| Traditions | |
- For the Technology Junkies: In 2000, JMU hired Karim Altaii, an ISAT professor who decided it was time JMU had its own hovercraft. Two years later, the 550-pound Fenix, the brainchild of ten integrated science, technology, and computer science students, took flight one foot above the ground. The project took place in the ISAT/CS loading area, and the hovercraft can still be viewed today.
- The Foxhills Block Party: Anybody who’s anybody, anybody who wants to meet everybody, and anybody who wants to get smashed with everybody will be at the block party in Foxhills early in the school year. Usually, it takes place some time within the first month. The structure is typical—girls, guys, more girls, and beer—except that this party is a block long, from one end of the street to the other. To find it, just open your window; you’ll hear the festivities from a mile away. Cops hear it too, and try to tighten the reins more every year.
- Godwin Field Festival: On Saturday during Homecoming Week, the Godwin Field Festival gets the Dukes all riled up for live entertainment, games, and food. The whole shindig is aimed at pumping students up to watch the JMU football game that follows the Festival.
- Greek Week: April showers bring May flowers and Greek Week, too. During Greek Week, sororities and fraternities participate in a week-long train of events, including Greek Letter and Greek T-Shirt Days, activities like tug-o-war and kickball, a barbeque, a Mr. and Ms. Greek Coronation, and Greek Sing. Greek Sing takes place annually, and includes a mix of song and dance to support a local or national charity.
- Homecoming Week: During late October, Duke spirit abounds for a week of activities on campus. Events include a talent show, parade, football game, a night of entertainment (this year featured alumnist Phil Vassar), Sunset on the Quad, and the Godwin Field Festival.
- James Madison Week: Madison Week hosts a variety of events to bring attention to the JMU campus. Throughout the week, students and visitors can witness the Wreath Laying at the James Madison Statue in front of Varner Hall, attend sessions, listen to speakers and satirical comedians, or watch the Battle for the Madison Cup, a commemorative debate, and a citizens’ forum. For more information on Madison Week, visit www.jmu.edu/birthday.
- JMU Holidayfest: Early each December, students and faculty have the chance to burrow into the Christmas spirit early on. The Holidayfest includes a concert in which seasonal music is performed by the JMU chorale, symphony orchestra, and brass band. Preceding the concert, audience members are invited to sing carols, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, and witness the lighting of the JMU holiday tree on the campus Quadrangle in front of Wilson Hall.
- The Kissing Rock: In the Normal School days (before JMU was coed), girls would entice their dates to smooch them on the Kissing Rock; it was believed her stone-standing pecking partner would someday be her husband. One might as well give it a try. The Kissing Rock is still located in the middle of the front of the Quad.
- MACRoCk: It all started early in 1997, when the first Mid-Atlantic College Radio Conference was put on by WXJM, which is the JMU student-run radio station. Now, it’s an annual tradition that brings punk, emo, and hardcore fans from up and down the East Coast. MACRoCk showcases DJs and managers from East Coast college radio stations, roundtable discussions, a label exposition, and many different concerts held in the Harrisonburg area over the course of a weekend. Thousands of music aficionados flock to JMU in the springtime in the name of student-run radio, independent music, independent thought, and independent business.
- The Must-Dos: Many students believe their stay at JMU would not be complete without four interesting endeavors: streaking the Quad, traversing the tunnels under the Quad, hiking up into the cupola (the Wilson Clock Tower), and swimming in Newman Lake (the lake with the fountain, located by the main entrance to campus).
- Parents’ Weekend: Invite the parental units up for a couple days in mid-October for a little taste of life at Madison. Parents are invited to attend a variety of events, some of which have included: a Dukes’ football game, a 5k Breast Cancer Walk/Run, a Beatles Tribute Show in Wilson Auditorium, and a concert by the JMU School of Music in the Convocation Center. In addition, the campus never looks finer than during Parents’ Weekend; it is the only time of year you will ever see fresh bark chips spread, new flowers planted, tents erected, and cloth napkins and tablecloths displayed in D-Hall.
- Sunset on the Quad: Every year during Homecoming, students gather on the Quad to gorge themselves on complimentary hot dogs and soda, watch the sunset and listen to the University’s a cappella choirs and other entertainment groups perform.
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