Alumni Association Records

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
Restrictions:

Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Negatives are unavailable pending reformatting. Reformatted access copies may be available upon request.

Original media is unavailable pending reformatting. Reformatted access copies may be available upon request.

Terms of access:

Copyright for materials authored or otherwise produced as official business of James Madison University is retained by James Madison University. Copyright status for other collection materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user. For more information, contact the Special Collections Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Alumni Association Records, 1924-2015, UA 0022, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
8.55 cubic feet 21 boxes, 1 flat file
Creator:
James Madison University. Alumni Association
Abstract:
The collection consists of the administrative files and photographs of the James Madison University Alumni Association, all referring to the individual graduated classes of JMU, Madison College, and the State Normal School.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Alumni Association Records, 1924-2015, UA 0022, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of the administrative files and photographs of the Alumni Association, all referring to the individual graduated classes of JMU, Madison College, and the State Normal School. The collection also includes the photographs used in a commemorative reunion book and a VHS tape of 1999 reunions.

Series 1: Administrative Files, 1934-2015, is primarily made up of files used for the logistical planning of reunions and files created for reunion attendees. These files include photographs, reunion booklets, active class member lists, sign-up sheets, alumni correspondence, and newsletters. These files remain largely in their original order, organized by the graduating classes. Nearly every class file includes reunion booklets for reunions between 1970 and 2005. Most class files include group photographs of alumni during reunions, as well as candid shots of reunion festivities.

Some ephemeral material donated by alumni to be used to benefit reunion festivities. One such example is a Madison College degree as well as a sorority membership certificate, housed in the Class of 1955 file.

Also in the series are files for the Bluestone Society and unlabeled class files. The Bluestone Society file includes administrative files for early Bluestone Society reunions, as well as the alma mater for the society. The unlabeled class file includes materials from reunions, but hold no indication as to which graduating class they correspond.

Photographs with accompanying negatives remain in their original envelopes for organizational purposes.

A VHS tape labeled "1999 Reunions" is also included. This likely has recordings of the events and festivities of various reunions that took place in 1999. A note is included in the VHS box that lists names and addresses of alumni and their corresponding years, likely a list of alumni to whom copies of the VHS were distributed.

Series 2: Photographs, 1945-1995, is made up of the photographs submitted by various 1940s alumni to be compiled into the "Welcome back to the memories... the decade of the '40s" yearbook-style book given to Bluestone Society members during reunions in the 1990s. All photographs have reference tags attached to refer to its location in the book. The photographs are largely of the 1940s alumni, most taken in the 1990s to represent the alumni at the time of the reunion. The alumni are mostly depicted with friends and family. Many photographs have hand-written notes on the back to identify those pictured and context. These photographs are all represented in the book, most with additional detail on those depicted.

Photographs are stored according to size for organizational purposes.

Series 3: Accession 2023-0127, 2023-0419, 1924-2008, primarily comprises photographs and photograph albums from events organized by the Alumni Association. Events include reunion weekend festivities, Bluestone Society inductions, Homecoming, Leeolou Alumni Center grand opening and parties, golf tournaments, award ceremonies, and group trips. Administrative files include planning documents, peer institution research, and reunion logistics.

Features commencement, general campus views, buildings and grounds, snow scenes, autumn and changing leaves, Quad, Greek Row, Wilson Hall and cupola, Sonner Hall, Carrier Library, Convocation Center, Warren Hall, Burruss Hall, Hillside dormitories, Newman Lake, Marching Royal Dukes, athletics, students, aerials, 1982 NCAA men's basketball tournament, freshmen move-in, and more.

Documents September 1989 trip to Smith Mountain Lake and April 1990 trip to Edisto Island, South Carolina. Also includes photographs of campus dating to March 1990.

Documents the Class of 1943 50th reunion weekend.

Binder includes inidividual headshots of students along with their biographical information (hometown, high school, graduation date, major, extracurriculars, etc.). The binder is labeled "S. A. Alumni" but it is unclear what group or organization this refers to.

Assorted photographs include a trip to Scotland.

Documents group trip to Italy.

Biographical / historical:

The JMU Alumni association was formed June 13, 1911, soon after the first 20 women graduated from the school, then the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg. At the time, it was known as the Alumnae Association, reflecting its all-women membership. As the growing Madison College began accepting male students, the association renamed itself the Alumni Association to reflect the institution's move towards coeducation. In 2017, the Alumni Association had over 127,000 members.

The JMU Alumni Association is a JMU organization which facilitates relations with JMU alumni and the university, encouraging their continued engagement and support for the school. The organization's membership consists of all individuals who have completed 12 credit hours from JMU or its previous institutional iterations.

The Alumni Association is directed by the Alumni Board of Directors, an executive committee, and representatives from the JMU Board of Visitors. The primary actions and strategies of the Board of Directors are carried out by the Office of Alumni Relations.

One of the most visible activities the Alumni Association organizes is class reunions. The reunions take place at regular intervals after a class's graduation. The Alumni Association handles the logistical issues in planning, notifying, and registering alumni for the event. Festivities often include campus tours, luncheons, and group photographs.

The Alumni Association also oversees the Bluestone Society, a subgroup of alumni from JMU having celebrated their 50th class reunion. Bluestone reunions are marked by larger-scale events and festivities and the members' induction into the society. The earliest mention of the organization was in 1974 at the 50th reunion of the class of 1924. Its official title was given in 1983 for the joint reunion of alumni from 1908 to 1933. All alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago are automatically inducted into the society. The society's name comes from the bluestone architecture of the quad area, the oldest portion of the JMU campus.

Acquisition information:
Transferred to Special Collections by the JMU Alumni Association in August 2016. A large grouping of materials primarily comprising photographs and photograph albums as well as administrative files were retrospectively accessioned in 2023. The immediate source and date of acquisition is unknown. Presumably these materials dealing primarily with JMU alumni were transferred to Special Collections by the Alumni Association, but an exact date of transfer is unknown.
Processing information:

Duplicate photographs as well as negative strips of photographs were not retained. Slide negatives positively identified as pages or images from the yearbook or other historic photographs already part of UA 0051 were not retained. University publications were either discarded if duplicates or added to bibliographic holdings.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged in three series.

  1. Administrative Files, 1931-2016
  2. Photographs, 1945-1995
  3. 2023-0127, 2023-0419, 1924-2008 Accessions
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard