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James Madison University - Index

James Madison University - Madison Magazine - Summer 2008 - Index

{Madison experience}
Friends for life
1961 classmates reconnect annually By Alma Brown Hall (’61)
We graduated
from JMu
in 1961 prepared
for and
anticipating
bright futures.
From 1961 to 1971 we were busy
establishing our homes and careers
— having children, taking graduate
courses, chauffeuring kids from
school to piano lessons. From
1971 to 1981 we joined civic,
church, professional and charitable
organizations — embodying Be
the Change. From 1981 to 1991
we watched our children graduate, planned weddings,
watched our husbands get promoted and
reconnected with our Madison group. For our
25th reunion, eight members of the Class of 1961
got together and vowed to stay connected.
in 1995 we began a mini-reunion tradition by
gathering in Hilton Head, s.C., at the home of
Patty Brooks arey and her husband, Bill. For 12 straight years
our group has trekked to Hilton Head for a weeklong pajama
party to brag about children and grandchildren, reminisce about
Madison professors and late night study sessions by flashlight.
We are now a genuine support system, still sharing laughs, family
photos and our scrapbook.
as children of depression era parents, we were fortunate
enough not to have an abundance of material possessions. even at
Madison, we knew the sacrifices our parents were making so we
could be first-generation college students. Friendships always filled
the empty spaces when “things” were not there.
our teaching careers have given us common experiences, and
Class of 1961 friends for life
include (l-r) aida deluca
boyle, Virginia Wagner bendura,
alma brown hall, linda
nichols daniels, Patty brooks
arey, mary lou berry fogg
and susan moyar Williams.
there was something special about
our time at Madison. it was the era
of sputnik and the youngest president
ever to lead the united states.
But, our lifelong friendships have
been the time that we have really
connected. We’ve seen each other
through hard times like a husband’s
by-pass surgery or supporting
our friend, Margie Creekmore,
while she battled cancer.
Feelings run deep when it’s one
of your own in need. Margie was the
steady hand, both at JMu and in our
lives after college. now, it’s time for
us to be a steady force, to honor Margie’s memory.
our group has set a goal to contribute $5,000 to
JMu in Margie’s memory by our 50th reunion.
decidedly a Madison bond, the permanence
we enjoy is a sharp contrast to the ever-changing
world we live in today. our mini-reunions have
now expanded to Christmas get-togethers that
include our husbands. We confirm our friendships as couples. one
husband said he “learned more about his wife of 40 years that he
hadn’t known before.”
our Class of 1961 group of friends gets reinforcement from
each other. Madison encouraged that. We entered Madison at the
end of the 1950s, the era of “Happy days,” but we left at the
beginning of the ’60s, before we could become rebels or flower
children. This unique interim between the two decades was a
squeeze in time — between a decade of optimism and security and
a decade of limitless freedom. These are the parameters that we
were given — just what we needed to cope with the second half of
the 20th century. Thanks, Madison! M
Don’t miss Fall reuNioNs
fall Reunion
sept. 5-7: Classes of 2008, 2003, 1998, 1993 and 1988
hoMeCoMing Reunion
oct. 31-nov. 2: Classes of 1983, 1978, 1973, 1968 and 1963
Come back to JMu for a fun-filled weekend with great events, lots of friends and the chance to find out what’s
happening on campus! highlights include a vineyard visit, campus tours, a bookstore open house, Reunion Fest 2008,
lunch at d-hall and “Campus life: then and now” by Mark Warner (’79), senior vice president of student affairs.
photo submitted by alma hall brown (‘61)
to register, call 888.JmU.alUm or visit www.jmu.edu/alumni
suMMeR 2008
AlumniNews 69