The Dukes Before: Why Knowing the History of JMU is Important

By: Sarah Rosenthal

Photo courtesy of James Madison University.

As students of James Madison University, we’re aware of the current events on campus during our four years. However, there is over a century’s worth of history we miss out on—that is, unless you know where to look or who to ask. Every time a student steps foot on campus, they become ingrained in a culture and in a history without knowing it. Here are four reasons why it’s important for every student to know the history of their institution. 

Understanding the Legacy You’re Joining

JMU has a rich history of rapid growth, starting out as a women’s college and eventually becoming one of the largest universities in Virginia — at only 117 years old! Understanding that JMU has taken many shapes over the years can help you feel a sense of belonging. JMU was once a women’s college, specializing in a liberal arts education, which explains why we have the extensive general education requirements that we do today. 

Reasoning behind decisions

We may not always understand the decisions that come from large institutions like JMU, but there is a reason behind each and every one. That reasoning is partially based on the institution’s history. It's important to understand the past to learn from mistakes. Learning why the university does certain things can help you as a student feel more confident in your place at the university. 

Understanding Campus

Understanding the history of JMU can give us insights on why parts of campus look the way they do. The biggest example of this is the Varner House, located on Main Campus. Today the Varner House stands as the Office of Institutional Research, but originially it served a very different purpose. Madison College (as JMU was known at the time) provided students with home economics courses in the Varner House. It was here that female students would learn how to set up and maintain a house after graduation. This bit of history isn’t one that many students are aware of, as JMU hasn’t offered this program in many years, but is important for understanding the layout of the campus.    

It’s Fun!

Knowing the history of your university is fun! It's always great to have a fun fact on deck when showing friends or family around campus, and understanding the history of campus is the best way to do that. It’s good to be able to tell people things about campus past the typical building names and classes offered inside them. Some of my favorites are the pool that used to be in Keezell Hall, and the origins of Cleveland Hall, which was one of the original dormitories on campus. 

Understanding the history of your university can lead you to feel more in tune with the campus, understanding that it has lived many lives before you joined the family.