Madison Week celebrates involvement, education

Committee plans activities to commemorate legacy

From free cake to photos with the Duke Dog, along with the Madison Day Address given by a former U.S. Attorney General, JMU celebrated James Madison’s birthday in a number of ways this week.

The purpose of Madison Week is to draw attention to the principles James Madison espoused, such as the need for an involved and educated populace. "We want students to realize what a special place this is," said Phil Bigler, director of The Madison Center.

Bigler added that a committee within The Madison Center has been planning Madison Week for the past year. "[We planned activities and events] that would be interesting for the student body and would celebrate Madison’s legacy," Bigler said.

Junior Abby Chambers said, "I think that is important to recognize and honor who this magnificent university was named after. It is also an opportunity to bring the student body together and celebrate JMU as one."

Nicholas Katzenbach, former U.S. Attorney General, delivered the Madison Day Address in Wilson Hall Auditorium. He spoke about the Constitution in times of crisis, focusing on the Brown v. Board of Education decision.

The Madison Center sponsored a lecture by Stanley Klos on Tuesday. He spoke about forgotten Founding Fathers and brought with him Madison-era documents, including an engraving of the original Declaration of Independence.

A wreath-laying ceremony — complete with birthday cake for Madison — included comments by Student Body President Tom Culligan about the reasons the school is Madison’s namesake, induction of members into the 1787 Society and the presentation of the Donald Robertson Scholarship in Elementary Education.

The Duke Dog and a James Madison impersonator posed at Wilson Hall for photo opportunities.
JMU also hosted 13 university debate teams with its third annual James Madison Commemorative Debate and Citizen Forum, also known as the Madison Cup. The subject of debate was the reinstatement of the military draft, a "particularly relevant topic for college students," said Pete Bsumek, director of debate.

"We’re celebrating James Madison on his birthday for his contributions as founding father," Bsumek said. "What better way to celebrate [Madison] than a debate?"