On Wednesday, January 20, VWC lost a friend. Jamie was a gifted leader and an inspiration to us all.  He proved that no dream was too big no matter what obstacles there were to overcome.  Whether he was carrying an Olympic torch flame or just sitting behind a computer, Jamie personified courage.  He had touched the lives of all the people he encountered, and  here are some personal testaments to honor his memory.

As the Chronicle staff struggled to put out the first issue of the semester I thought of Jamie time and time again.
Jamie would have known about our lead story,  because he always seemed to know everything that was going on at Wesleyan.  And Jamie would have been able to swoop in as deadline was fast approaching and save our computers from certain disaster, because he was a whiz with them, and had done it many times before.
But most importantly, Jamie would have wheeled in at some point during the long night.  He would have given us one of his brightest smiles, told a couple of jokes and said we could call him if he was needed.  And we would.
Jamie was not only a talented and dedicated Chronicle staff member, but a friend and an inspiration to us all. 

Nancy Allen
Class of 1999



VWC: Student Government
Throughout college, many people use excuses to justify an action or a reason not to get something done.  When I approached Jamie Labbe about wanting to get more involved in my school, his excuse for me to join student government was, “why not.” 
I soon discovered that his “why not” approach was his reason and motivation for most of his success.  “Why not” try to do something that would bring about change, that would make people think outside their Wesleyan minds, or that would ultimately build character at a time when morality and pragmatism are easily drunk away at a party or crammed into an empty backpack?
Realizing that he truly saw something in me that I could bring to SGA other than a notebook and a writing utensil, I countered his charge by stating that if I was going to run, then he was going to run with me.  He agreed, and throughout that year on student government, we shared committee interests, cracked jokes and I got a chance to see someone whose resourcefulness was mind boggling.
Jamie had more ties than a politician and more influence than a lobbyist.  He knew how to get things done fairly and timely.  If he ever had to give an excuse to me or to anyone, it probably was something about not having enough hours in the day; because when Jamie said he had a million things to do, he was always underestimating his agenda.
Jamie was a motivated inspiration to so many people in and out of Virginia Wesleyan.  He saw limiting oneself, in any way, or giving in to any constraints, would be a failure, and failure was not a word in his dictionary.  He instilled in me the idea that the things we do aren't always going to be a great success, but they are never, ever going to be a failure.

Jim Reese
Class of 1999


After capturing the victory of graduation in some pictures among friends and classmates, the next time I was to see Jamie was the Phi Kappa Tau charter celebration.  Now I see him in memories and as the role model he really is.
Understood, but unexpected was his death.  Exceptional was his life and his example.  He never quit.  He never wasted a moment.  Sure Jamie may have claimed procrastination while citing his workload, but what he was really doing was spending time with the people and friends he loved.
It is some of those times, away from the meetings, clubs and classrooms that I have the fondest memories of Jamie serving witness to his fearlessness and his “If I can do it you can do it” attitude.
There was no arena he would not enter and enjoy.  Some fun examples: Jamie scored a touchdown in Night Football, bowled a strike at Pinboys, set some nasty picks in basketball and played a decent game of NHL ‘97 before his Playstation days.
Jamie had dreams, he followed his dreams, shared them with others and succeeded.  He taught us there is nothing we cannot achieve and showed us how to believe.  Jamie is a true role model.

Adam Moskowitz
Class of 1998
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