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

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Liz Fitzgerald, with her diploma raised high in the air, shouts with pride. The air echoed with excite- ment as the graduates received their diplomas. Jerry Thompson glances at the events occurring behind him. Fes- tive balloons, beach balls and streamers surrounded the seniors. A Quotables The ceremony was long, but well worth the wait when I fi- nally got my diploma. John Delmore 16 Graduation These graduates pass the long hours of graduation by playing cards. An abundance of speeches, awards and announcements placed a demand on the attention spans of many students.

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The constantly changing aspects of our campus community caused us to take a new look not only at our surroundings, but also at ourselves. This year brought the return of the new and improved Burruss Hall, the acquisition of a much-needed business center, the influx of aspiring freshmen, the ever- increasing parking dilemma and the promise of more construction. The abundant variation of lifestyles and interests in and around campus provided innumerable avenues for student in- volvement and self-expression. Through the decisions we made during college, we molded who we were and what we would become in the future. We learned to appreciate the varying viewpoints of those around us. Influences such as friends, clubs, greek organizations, living arrangements and occupations helped establish our priorities and thus created our attitudes. Look The campus and the individual shared the same characteris- tics of honoring tradition as well as welcoming the trends of the future. We absorbed the changing times, placed each aspect in its proper perspective and took a new look at life. ■ ■ Raquel Kelly and Rhonda Wilson hang out on the Commons and listen to the af- ternoon ' s entertainment provided by the University Program Board. The UPB re- cruited groups both locally and nationally. (far left) A student spikes the volleyball into the sand in the hot summer sun. Sports offered recreational activity for those who lived on and off campus. 1 CO zr O Er a. m 2 co o d 30 m O 3 0 Features Divider 15

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senior, late for the procession, walks by himself to the trains of Pomp and Circumstance. The entire senior lass walked across the field to their seats while friends nd family looked on. Oh the places we ' ll go It ' s Reality As the school year came to a close, for some it was the end of an era. The days of classes and nights of parties were over. It was time not to break for the summer sea- son, but to venture into the real world. It was a time to graduate. For some it was a joyful progression into the job market while others feared the un- known. As senior David Hylton put it, I ' m excited about graduating, but I ' d feel much better if 1 knew what I was going to do after today! Due to the slump in the economy, many seniors found themselves still searching for any type of employment related to their field of study. Seniors faced another dilemma as well, leaving friends behind. Friendships that were fostered over four or more years be- came treasured as the graduates realized that they would never see many of the familiar faces again. Although a vast ma- jority of seniors believed they would stay in touch with a close circle of friends, the acquaintances and other ties that flour- ished at school were in jeopardy of being lost. Steve Brown lifts his head to glance over the caps of his fellow graduates. Adorned in caps, gowns, purple and gold, the graduates represented the epitome of the school. I know I ' ll keep in contact with my best friends, but I hate to lose all the other friendships I ' ve made. It ' s like losing a part of yourself and I ' m really going to miss it, commented graduate Nancy Tipton. The Final ceremony dedicated to the graduates transpired on May 4, 1991, at Bridgeforth Stadium. The weather was picture perfect, as compared to previous years of rain and snow. The speaker was Elizabeth Lacy, a justice on the Virginia Supreme Court. Also, for the first time, due to petitions by the SGA, a student speaker, Steven Nickel, was chosen by a selection commit- tee to address the class of 1 99 1 . His speech discussed the challenges and choices that the seiors faced entering into society. The ceremony captured the jubilation of the occasion, and it was filled with beach balls, balloons, and hundreds of snapping cameras. Parents anxiously scanned the graduates to try and pick out their child. I sat with the parents of a friend, and his mom held a bunch of red helium balloons so that he would know where his family was during the ceremony. We were able to keep track of him by the big R he had masking taped to his hat. said Frandee Heaton. For some, the pursuit of higher educa- tion does not mean just going to college. While attending a university may satisfy the goals of many, others graduate still searching for their purpose in life. Gradu- ation, a day of joy and sorrow, marked both an ending and a beautiful beginning. Kate Travers Lauren Kerr flashes a grin of accomplishment after receiving her diploma during the commencement ceremony Graduation was a momentous occasion, finalizing many long years of work. Graduation 17