http://www.jmu.edu/montpelier/2003Fall/EightComerSisters.shtml

James Madison University - Index

James Madison University - Madison Magazine - Summer 2009 - Index

PROFESSORSYOULOVE
She never got in the water
Remembering Miss Savage’s poolside life lessons
By Mary Frances Shuler Johnson (’48)
Iloved Miss Savage. She taught me how to
swim, yet she never once got in the water!
Dorothy L. Savage was an associate professor
of physical
education in 1948. Dorothy L.
She wore slacks and Savage, physi-
knelt at the edge of the pool cal education
professor and
to show students how to do
Porpoise Club
swimming strokes.
sponsor.
I earned my physical education
credits in her swimming
class. I earned a B.S. in education
with a concentration
in home economics. My swim
class partner was Mickey Parrotta
(’48). She was slightly
heavier than me and much
stronger, and she was the Porpoise
Club president! I had
to struggle to “save” Mickey
in our swim class exercises
because I was very thin and
not very strong. In fact, Miss
Savage worried about the
“dark circles under my eyes.”
She didn’t know that I had
been staying up late studying
by the dim light in the bathroom
of Johnson Hall. I was
not a very good eater, either.
I wanted to prove that college
girls “don’t get fat.” I was
practically anorexic, but you
should see me today at the
age of 87. I am neither thin
nor weak.
Miss Savage instilled in
me a lifelong love of swimming.
I took my own four
children to swim classes at
the water babies level and up. Two of my sons earned the Mile
Swim Merit Badge as Boy Scouts. I also helped ensure that my
‘Dorothy Savage made the most
lasting impression on this Madison
student ... [Her] swimming instructions,
personal talks and life lessons
have stayed with me my whole life.’
— Mary Frances Shuler Johnson (’48)
Mary Frances Shuler Johnson (‘48), above
middle, and as a senior in 1948 (inset right),
is a member of one of the largest legacy
families in Madison history. Her son earned his
undergraduate degree from JMU in 1979. Mary
Frances and her sister, Eva Shuler Holtzman
(’52), above right, followed their mother’s footsteps
to Madison. Alma Beatrice Comer Shuler
(above left) attended the Harrisonburg State Teachers College
in 1922 and 1923. All seven of Alma’s sisters — the Comer sisters —
attended HTC and Madison. Read more about Alma and Mary Ann
Comer Kammel (’32), Margaret Virginia Comer Kupiec (’38), Brownie
Frances Comer Cave (’39), Grace Marie Comer Shackelford (’39),
Beulah Mae Comer Huffman (’39, ’59M), Catherine Charlene Comer
Nichols (’40) and Nellie Elizabeth Comer Robinson (’45) at www.jmu.
edu/montpelier/2003Fall/EightComerSisters.shtml.
three grandsons received swimming lessons. I firmly
believe that every child needs swimming lessons.
All of our Madison professors where dedicated to
students and taught us life lessons.
I also remember economics
professor Otto Fredrikson.
“Dr. Freddie” sponsored
our International Relations
Club. He was a short, stocky
man and loved to teach. He
taught us the importance of
living within one’s income,
and that lesson has guided me
throughout life. I have always
been creative and able to manage
without numerous trips to
the store.
Dorothy Savage made
the most lasting impression
on this Madison student. I
am proud to see that JMU
named the Godwin Hall
Olympic-size pool after
Miss Savage. She was a
wonderful instructor.
Around age 12, I had a
near-drowning experience
at my grandparents’
farm near the Shenandoah
River. After surviving
that experience, I
“jumped” at the opportunity
to learn to swim
at Madison College. Miss
Savage’s swimming instructions,
personal talks and life
lessons have stayed with me
my whole life. Even though
she didn’t get in the water; I
guess she didn’t have to. M
About the Author: Mary Frances Shuler Johnson (’48) of Lynchburg is
a retired kindergarten teacher from Bedford County Public Schools. She served
as an officer on the Bedford County Education Association and has volunteered
with the American Heart Association. She represented her church three
times at the National Conference of Church Women at Purdue University.
She and her husband, John, have visited Alaska, Canada, England, France
and Hawaii.
About the Professor: Dorothy L. Savage was a physical education professor
from the 1940s through the 1960s. The Godwin Hall Savage Natatorium
is named in her honor. The natatorium is an Olympic-size pool with
spectator seats for 800.
46 MADISON MAGAZINE
SAVAGE AND SENIOR PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY THE 1948 SCHOOLMA’AM