Madison Magazine: Spring/Summer 2021 by James Madison University

UNLEASHED SOARS PAST GOAL 9 BLACK REPRESENTATION IN COMICS 36 RELAY FOR LIFE 44

THE MAGAZINE OF JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY

A year unlike any other

SPRI NG/SUM M ER 2021

May graduates walk with hope as pandemic wanes

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Three days of Commencement After an entire year of events disrupted or canceled by the pandemic, JMU held in-person Commencement exercises for the Class of 2021 in Bridgeforth Stadium over the course of the second weekend in May.

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Intentional kindness and resilience

Vol.44, No. 2 EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Khalil Garriott (’04)

S E N I O R E D I T O R - AT - L A R G E

was born on March 18. This year, for the entire month of March, I undertook a “31 Days of Kindness” crusade—one for each day of the month. My goals were to appreciate life and to be intentional about spreading some kindness around to others. Here are some daily actions I took and their corresponding dates:

Pam Brock

MANAG I NG E DITOR

Jim Heffernan (’96, ’17M) C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R

Bill Thompson

ART DIRECTOR

March 2: Provided financial support of Amy Martin’s (’16) budding music career. n March 4: Made a gift to a Virginia charity of my choice at CVCGives.org. n March 13: Contacted recent JMU graduates who are job searching to help with their searches. n March 15: Sent Brad Burgess (’14, ’16M) and his wife a baby congrats card. n March 19: Sent Mike (’13, ’17M, ’21M) and Christine (’14) Prior a baby congrats card. n March 20: Sent Justin Jannuzzi a new job congrats card. n March 25: Sent Kerrie La Fleur (’04) and Reed Smollar a baby girl congratulations gift. n March 28: Told my mom that I love her. I wouldn’t have been born without her. n March 29: Told my dad that I love him. I wouldn’t have been born without him. n March 31: Sent Laura (’07, ’08M) and Zac (’06, ’10M) Hittie a pregnancy congrats card. n

Carolyn Windmiller (’81) A D M I N I S T R AT I V E A S S I S TA N T

Haley Garnett

D E S I G N A S S I S TA N T S

Carly Chisholm (’21) Hannah Phillips

E D I T O R I A L A S S I S TA N T S

Grace Mathias (’21) Jessica Nickels (’21)

C R E AT I V E M E D I A T E A M

Justin Roth Elise Trissel Cody Troyer

AT H L E T I C S P H O T O G R A P H Y

You see, Dukes look out for Dukes. I hope this sparks a selfless idea or two for you as well. We are built to be kind. Research shows that human connection is a gut-level need for all of us. And scientists have proven that kindness makes our brains healthier. Never doubt the impact a small gesture can have on another person because we are all battling something. I constantly come across purple-and-gold reminders that service-minded Dukes can achieve significant accomplishments when we coalesce around something greater than ourselves. Since March 2020, we have all been affected in different ways. The toughness our community has shown led me to make the theme of this issue of Madison the importance of resilience. Humans are incredibly resilient in the face of adversity! I am so proud of how JMU has united during the COVID-19 crisis. Yes, challenges have arisen along the way. But for the past 15 months, examples of resilience within the JMU Family abound. May 2021 graduates persevered to reach the finish line at their in-person college Commencement ceremonies (see cover). Three of them defined resilience through their own prisms (see Page 6). All donors to JMU contributed to us soaring past the Unleashed goal 15 months early (see Page 9). New support for underrepresented faculty and students allows them to put their ideas into motion (see Page 12 and Page 13, respectively). Three football-playing alumni took circuitous routes to becoming Super Bowl champions (see Page 19). An alumna overcame biases toward women in standup comedy (see Page 63). Kathy Warden (’92) and G.J. Hart (’84) each emphasized resilience during their recent chats with the Federal Dukes Alumni Chapter and the College of Business, respectively. These highly respected CEOs understand that your ability to bounce back determines your level of success. And now for my maiden attempt at weaving a quote from an animated, regal blue tang fish into prose. As Dory reassures Marlin in Finding Nemo, I spy infinite wisdom in her three words: “Just keep swimming.” I encourage you to just keep moving forward.

Cathy Kushner (’87)

CAMPUS CONTRIBUTORS

Alumni Relations Athletics Donor Relations Parent Relations University Communications and Marketing F O R A D D R E S S U P D AT E S , E M A I L :

advancementgr@jmu.edu or call 1-855-568-4483

C O N TA C T T H E M A D I S O N S TA F F :

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 NON-DISCRIMINATION 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 non-discrimination, affirmative action, and anti-harassment. JMU prohibits sexual and gender-based harassment, including sexual assault, and other forms of inter-personal violence. The responsibility for overall coordination, monitoring and information dissemination about JMU’s program of equal opportunity, non-discrimination, 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.

Go Dukes! Sincerely,

(REVISED JANUARY 2020)

Khalil Garriott (’04) executive editor, Madison magazine @khalilgarriott 2

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PH OTO G R A PH BY H A LLE FO R B E S (‘ 1 9)

Contents

The Black Leadership Coalition organized a Unity March on April 29 as a show of support for students of color at JMU. Students and administrators marched shoulder to shoulder from Warner Commons to the Festival lawn.

Full Frame

2021 graduates show resilience in difficult year BY ELISE TRISSEL

Letter From the Editor

The importance of intentional kindness BY KHALIL GARRIOTT (‘04)

Contributors, Staff Soundbites

Get to know the people behind the stories

Directions

President Alger on what makes JMU unique and why this is THE place to be

Unleashed

Sen. Scott Surovell (’93) and Doug Ramseur (’93) were key players in the Virginia General Assembly’s vote to abolish the death penalty.

Special Collections now features vintage Black comic books, which are being studied in several JMU courses.

Highlighting student scholarships; surpassing our $200 million campaign fundraising goal; Madison Trust event draws record number of investor-judges

11 Brag Sheet

”Talking points,” a way to brag about JMU

12 News & Notes

First-ever faculty cohort hire; JMU partners with NASCAR; supporting underrepresented graduate student research; Black alumni share secrets of their success; new building names tell more complete history of JMU; free tax prep services for the community; remembering Edith J. Carrier; CoE key partner on federal grant; Faculty Focus

U N I T Y M A RC H A N D R I C H M O N D D U O PH OTO G R A PH S BY E LI S E T R I S S E L ; “ T H E FA N TA ST I C FO U R ” CO U RT E SY O F S PEC I A L CO LLEC T I O N S

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18 JMU Nation

Unleashed: The Campaign for James Madison University surpassed its fundraising goal well ahead of schedule. But the work is far from done.

Women’s basketball transfer making her grandfather proud; three Dukes win Super Bowl with Tampa Bay; future is bright for men’s hoops; soccer standouts join MLS

22 Bright Lights

Couple establishes a faculty fellowship in the School of Art, Design and Art History

26 Killing the death penalty

Alumni lead the charge to end four centuries of capital punishment in Virginia

BY JIM HEFFERNAN (’96, ’17M)

32 A unique opportunity

JMU graduates benefit from CISR’s longstanding relationship with the Department of State

BY JESSICA NICKELS (’21)

36 Black representation in comics Edith J. Carrier, former JMU first lady, hostess and event planner extraordinaire, died March 14 at the age of 86.

Vintage collection a rarity in higher education

BY EMILY BLAKE

40 Student organizations adapt amid COVID-19 restrictions

BY GRACE ZACHARIAS

44 Relay For Life makes difference in fight against cancer

BY GRACE MATHIAS (’21)

46 Parent volunteer helps revamp COVID-19 dashboard

After transferring to JMU, Brianna Tinsley had to sit out a year and deal with uncertainties before making her Dukes debut.

JMU had one of the lowest student infection rates among Virginia’s big publics

BY KHALIL GARRIOTT (’04)

48 Tradition lives on

Spirit Rock celebrates 10th anniversary

BY JESSICA NICKELS (’21)

50 Alumni for Life

Class of 1970; honoring health care heroes; Atlanta Dukes chapter; Mixed Media

56 Class Notes

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The Alumni Spotlight is on Wendy Maybury (‘99), who is making a name for herself on the Minneapolis comedy scene.

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Staff Emeriti Association update; scholarship thank-you letters; Celebrations

64 By the Numbers

IIHHS’ impact on the community

C A R R I E R PH OTO G R A PH BY J M U PH OTO G R A PH Y S E RV I C E S (1 99 8); T I N S LE Y BY C AT H Y K U S H N E R ( ’ 87 ); A LU M N I S POT LI G H T CO U RT E SY O F W E N DY M AY B U RY ( ’ 99)

JOIN THE AMETHYST CIRCLE NOW

Power Up with JMU Women Roll up your sleeves with other influential women to do JMU’s most urgent work together. It’s time to open our doors to students who need our help to attend.

Your $5,000 pledge today will provide scholarships for aspiring Dukes of promise who have set their hearts on the Madison Experience.

“I

want women to step forward to become a significant philanthropic force for JMU. Women are doing important work in the world. We are the CFOs and philanthropic decisionmakers for our families. So think about the impact we can have on our university when we give together.”

— Beth McConnell Bliss (’84) Amethyst Circle Founder*

“T

he Amethyst Circle is new. It’s created by women for women to support what’s needed most — scholarships for students who can’t afford to come to JMU without our help. I really like that I’m investing myself and my financial support in league with other women. I urge more women to join our cause.”

— Dawn Smith Barnes (’93) Amethyst Circle Founder*

You can invest now or fulfill your membership pledge in multiple installments over the next two years. Find out more by visiting https://j.mu/amethyst. Questions? Call the Women for Madison office at (540) 568-8831.

Join us and tell your friends.

Help shape the future of women’s philanthropy at JMU. PH OTO G R A PH C R E D I T

*See all the Founders at https://j.mu/acfounders

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C O N T R I BU T O R S

Staff Soundbites The theme of this issue is the importance of resilience. What does that word mean to you? “To me, resilience means continuing to push forward despite the obstacles and challenges you might face; to be able to recover quickly from any roadblocks and spring back. To be resilient, one must keep going, no matter what!” JESSICA NICKELS (‘21) editorial assistant

“Resilience means overcoming barriers and setbacks while in pursuit of a goal. Resilience is key in achieving your goals!” GRACE MATHIAS (‘21) editorial assistant

“Resilience is working through roadblocks, challenges and adversity to achieve your goals. It’s having the strength to move forward, against all odds. To me, it specifically means not letting anything stop me on the way to reaching my dreams.” CARLY CHISHOLM (‘21) design assistant

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Brittany Bell (’21), a student writing assistant in the Office of Alumni Relations, is a senior double majoring in media arts and design and writing, rhetoric and technical communication. Her career passions include writing, interviewing, editing and photography. Bell hopes to pursue a career in feature writing so she can continue to meet and write about interesting people. Her feature on the Class of 1970 appears on Page 50. She also wrote this issue’s Alumni Spotlight on Page 63. Grace Mathias (’21), an editorial assistant in University Communications and Marketing, is a senior double majoring in communication studies, with a concentration in public relations, and media arts and design, with a concentration in creative advertising. She is an active member of Phi Sigma Sigma. After graduation, she will join the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors as a communications, engagement and experience specialist. Her recap of the February Madison Vision Series event is on Page 14. She also wrote a feature on JMU’s 2021 Relay For Life event on Page 44. Jessica Nickels (’21), an editorial assistant in University Communications and Marketing, is a senior majoring in writing, rhetoric and technical communication. She is also vice president of JMU’s gardening club, JMGrew. She hopes to pursue a career as a professional or managing editor of a publication or publishing house. She is interested in publication design, writing and inspiring people through storytelling. Nickels contributed two features to this issue: a State Department fellowship program administered by CISR (Page 32) and the 10th anniversary of the Spirit Rock on campus (Page 48). Laureta Ramaj (‘21M) recently graduated from the communication and advocacy program and was a graduate assistant for The Graduate School. She is passionate about issues of women empowerment and aims to foster social change through communication, advocacy and storytelling. Ramaj wrote the story about The Graduate School’s new grant supporting underrepresented students’ research on Page 13. Grace Zacharias, a photography assistant in University Communications and Marketing, is a junior studio art major and writing, rhetoric and technical communication minor. She is actively involved in Kappa Pi, the art service organization at JMU. Her passions include photography, editing and writing. Zacharias hopes to pursue a career where she will be able to share stories through her work. Her article and photography detailing how student clubs and organizations have adapted to COVID-19 regulations begin on Page 40.

S PR I N G/S U M M E R 2 02 1 Vol.44, No. 2 BOA R D O F V I S ITO RS 2020 –2 1

Lara P. Major (’92, ’20P), Rector Deborah T. Johnson (’78), Vice Rector Vanessa M. Evans-Grevious (’93, ’97M) Christopher Falcon (’03) Frank T. Gadams (’93) Jeffrey E. Grass (’92) Matthew A. Gray-Keeling (’05) Maribeth D. Herod (’82) Lucy Hutchinson (’06) Maria D. Jankowski John C. Lynch (’91) Maggie A. Ragon (’82) John C. Rothenberger (’88) Kathy J. Warden (’92)

Craig B. Welburn (’96) Norman R. Jones III (’21), Student Member Donna L. Harper (’77, ’81M, ’86Ed.S.), Secretary PRESIDENT

Jonathan R. Alger PRESIDENT’S CABINET

Cynthia Bauerle

Vice Provost, Faculty and Curriculum (interim)

Jeff Bourne

Director of Athletics

Brian Charette

Special Assistant to the President, Strategic Planning and Engagement

Heather Coltman

Provost and Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs

Mike Davis

Executive Advisor to the President

Arthur Dean II (’93, ’99M)

Executive Director, Campus and Community Programs for Access and Inclusion

Donna Harper (’77, ’81M,

Andy Perrine (’86)

Associate Vice President, Communications and Marketing

Caitlyn Read (’10, ’18M) Government Relations

Anthony Tongen Research and Scholarship

Mary-Hope Vass

Director, Communications and University Spokesperson VICE PROVOSTS

Cynthia Bauerle

Faculty and Curriculum (interim)

Linda Cabe Halpern University Programs

Rudy Molina Jr.

Student Academic Success and Enrollment Management

Anthony Tongen Research and Scholarship DEANS

’86Ed.S.) Vice President, Access and Enrollment Management

Robert Aguirre

Charles King Jr.

Michael Busing

Arts and Letters

Senior Vice President, Administration and Finance

Business

Jack Knight

Visual and Performing Arts

Rubén Graciani

Senior Assistant Attorney General and University Counsel

Robert Kolvoord

Nick Langridge (’00, ’07M,

Mark L’Esperance

’14Ph.D.) Vice President, University Advancement

Brent Lewis

Integrated Science and Engineering Education

Sharon Lovell (’85)

Health and Behavioral Studies

Associate Vice President, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Melissa Lubin

Bradley Newcomer

Dean, Professional & Continuing Education

Marsha Mays-Bernard

Associate Vice President, Wellness, Orientation and Multicultural Engagement

Professional & Continuing Education Honors

Bethany Nowviskie Libraries

Samantha Prins

Science and Mathematics (interim)

Tim Miller (’96, ’00M)

Linda Thomas

Vice President, Student Affairs

The Graduate School

Rudy Molina Jr.

A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N OFFICER

Vice Provost, Student Academic Success and Enrollment Management

Towana Moore

Associate Vice President, Business Services

David Owusu-Ansah Associate Provost, Diversity

Dave Urso (’03, ‘05M) President

PA R E N T S C O U N C I L CHAIRS

Jim (’89) and Cathy (’89) Dotter (’21P)

B E LL, M AT H I A S , N I C K E L S A N D Z AC H A R I A S PH OTO G R A PH S BY E LI S E T R I S S E L

D I R E C T I O NS

JMU is THE place to be

ounded during the Reagan era to address America’s April from a wide-ranging survey of executives and hiring managers then-lagging ability to compete in a rapidly globalizing in a report, How College Contributes to Workforce Success: Employer economy, the Council on Competitiveness maintains a Views on What Matters Most. The report’s author, Ashley Finley, University Leadership Forum, of which I am a member. AAC&U vice president for research and senior adviser to the presiBecause James Madison University is uniquely positioned dent, wrote that employers continue to find high value in students as a hybrid institution—one that blends the best elements developing a “broad skill base that can be applied across a range of of large research universities with those of smaller liberal arts colleges—I contexts.” Finley continued, “Our results also point to how much was asked to co-chair a Council on Competitiveness task force on STEM fostering mindsets—like work ethic and persistence—matter for and the Liberal Arts. This group will promote the idea that when engi- workplace success,” from the employer perspective. Finley also wrote that a consistent difneers think like artists and artists think like ference of opinion expressed by executives engineers, new perspectives are created on the and hiring managers under 40 and those road to discovery and innovation. over 50 suggest that liberal arts-related Through disciplines including history, skills and civic and community mindedart, philosophy, language and music, ness are becoming more important to scientists and engineers can push the employers, not less. JMU has long been a boundaries of their disciplines—often leader in developing our students to be civresulting in groundbreaking research. ically engaged and community minded. As corporations increasingly utilize the And while the unique curriculum and liberal arts to encourage creative thinkco-curriculum at JMU clearly position ing, the next generation of workers must our students and alumni to prosper in a be prepared to apply both arts and sci- College of Visual and Performing Arts sophorapidly changing global economy, it is the ence skills to take maximum advantage mores use creativity at JMU X-Labs, where innovation happens intentionally. relational aspect between students and of new opportunities. The task force will bring broader recognition to an expanded STEM concept called mentors in and out of the classroom that is most important. Other “STEAM” (blending science, technology, engineering, arts and wide-ranging research by Gallup has proven that the top factor for a math), which will promote greater collaboration across industries. college graduate to lead a life of purpose and meaning is that someone If you’re a history buff, you know that one of the most important took interest in them personally while in college. Gallup studied JMU technologies that drove the Industrial Revolution was the steam alumni and contrasted them with graduates of other U.S. institutions, engine. Is it a coincidence that STEAM might lead to a new and finding them to be thriving at double-digit rates above their peers. If cleaner industrial revolution? “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it the COVID-19 pandemic has taught those of us in higher education anything, it’s that true in-person engagement really matters. often rhymes,” goes a popular maxim attributed to Mark Twain. In this space in the previous edition of Madison, I cited “The World What decidedly is not a coincidence is that JMU is a hybrid institution and ranked as Virginia’s “Best College for Getting a Job”—for in 2021,” a publication filled with predictions for the coming year the last two consecutive years—based on U.S. Department of Educa- published annually by The Economist, and it bears repeating. Policy tion Scorecard data. I firmly believe that this ranking is a result of correspondent Idrees Kahloon wrote, “In-person learning is superior to JMU delivering such a blended virtual instruction, which, more than mere nostalgia, explains its per“Employers love academic and experiential expe- sistence.” Now that a vastly wider swath of students has been exposed JMU graduates rience. Employers love JMU to virtual learning, this conclusion rings true for many. Of course, we because they pos- graduates because they possess will carry new efficiencies forward revealed by enabling technologies and professional skills that helped us through the pandemic. As the pandemic passes and insess technical and technical as well as the ability to think person learning returns as the norm, JMU is THE place to be. professional skills broadly, reason ethically and communicate effectively on as well as the ability to think broadly, multiple platforms. The Association of Amerireason ethically can Colleges and Universiand communicate ties partnered with Hanover Jonathan R. Alger Research to present findings in president, James Madison University effectively.” PH OTO G R A PH BY G R AC E Z AC H A R I A S

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Stewardship event highlights impact of student scholarships

MU’s 29th annual Stewardship event brought donors together with students, faculty members and university leaders in the spirit of giving March 18 and 19. Students were the stars of the hour as they shared the impact of scholarships on their Madison Experience. The event, “Up Close and Virtual,” consisted of two Zoom sessions intended to celebrate the relationships between donors and the impact of their giving. Mary (’67) and George Vetrovec hosted the March 18 kickoff event, which included opportunities to mix and mingle, share a themed drink over conversation and enjoy musical performances by JMU student ensembles. The event concluded with a virtual toast to student scholarships. During the March 19 main event, more than 175 attendees heard from some of the student beneficiaries of the scholarships. “As a first-generation Mexican-American child, I thought I had to work harder than others to earn respect and promotions,” said freshman psychology major Kathleen Arenas Diaz, a graduate of the Valley Scholars program. “I believed scholarships were only for other kids more privileged than I was.” When Diaz was accepted into Valley Scholars, “it felt like a dream come true,” she said. Diaz recently secured a research assistant position with the psychology department. “Already, I’m gaining real, hands-on experience with the career I wish to pursue,” she said. “I will continue to keep working hard, knowing I have the support from you all to be my best.” Isabel Romov, a junior biotechnology major and JMU’s inaugural Beckman Scholar, said if not for “As a first-genher College of Science and Mathematics scholarship, she might eration Mexicanhave missed out on the opporAmerican child, I tunity to research treatments for thought I had to arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, work harder than an inherited disease that causes arrhythmias and thickens the others to earn walls of the ventricles in the heart. respect and pro“Because of COVID-19, I motions. I believed found myself struggling to find scholarships were and fund a place to stay in Haronly for other kids risonburg,” Romov said. Her scholarship helped bridge the gap. more privileged “Now I’m in the lab all the time. than I was.” That’s where I want to be. This is the kind of work I want to do.” — KATHLEEN ARENAS DIAZ

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(From top, L–R): “Up Close and Virtual” kickoff event hosts George and Mary (’67) Vetrovec; scholarship recipients Kathleen Arenas Diaz, Isabel Romov, Belinda Addae, Chris Jones and Corinne Martin.

Belinda Addae (’21), who majored in intelligence analysis with minors in political science and Honors interdisciplinary studies, almost didn’t get to attend JMU at all. As a child of undocumented immigrants, her path to a college education was far from guaranteed. “JMU made it a point to say, ‘We want you here,’” she said. “I have gotten to enjoy the full JMU experience, including the luxury of exploring myself and learning about the things that fuel my passions,” Addae said, “such as religious terrorism and the roles that women play in those spaces.” Chris Jones (’21), who majored in engineering and was a Centennial Scholar, said the financial assistance he received at JMU allowed him to pursue four minors—African, African American and Diaspora Studies; geographic science; mathematics; and physics for engineers—as well as mentorship and study-abroad opportunities. After graduation, he hopes to work in international development to help struggling communities. “Receiving my scholarships has truly changed my life,” Jones said. “It has provided me with financial security that I have not felt in a very long

UNLEAS H E D

“I would not have the ability to pursue my passions if it weren’t for my scholarship. Thank you for seeing me, thank you for hearing me and thank you, above all, for believing in me.” — CORINNE MARTIN

time. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your donations and support.” Sophomore Corinne Martin, who is double majoring in English and Native American History, Culture and Narratives, is a member of the Sappony tribe of North Carolina. She said her Centennial Scholarship has allowed her to explore her heritage as an indigenous person and devote time to her writing. “I would not have the ability to pursue my passions if it weren’t for my scholarship,” Martin said. “Thank you for seeing me, thank you for hearing me and thank you, above all, for believing in me.” JMU President Jonathan R. Alger delivered the keynote address, thanking donors for their support of the new Atlantic Union Bank Center, the home of the JMU men’s and women’s basketball programs as well as future university and community events. Alger also highlighted James (’70, ’00P) and Carolyn (’00P) Hartman’s gift to the new College of Business Learning Complex and a renowned addition to the JMU Mineral Museum from the late Peter L. Via of Roanoke, Virginia. Nick Langridge (’00, ’07M, ’14Ph.D.), vice president for university advancement, hosted “Up Close and Virtual.” He thanked donors for their generosity. “Your scholarships have had power in their stories,” Langridge said. “They’ve given [students] encouragement as they’ve pursued their dreams.”

A towering achievement

Unleashed achieves goal on JMU Giving Day, renews focus on scholarships

n the midst of another successful JMU Giving Day on March 23, Unleashed: The Campaign for James Madison University crossed its $200 million goal well ahead of schedule. JMU President Jonathan R. Alger heralded the milestone with a video message to the university community. “Many experts told us this was too bold, too grand a challenge for us … for you (JMU’s donors) … to meet,” Alger said. “Not only did you prove the experts wrong, but you did it in six-and-a-half years, not eight. You did it in the midst of a global pandemic. And you did it together.” The eight-year fundraising campaign began in July 2014 and will conclude at the end of June 2022. With nearly 1,000 first-time donors added on JMU Giving Day, 57,718 donors have made gifts to the campaign as of press time. “Of course, we’re not done,” Alger continued, noting that student scholarships will be the focus of the rest of the campaign. “There are many deserving young people who still need help to realize their aspirations at JMU. It’s crucial for them that we sprint to the finish!”

GIVING DAY RAISES SECONDMOST DOLLARS EVER

The campaign goal highlighted the fifth JMU Giving Day, which was canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic but had been held each year previously. The 24-hour event unites alumni, families, students, employees and friends of the university in supporting JMU. This year’s event raised $883,102 for initiatives across campus—the second-most amount of money raised for the single-day event. The Duke Club’s “Proud and True” fund, which benefits JMU student-athletes, drew the most support, garnering 637 gifts totaling $148,605. Among the other programs that received noteworthy support were the newest Unleashed campaign priorities: the African, African American and Diaspora Studies Center, which ranked eighth in dollars received ($16,373), and the Furious Flower Poetry Center, which ranked seventh in gifts received (259). Other donor favorites during the day included the College of Business (460 gifts for $67,799); Madison for Keeps CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 >>>

— Jim Heffernan (’96, ’17M) and Khalil Garriott (‘04)

To watch a video of the “Up Close and Virtual” event, please visit https://j.mu/thankyou.

JMU President Jonathan R. Alger heralded the milestone in a video message to the university community.

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>>> FROM PAGE 9

Scholarships (259 gifts for $47,476); and the College of Arts and Letters (318 for $41,859).

Investor-judges flock to online event

record 48 investor-judges took advantage of the spring Madison Trust event’s online format to invest in faculty research and innovation. At press time, participants had invested more than $97,000 in 10 JMU projects that advance business, scientific and technological developments, and enhance social progress and education. Another 150-plus observers tuned into the live stream throughout the day to learn more about Madison Trust and the excitement behind it. “This is my third year, and it was the best group of projects yet, top to bottom,” investor-judge Eric Warden (’93) said. “All of the presentations were very good and appealed across a broad spectrum of interests.” JMU President Jonathan R. Alger opened the day of presentations and investments. “At JMU, imagination, innovation and the desire to achieve societal solutions race well ahead of institutional resources,” he told investor-judges. “So, we count on your perspective and insight to strengthen and support our innovations.” The three projects receiving the most funding were Wellness 360, an expansion of JMU’s Suitcase Clinic dedicated to improving the health of the local homeless population, presented by health professions professor Sharon Maiewski; and Entrepreneurial Solutions for Plastic Problems and Trash to Treasure 2, both presented by integrated science and engineering professor Jared Stoltzfus, who focuses on entrepreneurial sustainability solutions.

The projects receiving the highest number of investments were management professor Bill Ritchie’s Africa Medical Supply Chain Experiential Learning Project and nursing professor Heather Soper’s Call the Midwife: Piloting an In-home Model of Prenatal Care by a Solo Midwife. All of the March 5 proposals incorporated student learning experiences, a factor that resonated with investor-judges. “I have always been impressed with the commitment of JMU staff and faculty to the student experience, and this event served to further reinforce that,” said investor-judge Kevin English (’14P), president of KRE Global Advisors. Another takeaway this year was the buzz. “I couldn’t stop talking about the experience to my friends and colleagues,” said investor-judge Jess Burgess (’07), artistic and executive director of Dogtown Dance Theatre in Richmond, Virginia. “Being my first time participating, and even though it was entirely virtual, I thoroughly enjoyed the day,” seconded Patrick Amerena (’13). In fact, the online format drew new investor-judges to the table, including New Jersey resident William Macgill (’92), who said his location, along with family and work obligations, would have prevented him from participating in an on-campus event. — Pam Brock

— KEVIN ENGLISH (’14P), KRE Global Advisors

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Unleashed Campaign Steering Committee members and Dukes Pay It Forward Scholarship program founders Kathy (’78) and Mike (’76, ’77M) Thomas wrote to donors on March 30 about the need for Unleashed to renew its focus on student scholarships. “In our family, we have witnessed firsthand the impact of scholarships,” the Thomases wrote, noting that donors who support these efforts are making a real social impact. Students receiving these scholarships are graduating at the same rates as their peers who attend without financial assistance. “Even with federal Pell grant funding, many deserving applicants who are accepted to JMU cannot attend without further scholarship support,” said Nick Langridge (’00, ’07M, ’14Ph.D.), vice president for university advancement. He noted that funding agencies often look first at the number of students with financial need already on campus, which has been a catch-22 for JMU. To receive more funding from those agencies, JMU must enroll more students with financial aid; however, the university needs additional funding to enroll them in the first place. The May 21-22 Women for Madison Summit included the first major campaign event to highlight the renewed focus on scholarships. “Women Who Amaze: A Virtual Weekend of Connection” featured phenomenal JMU women and some pivotal announcements for helping future Dukes. For more on the summit, visit https://j.mu/amaze. — David Taylor (‘85)

For videos of project presentations and links to giving opportunities, visit https://j.mu/mtgive.

“I have always been impressed with the commitment of JMU … to the student experience, and this event served to further reinforce that.” 10

UNLEASHED RENEWS EMPHASIS ON STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

Mike (’76,’77M) and Kathy (’78) Thomas

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Talking points As loyal Madison readers, you are also brand ambassadors for James Madison University. This feature is a one-stop shop of JMU’s recent rankings and recognitions. Use it to brag about JMU and help spread the word!

TOP PRODUCER OF FULBRIGHTS

ames Madison University has seven alumni who received Fulbright U.S. Student Grants in 2020-21, the third-most of any university in the country. Administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Fulbright Program is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. “We are so proud of our Fulbright applicants and recipients, who are facing and overcoming tremendous challenges to do amazing things around the globe, fulfilling JMU’s vision of being engaged with ideas and

the world,” said JMU President Jonathan R. Alger. The Fulbright U.S. Scholar and Fulbright U.S. Student Programs are sponsored to support academic exchanges between the United States and over 150 countries around the world. Almost 600 U.S. higher education institutions actively participate in the Fulbright program.

“We are so proud of our Fulbright applicants and recipients, who are facing and overcoming tremendous challenges to do amazing things around the globe.” — JONATHAN R. ALGER, JMU president

Best online grad programs

Top geography program in nation

Four online graduate programs at JMU are among the nation’s best, according to U.S. News & World Report. The programs are: the online MBA (No. 26); the online Master of Science in Information Security (No. 39); the online Master of Science in Nursing (No. 99); and online Master’s in Education Programs, which placed in a range from Nos. 227-296. JMU’s online graduate programs were among more than 1,200 surveyed by U.S. News, which has published the rankings for the past eight years.

JMU is home to the nation’s top undergraduate geography program, according to the American Association of Geographers. AAG recognized the JMU geographic science program’s commitment to “high-impact teaching practices … community engagement … and projectbased instruction in cooperation with partners such as Shenandoah National Park.”

Q UA D PH OTO G R A PH BY J U ST I N ROT H

No. 6 Best College Campus in U.S. JMU’s campus is University Magazine’s sixth-best in the nation based on student reviews and data from the U.S. Department of Education. Top-ranked colleges offer outstanding campus resources across classrooms, labs, performance venues, housing, food and recreational facilities. JMU was recognized for its expansive dining options, excellent professors and diverse community.

Three CASE District III awards The Council for Advancement and Support of Education honored JMU with three District III awards. The university’s “Stop the Spread”

marketing campaign won the Grand Gold award in the Institution Wide Branding Programs category. In the Design Single-Sheet Publications category, the Furious Flower Poetry Center commemorative brochure won the Gold Award. Madison magazine (Spring/Summer 2020) won the Silver award in the Publications Pivot category.

Connect with us

For a complete list of all university social media links, please visit j.mu/socialmedia JamesMadisonUniversity @JamesMadisonUniversity James Madison University JamesMadisonU @JMU Madison magazine jmu.edu/madisonmagazine S P R I N G/S U M M E R

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College completes historic cohort hire

he College of Arts and Letters completed its first-ever Tiffany González (history), Graciela Perez (justice studies), Rachel faculty cohort hire—designed to expand teaching and Torres (political science), Cyril Uy (philosophy and religion) and research expertise in the areas of racial and social justice, Ja’La Wourman (writing, rhetoric and technical communication). Collectively, these scholars bring to JMU expertise in Islamic studminority cultures and critical race studies—in March. ies, immigration, racial inequality, Latinx The initiative was led by the college’s dean, Robert D. Aguirre, to “Our new colleagues bring politics and social justice. “To say that these hires are a game elevate curricular, intellectual and faculty energy, creativity and changer for JMU is to understate their diversity across the humanities and social insight to help the univerimpact.” Aguirre said. “Our new colsciences, as well as to bring in scholars with sity address the abiding leagues bring energy, creativity and built-in intellectual and collegial networks. issues of our time.” insight to help the university address the The new faculty members are Tatiana abiding issues of our times.” Benjamin (justice studies), Deborwah — ROBERT D. AGUIRRE, Faulk (sociology and anthropology), — Ciara Brennan (’17) dean, College of Arts and Letters

(L–R): Tatiana Benjamin, Tiffany González, Rachel Torres, Ja’La Wourman, Deborwah Faulk, Graciela Perez and Cyril Uy.

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NASCAR partnership revs up opportunities for students

new partnership is paving the way for sports marketing students to land jobs with a premier sports organization. In December 2020, NASCAR named JMU as the inaugural member of its new NASCAR University initiative, which will provide training and internships to students from select universities nationwide. “They’re not going to be reaching out to every sport and recreation management program, and it’s an honor for JMU to be selected first out of everybody,” said Alyssa Bos-

ley, who teaches the Sport Marketing and Sales course in the Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management. The NASCAR partnership grew out of a relationship with Richmond Raceway, where Bosley’s students have been gaining sales experience since 2017. Students who perform well with NASCAR University have been guaranteed interviews for sales associate positions with NASCAR and invited to work a NASCAR race at Richmond Raceway. — Eric Gorton (’86, ’09M)

Foundation supports underrepresented grad students’ research

hanks to generous (Above): An AIM grant helped contributions from supporters of gradu- Miracle Ogbor complete an ate education, The Graduinterdisciplinary ate School and THRIVE opera project, (Towards a Healthy Respwhich served as sonsive Inclusively Valued her dissertation. Environment) have developed the Advancing Intelligent Minds foundation to provide grants in support of research projects by students who are underrepresented in their academic fields. Four graduate students were awarded AIM grants for the 2020-21 academic year: Mathias Aboba (communication and advocacy), Aniko Safran (studio art), Anisha Patel (psychological sciences) and Miracle Ogbor (vocal performance). Their projects explore a variety of fields, including health, music, art and psychology. To be considered for an AIM grant, students must submit proposals describing their project and budget. Proposals are selected for funding based on noteworthy scholarship and innovation. All grant recipients are required to deliver a tangible product, such as a performance, publication, presentation or scholarly document. Currently, AIM grants are offered annually, but the goal is to increase the number and frequency of these grants as donations to the AIM foundation grow. — Laureta Ramaj (‘21M)

Students in Alyssa Bosley’s Sports Marketing and Sales course in the stands at Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Virginia.

H A RT S C H O O L G RO U P PH OTO G R A PH CO U RT E SY O F A LYS SA B OS LE Y

“[I am] very grateful to be a recipient of such benefits. I hope this continues, as it would be a great source of help to many other students in the future.” — MIRACLE OGBOR

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Black alumni discuss challenges, opportunities on the road to success

n recognition of Black History Month, notable JMU alumni Charles May (’83), Darian Parker (’01, ’03M), Melvin Petty (’84), Angela Reddix (’90) and Faye Tate (’78) discussed their journeys to success after their time at JMU during a virtual Madison Vision Series event Feb. 24. The conversation focused on leadership; overcoming adversity; the benefits of diversity, equity and inclusion; Colorado, said a good mentor will provide Top row (L–R): Faye mentorship; and how JMU prepared each of the panelists for success. Reflecting on her time at JMU, Reddix said, “I felt that I belonged, critical feedback, even when it’s tough to Tate (’78), Angela Reddix (’90), Darian even amongst a large group of [people] where I was a minority. I felt hear. “There’s mentorship, there’s coachParker (’01, ’03M); ing, and the ultimate: Bottom row: Charles that I had family. I had a home immediately.” Reddix, who graduated with a degree in busi- “Those key mentor- sponsorship,” she said. May (’83), Melvin “You want someone Petty (’84) and ness, is the founder, president and CEO of ARDX, ships, at that key President Alger. a health care management consulting firm. She also time, by those very who is going to speak your name when you are not in the room.” founded Envision Lead Grow, a nonprofit organidiverse people, Petty, who works to bridge the gaps in minorzation that works with middle-school girls to transalong with my fam- ity health care as CEO of ERP International, said form areas of poverty into areas of prosperity. leaders must recognize the inequalities in society May, a scholarship athlete at JMU, graduated ily, contributed that people in organizations do not always with a degree in communication arts. A retired greatly to anything and have the same opportunities. NCIS special agent and U.S. Army reserve officer, Parker, a personal trainer and the co-founder he currently manages May Family Commercial positive that I might and Residential Assets, which provides affordable claim to be today.” of Epic Leisure Management, a consulting and management company for luxury health and housing for African Americans in Norfolk, Vir— CHARLES MAY (’83) wellness amenities, advised current students to ginia. He also is an active member of JMU’s Ole develop their relationship skills. “Relationship building ... is paraSchool Alumni Group. May spoke fondly of the late Challace McMillin, Madison’s head mount for success,” he said. The panelists answered questions from the online audience regardfootball coach from 1972-84, and other undergraduate mentors at JMU. “Those key mentorships, at that key time, by those very diverse ing allyship, changes on the JMU campus and alumni groups. JMU people, along with my family, contributed greatly to anything posi- President Jonathan R. Alger concluded the event by reminding the audience about the current opportunities to get involved with DE&I tive that I might claim to be today,” he said. When asked about the importance of mentorship in the workplace, initiatives on campus. Tate, vice president of diversity and inclusion at CoBank in Denver, — Grace Mathias (’21)

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Three buildings renamed

Recognitions help tell a more complete history of JMU

n Feb. 19, JMU’s Board of Visitors approved the renaming of three buildings on the campus’s historic Quad. Mountain Hall (formerly Maury Hall) was renamed Gabbin Hall in honor of Joanne V. and Alexander Gabbin, professors at JMU for more than 35 years. Justice Studies Hall (formerly Jackson Hall) was renamed Darcus Johnson Hall in honor of Sheary Darcus Johnson (’70, ’74M), Madison’s first Black student and graduate. Valley Hall (formerly Ashby Hall) was renamed Harper Allen-Lee Hall, in honor of Doris Harper Allen (’19H) and Robert Walker Lee, both dedicated staff members and unsung heroes in dining services and maintenance, respectively. “Today’s decision to rename three buildings on our campus is part of our deliberate effort to underscore JMU’s commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive institution,” said JMU President Jonathan R. Alger. “These names help us to tell a more complete history of our institution. They highlight and

celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of important individuals and groups who have historically been underrepresented in prominent campus namings.” In July 2020, the Board of Visitors voted unanimously to remove the names of Confederate military leaders from three buildings in the Bluestone section of campus. At that time, temporary names for these buildings were assigned. To provide recommendations for permanent renaming, the 47-member Campus History Committee received input from both campus and community members. Recommendations were developed over the course of several months, and they were shared with university leadership for consideration and review. “These recommendations reflect the values of JMU and are intended to acknowledge and redress past barriers and omissions,” said Lara Major (’92, ’20P), the board’s rector. “They advance our culture of inclusion and reinforce our dedication to an equitable environment where all can learn and work.”

The buildings’ eponyms (clockwise, from right): Doris Harper Allen (‘19H), Robert Walker Lee, Sheary Darcus Johnson (‘70, ‘74M), Joanne V. and Alexander Gabbin.

— Mary-Hope Vass

CoB offers tax prep services to community

ccounting students and faculty members once again offered free tax return preparation services in the spring semester to members of the community with annual household incomes up to $65,000. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the service functioned with a safe drop-off and pick-up model, rather than in-person. Clients could schedule a time to drop off and review their tax documents with a JMU Volunteer Income Tax Assistance volunteer. The VITA program is in its fifth year at JMU. The service was provided in Hartman Hall, part of the new College of Business Learning Complex. — Eric Gorton (’86, ’09M)

For more on the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, visit https://j.mu/vita.

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Remembering Edith J. Carrier (1934-2021)

dith J. Carrier, the wife of former JMU President Ronald E. Carrier, died March 14 at the age of 86. Mrs. Carrier served as JMU’s first lady for 27 years and was the family matriarch, event planner extraordinaire, administrator of university executive events and a beloved member of the community. She wore many hats while her husband was president from 1971 to 1998 and chancellor from 1998 to 2002. Among them was as hostess for the many corporate, political and academic luminaries who visited Madison. She also enjoyed hosting numerous social gatherings in their home and attending every JMU sporting event she could. Mrs. Carrier didn’t seek the limelight, but her enormous contributions certainly did not go unnoticed by the JMU Board of Visitors. In 1998, to acknowledge her years of service to the university and

CoE is key partner in $10.8M grant to help teachers

he College of Education is partnering with Virginia ED Strategies and the Virginia Department of Education on a $10.8 million federal grant to create a professional development program to increase teacher effectiveness and improve in-person, remote and hybrid instruction in science, mathematics and computer science. The five-year Education, Innovation and Research grant from the U.S. Department of Education will focus on middle and secondary STEM teachers in rural areas of the commonwealth.

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as a recognition of gratitude, the Board of Visitors named the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum in her honor. Mrs. Carrier’s legacy lives on in this beautiful, 125acre woodland sanctuary and botanical garden on JMU’s campus. Additionally, in honor of the Carriers’ many contributions to JMU, Madison Memorial Library was renamed Carrier Library in 1984. In his March 25, 1998, news conference announcing that he would be stepping down as president, Carrier said his success was made possible “through the efforts of an excellent cadre of administrators, faculty, staff, students, alumni and other friends of the university.” But he singled out his wife. “Most of all, I have been supported by Edith, who is always by my side in person or in spirit,” he reflected that day. “It has been a glorious 27 years—27 years that mean more to me than anyone could realize.” — Khalil Garriott (’04)

John Almarode, a professor of education at JMU and executive director of teaching and learning in the College of Education, will serve as associate project director for the duration of the grant. “We aim to empower and support teachers as they engage in professional growth that impacts student learning,” Almarode said.

“We aim to empower and support teachers as they engage in professional growth that impacts student learning.” — JOHN ALMARODE, professor of education

“The culture and desire at JMU is to be an engaged university, and engaging with our many partners, communities, teachers and students is precisely what drives this work.” As one of its first deliverables, the project will develop an online dashboard that will include a self-assessment tool. After completing the assessment, teachers will use the dashboard to select and register for courses and professional development programs aligned with their specific needs. The professional development selected by teachers will be paid for by grant funds and will replace 100% of the training required under school division employment contracts during the time teachers participate in the project. — Mary-Hope Vass

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FACULTY FOCUS Spotlighting JMU professors through the lenses of scholarship, awards and service John Almarode

LEARNING, TECHNOLOGY AND LEADERSHIP EDUCATION

Almarode, executive director of teaching and learning, is one of 12 recipients of the 2021 Outstanding Faculty Awards, the highest honor for faculty members at Virginia’s public and private colleges and universities. The awards are presented annually by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and Dominion Resources for accomplishments in teaching, research and public service. Almarode began his career teaching high-school mathematics and science and now works with pre-service teachers. He devotes time to collaborating with in-service teachers in classrooms and schools across the globe. Almarode and his colleagues have presented their work to the U.S. Congress, U.S. Department of Education and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. He has authored multiple articles, reports and book chapters as well as more than a dozen books on effective teaching and learning in today’s schools and classrooms. Almarode, who has taught at JMU since 2011, is the 16th Outstanding Faculty Awards winner from JMU since the awards were presented in 1987. He credits “the environment that has been created at JMU for work that seems to matter and has an impact on people in the community and beyond the walls of JMU.”

Joanne Gabbin ENGLISH

Gabbin recently donated her collection of letters, manuscripts, teaching materials, photographs, poetry and other records to JMU Libraries. The collection, known as the Joanne V. Gabbin Papers, relate to her role as professor of English, former director of the Honors Program, executive director of JMU’s Furious Flower Poetry Center and an influential figure in the African American literary community. Gabbin has been recognized for her contributions to the field of African American poetry by the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the HistoryMakers Archives, the College Language Association and the International Literary Hall of Fame for Writers of African Descent. She founded Furious Flower, the nation’s first academic center dedicated to the study of Black poetry, and has helped bring more than 200 leading Black poets and authors, including Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou, to JMU events to read their works.

Kevin Giovanetti PHYSICS

Giovanetti and his students were among the contributors to the experiment that led to a groundbreaking particle physics discovery at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois, in April. The Muon g-2 experi-

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ment at Fermilab, the premier particle physics and accelerator laboratory in the U.S., revealed that fundamental particles called muons behave in a way that is not predicted by the Standard Model of particle physics. Giovanetti and his students partnered with the University of Virginia to design, prototype and build a power management system that was used as part of the experiment’s detector system. Twenty-four detector packages were deployed to detect the muons as they decayed. “The role of integrative classroom teaching and student research has always been a hallmark of the physics department’s educational efforts, and for me this has been a longstanding effort,” Giovanetti said. “My status as a researcher over many years has clearly influenced my teaching and remains a critical ingredient.” Giovanetti remains a part of the g-2 collaboration and will continue to add more data and carefully analyze the experiment to ensure the validity of the results.

Michael Gubser HISTORY

Gubser was awarded a 2021 Guggenheim Fellowship to complete his book project Leaving the Past Behind: History and Ahistoricism in International Development. Guggenheim Fellowships are awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional capacity for scholarship or creative ability in the arts. Gubser’s project draws on his academic expertise in intellectual history and his professional experience as a proposal writer, needs assessor and project evaluator for international development organizations. Gubser’s project begins with the observation that foreign aid planners rarely consider the history of the

societies in which they work. Practitioners tend to design projects based on universal assumptions about poverty that overlook local history and cultural conditions. His book traces the intellectual history of development, examining key theoretical and policy statements to demonstrate the marginalization of history in favor of technical solutions. Drawing upon his professional experience and previous research, Gubser integrates case studies of aid programs in Guatemala, Bangladesh, Zambia and Uganda.

Amanda Teye POLITICAL SCIENCE

Teye, who teaches in the Master of Public Administration and undergraduate Public Policy and Administration programs, and her students worked for nearly two years to write and implement a $500,000 Bureau of Justice Assistance grant to create an alternative to jailing nonviolent drug offenders in neighboring Page County, Virginia. The grant will fund an adult drug treatment court in the county for three years and provide technical support and assistance. Teye also partnered with local public defender Tim Coyne to co-author a new Virginia Supreme Court docket. “In grant writing, we always set a goal to prove our program worthy of public support,” Teye said. “Projects like this, once they get up and rolling, build momentum to sustain themselves through demonstration of positive outcomes and overall efficiency.” According to Coyne, “The work of Dr. Teye and the graduate students at JMU was outstanding. Dr. Teye’s work enabled us to obtain a very competitive federal grant and made it possible to implement this vitally important program in our criminal justice system.”

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Purple pride

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Women’s basketball player honors her late grandfather’s wishes

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BY BRIANNA TINSLEY

MU is the school you need to go to. I am just saying.” I heard this about a dozen times from my grandfather while I was in high school. However, I thought it would be better to stay a little closer to home and play in the ACC, which led me to choose UVA. On Sept. 7, 2018, my grandfather passed away unexpectedly and my world came crumbling down. My grandfather had been like a father figure to me growing up. He and I spent a lot of time together, so after his passing I began to look at life differently. I knew I needed to make some changes, as my love for the game of basketball had begun to fade while I endured other challenges and changes in my life. I felt as if another school would be a better fit for me. After much prayer, I decided to enter my name into the transfer portal. A million emotions rushed through my body, but I felt this is what I needed to do. It wasn’t long until Coach (Sean) O’Regan reached out to me, and I was ecstatic. I looked no further. I knew this was where I wanted to finish out my career and that I was making my grandfather proud. From the moment I stepped on campus, everyone was so welcoming. They took me in instantly and were so genuine. The players and staff created an atmosphere that made it feel like a big family that I wanted to become a part of.

Brianna Tinsley transferred from UVA to play basketball at JMU.

I am a quiet person, but I am big on energy. I fell in love with the energy that the team brought and the atmosphere of the Convocation Center. Sitting out last year was hard, but I believe it was for the best. I was able to learn a lot from a different perspective and grow in a new way. I have never been a big practice person, so I knew that sitting out would be more of a mental challenge than anything. I would need to show up every day ready to practice hard, knowing that I would not get to play a single game. During practice, I was able to go against a very talented and experienced JMU squad. We had f ive seniors, including future WNBA guard Kamiah Smalls, who played a lot of minutes and held many accolades. I had no choice but to show up and be ready to battle every single day. Overall, I feel like this experience definitely challenged me

and helped me grow as a basketball player and a person. There have been many uncertainties due to COVID-19. Normally, the team would be on campus for May, June and some of July for summer school and summer workouts, but instead we got an extended visit with our families. I cannot lie and say it was not nice to spend extra time with family, but we all wanted to play basketball. Where I lived, there were no gyms open and it was hard to get in with a trainer, so I had to rely on the equipment I had at home and an outdoor court to help me stay in shape. A lot of my workouts came from the Nike Training app. In June, we found out we would be able to return to campus in July, but because I am at high risk with asthma, I was not allowed to return to campus with the team.

“Overall, I feel like this experience definitely challenged me and helped me grow as a basketball player and a person.” — BRIANNA TINSLEY, women’s basketball player

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J M U I was a little down and frustrated because I felt like I was getting left behind and everyone else was going to develop much further and faster than me. However, the few of us left behind were able to join the team in August. Although there were many unknowns, we practiced as if we had a game the next day. We tried our best to remain hungry and eventually were told we would have a season beginning Nov. 25. About a week before our first game, we learned that someone had tested positive and there were certain individuals who had to sit out due to contact tracing. I was, once again, one of those individuals who had to wait. COVID-19 had set me back yet again. It had been 634 days since I had last played a collegiate basketball game, but I was finally able to make my JMU debut on Nov. 30 against Buffalo. On that day, I felt a rush of emotions. I was excited to be back on the court, but I was super nervous because it had been so long since I had actually played a collegiate game. But my coaches and teammates had my back every step of the way and were there to help calm me down. Having to sit out last year was not extremely fun, but I was able to learn a lot and be involved in a loving atmosphere. Despite the many changes and challenges, I am very happy where I am, and I feel as if I am making my grandfather proud every day.

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Dukes win Super Bowl LV with Buccaneers

aron Stinnie (’17), Josh Wells (’14) and Earl Watford (’12) will forever be known as Super Bowl champions. The trio of former James Madison All-Americans claimed the Lombardi Trophy after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rolled past the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-9, in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. It marks the first NFL championship for all three men, and the first time that three former JMU players won a Super Bowl in the same season. Stinnie, a third-year pro, started at right guard for the Bucs, becoming the first JMU player to start in a Super Bowl since Charles Haley in Super Bowl XXX for Dallas. Wells, who is in his seventh year in the league and second with Tampa, was also active and played on the line. Watford, an eight-year veteran, was a member of the Bucs’ practice squad. The Tampa Bay offensive line was instrumental in quarterback Tom Brady’s success in the passing game. The seventime world champion was voted Super Bowl MVP. Stinnie, Wells and Watford became the first former JMU players to win a Super Bowl since Rashard Davis

(player) and John (L-R) Josh Wells, Earl Watford and DeFilippo (coach) Aaron Stinnie in in 2018, when the the locker room. Philadelphia Eagles beat Brady and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII. Other JMU starters to win a Super Bowl include D.J. Bryant (2013), fivetime winner Charles Haley (1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1996) and two-time champion Gary Clark (1988, 1992). Bryant won his championship with the Baltimore Ravens. Haley won twice with San Francisco and three times in Dallas, and Clark won both with Washington.

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Great expectations

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Upstart Dukes earn share of regular-season title BY JASON KRECH (’11), athletics communications director

feel [this] is one of the best jobs in the Mid-Atlantic,” James Madison men’s basketball head coach Mark Byington said upon taking the job in March 2020. “I’m looking forward to winning immediately.” Just over a year later, few people could have predicted how prescient that bit of coach-speak would turn out to be. Heading into the 2020-21 season, the Dukes were picked to finish ninth out of 10 teams in the Colonial Athletic Association, but they responded by going 13-7, earning a share of the regular-season league title for the first time since 2014-15 and clinching the top seed in the CAA Tournament for the first time in nearly three decades. Senior guard Matt Lewis raised his game, leading the Dukes on and off the court while pacing the team in points, rebounds and assists. Junior guard Vado Morse, who joined the Dukes after two stellar seasons at Mount St. Mary’s, proved to be an outstanding backcourt partner, averaging 14.4 points per game, second on the team only to Lewis’ 19.7.

Senior guard Matt Maybe the biggest harbingers of a new era Lewis charges the of men’s hoops at Madison, however, were the net during a game team’s freshmen, an energetic trio who won over against Hostra in fans with their pace, talent and exuberance. February. Terell Strickland, son of longtime NBA point guard Rod Strickland, burst onto the scene early, grabbing a CAA-record 10 steals in his first collegiate game. Justin Amadi turned heads with highlight-reel dunks, including an appearance or two on ESPN’s SportsCenter, and shot an eye-popping 69.5% from the field. Terrence Edwards delivered a series of big shots and rebounds when the team needed them most, particularly late in the season. “We all had a chip on our shoulder,” Strickland told reporters. “That’s what Coach Byington told us all year. That’s why he brought in everybody that he did: because we had a chip on our shoulder. We all had something to prove.” By season’s end, Lewis had earned the program’s first CAA Player of the Year award since 1991, while Byington was a runaway choice

“We just kept getting better and better. Guys developed confidence and had fun, and they were able to win the regular-season championship.” — MARK BYINGTON, men’s basketball head coach

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J M U for CAA Coach of the Year, the Dukes’ first since 2000. Morse and Amadi amassed accolades as well, picking up Second Team All-CA A and CA A All-Rookie honors, respectively. “Before every game, Coach reminded us that he brought in people with something to prove,” Morse said. “Once he told us that, we knew we had to get things rolling.” Lewis sustained a season-ending injury late in the year, and JMU dropped its regularseason finale and its quarterfinal matchup in the CAA Tournament. How the season ended, however, could not take away from the overwhelming feeling of something truly significant in the works at the new Atlantic Union Bank Center. The Dukes, who will return four starters next season, will have a full offseason under Byington to build upon the successes of the 2020-21 campaign. “We had a star player in Matt Lewis, but a lot of guys kept coming along,” Byington said. “Our freshmen were all really good and made huge impacts on the year. We just kept getting better and better. Guys developed conf idence and had fun, and they were able to win the regular-season championship.” With Byington at the helm, a core of young stars ready to take the leap, and one of the nation’s best basketball arenas waiting to greet a contingent of purple-clad fans, the future is truly bright in Harrisonburg.

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Judge, Bush drafted in 2021 MLS Superdraft

or the first time in program history, two James Madison men’s soccer players were drafted in the MLS Superdraft in January. (L-R): TJ Bush Tom Judge was selected 36th and Tom Judge. overall by Nashville SC, and TJ Bush was selected 80th overall by Seattle head coach Paul Sounders FC. Zazenski said. Judge and Bush become the fifth and “He has worked sixth players to wear the purple and gold for this moment to be drafted, joining Kurt Morsink (2007), Nick Zimmerman (2009), CJ Sapong (2011) and Manuel Ferriol (2020). This is the first time the program has had a player selected in back-to-back years of the draft. Judge played a key role in anchoring a Dukes backline that led the program to back-to-back Colonial Athletic Association titles and NCAA Tournament appearances, including an appearance in the Elite Eight in 2018. The Dukes finished with eight shutouts last season, including a stretch of four straight. “Tom has been consistent, tough and dynamic ever since stepping foot on campus and representing JMU men’s soccer,”

and deserved whatever opportunities come from it.” Bush has been a mainstay between the posts since arriving in Harrisonburg. He believes that if you want something badly enough, you can accomplish anything with the right amount of commitment. “TJ has proven year in and year out that he is one of the best goalkeepers at the college level,” Zazenski said. “He consistently has stepped up for our program in the biggest of moments, and we couldn’t be prouder of him for everything he has achieved, and will continue to achieve.” Nashville SC’s first MLS game was in 2020. Seattle has won two MLS Cups since joining in 2009.

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Bright Lights

Tina (‘73) and Phil (‘73) Updike met at Madison and as alumni established the Paul and Lillie anna Beck Profes sorship in honor of her parents.

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‘Madison Moment’ spurs generous alumni to support art faculty and staff Updikes are the driving forces behind the new Beck Faculty Fellowship

BY JEN KULJU (‘04M)

ina Updike grew up taking art classes at Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, Maryland, inspired by her mother who was an artist. “Mom started out doing pencil work … very detailed, beautiful sketches … and then moved to painting. She mainly worked in oils and then switched to acrylics, which were less expensive, as they became popular.” According to Tina, her mom won several first-prize awards in local art shows in the Washington, D.C., area—and even designed the stained-glass window in the chancel of North Bethesda United Methodist Church, where Tina would marry Phillip Updike in 1974. Tina and Phil met on a blind date during their freshman year at Madison. Tina “wanted to be an art teacher in the public school system, and Madison College was known for its teacher training.” She had discovered the college after driving with her dad to take one of her three sisters back to college in West Virginia. Phil hailed from Harrisonburg and came from a family of six children. He started out studying accounting but changed his major to marketing when the degree was created during his sophomore year. Phil would go on to graduate as one of the first marketing majors from the College of Business in 1973. The same year, Tina graduated with a studio art degree, a teaching certification and a minor in art history from the School of Art and Art History (now James Madison University’s School of Art, Design and Art History). As new alumni, Tina and Phil made a pact to live wherever one of them could find a full-time job first. Phil landed a marketing position with WHSV-TV in Harrisonburg, and soon after Tina was hired by Madison College’s School of Art and Art History as the visual resources specialist after a serendipitous encounter with her former art history professor, Martha Caldwell.

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“I ran into Dr. Caldwell on the Quad and told her I was looking for work,” Tina recalled. “She told me the art department had recently hired someone for the newly created visual resources specialist position. Later that day, the woman who had accepted the job changed her mind, and I was offered it based on my academic transcripts.” Tina began as a visual resources specialist on Sept. 1, 1974, and went on to serve in the position for 38 years. During her tenure, Tina envisioned and helped to implement the Madison Digital Image Database, a digital library of more than 120,000 images. She, along with art history professor Kathleen G. Arthur, earned a JMU technolTina (‘73) and Phil (‘73) Updike were mar ried at the North Bethesda United Method ist Church in 1974. (Below): Tina’s mother, who was an artist, designed the stainedglass window behind the altar in the chancel of the church.

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ogy grant from the Center for Instructional Technology to develop a digital image database for classroom teaching and the study of art history in 1997. Tina worked with CIT staff members Craig Baugher, Kevin Hegg and Andreas Knab to create an image archiving and multimedia teaching web application, and MDID launched for use by JMU students and faculty in Fall 1998. Three years later, MDID was made available as a freely distributed open-source application software that institutions could use to house their own digital images. MDID is now an educational tool used by several hundred institutions worldwide.

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In 2002, with Tina continuing her work on MDID and Phil having transitioned into a career in real estate, the couple decided to establish a gift at their alma mater to support professional development opportunities for faculty and staff in the School of Art, Design and Art History. They contacted the JMU Foundation and learned that interest accrued from a professorship would eventually allow them to provide SADAH with a steady pool of funding for such opportunities. Tina and Phil created the Paul and Lillieanna Beck Professorship with an estate commitment in honor of Tina’s parents. “They were thrilled and honored,” Tina said of her parents’ response to the establish-

In 2006, Tina Updike (‘73) was honored as a faculty chair donor for the Paul and Lillie anna Beck Professorship. (Inset): Phil Updike (‘73) served on the board of direc tors of the JMU Foundation and member ship chair on the JMU Lifelong Learning Institute Advisory Board.

ment of the professorship in their name. After Tina and her sisters left home, her mom, Lillieanna, pursued her artwork and graduated with a certificate from the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design at the George Washington University. Her dad, Paul, had a 50-year career as a certified public accountant. Tina’s parents bought a second home at Massanutten and traveled from Bethesda “quite often” before fully retiring in the Shenandoah Valley.

“I think at some point, every one of us who comes through JMU arrives at a ‘Madison Moment,’ when we realize what we received at the university is invaluable. The only way to represent that Madison Moment fairly is to look at what can be done to perpetuate those types of moments for others in the future. ” —PHIL UPDIKE (’73)

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“They loved JMU,” Tina said. “They went to plays, art shows, summer dinner theatre and Holidayfest at the Forbes Center.” Lillieanna died in 2010, the same year the Forbes Center opened; Paul died in 2016. Lillieanna’s paintings can be seen throughout the Updikes’ home, in family members’ residences and in the community at Sentara RMH Medical Center as well as Brookdale Senior Living, where Tina’s parents lived for many years. Over the years, funding provided by the professorship has afforded opportunities for art faculty and staff to further their teaching and development. In 2020, Tina and Phil learned that the fund balance for the professorship had reached the fellowship level, and they decided to offer the inaugural Paul and Lillieanna Beck Faculty Fellowship. The Beck Faculty Fellowship will be presented annually to a full-time faculty member in SADAH who shares a vision for the visual arts on campus and in the surrounding community. A fellow must be deeply involved with JMU students, giving them opportunities to learn and thrive, and a leader who advances the visual arts in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Art professor, painter and diversity leader Susan Zurbrigg was selected by JMU’s Col-

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lege of Visual and Performing Arts as its first Beck Faculty Fellowship recipient. She joined JMU in 2000 and is the director of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives for the college. Tina worked with her for 12 years before retiring with the staff emerita designation in 2012, and Phil knew her as a real estate client. “Susan has made an impressive impact on her students, her faculty colleagues and the Harrisonburg-Rockingham community. She is bringing to the forefront the history of the African American population in our local area, which is so important,” Tina said. “In light of what is taking place in America, Susan’s work with the CVPA, JMU students and art students in the public schools is vital,” Phil added. Tina and Phil remain actively committed to JMU. Tina serves as chair of the Staff

Emeriti Association, and together they are charter members of the President’s Council and longtime Duke Club members. From 2009 to 2015, Phil served two terms on the board of directors of the JMU Foundation and recently completed a three-year term as membership chair on the JMU Lifelong Learning Institute Advisory Board. “I think at some point, every one of us who comes through JMU arrives at a ‘Madison Moment,’ when we realize what we received at the university is invaluable,” Phil said. “The only way to represent that Madison Moment fairly is to look at what can be done to perpetuate those types of moments for others in the future. Whether it’s $25, $250 or $500, there are a lot of ways to help, and no amount is too small.”

(Right): Paul and Lillieanna Beck. (Inset): As the visual resources specialist in the School of Art, Design and Art History, Tina Updike envisioned and helped to implement the Madison Digital Image Database, a digital library of more than 120,000 images.

U PD I K E PH OTO G R A PH BY C A S E Y T E M PLE TO N ( ’ 0 6); B EC K S CO U RT E SY O F T I N A ( ’ 73) A N D PH I L ( ’ 73) U PD I K E

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Killing the death penalty

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Alumni lead the charge to end four centuries of capital punishment in Virginia By Jim Heffernan (’96, ’17M)

Virginia Sen. Scott Surovell (’93) and criminal defense attorney Doug Ramseur (’93) in the Senate chamber in Richmond. The two men were key players in the state legislature's historic vote in February.

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n the spring of his senior year at JMU, Scott Surovell (’93) was summoned to President Ronald E. Carrier’s office.

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“I didn’t want to get anywhere near the thing,” Surovell said. “To me, it was creepy and disgusting.”

“This was the era before email and texting, but somehow

In retrospect, he said, the decision to show off the chamber to a

I got a message that President Carrier wanted to see me,”

group of young leaders from around the state spoke volumes about the

Surovell said.

prevailing attitudes toward the death penalty in Virginia at the time.

As vice president of the Student Government Association,

Surovell and his colleagues had been critical of the admin-

“Seeing all that made me hate it even more and want to do something about it,” he said.

istration’s allocation of money from student fees. But to his surprise, their conversation that day wasn’t about university finances or what was happening on campus. Instead, Carrier encouraged Surovell to apply to become a Governor’s Fellow. “There was a stipend involved, and frankly I didn’t have any other plans,” Surovell said, “so I applied and was accepted.” That summer, while on a tour of facilities across the commonwealth, Surovell visited the state’s new execution chamber in the Greensville Correctional Center. The image of the electric chair in that room— Virginia had not yet adopted lethal injection—haunted him.

Scott Surovell (standing, top left) with fellow Student Government Association officers in 1993. Surovell's involvement with SGA led President Ronald E. Carrier to encourage him to apply to the Governor's Fellows Program, during which he visited the commonwealth's death chamber.

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (left) and other state officials in the death chamber at Greensville Correctional Center prior to Northam's signing of a bill abolishing the penalty on March 24. One hundred and two executions have taken place in Virginia since the early 1990s. 28

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THE LAWMAKER

After interning on Capitol Hill for two congressmen, Surovell enrolled in law school at the University of Virginia, graduating in 1996. In 2002, he set up his own legal practice in Northern Virginia specializing in criminal, traffic and personalinjury cases as well as class-action and commercial litigation. A year later, Surovell launched his political career, first in the local Democratic Party in Fairfax County, then as a state delegate beginning in January 2010. In 2015, he was elected to the Virginia Senate representing parts of Fairfax, Prince William and Stafford counties. Surovell quickly established himself as a leading voice in Richmond in the area of criminal justice reform, introducing legislation to end Virginia’s use of the electric chair and later requiring the state to make Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax) confers with Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw known the chemicals used in lethal injec- (D-Fairfax) about his bill to repeal the death penalty during a floor session inside the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond in January. tion. In 2018, he carried a bill that authorized Virginia to pay $3.4 million for the lines. Northam signed the measure into law ishment—even among some family memwrongful incarceration of the so-called during a ceremony at Greensville Correc- bers of victims—has shifted in recent years, “Norfolk Four”—four Navy veterans who tional Center in March, making Virginia Surovell said. In 2020, polling indicated that were convicted of the 1997 rape and murder the first southern state to repeal the death 45% of Americans oppose the death penalty as a punishment for murder, and 56% of Virof a woman in Norfolk, Virginia, and were penalty. It will take effect in July. Public opinion on the issue of capital pun- ginians support abolition. threatened with the death penalty. “It’s impossible to get a fair Heading into the 2021 legislaTHE NATIONAL LANDSCAPE ON THE DEATH PENALTY jury of your peers when half of tive session, the prospect of endNEW HAMPSHIRE them can’t sit [on the panel],” ing more than four centuries of WASHINGTON Abolished in 2019 Abolished in 2018 he said. capital punishment in the comThe system is also expensive, monwealth was promising. SurSurovell said. Virginia, which ovell’s bill to abolish the practice COLORADO Abolished in 2020 has executed more people than had the backing of a Democratic any other state and is second majority in both houses of the only to Texas in the number legislature as well as Virginia VIRGINIA of state-sanctioned killings Gov. Ralph Northam. Abolished in 2021 since 1976, spends about $50 In February, the General million every 10 years to make Assembly voted in favor of the death penalty available to both Surovell’s legislation and juries in capital murder cases. a separate but identical bill But jurors are increasingly originating in the House of Abolished the death penalty and have no death row Abolished the death penalty but have a person on death row reluctant to use it, he said. Delegates, largely along party March 2021 Governor-imposed moratorium on executions

“It’s impossible to get a fair jury of your peers when half of them can’t sit [on the panel].” — SCOTT SUROVELL (’93), on Americans’ changing attitudes toward the death penalty M A S K E D S U ROV E LL BY B O B B ROW N/R I CH M O N D TI M ES - D I S PATCH/A P; M A P DATA CO U RT E SY O F TH E APPEAL

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THE DEFENDER

Surovell’s classmate at JMU, criminal defense attorney Doug Ramseur (’93), kept his clients off death row for 17 years. “When I started handling death penalty cases in my practice, my goal was to end the death penalty one case at a time … until we realized we just don’t need it in Virginia anymore,” he said. Ramseur, who was a member of the JMU Debate Team, opposes capital punishment on moral and legal grounds. “How ludicrous it is, in a civilized society, to think that we can decide whether someone lives or dies in some sort of formal and

(Above): Surovell and Ramseur in the Capitol Rotunda. Both political science majors at JMU, their commitment to ending the death penalty in Virginia reunited them as professionals. (Right): A courtroom sketch of Ramseur representing Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr. in 2016.

cordial way,” he said. The death penalty reveals patterns of racial bias in the criminal justice system, Ramseur said. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, more than 75% of the murder victims in cases resulting in an execution were white, even though nation-

Ramseur and his team with Darcel Nathaniel Murphy (second from left), who was acquitted of capital murder charges. 30

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ally only 50% of murder victims generally are white. According to Northam, 79% of people executed by the state of Virginia in the 20th century were Black. The system also values rich people over poor people, Ramseur said. “I’ve represented all kinds of people in my career—white,

“I’ve represented all kinds of people in my career—white, Black, women, the mentally ill and the innocent. I’ve never once represented a rich person charged with a capital offense.” — DOUG RAMSEUR (’93) R A M S EU R A N D S U ROV E LL PH OTO G R A PH BY E LI S E T R I S S E L ; CO U RT RO O M S K E TC H BY W I LLI A M H E N N E S SY J R .

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(Left): Northam signs legislation abolishing the death penalty in Virginia during a ceremony at the Greensville Correctional Facility in Jarratt, Virginia, in March. Surovell is standing behind the governor, third from right. (Below): Sen. Emmett Hanger (R-Augusta) during a vote on Surovell's repeal bill on Feb. 22. The Senate approved the bill by a margin of 22-16.

“Once we started spending real money on capital defense and lawyers like Doug ... the number of capital murder convictions in the state has dropped significantly.” — SCOTT SUROVELL (’93)

Black, women, the mentally ill and the innocent. I’ve never once represented a rich person charged with a capital offense.” Then there’s the issue of wrongful conviction. Studies have shown that 1 in 10 defendants in capital murder cases is, in fact, innocent. Since Virginia established Capital Defender offices in 2002 to provide legal counsel for defendants who otherwise could not afford it, Ramseur has represented 30 people charged with capital offenses. None received the death penalty. “Once we started spending real money on capital defense and a group of lawyers—like Doug— who were exclusively focused on that, the number of capital murder convictions in the state has dropped significantly,” Surovell said.

In September 2020, Ramseur served as lead defense counsel in what will likely turn out to be the last capital murder case in Virginia history. “It was a case I worked on for three-anda-half years,” he said. Ultimately, the charges against his client were dismissed. Despite both being political science majors at JMU in the early 1990s, Surovell and Ramseur did not cross paths until 2015 while advocating for a new law to allow defense teams to gain access to more evidence before going to trial. Ramseur testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in February on behalf of Surovell’s bill to repeal the death penalty. Surovell said the legislation, while significant, will not be his signature accomplishment as a lawmaker. “These cases tend to be high-

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profile and attract a lot of attention, but I’ve carried bills that have helped far more people,” he said, citing his support for expanding Medicaid in Virginia, granting driver’s licenses to 300,000 undocumented immigrants in the state and forcing Dominion Resources to spend billions to clean up coal ash along the James, Elizabeth and Potomac rivers. “I hope the voters allow me to continue serving,” he said. For Ramseur, who founded The Ram Law Firm last year, the end of the death penalty in Virginia marks the closing of a significant chapter in his professional life. “This is a career-defining moment for me,” he said. “I’ve spent my whole career trying to accomplish this. Now I’m going to have to figure out what my second act is.”

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A unique opportunity

JMU graduates benefit from CISR’s longstanding relationship with the Department of State

By Jessica Nickels (’21), editorial assistant

State Department fellowship administered by James Madison University’s Center for International Stabilization and Recovery creates a unique opportunity for JMU graduates. These fellows are learning much more than professional skills; they are gaining worldly experiences that can be applied to any career field. The Frazure-Kruzel-Drew Memorial Fellowship, established in 1999, is a two-year, paid, professional development program in the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.

“It provides fellows with great career advancement opportunities,” said Chief of Programs Jerry Guilbert, who supervises the fellowship. “It is very rare for someone [just] out of college to have a lot of direct, firsthand experience with managing funding and managing programs.” The FKD fellowship honors the memories of Ambassador Robert C. Frasure, Dr. Joseph J. Kruzel and Col. Samuel Nelson Drew, all of whom lost their lives in a car accident in 1995 while traveling

Ambassador Robert C. Frasure, Dr. Joseph J. Kruzel and Col. Samuel Nelson Drew, for whom the FKD fellowship is named. (Below): Work continues in Bosnia and Herzegovina on the destruction of excess, obsolete arms and ammunition.

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in Bosnia and Herzegovina on a diplomatic mission to negotiate peace. Since 1996, CISR and the State Department have been working together to raise awareness of landmines and other explosive remnants of war around the world. CISR leverages JMU faculty members’ expertise in providing resources, including research and training, to help individuals and communities rebuild in post-conflict environments. The center also publishes The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, the longest continuous source of information on conventional weapons destruction programs in the world, and an annual report for the State Department. Suzanne Fiederlein, interim director of CISR, said the fellowship grew out of a discussion between former CISR director Den- said, ‘Actually, we love hiring English majors Former FKD fellow Emma Smith Atkinnis Barlow and the director of the Humani- because almost every role in the State Depart- son (’09) with a Norwegian People's Aid mine action worker in South Sudan. tarian Demining Program office at the ment has a considerable amount of writing Department of State, Donald “Pat” Patierno. and a lot of communication,’” Haupt said. ons destruction and the various different “As JMU was close to Washington, D.C., A geographic science major with a minor aspects of that,” said Gurley, who learned and with [CISR’s] experience and expertise, in political science, Daniel Gurley (’19) of the fellowship while working as an office JMU was seen as an ideal partner for this began his FKD fellowship in Fall 2019. assistant at CISR. internship,” Fiederlein said. “In the context “JMU has this culture of ‘If you can dream “There’s no other opportunity that I’m of this formative period of the [Department going to find like this, and I’ve really gotten it, you can do it,’ and that really set me up for of State Political-Military Affairs/Human- to learn so much about conventional weap- success at the State Department,” said former itarian Demining Program] office, fellow Emma Smith Atkinson (’09), a grant was set up to support the “There’s no other opportunity who majored in communication internship program.” that I’m going to find like this, studies with a concentration in conBecause of this longstanding flict analysis and intervention. “JMU and I’ve really gotten to learn helped me develop initiative as a skill, relationship, every year a JMU graduate is guaranteed in the FKD so much about conventional and they are really good at making fellowship program. The other felyou feel like you have great chances.” weapons destruction.” low is chosen from applications Eric Keefer (’13, ’14M), a justice — DANIEL GURLEY (’19) from around the country. studies major at JMU who went on Current fellow and JMU alumna to earn a master’s degree in European Amy Haupt (’20M) said she applied Union Policy Studies, was a FKD felfor the fellowship because “it low from 2014 to 2016. seemed like an opportunity that was “JMU really benefits from an equally balanced with learning and engaged community and an open, growing professionally.” excited student body that is genuAt first, Haupt, who earned a masine and eager to learn,” Keefer said. ter’s degree in English from JMU, “The faculty really enables and supworried that the fellowship would not ports that, too. You have to have suit her because she was not a politithat same willingness to learn and cal science or justice studies major. do whatever it takes in school and in But after a representative from the the workplace. For me, these skills State Department visited one of her were really homed in on while I was classes, she changed her mind. “He Amy Haupt (’20M) and Daniel Gurley (’19) still a student.”

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“JMU has this culture of ‘If you can dream it, you can do it,’ and that really set me up for success at the State Department. JMU helped me develop initiative as a skill, and they are really good at making you feel like you have great chances.” — EMMA SMITH ATKINSON (’09), former FKD fellow

(Above): Brenna Matlock (’14) by The Broken Chair in Geneva, Switzerland, while attending the International Meeting of Mine Action National Directors and United Nations Advisers. The sculpture was commissioned by Handicap International to bring awareness to victims of landmine violence.

(Above): Atkinson (center) in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, with Andrea Thompson, former undersecretary for arms control and international security. (Below): Atkinson (fourth from right) with a group of HALO deminers in Sepon, Laos. (Right): During their time as fellows, Eric Keefer (’13, ’14M), left, and Chris Murguia (’12), center, had the opportunity to travel to the Regional Centre on Small Arms in Kenya, Africa.

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(Left): The most recent issue of The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction, which is published by CISR at JMU and contains information about the current state of landmine clearance efforts around the world. (Above): Deminers in Lebanon prepare to disarm an unexploded ordnance.

The fellows’ first year is spent in the working with other nations as well as with which was different from what my friends Resource Management branch, where they U.S. foreign policy, assets management and were experiencing in their internships and first jobs,” said Atkinson, who was offered are responsible for reporting audits, collecting national security. “When I came in, I was given what I felt a full-time position as a branch chief within and compiling data, working with grant officers and reviewing outputs and documents. like were big, real, important, adult things the Office of Weapons Removal and AbateThe second year is spent in the Programs to work on as soon as I was in the office, ment following her fellowship. Keefer, who is now a program manager Management branch working with regional portfolios, facilitating email “There was a lot of value in the office, said the fellowship provided a great foundation for his career. “It was a communication with organizations and that the fellows were really good learning experience for when partners, and creating reports. bringing to the office, I was put into a position to make deciWhen it was created, the fellowship was a one-semester, unpaid internship. which prompted the first sions,” he said. “It was the easiest transiIn 2006, CISR and the State Depart- expansion of the program.” tion I could have imagined into the job.” Brenna Matlock (’14) is CISR’s senior ment began sharing ideas to transform — JERRY GUILBERT, project manager, program coordinator the fellowship into a paid, professional chief of programs, FKD Fellowship and fellowship coordinator. A justice development program. studies major at JMU with a minor in “There was a lot of value that the felAsian studies, Matlock was also a FKD lows were bringing to the office, which fellow in 2014-15. prompted the first expansion of the pro“Even though you might be new to an gram,” Guilbert said. “We found that organization and given real responsibiliafter one year, the fellows began to hit ties, you can do it,” Matlock said. “You their stride, and all that investment of learn and grow and start doing things building up their subject matter experyou could have never imagined. tise went out the door.” “I was given a platform where I could In 2013, the program became the succeed and build my confidence,” she two-year, paid position that it is now. said, “and that’s thanks to JMU, CISR By working in Washington, D.C., feland the State Department.” lows gain unique hands-on experience Jerry Guilbert and Suzanne Fiederlein

LE BA N O N D E M I N E RS PH OTO G R A PH CO U RT E SY O F M I N E S A DV I S O RY G RO U P; G U I LB E RT A N D FI E D E R LE I N BY J U ST I N ROT H

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written By Emily Blake

Black representation in comics Vintage collection a rarity in higher education

n 2015 and 2016, JMU humanities librarian Brian Flota donated more than 10,000 comic books to the university. These books are housed in Special Collections—the arm of JMU Libraries that restores and handles the most rare, fragile and valuable items. Since then, Flota has worked with Kate Morris in Special Collections and Mollie Godfrey, associate professor of English, to develop the Libraries’ collection of vintage Black comic books, including those featuring Black superheroes and those created by Black authors and publishers. These are now being used in several JMU classes to learn about Black representation in comics.

M ADISON: Tell us about your comic book collection.

BRIAN FLOTA: When I was

a teenager, back in the late 80s and early 90s, I spent all of my allowance on comic books. I had, at one point, about 2,700 of them. By the time I donated them to JMU, I had about 1,900 of them left after selling some and donating about 500 of them to my undergraduate

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alma mater, the University of California-Riverside. At the end of that year, my father passed away. He had a much larger comic book collection, you know, because he was an adult . . . with a salary and all that stuff. And he had about 8,000 comic books, and so then I donated those. So there’s a total of about 10,000 comic books that are called the Bradley and Brian

Above (L-R): Marvel Comics' The Black Panther, The Falcon and Luke Cage -Hero for Hire ushered in a new era of Black comic book superheroes. These books are now housed in JMU Special Collections thanks to humanities librarian Brian Flota, an avid collector, and his colleagues. (Below): Flota with his father, who shared his love of comic books.

Flota Comic Book Collections in Special Collections.

M ADISON: What made you decide to donate your collection to the Libraries? FLOTA: I figured some

scholars might be interested in them. Libraries mostly have graphic novels that are more sturdy and easy to check out. Continued on Page 39 CO M I C B O O K PH OTO G R A PH S BY J U ST I N ROT H

vintage black comic books

Fa nt as tic Fo ur #52 The first appearance of the Black Panther. On a mission in the remote wilderness of Wakanda, the Fantastic Fou r encounter one of Marvel's most iconic heroes. Published in July 196 6 and wr itten by Stan Lee.

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(Above): The Falcon first appeared in Captain America #117 in 1969. (Below): Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1 burst onto the scene in 1972. Both comic books were purchased with a Provost's Faculty Diversity Curriculum grant in 2017.

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vintage black comic books

from Page 36

You can’t really check out the floppy comic books because they would just be damaged immediately. Almost as soon as I made the donation, a lot of faculty reached out to me. I realized at that point that I didn’t know a ton about the scholarly landscape of comics, so I started reading up on that quite a bit.

M ADISON: How were you

involved in expanding JMU’s collection of vintage Black comic books?

FLOTA: That project related to some work I had been doing with Special Collections and with a couple of faculty members in the English department. Professor Mollie Godfrey was interested in putting together this African American Graphic Novels course and suggested that we apply for the Provost’s Faculty Diversity Curriculum grant in about 2017. We used that $3,000 grant to get notable single-issue comics for the Black comic books collection. We were looking for books by Black comic creators (pencillers, inkers, writers and publishers) and/ or Black comic book characters or historical figures. I had some stuff like that, but not a ton. So with the money we got, we purchased some of the big-ticket items— the first appearance of Black Panther (Fantastic Four #52) and the first appearance of Falcon (Captain America #117). We got the first appearance of Luke Cage, which is Hero for Hire #1. And then we tried to

buy runs from Milestone Comics, an important Black comic book company from the 90s. The next year, we received another grant (an IDEA grant) which included Kate Morris. We received $4,000 from that so we could get even more Black comics.

M ADISON: Is this collection unique?

FLOTA: There are only, to

my knowledge, two other academic library special collections that specifically focus on Black comics

M ADISON: Why is this collection so important? FLOTA: Like so many things in our culture, the comic book industry has traditionally been a white-dominated space. Prior to Black Panther, there were only a few Black comic book characters that were heroes—that weren’t just stereotypes— such as the Western character Lobo and Gabriel Jones from the Sgt. Fury comics. And there were a handful of Black comics creators, but not a ton, and they worked

“Like so many things in our culture, the comic book industry has traditionally been a white-dominated space. Prior to Black Panther, there were only a few Black comic book characters that were heroes.”

-Brian Flota, JMU humanities librarian and comic book collector

(Harvard University’s “Black Hero Comics Collection” and Tulane University’s “Comics and Graphic Novels Collection”), so this is important work. The thing is, a lot of libraries have a lot of these comics; it’s just that they haven’t focused on highlighting that particular grouping of comics.

M ADISON: How many comics are in the Black comic book collection?

FLOTA: If you count the Flota

collection and the comics we’ve purchased with grants, we have more than 1,500 in JMU Special Collections’ Black comic book collection.

sparingly. The early notable characters—Black Panther, Falcon, Luke Cage, Black Lightning—were all created by white comic book creators. So even those characters have this baggage with them. It was only in the 1990s and 2000s where Black comics creators started to take these characters and kind of revise them. So, being able to chart that lineage and growth over time through our Special Collections is something that is sorely needed for researchers.

M ADISON: Why do these need to be the originals? Why not reprints?

FLOTA: The reason why

you would want to collect single-issue comics rather than graphic novels, other than for the experience of looking at them, is that single-issue comics often have advertisements, letters to the editor, and things like that that never make it into graphic novel reprints. That’s just never going to be reprinted anywhere. So if you’re looking at Luke Cage or Black Panther comics, they’re showing all the same ads that were in all the other comic books’ white characters—like “Take these supplements to make yourself buff”—and it’s always white guys, right? So those things can be really interesting to look at from a cultural studies perspective. It is also valuable to appreciate the way the comics’ original readers experienced these stories.

M ADISON: What else do

you want people to know?

FLOTA: We’re always open

to accepting donations. It’s weird—it’s a lot easier to acquire “special” comics because they have big bucks attached to them, so people are looking to sell them. The books that are harder to get are the ones that are not notable issues. A lot of people don’t sell them if they don’t have a lot of monetary value, even if they have academic or cultural value. So as a result, some can be hard to find. So comics by Black authors and Black publishers—those are the kinds of things that would be nice to get through donation.

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Student organizations adapt amid COVID-19 restrictions By Grace Zacharias, photography assistant

earn, adapt and continue pushing forward—that has been the motto of the 2020-21 school year. The past year has been challenging for students, faculty and staff as they learned to adapt to COVID-19. Physical distancing, mask wearing and other regulations were implemented to protect the safety of students and the broader JMU community. Many classes also transitioned to online learning or hybrid formats to reduce the spread of the virus. Leaders of student clubs and organizations have made adjustments too, redesigning events, meetings and practices to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines while providing a fun break from online learning.

Kappa Pi, an art and art history honor fraternity at JMU, has made changes to help members who are struggling with the pandemic. “In general, the pandemic has affected people’s mentalities, so this semester we decided to focus on our members’ mental health, which has been super helpful,” said Renessa Rabenda, the chapter’s president for 2020-21. “We have been working with the Counseling Center to set up events that are interactive. We learned breathing techniques to manage our stress and anxiety levels in class or in our apartment.” Kappa Pi has also opened the lines of communication among its members to improve mental health. “In the past, people were scared to say, ‘Oh, I am not doing (Left): Masked Kappa Pi fraternity members chat in person. (Below): The Spring 2020 pledge class meets outside of Duke Hall for a physically distanced initiation ceremony.

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A Moment of Magic members after their visit to Ride With Pride, an equine therapy barn.

“It is still not the same, but I am really grateful that we are still able to do something for these kids.” — Aly Coppage, A Moment of Magic

too well right now,’ because they did not think anyone else could relate to it,” Rabenda said. “But now everyone is getting through this pandemic together.” Other organizations have followed suit, not only connecting with their members, but also with members of the community. A Moment of Magic is a nonprofit that provides creative programming, such as superhero or princess character visits, for children facing serious medical issues. The organization has adapted to COVID-19

guidelines by holding Zoom meetings with children, live streaming events and coordinating hospital drive-by visits. “It is still not the same, but I am really grateful that we are still able to do something for these kids,” said Aly Coppage, magical experience coordinator. “It’s hard enough being a kid fighting cancer anyway, and being a kid fighting cancer in a pandemic is really hard. So I am grateful to do anything for them, and I am happy to be on Zoom longer.”

Just as A Moment of Magic has worked to bring a degree of normalcy to the people it serves, so have club sports at JMU. Club Archery has established new rules to account for the safety of its members, while also allowing them to practice, focus on their sport and relax. “In a way, it is a time away from school even though you are still at school,” said Jacquelyn Nanko, the club’s range safety officer. “You don’t have to worry about the stressors of homework. You can just take

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“[Campus groups are] learning what is really important to the core of your organization in order to keep it running.” — Kira Lambert (’21), Swing Dance Club

Swing Dance Club members take a break from virtual meetings to practice on the Quad.

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the time to see friends from a distance and socialize.” Club Archery members are allowed to shoot without masks, but they must remain at least 6 feet apart. Similarly, Swing Dance, a partner dancing organization, has had to adapt to protect the health and safety of its members. “This semester has taught us just how important it is to focus on more than just dancing alone,” said Kira Lambert (’21), vice president of the Swing Dance Club. “In swing dance, it is really important to get to know people around you and know the roots of the music and dance steps. Moving forward, we want to continue implementing this teaching of swing history as well.”

Club Archery members support each other on and off the range. Archers are allowed to practice as long as they maintain a safe distance.

Lambert also detailed the effect online events and COVID-19 guidelines are having on events and organizations as a whole. “[Campus groups are] learning what is really important to the core of your organization in order to keep it running,” Lambert said. “Even if you can’t do it in person, there are still elements of every organization that you need to emphasize to keep your group cohesive, to help your group connect to each other. That should be required. That should be something that doesn’t just happen when you’re face-to-face.”

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“Nearly everyone knows someone [who] has been affected by cancer in some way, so it’s an event that everyone can relate to.” — Whitney Minnick (’11M), American Cancer Society

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Relay For Life makes difference in fight against cancer

By Grace Mathias (’21), editorial assistant

or nearly two decades, James Madison Univer- participants walk laps around Hillside Field to honor lives lost sity has hosted Relay For Life. This year’s event to cancer. JMU students, faculty, staff and community memwas held April 9 from 6:30 to 11 p.m. in a hybrid bers band together to form teams. format to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions. During the Luminaria Ceremony, different relationships Relay For Life is a fundraiser for the Ameri- are announced and if the relationship applies to an individual, can Cancer Society benefiting research, ser- that person lights a luminaria and starts a lap. A luminaria vices and accommodations for individuals and families going is a decorated paper bag with a candle inside to honor those who have beaten cancer and remember those through cancer treatments. who lost their lives to cancer. The ceremony Other than the U.S. government, ACS illustrates how cancer can impact everyone. is the top funder of cancer research in the Because of COVID-19 protocols, this world. Relay For Life honors cancer survivors year’s Luminaria Ceremony was held in-perand those who lost their lives to cancer, as son, while all other events were held virtually. well as their caregivers. A total of 1,303 people on 86 teams par“Relay For Life is an event that really ticipated in the 2021 Relay For Life. The event brings together the entire student body,” said raised $164,660.79, surpassing last year’s total. Whitney Minnick (’11M), senior developJunior accounting major Hayley Kumpf, ment manager for the American Cancer executive board member of JMU Relay Society. “Nearly everyone knows someone For Life, participated in the event to honor [who] has been affected by cancer in some A ribbon of hope is her parents and her aunt. She said getting way, so it’s an event that everyone can relate shown at Relay For Life, involved is a great way to give back and make to. I know that many friendships have been which has been held at made due to the bonds that form through a direct impact on people’s lives. JMU for nearly 20 years. Relay For Life.” “It builds a community because you JMU is the second-largest collegiate Relay For Life chap- never really know what someone is going through,” she said. ter in the U.S. and the biggest fundraising event for a philan- “Through coming together as a community and fundraising, thropic cause on campus, according to Minnick. we can help make a change. We are a community, and together ACS donations help fund cancer research and patient care we can make a difference.” programs that are sorely needed because of COVID-19. These The 2021 Relay For Life was a successful event, and the programs include a hotline for patients, rides to and from JMU community anticipates continued participation for years to come. treatments, and lodging necessitated by faraway treatments. In a normal year, Relay For Life consists of an opening ceremony, the Luminaria Ceremony, games, performances, Watch the virtual component of this year's Relay for Life event at JMU: https://j.mu/relay. competitions and a closing ceremony. Throughout the event,

(L–R): A JMU Relay for Life team poses for a picture. Bags were placed along the route in memory of those who lost their battle with cancer. An ACS sign seeks volunteers. S P R I N G/S U M M E R

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Parent volunteer helps revamp COVID-19 dashboard

JMU had one of the lowest totals of infected students among Virginia’s big publics By Khalil Garriott (’04)

head of the first day of Fall 2020 classes—and to ensure fool not to take this free consultation advice, so it made a lot of sense transparent access to information about the prevalence to reach out to Lee to see what he had to offer.” of COVID-19 in the JMU community—the uniOne of the criteria in the Yale-led rubric is whether an instituversity published a COVID-19 dashboard, which tion’s dashboard is easy to read. After JMU’s dashboard launched, includes a number of data points, including posi- Feinberg scratched his head. tive cases involving JMU students and employees. “What occurred to me first is that I wasn’t sure what I was looking The Tableau-driven dashboard, updated Monday through Friday with at,” he said. “There were a lot of different terms and numbers, and it was confusing to me. My son goes to Pitt daily and accumulated (seven-day moving “The data hub is really (the University of Pittsburgh), and they average) data, received strong marks in the Rate COVID Dashboards Project, a Yale meant to provide guidance weren’t really promoting it in the same I was having trouble with this, so I University-led ranking system. to the community overall way. have to imagine that other people were.” A unique aspect of this product is the on anything at all related Feinberg and Orem had several calls, JMU connection. Lee Feinberg, a parent totaling probably a day’s worth of time of a current JMU student, has been cruto COVID-19 data.” collaborating on the dashboard. “My cial to the success of the dashboard. — JEREMY BLANEY, Tableau goal also was to help Chris, as someone “I looked at it and said, ‘It’s good that they’re doing this, but it could be a lot better,’” said Feinberg, whose new to Tableau, with the thinking,” Feinberg said. “We spent time talking about things, and Chris came back with ideas.” area of expertise is data literacy. Orem said, “It’s been great to go back and forth and make this into a Feinberg proactively reached out to JMU and volunteered to help with the university’s COVID-19 dashboard. He has been working with tool … for everyone to interpret it. The need to improve it was apparent.” the Tableau Foundation for almost nine years. His daughter, Aliyah, In 2012, Feinberg founded DecisionViz, management consulis a freshman forensics and hospitality double major from New Jersey. tants specializing in data visualization. His company is a certified “I just picked up the phone and called and said, ‘I’m a parent, and Tableau Software Silver Services Partner, and he is well versed in I’d love to help you for free if you want it,’” Feinberg said. “I’ve done visual analytics best practices and capabilities of products within the Tableau platform. this before, and it was easy for me to see the need and jump in.” JMU has taken a holistic approach to data to help the The dashboard became a big way to communicate with the uniuniversity navigate COVID-19. Tableau has helped versity community. There have been more than 544,505 page views of the dashboard. On Sept. 14, 2020, JMU launched a Stop tell that story via its COVID-19 Data Hub. the Spread Helpline, which has answered 1,154 inquiries (calls, “The data hub is really meant to provide guidance emails and online form submissions) to date. Of those 1,154 questo the community overall on anything at all related tions, 36 were pertinent to the dashboard. to COVID-19 data,” said Jeremy Blaney, director of Tableau blueprint product manager. Chris Orem, director of institutional research at JMU, said “It has a pretty broad audience. Over the his office has used Tableau for about a decade, but only past few months, we’ve used it more within the last several years has it truly leverand more as a storytelling platform.” aged it as a data visualAmong the pillars of the redesign were simplifying ization tool. it, changing language and “JMU leadership terminology, reducing redunuses it to make decidancy, making numbers sions and understand JMU parent more easily understandthe scope of what’s Lee Feinberg able and revamping the happening here,” Orem is a data literacy expert. color key. said. “I thought I’d be a

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“JMU leadership was keen, from the start, to be open about our cases. The challenge came with how to showcase that.” — CHRIS OREM , Office of Institutional Research

“At Tableau, we’re all about helping people see and understand data,” Blaney said. “I could immediately see where JMU stands with respect to COVID-19. I think it’s a really effective dashboard, not just among universities but overall.” A unique transparency feature of JMU’s COVID-19 dashboard created an unintended consequence. After JMU students returned to campus in early October 2020, everyone followed the Stop the Spread guidance faithfully, and JMU had one of the lowest numbers of active COVID-19 cases among the big public universities in Virginia as a result. JMU was incorrectly cited to be the worst large public institution in the state for COVID-19 infection rates because it was the only big public to report not just students testing positive in the University Health Center—but also students who tested elsewhere and self-reported. When compared to peer institutions like Virginia Tech, for example, JMU’s numbers were far lower, but the university’s commitment to transparency gave the impres-

sion that the numbers were far higher. (This misperception was reported by The Roanoke Times.) Students’ acceptance of the Stop the Spread guidance was key to JMU’s low case counts. Upon the beginning of the Spring 2021 semester, the university encouraged that positive behavior to continue, buoyed by entry testing and surveillance testing. “They see data and they should think twice before they congregate with their friends,” Tableau’s Stephanie Jensen said. JMU did not have the highest percentage of infected students among the big publics. In fact, it had far fewer students testing positive on campus than other large Virginia public institutions did. It was just reporting more transparently. “JMU leadership was keen, from the start, to be open about our cases,” Orem said. “The challenge came with how to showcase that.” To view the COVID-19 Dashboard and learn more about JMU's current stats, visit https://j.mu/cdash.

Students’ acceptance of the university’s Stop the Spread guidance, including masks and physical distancing, has been key to JMU keeping COVID-19 case counts low. C L A S S RO O M PH OTO G R A PH BY E LI S E T R I S S E L

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The Spirit Rock has seen more than 700 layers of paint since its unveiling in 2011. The rock serves as a canvas on which students creatively, respectfully and artfully express themselves.

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Tradition lives on

Spirit Rock celebrates 10th anniversary

By Jessica Nickels ('21), editorial assistant

s you walk through East Campus, what catches your eye? The breathtaking view of the mountains? The notable glass walls of the surrounding science buildings? If anything, the large, brightly painted rock in the middle of the Festival Lawn should command your attention. Ten years ago, on March 16, 2011—James Madison’s birthday— the Spirit Rock was unveiled to the JMU community. The rock stands to represent the diverse thoughts of the community and allows students to express themselves. “The Spirit Rock serves as a notice to all students that JMU is open and accepting of creativity,” said graphic design major Carly Chisholm (’21). As the University Park fields were being constructed in 2010, large chunks of rock were unearthed. The newly formed Madison Society was able to secure a rock big enough for their plan: to create a place at JMU where students could creatively, respectfully and artfully express their ideas. The Madison Society is comprised of students, faculty and staff who are committed to creating, enhancing and commemorating positive traditions at JMU. Erecting the Spirit Rock was the society’s first project. The group’s 15 members wanted to implement something that embodied culture, creativity, diversity and freedom of speech. A large, paintable rock checked all of those boxes. The day of its unveiling, students gathered around a large box on the Festival Lawn. Nervous energy, cou-

pled with excitement for what could be underneath, grew throughout the crowd. At the time of its reveal, the rock was painted white, and students were encouraged to be the first people to place their handprints and signatures on the rock. Little did they know that they were marking the beginning of a JMU tradition, one that has since seen more than 700 layers of paint. Since its unveiling in 2011, the Spirit Rock has become an important part of campus expression and an icon of East Campus. The tradition of placing handprints on the rock, making statements and raising awareness of issues has become pivotal to the rock’s mission. The rock has seen a lot in its 10 years on campus, whether that be notes to friends, event promotions, marriage proposals, election opinions, political ideas or social justice issues. The rock continues to serve JMU as a place for respectful, thought-provoking free speech. “The Spirit Rock is a reminder that JMU values student expression and community building,” said media arts and design and communication studies doublemajor Grace Mathias (’21). The Spirit Rock has been a beacon of free speech since 2011 and has promoted dozens of clubs, organizations and causes. Not only does it give students a place to be creative, but it serves as a means to raise awareness of issues students think are important. And it fosters open communication among members of the JMU community. From holding doors, to bleeding purple, to flying streamers in Bridgeforth Stadium during home football games, tradition has a home at JMU.

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Alumni Life for

Trench coats and sorority sisters: The Class of 1970

BY BRITTANY BELL (’21), alumni relations student writing assistant

Despite the regulations, Sheppard, Ogden and Raynes agree hen the Class of 1970 enrolled at Madison that their time at Madison was filled with happiness and enjoyCollege, change was in the air. America had already witnessed the Ken- ment. Their biggest takeaway was the friendships they made as nedy assassination and the rise of the civil members of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. “Sororities were really big on campus because you couldn’t really rights movement. Woodstock and Vietnam War protests would soon follow. While there weren’t any huge go anywhere except during the weekends, and nobody dated during political protests or movements at Madison, students were aware the week because there weren’t any guys,” Ogden explained. “On the weekends, if you didn’t have a date and go of growing tensions across the country. “We certainly were aware of the Viet- “We always had to wear to UVA or Virginia Tech, then you pretty hung out with your friends, and so nam War, we knew times were changing a trench coat over any much sororities then were a really big deal.” quickly, and we were beginning to feel athletic gear that we Bid day was a huge event on campus for more empowered as a student body and the women. If you were rushing a sorority, as individual students,” Ellen Sheppard had on. So, we couldn’t you would go to Wilson Hall and receive (’70) said. just parade around in an envelope detailing which chapter gave Still, when the Class of 1970 arrived a bid. From there, you would go onto at Madison, there was an abundance of our shorts or our slacks you the Quad and be greeted by your sorority rules and regulations to follow. or our sweatpants.” with open arms on the one day of the year “It was very strict,” Sharon Ogden you were allowed on the grass. After that, it (’70) remembered. “Now, it didn’t stay — DIANE “DE” RAYNES (’70) was weekly meetings, silly rites and tradithis way the whole time—in the 1970s they had loosened up a whole bunch—but the first year I was tions, dressing alike, wearing sailor hats and other forms of bonding. “Sorority life really enriched all of my other experiences,” there, we were still kind of governed by people who were living in Raynes said. “I had experiences in athletics, I had experiences in the ’50s, and things were really different for women.” At the time, there was a curfew for women living on campus, my classes, but it isn’t what you do for four to five hours in the and if they had weekend plans, they had to seek approval from daytime, sitting in class. It’s the relationships and the good times the dean and sign out in advance. There were mandatory weekly and laughs that come out of your social life.” Raynes, Ogden and Sheppard are all on their class’s reunion planassemblies every Thursday, and students couldn’t walk on the grass. In addition to these rules, women on campus had to adhere ning committee. This year, the class will get the chance to celebrate to a strict dress code. Slacks and other pants were not permitted. their 50-year reunion. The reunion was supposed to be held last year, They had to wear blouses, skirts and dresses to class, and were but it was rescheduled due to COVID-19. Members participated in a virtual reunion April 12-17, with Zoom events throughout the week. even required to wear formal wear and gloves to church. “We always had to wear a trench coat over any athletic gear At the end of the week, the Class of 1970 was inducted into The that we had on,” said Diane Raynes (’70), known to her friends Bluestone Society, which recognizes senior alumni of the university as “De.” “So, we couldn’t just parade around in our shorts or our and promotes friendship and close connections among those who slacks or our sweatpants. Even in sweatpants, we had to have a graduated 50 or more years ago. All three women regret that the reunion couldn’t take place intrench coat over our clothing.” Trench coats were one of the many ways the women of Madi- person, but they were still excited to be able to log on and see and talk son got around the rules. While they couldn’t wear pants around to their classmates. For a class with deep-rooted friendships that concampus, they could wear large trench coats that hid the pants tinue to this day, the chance to reconnect was well worth the wait. “What I remember is the friendships, the classmates, the experiunderneath. If you were ever caught violating the dress code or one of the many regulations, you would receive a call-down, or ences and the fun,” Sheppard said. “For me, that’s an awful lot of write-up, and would not be able to leave campus for a week. Stu- what those four years were about. … We relied on one another, we dents would band together to help each other bypass some of the supported one another, and we made friendships that were deep and are still deep to this day.” more strict, seemingly outdated rules.

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(Clockwise from top right): A typical Madison College student wearing a trench coat; 1970 Zeta Tau Alpha officers; De Raynes (’70); Ellen Sheppard (’70); Zeta sisters gather for a sorority event.

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Ensuring their sacrifices will never be forgotten Alumnus launches tribute site to honor health care workers who died fighting the pandemic BY KHALIL GARRIOTT (’04)

arly on in the COV ID-19 pandemic, Nate Tharp (’04) wa s mot ivated to do h is part to help. Despite feeling powerless and sensing that the situation would further worsen, he looked for ways to offer his design and tech talents to help those affected by the coronavirus. His lightbulb moment came on March 25, 2020, resulting in the creation of COVID Heroes, a memorial website honoring the nurses, doctors and other health care heroes who put their lives on the line to help patients. “Everyone should know their names,” the site reads. Tharp was compelled to create COVID Heroes in order to memorialize health care workers who died fighting COVID-19. “I had watched t he virus spread a round the globe, a nd the U.S. response had been inadequate, to say the least, so the helplessness that many others and I were feeling at the time was easily channeled into this project,” Tharp said. Tharp, who earned his bachelor’s degree in art from JMU, is based in Los Angeles, California, and maintains connections across the L.A. designer and developer scene. Since relocating there, he’s grown his network of like-minded professionals—which came in handy when he needed people to donate their time to rally around his new project. He linked up with a virtual community called Design to Combat COVID-19, which brings together more than 2,200 creatives to support communities affected by COVID19. Design to Combat COVID-19 cre-

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(Inset, left): The initial tweet suggesting a tribute site was needed for health c are workers who lost their lives fighting the pandemic inspired Nate Tharp (’04), a designer and developer in Los Angeles, California. (Inset, right): The COVID Heroes website Tharp created honors the nurses, doctors and other health care heroes who put their lives on the line to help patients.

ates innovative solutions to help people impacted by the pandemic. “They were very helpful when I was trying to figure out what areas of the project I needed assistance with, helping connect me with experienced people for things like translating, coding and branding,” Tharp

said. “It was really encouraging to find a huge group of people, like myself, who wanted to find a way to use our respective skill sets for something that could benefit other people.” After initially being a solo side project, COVID Heroes expanded into an allPH OTO G R A PH S CO U RT E SY O F N AT E T H A R P (‘ 04)

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“I don't think we’re going to fully grasp the immense loss of health care workers, as well as the toll this pandemic has taken on them, for years to come.”

“Home is where one starts from …” — T.S. Eliot To know the road ahead, ask those coming back. — Chinese proverb

— NATE THARP (’O4)

volunteer effort with dozens of contributors. Before he knew it, a handful of designers created multiple branded logo concepts; other creatives provided feedback; photo editors cropped images of health care workers; a web developer built a tool to automate the photo resizing and cropping process; bilingual translators ensured that identities of Chinese doctors were correct; and web designers added user-friendly features to the site. Real creatives made real impacts. “It’s hard to keep up with the volume, which is extra sad to say in that kind of way, but I’ve got some volunteers helping me so there are usually updates in big chunks,” said Tharp, lead designer and engineer of COVID Heroes. The site lists 1,862 names from 74 countries. As Tharp’s platform grew—both in the number of people memorialized because of the pandemic’s devastating toll and in the number of people behind the scenes working on the site— he experienced an epiphany of sorts about the gravity of the situation. “Being exposed to the thousands of names, photos and life stories has hammered home to me the sheer magnitude of the loss that has occurred around

the globe in the last year,” he said. “I don’t think we’re going to fully grasp the immense loss of health care workers, as well as the toll this pandemic has taken on them, for years to come.” For Tharp, creating a way to honor the fallen health care heroes who made the ultimate sacrif ice in ser vice of others was his avenue of keeping their legacies alive. A s an experienced designer who began building websites in 1996—at the ripe old age of 14—it took him just 30 hours to whip up the initial iteration of COVID Heroes. “Throughout this whole ordeal, we’re so used to hearing nu mber a f ter nu mber after number: 10,000 new cases, 1,000 more hospitalizations, 3,000 deaths today, 550,000 A mericans dead,” Tharp said. “The numbers are over whelming, but it’s also easy to get desensitized to. We forget that each one of those people is a mother, a father, a son, a daughter, a cousin, a grandparent. “Whenever the day comes that we can put this behind us, I hope we don’t forget about these people who risked it all—just to save us—and I hope this project can help with that,” he added.

For more information, visit the COVID Heroes’ website at https://covid-heroes.com/. B ROW N PH OTO G R A PH BY E LI S E T R I S S E L

There’s no place like home BY JEREMY BROWN (’94, ’96M)

JMU Alumni Association Board of Directors

ome is where our story begins. Home. That special place of our youth, filled with stories, family, friends, holidays and all those amazing memories. Home is the foundation for all our love, hope and dreams. For many of us, one of those dreams included moving to Harrisonburg to begin life as a college student. Whether it was known then as the Normal School, Madison College or JMU, we all left a life behind to begin something new. A new home. It was there, on campus, that we began build ing our own home. Making our own choices and our own decisions. Meeting those friends who are like family today. Discovering our spark and a pathway to our purpose. It was now home. Do you remember that first time you left your parents’ house to head back to Harrisonburg, but in your mind, you were “going home”? That sense of calm and peace of home still hits me every time I return to JMU. For those of us lucky enough to call JMU home for four or five (or, in my case, seven) years, we know it is not just a place, it’s a feeling. A feeling that fills you with emotion, pride and excitement. Recently I had the opportunity to meet with alumni about their Madison Experiences. Many mentioned this sense of belonging and feeling welcome no matter what, or how long it’s been. Quite a few people talked about how JMU was the first place they really felt at home. JMU holds a certain magic for us. We formed this new home knowing we were going to leave, sooner or later. We wished we could stay forever, but when it was time to move on, we did so in anticipation of what was next. We took with us the roots from our JMU days and set out to build our lives. That might be the true magic of JMU—it feels good to leave, but even better to come home and to give back. We’ve left home, we know what’s out there, and how special our JMU home was. How special it continues to be today. Take the time to come home. Whether it’s been two months, five years or 50 years, come back and reconnect. Share your Madison Experience, your support and your gifts with today’s students. Come back, and give back, to keep our JMU home strong. Go Dukes! S P R I N G/S U M M E R

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Chapter spotlight: Atlanta Dukes BY BRITTANY BELL (’21), alumni relations student writing assistant

he Atlanta alumni chapter brings together Dukes from the metro area to connect and support JMU through a multitude of events. Chapter president Sarah Hogan (’04) has been leading the Atlanta Dukes since 2012. Originally, she joined the chapter while attending graduate school in the area. After leaving to establish a career and returning to the area for work in 2010, Hogan decided to rejoin the chapter. At that time, the chapter was starting to fade, so JMU reached out to Hogan and several others to form a committee and keep it going. Over the years, the leadership team has ebbed and f lowed, but Hogan has remained a constant. Today, she is joined by Charlene Baker (’04), Gwendolyn Brantley (’07), Jessica Rice (’08), Katy Yanks (’12), and Chris Haynes (’16) on the Atlanta Dukes leadership team. Together, they are planning events, expanding the chapter and providing more opportunities to get involved. “I don’t think it was too challenging [leading on her own], but I know we wanted to make the group better, so that’s why having the other guys on the team to help has been a game-changer for our chapter,” Hogan said. “I think our leadership team has done an amazing job in taking what was once kind of dying down and being able to really blow life back into it,” Baker said. The chapter now has programs for alumni of all ages, including watch parties for sporting events, community service events and the annual Dukes Braves game. Last year, the chapter had the opportunity to host JMU’s Unleashed tour while it was in the area. One of the leadership team’s goals is to provide more events on a more consistent

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basis. The Atlanta Dukes have a knack for community service events, and many of their members have requested doing more to complement the social events. They enjoy Being the Change and helping their community prosper. So far, the chapter has hosted food packaging events and food pantries, and were even planning to participate in a walk that raises money for multiple sclerosis. While some of these events had to be canceled due to COVID-19, they’re now looking into ways to create socially distanced community service events. “We’re finding that with the community events, people just have a desire to give back,” Baker said. “They may not have the time to do it, but if we put it on the calendar, then it gives them an avenue to help the community while bringing everyone together.” Even though they are located in Georgia, the Atlanta Dukes are still just as passionate about JMU. Hogan admits that the distance makes it a little bit harder to boost

The Atlanta Dukes chapter cheers for JMU during a football game watch party.

morale and host events, but the members are still eager to show their support. “I do think that because of the proximity it does make it more difficult for us to get stuff going,” Hogan said. “It is what it is, but I think that we will always continue to promote Homecoming and any events of the school that people may want to go up for.” Like every other chapter, the Atlanta Dukes aspires to bring its alumni base together for networking, socializing and, most importantly, showing their JMU spirit. Even with COVID putting their events on hold, Hogan and Baker are confident that the chapter will continue to revitalize as members get more involved. “I think the experiences that everyone gets from being a student at JMU goes far beyond those four years,” Hogan said. “They always say anytime you meet a JMU alum you hear nothing but ‘I love that school,’ and so, for us to be able to keep everyone involved, it’s great.”

To show your Madison pride wherever you drive and support scholarships for Virginia students, visit www.dmvNOW.com to get your JMU license plate today.

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& FILM

Gold Rush Girl: Pioneer Life in the Black Hills EDITED BY BETSY KURTH QUINN (’86) Willow Glen Publications ISBN-13: 978-0999809006

Betsy Kurth Quinn (’86) began compiling her great-grandmother’s journals and diaries nearly seven years ago. Now, after researching, editing and transcribing, Quinn has published a compel ling narrative that is filled with verified histori cal accounts and retells real-life stories that her great-grandmother experienced with famous figures such as Wild Bill Hickok, Susan B. Anthony and Calamity Jane. From surviving Native Ameri can raids to running the nation’s largest gold mine, Quinn gives life to these forgotten times.

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The Buddy Bridge BY BUD GREY (’80) Independently published ISBN-13: 979-8598409862

Join Cece as she takes readers on a wildly imaginative, fantastical adventure to visit her grandparents, “Baba and Yaya.” On her journey, she meets new friends, animals and characters that help her on her way. Toge ther, they form the “Buddy Bridge.” This book is dedicated to Cece, Bud Grey’s (’80) granddaughter who lives in the U.K. His book serves as a way for them to connect, despite the effects of COVID-19.

This Is Drew

BY CATHERINE WHITE (’89) Mascot Books ISBN-13: 978-1645434948 Autism can be hard to understand, even for experts in the field. Meet Drew and join him as he teaches his classmates about living with autism. Written by Catherine White (’89) in honor of her son, Drew, the book provides thoughtful examples that illustrate differences in interpreting situations, allowing chil dren to ultimately foster empathy and compassion for those who see the world a little differently.

BY CARLY ECCLES SHEAFFER (’07) Bound to Brew ISBN-13: 978-1953500021

Semiotic Love [Stories]

Shaun's father, Jerry, had a gift for growing roses. Patient and kind, Jerry Murray could get anything, including the people around him, to bloom. Shaun, an aspiring writer, decides to pack up and leave behind his loved ones, the town he grew up in, and the only life he had ever known. But starting over, far away from home and family, brings new challenges—and gifts—and Shaun finds himself living a story vastly different from the one he tried to write for himself. Now, eight years later, his world revolves around his daughter, Marie, and Shaun has safely locked away the memories of his past life. But with one fateful gust of wind, Marie's curiosity, and a trail of roses perhaps sent from beyond the grave, Shaun finds himself face-to-face with the past he tried so hard to leave behind. Will he find the courage to rewrite his story? Or is it too late?

Semiotic Love [Stories] draws upon symbols and objects to explore the loss of relationships. In these pages, Brian Phillip Whalen (’07) reaches deep into the throat of anxiety with a graceful hand and understated humor as he confronts mothers and best friends dying slow or sudden deaths, disap pointing vacations and vanishing sisters. While loss of all kinds permeates these compact stories, it is the tenderness and long ing that attaches itself to the reader and propels them to turn the page. This book reminds us that for better or for worse, we’re all a little rougher with the people we love the most. This is Whalen’s first book.

BY BRIAN PHILLIP WHALEN (’07M) Awst Press ISBN-13: 978-0997193893

SAVE THE DATES: NOV. 6–7 Homecoming 2021 will be here before you know it! So mark your calendar and make plans to join us. Registration will go live in July.

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Class Notes STAFF EMERITI 57 SCHOLARSHIP THANK-YOUS 58 CELEBRATIONS 59 FACULTY EMERITI 62 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT 63

In March 2009, the Office of Community Service-Learning sponsored several alternative spring break trips, which allowed students to participate in rewarding experiences such as visiting with members of the adult day care facility Generations Crossing in Rockingham County.

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This year marks the 50th anniversary of Hal Howland as a Gretsch drummer and occasional gui tarist. Howland was the first Gretsch player featured in 2021 on www.gretsch.com. n Pres ident Biden has appointed Jewel Bronaugh to serve as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She will be the first Black woman to serve in that role. Bronaugh has served as com missioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services since May 2018. Previously, she was executive director of the Cen ter for Agricultural Research, Engagement and Outreach at Virginia State University. She

earned a bachelor’s degree in education from JMU.

James Garlow recently started a new career as a clinical trial leader at PharmOlam. A biology major at JMU, Garlow has worked in a variety of roles in the pharmaceutical research industry.

Christopher Hickey is executive vice presi dent of the Lexington Medi cal Society, a nonprofit associ ation of physicians in Fayette County, Kentucky. LMS serves as a resource for physicians to enhance their professional skills and assist the greater commu nity. n Thomas Hutt is CEO of Total Computer Solutions,

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Melvin Brown, superinten dent of Reynoldsburg City Schools in Ohio, Ola Lessard, received a Doctor of chief market Education degree from ing officer at Hemp The Ohio State Univer Fusion Wellness Inc., Ola Lessard sity in December 2020. a leading health and (’90) He formerly served as wellness cannabidiol deputy superintendent (CBD) company, was for the Cuyahoga Falls elected president of the City school district in U.S. Hemp Round Ohio. n Veleka S. Gattable. The Roundtable seeks to advocate for ling was appointed by businesses in the hemp Virginia Gov. Ralph Melvin Brown Northam to serve on industry and ensure (’93) the new Advisory Com safe hemp and hempmittee on Culturally Relevant driven products. Lessard is the and Inclusive Education Prac first woman to be president of tices. Gatling is also the direc the Roundtable, and the first tor of diversity initiatives and person to serve two consecu an assistant professor at Old tive terms. based in Huntsville, Alabama.

SEA looks forward to greeting new members BY TINA UPDIKE (’73), SEA Steering Committee chair

uring the first quarter of 2021, the Staff Emeriti Association grew by 13 members to reach a total of 234 classified staff retirees who have earned the emeriti designation. We welcome these new members and look forward to greeting them at an upcoming event as restrictions for gatherings are eased. Retiring or recently retired staff members who have been active full-time classified employees for a minimum of 10 years at James Madison University; have retired in good standing; and have a record of noteworthy contributions throughout their JMU career can be nominated by their supervisor for the staff emeriti status. The nomination must then be approved by the appropriate vice president and is then forwarded to the president for final approval. The president’s office then sends the nominee a “Congratulations” letter confirming that the nominee’s emeritus status has been approved pending their retirement from JMU. The letter acknowledges the staff member’s dedicated service and appreciation for their contributions to JMU. This is truly a valued honor. Another worthy cause for celebration was the recent renaming of three historic buildings

on the Quad that included honoring two former staff members. The Staff Emeriti Association thanks the JMU Board of Visitors, senior leadership and the Campus History Committee for recognizing the contributions of Doris Harper Allen (‘19H) and Robert Walker Lee as employees at Madison College. Their inclusion highlights the integral role staff play in furthering the mission and goals of the university along with JMU faculty, students, alumni and prominent community members. We also congratulate the other honorees, Drs. Joanne V. and Alexander Gabbin, and Dr. Sheary Darcus Johnson for their valuable contributions to the university. The full article about

the renaming of SEA members enjoy a networking lunch the buildings on the at the Cracked Pillar. Quad can be found on the JMU website: https://j.mu/renamed As we look forward to warm weather this spring and summer, the SEA Steering Committee will plan outdoor gatherings and activities for the membership. In the meantime, the SEA sends positive energies to all for good health and well-being!

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

Some photographs were taken before the COVID-19 pandemic began. In the imagery you see on these pages, life looks much different than it does during the pandemic. S E A P H OTO G R A P H C O U R T E S Y O F S TA F F E M E R I T I A S S O C I AT I O N

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S C H O L A R S H I P T H A N K -Y O U L E T T E R S Thompson Family Scholarship Endowment

The scholarship ensures the perpetuation of the support the Thompson Family has generously provided over the past 21 years in the form of an annual scholarship. The Thompson Family Scholarships are used where they have the greatest impact. Scholarships are awarded at the discretion of the JMU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for the benefit of incoming students, or returning students in good academic standing, whose families find themselves challenged to meet the educational expenses of JMU. Dear Thompson Family, My name is Nicole Bell, and I have been awarded the Thompson Family Scholarship Endowment. I decided to attend JMU because of the welcoming professors I met on my first tour and the atmosphere of inclusivity. Dr. Apple was the first professor I met; he saw my family struggling to make our way around campus and spent the rest of the day giving us a personal tour. This meant a lot to me as I was a scared senior, still in high school. My career plans include authorship or journalism. I am very interested in psychology and current events. These interests can come in handy when in the news business. I also plan to teach literature at the high-school level. I believe a good teacher is crucial during high school. I credit my academic success to those teachers who invested in me and my goals. Graduating from JMU will be an honor. I grew up with a single mom who worked three jobs to care for me and an infant, all while pursuing a teaching degree. While I may not face the same hardships as her, graduating will make her proud. I am very appreciative of this scholarship as my family is not able to support me in this academic journey. To know that you saw potential in my academic work inspires me to work harder. I see this as an opportunity to do by best. Thank you for supporting my journey and goals; it means the world to me. Sincerely, Nicole J. Bell (’23) Saint Paul, Virginia

Carrie Kutner Student Ambassador Scholarship Fund The endowed scholarship was established in November 1997 in memory of former student ambassador Carrie Kutner. It is intended to benefit a JMU student who is not currently a student ambassador. The recipient must maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average and have attended JMU for one full year prior to applying for the scholarship. Most importantly, the student must exhibit significant service to, and love for, JMU. Carrie Kutner was a freshman at JMU in 1994-95. She lost her battle with cancer in the summer of 1995. The Student Ambassadors established the scholarship in her memory as a tribute to her positive attitude, enthusiasm and genuine love for JMU. She was an inspiration to her friends, family and the JMU community. Carrie’s sister, Alina, is a 1993 graduate. Dearest Kutner Family, Thank you so much for selecting me as a recipient of the Carrie Kutner Student Ambassador Scholarship. I am deeply honored to continue carrying her legacy of love and involvement at JMU. I’m sure you have read my application and are well aware of my situation and the hardships I have faced in my life and to get to JMU. That being said, thank you for allowing me to continue with my studies at JMU. I had an incredibly successful semester last spring and was on the President’s List. I am doing well so far this semester but the level of difficulty has definitely increased. Unfortunately, the pandemic has also made classes and involvement difficult. Nonetheless, I will continue to strive for greatness virtually in both academics and involvement at JMU. Thank you again for this opportunity! Sincerely, Ivan Aliaga Frisancho (’23) Reston, Virginia

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Kara McGuirk-Allison (’95) and Jeff Simmermon (’98) teamed up to create The Reluctant Phoenix podcast.

Dominion University. Gatling has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and director of special and gifted programs.

Matt Shaker is employed by Altrix Medical LLC, which is attempting to create an integrated smart phone with automated exter nal defibrillator (AED) capa bilities. The company recently received nearly $1 million from the National Science Founda tion to continue its research. The technology will allow any one with a smartphone to utilize a fully functioning AED with emergency 911 communication and GPS transmission to emer gency responders.

Bonding committee. DeGraw is the co-founder of the grass roots activist organization For wardCT and of 100 Women Who Can-Farmington Valley, dedicated to getting large dona tions into the hands of Hart ford County nonprofit orga nizations. She lives in Avon, Connecticut, with her husband, Allen, and their three children, Callista, Sabrina and Lucas.

Kara McGuirk-Allison (’95) and Jeff Simmermon (’98), both former staff members at student radio sta tion WXJM, have teamed up to create a podcast, The Reluctant Phoenix, to chat with those who have experienced tremen dous, unexpected transforma tion in their lives. Allison, who Eleni Kavros DeGraw produces The Reluctant was elected to Phoenix, also created the Connecticut Gen and produced NPR’s eral Assembly on Nov. Hidden Brain podcast. 3, 2020. This is her Since leaving NPR, first term in the legisla she has started her ture as a state represen own production com tative, and she serves on Eleni Kavros pany. Simmermon is a both the Public Health DeGraw (’97) comedian and story and Energy and Tech teller based in New York City. nology committees. Addition His stories have appeared on ally, she serves as vice chair of the Finance, Revenue and CONTINUED ON PAGE 60 >>

Celebrations W E DDI N G S , HO N OR S & FUTURE DUKES

5 1 Rebecca Dixon (’08) married William Haynes Jr. on March 7, 2020, at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden in Dallas, Texas. Brides maids included fellow alumnae Tiffany Dann Lee (’07), Hushmath Alam (’08) and Katie Newmiller (’10). The couple resides in Fort Worth, Texas. 2 Kristin (’16) and Xander (’15) Stephens were married on Sept. 12, 2020, at historic Christ Church in Weems, Virginia. Although a forecast of heavy rain threatened their nuptials, the tradition of burying a bottle of bourbon at the wedding site a month

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before to ensure a sunny day worked its magic. The photo of Kristin beaming in the sunshine and Xander with shovel and bourbon in hand was taken after they dug up the bottle on their wedding day. 3 Maryn (’05, ’06M) and David Simon had a son, Gidon Isaac, on Jan. 7, 2020. 4 Krista (’04) and Khalil (’04) Garriott welcomed their second Future Duke, Konnor John Garriott, on July 10, 2020. He joins Kaden, 3. 5 Ash ton Farrar (’14) and Jay Duff (’15, ’16M) were married on Oct. 3, 2020 in Richmond, Virginia, with many fellow Dukes in attendance.

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7 6 Karina Touzinsky (’15) and David Pesce (’14) were married on Sept. 25, 2020, in Berryville, Virginia, with many JMU alums in attendance. They met their junior year and began dating their senior year. The couple resides in Falls Church, Virginia. 7 Julie Moores (’13) and Derek (’13) Chipman were married in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Nov. 14, 2020. Road Dawg and

many fellow Dukes attended the nuptials held at Trump Winery. 8 Francesca Castellano (’15) married former JMU football player Ryan Dixon (’14) on Oct. 11, 2020. The ceremony was held in The Oak Barn at Loyalty in Leesburg, Virginia. Several JMU alums, including Ryan’s teammate, Josh Hogan (’14), were in attendance.

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rently assistant principal at Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In 2015, O’Meara earned a Mas ter of Science degree in educa tional leadership and adminis tration from ODU. He and his wife, Teri, are the proud par ents of 2-year-old twins and future Dukes. His mother, Karen Mount O’Meara (’74), was a teacher and adminis trator in Virginia Beach City

the podcasts Risk!, This American Life and The Moth as well as PBS’ Stories from the Stage. He has two albums, And I am Not Lying (2017) and Why You Should Be Happy (2020).

Eric Ellingsen (’99)

Eric Ellingsen was pro moted from president and chief operating officer to 60

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CEO of California Bank & Trust. He has worked with the company for over 20 years and is responsible for the over sight of its commercial banking division.

Ryan P. O’Meara earned a Ph.D. in philosophy education from Old Dominion University in December 2020. He is cur

Public Schools before retiring in 2013. She was twice hon ored as Teacher of the Year and named the 2012 National Outstanding Assistant Princi pal of the Year for the Com monwealth of Virginia by the National Association of Ele mentary School Principals.

The 142nd Airlift Squadron has selected Lt. Col. Jeffrey Cretz as direc

C L A SS nized as a Rising Star tor of operations. The in securities litigation Delaware Air National by Florida Super Law Guard unit is respon yers since 2016. She sible for safely operat is an associate mem ing eight C-130H Her ber of the C.H. Fergu cules aircraft around the world, performing Chris Kintner son M.E. White Amer ican Inn of Court and tactical airdrop, tacti (’07M) serves on the board of cal airlift and aeromedi the Federal Bar Association, cal evacuation missions. n Chad Tampa Bay Chapter, where she Stender has been promoted to partner at SeventySix Capital. serves as co-chair of the Mem He previously served as man bership Committee. aging director. Stender focuses on deal sourcing and leads Chris Kintner was finance, operations and inves recently promoted to tor relations for the fund. He chief operating officer of Asser also sits on the boards of direc tive Professionals, an Inc. 5000 tors of two SeventySix Capital company. As a service-disabled, portfolio companies, FORTË veteran-owned and womanand Vigtory. owned small business, Asser tive Professionals supports the Department of Defense and Kimberly Koves has intelligence community world been named a share holder of the Guerra King law wide through an employeefirm. Koves earned her law centric culture of development, degree from Stetson Univer communication and transpar sity College of Law, where she ency. Kintner, a U.S. Army vet served as a notes and comments eran, is celebrating his fifth editor for Stetson Law Review anniversary as an owner and and a judicial intern for the executive with the company. Honorable Elizabeth A. Jen Previously, he worked as a fed kins, U.S. District Court for eral civilian management ana the Middle District of Florida. lyst at the Defense Logistics She graduated cum laude from Agency and as a business opera JMU with a degree in political tions executive at CACI, a For science. Koves has been recog tune 1000 company.

NOT E S S C H O L A R S H I P T H A N K -Y O U L E T T E R S Mervyn W. Wingfield Scholarship

The scholarship was established in 1990 by Dr. Mervyn W. Wingfield, professor emeritus of accounting at JMU. The purpose of the award is to provide financial support for an outstanding accounting student at the end of their junior year to be utilized in their senior year. The recipient of the award is to be selected by the faculty of the School of Accounting in the College of Business with approval from the financial aid office. Dear Dr. Wingfield, My name is Rafiq, and I am an accounting major at JMU. To say I appreciate the award from the Mervyn W. Wingfield Scholarship that you so graciously donate to the school would be an immense understatement. The scholarship could not have come at a more critical and helpful time in my life. I want to take the time to let you know, you really made a difference in my life. I hope this letter finds you well, and you continue to prosper in life. Sincerely, Rafiq Abdus-Sabur (’20) Pamplin, Virginia

Dean’s Scholarship Fund in the College of Visual and Performing Arts by James and Gladys Kemp (’49) Lisanby The scholarship was established in 2010 by James and Gladys Kemp (’49) Lisanby. The purpose of the award is to provide funds to an incoming freshman or transfer student who has demonstrated excellence in both classroom work and artistic endeavors, and who shows a capacity to make a substantive contribution to the university community and advance their own academic and career ambitions. The selection of Lisanby Scholars shall be made in a manner determined at the discre tion of the dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Dear Mrs. Lisanby, Thank you so much for believing in my pebble-like being, and for thinking of me as worthy of the Dean’s Scholarship Fund in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Even being considered for this award still blows my mind, and I cannot thank you enough for what you’ve done for me. It really helped me gain confidence in my capabilities and in my goals as a college student—I want to be an art professor! You’ve empowered me both financially and mentally, and for that, I will forever be grateful. Thank you! Sincerely, Joanne N. Sakamoto (’24) Roanoke, Virginia

Catherine King-Frazier Memorial Scholarship The scholarship was established by the Department of Geo logy in memory of Catherine King-Frazier in February 1990. Catherine worked in the department for several years. The King-Frazier Scholarship awards are given to outstanding freshman or transfer geology students.

Ryan P. O’Meara (’00) and his mother, Karen Mount O’Meara (’74), pose with the Parents Council Duke Dog in the Festival Conference and Student Center while visiting campus.

Dear Mrs. Frazier, First, I want to say how honored I am to receive the Catherine King-Frazier Memorial Scholarship. It was wonderful to see that all the hard work put into my freshman year at JMU did not go to waste. I also want to thank you for your continuous support of JMU’s Department of Geology and Environmental Sciences, as we could not be where we are without your support. Receiving this award has not only pushed me to work even harder than before, but also pushed me to succeed for myself and my parents, and to honor you and the award itself. I promise not to let you down, and I hope you’ll soon be able to see the results of my hard work. Once again, thank you. Sincerely, Lucien J. Anderson (’23) Columbia, Maryland

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Margaret “Maggie” Bavolack (’09) as Marie Antoinette.

as a full-time pastor at East man First United Methodist Church. n The Next Move Pro gram is a nonprofit that assists individuals with intellectual dis abilities in finding jobs and internships, both internally and through partnerships with area businesses. The program’s exec utive director, Elizabeth Redford, also started a cookie sub scription business, Tablespoons Bakery, to generate income for the nonprofit, while also allow ing interns to learn practical, fun, real-life skills. Redford won the 2020 Distinguished Young Alumna Award from St. Cather ine’s School.

Margaret “Maggie” Bavolack received the Richmond Theatre Critics Circle award for Best Actress in a Sup porting Role for her performance as Marie Antoinette in The Revolutionists at TheatreLAB. n Theodore Goshorn was elected president and chairman of the board of the Eastman-Dodge County Area Chamber of Commerce in East man, Georgia. Goshorn Elizabeth also continues to serve Redford (’09)

Virginia Thai joined the Institute for Defense Analyses as a computer systems support admin istrator in IDA’s Systems and Analyses Center in Alexandria, Virginia. IDA is a nonprofit cor poration that operates three federally funded research and develop

NOT E S ment centers in the pub lic interest. Thai earned a bachelor’s degree from JMU in integrated sci ence and technology, with a concentration in information knowledge Becky management. Schneider (’17)

Becky Schneider, a senior geospatial analyst at Dewberry, a professional serv ices firm based in Fairfax, Vir ginia, was named a 2020 Ris

ing Star by Women in Technology. Schneider has worked with cli ents such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Oce anic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Geological Survey.

Rory Wojciechowski cel ebrated his graduation with his family at their home in Bermuda.

Rory Wojciechowski (’20) with his family in Bermuda.

Faculty Emeriti Association news Henry “Hank” C. Bowers III, 84, died Jan. 19. In 1969, he and his family moved to Harrisonburg for him to be the dean of men at Madison College. After working at Harrisonburg High School, he joined the JMU faculty in 1978 as an associate professor in the Department of Education, where he directed the placement and supervision of student-teachers until he retired in 1992. Bowers initiated a student-teacher exchange program with Cardiff University that allowed JMU students to spend time in Wales public schools and a group from Wales to come to JMU to observe Virginia public schools. After his retirement, he worked part time as a travel agent, making travel arrangements for the JMU football and basketball teams. Terry Dean Beitzel, 53, died Jan. 29. In 2007, Beitzel joined the faculty of the Department of Justice Studies at JMU. He was an inspiring teacher who encouraged his students to ask questions, to accept responsibility for their learning and to become involved in the JMU, Harrisonburg and Rockingham County communities. The overarching question in his teaching resonates with his students

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long after completing a course with him: “Who is responsible to do what for whom?” Beitzel believed deeply in nonviolent forms of conflict resolution and thus relished the opportunity to become the director of the Mahatma Gandhi Center for Global Nonviolence at JMU in 2014. In that role, he re-energized the Gandhi Center, generating more opportunities for JMU students and scholars to collaborate with community members in the Shenandoah Valley and beyond. Partnerships were launched with varied groups such as the Valley Justice Coalition, New Bridges Immigration Center, Fairfield Mediation Center, Many Voices of Harrisonburg and the Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention at Virginia Tech. The Gandhi Center’s most recent project is the creation of the Gandhi Mobile Peace Library that will visit local elementary and middle schools. JMU established the Beitzel Memorial Fund to preserve his legacy and support his life's work in the areas of justice and nonviolence. For more information about the faculty emeriti organization, contact Sherry King, director of parent and faculty emeriti relations, at kingsf@jmu.edu or by phone at 540-568-8064.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

She IS from Around Here

BY BRITTANY BELL (’21), alumni relations student writing assistant

At the beginning of Maybury’s standup career, many of her hen Wendy Maybury (’99) graduated from JMU, she had no set plans. Bounc jokes revolved around her weight and crazy Southern family. ing between different jobs, she struggled to After losing a lot of weight and having a child, many of her find her passion. Now, she takes center stage new jokes began to focus on motherhood. Maybury’s favorite with her standup comedy. Her album She’s comedy is grounded in truth, so many of her acts involve telling Not from Around Here and monthly show Day Drinking with Mom stories of funny and awkward things that happen to her and other people. have made her a huge hit on the Minneapolis comedy scene. One thing Maybury likes to play on are the different types of As a student at JMU, Maybury was active as a photographer for people you meet in life. The Breeze and worked for A recent act of hers talks W XJM, the student radio about her new boyfriend station. However, her first job and how they’re very differ after graduation was with a ent in their beliefs. The joke diesel fuel company in Ger is that she’s a First Amend many. After spending a few not-so-fun years there, she ment-type of person and he’s decided to return to the states a Second Amendment-type and delve into photography. of person—the liberal vs. After receiving her degree in conservative clash you get photography from the Hall when talking with your mark Institute, she began loved ones about politics. working for various studios in Maybury likes to use her New York and Los Angeles. stories and characters to show real life and address import During her years in the ant topics while making photography industry, May people laugh about it. Her bury traveled all over the main goal is for people to country, but it wasn’t until she went to work for a Target Wendy Maybury (’99) performing at Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy take away being kind to each other despite our differences. portrait studio in Minneap at Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota. “The number one thing comedy should make you do is laugh, olis that she found her passion for comedy at an open mic night. “Here I had lived in L.A. and lived in New York, where it end of story,” Maybury said. “But if you can work in something would’ve been really convenient to have a standup career, but I that makes you think, then that’s extra bonus points.” Although her standup has been successful, Maybury faces many waited until I moved to the Midwest,” Maybury joked. After hopping off stage from her first performance, a woman challenges as a woman in the industry. There are biases that she approached Maybury and offered her a gig to do standup at a must overcome, including people who don’t think women can be birthday party. From there, she began performing at open mic funny. She also has to balance her comedy career with raising a nights and doing gigs on the side. Now, she has a full-blown child. When traveling for gigs, she has to consider if the opportunity standup career. Maybury has performed at clubs, casinos, corpo is worth the time away. Despite all of the challenges, Maybury continues to thrive as rate events, birthday parties and more. “It was really great right away,” Maybury said. “People pay you to a comedian. Once COVID-19 relents and it’s safe to have live talk! I was like, ‘Are you kidding? Where has this been all my life?’” audiences again, Maybury plans to record a second album with Currently, she is signed with Standup! Records, an indepen Standup! Records. While it is a career she never saw coming, May dent comedy label. Her debut album, She’s Not from Around bury is grateful and plans to continue with standup. She encour Here, hit No.1 on the Amazon comedy chart. She is also co-pro ages anyone who has a passion for something to go out and do it, ducer of the comedy show Day Drinking with Mom, a monthly even if you have no idea what you’re doing. “People told me all the time that I should do standup comedy, but showcase at Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy at the Mall of I never did because I had this dumb idea that ‘Oh, you studied to be America in Minneapolis. “I’ve basically been doing everything I can think of to write more something. That’s what you’re allowed to be,’” Maybury said. “I was and meet more people and go do shows,” Maybury said. “I got to kind of waiting, I think in some way, for people to give me a permis travel with standup, which was pretty great, headlining different clubs sion slip to be who I really was, and that never really comes. You have to decide to just embrace who you are and go towards that.” and meeting some famous people. All that stuff has been really fun.” P H OTO G R A P H C O U R T E S Y O F W E N DY M AY B U RY ( ’ 9 9)

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Numbers

By the

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Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services

The mission of the Institute for Innovation in Health and Human Services is to engage students in career preparation by promoting scholarship, providing interprofessional learning experiences, and connecting our campus with communities through innovative programs that advance the quality of life.

A closer look at the numbers from the 2019-20 academic year tell a story of resilience and community impact:

events coordinated for the community

13,257 people served by IIHHS programs

36,166 hours of student engagement in direct services, program assistance and service learning

21 216

scholarly publications and presentations

formal reports prepared and submitted

Community impact from grant revenues of

$7,006,831

1,024 students representing 41 undergraduate and graduate degree programs

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I N FO G R A PH I C S BY C A R LY C H I S H O LM (‘ 2 1 ) A N D H A N N A H PH I LLI PS; PH OTO G R A PH S BY CO DY T ROY E R A N D K E N DA LL H E R LI C A (‘ 2 1 )

■ Free

membership

■ More

than 35 alumni chapters located worldwide

■ Networking

resources

■ Reunion

and Homecoming programming

Alumni by county 1–5 6–25 26–50 51–200 201–1,000 1,000–6,711 6,712–13,081

■ Exclusive

alumni-only communications

through May 2018

144,660

map by mymaps.com

To learn more about the JMU Alumni Association, visit alumni.jmu.edu or call 540-568-6234.

Total living alumni

JMU Alumni Association

@JMUAlumni

“THANK YOU

for giving me the luxury of growing into the woman I want to be ...”

Belinda Addae (‘21) Intelligence analysis and Political science/pre-law

JMU Alumni Association

JMUAlumniAssoc

Outstanding students like Belinda excel here because of donors like you. Your commitment. Their passion. Scholarships make a world of difference. Make your gift to support students like Belinda and see more of this future immigration lawyer’s story at https://j.mu/belinda.

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U.S. POSTAGE PAID

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TELLING THE JMU sociologist dispels immigrant stereotypes in his new book

STORY

They’re not sinners, they’re not saints, they’re not just here to work. The Latino men who gather in parks to play soccer in Harrisonburg and other cities across the country are normal, everyday, multifaceted people, said JMU sociologist David Trouille. In his first book, Fútbol in the Park: Immigrants, Soccer, and the Creation of Social Ties, Trouille dispels some common myths about immigrants. Published in January by the University of Chicago Press, the book presents research Trouille conducted while completing his doctorate at UCLA. His interest in the research started with a flyer a professor brought to class about neighborhood opposition to a new soccer field near campus where Latino men would play. “I’ve always been interested in community dynamics, so I went to learn more,” he said. “I still studied that, but I quickly became much more interested in the pickup soccer games.” A former Division I soccer player, Trouille said his prowess on the field helped him gain entry into the group. The book’s chapters focus on soccer, why the men drink at the park even though it’s prohibited and why they sometimes fight. “It was fun to make sense of these things “Often we don’t that at first seemed puzzling, but over time I learned that they made a really characterlot of sense,” he said. ize them just as Trouille said he hopes readers will normal, everyday gain a better understanding of Latino people who like to immigrants in general. For his next project, Trouille is have friendships, researching the lives of migrant farm like to play socworkers in the Shenandoah Valley.

cer. Not saints, not sinners.” — DAVID TROUILLE

— Eric Gorton (‘86,‘09M)

For more on this project, visit https://j.mu/futbol

See more inspiring stories at j.mu/beingthechange T RO U I LLE PH OTO G R A PH BY J U ST I N ROT H