I have not been back to visit my Alma mater since graduation day, so this visit was WAY overdue. And since we were so close, I thought it would be a great time to give Ed the grand tour of the campus. It's amazing how much things have changed in 11 years (OMG ~ how has it already been 11 years!!!) - but in a way, it was exactly the same.
As we pulled into campus, the feeling of nostalgia was overwhelming. From Zane Showker Hall Business building where I spent much of my time, to Mr. Chips, the small convenience store near the railroad tracks (yes...there were tracks that went right through the center of campus), to D-Hall, our main dining facility where many a brunch was had, I was transported back to my days as a student.
Our first stop was the brand new bookstore which is now located in a lovely building in the Godwin parking lot. After grabbing some new JMU gear for the arsenal, we started the tour. We headed first to Warren Hall which was essentially the student union back in the day (and home of the old bookstore). This is where the Post Office resided (and still does) along with the famous "Ride Board" - a huge bulletin board connecting people like me who did not have a car and needed a ride home to people that did have a car and were offering rides.
We then made our way through the area known as "The Commons" - a place where many an event took place since it was right in front of the main entrance to D-Hall (a popular hang out place, especially during chow time). After a quick pose with good old James Madison himself, it was off to the Quad.
Now, I'm not one to brag, but I have to say that JMU is one of the most picturesque universities out there. Gorgeous Bluestone buildings flank the Quad and are so impressive it's hard not to get chills. Okay...I'm being over dramatic, but it's a damn fine looking campus! One of my fondest memories of this place are the thousands of tulips that are planted in the spring ~ so gorgeous.
This part of campus is the oldest and most original and houses classrooms, administrative offices and dorms. The Quad is usually packed with students who are "studying" ie. sun bathing, playing frisbee, taking naps, etc. :)
We made our way over to the "Kissing Rock" a famous spot on campus that dates back to the days when the Quad was built. The legend goes that the person you kiss at the Kissing Rock is the person you are going to marry. Not so much in my case, but it was fun to kiss Ed on the rock anyways! A lovely couple visiting the campus snapped this photo of us ~ love it!
After a quick walk past the under construction stadium, we got in the car and headed over to the other side of campus to check out the rest of the place. JMU is split in half by I-81 ~ old campus that I am familiar with is on the West and new campus is on the East. When I was in school, the only buildings on the East side were UREC (student gym), the Convocation Center (site of Duke baseketball games, concerts and large meetings) and 1 new building that house the ISAT Department. And the only real way to get there was through the tunnel under I-81.
Now, this side has completely EXPLODED with dorms, a library, a dining hall and many academic buildings. There was also a new Alumni Center that we of course stopped in and got a shot of the Duke Dog statue!
It was awesome to see it all again and it has inspired both of us to visit more often. After our 3-hour tour (well, more like an hour and a half), we took a quick swing by the old Delta Sig Frat house and then headed to downtown Harrisonburg to grab lunch at an old favorite ~ Dave's Taverna. Many a happy hour was spent at this place and in my opinion, they have THE best Steak and Cheese sandwich around. The restaurant has expanded since I graduated, but the food was still the same. YUM!
After lunch, we treated ourselves to some Kline's Dairy Bar and then were on our way back home. It truly was an amazing weekend not just for Ed, but for both of us. I love that we live so close to both the hustle and bustle of DC, but also to the quiet countryside of the Shenandoah Valley. I have a feeling we will be back again for another visit.
