Bernie ('78) andJoAnn ('79) Dean have been longtime volunteers for the university that brought them together. In August, the alumni couple shared their purple passion with members of the Class of 2008 by hosting a 2004 Freshmen Send-Off Picnic for Lynchburg area freshmen and their parents.

"The Deans really came through when JMU needed them," says Sherry King, director of Parent Relations. "Send-Off Picnics are usually hosted by Parents Council members, but our Lynchburg-area Parents Council members did not return to service this year. We needed someone to step up. Although their daughter had just graduated in May 2004, the Deans graciously opened their home to about 65 people."

JoAnn Dean says, "It only seemed natural that we host the picnic since we could share our many JMU experiences with everyone, and Amanda was such a recent graduate. JMU holds a special place in our hearts; it has been the start of so many wonderful things in our lives."

JoAnn and Bernie met on campus and got to know each other through Greek life, including Sigma Sigma Sigma and Theta Chi. The Deans' two daughters, Amanda ('04) and Abbey, (who attends Radford), both share sisterhood in their mother's sorority. Bernie graduated with a degree in art, and JoAnn has her undergraduate degree and master's of education from JMU. She uses her involvement in the Lynchburg school system to promote the quality of education and the numerous opportunities available to students at JMU.

The Deans always attend Homecoming festivities, are active members of the Duke Club and are faithful donors to the Madison Fund. Bernie and JoAnn share a paving stone at the Leeolou Alumni Center, and they bought one for Amanda. "When we see our stone or brick, it brings back waves of memories of our days at JMU and gives us a real sense of pride for our accomplishments," says JoAnn. "JMU gave us so much, and it still does."

Keeping in the JMU spirit, the Deans tried to bring the purple pride and friendly atmos-phere from JMU to their home. The plethora of purple memorabilia that fills their home is evocative of the campus bookstore. Flags, pompoms, all types of apparel, blankets, prints of Wilson Hall and the upper campus, mugs and cups, license plate holders, two personal JMU license plates, Christmas ornaments, a JMU Santa collectible, golf balls, towels, pennants, a cross stitch of the JMU emblem, and sorority memorabilia decorate their home. The Deans even painted the girls' bathroom purple and white.

"It's obvious that the Deans love JMU," says King. Their desire to help their alma mater does not seem to be one that will end anytime soon.

"It only makes sense to give back," says JoAnn.  

-- Lisa Freedman ('05)