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

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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

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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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Golden Generation BEHIND the faculty backs, student liven up the lengthy ceremony by tossing a beach ball. Following the main ceremony, each college held its own ceremony to recognize the students individually. Photo b Natalie Wc Throughout the history of the university ' s graduations, one thing remained the same: the accomplishments of the graduates and recognition of all of their hard work. The 2008 graduation started off with President Linwood H. Rose welcoming the class of 2008 along with friends and family. Your commencement is particularly special because you are the university ' s century-year graduating class, announced Rose. Through this commencement, you usher in [another] century. Following Rose ' s introduction a vide o was shown that captured the history of the university, a proud moment for graduates and faculty to share. The video, The Madison Century, described the transformation of the university over 100 years, highlighting changes and acknowledging current achievements. For 100 years, this uncommon culture has defined the Madison experience and changed countless lives — lives that in turn are changing the world. The video provided examples of citizenship, student responses to society ' s needs and student contributions to business and economics. Student Body President graduate, Lee Brooks, introduced graduate Sarah Roquemore, the student speaker for the main ceremony. 1 could really relate to all the speeches made, said graduate Dre Hernandez. They made me realize how amaz- ing these past four years have been and all of the memories I ' ve made. Following, the student address, Rose introduced the com- mencement speaker for 2008, Thomas Dingledine. Dingledine was the great-grandson of William Johnston Dingledine, who helped persuade the Virginia General Assembly to build the State Normal and Industrial School for Women in 1908, which later became lames Madison University. Dingledine ' s ancestry played an impor- tant role in the development of the university and was involved with philanthropy that contributed to the university ' s academics and services. Dingledine ' s commencement address encouraged students to Be The Change by making a mark on the world and helping oth- ers. 30 feaiiAms