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James Madison University - Index

James Madison University - Madison Magazine - Summer 2009 - Index

{An HTC Mystery}
Do you know Smittie?
Donated SchoolMa’am offers Madison treasures By Tony Madsen (’99)
AlumniNews
Leafing though old
yearbooks from Madison’s
yesteryear —
donated to the Madison
magazine office —
offered up quite a piece of notable
university memorabilia and a bit
of Harrisonburg State Teachers
College history. Esther Louise
Smith (’30) — or her family —
donated a 1929 SchoolMa’am to
the university some time over the
last 80 years.
This particular yearbook is copious
with classmates’ signatures and
personal notes to “Smittie.” Esther
Louise Smith, a native of Safety
Harbor, Fla., was a junior in 1929.
She was a member of the basketball
team and a leader on the HTC Athletic
Council. Her roommate writes:
“June 1, 1929 … Never will I forget
the good ole times we had together
in Spotswood ‘6.’ Raving about
your man, Eddie … and eating as
we three usually do the greater part
of our time. Always remember me,
your bad little roomie, Grace.”
A classmate pens, “We’ve
washed [laundry] together again
and again … Smittie, girl, I’ve
The 1929 SchoolMa’am of Esther
Louise Smith (‘30), inset, offers
treasures like the HTC and VPI pennants above. Are you a
legacy of Smittie’s? If so, e-mail madisonmag@jmu.edu.
enjoyed it to the nth degree. Smittie
hon, you have been so sweet to
us this year. I’ll always remember
you as #6 and the good old games
you played.”
An admirer writes: “You’ll be
president someday.” Last, but not
least, a friend leaves this touching
remark, “My life has been happier
at HTC because of you.”
This SchoolMa’am is well worn.
It looks as if the Duke Dog might
have taken a bite out of its corner.
Some inner pages are torn or
missing, but one page offers a rare
surprise. Two paper pennants are
glued onto the last page of the student
directory. The pennants are
for VPI (aka Virginia Tech,
where maybe Smittie’s “Eddie”
matriculated?) and another for
the Harrisonburg State Teacher’s
College. What a beautiful
historical artifact from our spirited
Smittie.
If you are out there, “Smit-
ti tie,” thank you for this spectacular
glimpse into student life at
Madison 80 years ago.
If you know Smittie, please
write to madisonmag@jmu.edu. M
Homecoming 2009
The JMU Dukes battle the Villanova Wildcats on Oct. 17
TICKETS FOR THE HOMECOMING GAME GO ON SALE JUNE 1.
GET YOUR TICKETS AT WWW.JMUSPORTS.COM.
Alumni:
Students:
Don’t miss Friday’s Homecoming Parade,
Pep Rally, reunions and Sunset on the Quad
The fun begins on Oct. 11 and runs all week
Check out the schedule online
GET ALL THE DETAILS AT WWW.JMU.EDU/HOMECOMING
JMU Homecoming 2009
Oct. 16–18
54
MADISON MAGAZINE
PENNANTS AND ESTHER SMITH (‘30) PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY 1929 SCHOOLMA’AM