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Records the reminiscences of Margaret Brooks Burruss, a graduate of the Madison College class of 1945. Describes her decision to enroll at Madison and her first days on campus. Discusses her involvment in the Sigma Sigma Sigma (Tri Sigma) sorority and briefly mentions other Greek letter societies on campus at that time. Mentions her various roommates and the living conditions in a number of dormitories at the college. Compares the dress codes and rules of conduct for students in her class with those of current JMU undergraduates. Speaks briefly of Madison College President Samuel Duke and Professor John McIlwraith. Relates local reaction to the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces on December 7, 1941. Discusses the impact of wartime rationing, as well as the absence of young men, on campus life. Describes various social activities at Madison College, such as May Day, the election of Miss Madison, New Girl/Old Girl Weddings, cotillions and other themed dances. Relates her entry into the field of commercial art upon graduation and her engagement and marriage to Robert Burruss. Discusses briefly her ancestors' experiences during the Civil War, mentioning the battles at Chancellorsville and Port Republic specifically, as well as Union general Phil Sheridan. Briefly mentions former and current Carrier Library Deans Dennis Robison and Ralph Alberico.

Records the reminiscences of Marylou Musser Brown, a graduate of the Madison College class of 1952. Recalls her decision to attend Madison College and her early days on campus. Describes the series of events which led to her becoming a music major. Briefly mentions the teaching style of Dr. Raymond C. Dingledine, Jr. Discusses being present for the rehearsals and presentation of the inaugural performance of the Robert Shaw Chorale, held at Madison College in 1948. Recalls joining the Methodist Student Movement and its involvement in the nascent Civil Rights Movement. Mentions summer employment at the Western State Hospital in Staunton, Va., and at the Philadelphia State Hospital. Recalls attending classes with Martin Luther King, Jr., while in graduate school. Speaks of teaching in segregated schools at the time of the U.S Supreme Court ruling in Brown vs. Bd. of Education in 1954. Describes her views on gender roles as exemplified by sorority life, pageants, and celebrations such as May Day and the May Court. Remarks on the freedoms and opportunities afforded girls in the present day, particularly the effect of Title IX on women's athletics programs, that were not available to female students of her generation. Closes with comments on the paternal role played by college administrators in the 1950s.

Records the reminiscences of Nelson Hoover, who worked in Food Services at Madison College from 1942 until 1987. Mr. Hoover's wife, Evelyn Hoover, identified in the transcript only as Mrs. Hoover, was also present at the interview and provides additional details and comments. Describes his employment at Madison College at the age of 15, as a dishwasher in the kitchen at Harrison Hall. Mentions his subsequent move to Gibbons Hall and his promotion to Head Baker in the early 1960s upon the retirement of his predecessor, Jess Edwards. Recalls the working conditions at that time, such as a seven day work week, and the reforms implemented by Food Services administrator Robert Griffith. Includes details of the variety and quantity of baked goods produced on a daily basis. Mentions the work of student assistants as servers and of the kitchen's role in the training of dietician students, identified as "Institution Girls." Recalls college Presidents Samuel P. Duke, G. Tyler Miller, and Ronald E. Carrier. Compares working conditions in Harrison and Gibbons Halls, including mechanical equipment, pest control, and health inspections.

Records reminiscences from a group of approximately thirty Madison College alumni in attendance at a discussion program entitled "A Discussion Session on Breaking the Rules." Respondents represented graduating classes from the mid-1940s through the mid-1970s, with a majority representing the classes of 1951 and 1956. Due to the format of the discussion, individual respondents are not identified by name in the transcript, only by gender, and whenever possible, by graduating class year. Opens with a brief discussion of student protest events in 1941 and 1970, including the dismissal of three professors for their parts in the latter protest. Describes the college Standards Committee's influence on student conduct and dating regulations over the years. Recalls anecdotes regarding campus police officer Frank Roberts. Discusses various violations of student conduct codes, including unauthorized driving/riding, drinking, curfew and lights out violations, as well as the honor and dress codes. Describes the various penalties for such violations, including mark downs, revocation of privileges, restriction to campus, and expulsion. Refers to the possession of contraband items in the dormitories, such as alcohol, electrical appliances, and pets. Mentions college Presidents Samuel P. Duke, G. Tyler Miller, Ronald E. Carrier, Deans of Women Ruth Wilkins and Hope Vandever Miller, as well as House Mother Agnes S. Dingledine, who was known on campus as "Mama Ding." Gives a brief account of the stigma and consequences of unplanned pregnancy on campus. Describes various social activities at Madison College, such as May Day, the election of Miss Madison, New Girl/Old Girl Weddings, cotillions and other themed dances. Briefly mentions the advent of coeducation in the late 1960s, and the impact of male undergraduates on the 1970 student protest.