Posted on March 15, 2006
James Madison Day started with a bang, or rather a boom, as ROTC fired a cannon on the Quad yesterday afternoon to kick off the week.
“Over the years [James Madison Day] has been a celebration of the founding of the institution and James Madison’s birth,” said director of the Centennial Celebration Office Fred Hilton.
Wednesday morning was the wreath-laying ceremony at the James Madison statue near the Quad. Senior Vice President of Student Affairs Mark Warner, Student Body President Brandon Eickel, and “James Madison” himself spoke. The 1787 society recognized its members and honored new inductees, and the director of the James Madison Center, Phil Bigler, presented a $1,500 scholarship in the field of elementary education to junior Jessica Arms. Birthday cake was also served.
“It was really enjoyable to see everyone’s passion for the university and to give respect to the man who founded it,” freshman Lexi Hutchins said.
At 2:30 p.m. students gathered on the Quad to watch ROTC fire a cannon in celebration.
“I skipped class to watch it,” sophomore Ian Strickler said.
Junior Kendra Bassi said the celebration makes her proud to be part of the centennial class.
“It’s so exciting,” Bassi said. “It makes me feel special, you know that the university is going to remember us.”
After, University of Virginia President John T. Casteen III gave the annual Madison Address in Wilson Hall Auditorium, entitled “Liberty and Learning: The Shared Passions of James Madison and Thomas Jefferson.”
The celebration continued yesterday at 12:30 p.m. in room 109 of Carrier Library with the unveiling of next year’s first-year reading selection. JmUbilee, a free carnival with food, music and games sponsored by campus and community members, will take place Saturday on Godwin field from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Yesterday marked the celebration of James Madison’s birthday and the beginning of a year-long celebration of JMU’s 100th anniversary.
“The students will definitely see the presence of the centennial when they return next September,” said Debbie Long, assistant director of the Centennial Office.
Some of the centennial decorations will include six large banners in different subject areas displaying JMU’s history in academics, art, athletics, campus life, campus buildings and leadership, medallions worn in processionals and at graduation by the president and other campus administrators centennial flags in front of Wilson Hall and ISAT, and new purple banners adorning light poles across campus.
There will also be painted versions of the Duke Dog statue, created by Lee Leuning, throughout the campus and town.
“That’s one of the fun projects,” Hilton said. “I think the whole approach is to make this more than just history.”
Other centennial programs include a walking tour of historic JMU buildings and a computer-generated presentation of the university’s growth, JMU’s 100,000th graduate in May 2008 and a book and lecture series on the history of JMU.
“I hope it will interest students to learn more about the history of their institution,” Hilton said.
