Dukes celebrate semester milestone at Halftime on the Quad

Hundreds of James Madison University students gathered on the Quad on Tuesday evening to celebrate reaching the midpoint of the fall semester during the university’s annual Halftime on the Quad event.

The celebration brought together students, faculty and staff for an evening of music, performances, food and campus spirit, offering a chance for Dukes to pause, reflect on their accomplishments and look ahead to the remainder of the semester.

The event featured appearances by the Marching Royal Dukes Spirit Team, the JMU cheerleading team, student musical and dance groups and Duke Dog. Students also enjoyed hotdogs, chips, cookies and treats from Scotty’s Italian Ice and Strite’s Donuts while connecting with friends and classmates.

JMU President Jim Schmidt thanked the students who helped organize the event and encouraged attendees to recognize how much they have already accomplished during their time on campus this semester.

“Today is a good reminder to take a breath and recognize how much you’ve already accomplished,” Schmidt said. “You’ve made new friends, learned a few things, and taken on challenges. Hopefully you have found ways to contribute to your community.”

Acknowledging that the second half of the semester can bring new challenges, Schmidt encouraged students to lean on the support systems around them.

“My encouragement to you is simple: enjoy the second half and remember that no one is expected to do it alone,” he said. “If things get challenging, lean on your friends. Reach out to your professors. Ask for help when you need it. That’s part of what this community is here for.”

Schmidt also encouraged students to make the most of their JMU experience by seeking out new opportunities and creating memorable moments.

As the fall semester moves toward its final stretch, Halftime on the Quad served as a reminder of the connections, experiences and community that define life at JMU, while giving students a well-deserved opportunity to recharge before the months ahead.