Graduate school memories

  I really enjoyed the message from President Rose about the graduate school at JMU. After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill -- a "large" school -- I really enjoyed my two-year [graduate] experience at JMU. As the lone African-American student in the counselor education program, I felt very much at home with class size, mentoring and the expectations of my professors. I really got to know my classmates and professors in and out of class. I still stay in contact with some of them on a regular basis. I have recommended JMU to prospective undergraduate and graduate students based on my fond memories and excellent education. Go Dukes!
Joe Richmond('77M)
Carrboro, N.C.

More 'Picky Writing Rules'

  I recently read an article from the Summer 2003 issue of Montpelier written by Sharon Thomas ('89).  She wrote extremely accurately about the effect of Ralph Cohen's "Picky Writing Rules." I could have written that very same article. I graduated JMU in 1995 (B.A. in English) and 1997 (M.A. in English). Had it not been for people like Ralph Cohen, I would not be a college writing teacher now. I have even gone so far as to adapt Dr. Cohen's writing rules for my own classes as well (with all proper MLA credit given, of course!). However, I do find myself saying at the beginning of each semester, as Dr. Cohen did to me, "You are undoubtedly going to lose this piece of paper. I feel sorry for you. Your grade will suffer because of it." Makes me laugh a little every time.

Having been Dr. Cohen's TA, I feel confident that he knows the impact he has on young writers, and I'm thrilled about it. Living in Duke country now, I think of him every time I cheer against Coach K. in a UNC/Duke game ... just to be contrary. Go Heels! Go Ralph!
Kerry Fitzgerald Cantwell ('95, '97M)
Durham, N.C.

Duke Dog strikes again

When I received my [Winter 2004] Montpelier edition, I was quite surprised to see a photo of my daughter with the Duke Dog on the "22807" page. That picture is from the 2001 Homecoming, my 10-year reunion. Katelyn was 2 years old and was so excited to see the Duke Dog. When he came to the fence and held her for the photos she was so happy, and still talks about it when JMU is mentioned. We have not been back since 2001, but seeing Katelyn in that picture reminded us of the fun we had that year. We now have another daughter Allison, who is 2, and we hope to introduce her to Duke Dog in the near future.
Tom Southward('91)
Mechanicsville, Va.

A bobblehead perspective

Thanks for including me in this quarter's Montpelier [Fall 2004]. I was touched by Pat Butter's portrayal, but had to clarify one point for him: He described me as annoyingly modest, and most people would find the reverse to be true -- modestly annoying. It's funny, after almost 20 years of promoting news coverage of my bosses, to change positions and be the subject of the coverage. It's like reading your eulogy while you're still living. And, of course, there's the fact that for all the legitimate legislative, regulatory and policy initiatives one can accomplish, the Google search will forevermore make bobbleheads my most prominent life achievement. Kind of puts everything in perspective, doesn't it? I absolutely loved your article on Barbara Hall ('82). I've actually stayed in touch with her over the years, back to when I also lived in Los Angeles. We have a mutual friend in Dave Marsh, the rock writer/author, who Barbara worked for as a researcher on one of his books and who is the stepfather of Kristen Ann Carr, of the sarcoma cancer fund that benefits from my bobblehead sales -- a small world after all. In our household, Joan of Arcadia is appointment TV, and the future holds much more promise for Barbara's immense talents.
John Edgell ('83)
Washington, D.C.