Students transition to alumni

Seniors say 'goodbye' to JMU with week of events

As part of the Senior Week activities, the Office of Alumni Relations will hold the annual Senior Induction Ceremony, or Candlelighting Service, on the Quad tomorrow to symbolize the transition of seniors into alumni.

The ceremony dates back to the formation of the alumni association in 1911, according to Wendell Esbenshade, communications coordinator for the Office of Alumni Relations.

"This candlelighting ceremony typically draws hundreds of seniors out to be formally inducted in the JMU Alumni Association," Esbenshade said.

There will be several speakers, including Jim Katzman, president of the alumni association, and JMU President Linwood Rose. Exit 245 will perform several songs, including the JMU alma mater.

"After the speeches, Dr. Rose and Jim Katzman will light their candles from the unity candle and those flames will be passed out into the crowd of seniors," said Amanda Killen, graduate assistant for the Office of Alumni Relations. "Eventually, hundreds of candles will be lit, symbolizing this important transition in a truly amazing way. This ceremony is a wonderful, unique and important tradition at JMU."

The Student Ambassadors are helping the Office of Alumni Relations with its Senior Week events.

"This is one of the oldest traditions at JMU," said senior Bill Williams, vice president of alumni for student ambassadors. "The Alumni Association is growing larger and larger each year, which is a great thing. This ceremony prepares seniors to become alumni of this university and encourages them to stay connected here after graduation.

"Seniors actually begin to realize that their time here is coming to an end, but it is also a time where they realize that JMU will always be here for them no matter what," he added. "Just because you graduate doesn't mean you become detached. The JMU Alumni Association does a great job of keeping in touch with graduates and providing opportunities for them to keep JMU close to their hearts and never stop singing that fight song."

"Senior Week is an annual event sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations," Williams said. "Its purpose is to encourage seniors to take advantage of their remaining time here at JMU, and to prepare them for their induction into the JMU Alumni Association."