Club plans for100-year events

Members of the Class of 2008 who wish to leave their legacy in JMU history may soon have their chance.

The Centennial Dukes Club, comprised of members of the Class of 2008, will plan some events leading to JMU’s centennial anniversary.

"I want the freshmen to tell us what they want the Centennial Dukes to be," said Michelle Hite (’88), Centennial Dukes advisor. She emphasizes that the Centennial Dukes will be a primarily student-run organization.

Students are needed to help plan events, as well as to provide scrapbooks and videographies of their four years at JMU, to work on the Centennial Dukes Web site and to write articles on fellow freshmen for Montpelier magazine.

Centennial Celebration Coordinator Fred Hilton said students have a unique chance to get involved with the university.

"This institution is the students," Hilton said. "This should be a really special experience — it is an opportunity that other students haven’t had."

Hilton also is looking for students from all of the classes to join the student subcommittee to the Centennial Celebration Steering Committee. The celebration will be a year-long event featuring JMU’s rich history, Hilton said.

Centennial events will include two major banquets, special events on Homecoming and Parents’ Weekend and special focuses on the arts, athletics, academics, campus life, physical campus and leadership at JMU.

JMU spokesman Andy Perrine (’86) said having students participate in the planning of the Centennial will strengthen the bond between students and the university.

"JMU is rather hungry for traditions," Perrine said. "Any new sort of activity that observes our past or culture can go a long way in cementing the relationship between the university and those it serves."

The Centennial Dukes’ first meeting is Feb. 17 in the Allegheny Room of the College Center.