This book was written by a JMU graduate ('06) which depicts Madison's rise to football prominence. Any interested readers can purchase a copy from the author's publishers at 

http://www.authorhouse.com/Bookstore...x?bookid=69914 . 

Please Note:   The JMU Alumni Chapter of Tampa Bay has no financial interest in promoting or selling this book and is only sharing the link as "information only" for interested Alumni and friends of JMU.

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(Left to Right: Bruce, Jason, and Karen Boslaugh)
JMU Graduation (May 2009)

From Student to Soldier; a Parent's Perspective

After my wife and I graduated from James Madison in 1984 we had always hoped that at least one of our children would attend and graduate from our alma mater. Well our wish came true this past May when our oldest son Jason graduated with a degree in Justice Studies.  Of course like many students graduating during these uncertain economic times, Jason (JMU '09) worried about landing a job. Despite the challenges of finding a job when so many others were losing theirs, Jason felt that the leadership, communication, and organizational skills that he gained at JMU would more than prepare him to face the “real world” outside of JMU. Of course he would admit that some of the skills he learned such as beer pong, tubing down the concrete drainage ditch through campus during a thunderstorm, swimming in Newman Lake, and playing numerous hours of Rock Band would probably not help him in his quest for a dream job.

            In December of last year he mentioned to us about a possible career in the military; something he had never talked about. Little did we know, this had been an opportunity that Jason had been contemplating for quite some time. He began researching different branches of the military, speaking to several recruiters, and even talking to a four star general to make sure he was up to the task and then ultimately deciding that he wanted to be an Army officer. As he went through the arduous procedure of getting accepted into the military he often mentioned to us how the experiences and faculty at JMU had helped him to handle this challenge.

            Following the mountain of paperwork, the numerous interviews, and the grueling physical, Jason was accepted into the Army’s Officer Candidate School (OCS) program. However, unlike any of the other services, the Army required that Jason first endure the Basic Combat Training (BCT) course at Fort Jackson, South Carolina which would test him both mentally and physically. We’re proud to say that Jason graduated from BCT on November 5th as an honor graduate and was selected as Oustanding Soldier Leader of his company which earned him an Army Achievement Medal. He is currently attending OCS at Fort Benning, Georgia and will graduate in Spring of 2010.

            It’s wonderful to know that the education and life skills that Jason experienced at JMU have provided him with an excellent foundation as he begins his life as an officer in the United States Army.
                            Bruce     Karen    
                                                                           Bruce and Karen Leonard Boslaugh
                                                                           JMU ('84)
                                                                           Riverview, Florida 

                                        

                                                        (Left to Right: Bruce, Jason, and Karen Boslaugh)
                                            Basic Combat Training (BCT) Graduation, Fort Jackson, SC
                                                                                           November 2009