Madison Magazine: Fall 2024

PROPPING UP DEMOCRACY

Generation Z stands ready. It will require participation, effort, and a willingness to listen and compromise.

Jump-starting the JMU journey

Every summer, UREC offers the Madison Orientation Adventure trip, a three-night, four-day adventure program designed for new Dukes. Students meet up with welcoming and knowledgeable student trip leaders to rock climb, hike, canoe and tent camp in the Shenandoah Valley — a great way to make connections with other students before classes start.

26

Unsung heroes of democracy

With more than 15 years of teaching experience, Wesley Hedgepeth (’08, ’09M) instills in his students the importance of empathy and civility in his Richmond, Virginia, classroom

BY AMY CROCKETT (‘10)

“Together,

we can shape a future where every student feels like they belong and is equipped to understand and engage with our complex world.”

WESLEY HEDGEPETH ( ’0 8, ’09M) social studies educator

Youth

movement

Tomorrow’s leaders strive to improve the state of American democracy through compromise BY LILLY

JOHNS

Keeping the wheels of government turning

Profiles of JMU grads working at the local, state and federal levels BY JIM

HEDGEPETH (’08, ’09M) PHOTOGRAPH BY CODY TROYER; DUKES VOTE STUDENTS BY RACHEL HOLDERMAN; VETERANS GROUP COURTESY OF SEAN DALTON (’84)

HEFFERNAN (‘96, ‘17M)

32 Better Conversations Together

Program designed to help students develop and refine civic-dialogue skills BY JIM

1 Full Frame

New Dukes climb, connect on UREC outdoor trip BY RACHEL HOLDERMAN

4 Presidential Perspective

President Charlie King emphasizes continuity and growth amid leadership transition

6 Contributors

Make your food plans early. Scan and download the Madison app for a guided tour of the local Harrisonburg food scene by the Friendly City foodie, Sarah Golibart Gorman (’15, ’16M).

Back cover: Expecting the (un)expected

Rachel Garmon-Williams (’10) is building bridges through laughter with Sensory Friendly Improv Shows BY AMY CROCKETT (‘10)

20 Bright Lights: Prepare d for the big time

Grammy-winning music producer Scott M. Riesett (’93) talks risk-taking and working with music-industry greats BY JOSETTE KEELOR

10

Get to know some of the individuals behind the fall issue of Madison magazine

Letter to the Editor

The spring issue on leadership and legacy resonated in a rave review from a proud alumna

Letter From the Editor

Encouraging students to become civically active is a hallmark of a JMU education BY JIM HEFFERNAN (’96, ’17M)

Advancing Madison

Family of educators reaches eight decades of giving; Dukes gave more than $28 million in gifts during FY 2024; Rick Kushel (’87) involved in JMU innovation and entrepreneurship efforts

13 Faculty Focus

Spotlighting professors, administrators through the lenses of scholarship, awards and service

14 News & Notes

National leadership recognition; JMU debates at National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency; seal of approval; Gov. Glenn Youngkin supports Virginia families in bill-signing ceremony; Social Impact Challenge; Veterans History Project launches

16 Research

A click away from an early diagnosis with students’ cancer-detection app; math professor honored with award for excellence in mentoring

17

JMU Nation

University announces new Athletics director; Q&A with men’s basketball coach; Neal Shipley (’22) wins golf honors; year-end Athletics recap

34 Alumni for Life

Class of 1974 supports Valley Scholars; events and reunions; Distinguished Alumni Awards; JMUAA president’s letter; Dukes of Dallas; Mixed Media; Duke Dog comic; an ‘eternal gift to JMU’

42 Class Notes

Celebrations; remembering Mary Marshall Gilmore McCormack (’50); Staff Emeriti news

48

By the Numbers

The first responders of Madison BY

LILLY JOHNS AND VALERIA SILEO

ABOUT THE COVER: Dan Bejar collaborated with Madison to create the cover art. To see more of his work, visit https://www.bejarprints.com.

DILLARD PHOTOGRAPH BY DIEGO CRESPO (’24); GARMON-WILLIAMS (’10) BY KATIE DODGE; RIESETT (’93) BY CHAD KRAUS

HEFFERNAN (‘96, ‘17M)

Not sitting still

As the search for JMU’s next president continues, Charlie King shares his vision for leading the university in the coming year.

As JMU’s senior vice president for Administration and Finance and chief financial officer for 25 years, I acquired a detailed understanding of how the university operates, challenges within higher education and creative ways to maintain the uniqueness of James Madison University.

My established relationships with leaders throughout the organization, among connected alumni and donors, and in Richmond allowed me to hit the ground running in July, when I assumed the role of interim president. This, in turn, has allowed the Board of Visitors to focus their energies on recruiting the very best president they can find — and of the caliber JMU deserves. And, while I did say at the board meeting when my presidency was announced that my main objective as interim president would be to “keep the trains running on time,” that does not mean we will sit still until a permanent president is hired.

JMU is on a roll! With our successful transition from a regional, master’s institution to a doctoral university with high research activity and exceptional teaching — as established by the Carnegie Commission — our vision to reach national recognition was realized. Landing at No. 64 in U.S. News & World Report’s national rankings for public universities last year was the kind of recognition that many of us have long known JMU deserves. Our recent and dramatic increase in applications, especially from out-of-state students, certainly speaks to the impact such favorable rankings can have for our university.

cial elements, which I still take great pride in today, is further cultivating the student-centered culture that was set in motion by Dr. Ronald Carrier in the 1970s, which is ultimately what drew me to JMU in the ’90s. I was working at Radford University at the time, and I kept hearing about “The JMU Way.” After discovering that “The JMU Way” meant a unique emphasis on the student experience, I had a strong desire to be a part of the organization. Since then, I’ve committed to the mission of JMU and worked to further strengthen that culture. As a young man, I put myself through college, and I’ll never forget how it felt to pay my own way. Our students and their families are investing significantly in JMU, and I want to ensure they receive the benefits of a quality education with exceptional services offered on campus.

My vision is to be an active leader in providing an exceptional and welcoming collegiate experience for all.

It is my intent to continue the positive momentum on elements that make JMU such a special place. One of those spe-

If I’ve learned anything during my career, it’s that maintaining a strong focus on student success, support of faculty, and celebrations with alumni and donors only happens with great partnerships on campus, throughout the Commonwealth and across the country.

My vision is to be an active leader in providing an exceptional and welcoming collegiate experience for all. Our shared success includes teaching and learning in the classroom, ensuring that JMU remains on solid financial footing, maintaining our beautiful facilities and grounds for the campus community and visitors, providing support to students through our health and counseling centers, welcoming fans to cheer on the Dukes, and so much more to create the JMU experience we’ve all come to appreciate. It takes us all, and I am very proud to be standing with you as we prepare for a great year.

We will continue to make this place special as our teaching, learning, research and athletics are elevated to the national stage.

Charles W. King Jr. president, James Madison University

Come back to campus for this weekend getaway!

Friday–Sunday, May 2–4, 2025

Fun. Laughter. Relationships.

● Networking to help you succeed

● Speakers to lift you up

● Workshops to improve your life

Volunteers are busy now planning this fabulous event for you! Look for more information as details are finalized.

Featuring accomplished JMU women who amaze and inspire. Can we count you in?

Contributors

David Doremus is a content-creation specialist in the College of Business. Upon arriving at JMU in 2021, he brought decades of experience as a corporate communications and media relations practitioner, and as a reporter and editor for print and broadcast news outlets. Doremus combines his duties in the CoB with parttime work as a staff announcer at WMRA. He wrote about the alumni chapter leaders of Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Page 38.

Brittany Miller is the dedicated photographer behind Shenandoah Imagery, with a passion for supporting Shenandoah Valley businesses. Her mouth-watering images capture the essence of the local food scene. Miller teamed up with Sarah Golibart Gorman (’15, ’16M) and photographer Rachel Holderman to produce the “Eat Like a Local” dining guide, which highlights some of the flavors and culinary experiences in and around Harrisonburg.

Chad Saylor is the associate director of media relations and deputy spokesperson at JMU, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping and sharing the university’s positive stories with a global audience. He is dedicated to highlighting the achievements and initiatives of the university’s students, faculty and staff, ensuring their stories reach and resonate with audiences worldwide. Saylor’s work is featured in this issue’s News & Notes and Research sections.

John Rose (’86) is the artist behind the Barney Google and Snuffy comic strip, syndicated by King Features. He started as an inking assistant to cartoonist Fred Lasswell in 1998 and became the cartoonist for the comic strip in 2001. He and his wife, Karen (’84), met as students at JMU. They are teaching their young grandchildren to bleed purple and gold. Rose enjoys creating the Duke Dog comic for Madison (Page 41).

Valeria Sileo is a senior Graphic Design major from Alexandria, Virginia. From a young age, she had a passion for art and knew she wanted to pursue graphic design in high school. After graduation, Sileo hopes to pursue a career in branding and in user-experience/ user-interface design. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, long walks, and spending time with friends and family. Sileo designed By the Numbers, featuring the Harrisonburg Rescue Squad, on Page 48.

With one foot sunk in the marsh mud of Virginia’s Eastern Shore and the other planted in the Shenandoah Valley, storyteller Sarah Golibart Gorman (’15, ’16M) writes for local publications like The Harrisonburg Citizen, regional publications like Edible Blue Ridge and C-VILLE Weekly, and national publications like Garden and Gun. She produces podcast episodes for JMU’s Shenandoah Valley Ever Green and hosts a monthly cooking show for Shenandoah Valley Orchards. She authored this issue’s “Eat Like a Local“ dining guide.

Follow her food journey on Instagram: @friendlycityfoodie.

FALL 2024 Vol. 47, No.2

BOARD OF VISITORS 2024–25

Suzanne Obenshain , Rector

Teresa “Terrie” Edwards (’80), Vice Rector

Richard “Dickie” Bell (’88)

Jeff Bolander (’80)

Larry W. Caudle Jr. (’82)

Joanie Eiland

Carly Fiorina

Tom Galati

Kay Coles James

Dave Rexrode (’01)

Steve Smith (’79)

Michael Stoltzfus

Nikki Thacker (’11)

Jack White

Nicole Palya Wood (’96)

Sydney Stafford, Student Representative

Kathy Ott Walter, Faculty Representative

David Kirkpatrick, Secretary

PRESIDENT

Charles W. King Jr.

ADMINISTRATORS

Malika Carter-Hoyt Vice President, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Chief Diversity Officer

Arthur T. Dean I I ( 93, ’99M)

Associate Vice President, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Hollie Hall Dean of Students

David Kirkpatrick Chief of Staff

Jack Knight

Senior Assistant Attorney General and University Counsel

Bob Kolvoord Provost and Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs (interim)

Nick Langridge (’00,’07M, 14Ph.D ) Vice President, University Advancement

Tim Miller (’96, ’00M) Vice President, Student Affairs

Bruce E. Mitchell II

Associate Vice President, Accessibility and Belonging

Towana Moore Vice President, Administration and Finance

Chris Orem

Executive Director, Planning, Analytics, and Institutional Research

Andy Perrine (’86)

Associate Vice President, University Marketing and Branding

Caitlyn Read (’10, ’18M) Director, State Governmental Relations

Matt Roan Director of Athletics

Anthony Tongen Vice President, Research, Economic Development and Innovation

Mary-Hope Vass (’22M)

Assistant Vice President of Communications and University Spokesperson

Melinda Wood Vice President, Access and Enrollment Management

VICE PROVOSTS

Fletcher Linder (’86)

Associate Provost for Online Strategy

Rudy Molina Jr. Student Academic Success

Elizabeth Oldmixon Faculty Affairs and Curriculum

Narketta Sparkman-Key Stragetic Initiatives and Global Affairs

DEANS

Bethany Blackstone Honors

Michael Busing Business

Rubén Graciani Visual and Performing Arts

Jeffrey Tang Integrated Science and Engineering (interim)

Mark L’ Esperance Education

Fletcher Linder University Studies

Sharon Lovell (’85) Health and Behavioral Studies

Bethany Nowviskie Libraries

Samantha Prins Science and Mathematics

Nick Swartz Professional and Continuing Education

Linda Thomas The Graduate School

Traci Zimmerman ( 92, ’94M) Arts and Letters (interim)

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

OFFICER

Ellen Hineman (’89) President

PARENTS COUNCIL

CHAIRS

James and Christina Gibson (’94) Crist (’25P)

SAYLOR PHOTOGRAPH BY TREY SECRIST (’15); ROSE (’86) © KING FEATURES SYNDICATE INC.; SILEO BY ASHLEY CASANO; GOLIBART GORMAN (’15, ’16M) BY KASSY NEWMAN

Letter to the Editor

Congrats on Spring/Summer Madison magazine!

I would like to take a moment to applaud the staff of Madison for an outstanding edition of the magazine for Spring/Summer 2024. The emphasis on leadership and the articles about the late Col. Frances Weir (’49), BeatGig, Professor emeritus Mark Warner (’79, ’81M, ’85Ed.S) and Lt. Amelia Underwood (’13M) were particularly intriguing, and I also loved the messages from Editor Jim Heffernan (’96, ’17M) and former President Jonathan R. Alger. Having recently published a book called Character Leadership: How to Attract, Retain, and Energize Employees to Create a

Winning Organization (Class Note on Page 43), I was particularly excited about the topic and found so much inspiration and wisdom in this edition. The magazine was beautifully conceived, laid out and written.

Thank you for Being the Change!

Proud JMU alumna, Alison Chisholm Jones (’90)

Let’s go places together. JMU is exploring a travel program for you and other alumni, parents, employees and friends. The inaugural trip is anticipated for summer 2025, and more packages could follow soon thereafter.

What kind of trip is right for you? From price range to destinations and activities, your opinion is important. Get ready to explore fascinating locales with your Madison family!

Letter From the Editor

Political headwinds

All politics is local. As a former newspaper reporter who covered dozens of town and city-council meetings, endured six sessions on the floor of the Virginia General Assembly and a few hearings on Capitol Hill, and survived more election nights than I care to remember, I know this statement to be true — grammatically suspect, but true. People tend to care most about the issues that hit close to home. Health care. The economy. Transportation. A rezoning request to open a rural area of their county to development. The best politicians, in turn, understand that their success is tied to how well they know and advocate for their constituents’ everyday concerns.

In November, Americans will once again go to the polls to elect leaders to represent them and their interests in the White House, in Congress, and in state legislatures and town halls across this country. In a representative democracy like ours, there is no purer form of civic engagement. We know that Dukes will be among the millions of Americans to cast their votes. Encouraging students to become civically active, to make their voices heard and to continue those practices long after graduation, are hallmarks of a JMU education.

fronts, led by rational people with open minds.”

Reagan Polarek, a Student Government Association senator and former president of the Class of 2026, put it this way: “There is a newfound energy and engagement, particularly among younger voters. … I believe that if we can harness this energy and focus on rebuilding trust and promoting civic education and involvement, we can strengthen our democracy for the future.”

Encouraging students to become civically active, to make their voices heard and to continue those practices long after graduation, are hallmarks of a JMU education.

To these worthy goals, this issue of Madison adds a few more considerations for the betterment of our politics.

At a basic level, we need to work together to find solutions to pressing public problems. That means considering opposing viewpoints and being willing to compromise for the greater good. Thanks to the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement’s new Better Conversations Together initiative, JMU students are being given the tools to help bridge the political divide in this country (Page 32).

FALL 2024

Vol. 47, No.2

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Andy Perrine (’86)

EDITOR

Jim Heffernan (’96, ’17M)

DEPUTY EDITOR

Amy Crockett (’10)

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Josette Keelor

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Bill Thompson

ART DIRECTOR

Carolyn Windmiller (’81)

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Haley Garnett

DESIGN ASSISTANTS

Paige Ramandanes

Valeria Sileo

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Lilly Johns

PHOTO AND VIDEO TEAM

Steve Aderton (’19)

Rachel Holderman

Olive Santos (’20)

Cody Troyer

ATHLETICS PHOTOGRAPHY

Cathy Kushner (’87)

CAMPUS CONTRIBUTORS

Alumni Relations

Athletics

Donor Relations

Family Engagement

University Marketing & Branding

FOR ADDRESS UPDATES: Email: advancementgr@jmu.edu or call 1-855-568-4483

So what’s on the minds of young voters ahead of the election? What are their views on the state of our democracy? Madison editorial assistant Lilly Johns, a junior Political Science major, asked these questions of some of the leading student voices on campus, representing various political stripes (Page 22). Their answers might surprise you. “Generation Z holds a diverse set of political opinions, yet there is much that we’re united on,” said Bonnie Pohland, president of the JMU chapter of the Alexander Hamilton Society. Junior Politcal Science major Brielle Farner added, “We need teamwork across all

And speaking of committing to civic education, who better than social studies teacher and former president of the National Council for the Social Studies Wesley Hedgepeth (’08, ’09M) to show us the way and share best practices in K-12? (Page 26). Finally, we need dedicated public servants at all levels of government — local, state and federal. Thankfully, Dukes have a long tradition of answering this call (Page 29).

All politics is local. Often, so too are the best solutions. Let’s all do our part.

Jim Heffernan (’96, ’17M) editor

Connect with us: For a complete list of all university social media, please visit https://j.mu/socialmedia. JamesMadisonUniversity @JamesMadisonUniversity James Madison University @JMU

CONTACT THE MADISON STAFF: Email: madisonmag@jmu.edu or call 540-568-2664

Madison magazine, JMU, 127 W. Bruce St., MSC 3610, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

For Class Notes, go to jmu.edu/alumni.

Madison is an official publication of James Madison University and is produced by the Division of University Advancement for alumni, parents of JMU students, faculty, staff and friends of JMU.

Editorial office: JMU, 127 W. Bruce St., MSC 3610, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:

James Madison University does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, race or color, height or weight, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation or belief, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, parental status (including pregnancy), marital status, family medical or genetic information in its employment, educational programs, activities and admissions. JMU complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination, affirmative action and anti-harassment. JMU prohibits sexual and gender-based harassment, including sexual assault, and other forms of interpersonal violence. The responsibility for overall coordination, monitoring and information dissemination about JMU’s program of equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, Title IX and affirmative action is assigned to the Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX. Inquiries or complaints may be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX: Amy Sirocky-Meck, Title IX Coordinator, 540-568-5219, www.jmu.edu/oeo oeo@jmu.edu. (REVISED JANUARY 2020)

PHOTOGRAPH BY MIKE MIRIELLO (’09M)

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DON’T MISS…

Winter Wine Weekend Feb 21 – 23, 2025

Mini-reunion packages

Go to our website or call for details.

Monty’s Restaurant Menu by Tassie Pippert, JMU celebrity chef!

Quills Lobby Bar live music

Check our website for the list of Friday and Saturday evening performances.

grace+main cafe

Serving specialty drinks and breakfast items — and lunch too! Neapolitan pizza, subs & salads.

Advancing Madison Family traditions, Madison Spirit

A family of Virginia educators reaches 81 years of giving to JMU

In Fall 2023, as Sonny (’82) and Pam (’84) Dyke parked their car ahead of the first men’s basketball game of the season, Sonny had a realization. “I thought … I’ve been doing this almost 50 years,” he mused.

The Strasburg, Virginia, native started attending JMU basketball games when he was 16 years old. Today, the retired educator and basketball coach returns to campus with his family, all Virginia educators — and all fans of JMU.

“We like excuses to come down [to JMU],” Pam said. “We just make a day of it.”

A family of ‘heroes’

The couple met during their first teaching job in Warren County, Virginia, where Sonny taught social studies and coached basketball, and Pam taught middle-school band. They retired in 2022 after 40 and 38 years of service, respectively.

“Teachers are just heroes to us, and we can say it easier now that we’re retired, because we don’t feel like we’re talking about ourselves,” Pam said.

But retirement can’t keep her out of the classroom. Pam continues to supervise JMU student-teachers, serving as a liaison between the university, the school system and the student teacher.

“It is the perfect retirement job, because it really doesn’t take a lot of time, but I get to interact with students and stay in the classroom a little bit,” she said. “It’s been an awesome experience.”

It’s meaningful experiences like this that inspire the Dykes to continue giving back to

their alma mater. Together with their son, Ryan (’15, ’20M), the Dyke family has given to JMU for a grand total of 81 years collectively. They are Forever Loyal Dukes, those who give consistently every year for two or more years.

“We love this place,” Sonny said. “I had a remarkable four years here.”

His fondest JMU memories are the evenings he spent among 5,500 other fans during the ’81, ’82 and ’83 men’s basketball seasons. “I’ve seen games all over, and there’s still no atmosphere like you had [in Godwin Hall],” he said. “If you were on the top row [of the bleachers], you could touch the ceiling. … It was packed every night, and people were rabid.”

As a basketball coach, Sonny would bring vanloads of players to campus for JMU games or camps. Often, he and Pam would bring their children. “The kids would each bring a friend,” she said, “and it was like a nice, safe family activity. Every time we came back, I’d feel like I’m coming home in a way.”

“Teachers are just heroes to us, and we can say it easier now that we’re retired.”

— PAM DYKE (’84)

‘Raised that way’

If it weren’t for Sonny, “I just don’t think I would have thought about giving right out of school,” said Pam, who began giving after she learned Sonny was making modest donations to the Duke Club on his $12,000 salary.

“He was also raised that way,” Pam said. “Their family gives even though they didn’t always have a lot, but if you had something [and] you could help somebody, you gave it.”

Those family values have been passed to the next generation of Dykes. “Obviously, [JMU] is important to me, so it seemed like something good to support,” Ryan said, “but I give most of the credit for [my giving history] to my mom and dad because they … demonstrated doing it themselves.”

In addition to Athletics, the Dyke family supports causes close to their hearts. Pam, who majored in Music Education, continues to support former students who were in the Marching Royal Dukes. “In the last couple of years on Giving Day, it’s been a small amount, but I’ll give to the Marching Royal Dukes or somebody in the music department,” Pam

The Dykes have attended JMU sports games for nearly five decades and will hit 100 years of giving in 2031.

said. “Whatever I give, it’s not going to be lifechanging to anyone, but I’m still thoughtful about where I want to put it.”

“In fact, the Dykes are changing lives,” said Paula Polglase (’92, ’96M), director of Alumni Relations. “Sonny and Pam are such great role models for all alumni. Theirs is a true gift of loyalty and love for JMU while also being an inspiration to all alums to give back to our alma mater.”

Coming home, again and again

Ryan Dyke didn’t plan on becoming a teacher. He graduated from JMU with a degree in Sport and Recreation Management. Then, “I came to the realization that [teaching] would be something that I would enjoy and could be good at,” he said. He returned to JMU to get his master’s in education, and this fall begins his ninth year teaching special education in Virginia. Ryan’s sister, Natalie, is also an educator.

“Neither of us was going to push either of our kids into education,” Pam explained, “but we’re super proud of them.”

Today, JMU sporting events continue to bring the Dyke family together. During football season, Ryan says they often tailgate with former JMU roommates — both his and his father’s. “Seeing all the people that you met [at JMU] at those events makes it that much more special,” he said.

Even after so many years, the Dykes still find campus exciting. “It sounds corny, but every time we interact with students — and we were teachers, so we know what kids are like — it’s always a positive experience,” Pam said. “I feel happy when I’m on campus.”

Sonny credits strong leadership for keeping the Madison Spirit alive. “[JMU has] done an incredible job hiring the right people,” Sonny explained. “Doing what we did, we see the value in leadership. The changes [to campus], they’re always dramatic, but the soul is still there.”

“Obviously the older side of campus on the Quad is a highlight with the bluestone buildings and views of the mountains,” Ryan added, “but I think the people at JMU are always so nice and kind and welcoming. It just feels like home.”

“We love this place,” Sonny said.

— Ciara Brennan (’17)

In a year of change, Dukes deliver

$28.1 million giving total is second highest in JMU history

During a year of leadership transitions, Dukes remained steadfast in their commitment to JMU philanthropy in the second fiscal year after the conclusion of the Unleashed campaign. They gave nearly $28.1 million in charitable gifts to JMU in FY 2024 — topping the previous year’s total by more than $650,000. In fact, FY 2024 giving was the second highest in JMU history and the highest outside of a campaign.

“When I was a JMU student in the ’90s, my friend and fellow alum, Kevin Grunkemeyer (’98), used to say, ‘Change is inevitable; progress is optional.’ It’s true,” said Nick Langridge (’00, ’07M, ’14Ph.D.), vice president for University Advancement.

While Weir’s gift was the largest and most attention-getting of the year, donors of all giving levels were more enthusiastic than ever. A record 24,586 Dukes gave to JMU in FY 2024, up more than 7,000 donors from FY 2023, with alumni donors celebrating a fiveyear high in participation.

“Together you are making a demonstrable difference.”

NI C K L A NGRIDGE (‘00, ‘07M, ‘14PH.D.) vice president for University Advancement

“While we are in a time of significant transition, the university continues to progress, and your increased giving in FY 2024 is fuel for our continued ascent.”

JMU’s most conspicuous campus undertaking — and an ongoing fundraising priority — drew almost half a million dollars in commitments in FY 2024, as donors made gifts to name special spaces in a renovated and expanded Carrier Library.

The $6 million estate of the late Col. Frances Weir (’49) led donor giving in FY 2024, making a pioneering impact on JMU scholarships through a single gift.

Of the $28.1 million in total giving last year, giving to Athletics reached $7.6 million, reflecting JMU’s success in the Sun Belt, the return of men’s basketball to the NCAA March Madness tournament and the hire of several respected sports leaders, including Director of Athletics Matt Roan, head football coach Bob Chesney and men’s head basketball coach Preston Spradlin. Funding from corporations and private foundations remained solid in FY 2024 at $6.2 million. Notably, JMU X-Labs launched The Reimagined Internship credited to a $100,000 gift from founding partner Ellucian. In addition, the Furious Flower Poetry Center received another grant for $40,000 from the Poetry Foundation. Lastly, FY 2024 unrestricted giving rose to $561,286, a 7.5% increase from FY 2023, from 4,625 Dukes.

Read the in-depth recap on Dukes’ generosity and total giving to JMU:

Prior to 2015, giving to JMU averaged $11.3M annually. The successful, quarter billion-dollar Unleashed campaign raised awareness of the vital role of philanthropy in the life of JMU, and donors have continued to give at more than double the pre-campaign rate.

A ‘catalyst’ comes home

It was an invitation out of the blue to speak at a chemistry department alumni panel during Homecoming 2012 that caught veteran entrepreneur and venture capitalist Rick Kushel’s (’87) attention. “I thought they had the wrong guy,” he said, since he had abandoned his career as a scientist shortly after graduating from JMU with a Chemistry degree 25 years earlier. “I spent six months in a lab testing cosmetics for Revlon and figured out that it wasn’t for me.”

When he informed the event organizers that he wasn’t working as a chemist, Kushel was delighted by the response. “They wanted me to speak anyway to send the message to students that just because you have a science degree doesn’t necessarily mean you will end up behind a bench your entire career.”

Kushel first met Nick Langridge (‘00, ‘07M, ‘14Ph.D.), vice president for University Advancement, at that chemis-

try department panel back in 2012, and the two have stayed close since. “It’s so interesting that Rick started out as a chemist, but through his successful career as an entrepreneur has been able to act as a catalyst on the JMU campus,” Langridge said.

Kushel’s involvement at JMU runs deep, initially investing in James Madison Innovations Inc., a JMU nonprofit corporation for intellectual property management and licensing aimed at

“I tell students that it’s not necessarily what you know or learn in your major. It’s how you learn how to think, and how you grow and interact with people. That’s what matters.”

— RICK KUSHEL (’87)

Entrepreneur Rick Kushel (’87) says majoring in chemistry helped him think in a three-dimensional way.

connecting researchers, entrepreneurs and professionals in the industry. And then with the Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship Venture Accelerator, creating a seed fund to support budding student entrepreneurs. And, most recently, adding to the endowed fund supporting the Rainey-Shepard Business Plan Competition in the College of Business. The competition, named for Don Rainey (’82) and Rusty Shepard (’86), is now known as the Rainey-Shepard-Kushel Business Plan Competition.

— Andy Perrine (’86)

Spotlighting JMU professors and administrators through the lenses of scholarship, awards and service

FACULTY FOCUS

Modjadji Choshi NURSING

Choshi, assistant professor of nursing, received support from the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program to partner with African highereducation institutions. She will work with the University of South Africa to provide an intensive, two-week workshop for graduate students and junior faculty on research design and methodology. Choshi seeks to address global imbalances in knowledge production to strengthen scholarship capacity. Through her project, “Online Learning Capacity Strengthening and Research: Mentoring the Next Generation of Scientists,” she will help graduate students and junior faculty acquire, strengthen and enhance the skills necessary to undertake research effectively and efficiently.

CADFP supports partnerships between African-born academics living in the U.S. or Canada and accredited African universities to carry out research collaborations, graduate student teaching/mentoring and/or curriculum codevelopment. CADFP is funded by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and administered by the Institute of International Education.

Kimberly DuVall PSYCHOLOGY

DuVall (’83, ’88M), senior lecturer of psychology, was awarded a Certificate of Merit for Excellence in Academic Advising by the National Aca-

demic Advising Association.

She has served as an academic advisor for more than 20 years. Her student advisees admire the ways DuVall has supported the start of their time at JMU in regard to academics and adapting to a new stage of life.

“I was gifted the most genuine, helpful, compassionate advocate in [professor DuVall],” said Veronica Olson (’23).

In her approach, DuVall emphasizes her role as a guide by assisting students in making responsible and informed choices about their academics and future careers.

“I always encourage and guide [students] as they define and develop realistic goals, and monitor their progress toward meeting their goals,” she said.

MiKyoung Lee

ART, DESIGN, AND ART HISTORY

After having her work acquired by the Jupiter Museum of Art in China and curating the 2023 International Fibers Festival in South Korea, Lee, professor of art, added a solo exhibition at Princeton University Art Museum’s gallery to her list of accomplishments.

Threading Memories / MiKyoung Lee was on display last year at Art@Bainbridge. The solo exhibition included an artist talk and workshop. The show expressed influences from her career in textiles and addressed various themes, from nature to consumerism to relationships.

“My work represents and manifests abstract, natural and organic imagery through forms

and processes,” Lee explained. “From stitching to unraveling sewing threads to knotting, my approach involves traditional textile methods that reflect my interest in domesticity and family ties. Teaching textile art for more than 20 years, I have been incredibly inspired and influenced by textiles’ repetitive, delicate and honest technology.”

Steven Reich HISTORY

Reich, professor of history, was awarded a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities for his project, “Buzzards Over Texas: A Story of Race, Violence and the Search for Justice in the Jim Crow South.” Reich will spend the one-year fellowship writing a book that reconstructs the history and fate of the people of Sandy Beulah, a settlement of Black landowners in east-central Texas that was destroyed by mob violence in the summer of 1910.

Drawing on newly discovered evidence, including a 350-page trial transcript, and interviews that he conducted with descendants of survivors of the massacre, Reich’s book “recounts the dramatic story of the prosperous Black farmers of Sandy Beulah, the community that they built over 30 years, the massacre that wiped it out in less than 48 hours and the legal battle to bring the killers to justice.” Through this work, Reich seeks to share “a more African American-centered history of racial violence that captures

the full humanity of victims and survivors.”

Amina Saidou

FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND CULTURES

Saidou, assistant professor of French, received support from the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program to partner with African higher-education institutions.

She will collaborate with Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, Senegal, to design and teach innovative courses on African cinema and is working with CADU professor Papa Malick Ba on the project “Engaging the Senegalese Youth in Cinema Through the Power of Artificial Intelligence.” Saidou and Ba will co-teach courses on African cinema that cover topics like women in African cinema, the contemporary landscape of African cinema and teaching African cultures through film. They will also co-organize a workshop that will strengthen collaboration between JMU and CADU through online teaching, the exchange of guest speakers and the development of a future study-abroad program.

CADFP supports partnerships between African-born academics living in the U.S. or Canada and accredited African universities to carry out research collaborations, graduate student teaching/mentoring and/or curriculum codevelopment. CADFP is funded by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and administered by the Institute of International Education.

Steven Reich

MiKyoung Lee

Amina Saidou

Modjadji Choshi Kimberly DuVall

&News Notes

Leadership for Public Purpose credential

Madison is one of 25 institutions in the nation to receive Carnegie’s Leadership for Public Purpose classification, which acknowledges campuses that are intentionally cultivating leadership abilities across students, faculty and staff. JMU will hold the classification until 2030.

Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera meets with senior administrators, faculty, staff and students as part of JMU’s Common Good in the Commonwealth lecture series.

“It is a tremendous honor for JMU to receive this Carnegie classification; it demonstrates Being the Change in action — a purposeful commitment to instill leadership and leadership education that furthers civil discourse and public good here at JMU, and around the world.”

— MARGARET F. SLOAN, director of JMU’s Strategic Leadership Studies Ph.D. program

Debate and intelligence intersect

Dukes were among the students invited to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in April for its inaugural debate tournament and career expo. The event highlighted how the skills required to be successful in debate are also essential for intelligence work.

Policy and Administration major minoring in Economics and Legal Studies, discuss strategy.

Civically engaged

The university has earned the Highly Established Action Plan Seal for the 2024 election cycle from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. The seal recognizes higher education institutions that have developed strong action plans to increase nonpartisan democratic engagement by promoting civic learning, political engagement and college student voter participation, according to the organization. JMU also received the seal in 2022.

(L-R): JMU teammates Eric Pelletier, a Pre-Law student, and Roy Rinehart, a Public

Prioritizing early learning

Gov. Glenn Youngkin visited James Madison University on Aug. 15 for a bill-signing ceremony at Anthony-Seeger Hall. Youngkin signed the “Building Blocks for Virginia Families Initiative” to boost the state’s early-learning programs and child care options for working parents.

The ceremony took place at JMU’s Young Children’s Program, which is operated by the College of Education. Its curriculum, environment and organization are based on professional standards and research related to learning and development of young children.

Gov. Youngkin signs the “Building Blocks for Virginia Families Initiative” at a ceremony in Anthony-Seeger Hall.

Stories of service and sacrifice

JMU is seeking area veterans willing to participate in the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project. The oral history project collects, preserves and makes accessible the firsthand accounts of American wartime veterans so that future generations may learn about veterans’ experiences in their own words. The project is a collaboration between

the Madison Center for Civic Engagement, JMU Libraries, JMU VALOR and the Department of History.

SHARE YOUR STORY Scan the QR code, or visit https://jmu.edu/ civic/programs/veteranshistory-project.shtml.

Challenge for good

Shy Pahlevani (’07), the serial entrepreneur behind the apps LiveSafe and Hungry, founded the Social Impact Challenge, a student competition in partnership with the Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship. Students in MGT 310 work in interdisciplinary teams to design, market and sell JMU-themed merchandise. At the end of the semester, all profits go to a local nonprofit of their choice, and students present their projects to compete for scholarship money. Last year, the competition raised more than $30,000 for the local community.

In the spring, the teams raised $20,000 for Generations Crossing, Skyline Literacy, Strength in Peers, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Hope Distributed and Harrisonburg Rescue Squad.

“It’s just getting [students] to build their confidence. ... That real-life experience is huge, and that’s missing in a lot of schools and universities.”

— SHY PAHLEVANI (’07), entrepreneur and co-founder of

LiveSafe and Hungry apps

Students develop an app to detect early skin cancer

Imagine detecting cancerous skin cells with the click of a button. Well, there’s an app for that! Or at least, one in development.

Driven by a desire to make an impact through her research, Selina Matolak, an Integrated Science and Technology major, embarked on a journey to leverage technology to assist underserved communities lacking access to affordable health care.

Matolak’s goal was to train an algorithm using images of skin cancer diagnosed by medical professionals. But she faced a challenge. She needed a computer scientist to help with the app’s coding. So, she enlisted the help of Amber Oliver, a Computer Science major.

“At first, it was just an idea for a physical prototype,” Oliver said. “It captures images of skin lesions and then gives a percentage or response indicating whether it is melanoma skin cancer or not. It’s not a diagnosis since it relies on machine learning and artificial intelligence — which can be incorrect. It’s just a recommendation to seek help.”

technology gap and deploy it globally,” Matolak said. “If the app can scan for melanoma, what else can it detect?”

Initially conceptualized for her capstone project, Selina Matolak aimed to devise a tool capable of detecting cancerous skin cells early on — when treatment options are most effective.

The interdisciplinary research project caught the attention of faculty members and eventual collaborators, leading to an invitation to participate in the Fallon Challenge, a competition organized by the Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship in JMU’s College of Business. Matolak and Oliver won first prize and the Audience Choice Award, inspiring them to continue their journey and explore opportunities for further development.

Professor recognized for excellence in undergraduate mentorship

Math professor Caroline Lubert was selected by the Council on Undergraduate Research for this year’s Mathematical, Computing, and Statistical Sciences Division Advanced Career Faculty Mentor Award.

The award recognizes a leading mentor of undergraduate students in research.

“The selection committee was impressed by Dr. Lubert’s mentorship of over 80 undergraduate students and co-authorship of more than 30 publications with these students in high-quality peer-reviewed journals,” according to CUR. “The impact of her work with students in the anechoic chamber and at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility is unique and, in many cases, life-changing for the undergraduates.”

“Undergraduate research has always been closely involved in my research,” Lubert said. “My goals as a mentor are to inspire students about mathematics and to help students develop into inquisitive, thoughtful and caring adults, equipped with skills that will help them achieve their post-graduate ambitions.”

— Chad Saylor

Their vision extended beyond mere functionality; they aimed to make the app accessible to those in need. “We want to eventually donate this to the local community, homeless shelters or refugee camps to bridge the

“I think this project really shows the potential of our JMU students,” said ISAT professor Chris Bachmann. “They’ve got great ideas, and with a little help from the faculty, they can do amazing things. The Gilliam Center and the Fallon Challenge are all about supporting our students’ exploration of entrepreneurial ideas and providing the guidance needed to make their dreams a reality.”

— Laurel Seay (’24)

Caroline Lubert (center) has been a professor in JMU’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics since 1999.

Students Selina Matolak and Amber Oliver were the only non-Business majors invited to the Fallon Challenge.

NATION

Matt Roan selected as director of Athletics

BY KEVIN WARNER (’02)

In the storied history of JMU Athletics, only three individuals held the title of director in a full-time capacity prior to 2024. With Jeff Bourne’s retirement this past spring, Matt Roan joined the exclusive group as No. 4 with a five-year appointment.

“This opportunity is special, as it represents the ideal intersection of what is most important to me personally and professionally. I look forward to working in alignment with the Board of Visitors and my colleagues as we strive for excellence for the institution and athletics alike,” Roan said. “My family and I look forward to making the JMU community home, engaging with the many stakeholders who are passionate about the Dukes and continuing with the incredible trajectory established by Jeff Bourne, outstanding studentathletes, coaches and staff.”

Upon transitioning to JMU, Roan hit the ground running, jumping right into Sun Belt Conference league meetings, the JMU Duke Club spring tour, and full immersion into campus and athletics operations in Harrisonburg. He has already been actively navigating key issues, such as the NCAA house settlement; Name, Image and Likeness legislation; a university presidential transition; and new staff members in key positions, including head coaches and administrators.

Roan is a southwest Virginia native with deep ties to the commonwealth. He attended Hargrave Military Academy and Virginia Tech. He completed his undergraduate degree as a student-athlete at Southern Utah University and earned a law degree from the University of Kentucky in 2012. He served as deputy athletic director at Southern Utah and at Eastern Kentucky University before assuming the AD position at Nicholls State University in 2016. He returned to EKU as AD in 2020 and entered his ninth year as a Division I director of athletics when he took over at JMU in May.

A transformational leader, Roan made an immediate impact on EKU’s athletics program, elevating the department across multiple

areas and, in many ways, paralleling the infrastructure in place at JMU. Roan guided EKU and its 18 sports through a transition to the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2021, while playing a key role in forming the ASUN-Western Athletic Conference Football Championship Subdivision partnership (now the United Athletic Conference). In addition to the transition, he reorganized the entire athletics construct, adding 57 coaches (including five head coaches) and staff in four years, making significant investment in facility projects and increasing external revenue streams.

At Nicholls State, Roan spearheaded a 17-sport department for more than three years, again increasing staff and guiding the Colonels to significant competitive achievements. He hired four head coaches, including a men’s basketball coach who captured two regular-season titles, and strategically increased coaching staff allocations for women’s basketball, softball, and track and field. He also added a dedicated senior woman’s administrator, removing the position from a coaching role.

An active representative on multiple national committees, Roan recently represented the ASUN on the 40-member Division I Council and Division I FCS Football Oversight Committee. He previously served on the NCAA Division I Football Championship Committee and FCS Athletic Directors Executive Committee.

After graduating from Pulaski County High School in Dublin, Virginia, Roan spent three semesters at Virginia Tech before transferring to Southern Utah, where the summa cum laude graduate earned his Bachelor of Science in political science in 2007 while also minoring in history. He was a three-time All-Great West Football Conference honoree (2005-07) and a two-time ESPN/College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District recipient. Roan was invited in 2007 to the East Coast Bowl and played in the 2008 Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Game. He participated in rookie minicamp activities with the Minnesota Vikings in 2008.

Matt and Mallory Roan have four children. (L-R): Sons Catcher and Shepard, and daughters Gattlyn and Radley

Speaking with Spradlin

New men’s basketball head coach ready to compete

Why JMU?

Preston Spradlin: I was looking for a place at the top of another league that would provide the opportunity to pursue championships and also be a great com munity where we could raise our family. And I wanted it to be a place where I could be a long time. When did you first decide you wanted to be a basketball coach?

Spradlin: I can’t remember a time I ever wanted to do anything other than coaching basketball. I love the game, and I love teaching. I love motivating, inspiring, figur ing things out and seeing people get better.

How do you balance family with a demanding profession like college basketball coach?

Spradlin: Do both of them together. My family is around a lot, at practices and around the office. It’s the same for my staff. On the flip side, the team is at my home. We spend a lot of time with one another. It’s important to me to recruit good people and not just good players. My son is going to have 15 big brothers every year. So we try to model that for our players.

How does your faith influence your professional life and how you coach young men?

Spradlin: Basketball is the greatest teacher of life. It’s a chemistry­ driven game where success is based upon your response. In life, you’re not always in control of what happens to you, but you are in control of your response. Your response is going to be tied to whatever you give your heart to. If it’s rooted in faith and you want to see the transformation of these guys and see the gift of the game, then they become better men because of lessons learned on the court. We try to combine all those things and try to coach, teach and develop the entire person, not just the player.

Do you have any specific philosophies about coaching?

Spradlin: We have a phrase, ‘Get it back.’ We really try to train and build the habit that when we make a mistake, we don’t say ‘my

JMU NATION

SPRADLIN

STATS

Former position: Morehead State University head coach

Hometown: Pikeville, KY

High school: Betsy Layne High School

College: Alice Lloyd College

Spouse: Misty

Children: Bentley, Aubrey

fault’ or curse, but we try to build the habit to then look at each other and say, ‘I’ll get it back,’ which ultimately leads to building trust with one another. That creates a player who plays with great confidence. If they make a mistake, they don’t hang their head. If a guy turns it over, he’s going to sprint back, dive on the floor, take a charge, rotate over for a blocked shot and ultimately get it back. So, it’s about moving on to the next play and having a calculated response. That leads to the two qualities we’d want people to notice about our team: the toughness and togetherness of how we play the game.

In terms of style of play, what does a Preston Spradlin team look like?

Spradlin: We’re going to be a great defensive team with high standards. We’ll play offense efficiently. Our style will be the most efficient basketball we can play relative to the roster we’ve put together. We’re going to share the ball. We’re going to win the shot­ quality battle by taking more high­quality shots than our opponents and force more low­ quality shots out of them. That’s what our teams have been known for over the years. How we get there can look different based upon who’s wearing those jerseys each year.

What have you found in early recruiting conversations in terms of interest in JMU basketball?

Spradlin: It’s been a breath of fresh air that it’s a national brand that people know. When we talk to players from Texas and Florida, that name carries a lot of weight, both from a basketball standpoint and an academic standpoint. That allows us to cast a wider net and allows us to attract higher academic players. We want guys who want to come here and pursue a degree. Also, the level of local talent within a two ­tothree­hour radius is at a high level. There’s enough really good players year to year to have a successful program. Any time you can recruit locally within your footprint, it carries a lot of weight.

You knew about JMU before you were hired, but is there anything you’ve been surprised by since you got here?

Spradlin: The support infrastructure at JMU is unbelievable. I knew it was a great fan base with a great following, but being here and seeing the number of staff, the number of people passionate about what they do to make JMU successful, has been a pleasant surprise. Traveling and wearing JMU gear, I always hear ‘Go Dukes’ in the airport. I’m constantly meeting grads and people who are so proud to be part of the university. There’s such an extensive network throughout the country. So many people had a positive experience here at JMU.

What’s the potential of JMU basketball in 2024 ­25 and longer term?

Spradlin: For the immediate future, this will be a team with the opportunity to compete at the top of our league. My belief is we’ll be an extremely competitive team. How quickly we get there will be the question with 12 new players. Long term, I believe that we can continue to attract and maintain quality players and competitive students to sustain success at the top of the league for a long time and maybe push beyond that.

What else should people know about you?

Spradlin: Nearly half of my vocabulary comes from quoting movies. I’m a big moviequote guy, like to have fun, love what I do, and really enjoy the relationships and the connections that come with the job.

Golfer turning heads on the PGA Tour

NJMU NATION

2023-24: A YEAR TO REMEMBER

n .609 department-wide winning percentage — the eighth time in the last nine years over .600

n Six teams appearing in national rankings

n First appearance in a Football Bowl Sub divison bowl game (Lock heed Martin Armed Forces Bowl)

n Third time hosting ESPN’s College GameDay (most campus visits of any non-Power Five school) and unofficially largest crowd in show history

n Best winning percentage in men’s sports in last 30 years (.652), including one of just two schools in the country with 10 or more football wins and Round of 32 appearances in baseball and men’s basketball

n 14 All-Americans

n 3.262 department-wide grade point average

n Record 9,085 hours of com munity involvement

Neal Shipley (’22) greets Tiger Woods.

eal Shipley (’22) etched his name in the annals of golf by taking the low amateur crowns at this year’s Masters and U.S. Open tournaments.

The Pittsburgh native, who graduated from JMU in three years with a quantitative finance degree, carded a one-over 73 on Sunday at The Masters to tie for 53rd and finish ahead of his final-round playing partner, the legendary Tiger Woods. Shipley followed up his Augusta National Golf Club mastery with an even more impressive tie for 26th on his way to claiming low amateur at the U.S. Open held at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina.

The 2023 U.S. Amateur runner-up, Shipley has since gone on to tie for ninth at the 2024 Beachlands Victoria Open in his inaugural professional outing.

n 10 teams represented in NCAA postseason competition

n Five wins over Top 5 teams across all sports

n Earned Sun Belt’s top institutional academic award (best graduation rate) for the second straight year

n 77th in LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup standings, best in Sun Belt and third in “Group of Five”

n Back-to-back sellouts of foot ball season tickets (first time in school history)

n Largest men’s basketball attendance in 30 years

n School-record 32 wins in men’s basketball, including first March Madness appearance in 11 years and first NCAA Second Round in 41 years

n Second in Sun Belt’s all-sports “Bubas Cup” standings

n 8,665 Athletics donors (an increase of more than 4,000 in just two years)

Bright Lights

Grammy-winning music producer says JMU prepared him for the big time

BY JOSETTE KEELOR

Taking home a Grammy Award is rarely a given. After two other nominations spanning a 30-year career, music producer Scott M. Riesett (’93) didn’t expect his third nod to earn him a win. “It was a surprise but a thrill,” said Riesett. “You never know what’s going to win.”

Riesett won a 2024 Grammy in the Musical Theater Album category for the original Broadway cast recording of Some Like It Hot. “We really didn’t think that we were going to win this year. There were a lot of other strong contenders,” he said. “It’s the recognition from the industry that they like what you’re doing, that they respect what you’re doing.”

Riesett, who hails from Caldwell, New Jersey, and later lived in Balti more, Maryland, said JMU was his top choice when he was looking for a college with a music program. “Oddly, even though I didn’t join it, I first heard about [JMU] because of the marching band,” he recalled.

Earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing with a concentration in Music, he planned to write TV jingles and pursue film scoring. Then, after earning a master’s in music from the University of Miami, he said, “I went the writing or studio route instead.”

He credits the late Robert W. Smith, a professor of music industry and media arts and design and a prolific composer, with encouraging him to go to graduate school and setting him on a career path that’s led him to work with the likes of Ariana Grande, Carly Rae Jepsen, Dove Cameron, Keegan-Michael Key, Jane Krakowski, Jennifer Hudson and Henry Winkler.

“That’s been amazing to be able to work with some of those really talented people,” Riesett said. Jazz artist, actor and threeyear American Idol judge Harry Connick Jr. was a big influence on him in college, “and then later I was able to work with him very closely over a 10-year period,” he said.

Smith, who was chosen to write a theme for the 1996 Summer Olympics and later worked for Warner Brothers Publications, wrote Riesett a recommendation letter for graduate school. “I certainly have him to thank for that,” Riesett said.

After grad school, he headed to New York, where he met multi-award-winning film composer Marc Shaiman, who was working on the stage production of Hairspray at the time. The

two hit it off and have since collaborated on Hairspray Live! (2016), plus multiple other projects including NBC’s Smash (2011-2013), Bette Midler’s It’s the Girls album (2014), Mary Poppins Returns (2018), Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) and the Hawkeye Marvel series on Disney+ (2021).

Riesett was executive music producer for the Apple TV+ series Schmigadoon! as well as music producer for Grease Live!, and music producer of songs for this fall’s Agatha All Along Marvel series on Disney+.

Among many others, he’s been a music producer for the cast recordings of the Almost Famous: The Musical original Broadway cast album, the Annie Live! original television soundtrack, and the Up Here TV soundtrack with composers Kristen AndersonLopez and Bobby Lopez of Frozen, Coco and WandaVision.

Each experience is different, Riesett said, and sometimes sets a new bar for industry achievement, such as the 2016 Grease Live! production, which livestreamed from three sound stages on a Hollywood backlot, requiring the crew to keep disconnecting their cameras as they transported everyone around the lot between scenes.

Grease Live! took many risks and was “one of the most harrowing projects” he’s ever done. “Visually it all paid off,” Riesett said.

Riesett was nominated for a Grammy as music producer of the Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations 2019 original Broadway cast recording as well as the Schmigadoon! (Season 1) 2021 original television soundtrack.

His Grammy win was for his work as music producer on the Some Like It Hot cast album. After receiving the award at the February ceremony, he then had to wait until May before he could hold it again. “That’s the thing they don’t tell you. You have to wait at least three months until the award shows up.”

He only held it for a short time, while taking photos at the award show.

“They keep handing you a trophy and then taking it away,” he said, laughing. But he wasn’t concerned, knowing it would “find its way there eventually.”

Music producer Scott M. Riesett (‘93), center, accepts a Grammy for Musical Theater Album at the 66th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, on Feb. 4, with others from the cast and crew of the musical Some Like It Hot on Broadway. (Inset): Riesett works in the studio during album-tracking sessions.

BRIGHT LIGHTS

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT GAUTHIER/LOS ANGELES TIMES VIA GETTY IMAGES; INSET BY CHAD KRAUS

PROPPING UP DEMOCRACY

It will require participation, effort, and a willingness to listen and compromise. Generation Z stands ready.

YOUTH MOVEMENT

Tomorrow’s leaders strive to improve the state of American democracy

BY LILLIAN JOHNS

In Federalist No. 10, James Madison warns of the rise of factions in a democracy, arguing they work against the common good, sow division among its citizens and undermine progress.

The political climate in the U.S. today is rife with division and incivility — a sentiment shared by junior Brielle Farnen, a double major in Political Science and Sociology.

“The state of our democracy is weak, and I’m unclear on when it will be strong again,” she said.

College students have long been leading voices in demanding change in the U.S. and around the world. JMU is doing its part by offering courses in political science, public administration, international affairs and related disciplines, as well as student organizations and activities that promote the free exchange of ideas.

Students, including SGA Student Body President Brielle Lacroix (left of Duke Dog), on Election Day in November 2023 PHOTOGRAPH

Farnen said her classes and professors have developed her critical-thinking skills and led to a deeper understanding of her own views. She is confident that her generation can put American democracy back on track.

“We need teamwork across all fronts, led by rational people with open minds,” she said. “We need to work together. We need to be open to hearing others’ opinions and have the ability to respond with compassion. We need to be empathetic toward others.”

One way young people in America are contributing to democracy is by exercising their right to vote. Dukes Vote, a student-led effort in the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement, is a nonpartisan voter education and registration drive targeted at both in-state and out-of state students.

JMU is recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge as a Gold campus for high levels of student voting rates and engagement.

“Voting matters, no matter what election it is in,” Farnen said.

It’s also the responsibility of citizens to educate themselves on the issues, according to Declan McAlevy, a junior Political Science major in the Pre-Law Program, and a member of the JMU College Democrats. “I chose to study politics because it helps me to understand the world around me and [feel] like I can make informed decisions,” he said.

tisan, national organization dedicated to advancing the Hamiltonian perspective of strong and principled American leadership in global affairs.

Pohland believes people are right to be concerned about the increasing political polarization in our country. But even in the face of conflict, she says, you cannot ignore the positive things happening.

“We are witnessing rising tensions, yet I also see ongoing, collaborative, meaningful efforts in my local communities and across the nation,” she said. “Generation Z holds a diverse set of political opinions, yet there is much that we’re united on. Many of us agree on the need for campaign reform, ranked-choice voting, term limits, additional accountability and oversight.”

“I believe that if we can harness this energy and focus on rebuilding trust and promoting civic education and involvement, we can strengthen our democracy for the future.”

— REAGAN POLAREK

For McAlevy, this means paying attention to the daily shifts in politics and engaging in a learning community with a wide array of opinions.

McAlvey says when young people fail to notice troubling changes, the system suffers.

“The youth of America do need to take a certain level of responsibility, as we are the ones inheriting the planet,” he said. “First and foremost, we need to pay attention.”

He suggests getting involved at the grassroots level, pushing and implementing changes locally, then building them out on a national scale.

Democracy is not a spectator sport, said Bonnie Pohland, a double major in International Affairs and Economics and president of the JMU chapter of The Alexander Hamilton Society, a nonpar-

Reagan Polarek, a double major in Communication Studies and Political Science with a minor in Civic Leadership, serves as a Madison Center Democracy Fellow, Student Government Association senator and previously as the 2026 class president.

“I grew up in the political world and am grateful to understand how democracy functions,” Polarek said. “I have seen examples of great political leaders who want to make the world a better place, and I want to do the same thing.”

James Madison played a pivotal role in shaping the great American experiment, and as Pohland reminds us, every experiment involves a significant amount of trial and error. Our democracy is constantly evolving, with each generation adding their own perspective.

JMU students are experiencing this evolution firsthand, and many are inspired to create change for the better.

“There is a newfound energy and engagement, particularly among younger voters who are increasingly participating in protests, voting and advocating for others’ rights,” Polarek said. “This shows that, while our democracy is being tested, there’s a strong desire to protect and improve it.

“I believe that if we can harness this energy and focus on rebuilding trust and promoting civic education and involvement, we can strengthen our democracy for the future.”

BRIELLE FARNEN junior

DECLAN McALEVY junior

BONNIE POHLAND junior

REAGAN POLAREK junior

“We

need to be open to hearing others’ opinions and have the ability to respond with compassion. We need to be empathetic toward others.”

— BRIELLE FARNEN

“The

youth of America do need to take a certain level of responsibility, as we are the ones inheriting the planet. First and foremost, we need to pay attention.”

— DECLAN McALEVY

“Voting matters, no matter what election it is in.”

— BRIELLE FARNEN

“While our democracy is being tested, there’s a strong desire to protect and improve it.”

— REAGAN POLAREK

“Generation Z holds a diverse set of political opinions, yet there is much that we’re united on. Many of us agree on the need for campaign reform, ranked-choice voting, term limits, additional accountability and oversight.”

— BONNIE POHLAND

THE UNSUNG HEROES OF DEMOCRACY

Educator Wesley Hedgepeth (’08,

’09M) reveals the transformative power of social

studies teachers

BY AMY CROCKETT (’10)

s a child, Wesley Hedgepeth (’08, ’09M) didn’t always feel seen or heard in school. His belief that students deserve an inclusive environment in a connected community inspired him to become a social studies educator.

Hedgepeth’s passion for teaching can be traced back to an entry in his elementary school journal, where he wrote that he wanted to be a teacher when he grew up. Over the summers, he played “Grade-It” with his little brother and assigned him homework.

“In high school, I had an AP government teacher who inspired me, and that was my favorite course,” Hedgepeth said. “In the back of my mind, I knew I wanted to do that.”

After dabbling in Political Science and Business as an undergraduate at JMU, he ultimately decided he needed to go where he was being called: the classroom. “At JMU, I really matured. I think that it helped me find my path,” he said. It also provided him with some of his best mentors — his grandmother, Jennie Mae (Burrow) Hedgepeth (’34), and Michelle Cude, professor of education.

“I remember Wesley and I having deep, meaningful conversations about making a difference as teachers,” Cude said. “I’m very proud of the way he really took our lessons about civic engagement to heart and ran all

the way to the top. And now he both exemplifies and teaches that message of civic engagement to his students. It is the best kind of teaching … through example.”

With more than 15 years of classroom experience, Hedgepeth serves as the history and politics instructor in the Upper School at the Collegiate School in Henrico County, Virginia, whose students often apply to JMU as their top choice.

A double major in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences and Secondary Education with a Master of Arts in Teaching, Hedgepeth has committed his life to ensuring that the next generation is civically engaged and has the opportunity to achieve its full potential. “That includes elevating those who are BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and other communities that are historically marginalized,” the lifelong Central Virginia native said.

Whether teaching social studies to 12th graders or kindergartners, Hedgepeth says inquiry is the most valuable lesson. “It’s a muscle, a skill, and important at all grade levels. So students really need to exercise that muscle regularly to be informed.”

Other essential components of a healthy civic education include media literacy, civil dialogue, service learning and communityleadership opportunities. “But in the elementary area, where we’re seeing the most marginalization of social studies, these couldn’t be more important,” Hedgepeth said.

Wesley Hedgepeth (’08, ’09M), former president of the National Council for the Social Studies, advocates for equitable education reform.

Middle school teachers are noticing gaps in incoming students’ knowledge of civics. In some cases, their first exposure to the subject is at this secondary level, Hedgepeth said.

To build a solid foundation for elementary school students, “we can define civics and what it means to be a community,” he said. “We can learn to work together and what it means to be civil with one another. Students also can understand how our government works and how it’s organized — knowing what freedom is and what rights we have. Understanding the First Amendment is a great entry point.” Hedgepeth also encourages the practice of voting as part of classroom activities.

Through verbal and written expression, elementary students can learn how to make an argument. “They’re learning how to speak, but they’re also hopefully learning how to listen and to do both civilly.”

By bringing in guest speakers and taking field trips, young children will establish role models, see what’s possible for them and their peers, and observe what makes them similar to others. “It’s paramount for students to be introduced to some people who look like them and some who don’t,” Hedgepeth said. “Representation is really, really important.”

Middle schoolers can then dive deeper into understanding how individuals and groups interact within the government. In his teaching, Hedgepeth adds emphasis on how historical movements and conflicts were resolved. Students can also fine-tune their

Hedgepeth believes polarization has sent a chilling effect across many social studies classrooms. “Students fear being canceled, so to speak, if they have an unpopular opinion,” he said. UNSUNG

“If we continue down the path of divestment in our teachers, we risk undermining the very foundations of freedom and justice for all.”

— WESLEY HEDGEPETH (’08, ’09M)

writing and speech-making skills, learning how to support an argument.

High school civics is best suited for experiential learning. Hedgepeth encourages his students to engage in a voter-registration drive. At this age, students can reach out and lobby their elected officials on issues that interest them.

In college, students should be equipped to investigate topics and become experts to prepare them for their civic and professional lives. “Maybe they want to be in Memorial Hall like I was, learning the best from our education professors,” Hedgepeth said. “And college, too, is where we need to protect academic freedom.”

Hedgepeth points to a few causes for the nationwide marginalization of social studies. It isn’t always seen as a true discipline, he says, and its benefits often go unrecognized. “Others might be afraid of what comes from an informed citizenry, which is where you get that — in social studies.”

In some states, U.S. government and history aren’t required courses for graduation. When social studies is taught, it’s often at the end of the day, when students and teachers are tired. “And because of high-stakes, standardized testing,” Hedgepeth said, “students who need remediation in math and English language arts are often pulled out during that social studies instruction, so they miss it altogether.”

Social studies also has struggled to keep up with the increase in support for science, tech-

nology, engineering and math. Hedgepeth emphasizes that vocations in the humanities, such as historians, museum educators, anthropologists and sociologists, are equally important, but those subjects aren’t advocated as stand-alone classes in K-12. With the promise of a larger salary, careers in STEM often appeal more to students.

In general, Hedgepeth has witnessed a lack of trust, support and empowerment in education. “If we continue down the path of divestment in our teachers, we risk undermining the very foundations of freedom and justice for all, which I think is a peril too grave to ignore.”

For Hedgepeth, the greatest honor of his professional life has been serving as president of the National Council for the Social Studies. When his term ended in July, he shifted his time and efforts toward pursuing a Fourth District school board seat in Richmond. “The Richmond Public Schools system needs better strategic oversight and a calm team player who will bring common sense and collaboration, not political divisiveness,” Hedgepeth said.

In a 2023 presidential address to the NCSS, he told the audience, “I truly believe social studies educators are our world’s civility engineers.”

“The impact of social studies teachers on civil society cannot be overstated,” Hedgepeth said. They introduce young minds to the concepts of justice, equity and civic responsibility. Through the guidance of those instructors, students learn to value diverse perspectives, engage in respectful discourse, and understand their role and responsibility in democratic society.

Social studies teachers also play an instrumental role in creating an informed citizenry who are curious and empathetic, who think critically and make decisions that affect the common good. “By fostering classroom environments where questioning and problemsolving are valued, social studies teachers contribute to the development of our future leaders who are ready to address even the most complex challenges of our world,” Hedgepeth said.

“If we care for our children, we have to care for our teachers as well,” he said. “In their hands lie the future of our vibrant and thriving democracy.”

We asked a group of alumni spanning four decades of government service about their work (past and present), some of the challenges they face, how JMU prepared them for their careers, and how to ensure the voices of the people they represent are heard.

KEEPING THE WHEELS OF GOVERNMENT TURNING

BRANDY HAWKINS BOIES (’08M) mayor of Strasburg, VA

“My entire life, I had heard that every vote counts during elections, but it wasn’t until I was moved to speak up about our county’s K-12 needs that I truly understood. We saw firsthand how every voice and vote counts, which inspired me to serve.

“The decisions of elected officials do not always make everyone happy, and there are limits to what elected officials can or cannot do. … Citizens’ voices and opinions affect decisions, even if the impact is not immediately visible.

“The role of the mayor is to lead the council and run efficient and effective meetings. I serve as the voice of the citizens, so listening, being present in the public and being accessible are main roles.

“My council and I all hold fulltime jobs outside of serving in our elected positions. We are not wealthy; we are simply serving the town we love for the betterment of its future and citizens.

“Anyone can run for office and be elected, which is exciting and terrifying. We must know who is representing us at all levels of government and what they stand for. … It has to be about their ethics, morals and values. Are they good humans? Are they great leaders? We need more of both.

ELIZABETH COOPER (’08)

Commonwealth’s attorney in Shenandoah County, VA

“I became involved in public service at the onset of my legal career by working as a summer intern for the Shenandoah County Commonwealth’s Attorney — the same office I was recently elected to as Commonwealth’s attorney.

… My parents were also Dukes who focused their work on others’ needs and used their strengths and skill sets to serve others.

“The most rewarding part of my job, without question, is the connections I make with others through my work. Whether I have been able to bring closure into the life of a victim by securing a conviction in a case

or witness a defendant break their drug habit by maintaining sobriety for a year, I always look forward to the connections made by bringing about justice in our community. Justice looks different in every situation, and when it occurs, a connection is often made. Connections create healing, which is imperative for true justice to occur, and I find being a part of that is the most rewarding part of my job.

“I was elected to a position that many would consider to be at the ‘top’ of a career. I do not have all the answers, and some days, very few. … I can easily say I learn something new each day, and I love it!

“There is a tremendous need for public service in Virginia, let alone our country. Much of it goes unseen. … I think most people don’t get involved until they are affected by an event or situation.”

SEAN DALTON (’84) former prosecutor for Gloucester County, NJ (2002-17); assistant attorney general for New Jersey (2017-18)

“I am the youngest of eight, and public service was a family affair. … My mother and father instilled in us the importance of being involved.

“I first ran for the New Jersey General Assembly when I was 30, but my involvement dates to when I was a teenager helping on political campaigns. My father, Bill Dalton, was mayor of Glassboro, New Jersey, for about 20 years, and my older brother,

Dan, was a state senator and ended his career as New Jersey secretary of state. He signed my certificate of election as secretary of state when I was elected to the General Assembly.

“My first government job was as a public defender in Glassboro. … Later as a county prosecutor, I was responsible for the investigation and prosecution of crimes ranging from theft to sexual assault to murder … We successfully prosecuted several ‘coldcase’ homicides — cases that had languished under my predecessors, some as old as 25 years. Families had been waiting years for someone to be held accountable for their loved one’s death.

“In many ways, a career in public service is a natural extension of the JMU philosophy of Being the Change. … In the days ahead, we will need community leaders who are courageous and willing to put aside partisan politics — leaders who recognize there is more that binds us as Americans than our differences. Our strength is our diversity — we all came to this country because of our belief in the American dream.”

DAVID ELLIS (’89)

county manager, Wake County, NC “I grew up in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and as a child, I remember watching my dad get on the Greyhound bus every morning and ride to his federal government job in Washington, D.C. He worked for the

BRANDY HAWKINS BOIES (’08M)

ELIZABETH COOPER (’08)

DAVID ELLIS (’89)

National Labor Relations Board for almost 40 years. He was also a minister. The Rev. Lawrence A. Davies — Fredericksburg’s first Black mayor — would come over to our house and talk for hours with my dad about ways to make the city better for everyone. I would eavesdrop on their conversations. Those chats are what inspired me to pursue a career in public service.

“I love having the opportunity to positively impact the community where I live and work. … Nothing can top the excitement of cutting the ribbon on a new park or fire station, or the sense of pride I feel when I see an ambulance drive by and know that it’s going to respond quicker to residents in their time of need because we added more EMS positions.

“The undergraduate counseling classes I took at JMU have proved to be invaluable. To this day, I use what I learned in those courses when I talk with elected leaders, staff and stakeholders. At JMU, I also learned what a sense of community really feels like. As I try to build an inclusive and welcoming culture in Wake County, I think back to that feeling of community I experienced at JMU. It’s a great touchstone for me.

“A career in public service is a natural extension of the JMU philosophy of Being the Change.”

— SEAN DALTON (’84)

“If you don’t participate in democracy, you’re letting other people decide what is right for you. To use a JMU sports reference, you can’t just sit in the stands and throw streamers. You have to get on the field and play. … Pay attention to what’s happening in your community, and share your thoughts with the people who are in a position to drive change.”

NORMAN ELLIS (’19)

deputy research director in the Office of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer; former White House legislative assistant and presidential writer

“The most rewarding part of my job is knowing the work I do has a direct impact on policy, messaging and the lives of constituents. The ability to make a tangible difference is incredibly fulfilling and gives me a strong sense of purpose and responsibility.

“As deputy research director, my primary responsibility is to conduct research to support legislative initiatives, communications and rapid-response functions. My previous roles in government involved similar researching and writing tasks.

“One of the main challenges I’ve faced in my career is trying to keep up with the fast-paced and dynamic nature of politics — which requires constant adaptability, curiosity and resilience. It can also be difficult navigating the complexities of public policy, administration and the legislative process.

“Ensuring people’s voices are heard requires an all-encompassing approach. We should educate

people about the democratic process and make it more accessible. We should have public forums — both online and in person — to help build trust, encourage participation and foster communication between people with diverse perspectives. We should teach digital-media literacy and foster a transparent and accountable government.

“It’s important for people to ensure the government reflects the will of the people. Active participation helps hold the government accountable and creates a more inclusive and representative democracy.”

CHRIS FALCON (’03)

clerk of court, Fairfax County, VA

“My first internship was with the U.S. General Services Administration the summer after graduating from high school. I loved it. At 17, I was part of a team that was preparing government computers for Y2K. … Prior to being elected the county clerk in Fairfax County, I served as deputy clerk and legal counsel for Arlington County Circuit Court.

“My primary responsibilities are maintaining the court record and file for all civil and criminal proceedings, issuance of marriage licenses, recordation of deeds and land-record transactions, and serving as the register of wills for citizens who pass away in Fairfax. We meet people during some of the best moments of their lives — getting married, buying a home, adopting a child — and also during very difficult moments. It’s rewarding to assist people with information and provide

great service in those moments.

“Democracy is a team sport. For it to be successful, we need people to participate, respect each other’s viewpoints and elect leaders who are representative of our values. We can increase participation by getting outside our own echo chambers and meeting different people. … We also need to help elevate the voices of our youth and marginalized people by engaging with them outside of the traditional methods of town halls, canvassing and phone calls. We need to find more creative ways to get people volunteering in their community.

“At JMU, I learned how to work well in teams and how to address large groups. These tools have helped me succeed in the workplace, in the board room, in politics and in life. Dukes have an innate love of giving back to their community and Being the Change. It’s precisely what’s needed right now in our government.”

JOSH HUMPHRIES (’15, ’20M)

Virginia deputy secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security

“Before attending JMU, I had volunteered with local campaigns and state races for the Virginia House of Delegates, so I knew I had an interest in government and politics. I really didn’t feel interested in public service until I took classes with the late former Del. A.R. ‘Pete’ Giesen as part of the political science program. Pete’s tenure as a member of the House of Delegates was inspiring to me, and I know he served because he wanted to get

NORMAN ELLIS (’19)

CHRIS FALCON (’03)

KEEPING THE WHEELS OF GOVERNMENT TURNING

things done for the people he represented. I’ve continued in public service, and particularly with Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares (’98), because I believe in their vision for the Commonwealth to be the best place to live, work and raise a family.

“I help provide leadership and decision-making guidance to the 10 agencies in our secretariat, push the governor’s agenda and priorities within public safety, work with other public and private-sector partners, and help educate the public and the General Assembly on the challenges faced by law enforcement across our Commonwealth. I am heavily involved in our legislative and budgetary priorities and pursue those when the General Assembly is in session.

“Public service, particularly in politics, is all about relationships. One of the most important lessons I learned at JMU was the value of relationships and how to maintain them. The most rewarding part of my job is getting to meet the men and women across our Commonwealth who help keep us all safe every day.

“Following the protests and ‘defund the police’ movements of the last several years, we continue to face difficulties in recruiting and retaining lawenforcement officers, correctional officers and first responders. It is always a challenge for our entire team when a law

enforcement officer or first responder is killed in the line of duty.

“Personally, I think the media has done a major disservice by seeking to divide more than unite us, which has created a great deal of apathy in our country. In addition to voting, volunteering to serve on a board or commission is an excellent way to increase participation and ensure people’s voices are heard. Writing to your elected officials, showing up at school-board, board-of-supervisors and citycouncil meetings is critical.”

TARA H. JACKSON (’91) chief administrative officer, Prince George’s County, MD

“Immediately after graduating from JMU, I entered law school at the University of Maryland, graduating three years later with a law degree. … I was a prosecutor for approximately 10 years, six of which I served as principal deputy for the Office of the State’s Attorney, leading a team of over 90 attorneys and support staff. I also served in our local government as deputy county attorney and deputy chief administrative officer for government operations.

“As the CAO for Prince George’s County, I am responsible for the overall administration and day-to-day operations of the executive branch of our local government and have had fun working daily with Joy A. Russell (’92), chief of staff to the

“The most rewarding part of my job is getting to meet the men and women across our Commonwealth who help keep us all safe every day.”

— JOSH HUMPHRIES (’15, ’20M)

Prince George’s County executive. I have general oversight of more than 20 agencies and lead the elected county executive’s cabinet, as we seek to deliver services to our community like solid waste collection, street repairs and code enforcement.

“I enjoy facilitating collaboration among diverse groups of persons to solve problems and reach results that tangibly improve the lives of our residents. Politics can help you achieve the best result, but it can also significantly hinder progress.

“It is certainly tempting to want to distance oneself from the chaos that surrounds our current political system, on the national, state and local levels. It can be disheartening and downright maddening at times. Nevertheless, we have to remind ourselves that involvement is the only way to initiate the change we want to see.

“As a leader, I understand that diversity of persons and thoughts on my team leads to better results. In that same vein, government is better able to completely and equitably address community issues when it hears divergent perspectives and takes them into account when developing a solution. You cannot wait for the people to come to you. You have to go to them.”

ALEX PEDERSEN (’91)

chief deputy auditor, Snohomish County, WA, former full-time member of Seattle City Council

“As the nonpartisan chief deputy auditor of the third largest county in Washington State, I’m on the verge of patriotic tears every time I observe the dedication of dozens of volunteers who help us administer fair and accurate elections.

“The Founding Fathers and so many other Americans before us risked their lives so the growing nation could govern itself

while expanding individual liberties — without royalty, without mobs and without dictatorships. But the hard-fought rights of self-government come with responsibilities to participate, because the ‘self’ of ‘selfgovernment’ isn’t someone else — it’s you, it’s us.

“JMU did an excellent job preparing me for both the private sector and public service. My history degree requiring extensive research-based writing, my job at PC Dukes dining, occasional political columns for The Breeze and a painfully unsuccessful campaign for president of the student body in 1990 all forged a formidable foundation for my future.

“Every level of government needs honorable, thoughtful and effective people. … I realized I had to be ‘in the arena’ to make the most positive impact.

“Protesters marched to my home and harassed me, my wife, and my children 10 times in 2020 and 2021, because I opposed most of my city-council colleagues who tried to defund our city’s police department in 2020. Today, nonpartisan election workers receive threats, even though we keep the engine of our democracy running. You can surmount these challenges by having strong, foundational civic and constitutional values.”

TARA H. JACKSON (’91)

ALEX PEDERSEN (’91)

BETTER CONVERSATIONS TOGETHER

Program designed to help students develop and refine civic-dialogue skills

BY JIM HEFFERNAN

(’96, ’17M)

Can we talk?

I mean, really talk. And not just with members of our tribe, but with people who may have little to nothing in common with us?

Can we have meaningful conversations with others without them devolving into shouting matches or both sides digging in their heels and “agreeing to disagree”?

Can we consider opposing viewpoints, find common ground and work toward mutually beneficial solutions to public problems?

If JMU has anything to say about it, we can.

In support of Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s request that all new students at public colleges and universities in the Commonwealth receive training in freedom of expression and free speech, and building on JMU’s mission as an engaged university, the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement has implemented the Better Conversations Together program to help students develop and refine their civic dialogue skills.

“We want to produce students who can be active agents in their communities for the common good,” said Kara Dillard, interim director of the Madison Center.

“That means being able to talk to our neighbor who may wave a different flag outside of their house than we do.”

The democratization of news media, shorter attention spans and computer-gen-

Kara Dillard, interim director of the Madison Center, speaks at the College of Education’s Civics and Future Teachers Panel on March 7, 2023, in Memorial Hall.

erated algorithms that feed us information based on our personal preferences have divided us along political, cultural and ideological lines, and made us less tolerant of individual differences.

“We’ve lost the ability, and oftentimes the willingness, to understand where people are coming from,” Dillard said. Better Conversations

Together attempts to remedy that.

“We want to produce students who can be active agents in their communities for the common good.”

— KARA DILLARD

“We try to teach students the value of being curious about others’ beliefs, and not to snap to judgment but to ask questions: What led you to that belief? What experiences have you had? What do I not know about you that will help me understand who you are? … By asking those kinds of questions, we see each other as human beings and not ‘others’ whose beliefs are so foreign to us that we don’t want to engage with them. Because it’s in that lack of engagement … that we find that problems become intractable.”

The program, now part of first-year orientation at JMU, is intended to help students understand their own views and values, as well as to actively listen and productively talk with others across divides.

Prior to arriving on campus, students participate in the first two modules in the Constructive Dialogue Institute’s Perspectives e-learning program, which explores how our brains process information and how people form values and beliefs.

Once on campus, as an extension of their civic learning, students participate in a 90-minute, facilitated, small-group deliberation using a pre-framed, nonpartisan issue guide from the National Issues Forums Institute. The program includes a midpoint assessment and a survey at the end to assess participants’ experiences and learning.

The Madison Center partnered with the First Year Research Experi -

ence program to conduct a pilot project, Bridging Wicked Divides, during the 202223 and 2023-24 academic years. JMU students from diverse backgrounds and different political persuasions were chosen to participate. The students deliberated in small groups on topics including climate change, the economy, free speech and immigration.

Contrary to the perception that some college students are afraid to express their views for fear of facing discrimination or sanctions by their professors and peers, the survey results indicated that overall participants felt comfortable expressing themselves. Perhaps more significantly, 92% reported finding common ground on which to act, and 98% of respondents expressed a high degree of support for their group’s decision.

“It’s easy to think that students might find common ground, but their support for acting is [usually] weak, especially if their political inclinations are primed and the issue discussed is framed in polarizing language,” 2022-23 Senior Democracy Fellow Angelina Clapp and former First Year Research Experience Fellow Annika Thompson wrote in the project summary. “Then, groups might be willing to say they agree for social reasons — to agree to move the conversation along. What we [found] in our deliberative forums is different. When

participants agreed on common ground, they committed to it.”

Finding common ground on difficult issues means “we may not get everything we want,” said Dillard, who is also codirector of JMU’s Institute for Constructive Advocacy and Dialogue. “But we’re willing to compromise. We’re willing to give up something, so that we can address a problem that is impacting a large number of people.”

When asked whether the forums increased their respect for others’ views, pilot project participants were somewhat less positive. While 72% of self-identified moderates reported having somewhat or significantly more respect, liberals (44%) and conservatives (46%) indicated less respect for others’ views.

According to Clapp and Thompson, “it’s one thing to talk and share ideas; it’s another to listen and deeply consider the merits of others’ views.” Indeed, they argue, “those two civic behaviors may be the hardest to do, despite structural conditions that may enable productive listening and talking across differences.”

Dillard agrees there is still work to be done. “There’s a level of bravery that’s required of students to step out of their comfort zones and affinity spaces, where they’re with people who have the same interests and values and who look like them, and to engage with someone who has a different background and a different perspective, and to say, ‘What led you there?’ … And to not just ask that question, but to really be curious about the answer.

“It’s one thing to talk and share ideas; it’s another to listen and deeply consider the merits of others’ views.”

— ANGELINA CLAPP (’21, ’23M) AND ANNIKA THOMPSON

“That’s the skill and the mindset that I hope this program teaches students,” she said.

ANGELINA CLAPP (’21, ’23M)

ANNIKA THOMPSON sophomore

for Alumni Life

Welcome back and welcome home

Class of 1974 raises funds for Valley Scholars

BY CIARA BRENNAN (’17)

Every spring, members of the Bluestone Society who graduated 50 years ago or more return to campus for a weekend of sharing their Madison memories and making new ones together.

Some alumni brought memories with them. Pat (’74) and Doug Dickey (’76) met as students through their involvement with the Bluestone yearbook. Pat served as the editor, and Doug was a photographer.

Alumni toured the Atlantic Union Bank Center, where a panel of student-athletes shared their JMU experiences.

At the Bluestone Society dinner, the Class of 1974 Reunion Planning Committee unveiled a check for more than $1 million to support JMU. The committee directed $11,700 of its class gift to the Valley Scholars Program, which enables deserving future Dukes to become the first in their families to earn a college degree.

Intergenerational connection has long been a Madison hallmark. On Friday evening, the Bluestone Induction Class of 1974 and the JMU graduating Class of 2024 participated in one of Madison’s oldest traditions, the Senior Candle Lighting and Toast.

On Saturday, alumni were led on an interactive tour of the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts. During Saturday’s lunch, alumni answered trivia questions to win JMU swag and enjoyed a performance by the Madison Singers.

The April 26-28 weekend culminated in the Bluestone Induction Ceremony, during which the Class of 1974 was officially inducted into the Bluestone Society.

Members of the Class of 1974 were escorted to the front of the room to receive their Bluestone Medallions from former President Jonathan R. Alger and Tripp Hughes, then-president of the JMU Alumni Association. Four other classes also came to campus to celebrate Bluestone Reunion Weekend 2024.

The Madison Singers perform a moving rendition of Oh Shenandoah in the Hall of Presidents room in D-Hall (Right): The Dickeys reminisce about developing film together in a dark room once located under Wilson Hall’s stage.

Joseph (’74) and Janice (’76) Frye listen to student-athletes Seth Noatala and Sierra Puleo during a group discussion

for

(Left): Escorted by JMU Vice President for Student Affairs Tim Miller, Brenda Ausberry (’74) is the first member of the Class of 1974 to be inducted into the Bluestone Society.

EVENTS & REUNIONS

MetroDukes

JMU Day with the Washington Commanders

Oct. 6, noon-4 p.m.

Madison Rugby 50th Anniversary Oct. 10-12

MetroDukes CrabFest Oct. 12

Homecoming Weekend Oct. 25-26

FRIDAY’S EVENTS

n Duke Dog Dash (virtual race)

n Harrisonburg Alumni Chapter Golf Tournament: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

n QuadFest: 5-7:30 p.m.

n Reunion Receptions: 7-9 p.m. (Class of 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2014)

SATURDAY’S EVENTS

n Homecoming Tailgate on Hansen Field (begins four hours prior to game time)

ADDITIONAL EVENTS

n Black Alumni Chapter, College of Education and many more organizations host on-campus events all weekend long

Sigma Kappa 65th Anniversary

Nov. 9

Marching Royal Dukes Alumni

Nov. 13

Regan Byrne (right) discusses the amenities of the Concert Hall during a Forbes Center

the Performing Arts tour.

(L-R): Cannie Campbell (’95, ’20M) joins Class of 1974 reunion committee members Jim Lee, Elliott Boyd and Fran Mirabella Moore in celebrating their extraordinary gift.

(Above): Fran Mirabella Moore (’74) watches Nate Hazen (’24) light the first candle at the Senior Candle Lighting ceremony.

Distinguished Alumni 2024

JMU Alumni Association honors six, star-powered award winners

On April 12, JMU Alumni Director Paula Polglase (’92, ’96M) welcomed award recipients, their friends and family, as well as members of the JMU Alumni Association Board of Directors at the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards event.

JMU Alumni Association President Tripp Hughes (’09) presented the alumni awards, starting with scholarship donor and Ronald E. Carrier Alumni Award recipient Nora Newton Crouch (’82). In her acceptance remarks, Crouch said old JMU relationships have continued to grow while new JMU relationships have flourished years after she graduated. “I’m proud to have been part of the team that helped create the Ole School’s internship and job placement program. It’s really amazing to me to see the outcomes this program has achieved by doing something as simple as sharing my professional network.”

Chrishana M. Lloyd (’92), recipient of the Social Justice Award, encouraged alumni to stay challenged. “As you think about social justice, … it’s not something that just happens, it’s

day to day, and then every single day and then every single moment of the day, we make decisions about what to do, what to challenge and what to let go.”

After serving on the College of Business Economics Advisory Board, Young Alumni Award recipient Daniel Blevins (’17) moved to Seattle and revived the Seattle Alumni Chapter. “I didn’t want my JMU spirit to end simply because I was 3,000 miles away from Harrisonburg. … I must say, the best thing about the chapter has been the fact that the JMU spirit lives on through Seattle alumni, no matter what age, no matter when they graduated from JMU.”

Scholarship donor and Inez Graybeal Roop (’35) Alumni Service Award recipient Wilma Cairns Bowers (’83) elicited cheers as she demonstrated at the podium her dedication to Women for

“I’ve gotten to bear witness to how you face this world with compassion, love, empathy. And it has a profound impact on my character as a whole.”

—

HUGH

VECCHIETTI

MCFARLANE (’24), Student Today, Alumni Tomorrow Award winner (L-R): Wilma Cairns Bowers (’83), Chrishana M. Lloyd (’92), Daniel Blevins (’17), Nora Newton Crouch (’82), John Anderson (’70) and son Jake Anderson (’23), Hugh Vecchietti McFarlane (’24), and JMU Alumni Association President Tripp Hughes (’09)

Madison and its scholarship effort. “We want you to join us, so I’ll just put this QR code right here,” Bowers said as she dispayed it. … “And we have, most importantly, over 25 students on campus today who would not be here without the support of the JMU Women for Madison Amethyst Circle.”

Hugh Vecchietti McFarlane (’24), recipient of the Student Today, Alumni Tomorrow Award, shared an emotional message, crediting his mother, Stacie Vecchietti. “You know, I’ve gotten to bear witness to how you face this world with compassion, love, empathy. And it has a profound impact on my character as a whole.”

John Anderson (’70) accepted the Presidential Award from former JMU President Jonathan R. Alger on behalf of his late aunt and scholarship donor, Col. Frances Weir (’49). Weir broke ground as a distinguished leader in the Army and did so again when she bequeathed $6 million to JMU, all to support scholarships. The evening was also a special time for Anderson and his son, Jake Anderson (’23).

In July, four JMU Alumni Association Board of Directors members finished their terms on the board. (L-R): Zac Hittie (’06, ’10M), Carrie Hawes (’04), Kaitlin Holbrook (’13) and Dave Urso (’03, ’05M) have more than 30 years of combined service. Thank you for your dedication and support!

Embrace the Madison spirit through meaningful engagement

Home is where the heart is, and for many of us, that place is James Madison University. As I embark on a twoyear term as president of the JMU Alumni Association, I am proudly living my passion for philanthropy. I love giving my time, talents, treasure and testimony to JMU. My husband, Gary, and I live in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, and are proud parents of two alumnae, Erika (’15) and Kelsey (’17). I started my volunteer time with JMU when Gary and I served on the Parents Council from 2013 to 2017. In 2018, I joined the JMUAA Board of Directors. Some of my favorite experiences on the board include taking on the role of master of ceremonies for the Unleashed campaign in Philadelphia, interacting with JMU leadership to learn about university initiatives and priorities, and returning to campus several times a year to interact in-person with my incredible fellow board members.

The JMUAA is here to help open doors for you.

If your love for JMU runs deep, or you know of a fellow Duke who bleeds purple, I would encourage you to submit a nomination to the JMUAA’s Board of Directors. The board is comprised of volunteers representing diverse backgrounds, geography and skill sets. We are a talented and dedicated group that promotes the university, assists university leadership and stakeholders, and engages students and alumni by creating meaningful connections through mentorship and internship opportunities, chapter events, and supporting athletic programs. Nominations are being accepted via current board members and our website until Oct. 15.

The JMUAA is here to help open doors for you to engage with the university and fellow alumni. We have regional and affinity chapters nationwide, as well as alumni webinars, lectures and book clubs. We host Homecoming festivities and reunions around class years and affinity groups, and we recognize outstanding alumni at the yearly Alumni Awards Banquet. Finally, we offer savings through our affinity partnerships: F&M Bank and Farmers Home, plus auto and pet insurance programs. Check out the JMUAA website for opportunities: https://jmu.edu/alumni.

Like many of you, my family proudly hangs a JMU flag on our home, and we all wear clothing with the university’s emblem and letters. Inevitably, we will hear someone call out “Go Dukes!” or strike up conversations with people who have a connection to or interest in the university. All of these moments foster opportunities to build relationships, network and expand friendships.

JMU alumni are 160,000-plus strong with more talented graduates added every year. I challenge you to engage your Madison spirit and take action to make positive contributions, be willing to get involved, and nurture connections by opening doors with JMU and the world.

Go Dukes!

Ellen

Wescott Hineman (’89)

ALUMNI FOR LIFE

Local chapters extend a warm welcome to alumni transplants

Dallas-Fort Worth area graduates build on solid foundation

BY DAVID DOREMUS

It has been only two years since John McGrinder (’22) capped a career of conspicuous achievement in the College of Business by accepting a job in the Dallas-Fort Worth office of Gartner Inc., a global technology research and advisory firm.

McGrinder graduated cum laude from JMU with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and a minor in Business Analytics, supplemented by a concentration in Professional Sales. He amassed a slew of honors and awards during his time in Harrisonburg, including recognition as the “Outstanding Male in Sales.” McGrinder was also a two-time recipient of the Department of Marketing’s “Mark-It-Forward” scholarship.

Since his relocation to North Texas, he has risen to become co-president, with fellow Gartner recruit Jamie Prince (’22), of the JMU Alumni Association’s regional chapter there — the DFW Dukes.

“A lot of what I love about the alumni chapter, and one of the reasons I assumed a leadership role in it so soon after moving to North Texas, relates to giving back,” McGrinder said. “That and working with other people who are really passionate about what they do.”

Paula Polglase (’92, ’96M), director of Alumni Relations, said many benefits accrue as young alumni become involved in local chapters. “It’s a great way to get to know your area as a young adult, and to socialize and network with multiple generations of Dukes,” she said. Within chapters there are often excellent opportunities to take the reins of leadership, Polglase said, adding, “It’s also a great way to stay connected to JMU.”

McGrinder is unrestrained in his enthusiasm for the work the chapter is doing, saying he “cannot say enough good things.” He traces his own involvement to the timely intercession of Samantha Collier, director of the Office of Professional Development and Engagement. Collier introduced him to Bryan Roberts (’95), a senior executive with the Fogo de Chão chain of upscale Brazilian steakhouses, who at that time was winding down a decade-long run as DFW chapter president.

Roberts extended a warm greeting to McGrinder and other JMU alumni new to Dallas-Fort Worth, hosting a dinner in their honor during their first weekend in the region. Having jointly succeeded Roberts in the chapter-president role, McGrinder and Prince take special care to reach out to arrivals even newer than themselves, hoping to make them feel equally welcome.

“Very often our alumni simply want to know that we have a presence here,” Roberts observed. “They may or may not have the bandwidth to participate in any specific activity or event, but it still helps them feel connected to a network and support system.”

Roberts praises McGrinder and Prince for their shrewd delegation of responsibility in running chapter events among an ever-widening circle of Dallas-Fort Worth alumni. “During any given event,” he said, “it may not be possible for either one to run point, but maybe someone else on the chapter leadership team can.”

Roberts also commends McGrinder and Prince for their astute use of social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. “It has been very helpful in driving awareness throughout the region, and in engaging with professionals outside the typical JMU bubble and standard email distribution,” he said.

“[McGrinder and Prince] are always looking for creative, new ways to engage with the brand — even within their own networks.”

Scan here to get involved in a Regional or Affinity Chapter.

(L-R): John McGrinder (’22), Jamie Prince (’22) and Bryan Roberts (’95) are among the leaders — past and present — of the Dallas-Fort Worth chapter of the JMU Alumni Association.

MixedMedia

BOOKS, MUSIC FILM

Imagining Worlds: Music for Solo Violin

BY WANCHI HUANG Navona Records

Praised for her “incisive technique and an exceptionally rich and beautiful tone,” Wanchi Huang, professor of violin, performs a fascinating group of compositions written by a beautifully curated selection of noted composers on Imagining Worlds. Huang’s virtuosic performance takes listeners on a dynamic voyage through the elegant grandeur of the Baroque era to the historic hilltops of Italy, passing through reflections on our darkest moments and soaring toward the brighter days that lie ahead. Featuring new music by composers John Corigliano, Adolphus Hailstork, Jeffrey Mumford, Judith Shatin and Meira Warshauer, Imagining Worlds is a stunning showcase of Huang’s artistry and the modern voices in classical music.

The Viola Factor

BY

SHERIDAN BROWN (’74, ’78M)

BookBaby

ISBN-13: 978-1667845159

The Viola Factor takes place at a time when the U.S. faced division, but also growth, after the Civil War. Viola Knapp Ruffner (1812-1903) struggled with what was just and fair, becoming a little-known confidant for a young, Black scholar from Virginia. But Viola was much more than a teacher; she was a mother, wife, gamechanger and friend. With her mother’s dying wish, she left her New England roots. This is a story of trauma and love in the South while battling for justice and the rightful education of the enslaved and once enslaved. African American leader Booker T. Washington (1856-1915) called her his friend and model for life.

The Viola Factor is in many ways a journey of life in baby steps, tentatively stumbling, until a galloping stride is achieved. Viola wears different shoes on different days: heavy, mud-trekking boots to allow for aggressive steps and daintier shoes for more rhythmic and assertive ones. She was a diligent daughter, an outspoken protector and a progressive teacher.

Like many women in her situation, Viola, alone at 17, must realize her own principles to fulfill her future goals. With every stride, she marches around surprises and over potholes, dodging folly after folly on her journey to fulfillment. After she ambles in one direction, plods along in another and wanders to find herself, a sudden halt pushes her forward until a factor of fate places her in the path of a newly freed slave with a desire to read and take charge. After years of post-traumatic stress and mental uncoupling, she finds herself a woman following her mother’s dying wish to fight for what is fair and just.

The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore

BY EVAN FRISS Viking

ISBN-13: 978-0593299920

Bookstores have always been unlike any other kind of store, shaping readers and writers, and influencing our tastes, thoughts, and politics. They nurture local communities while creating new ones of their own. Bookshops are powerful spaces, but they are also endangered ones. In The Bookshop by Evan Friss, associate professor of history, we see the stakes: what has been and what might be lost.

His history of the bookshop draws on oral histories, archival collections, municipal records, diaries, letters and interviews with leading booksellers to offer a fascinating look at this institution beloved by so many. The story begins with Benjamin Franklin’s first bookstore in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and takes us to a range of booksellers including the Strand; Chicago, Illinois’ Marshall Field and Company; the Gotham Book Mart; specialty stores like Oscar Wilde and Drum and Spear; sidewalk sellers of used books; Barnes and Noble; Amazon Books; and Parnassus. The Bookshop is also a history of the leading figures in American bookselling, often impassioned eccentrics, and a history of how books have been marketed and sold over the course of more than two centuries — including, for example, a 3,000-pound elephant that signed books at Marshall Field’s in 1944.

The Bookshop is a love letter to bookstores, a charming chronicle for anyone who cherishes these sanctuaries of literature, and essential reading to understand how these vital institutions have shaped American life — and why we still need them.

Second Fiddles: Prime Examples of Strength in the Shadows

BY PAUL C. CLINE

Literary

Spa

ISBN-13: 979-8218159566

Give the leaders of today’s complex organizations — business, government, education — all the accolades. They deserve it; they are in charge and responsible for outcomes. But then look around. Are they doing it all themselves? Who else is helping? And is there one stalwart individual who carries their share, and often more, on behalf of the enterprise?

Often there is that individual, just out of the limelight, who is endlessly loyal to the task at hand and also to the leader. They are the aide, the executive assistant, the vice chairperson — but always they are the “second fiddles.” These lesser-known individuals deserve attention, because they are so important.

Who are they? What is the relationship of the second fiddle to the principal in the endeavor? Why do they toil in the shadow of another? Why do they thrive in this subordinate position and very often have no desire to move up now — or ever? In seeking the answers to these questions, Paul Cline looks at some of the most fascinating real-life and fictional associations, from politics to sports, and family to marriage. And we are rewarded with insights into the lives of the likes of Robert F. Kennedy and John F. Kennedy, Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth, Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes, Eleanor Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Aaron and Moses.

ALUMNI FOR LIFE

Barney

Google and Snuffy Smith Turns 100!

BY JOHN ROSE (’86)

King Features

Dive into the hilarious world of the Barney Google and Snuffy Smith comic strip with the exclusive digital book collection. Created in 1919, this comic strip has delighted readers for more than a century.

This new digital collection celebrates the strip’s centennial year of 2019 and features cartoonist John Rose’s (’86) heartfelt tribute to the characters and legacy of Billy DeBeck and Fred Lasswell. Packed with humor, history and heaps of fun, it’s a must-have for comic enthusiasts and new fans alike. The collection features Barney Google’s Bodacious 100th Birthday Celebration comic-strip storyline featuring lots of comic-strip character crossovers, as well as all the Sunday comic strips in chronological order and full color. Special artwork and commentary by Rose are also included.

Join the bodacious journey of Barney, Snuffy and their delightful world, lovingly continued by Rose. Here’s to 100 more years of smiles and laughter!

The Wailings: A Horror Novella

BY BRIANA “BRI” G. CRAIG (’18,

’20M)

Independently published

ISBN-13: 979-8860652873

Rei wants to escape the mysterious orphanage where children vanish in the night. But can she ever hope to escape when she can’t even remember the day before? This creepy tale, B.G. Craig’s debut book, is a unique read that is told out of chronological order and easy to devour in a single sitting.

Look Up, Patito!

ILLUSTRATED BY KATHLEEN JOHNSTON (’97)

Printed in Canada

ISBN-13: 979-8218295004

The storyline of Look Up, Patito! follows a family of ducklings who leave their home to take a long walk through a city. One duckling in particular named Patito, which means “little duck” in Spanish, isn’t fond of the idea. He would much rather stay and play in the stream. Along the journey, however, he and his duckling siblings find many sweet surprises that make the trip worthwhile.

Illustrator Kathleen Johnston (’97), an Art major, is a graduate of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. She lives in Harrisonburg. The book is a companion project to the bronze Downtown Ducklings sculptures that debuted in October 2023.

The Elixir: Journey On (The Elias Chronicles)

BY EDWARD G. KARDOS (’82)

Pen It Publications

ISBN-13: 978-1639845200

Lost and alone, Elias must face powerful, dark forces as he embarks on a thrilling journey through the mysterious landscape of the Isle of Eahta. Like it or not, Elias is being called by his friend Zoltan, a powerful sorcerer, to keep the Elixir of Life safe from those who seek to use it for evil. Call or no call, Elias knows it is his choice. Along his journey, he uncovers true courage, inner strength and the magic we all may find in our friendships, family and deep within, as he faces off against shadowy forces. As the stakes are raised, Elias learns of the true value of the Elixir and what it means to the world, but with little warning, he also learns something so personal that it is sure to transform his life forever.

All the Brooding Flowers

BY BRIANA

“BRI” G. CRAIG (’18, ’20M)

Independently published

ISBN-13: 979-8320477824

All the Brooding Flowers is an illustrated poetry collection by B.G. Craig that pairs insightful poetry with handmade paper collages for an experience that is emotionally striking and visually stunning. Each page is brimming with colorful, prose poetry that appreciates the nuances of being alive: examining grief in the wake of loss and reminiscing on the experiences of adolescence. This collection, in its authenticity and vulnerability, seeks to create a soft place to wade through the valleys of emotion, whether it is profound joy or unrelenting sadness.

A School Is Many Things

BY

EMILY (MIRABELLA) MAGATH (’16, ’17M)

Independently published

ISBN-13: 979-8323759354

Step into the colorful pages of A School Is Many Things, and embark on a journey through the wonders of school life. With whimsical rhymes and vibrant illustrations, this book paints a vivid picture of the exciting possibilities that await children within school walls. More than just a place of learning, it’s a safe haven where friendships bloom, passions ignite, and grown-ups are always there to lend a helping hand. Whether you’re an educator seeking an inspiring read-aloud for the start of the school year or a parent eager to ease your little one’s pre-school jitters, A School Is Many Things is the perfect choice. Empowering and heartwarming, this book is sure to spark joy and confidence in young minds as they begin their educational adventure.

Commitment and camaraderie

BY CHARLIE WYMER (’72, ’85M), VELLA WRIGHT (’72) AND JIM SHELDRAKE (’72)

It has been two years since the Class of 1972 celebrated the 50th anniversary of our graduation from Madison College by induction into the James Madison University Bluestone Society. That reunion was a joyful experience, as we returned to campus, taking time to retell old stories and rekindle friendships. It was truly heartwarming to be together once again.

At our 2022 Bluestone Reunion Weekend, it was announced that, since graduation 50 years ago, the Class of 1972 has provided more than $1 million in financial support to Madison College/JMU. Our donations have helped many students become part of the Madison Experience. In recognition of this lifelong support and commitment to Madison, a bench was placed in the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum to commemorate the Class of ’72.

Loughrey (’72), senior class president, led the dedication with these remarks:

“The magnolia symbolizes luck, stability, mobility and purity. We have been lucky to experience the rebirth of treasured friendships that were forged decades ago. We were brought together individually from various communities and life experiences, but were molded into a college of many to complement each other — just as the daffodils complement this beautiful and majestic magnolia. We rest assured of the stability and strength of the bonds that unite us.

As part of the 2024 Bluestone Society Reunion celebration in April, members of the Class of ’72 adopted and dedicated a star magnolia tree near the bench in the arboretum. Linda

“As we dedicate this symbol of our friendships and camaraderie, we are reminded of those who could not be with us today, but are still in our hearts. Along with this bench, this area will be a place for all to reflect, meditate and recall all that has made each of us special, and to recommit to deepening our friendships and bonds.

“This is our eternal gift to JMU for all it has given us.”

Notes Class

52

Carolyn Copley Wake organized an alumnae gathering at Hermitage Richmond retirement community on Dec. 12, 2023. She and her classmates shared many Madison memories, looked at old yearbooks and laughed — it was a great time! Nancy Lucy Williams (’54) also had four sisters who attended Madison and were Tri Sigma sorority sisters.

82

and former managing partner of McGuire, Wood and Bissette, P.A. in Asheville, North Carolina, was nominated by the American Bar Association House of Delegates to serve a three-year term on the association’s Board of Governors at the ABA Annual Meeting in August. The ABA is the largest voluntary professional organization of lawyers in the world.

Thomas C. Grella, a Management Information Systems major, and shareholder

84

Tom Reid retired from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department after 30

years and is now president of the Southwest Georgia Prescribed Burn Association in Thomasville, Georgia. He uses drip torches full of diesel and gasoline to set controlled burns for maintaining healthy forests, training others in his community to do the same. “To make a long story short, I fell in love with it,” he told Sierra in February. “I just think it’s so valuable to the property, to the land everywhere.”

88M

Michael H. Boblitz, a Master of Business Administration graduate, recently retired

Duke Dog and JMU students leap with joy on the steps of Wilson Hall to promote the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement’s Dukes Vote campaign ahead of election day in 2023.

as chief operating officer of UVA Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Boblitz, whose early career focused on hand and upper-extremity injuries, joined the University of Virginia Health System in 1977 as a research assistant. “Taking a clinical issue people are concerned about, bringing it to the lab to find a solution, and then implementing it in the clinical environment is critical in

DUKES VOTE PHOTOGRAPH BY RACHEL HOLDERMAN

Thomas Grella (’82)

advancing patient care,” he said. During his tenure, he oversaw several major initiatives, including the McCue Center, the UVA at Fontaine campus and the UVA Health Orthopedic Center in Ivy. UVA Health has a longstanding relationship with JMU, including specialized sports medicine for JMU student-athletes through UVA Orthopedics.

90 Mary (Michalski) DeLuca (’23P), a Communications major concentrating in Public Relations and Journalism with a minor in Political Science, was named associate vice president for advancement and community engagement at Montgomery College in Montgomery County, Maryland, on May 13. At JMU, she was a member of Phi Kappa Phi honor society.

“While I have enjoyed four amazing years at Interact Communications, consulting with community college leaders across the country, I can’t wait to be at the heart of inspiration and transformation taking place at MC,” DeLuca said. She serves as the senior-most leader of MC’s marketing and communications department. ■ Alison (Chisholm) Jones, a double major in Psychology and English, left a 30-year, corporate career in management consulting in early 2023 to start her own company, Wellness Society LLC, and publish her first book, Character Leadership: How to Attract, Retain, and Energize Employees to Create a Winning Organization. The book, which was an Amazon bestseller for five days upon its release, is geared primarily toward leaders in organizations and introduces fresh new models that explore the profound impact of character on leadership effectiveness. Jones challenges leaders to develop the mindset and inner traits of a

Education

Education major, Tri Sigma; Anne Forrester Caravati

vessel leader through which positive impact can flow.

The book also delves into five essential states — awareness, acceptance, abundance, authenticity and appreciation — that underpin character leadership. “The world is hungry for character leaders, and it needs you,” Jones said. “This is a magnificent calling. Now go out and embrace this calling, letting your character light the way.” She is taking her message of character leadership to organizations to help create leaders and cultures that are healthy from the inside out.

91

Michael Donlan II, a Computer Information Systems major, was named CEO of Child Rescue Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting children from sexual abuse. He also serves on the JMU College of Business’ Board of Advisors and as an adjunct professor.

Donlan brings a background in technology and leadership to CRC. His career includes senior

executive roles at companies such as Apple, Microsoft and Oracle.

Under Donlan’s leadership, CRC stands at a moment of growth, with numerous opportunities on the horizon, including increasing law-enforcement collaborations, new technology offerings and a greater global impact. Donlan reaffirms that the fight against child sexual abuse is evolving, and CRC is committed to growing and tackling the challenge. “I believe that we all have a responsibility to make a positive impact on the lives of children, and one of the most effective ways to do that is by empowering them to reach their true potential,” Donlan said. “I am looking forward to working with our current partners and engaging with new ones to ensure that every child is safe, supported and has the chance to thrive in today’s digital age.”

Sean Bates, a Health Services Administration major, was selected as executive director of the School of

Nursing at Yale University as of May 1. ■ Courtney Lewis Brown and fellow members of the 1989 Tri Sigma pledge class go adventuring together every year. Sometimes there are 20 of them, sometimes seven, but it’s always a good time. Most recently, they traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii, to visit Kelly McFarlane (’92) while she and

(Back row, L-R): Carolyn C. Wake (’52), Business major, Tri Sigma; Patricia “Pat” Bourne Munoz (’57), Elementary Education major; (Front row, L-R): Belle J. Landrum (’66), Music

major; Nancy Lucy Williams (’54), Elementary

(’62), Biology major, Tri Sigma

Alison (Chisholm) Jones (’90)

CLASS NOTES

her husband, Matt McFarlane (’92), were stationed there.

93

Ken Jordan, a Finance major, and Todd Cornell (’88), a Management Information Systems major, founded Purple Gold Partners, a boutique, executive talent firm. After many years in consulting and technology, they had one final career move left and formed the business in 2022 with its name as a tribute to their time at JMU. Their business approach is unique and shaped by their Madison and career experiences. Jordan and Cornell also aim to make an impact on their community by Being the Change. They serve as chairs on multiple nonprofit boards and sponsor eight to 10 community organizations a year supporting youth, veterans, environmental causes and underserved communities. Learn more about their firm at pgtransform.com.

99

Amanda Haddaway, a Public Relations graduate with a Political Communication minor, expanded her company, HR Answerbox, a boutique human resources consulting firm in Frederick County, Maryland, by acquiring the Washington, D.C.-based Trainers and Consultants Referral Network in January. Through this acquisition, she has added 250 HR/occupational development consultants, trainers, speakers and coaches. “This expanded bench strength will allow us to continue to serve our clients in the best way pos-

Community leaders, clients and elected officials helped Amanda Haddaway (’99) celebrate at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for HR Answerbox’s acquisition.

sible, as we’ve always tried to do,” said Haddaway, managing director. ■ Nicole (Gruenebaum) Simonds, a Business and Hospitality Management graduate, was promoted to the newly created role of vice president of marketing communications at Advantage Solutions, a global, publicly traded agency serving the retail and consumer packagedgoods industries. In her role, she oversees all brand, creative design, event and sponsorship marketing, including trade shows, conferences, special events, and business-to-business marketing, as well as product and sales support

marketing across the organization.

02

Kristin Rachelle Lazenby Rankin earned her Doctor of Education from Virginia Tech in May 2023. Her dissertation, “The Perceptions of Alternatively Certified K-12 Public School Teachers in One Division in Virginia Regarding Their Preparedness to Teach and the Training and Administrative Support They Need for Reten-

tion,” received the 2023 Brenda Lloyd Outstanding Dissertation Award from the Virginia Educational Researcher’s Association. Additionally, she has published in The Teacher Educators’ Journal. Rankin is a principal in a high-achieving, Title I school in Chesapeake, Virginia. She resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with her husband, Alan, and their cats and dog.

03

Jason Minton, a College of Business graduate, was named chief financial officer of Pizza Hut Global Franchise

CONTINUED ON PAGE 46 >>>

The 1989 Tri Sigma pledge class group that visited Kelly McFarlane (’92) consisted of Courtney Lewis Brown (’92), Trina Arigo Gallaher (’92), Katie Seal Gardner (’91), Komal Jain (’92), AnnMarie Mulshine Lobred (’92) and Jill Versen McGlaughlin (’92). They bring the Duke Dog flag wherever they go.

Nicole Simonds (’99)

Kristin Rankin (’02)

1 Celebrations WEDDINGS,

HONORS & FUTURE DUKES

4 2 5 6 7 3

1. Nicholas Innaimo (’18) and Brooke Withers (’18) married on June 1 at Veritas Vineyards and Winery in Afton, Virginia, alongside many of their JMU classmates and friends. 2. Ashley (Hill) Ficken (’11, ’13M) brought future Duke and avid reader Parker (9 months) to Massanutten, Virginia, for a trip back to her alma mater, but he was too little to swim … so he read Madison magazine. 3. Chris Perez (’10) and Victoria Starr (’10) recently welcomed daughter Julianna Madison Starr into the world of purple and gold. 4. Rebecca McCallister (’16), daughter of Mitch (’81) and Kim Miller (’82, ’84M) McCallister, married Alex Freeman on Nov. 4, 2023, in Lexington, Virginia. Many Dukes were present to help celebrate this special occasion. 5. Joshua Hogan (’14), a football offensive lineman and

Sport and Recreation Management major, and Shannon (Rano) Hogan (’15, ’16M), a soccer defender, married at Liberty House in Jersey City, New Jersey. “My now wife and I are proud Dukes, and still attend as many football and women’s soccer games as we can!” Josh said. 6. Jeremiah Monks (’19), a College of Business graduate, and Shea Crispell (’20, ’21M), a College of Education graduate, married on June 8 at Hart Meadows Ranch in Charleston, South Carolina. “We took a photo at the wedding with everyone who attended JMU,” Monks said. 7. Riya Mehta (’03) and James Heath Williams, Jr. (’03) became engaged on April 4, 2023, on a Carnival Celebration cruise. Their wedding date is April 11, 2025. “We’re definitely excited to continue to share our life together for the next chapter,” Williams said.

Markets in May. Previously, he worked for Southwest Airlines and PepsiCo.

08

Meg Stagaard, a Communication Studies major concentrating in Public Relations, was named one of Business Insider’s Top Rising Stars in Public Relations. She is a vice president at 42West in New York, a leading entertainment-PR firm whose clients include Tom Cruise and Martin Scorsese. Stagaard has overseen campaigns for Lionsgate’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes and HBO’s documentary The Janes, earning coverage from People magazine to Good Morning America to the Associated Press. Her team also managed communications for Hollywood studio MRC, which developed films including American Fiction and Saltburn , along with the Peacock Originals series Poker Face and Ted. ■ Philip Wilkerson, a History major, was named the National Association of Colleges and Employers Mentor of the Year, as well as Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s 40 Under 40 and the Chamber ALX’s 40 Under 40. These awards were connected to his work in higher education and the support of others during their career development. Wilkerson says the mentor award reaffirms his commitment to supporting and uplifting others, since his mentors have supported him.

CLASS NOTES

dent left Wetherbee paralyzed from the shoulders down in 2016, his mission has been to support research initiatives developed for SCI recovery and rehabilitation not covered by insurance. He has undergone experimental treatment to restore some of his movement.

In 2018, Wetherbee and his girlfriend, Kaitlyn Kiely, kept a promise to run the Boston Marathon together, with her pushing him along the route in a wheelchair. The couple married in 2021 and were expecting their first child, a baby boy, in September. ■ Alex Murray, an Accounting major, was recognized by Captive International’s prestigious Forty Under 40 list. The list represents top talent in the captive insurance industry.

Since joining Johnson Lambert as an associate in 2010, Murray has become a leader in the firm and captive industry. His experience navigating complex regulatory environments and his strategic foresight ensure that captives are not only compliant but also primed for success from their inception. His technical knowledge and proactive approach to industry trends and regulations make him a sought-after speaker at major conferences and a respected figure in insurance circles.

Murray’s leadership also extends to his community involvement. He serves as the treasurer for Camp Wonder and volunteers with local food banks.

where she serves as assistant principal and dean of students. Considered the “Oscars of Teaching,” the award comes with an unrestricted $25,000 cash prize and honors exceptional, innovative educators across the country. Sheridan is the first recipient in the Idaho Falls School District.

The school’s former art teacher, Sheridan made a dynamic impact on campus climate by infusing art into core curricula, serving as an instructional leader and forming trusted relationships across the faculty. Her unique mix of

Matt Wetherbee (’09, ’10M) with his wife, Kaitlyn, and his service dog, a golden retriever named Seven

classroom and leadership experience has served her well in her current role.

“Kelly forges a path for wholeschool success at Compass Academy with her multipronged approach to administering state assessments,” said Debbie Critchfield, Idaho superintendent of Public Instruction. “She combines a deep technical knowledge of the art of leading a school with the energy, creativity and adapt-

09 Matt Wetherbee (’10M), a Kinesiology graduate, founded the MW Fund, a nonprofit that provides financial assistance for those with spinal cord injuries, in 2018. After a league basketball acci-

15Kelly Sheridan, a Studio Art major and Art Education minor, received the prestigious Milken Educator Award in February at her school, Compass Academy, in Idaho Falls, Idaho,

IN MEMORIAM: Mary Marshall Gilmore McCormack (’50), 93, of Richmond, Virginia, died on Oct. 26, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. She was a member of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority, Madison’s Business Club, Baptist Student Union and the YWCA. The Mary Marshall Gilmore McCormack (’50) Scholarship Endowment in the College of Visual and Performing Arts was established in her honor. She taught at Clifton Forge High School before marrying Alfred McCormack Jr. A devoted mother, grandmother and friend, she is survived by daughters Joan Ferrill and Anne Beverly Jones, sons-in-law, and grandchildren.

Mary Marshall Gilmore McCormack (’50)

Meg Stagaard (’08)

Staff Emeriti Association finishes another banner academic year

BY TINA UPDIKE (’73), SEA Steering Committee chair

The Staff Emeriti Association is a volunteer organization of retired staff emeriti members who join together with the aim of maintaining ties to JMU while promoting their current interests. During the 2023-24 academic year, SEA activities and events supported its mission of being actively engaged with JMU and the community. The association has grown due to its partnership with the Office of Human Resources to increase awareness of the staff emeriti designation across campus. As a result, 316 classified staff retirees have earned the designation, and 25% are active SEA members.

The SEA monthly luncheon series includes tours of JMU facilities as well as a chance for members to get to know one another and network with former colleagues. Tours during this past year included the Lisanby Museum’s Highlights of the Madison Art Collection exhibition, the remodeled Convocation Center, Bridgeforth Stadium and the Robert & Frances Plecker Athletic Performance Center. In April, members received a guided tour of Dynamic Aviation in Bridgewater, Virginia. Attendance at events reached an all-time high, averaging 36 members and guests per activity.

The SEA’s premier event is the annual membership luncheon with a “State of the University” address by a senior JMU admin -

ability needed to influence individual students. She is an inspiration both in and out of the classroom.” ■ Stephanie Ackerman participated in the 2014 Semester in Spain study-abroad program with 23 classmates. They have stayed in touch throughout the years, and eight of those Dukes — from California, New York, Texas and Virginia — held their 10-year reunion June 15-19 in Salamanca, Spain. They met up with previous host families and program leader Jesús Jiménez, who still lives in Salamanca, for dinner.

istrator. This year’s address was given by Towana Moore, vice president for administration and finance. The event was held June 6 in the Montpelier Room of East Campus Dining Hall.

SEA tours Dynamic Aviation in Bridgewater, Virginia.

Prior to the lunch, which was sponsored by Human Resources, SEA Chairperson Christina Updike welcomed the 45 SEA members and guests, providing an overview of accomplishments and initiatives from the past year. She also gave a midyear update on the SEA’s adoption of The Pantry as its volunteer activity. SEA support in the form of monetary donations and needed supplies help alleviate student food insecurity on campus. So far, the SEA has made 109 gifts totaling $4,390 and donated more than 50 pounds of supplies during the fall Back to School campaign.

After their meal, Moore provided an overview of JMU’s significant achievements and new capital projects during the 2023-24 academic year. Attendees also enjoyed a lively Q&A session.

For more information about the Staff Emeriti Association and upcoming events, visit https://jmu.edu/staffemeriti or email staffemeriti@jmu.edu.

“His daughters were 10 and 7 at the time when we studied abroad, and now they are 20 and 17! It was very special to reconnect,” Ackerman said. “The next day, we went to speak to JMU students during their classes and reconnected with previous professors who were shocked, impressed and honored that we pulled off this reunion. Jesús took us all to our favorite spot, Cafe Mandala, for lunch with professors and current JMU students. He was so proud to see us all there and was introducing us to everyone we met.”

20Colton Sorrells, an Integrated Science and Technology graduate, is a wind warrior. In a short span of time, he has risen through the ranks at Scout Clean Energy in Boulder, Colorado, to become a project manager. The company sets up windand solar-energy projects across the U.S. These days, Sorrells and his colleagues are as busy as a wind turbine in a windstorm. Scout Clean Energy manages 20 renewable energy projects and is developing another 20 projects.

Stephanie Ackerman (’15) and classmates in Salamanca

Serving the JMU community

Many Dukes have volunteered with the Harrisonburg Rescue Squad over the years, and the agency serves the Madison community.

year as a robust, all-volunteer agency established in 1949 75th

1

With a typical approximate call volume of 9,000 calls per year, the HRS receives at least one call for service per hour, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

9,855

The HRS received 9,855 calls for service in 2023.

Interested in volunteering at the HRS? Scan here to learn more.

VOLUNTEER OF THE TIME

210

Now with more than 210 active volunteers.

EXPECTING THE

(UN)EXPECTED

Rachel Garmon-Williams (’10) of Bridge 9 Theater works to make improv accessible to all. Their first Sensory Friendly Improv Show debuted in 2017.

Rachel Garmon-Williams (’10) is connected to their Richmond, Virginia, community by eight bridges that cross the mighty James River.

“We are the ninth connector,” said Garmon-Williams, creator and executive director of Bridge 9 Theater. “A core part of founding this organization was connecting the community through laughter.” With its Sensory Friendly Improv Shows, Bridge 9 Theater brings diversity and inclusivity to the river city’s art scene.

Bridge 9 Theater uses adaptive measures, such as giving warnings before loud noises — staff use glowsticks to let the audience know of volume changes — and “scooping” music by turning it on slowly instead of suddenly. Bridge 9 Theater also ensures the audience arrives knowing what to expect by providing the schedule in advance with details about the location and indoor experience. The theater opens early, offering attendees ample time to settle in. Aisles are extra wide with multiple pathways for theatergoers to move around as needed.

A Musical Theatre and Dance major with a minor in Nonprofit Management, Garmon-Williams adopted their service mentality and strong sense of community from JMU. “Learning the power of serving the community, each other and ourselves had a huge impact on me,” they said.

Garmon-Williams will continue expanding Bridge 9 Theater’s reach, organizing shows that are not just for diverse populations but involve diverse performers. In the next year, they hope to facilitate improv classes for the deaf community.

Garmon-Williams’ experience as a special events manager at Imagination Stage, a theater organization in Maryland devoted to accessibility of the arts, was the inspiration behind Bridge 9 Theater. In traditional theater, lights and sounds can be overwhelming for autistic individuals and other sensory-sensitive groups.

For more inspiring stories, scan the code and visit www.jmu.edu/ beingthechange.

KATIE DODGE

“Providing these spaces where arts are accessible and people can see themselves in arts is a human condition that we need. We need these outlets, whether we do it ourselves or observe it.”

— Amy Crockett (’10)

PHOTOGRAPH BY