMU parents and students.

Welcome to the JMU family

First-year move-in day is filled with mixed emotions.

If you're like me, parents, you're feeling both anxious and excited.

And students, I'm guessing you're feeling the same, but for different reasons. Parents, we're thinking back, right? And students, you're thinking forward.

Students, you're moving from dependence to independence. But the safety net is still there, it's just different and in many ways larger. There are more resources to help you, and parents we have to adjust to not always being the only ones to give advice or lend a hand. You'll want to hold on, but in the end, we have to let go.

Independence comes with increased responsibility: Cell phones and other electronic means of communication mean that you can alert your parents within seconds of when a crisis occurs, no matter how large or small, but remember that the crisis is one that YOU need to learn to overcome. It's your crisis and while your parents will want to help you think through an effective response, remember that you need to be the one to actually take action. And sometimes "no" means "no." And, promise your parents, you'll let them know when you've resolved whatever the issue is.

"Your success is up to you."

Adjust your thinking right now to accepting that professors don't "give you grades." You earn them through hard work and fully engaging in the learning process by your presence, preparation and participation.

Your success is up to you.

If you're having trouble, ask for help. Don't wait until mid-terms to find out that we have an amazing array of learning centers that help with math, science, communication and writing.

Students, I challenge you to seek out a professor this year and ask her about her research. If it sounds interesting to you, see if you can be involved in some way -- is there a book you can read on the subject, another person you can talk to, a research project you might undertake. In other words, extend your classroom learning. Yes, you're going to be busy, but make the most of the academic experience.

"...learn to balance your academic life with your other interests."

Likewise, you may think you know which career you want when you graduate, but your horizons have expanded exponentially because you've chosen to come to college. We have an excellent career and academic advising center in Wilson Hall where you can take career aptitude tests and talk with an adviser about your interests and learn to match your strengths and interests with careers that you may never have imagined. Make an appointment, do some research, talk to folks on campus that are in fields that interest you. We also have an ever-increasing network of alumni who are doing the things you aspire to, ask the career staff about how to tap into that network and e-mail a JMU alum. And parents, if you're not already on our network, let the alumni office know that you want to become a resource for students.

Most of you were successful applicants to JMU because you have always done more, likely lots more, than the minimum requirements. I'm guessing you were active as volunteers with causes about which you care deeply. You don't have to leave those interests behind. But be selective and don't over commit as you learn to balance your academic life with your other interests.

Alumni parents, remember the things that made you love this university and have made you feel great about your child coming here? The food is even better than when we were here 20-30 years ago. The stacks in the Carrier Library are still a great place to study, but now there's the East Campus Library with areas like the tree house, the nook, the overlook and a coffee shop. Football games are now as much about the game as they are about the Marching Royal Dukes. Duke Dog Alley is no longer the tunnel to X-lot, but the path to the University Recreation Center. Registration no longer requires standing in line to pull cards at Godwin Hall, but can be done from the comfort of your dorm room on your own laptop. Your student can also access his schedule, transcript, and financial statements from his computer. Reddish Knob, Kline's, Jess's, Blue Hole and the Skyline Drive are still not to be missed spots, but you can also enjoy the arboretum and Starbucks right here on campus.

"Students ... take flight, but remember to circle back and call from time to time."

When my second daughter was on her search for the perfect school we visited a much larger campus and went into a dining facility for lunch. After placing our order I learned that I couldn't pay with cash or a credit card, instead I was supposed to have gotten a special dining card before getting into line. Well, we found someone to help us get our meal card and then returned to the line and placed our order again. As we were settling into our seats at a table, my daughter noticed another family, just like us, going through the same experience. Caitlin got up from the table and went up to them, showed them where to get their meal card and then returned to our table. I realized with pride that she had just responded like a "JMU" student. Moms and Dads, rest assured that your students can always ask for help, but more than likely if they're looking confused or concerned, someone here will notice and offer assistance.

It's the JMU Way.

And that story... it turned out well for me, my daughter's a sophomore math major here and may have helped you purchase a computer at the University Bookstore this summer.

Students, your parents have worked your whole life to give you wings -- you're ready -- so take flight, but remember to circle back and call from time to time.