Meet the Centennial Dukes

Lauren Caskey and Kirsten McGlone, Web managers

Lauren Caskey and Kirsten McGlone, Web managers

Lauren Caskey

The coolest club on campus

Hey! I’m an officer for the coolest new club on campus, the Centennial Dukes. I graduated from Abington High School, which is a half hour outside of Philadelphia. I’m currently undeclared, but I’m leaning towards English and secondary education with a minor in leadership studies. Last summer I worked alongside a physical therapist to see if that might be something I’d like to do.

First impression of Madison

My first visit to JMU was at the urging of my favorite teacher and coach, who graduated with Madison’s Class of 2000. It was on a rainy day over spring break –— not exactly conditions for love at first sight. There were about seven people left on the entire campus. But, as the student ambassador talked about everything that I could get involved with, I realized just how much potential there was for me to learn and grow and make a difference at Madison.

Today, I honestly can’t imagine myself anywhere else.

An amazing group of swimmers

Coming to school last August, I was excited to start with a blank slate and with all of my options in front of me. I knew I was not willing to commit the same amount of time and energy to swimming as I did in high school. The club team here was just what I was looking for. It’s an amazing group of swimmers, who still love me even if I can only make it to one practice a week.

Joining Intervarsity

We had an awesome season, only losing to one team (and we came back to get ’em in a rematch)! The club team level of commitment allowed me to get involved with other organizations on campus without making me feel like I was attempting a crazy juggling act. So when a girl on my hall asked me to go with her to Intervarsity, a Christian group on campus, I had the time to see what they are all about. I ended up making some really close friends with my leaders and other freshmen.

M.Y.M.O.M. shows the way

Also last fall, a new program geared toward freshman and sophomores was established on campus. Two juniors decided that an old program needed revamping, and Make Your Mark on Madison was born. M.Y.M.O.M. is a 10-week interactive leadership program which focuses on leadership styles, diversity, communication and ethical decision-making. It was entirely led by 12 amazing students who really showed us the ropes. To this day, the M.Y.M.O.M. counselors are my biggest role models at JMU.

First in line for Alternative Spring Break

My friends from back home teased that I couldn’t go to a school in the country without going camping and cow tipping. I haven’t tried cow-tipping just yet, but I found the campers. A bunch of students rented tents from UREC last the spring and camped outside of the College Center to be first in line for Alternative Spring Break sign-ups.

A service trip to Philadelphia

I went on a service trip to Philadelphia with 10 amazing student leaders and a learning partner. We worked with an agency called Woodrock that is dedicated to promoting interracial harmony among youth in the city. We helped facilitate a diversity workshop and painted a huge mural alongside kids from all types of backgrounds. The trip really opened our minds. And after a week of embarrassment, I finally nailed the step routine the girls taught us.

Getting involved with Centennial Dukes

Okay, so how did I get involved with the Centennial Dukes? Last August, at our Freshmen Convocation ceremony, a woman got up to the podium and started cheering for us and telling us to get excited, because our class was going to make a big impact. We were blown away.

A chance to leave a lasting impression

I knew I had to meet this lady. She turned out to be Michelle Hite (’88), and she’s the coolest club adviser you could ask for. The idea for Centennial Dukes was in her mind before we even arrived on campus. She’s really dedicated to our mission, and super excited to see all that we will become. I’m really excited to be doing this because we want to get the entire Class of 2008 involved in a united effort to leave a lasting impression at JMU.

And of all the things I’m doing at Madison, this is what I am most excited about, because there’s nowhere to go but up!

Contact Lauren at caskeylm@jmu.edu.

Kirsten McGlone

A JMU fanatic

I think that I can be summed up in a nutshell — I’m a JMU fanatic! Aside from that, I love to play sports like soccer, hockey and Frisbee. I enjoy anything that I can play with my friends on a gorgeous day in good ol’ Harrisonburg.

What I love

I’m from Guilford, Conn., and I’m a School of Media Arts and Design major with a concentration in interactive media (Web and DVD design). I have always had a love for the arts, whether it is studio, music or theater. I love to take part in anything that involves interacting or working with others. And some personal loves are chocolate, shoes and crafts.

All Together One

I chose JMU mostly because of its unique aura. Not only is it gorgeous and a place that I could see myself spending four years, the people are like no other. I really set JMU apart from other schools because of the enthusiasm and concern that students have for helping others. A motto like “All Together One” clearly shows that there is something special at JMU.

My first year at Madison

My first year at Madison was great. I joined Make Your Mark On Madison fall semester, which was such a great way to dive right in and meet many other students who were all looking to create a place for themselves. In joining a sorority I enabled myself to be involved with numerous activities all through one organization, meanwhile making friends with so many sisters.

Being a FROG

Opportunities have arisen from involvement in both of these organizations, like being one of the judges for Ms. Madison at Homecoming. This year, I was a FROG, First year Orientation Guide, during Orientation Week; and I was able to contribute to the “JMU Way” of interacting with other students and making the most of my experience here.

Making things happen with Centennial Dukes

When I heard about Centennial Dukes, I got really excited. I never realized how much we can actually make of our four years here — especially our graduation. As soon as I attended some meetings, I really wanted to make things happen. As club members have brainstormed, I have developed a personal goal of making sure I really stick with this, because the more students contribute, the more success we'll have.

The Centennial Dukes Web site

The Centennial Dukes officers really want to make these years memorable by putting on fun events that celebrate the university’s Centennial year and unite our class. As an officer for the Centennial Dukes Web site, I really want to make sure that it offers as much as possible to inform students about what we would like to do, and especially to get more people involved. The Web site will hopefully be a method of submitting photos, quotations, stories or anything that students would like to make sure we use while documenting the Class of 2008’s four years.

Contact Kirsten at mcglonkm@jmu.edu.