JMUstrong

It's been a tough semester for my alma mater. We've lost seven Dukes unexpectedly in the past three months, four of them within the past ten days. Our community is hurting, grieving, and mourning. We are also pulling together and celebrating life, as JMU has always been and will continue to be a tight knit community which truly cares for each other. I've written in the past about how being with other Dukes here in the city makes me feel so comfortable and at home, even if we didn't know each other during undergrad. There's just that understanding. Twice since living here I have chased people down in the street who I've seen wearing JMU gear... and they were just as excited to talk to me as I was them. Dukes are always tied together.

Today, after the most recent death, our President sent out a message to our community. It was a very moving message which talked about our strength as the JMU community. Dr. Rose ended with a quote attributed to Henry Scott Holland (Oxford University) which brough him comfort after he lost his mother:

“Death is nothing at all – I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I, and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are. Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way you always used. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.

Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without the ghost of a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant… There is absolutely unbroken continuity.

Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am waiting for you – for an interval – somewhere near just around the corner. All is well.”

Tonight, while continuing to read the messages written by Dukes near and far as well as friends from other universities on our Facebook group I came across a posting of a video of Evan Duffy, who composed a special tribute to our fallen Dukes. I was incredibly moved while listening to his composition - a combination of The Band Perry's "If I Die Young" and beautiful rendition of our own fight song (it begins at 1:25 in the video):



Madison, James Madison
We are the Dukes of JMU
Madison, James Madison
The fighting Dukes of JMU
Fight for glory, honors won
Brighten the lights of Madison
Madison, James Madison
Show your colors, proud and true
We are the Dukes of JMU

We are forever, all together one.