Summer 2009 Madison

Earth ambassadors

The best part of working at JMU is getting to meet remarkable alumni from every generation of the Madison Experience. It's a privilege to tell their stories.

I met Ginny Moffett Bernstorf ('59) during Bluestone Reunion Weekend in May. She told some fantastic tales from her student days. (Stay tuned for the fall issue!) While sharing, Ginny touched on a longstanding Madison tradition -- alumni who give back by serving as unofficial Madison ambassadors. In every aspect of her life -- at church, as a teacher, within her community -- Ginny is an ambassador for Madison. Countless students have attended JMU because she took the time to talk to them.

Being an ambassador for Madison is not uncommon. In every alumni profile featured on the JMU "Be the Change" Web site, alum after alum talks about his or her continued connection to the Madison Experience. Some support scholarships. Some volunteer for admissions. Others return to campus to mentor students.

Now, JMU President Linwood H. Rose has upped the ante. He has charged alumni and the university community to be ambassadors for Earth. In September, Rose announced the formation of the Institute for Stewardship of the Natural World to guide JMU's efforts to become a more environmentally sustainable operation. Part of the institute's mission is to educate JMU citizens about their personal relationship to the natural world.

President Rose's charge to embrace a new global citizenship -- to be stewards and ambassadors of Earth -- expands on the university's mission to produce engaged and educated citizens.

In this issue of Madison read about this new institute and meet the campus administrators, professors, students and alumni who are leading the way to embrace a new global citizenship. You'll learn ways to challenge yourself to be an ambassador for planet Earth.

Why not start with your relationship to Madison? If you would like to save some paper and resources, and "go digital," share your e-mail address with JMU. You'll receive future issues that you can read in any Web browser. See Page 5 to learn how.

Challenge yourself and fellow alumni to accept President Rose's charge. Bring that JMU "Be the Change" spirit to your small part of Earth. If you're already serving as an Earth ambassador, tell us how. Write to madisonmag@jmu.edu, so we can share your story.

Michelle Hite ('88)
Managing Editor

Madison Magazine
Distributed four times a year, Madison Magazine is the official magazine of James Madison University.
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