New book captures century in pages
Posted on February 4, 2008
The Duke Dog made his first appearance as JMU’s mascot in 1947. The men’s basketball team needed funding and appealed to President Sam Duke for support. To prove their allegiance to the president they named themselves the “Dukes.” The Duke Dog has changed a lot over the last 50 years since, resulting in the lovable bulldog we all know.
This anecdote can be found in the new coffee table book Madison Century: Celebrating 100 Years. The book was compiled to commemorate the first century of JMU’s history. The book is organized by university president and includes special events that characterized each term. Each section includes photographs, features and timelines that allow the reader to quickly glance through.
Authors Martha Graham and Fred Hilton were responsible for most of the book. They included stories ranging from the mysteries of the infamous underground tunnels to rules that required students to gain permission before going on dates. While the author’s could not include every aspect of JMU’s history, they said they tried to include some of the most interesting elements.
Copies are currently being sold at the University Bookstore. While only 2,000 copies were originally published, more will come depending upon how many are sold. Hilton, who also serves as the centennial director, expected the book to sell to all JMU constituents, but the bookstore staff said parents and alumnae were the main people purchasing the book.
Hilton was also responsible for the 75th anniversary book and saw this edition as a natural part of the century celebration.
“To me it’s a tradition, a part of the century anniversary,” he said. “It is a coffee table book designed for a casual read but also a continuing history.”
