For my group’s web project, we plan to focus on significant figures in James Madison University’s history formerly known as Madison College. Specifically, we will be conducting our research on figures that are not typically discussed. As we research and continue to discover significant information for this project, we plan on finding photos, journals, newspaper articles, and interviews to incorporate in our part of the website. We will incorporate these aspects by utilizing JMU Special Collections. As a group, our primary goal is to gather information on these significant figures and present it in a user-friendly story map. We chose this route because of the interactive effect it provides, as well as its accessible information. After gathering the information needed, we will develop a part of the website where one can go to learn about important figures in JMU history and what they did that continues to be reflected today.
The artifact that I have chosen is a digital copy of an article found in The Breeze, JMU’s newspaper that has been published for years. This article was published on September 5, 1972 and is titled “Dukes Enter First Grid Season with Five Games”, this very valuable to our website because it announces the start of the JMU football team, as well as the announcement of the first head coach. This article describes the hopes of the JMU football team, starting out with only five games for the fall. This is the beginning of the football culture that is instilled in JMU Dukes from the very first day. It provides the sense of community that JMU is known for and encourages in its alumni and faculty. Challace McMillin is whom we must thank for this progression of community throughout the history of James Madison University. Many are aware of the previous presidents the university has had over the years and significant faculty members that have made an impact on the overall ‘construction’ of the cultural landscape of the campus today. However, it is the silent figures of history such as McMillin, that gave rise to the true Duke culture.
My group has plans to research other silent figures to discover their contributions to the university and to emphasize the impact that these individuals had and still have on the culture of the school today. The importance of this article is not only reflected in the student culture of JMU but in that of the faculty as well. Challace McMillin embodies the determination and success that will eventually define the James Madison University athletic program for years to come. The experience that McMillin came in with is what will be sought out in future coaches. The development of the football program coincides with the larger development of the university, specifically in reference to the admittance of male students to the university. This shows the continuing effort to modernize the school. Challace McMillin is a single figure in the history of JMU who has had such a tremendous impact on the development of the university and we still see his impact today. The overall goal of this web page being created by my group is to bring to provide a voice to those who have been silenced throughout the years and truly share their impact with the world.
Source: The Breeze, September 22, 1972. Harrisonburg (Va.): Madison College.
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