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

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Standing out in the crowd was this graduates plan. Seniors decorated their caps with anything from personal messages to Marvin the Martian. Donating a check for $68,011, representatives from the Senior Class Challenge of 1 997 present their check to Dr. Carrier. Each year, the Challenge strived to surpass the previous year ' s earnings. Enjoying a final moment before becoming alumni, these graduates await their walks to the podium. Graduation brought many smiles as well as tears. 1997 Graduation 17

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A Time To CeTebrate eraduation was a day filled with overwhelm- ing emotion as the Class of 1 997 turned their tassels. Some cried, some laughed and some just smiled as they completed their college careers. As they got their diplomas, these alumni made their full circle at JMU to begin the rest of their lives. The rain and wind didn ' t af- fect the spirits of the thousands gathered in Bridgeforth Stadium. Many students glued decorations or drew pictures on their gradu- ation caps for their families and friends to admire. The main ceremony included speeches from Dr. Carrier and Congressman Frank Wolf Both wished the Class of 1997 well in begin- ning their careers and offered insight from their past experi- ences. Congressman Wolf emphasized the importance of family above all other aspects in your life, said junior Brannen Edge. The first doctoral degree was presented at the ceremony. After the ceremony, everyone parted and went to the individual college ceremonies where they walked across the stage as their names were called. As the degrees were conferred, you could hear the ripple of excitement move through the Class of 1997, Edge said. The rest of the afternoon was spent cel- ebrating the day. It was a chance to visit with fami- lies, friends and other graduates and talk about plans for the future and college memories. The mixture of emotions was expressed on graduates ' faces. From the happiness and ex- citement of having obtained a degree to the sad- ness that came with the realization that the time had come to move on, graduates took this day in stride and recognized it as threshold to their fu- tures. 16 Student Life

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Left to Right: Junior Malifida Layman and mother Sandra Layman (Class of 1975): alumni Mr and Mrs. John Jenkins, grandparents of freshman Sarah Hanson. Left to Right: Junior Krista Valz and mother Denise Valz (Class of 1975): Junior Allison Kidd and mother who attended J MU in the 1970s: Allison ' s aunt, who graduated shortly after her mother. Left to Right: Freshman Karen Boxley (Class of 2001), with grandmother Edna Thomas, left, (Class of 1936): Allison Kidd ' s great-aunt Stella MaUard Kidd, on campus in 1944: Alumnae grandmother Sally Rusher Kidd with great aunt Thelma Olson Kidd. ' . M 1 8 Student Life