One successful century leads to another

JMU’s Newsroom released a report on The Madison Century, JMU’s first comprehensive campaign, today. The campaign finished with $70 million committed, surpassing the campaign goal by 40 percent!

JMU President Linwood Rose says, “The success of the Madison Century campaign positions James Madison University well as we enter our second century of preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens. I have no doubt our campaign success will support enhanced educational experiences for students who will live rewarding lives devoted to serving society.”

Harrisonburg was the top geographic location for contributions from alumni, parents and friends. Just one more evidence of the strong community support that JMU enjoys.

Now, on to our second century!

Laurie Phillips – teacher of the year

Teachers perfect the art of making a difference, and Laurie Tusing Phillips (‘85) is one of those teachers who is ‘being the change.” This special education teacher developed a “Transition Day” program that helps rising ninth-grade special education students get familiar with their new school. The students spend a day at the school, where they practice changing classes and engage in other activities that make the upcoming transition easier.

Her dedication has been much appreciated by her students at Stonewall Jackson High School in Mount Jackson, Va. It’s not uncommon for Laurie to hear from kids after graduation. They call her with thanks for the lessons Laurie imparted, lessons that helped them achieve success. And Laurie’s peers voted her 2007 Shenandoah County Teacher of the Year.

Googling

Five JMU marketing students secured a top 10 finish in the Google Online Marketing Challenge. Student teams built ad campaigns for the global competition developed through collaboration between Google and professors. The challenge allowed students to get practical, online marketing experience and compete on a global level … more than 1,600 student teams from 47 countries competed. Four other JMU teams placed in the top 10 percent worldwide. Congrats to all!

Changing the lives of second graders

Erin Peacock (‘07) joined the Teach for America corps and went to work in a second-grade classroom in South Bronx, New York. The results have been amazing. Take for instance the percent of her students that read on grade level — 25 percent when she started teaching, 90 percent now! Erin knows that a good education makes a difference, and she’s changing the lives of young children in her classroom. They’re getting a good start on the road to opportunity. Way to go, Erin!

Two Degrees of Difference made a difference

JMU alum Dan Cole (‘87) is our newest addition to the “Be the Change” cohort. Dan campaigned in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Man and Woman of the Year competition with the theme “Two Degrees of Difference.” “We are all within two degrees of someone affected by cancer,” Dan says. He raised $146,000 and was the second runner-up in the national competition. The funds raised do make a difference — raising awareness and garnering support for cancer patients and their families. Way to go, Dan.

JMU alumna swims English Channel

I’ve had the opportunity to write about many, and varied, accomplishments of Madison people…but Karah Nazor’s (‘99) swim in choppy, 60-degree water for 12 hours is truly astounding. Karah is from Chattanooga, Tenn., and became the first Tennessean to complete the swim across the English Channel. Awesome.

Find what you’re passionate about…

Just posted Jennifer Griffith’s (‘09) profile to our “Be the Change” Web site. This JMU marketing major and volunteer has organized more than one trip to New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Her advice for being the change? “Find what you are passionate about and then look for ways that you can serve.”

Planting the seeds for change

JMU’s Green Team, also known as the Clean Energy Coalition, is the collective voice for JMU students preparing for a “renewable future.” They’re working for such things as global climate change education, sustainability projects, and a university commitment to 100 percent renewable electricity usage. And most importantly, they’re planting the seeds for JMU to be a positive example for the rest of the world in going green.

Turning a fairy tale upside down

The upcoming production of the JMU Children’s Playshop, “The Near-Sighted Knight and the Far-Sighted Dragon,” promises a far different kind of fairy tale. A mathematically inclined princess, a far-sighted dragon, and a near-sighted knight band together on a quest sure to delight audiences. Don’t miss this final production of the playshop season!

The production is directed by JMU world changer, William Buck.