http://www.jmu.edu/alumni

http://www.jmu.edu/alumni/involved/groups.shtml

James Madison University - Index

James Madison University - Madison Magazine - Summer 2009 - Index

{Dukes’ Connections}
While Kevin Knight (’99) did not follow
family members into the firefighting
field, he shares Roberts’ passion for
helping people. “My brother and I came
upon an accident where a 13-year-old was
hit by a car,” Knight recalls. “My brother
had EMT training, and he knew what to
do. Then I saw the fire and rescue teams
come on the scene, and I knew that’s what
I wanted to do for a living.”
Oprandy followed a different career
path. After working in the field for a few
years, he was tapped to be a public information
officer for the station.
But after nearly two years at a “desk
job,” Oprandy headed back to the field. “I
was one of those little boys who dreamed
about fire trucks and being a fireman,” he
says, “but I’m one of the few who actually
did it.”
Same for David Griffin (’81). It was the
allure of the big red truck and being able
to drive really fast that drew him in. “I’m
suffering from the Peter Pan syndrome
and never want to grow up,” he says.
Unlike what is depicted on television,
Richmond firefighters seldom while away
hours at the station. Roberts and many
firefighters work three 24-hour shifts a
week. A typical day begins with a shopping
trip for lunch and dinner supplies. Next,
firefighters clean the station from top to
bottom, eat lunch, then engage in training
or driving around the district to patrol and
learn about different areas — when not
on calls.
Because she works at Station 1, which is
a busy station at 24th and Broad Streets,
Roberts’ team may receive as many as 12
to 14 calls during a busy day.
After 28 years on the job, Davis can honestly
say, “This is the best job I’ve ever had.”
It’s the only job he’s ever had. Although
he graduated with a degree in business
administration, times were tough in the
mid-’70s. “I was trying to get a job in
business, but nobody was hiring. My dad
said, ‘You ought to try the fire department.’
I’ve been here ever since.”
While Davis has found the job rewarding,
he admits it’s high stress, too. The
biggest fire Davis tackled was when Benedictine
High School’s 75th-anniversary
events were interrupted in 1986 by a fivealarm
fire that destroyed the school’s
upper floors. “It’s very emotional, and
you see things you shouldn’t have to see,”
he says. “Still, I can’t imagine doing anything
else.”
M
Work hard, play hard
Alumni groups raise money, network and share the Purple Pride
Fort Lauderdale
Chapter
Fort Lauderdale Alumni
Chapter members held
their first event in March.
More than 40 area alumni
gathered for a cocktail
party at the home of
chapter president John
Torregrosa (’90) to kick
off the chapter with some
Purple Pride. Want to join
this chapter or volunteer?
E-mail ftlauderdalechpt@
alumni.jmu.edu.
Hartford Alumni
Chapter
The Hartford Dukes
hosted a tour of the
Thomas Hooker Brewery
in March. Area alumni
spent the day learning
how beer is made, sampling
the brews and mingling
with fellow Dukes.
Jacksonville
Spirit City
Jacksonville, Fla., was
recently named a JMU
Spirit City. Dukes in the
area hosted a kickoff
event in March and plan
to paint northeast Florida
and southern Georgia
purple and gold.
Los Angeles
Alumni Chapter
Los Angeles Dukes have
raised nearly $1,000 by
participating in charity
walks since recently
re-establishing an active
alumni chapter. To get
involved in rebuilding this
chapter, e-mail chapter
president Ted Yeschin
(’00) at lachpt@alumni.
jmu.edu.
Richmond APN
The Richmond Alumni
Professional Network
hosted its third networking
dinner in April. Virginia
Lt. Gov. — and JMU parent
— Bill Bolling (’09P presented
the keynote
address. Bolling is the
father of Kevin Bolling,
who graduated May 9.
More than 50 Dukes
heard the lieutenant governor
speak, and alumni
enjoyed an evening of
networking. To join the
WHOSE’S IN THE FAMILY?
Some JMU alumni groups are about more than the city you live in.
Check out the list of nonregional alumni groups:
■ BLACK ALUMNI CHAPTER ■ CHEERLEADING
DUKETTES ■ MADISON EQUALITY ■ MADISON RUGBY
MARCHING ROYAL DUKES ■ NURSING ■ ORL/RA
ORIENTATION ■ SGA ■ STUDENT AMBASSADORS
■ UREC ALUMNI
Richmond APN, contact
Brandon Hedrick at
hedricb@nationwide.com.
Tidewater
Alumni Chapter
Tidewater Chapter President
Alison Cooper (’93)
says that area Dukes celebrated
and networked
at the Third Thursday
Happy Hour events in
Tidewater Chapter President
Alison Cooper (’93)
and Kelly Woodruff (’94)
have fun at a Tidewater’s
Third Thursday Happy Hour.
March and April at Norfolk
‘s 626 Press and
Virginia Beach‘s Gordon
Biersch. To volunteer for
a leadership position with
Tidewater Dukes, e-mail
tidewaterchpt@alumni.
jmu.edu. M
✱ If you are interested in getting involved with a JMU alumni group visit www.jmu.edu/
alumni to find a chapter, Spirit City or Dukes Around the World group in your area. Don’t
see an alumni group near your area? E-mail Stephanie Hamson, alumni chapter coordinator,
at hamsonsk@jmu.edu to start a new group.
Are you part of the Purple and Gold Nation? Check out the most up-to-date list of
alumni groups at www.jmu.edu/alumni/involved/groups.shtml
AlumniNews
PHOTOGRAPH BY ALISON COOPER (‘93)
SUMMER 2009
53