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

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inter University students took their first steps to the rest of their lives at December graduation. hy Joanna Brenner m m Ihen President Linwood H. Rose made his M m I opening speech at the second convocation of m the 98th annual commencement ceremony r Dec. 15, he recalled students ' apprehensions during their first days at the university. You were scared of doing your own laundry, said Rose. But as the fall semester came to a close, it was not the fear of do- ing one ' s own laundry occupying the minds of some of the graduates. It was kind of surreal, said graduate Lisa Pelegrin. I remember being in [the Convocation Center] on my very first day. I didn ' t know what to expect. They always say college is the best four years of your life, and for me that was true. The ceremony began as students proceeded to their seats and the Mad- ison Brass Quintet played Heroic Suite, composed by G.P. Telemann. After the processional, soon-to-be graduate Lindsay Russell led a performance of The Star- Spangled Banner during the Presentation of the Colors. Students and audience members took their seats as Rose took the stage. You have done it! Congratulations! Rose addressed the students. It ' s the centennial year — but this day is your day. Rose acknowledged the faculty, friends and family members who had strong impacts on the lives of the graduates. Before ending his speech, he left the graduates with our deepest congratulations. After his greeting. Rose introduced the speaker of the commence- ment address, alumnus Robert Phoef Sutton. As a student, Sutton was an actor and a playwright. For the last 20 years, he had been making a living as a writer, earning two Emmys for his work on the renowned television show Cheers, after working his way up from staff writer to executive producer. Sutton also worked with many other television nciudmg News Kadio and Boston tegar He was funny, said graduate Mike Pawlo. He was dov main message was ' you ' re young, who knows where yd fext; and I really liked that. As a member of the Writers Guild of America, Sutton 1 ;e for the six weeks leading up to the commencement! ut still managed to turn out an uplifting and motivati] It starts every second of every day, said Sutton to the on reminisced about his days as a student. There was no such thing as YouTube, he joked. There y ones, and we had to watch TV when it was actually on. Sutton dosed his speech by quoting Gandhi and giving I iOtivating send-off. Be the change you wish to see in the world, said Sutton a hell of a ride. Following Sutton ' s commencement address, Rose made I of the honorary degree and the conferral of degrees. The ent graduates had been anticipating. Dean Reid Linn commenced the presentation of the h students from the College of Graduate and Outreach ceremony continued with the presentation of graduate er six colleges. After all the graduates had walked acrosi audience gave them a standing ovation. Directly following, Russell once again took the stage i U Alma Mater. Faculty members and graduates left I ing the recessional to My Spirit Be Joyful. Uecemher Cjrd ation OJ

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Recalling his (Inys .is d studenl at the university, Robert Phoef Sutton compares the lifestyles of current graduates to when he graduated during his commencement address. Sutton traveled from South I ' asadena, Calif, to speak to the graduates. Photo by Sammy Elchenko Keafiing the commencement program, students keep up with the cermony ' s proceedings. Those students earning a bachelor ' s degree with honors were recognized hy gold cords worn around their necks. Photo by Sammy Elchenko Standing below the university seal, President Linwood H. Rose wears the university chain of office and medallion. According to the commencement program, the chain and medallion were created in 1999 by Ronald I. Wyancko, retired professor of art and art history. Photo by Sammy Elchenko Seated, students wait to be called to the stage to receive their diplomas. President Linwood H. Rose officially conferred the degrees earlier in the ceremony. Photo by Sammy Elchenko Scanning, a student searches the crowd. Typically, fewer students graduated in December than in May, but the Convocation Center was nearly full with family and friends. Photo by Sammy Elchenko Setting themselves apart from the crowd, graduates display their decorated caps. The caps, or mortarboards, were part of the traditional academic costume worn for graduation. Photo by Sammy Elchenko Uhei) alwatjd datj college id the hedt ' our tjeard o f tjour Ime, and ior me 1 It that wad true. graduate Lisa Pelegrin loJ. (J eatured

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