There is no place like Home(coming)
Images from an unforgettable weekend
Featured Stories
SUMMARY: More than just a day, Homecoming 2024 featured a week of fun that ended with a win at Bridgeforth Stadium.
Snow cones: The week kicked off with one of our favorite Madison Traditions — painting the Spirit Rock! Dukes enjoyed a treat from the Kona Ice truck, while they placed their handprints on the rock.
Little Dashers: Little hands, little feet! Our Little Dashers can’t be beat! The Office of Alumni Relations teamed up with the Young Children’s Program, an early learning program operated by the JMU College of Education and serving children ages 2-5, to host a Little Dashers event on the Wednesday of Homecoming. Little Future Dukes and their parents lined the field to cheer on their friends, while classes took turns dashing across Duke Lawn.
Purple Out: The Purple Out T-shirt distribution has become a Homecoming staple on campus, and this year was no exception.
Homecoming golf: Homecoming isn’t complete without the Harrisonburg Alumni Chapter’s Annual Golf Tournament. This year marked the event’s 25th anniversary. The tournament is one of the chapter’s largest scholarship fundraising events. Since it was started, it has helped raise an estimated $50,000 in scholarships for local Harrisonburg students.
Parade: This year, the Student Government Association revived an old Madison tradition — the Homecoming Parade! Representatives from various student orgs and sports teams charted a course through campus that culminated on the Quad.
QuadFest: On Friday night, nearly 2,000 Dukes packed the Quad for the 8th-annual QuadFest event. Highlights included performances by the MRDs, Spirit Squads and all 10 JMU a cappella groups. In addition, there were interactive stations from 30-plus campus and community partners.
Duke Dog Alley yard-sign contest: During QuadFest, Harper Beahm posed with her winning yard-sign submission. With 5,000-plus hand-placed rhinestones, it was clear that she was in her Dukes Era this Homecoming!
Madison Majesties: The 2024 Madison Majesties court posed for a picture in front of Wilson during QuadFest. (L-R): Magesties Abigail Valentin, Al Vy Lee, Brielle Lacroix, Tony Gelona, Rebecca McCann and Carson Tighe
Alumni reunion celebration: If your grad year ends in a 4 or a 9, you're celebrating a milestone reunion this year! The Reunion Reception brought together Dukes celebrating milestones from five years to 50. Alumni with class years ending in 5’s and 0’s … get ready! We will be celebrating you in 2025.
Duke Dog Dash: The Goshorn family hit the Greenway outside of Sylva, North Carolina, to log their miles for the Duke Dog Dash. Check out how other Dukes completed their dash: https://m.shortstack.page/HjgPh5
Photograph courtesy Goshorn family
Tailgating: The sun was shining, and so were our Dukes! The tailgating lots were flooded with purple before the game.
Football game: With a 32-15 victory over Southern Miss, Homecoming 2024 is one for the books. See you next year, Dukes!
