All Together One honors JMU community members

DAVE KIM / senior photographer JMU President Linwood Rose (left to right), Donna Harper, executive assistant to the president and Mark Warner, senior vice president for student affairs applaud the honorees at the All Together One ceremony.

The third annual "All Together One" ceremony Tuesday afternoon on the steps of Wilson Hall honored five members of JMU's community who have had a profound impact on the lives of those around them.

The 2002 honorees included ISAT professor Tony Chen, Student Orientation Director Debra Brawn, Karen Evans from the Academic Advising and Career Development office, senior Noah Marlier and Catholic Campus Ministries coordinator Rev. John Grace.

Freshman Crystal Munsom, committee coordinator of the event, said that the event was not an awards ceremony. "Those who were honored today have been recognized, not awarded, for their contributions to the community here at JMU," she said, adding that these individuals often go out of their way to help others in what appears to be natural motions.

According to Munsom, committees select the honorees by asking students, staff and faculty for their opinion of who at JMU constantly are a source of power and motivation for many.

Munsom, who opened the hour-long ceremony, said the concept behind "All Together One" was to help inspire others by telling the stories of a few dedicated individuals at JMU. Each honoree was introduced by a person reading their biography. Then the recognized individual was given a scroll tied with a purple ribbon.

According to junior Jessica Lish, who read the first recipient's biography, Chen primarily teaches energy classes, is a caring and supportive educator at JMU who possesses an innate passion for education that he shares with many of his students. Though he said he was reluctant to even come to the ceremony, fearing he would leave his students without guidance, Chen attended the ceremony smiling and accepted the honor and recognition.

Following Chen, Suzi Carter introduced Brawn.

According to Carter, Brawn is an enthusiastic individual who always makes the transition into college a smooth one. Carter described JMU's students as birds taking a great migration that ends when they graduate. Carter said that after their journey, many students will look back and wonder how they made it, and like the intuition that guides the birds in flight, Brawn serves as that same type of intuition.

Carter said Brawn inspires many of her colleagues and the students with which she comes into contact.

Brawn said she was completely overwhelmed with the high honor bestowed upon her. "I'm flattered that I was chosen," Brawn said. "But I also think there are many others out their who deserve this honor as well."

Carter said Brawn establishes life-long relationships that stem from her kindness and her constant love. "Whether it is her advising or teaching, she shares her heart and soul for her students," Carter said of Brawn. According to Carter, Brawn is known to contact students while they are ill or even talk to them about personal problems when needed. Carter said that these are just a few of the many reasons that the JMU community chose Evans for this award.

Sophomore Kris Gillen introduced the third honoree, Evans. Gillen said Evans is a "living poem."

Evans, according to Gillen, is a great inspiration to many students and works closely with those in the Honors Program, or those who are re-entering the university after an illness or suspension.

Marlier, president of 1 in 4, a sexual assault awareness student group, was recognized fourth for his contributions to the JMU community. According to sophomore Amanda Logsdon whether it be his frequent strolls in the commons, greeting everyone he sees or counseling his peers, Marlier has become more than just a smiling face but also a friend and confidant to many.

"He has left a lasting impression on James Madison University," Logsdon said, "and we have no doubt that his legacy will continue to burn brightly long after his graduation."

Marlier said, "I'm so honored. JMU's given me so much more then I have ever wanted and has made these past four years awesome."

Of those honored, the fifth and final honoree was Grace. Freshman Dana Cox, who introduced him, said that regardless of religion, many come to the CCM House in order to hear Grace's sermons, which speak well to the students on JMU.

"Father John's homilies are so awesome because they speak to the level of the student," freshman Nicholas Gregware said. "He addresses the concerns of college life while helping us learn about the teachings of God in a more direct way."

Cox said, "Father Grace describes our flaws as simple imperfections, but instead of dwelling on them, he views them as room to work." Whether it be in Honduras or Mexico or Harrisonburg, Cox said Grace is as a beacon on hope in times where many have none. According to Cox, like Picasso's painting, "Guernica," which depicts carnage and mangled bodies, Grace serves as the tiny flower in the lower right section of the painting, illustrating hope in our lives which have often times become too hectic.

The honorees also received a pin as a token of the university's appreciation for embodying the ideals that bring JMU together as a community, according to Munsom. Additionally, Munsom said the names of each honoree will be chiseled onto a polished stone block to be displayed alongside the previous years' honorees in a yet-to-be-determined location. Evans said the honor bestowed upon the individuals is something that should be given to many others. According to the event's program, the celebration serves to identify the spirit which makes JMU a community worth belonging to and celebrating.

"Essentially anyone who takes their own initiative to help others at JMU should be honored," said sophomore Ian Sullivan, one of the attendees of the ceremony. "These people honored today are only a sampling of the diverse individuals who help JMU become such a strong entity."

JMU President Linwood Rose said that although he finds the honor very important, "what I find more impressing about the ceremony is the way it is done, and how the JMU community recognizes its own."