Get Dirty
By Katie Thisdell, staff writer

Playing with dirt is not what most people associate with advanced research. However, about 24 incoming freshman will have the chance to do just that. Through a yearlong course taught by Drs. Louise Temple and Steve Cresawn, students will learn about phage genomics by identifying viruses in soil samples. Phages are viruses that infect and kill bacteria, their genetic composition is valuable for research. After extracting DNA, they will study the gene sequences. More...

When you wish upon a rock star
By Ashley Siegle, contributing writer

The JMU Nursing Student Association kicked off its first fundraising event of the spring semester with a benefit concert aimed at raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Held at The Pub on Wednesday, the concert featured live music by Gill, a Richmond-based reggae rock band. More...

Campus active in ONE campaign to end poverty
By Ashton Smith, staff writer

The ONE campaign, aimed at ending global poverty and AIDS, ranked JMU 87 out of the 100 most active schools in the nation. Representatives from the top schools were invited to attend the ONE Campus Challenge Power 100 Summit in Washington D.C. on Jan. 2-5. Senior Maisie Pigeon and Misty Newman, an administrator in financial aid and scholarships, were invited to the Capitol Building, which gathered a host of different speakers. More...