Story by Michelle Hite ('88), Photos by Diane Elliott ('00) and Tyler Mallory and courtesy of JMU Special Collections and JMU's legacy families. Design by Scott Trobaugh ('98)

 

A TENNIS RAQUET DANGLES PRECARIOUSLY on the latch of the heating vent above the vanity mirror. Family photos are secured between the mirror's glass and frame. A single framed photo of a boyfriend is adorned with dried flowers, a ticket stub and a necklace. On a twin bed, books are strewn over a mound of clothes.

On this hot August day, freshman Kate Taliaferro sits amid the unpacked boxes in her room in Hillside Hall. She's taking in every detail of a 1944 photograph of her grandmother's college-era room.

"She had a lot of the stuff that I packed," says Kate. "Not much has changed, and yet everything," adds the fourth-generation legacy from Winchester. "The reason I wanted to come to JMU is because of the great education that my great-grandma, grandmother and mother got here."

This scene has become increasingly familiar as generation after generation of JMU alumni have sent their sons and daughters to receive their purple and gold inheritance. As the university looks toward its 100th anniversary in 2008, Katie Summers ('03), Jeremy Rankin ('04), Kate Taliaferro ('06) and Heather Eustace ('03) are proud that their families have helped create the first Madison century.

JMU's four-year nursing program was a huge draw for senior Katie Summers, who followed her grandmother's footsteps into nursing. Katie's mother followed her own grandmother's lead by becoming a teacher.

That teacher, Katie's great-grandmother, Jesylene Gose Rainey ('24), earned her certificate from Harrisonburg Normal School, and grandmother Doris Rainey Glidden ('47), majored in nursing. Katie's mother, Virginia Lee "Ginger" Brasington Summers ('76), teaches first grade in Spotsylvania County, and Katie graduated with a degree in nursing in May.

"My first trip to JMU was probably in a stroller for one of Mom's reunions," says Katie, a nurse in the Adult Medical Surgical Unit at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg. "I think it's great that Mom keeps in touch with her roomie and JMU friends. I always knew that I wanted to come to JMU because of the friendly atmosphere, not so much because of any pressure from Mom or Grandma [who also worked as a nurse at Mary Washington Hospital]. Being at school during a war also made me feel an even closer connection to my Grandma, who was here during World War II. My friends and I talked about how hard it must have been for her to concentrate on studying, when back then they didn't get nearly the updates and immediate information that we do today."

"Because of WWII, I wanted to be a nurse in the Cadet Nurse Corps," says Doris. "But my Mom and Dad thought that I was too young. Mother persuaded me to go to Madison for at least one year - just to see what it was like. She didn't have to persuade me to stay for the second year. I loved nursing, but Madison only had a two-year, pre-nursing program back then. I had an uncle at Duke University and saw an ad for Duke University nurses in The Breeze. I transferred to Duke and completed my B.S. in nursing in 1950."

Doris worked for several agencies and as a private-duty nurse before being named director of the Fredericksburg Area School for Practical Nursing. She retired in 1980 after directing the program for 18 years.

"I wasn't really surprised when Ginger or Katie chose JMU," says Doris. "Ginger spent summers at Camp Massanutten, and her dream was to go to Madison. I was a little surprised that Katie wanted to go into nursing, though. I had never tried to persuade her, and I have three daughters; none of them nurses. I'm really proud of Katie. She's enjoyed the challenges at Madison, and I think she got a good preparation for the rest of her life."

Katie is actually the sixth member of her family to attend JMU. Her great-aunt, Jean Rainey Merritt (Doris' sister), graduated in 1949 with a degree in business administration. Katie's great-great aunt, Jean Vernon Gose Tomcoe ('25), Jesylene's sister, "was really outgoing and into lots of student organizations," says Katie. The late Tomcoe taught homebound children in Henrico County. The former Breeze staffer was also president of her senior class and a member of the basketball team, tennis club and YWCA. In her 1925 Schoolma'am yearbook she wrote, "Don't make excuses, make good." She was a "little more assertive than Mom," laughs Doris. In that same yearbook a classmate wrote, "If B.S. means bunch of sweeties, then we'll all make it." Ever the comedienne, Tomcoe penned her reply, "You can't prove it by me."

Having a mom, dad, aunt and uncle all attend JMU certainly helped junior Jeremy Rankin's college choice, but he was also heavily recruited by the JMU wrestling team. The Stonewall Jackson High School wrestling standout made history when he signed on with the Dukes - Jeremy is JMU's first African-American legacy student with both parents as alumni. Jim ('71) and Saranna Tucker Rankin ('72) were among the first African-American students to attend JMU, and both went on to earn master's degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Jeremy, a two-time high school Group AAA Virginia state wrestling champion and Washington Post All-Metro pick, is a computer information systems major. His aunt and uncle, Linda Rankin Lassiter ('73) and Ronald Curtis Lassiter ('75), are also alumni.

"I was so happy when Jeremy chose JMU," says his father, a juvenile probation officer and court service unit director for the 31st Judicial District in Manassas. "Jeremy had a high school friend that was also recruited by JMU, and it gave me the opportunity to get back to my alma mater. It was just a good fit. And I have such great memories of Harrisonburg - many, many weekends spent with Saranna at the Bar B-Q Ranch, the drive-in and Kline's Dairy Bar."

A New Market native and Blue Ridge Community College transfer, Jim was a day student and met Saranna as she worked as a librarian in Carrier Library. "The coeds were a big draw," he laughs. "I enjoyed the entire experience at JMU - from great friends and professors to the challenging winter walks across the breezeway after swimming in the Keezell Hall pool. JMU has so many more opportunities now; we're so happy that Jeremy is there."

"JMU was just a natural choice for Jeremy," agrees Saranna, a program manager for community outpatient services for Prince William County. As a junior, she also made JMU history by helping charter the university's chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.

Kate Taliaferro, a social work major, is another four-generation legacy student. Her parents, Richard and Linda Early Taliaferro, both graduated in 1975. Linda's mother, Jean Kline Early, graduated from Madison College in 1945; and Jean's mother-in-law, Beulah Showalter Early, graduated from the Normal School in 1916.

Kate and her grandmother are frequent "Zoo Crew" fans, who scream loudly at JMU men's basketball games. A 40-year Harrisonburg resident, Jean has "purchased season tickets since the early Lou Campanelli days."

Kate's dad, Rick, a dentist and biology major, says, "I was well prepared when I entered MCV [Medical College of Virginia]. JMU is a great school, and one of the things that still impresses me is class sizes and interaction with professors. The school is four times as big as when Linda and I attended, but Kate says that her professors are available. I think that's important. JMU is a great university with a small-school feel, yet it's big enough to provide wonderful opportunities."

An early childhood education major, Linda Taliaferro has met annually with her five Frederikson Hall suitemates since the summer of 1975. "We have a big dinner every June, and we all bring our families," she says. "Each Christmas, just the suitemates get together, too. I left JMU with a lot of good friendships and a high-quality education. I feel Kate will get the same on both fronts."

After teaching in public schools through 1986, Linda now volunteers as an English as a second language teacher. "Growing up and seeing Mom interact with her lifelong friends made choosing JMU easy," says Kate, who emulates her mom's volunteer spirit with work in Circle K. "Having my grandparents so close by to go to games with and eat with is just amazing. For us, JMU will always be a family bond."

The JMU bond for Heather Eustace's family is the topic of choice at every family reunion. Heather followed a stampede of footsteps to JMU - she's the latest of 10 family members to become a Duke.

"There was always a cousin, brother or other family member attending JMU at the same time for my Mom, Dad, aunts, even me," says Heather, a legacy from Fredericksburg. "Having family on campus to go to dinner and bond with is really nice." Heather gets together often with her cousin, Carrie Mills ('01), who completed her master's degree in speech pathology in May.

The daughter of Vernon "Lee" Eustace Jr. ('76) and Barbara Fagelson Eustace ('74), Heather says, "As long as I can remember, I have always wanted to attend JMU. For me, there was no other choice. One of my first memories of campus was coming to Homecoming with Mom and Dad; I was about 5.

I remember walking up the big steps behind D-Hall and thinking 'this is so cool.' I couldn't wait to come here."

Now, when Heather's parents visit, she enjoys watching their reactions to campus changes. "My parents remember the ISAT area of campus as a cow field," she laughs. "But with all its growth, JMU still has the small-school, friendly feel that my parents told me about. Folks still hold doors for you; people still smile and greet you. JMU feels like home. I feel here like I do at home."

"We were very proud when Heather chose JMU," says mom Barbara. "When I was looking at schools, I was considering education as a career, and JMU was considered the best school in the state for education." Barbara graduated with a degree in elementary education and teaches for Spotsylvania County Schools. A member of Phi Delta Kappa, she appeared in the 1989-1990 edition of Who's Who in American Education.

Barbara's brother, Gene Fagelson ('76), majored in food service management and is the founder and owner of a computer software consulting firm in Houston.

Heather's dad, Lee, says that his JMU education "helped prepare me for the world - not only in the classroom, but through the interaction with diverse people, inside and outside the classroom."

A biology major, Lee was a member of the Tau Sigma Chi fraternity, whose members still get together annually at the Weyers Cave farm of Thomas Pack ('73). "My first semester here, I ran into one of my Dad's frat brothers at the Taco Bell," says Heather. "I think a few of the frat brothers' children are now at JMU."

"When I'm on my way to class or walking though a hallway, sometimes I wonder, 'Did Mom or Dad sit here and study? Did they talk to their friends right in this spot?' Everyone in my family that attended JMU has done well with their careers. And, even after 25 years, my Dad is still close to his fraternity brothers. What better statement could you make for JMU?"

Heather completed an internship with a Virginia probation and parole office last spring and is training as a probation officer. "Law enforcement is my calling," she says. "I was drawn to JMU because of the criminal justice and sociology courses. The sociology department here is really good. I want to help those who've made mistakes - those who are ready to try and change." The history buff also says that one of her favorite class assignments was a "JMU: Then and Now" presentation she completed for her gerontology class. "I have a lot of family members to call on for information."

The Eustace's quest for the purple and gold inheritance began with Heather's aunt, - Lee's eldest sister - Rebecca Eustace Mills ('69). A political science major and economics minor, Rebecca earned dual master's degrees in social studies education from the University of Virginia and educational leadership from George Mason University.        

Carol Eustace Butler, also Lee's sister, introduced him to her mathematics lab partner and future wife, Barbara. Carol earned a mathematics degree in 1973, and like Rebecca, her education minor propelled her to pursue a master's of educational leadership from George Mason. Carol is an administrator for the King George County public school system's Reach Alternative Program. Her husband, Marc Butler ('67), is a founding and active member of JMU's Greater Fredericksburg Region Chapter of the Duke Club.

Lee's youngest sister, Deborah Eustace Britt, graduated in 1983 with a major in mathematics and a minor in education. She taught for several years prior to becoming a mathematics tutor and stay-at-home mom. Deborah's husband, Philip Britt ('82), majored in chemistry and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas. He works for the University of Tennessee.

For Heather, Kate, Jeremy, Katie and the 200-plus legacies that enter JMU annually, their purple and gold inheritance is more than a degree - it's an extended family. Katie's grandmother, Doris, describes it best. "Throughout the years, the name of Madison has changed and the campus has expanded, but JMU's sense of family remains. JMU means more than college memories. It's lifelong friendships, a sense of belonging, a connectedness to academics and family in a setting full of Southern charm and friendly, caring professors."

What an inheritance.

 

Montpelier wants to hear from other multigenerational legacies in the JMU family. As the university looks forward to its 100th birthday celebration in 2008, Montpelier will look back at the first Madison century through the stories of alumni legacies. Tell your stories by e-mailing montpelier@jmu.edu or writing to Montpelier, JMU, Medical Arts West, Suite 26, MSC 5718, Harrisonburg, VA 22807.

 

--Intentional Space -- Normal