James Madison University - Index

James Madison University - Madison Magazine - Summer 2008 - Index

DiRECTiOnS
Celebrating a century of accomplishment
Centennial Celebration momentum promises a successful second century
It is difficult to believe that
the Centennial Celebration
has passed and that JMU
will cross the threshold into
its second century in just a
few weeks. The entire centennial
year was filled with memorable
events, and anyone who participated
in the James Madison day
Program, the Madison Century campaign
luncheon or the Centennial
gala left these activities with a sense
of great pride. These were signature
events that brought proper closure to
a century of accomplishment.
it was wonderful to hear an
inspiring message from gov. Tim
Kaine to honor Tom dingledine
for the unparalleled service of his
family to the university, to celebrate
the fact that when we began our
capital campaign we had two $1 million donors and today we have
19, and to unveil a new James Madison sculpture thanks to Bruce
and Lois Cardarella Forbes (’64). However, for me it is always about
the students. A centennial moment that sticks with me, that still
gives me chills, is the performance of alumnus Brian Balmages’ Portraits
in Bluestone performed by the JMU Symphony orchestra, the
Wind Symphony and Chorale. it is a privilege to share this beautiful
campus with such talent.
i hope you have your memorable centennial moment as well.
Many people played integral parts in making the celebration personally
and historically meaningful. one, Fred Hilton (’96M), deserves
special mention. He coordinated the effort on behalf of the university,
making all the aspects come together into a beautiful whole. i
can think of no one better suited. He has made JMU his career for
the last 36 years, received his master’s degree here and has helped
chronicle much of JMU’s history. He retires this month after helping
to bring JMU to the cusp of a new century.
As you have been aware, during the last six years of our first
century, we have been conducting our first comprehensive capital
campaign. We have been calling it, appropriately, the Madison
Century. When it ends in a few weeks, we will surpass our $50
million goal considerably, because you, our alumni and friends,
responded generously. You will be hearing more about this
achievement in the next few months as the dollars are tallied and
‘The success of the campaign is a
significant achievement beyond the
dollars raised. It has enabled us to
begin to make private giving part of
the culture of the university.’
phoToGraph by diane ellioTT (’00)
President Linwood H. Rose welcomes alumni, parents, donors
and friends to the Centennial Celebration Gala during JMU’s
100th-birthday celebration on March 14.
the full impact becomes known.
While a modest campaign compared
to those of older institutions,
we have used this $50 million effort
strategically. The success of the
campaign is a significant achievement
beyond the dollars raised. it
has enabled us to begin to make
private giving part of the culture of
the university. We have made great
headway in that effort. You have
shown that JMU can be successful
in this sphere.
The success of the Madison
Century campaign helps catapult
us into the next century with some
momentum along with a recognition
of the realities of our modern
world. Almost as though to underscore
these realities and the necessity
of private giving, JMU’s budget
appropriations from the Commonwealth of Virginia have been
cut by 6.25 percent for each of the next two fiscal years. These
budget reductions are due to the downturn in the economy that is
affecting all of us.
ours is a world in which fundraising is a constant. it’s also a
world in which fundraising will lead to even greater things for
JMU. We already have a wonderfully rare thing here at JMU. it is
an infectious spirit of optimism and a propensity to act to Be the
Change among a faculty and student body who forge close learning
relationships. it is cultivated in an intimate liberal arts environment
with the wide array of opportunities available at a large research
university. This Madison culture, when combined with success in
private giving, allows greatness to happen.
our imperative as we move forward is to retain the culture that
defines JMU. our most significant achievement during this Centennial
Celebration has been an institutionwide recognition of the
value and rarity of the Madison Experience. i talk about this in
depth on Page 42. With that revelation comes a universitywide
pledge to tend it and remain good stewards. The Madison Experience
deserves deliberate care from all of us — myself, the senior
leadership, the faculty and staff, students and alumni. We all play
a role in nurturing and perpetuating the Madison Experience for
future students. in this effort and in the greatness to come, we’re
just getting started.
Linwood H. Rose
President
James Madison University
SUMMER 2008 7