Nagaya, Yo

Heidi Findlay sent us a “hello” from Yo Nagaya ‘84, Breeze photo editor, Curio photo editor, Bluestone photographer, Crysalis staff, who currently is a freelance photographer/Yo Photo Works International, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan: “Greetings from the Orient, the land of rising sun. Olympic Games photographer since 1988 and for the past few Olympic Games, I have been shooting for the IOC archive. It’s good to know that my Olympic photos are kept in a safe place even long after I’m gone. Sports photography has taken me to couple dozen countries. Although it’s tough sometimes, I’m loving every moment of it.”–received Feb. 5, 2007

McGehee, Minnie Lee May

Dorothy Heider Spencer nominated Minnie McGehee on March 9, 2007:
“Minnie Lee May McGehee (‘45):
My roommate’s ambition was to be a writer. Her entire life she has
dedicated hours to research and study to write many articles and
publications on the rich history of her native Fluvanna County. These
include 28 bulletins for the Fluvanna Historical Society and a book,
“Mr. Jefferson’s River” a history of navigation and life along the
Rivanna River, the first designated Virginia State Scenic River. She
was recently presented the annual Citizen of the Year award by the
Fluvanna Women’s Committee of Fluvanna Farm Bureau. Years of research
have achieved stories of people and places, making accurate, vivid
presentations for generations of the future to rely on and enjoy. She
has presented Fluvanna with its history.”

Kruck, Susan

More than one person appreciates Dr. Susan Kruck’s work on the JMU campus:

Lisa N. Ha says, “As a faculty advisor to JMU’s Knitwits and Sign Language Club, Dr. Kruck is making a difference in the world by mentoring hundreds of young women at a crucial point of their development. Far from home and surrounded by many unhealthy social pressures, many young women have come to see Dr. Kruck as a positive female role model. As the Sign Club advisor, she helps raise awareness and foster relationships between hearing and Deaf culture, especially important with the large Deaf population in Harrisonburg and Staunton. Dr. Kruck encourages young women to achieve by assuming leadership positions, a lasting lesson that follows them in their post-college careers. Where others may dictate and give orders, she encourages students to use their own problem solving skills and is supportive of their decisions. She is engaged and compassionate. Her door is always open to club members who ask for her help, and has guided club leaders through some very difficult life lessons that many older adults would have great difficulty handling. If every professor used his or her time to make a difference in the lives of JMU students as Dr. Kruck does, we would be assured that every JMU
student would graduate with the skills to lead and serve their communities with competence, wisdom and compassion.”–March 9, 2007

And Faye Teer had this to say:”I nominate Dr. Susan Kruck for the Be the Change award. She is the most hard-working and passionate faculty member I know. Being a two time graduate of JMU, Susan has a history of promoting JMU as the best school to anyone who will listen. Being student focused defines the person I am nominating.

It is easy to see Dr. Krucks dedication to students. Susan serves in the capacities of faculty advisor to student organizations, faculty friend, Freshman Reading Program, and Conversations with Faculty. Last year she was nominated for outstanding advisor. She is an inspiration to those students that come into contact with her. Dr.
Kruck helped coach several students at a national conference in 2005. It was very impressive for JMU (our teams came in first or near the top) as this was our first entry in this national event. In addition to excelling in the classroom, she continues to mentor her students after they leave JMU. As exemplified by being named a Madison Scholar, her leadership in research makes Dr. Kruck an asset to our department. Susan Kruck embodies the spirit of JMU!”–Feb. 15, 2007

Dailey, Jessica Jenkins

Heidi Findlay let us know that JMU alumna Jessica Jenkins Dailey is involved in Heroes on Horseback. You can visit the Web site at http://heroesonhorseback.org.

–received Jan. 13, 2007

Cavanaugh, Barbara

Michael King submitted a nomination for Barbara Cavanaugh:
“Barb has worked has worked with kids in elementary Physical Education
for 30 years she has worked with many of them in teachin and coaching
and special programs in school(SCA, Drama,Jump Rope teams Dance
teams) She has been a big impact on kids today….” –received Oct. 15, 2006.

Bane, Sarah “Betty” Umphlette

Sarah Williams, submitted this nomination for JMU alumna Sarah Elizabeth “Betty” Umphlette Bane ‘52:

“What cooking with Betty Bane?” Her long standing column in the
Halifax County newspapers shares tips and information learned at the
Home Management House at Madison College, her views on life, thoughts
on her family and given any chance she insists that the best and the
brightest from Halifax County must go to JMU.

And she has been the change for so many lives by showing them it can
be done. Need to raise money to create the Halifax County War
Memorial? Betty Bane picks up the phone and it is done. Plan a
remodeling of the oldest building in Halifax, ask Betty Bane to
organize it – it will be done!

And quietly, she is the one who reaches out to the young people to
restart the 4-H Club when she worried that the local young people
were not learning manners and clearly needed to know how to make the
best homemade oatmeal cookies – not from a box – but from scratch.
Home Management House would be proud.

Need to organize a homes tour and create a plan to beautify Main
Street Halifax with the help of the Women’s Club? Call Betty Bane.

In her incredibly effective way, never wishing for the spotlight,
Betty Bane has shown the way of a life of giving and service to her
community and to young people who always want to go to JMU after a
conversation with her.
–nomination received Oct. 20, 2006

Carole Baldwin on campus next week

JMU World Changer, Dr. Carole Baldwin will be on campus March 22 for the biology department’s annual symposium. Baldwin, curator of fishes at the Smithsonian Institution and a Class of 1981 alumna; presents the keynote lecture “Journey to Earth’s Inner Space” at 3 p.m. March 22 in Grafton-Stovall Theatre; reception follows 4-6 p.m. in Room 306, Taylor Hall. Read Baldwin’s Be the Change profile at www.jmu.edu/bethechange/baldwin.shtml.

Kai Degner, executive director of Arts Council

Madison World Changer, Kai Degner has been named the new executive director of the Arts Council of the Valley, working to connect local artists and promote arts in the region. It’s a natural fit for this change activist—Kai’s OrangeBand Initiative was designed to get people talking, and listening, to each other. In his new position, he’s already begun to listen to area artists and find out what they need. You can read the whole story at DNRonline.com, “Connecting Community” feature. Read Kai’s “Be the Change” profile at www.jmu.edu/bethechange/degner.shtml

“Be the Change” at Scholarship Luncheon

Also of note in regard to James Madison Day activities is the Scholarship Luncheon held that day. “Be the Change” is the theme, and Ken Bartee, one of our World Changers, will be addressing attendees. Those World Changers who would like to attend should be sure to contact me and confirm. Look forward to seeing many of you on campus that day!