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

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(.olden Generation olden 7 m 9 Bv len Beers Generation More than 3,000 centennial grads gathered to commemorate their graduation 8 raduation day: the final celebration of one ' s college experience. It was the day that most students both dread and dream of, a day that marked the end of college and the beginning of the real world. Unlike previous years, however, the graduates of 2008 had the proud honor of celebrating another exciting event: the 100th anniversary of the university. Bridgeforth Stadium filled up quickly with family members and friends anxiously waiting to see their loved ones take the field for one last time. Accompanied by the university ' s wind symphony, the graduates came out looking like ants marching in their purple CELEBRATING her recent freedom, graduate Caitlin Bennett plays with her niece, Keira. The Student Government Association helped the students count down to graduation, starting at 200 days. Photo by Natalie Wall PART of his cap art, a Ipus graduate conducts some last-minute job searching. Career and Academic Planning held career fairs throughout the year to assist in job placement. P ioro by Na(o e Wall O (y{ ii ' . '

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MICROPHONE in hand, senior Daniel Robert Rubio began to nervously sing I Believe I Can Fly as part of Alpha Tau Omega ' s skit. Every group was required to have a solo performance, which could consist of a song or dance routine worth up to 10 percent of the total score. Photo by Natalie Wall DRESSED in ' 80s workout attire, the men of Pi Kappa Alpha get down and dirty with a hunnorous routine. Many fraternities chose to take a comedic route during Greek Sing. Photo by Natalie Wall to gain audience participation and support. A unique element in Sigma Phi Ep- siion ' s performance was the addition of the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), Inc. women. The lovely, and ever so talented ladies of AKA stepped for us. Our Greek Sing Coordinator, [Robert Burden], decided to ask them about four weeks out, said senior Jason Myers, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon. They were a tremendous help throughout the entire process. Chiquita King, a member of AKA was one of four women who stepped during the performance. She remem- bers walking into the gym thinking, Wow, there are a lot of people here. Greek Sing, to the social Greek organizations, is equivalent to the Homecoming Step Show for the Greek organizations that fall under CMSS, said King. Members of each organi- zation dedicate their time and efforts to implement an entertaining show of quality and excellence. J,) ' H 6(r ek GinQ 77

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SPORADICALLY popping up throughout the ceremony, graduate Evan Dyson made sure to document his last moments at the university. Dyson was involved with The Breeze and worked extensively with photography, finding the importance in capturing visual memories. Photo by Natalir Wall |P A PICTURE is taken of President Linwood H. Rose as he recognizes the excellence of the class of 2008. The centennial class consisted of 2,696 undergraduates and 450 graduate and doctoratal students. Photo by Natalie Wall gowns, a tribute to the Centennial. The stadium was filled with tears, laughter and cell phones as parents and graduates tried desperately to find one another. One hundred years was a huge accomplishment. When I I came to |MU in 2004, 1 remem- li lA aSn ' i lAniii the lAimd Gljm.jC)kon(j Stidrted her thinking even then how iO pU a.t ik nd md veri oyv ia S ' o ' l graduating at the centennial graduation, said io Qinnm iO hnd ik Lf k .Us tK t (t graduate Eleni Menoutis. I r a.[ jj Ktt KA.(3 tK t I lAiaSn ' t Omg to f tlAfh to was so excited knowing that I Gchoi n Kt mar and I Ud to SM a oodhm ° ' ' ' ' ' ' something sj v7 k7 so important to the university s iO V ri One. history- Graduation has come a long way. For the first gradua- tion, students all wore long, white dresses with long sleeves and high collars. The ceremony was held in the assembly hall of Harrisonburg ' s courthouse. Processions then moved to the new Virginia Theatre in downtown Harrisonburg in 1915. The first graduation to be held on campus in Harrison Hall was in 1916, where students were again dressed in all white. The first year that graduates wore caps and gowns was in 1917, after many requests from students. A tradition of a main speaker began in the 1980s, and separate college ceremonies began in 1993. ' OfadiAaiA 6Krt5ttn 6Ktri9v5k dradiAO-i on 29