Posted on October 25, 2007
JMU Student Ambassadors are putting a new twist on spooky tours.
“Virginia Tech Student Ambassadors conduct a ‘haunted tour’ each fall for their students and community members, in which they divulge the haunted history of Tech,” said Brooke Meikle, Student Ambassadors tour coordinator. “I thought this would be a great thing to do something similar for Madison’s campus.”
However, after some research, Meikle came to find that JMU doesn’t have a very strong haunted history. However, she didn’t let that discourage her from giving up on the idea.
“Ambassadors still wanted to put on a big event that all members of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities could enjoy,” she said. “In one of my meetings with the admissions office, one of our advisers brought up the idea of doing a Centennial Tour.
The Centennial Tour is a historical look at JMU’s beginnings, according to Meikle. The tour focuses on the Quad area of campus, with stories about the buildings, students, classrooms, social life and alumni stories.
The idea itself developed into more than the history of the campus and student life, expanding to include stories from alumni.
“We have old ladies and men visit from the ‘30s, ‘40s, ‘50s - every spring,” Meikle said. “You wouldn’t believe the scandals.”
With every good “scandal” there can be many interpretations, Meikle said that there will “also be ‘reenactments’ from members of the Stratford Players and the Improv troop,” acting out different roles, such as a house mother.
The Student Ambassadors were excited to join in on the centennial celebration.
“Being a big spirit force at JMU, Ambassadors wants to get involved with the Centennial celebration as much as possible,” Meikle said. “What better way than giving a tour. After all, that is what we are most known for.”
Student Ambassador President Dan Boxer said the Ambassadors are thrilled to be involved.
“It’s an honor for the Student Ambassadors to have the opportunity to be the ones that can help tell the 100-year-tale,” he said. “A lot has gone into the planning, and I hope current students really take advantage of this time in JMU’s history, come on the tour, ask questions, and learn more about Madison’s roots.”
Student Body President Lee Brooks thought the centennial tour was a good idea as well.
“I think the tour shows what JMU students do best, coming together to celebrate,” Student Body President Lee Brooks said. “The Centennial is about celebration and I can think of no better way than to have energetic Ambassadors educating students on the history of the school, and maybe finding out some new stuff along the way.”
The first tours were yesterday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the Quad. The tour started at Maury Hall and ended at Wilson Hall. Juniors Tara Rife and Erik Ruiz participated in the tour.
“Going on a tour like this you can see how the campus has grown and see the reflection of the history and feel more of a connection to the university,” Rife said.
Ruiz said he felt closer to the school.
“Going on this tour, I feel more of a connection to the alumni, especially going to class where they used to sleep,” Ruiz said.
Meikle said that even though yesterday was gray and rainy she was pleased with the first few tours.
“There have only been a couple of groups, but we had lots of students come up and ask about it,” she said.
The Student Ambassadors prepared for a big turnout, with over 50 tour guides ready to take the public on the Centennial tour.
“I love the idea of being a key factor in the decision making [process] of a prospective student as well as being the reason for bringing back memories to alumni during alumni tours,” said senior Philip Carron, a Centennial tour guide.
Meikle said the Ambassadors are considering doing another tour.
“We are hoping to do a tour in the spring for Madison week and really get a lot of people, especially alumi [to come], she said.
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