Linia Duncan ('07)

As a graduating senior, Linia Duncan knows it's never too early to start giving back. For Linia, this means continuing to help JMU increase in diversity through organizations such as Students for Minority Outreach. "SMO is the reason I came to JMU. It's a haven where we can come together and work on a problem but also have fun," Linia says. "As soon as I got here I got involved because I felt like I had to give back after feeling so welcomed." As president, Linia heads up many of the organization's events including Take-A-Look Day, a student-run event targeted at recruiting minority students. Linia's dedication and involvement in SMO and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, has been noticed. In October 2006, Linia was voted Ms. Madison. "I'm not the poster girl for Ms. Madison and was hesitant at first," Linia says. "I was nominated by SMO and to have won and be able to represent my friends is such an honor. They are the ones who helped me accomplish everything I wanted."

"My mom always told me to not try and do 10,000 things halfway, but do a few things well. There's only so much time in the day, and in order to make a difference, you have to take on the things you can handle and always dedicate yourself."