P R E S I D E N T I A L
P E R S P E C T I V E
Constantly and optimistically becoming
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Jenny’s message to CVPA graduates was that they should give or the sixth year running, JMU ranked No. 1 in institutions of its type for student participation in study abroad themselves permission to accept a constant state of “becoming.” programming, according to the 2020 Open Doors Burden closed her address with, “Just remember, like Michelangelo’s Report issued by the Institute of International Educa- unfinished marbles, it’s not about the ‘polished’ David; it’s about tion. While the COVID-19 pandemic has halted all of ‘becoming’ the David. And just like those marbles, you are magour in-person international operations since mid-Spring nificent!” What a gift her message was to those young artists and 2020 semester, our Center for Global Engagement is hopeful that a hand- performers on the cusp of their journey’s next phase! In conversations with friends, colleagues, students and associates ful of our programs can return this fall despite continued uncertainty. of all sorts about our collective experiences durSince becoming JMU’s president, I have vising the pandemic and social upheaval, I often ited many of our international partners and study hear the theme of “becoming.” Disorienting abroad locations. From Beijing to Malta and at interruptions to our lives, experiences of loss and points in between, I have met with students and a gripping sense of uncertainty have caused many heard their stories of experiencing personal awakof us to reconsider our perspectives and priorities. enings as their perspectives were broadened by Some of us hope to become someone new. And living in another culture. I have also enjoyed the despite the pain of the last 18 months, optimism privilege of accompanying them and their faculty can spring from focusing on a sense of becoming. guides through museums, historic sites and natuAs you read this issue of Madison, I hope you will ral wonders. feel this optimism. In just about every story in these One experience I will never forget was in pages, some person, some thing or some effort is in Florence, Italy, at the Accademia Gallery where the process of becoming. Building on our history Michelangelo’s David is exhibited. If you’ve as a women’s institution, this issue also features, ever been in the presence of this masterwork, in particular, celebrations of women leading and you know that it represents a pinnacle of artistic becoming. If you’re like me, you can’t get enough expression and human achievement. of the JMU Softball program becoming a national But what really intrigued me at the Accademia “Just remember, sensation during its magical run in the World were four other lesser-known works by Michellike Michelangelo’s Series. Their grit, talent and palpable fondness for angelo. They were unfinished sculptures referred to as Michelangelo’s non-finito. Each one is a unfinished marbles, each other as fellow Dukes still inspires me. You’ll also meet current JMU student Corinne Marhuman form partially emerging from marble. Art it’s not about the tin, one of six children who was told her parents historians interpret these works in many ways, ’polished’ David; couldn’t afford to send her to college. She applied and each piece evokes just how brilliant Michelfor a Centennial Scholarship, received a full ride angelo’s artistry was by revealing his process. it’s about ‘becomto JMU, is exploring her Native American heritage Some interpretations claim that Michelangelo ing’ the David.” through her writing, and plans on becoming a publeft the pieces unfinished purposefully to depict — JENNY BURDEN, lished author by the time she graduates. And there humans’ unending struggle to free themselves executive director, are many more such examples. from this corporeal realm. In any case, it was a Arts Council of the Valley As I write this, campus is gearing up for the Fall memorable experience. A few years later, Jenny Burden, executive director of the Arts 2021 semester while the Delta variant is causing surges in COVID-19 Council of the Valley, delivered an inspiring Commencement infections. Uncertainty continues, and we are planning for all continaddress to Class of 2019 graduates from the College of Visual and gencies. Despite this, we’ve set our sights on constantly and optimistiPerforming Arts. She invoked Michelangelo’s non-finito sculptures in cally becoming. a most remarkable way. Describing her visit to the Accademia Gallery as an undergraduate studying abroad in Florence during the 1980s, she said, “But, it was not the ‘polished’ David that made the biggest impression on my 20-year-old self. It was Michelangelo’s unfinished marbles lining the corridor that led to David that stayed with me. The four carved figures in various stages of completion are in a state Jonathan R. Alger of becoming, and they are magnificent!” president, James Madison University
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