The Dyers: When an alum(not) falls for a JMU alumna
After moving to Richmond, Virginia, New York-native Tom Dyer discovered something unusual about the JMU alumni he met in the city. “Every person I ever met and talked to that went to JMU, they absolutely loved it. They just had a wonderful experience,” he said. “I just thought that was odd …. it can’t be like this for everybody.”
Tom had attended what he describes as a “commuter school” in New York. “I just didn't feel I had the connection that some people have with their universities,” he explained. He didn’t know he was about to experience that connection — with someone else’s alma mater.
At Reynolds Metals Company, Tom met Robin (’87), who graduated from JMU with a degree in Business and who also regaled her Madison Experience. “When she started talking about [going back to JMU], I was looking forward to it,” he said, “because I finally wanted the opportunity to see what this campus was about and why all these people love everything about it.”
Inspiration to reconnect
The Dyers attended some JMU games in Richmond, but it wasn’t until they relocated to North Carolina that they began to get plugged in as a couple. “I don’t know if something had happened with JMU sports — something just started sparking our interest in JMU again,” Robin recalled. She had always supported the Duke Club and various university funds, but now she and Tom were in a stronger financial situation to give back.
Their philanthropy fueled their desire to return to campus. Now, “we come back to campus quite a bit,” Robin said. The Dyers, who love eating good food and traveling to new places, chose to support the Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management. Fans of art and culture, and supporters of a local film festival, they directed gifts to the College of Visual and Performing Arts. After attending baseball games at Wake Forest University to cheer on a friend’s son, the Dyers decided to support JMU’s baseball program.
“So [our support has] all been things we’ve been interested in,” Robin explained. Recently, she was selected to serve on the Women for Madison Executive Advisory Council. She said it’s her personal Madison Experience that compels her to give back. “I think that's why I feel so much more strongly [about JMU] than other things that we give to because I actually was a part of it.”
Most meaningful of all has been the relationship the Dyers have developed with the JMU student who received the Dukes Pay It Forward scholarship they support, Daniel Klimenko ('27). Born and raised in Harrisonburg, Daniel is majoring in Accounting. "Without [the Dyers], a college experience wouldn’t have been possible as a first generation college student," he said. Developing a relationship with Daniel and his parents “really reminds us why we’re giving and really inspires us to continue giving,” Tom said.
“We don’t have any children, but we’re big believers in education because we believe the world’s a lot better place to live in when there’s educated people that you’re interacting with. I think JMU allows people to come into university, get that education, better themselves.”
Becoming ‘part of JMU’
On their most recent visit to campus, Tom wore a JMU relic from deep in his closet. The last time he wore it was a few years back at a JMU football tailgate. Robin’s former classmate John Dec (’87) was also at the tailgate, but he had never seen Tom wearing his “I married into this” shirt before.
According to Tom’s memory of that tailgate, Dec told him it was the last time he could wear that shirt. “I was like, “What’s the matter?’” Tom recalled. “He said, ‘You're one of us now. You can't say you married into this. You're part of JMU.’”
The moment was significant. “Seeing how special JMU was — and in hearing about it even before I met Robin — and then being able to become part of it and then people telling me I can no longer wear a shirt that claims that I wasn’t really part of them,” he reflected, “Yeah, that means something to me.”
Robin said it’s been cool to return to JMU so many years after graduation and have the community welcome Tom as one of their own. “I think there’s a couple other people we know where the spouses didn’t go [to JMU] but they're right in the middle of it, too,” she said.
“I don’t feel that I'm an outsider at all — even when I meet new people,” Tom said. “They don't look at me as something different than they are because I guess they see the passion that I have …. I just really enjoy being part of the community and supporting it.”
Who is a Duke?
Tom’s connection to JMU has shaped Robin’s definition of a Duke. She doesn’t think that someone has to attend Athletic events, have graduated from JMU or even attended to be a Duke. “I think it’s somebody who’s proud of the school,” she said. Regardless of someone’s level of involvement, “you’re still a Duke. It’s like a family…. If you don't do as much with [JMU], you’re still a Duke.”
As a non-alum, Tom has a unique perspective on what makes someone a Duke. “I think as a whole, the JMU community, I think they carry themselves in a respectful, professional manner; they support their team … [they] hold themselves accountable for a certain standard,” he said.
“And we’re good people.”
Why give to JMU?
