James Madison University - Bluestone Schoolmaam Yearbook (Harrisonburg, VA)

Page 26 text:

Ladies Gentlemen . . . Virginia ' s Finest 22 HiRhlights

Page 25 text:

People More Knowledgeable JMU, along with the rest of the world, is keeping close watch on that ever- growing, ever-changing institution called civilization. The questioning, probing atmosphere of the university may, in fact, increase the wonder about what society was, and will be. The search for answers to somewhat unan- swerable questions takes many shapes on our campus, most notably our attempt to gain information from people more knowledgeable. Every year different groups sponsor lecturers who make ei- ther solo appearances or who speak in conjunction with an organized group of speakers. The Fall Arts and Sciences Sym- posium is perhaps the most comprehen- sive lecture program at JMU. The four day series is arranged through the Col- lege of Letters and Sciences and is chaired by Dr. Philip Riley. The lecture series gives an opportunity for the facul- ty, the students, and the community to come together and discuss a broad sub- ject area which cuts across all disci- pline. A number of noted philosophers, theologians, authors, and scholars are scheduled to present lectures and sit in on panel discussions. This year ' s symposium (the Sixth An- nual) titled Science, Faith and Pro- gress. encompassed a selected group of speakers, lecturing on nature and civili- zation. The symposium was presented as an unfolding chronology of civilization, and opened with a lecture by science writer John Pfeiffer entitled, The Ori- gins of Culture. The series progressed with lectures and panel discussions ad- dressing such topics as politics, scien- tific research, progress of society, and science and antiscience. The symposium concluded with the keynote speaker, Isaac Asimov, who lec- tured on The Future of Civilization. Asimov was the most popular and suc- cessful speaker of the symposium, lec- turing to a large crowd in Godwin Hall. Asimov ' s popularity is unquestioned at JMU, as this was his third visit. A second organized lecture series, also sponsored by the College of Letters and Sciences, is the Visiting Scholars pro- gram. The extensive series spans both semesters. Each year scholars from widely varying fields of interest speak on a great diversity of topics. This year ' s visiting scholars included such notables as C. Brooks Peters, speaking on Ger- many Forty Years Ago and the Holocaust and Jean Mary Morman Unsworth, lecturing on The Arts and Wholeness, among many others. A number of independent speakers also visited JMU, sponsored by several different campus organizations. The University Program Board spo nsored Mr. Fred Storasko, who has presented his discussion of How To Say No To a Rapist and Surive at Madison several times. The UPB also presented noted novelist, poet, and lecturer, James Dic- key. Charles Colson, noted for his part in the Watergate conspiracy and au- thorship of Born Again was also featured at JMU. He was sponsored by a variety of campus organizations. Highlights 21

Page 27 text:

»♦• The Janu ' s Madison Uiii ersit Marching Ro al Dukes is a 220 member coips style marching band that incorpo- rates a thirt member percussion sec- tion, a ten member rifle line, a thirt member flag corps, two feature twiriers, and t o drum majors. The band has, in realit , come to be regarded as Vir- ginia ' s finest, and also sports a fine reputation on a national level as one of the most exciting college marching bands. The Marching Dukes ha e estab- lished their reputation not onl - b ' pla - ing at all home game.s, but also by travel- ing with the Dukes and performing at a number of awa - games. The reception of the band at William and Mar , The Uni- versity of Virginia and East Tennessee State Universits ' was oversvhelming, as evidenced b - several standing ovations. The most impressive reaction to the group was the first standing ovation ever for a band at J . . The Marching Dukes tui ther enhanced their fame b perfonn- ing at two pro-football games, and were so well received at the Redskin ' s game that the ' were in ited to return, . nother of the Marching Duke ' s outstanding ac- complishments was hosting the Second Annual Marching Bands of . merica Mid-East Regional Competition. The band ' s continuous profes- sionalism and standard of e.xcellence is a ke point to their reputation at JMU and elsewhere. The communit ' of Harrison- burg, the students and facu]t take great pride in the Marching Band, and the half-time show is alwa s a highlight of e ' ery home game. In 1977, Mr. Michael David was named Director of the Marching Band and has since brought the band to its present loft ' reputation as one of the na- tion ' s most entertaining college march- ing bands. Highlights 23