From a teachers college to a regional comprehensive university to a national research institution, JMU continues to remake itself — and the surrounding community.
NORTH BY NORTHWEST
North Campus has grown significantly since 2008, led by the acquisition of the old Rockingham Memorial Hospital and RMH Cancer Center. The corridor is now home to the University Health Center (A), Student Success Center (B), and the College of Health and Behavioral Studies (C). North Campus serves as a welcome center, housing JMU’s Admissions (D) office as well as Hotel Madison (E) and Shenandoah Valley Conference Center (F). A renovated and expanded Carrier Library (G), set to reopen in Fall 2026, will offer a beautiful and accessible new entrance facing Grace Street (H), signaling JMU’s openness and commitment to engage with the broader community.
Presidential
Building community and connection
The power of a strong sense of place at James Madison University
As president of James Madison University and former chief financial officer, I often reflect on the importance of creating and sustaining an environment where students, faculty and staff can thrive. One of the most significant contributors to this success is a strong sense of place. A university campus is far more than a collection of buildings and walkways; it is a community where individuals come together to learn, innovate and grow. Cultivating this sense of place is not incidental but intentional, rooted in thoughtful design and purposeful planning.
As you read this edition of Madison and its “Then-&-Now” look at the institution, it will become clear that a strong sense of place fosters connection and belonging at JMU — essential components of a positive learning environment. When students feel connected to their campus, they are more likely to fully engage — academically, socially and emotionally. This engagement leads to improved academic performance, a greater sense of well-being and lasting bonds with their university. For faculty and staff, a welcoming and well-designed campus can inspire creativity, collaboration and pride in their institution.
has helped us create spaces that resonate deeply with those who call this campus home.
One example is the Student Success Center, a hub of academic support, career services and wellness resources. Designed with input from students and staff, the center integrates a variety of services under one roof, making it easier for students to access the resources they need. Its central location and welcoming design reflect our commitment to student success and inclusivity.
At JMU, our efforts to cultivate this sense of place have been guided by our campus master-planning process. In the spring of 2016, JMU began the process of providing an update to the 2008 Comprehensive Campus Master Plan. The goal of the master plan update is to provide a framework for campus growth through the year 2027 by creating sites for new buildings, while enhancing the overall organization and character of the campus. Our Board of Visitors is very interested in gaining a comprehensive understanding of this plan, and it is my intention during my presidency to provide the next president with a thorough update based on my 25 years of experience in charge of facilities at JMU during a time of great expansion. This will position the next president to begin on a solid foundation and allow them to focus on their own priorities.
It’s important to note that our campus master-planning process began with listening. We engaged students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members to understand their needs and aspirations. These conversations informed the priorities in our current plan, and will ensure that our future plans continue to reflect the values and character of the Madison community. This collaborative approach
Intentional planning and a cohesive campus design also can support a university’s ability to withstand and recover from adversity. I saw this firsthand during a recent visit to my alma mater, Appalachian State University, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Spaces designed for collaboration and community engagement became gathering points for support and resource distribution. Clear pathways and accessible facilities are helping with their return to normalcy. I am convinced that we should invest in a campus environment that can adapt to challenges while continuing to foster connection and purpose.
At JMU, we draw lessons from experiences like these as we plan for the future. We understand that a strong sense of place does not emerge by accident. It requires strategic investment, ongoing collaboration and a commitment to the values that define our university. Whether we are constructing a new academic building, enhancing outdoor spaces, or updating residence halls and athletic facilities, we strive to create an environment that inspires pride and engagement.
Ultimately, a strong sense of place is about more than physical spaces; it is about creating a home in which relationships may thrive. At James Madison University, our sense of place binds us together, inspires us to pursue our dreams and reminds us of the transformative power of education. Together, through careful planning and shared vision, we will continue to build a campus where everyone feels they belong, and where learning and growth flourish.
Charles W. King Jr. President, James Madison University
(L-R): King with Appalachian State President Heather Norris (’91) and Joe Showker (’79), who established a fund in the wake of Hurricane Helene to assist with relief efforts.
THE EARLY YEARS
Madison College was a rapidly growing institution in 1941-42, when this photo was taken. Enrollment that year reached 1,344, the highest in the school’s history.
“It presents the ideals for a really great school — one worthy of the Valley of Virginia. When completed … it will be beyond comparison the most beautiful, the most comprehensive school of its kind in the South — and indeed will have few equals anywhere.”
JOSEPH D. EGGLESTON, state superintendent for public instruction (1908)
Donors will name new Carrier Library entrances; scholarship recipient profiles
Decennial conference merges established Black poets, up-and-coming voices
Basketball season tips off as it has for more than 100 years; Purple Pride always on display on football game day
Campus photos from today and yesteryear bring JMU’s growth, evolution into focus
Student dance performances at Reina Sofía museum in Madrid; JMU art professor, historian guest-curates Ben Shahn art exhibition
Dukes test their scientific knowledge, curiosity in the lab
Madison Experience leads to career placements, continuing
Former boarding house rich in Black history, welcoming famous travelers and speakers
There’s no place
Men’s Rugby Club 50th anniversary weekend; Celebrations; In Memoriam
How a team of photographers in a Cessna captured the university’s growth
Letters to the Editor
EDITOR’S NOTE:
We received several letters concerning our use of the term “democracy” in the Fall issue in reference to the American form of government. While we recognize that the U.S. is a republic, it is also characterized as a representative democracy in that we elect people to represent our interests and enact legislation on our behalf. The term is in contrast to a direct democracy, in which citizens vote directly on issues rather than for a particular candidate or political party.
Loyal listener
I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for the Being the Change podcast. As a loyal listener, I truly enjoy hearing about the exciting updates and innovations at JMU. It’s such a fantastic way to stay connected to the university and learn from the incredible work being done by members of the JMU community. I love that I can listen while working, and it’s such a great, efficient way to communicate the university’s ongoing efforts and impact.
Scan or visit www.jmu.edu/ beingthechange to listen to the first season.
As a Double Duke, along with my wife, Amy Andrew Stelljes (’97), we Bleed Purple, and it’s always inspiring to hear about the meaningful work happening at JMU. Please extend my gratitude to the entire team who has contributed to making this podcast such a success. I know it takes many hands to bring something like this together, and I appreciate the efforts of all involved. Thank you again for creating such a wonderful platform for sharing the incredible stories at JMU.
Drew Stelljes (’97, ’99M)
EDITOR’S NOTE:
The Being the Change podcast is the official podcast of JMU, brought to you by Madison magazine.
Two of a kind
I was surprised to read in the Fall issue that Sean Dalton (’84) and I shared something: We are both Dukes.
I am Michael T. Lowe (’70), the first graduate teaching assistant in the Department of History. After graduation, I found employment with the Department of Health in Gloucester County, New Jersey, in 1972 as a disease investigator — a position which I held until 2008.
So while Sean Dalton may be more distinguished, he was not the only Duke who served the people of Gloucester County.
Sincerely,
Michael T. Lowe (’70)
“I love that I can listen while working, and it’s such a great, efficient way to communicate the university’s ongoing efforts and impact.”
— DREW STELLJES (‘97, ’99M)
Connect with us: For a complete list of all university social media, please visit https://j.mu/socialmedia. JamesMadisonUniversity @JamesMadisonUniversity James Madison University @JMU
WINTER 2025 Vol.48, No.1
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Andy Perrine (’86)
EDITOR
Jim Heffernan (’96, ’17M)
DEPUTY EDITOR
Amy Crockett (’10)
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Josette Keelor
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Bill Thompson
ART DIRECTOR
Carolyn Windmiller (’81)
DESIGN ASSISTANT
Mikey Zagalak
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS
Taylor Moore
Alexis Williamson
PHOTO AND VIDEO TEAM
Steve Aderton (’19)
Rachel Holderman
Olive Santos (’20)
Cody Troyer
ATHLETICS PHOTOGRAPHY
Cathy Kushner (’87)
CAMPUS CONTRIBUTORS
Alumni Relations
Athletics
Donor Relations
Family Engagement
University Marketing & Branding
FOR ADDRESS UPDATES: Email: advancementgr@jmu.edu or call 1-855-568-4483
CONTACT THE MADISON STAFF: Email: madisonmag@jmu.edu or call 540-568-2664
Madison magazine, JMU, 127 W. Bruce St., MSC 3610, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
For Class Notes, go to jmu.edu/alumni. Madison is an official publication of James Madison University and is produced by the Division of University Advancement for alumni, parents of JMU students, faculty, staff and friends of JMU.
Editorial office: JMU, 127 W. Bruce St., MSC 3610, Harrisonburg, VA 22807
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:
James Madison University does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, race or color, height or weight, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation or belief, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, parental status (including pregnancy), marital status, family medical or genetic information in its employment, educational programs, activities and admissions. JMU complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination, affirmative action and anti-harassment. JMU prohibits sexual and gender-based harassment, including sexual assault, and other forms of interpersonal violence.
The responsibility for overall coordination, monitoring and information dissemination about JMU’s program of equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, Title IX and affirmative action is assigned to the Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX. Inquiries or complaints may be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX: Amy Sirocky-Meck, Title IX Coordinator, 540-568-5219, www.jmu.edu/oeo oeo@jmu.edu. (REVISED JANUARY 2020)
HOTEL OF JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
JOIN OUR JMU ALUMNI CLUB!
Get exclusive benefits at Hotel Madison, and stay on campus like you used to. Sign up in the top menu of hotelmadison.com for full details and to start receiving these benefits:
n 10% off from our Standard Daily Rate
n Exclusive promotions throughout the year
n Priority access to JMU and/or Hotel Madison-sponsored events held at the hotel
DON’T MISS…
Winter Wine Weekend Feb 21 – 23, 2025
Mini-reunion packages
Go to our website or call for details.
Monty’s Restaurant Menu by Tassie Pippert, JMU celebrity chef!
Quills Lobby Bar live music
Check our website for the list of Friday and Saturday evening performances.
grace+main cafe
Serving specialty drinks and breakfast items — and lunch too! Neapolitan pizza, subs & salads.
Contributors
Steve Aderton (’19) is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, photographer and video producer. After graduating with a degree in Media Arts and Design, he worked as a video producer at Shenandoah University before returning to his alma mater in 2021. In addition to capturing photos and video for University Marketing and Branding, he is a licensed drone operator.
Kyla Davis is a senior Business Management major with a minor in Biology from Charlottesville, Virginia. A dedicated photographer and small-business owner, she captures special moments for families, graduates and couples. When she’s not behind the camera, Davis enjoys hiking, reading, painting, and spending time with friends and family. After graduation, she hopes to expand her business and pursue it full time.
Michael Gerber is a photographer/videographer intern with University Marketing and Branding. A junior Computer Science major with minors in Computer Information Systems and Data Analytics, he is from Vienna, Virginia, and serves as the secretary of Madison Motorsports, JMU’s car club.
Rachel Holderman is a creative producer with University Marketing and Branding, specializing in photography and graphic design within the Office of Enrollment Marketing. She has spent most of her professional career in highereducation marketing roles, helping to shape and communicate the university experience to prospective students and the broader community.
Olive Santos (‘20) is a photographer and video producer with University Marketing and Branding. After graduating from JMU’s Media Arts and Design program, they worked as a technical media producer at WHSV-TV and a freelance video producer before joining the JMU Marketing and Branding team in 2022.
Chris Timothy is a landscape photographer and junior Geographic Science major. His work blends photography, GIS, and design to underline nature’s beauty and fragility, and has been published in TAMRON Magazine, JMU’s Geogazine and The Breeze. Timothy’s expertise spans motion graphics, video production and cartography, reflecting his commitment to using media and mapping for environmental advocacy.
Cody Troyer is the photography and video production manager for JMU Marketing and Branding, where he oversees the creation, execution and innovation of visual content that captures the spirit of the Madison community. Troyer has served at the university since the winter of 2016 and is pursuing a Master of Business Administration at JMU.
Associate Vice President, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Hollie Hall Dean of Students
David Kirkpatrick Chief of Staff
Jack Knight
Senior Assistant Attorney General and University Counsel
Bob Kolvoord Provost and Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs (interim)
Nick Langridge (’00,’07M, 14Ph.D ) Vice President, University Advancement
Tim Miller (’96, ’00M) Vice President, Student Affairs
Bruce E. Mitchell II
Associate Vice President, Accessibility and Belonging
Towana Moore Vice President, Administration and Finance
Chris Orem
Executive Director, Planning, Analytics, and Institutional Research
Andy Perrine (’86)
Associate Vice President, University Marketing and Branding
Caitlyn Read (’10, ’18M) Director, State Governmental Relations
Matt Roan Director of Athletics
Anthony Tongen Vice President, Research, Economic Development and Innovation
Mary-Hope Vass (’22M)
Assistant Vice President of Communications and University Spokesperson
Melinda Wood Vice President, Access and Enrollment Management
VICE PROVOSTS
Fletcher Linder (’86)
Associate Provost for Online Strategy
Rudy Molina Jr. Student Academic Success
Elizabeth Oldmixon Faculty Affairs and Curriculum
Narketta Sparkman-Key Stragetic Initiatives and Global Affairs
DEANS
Bethany Blackstone Honors
Michael Busing Business
Rubén Graciani Visual and Performing Arts
Jeffrey Tang Integrated Science and Engineering (interim)
Mark L’ Esperance Education
Fletcher Linder University Studies
Sharon Lovell (’85) Health and Behavioral Studies
Bethany Nowviskie Libraries
Samantha Prins Science and Mathematics
Nick Swartz Professional and Continuing Education
Linda Thomas The Graduate School
Traci Zimmerman ( 92, ’94M) Arts and Letters
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFICER
Ellen Hineman (’89) President
PARENTS COUNCIL
CHAIRS
James and Christina Gibson (’94) Crist (’25P)
ADERTON (’19) PHOTOGRAPH BY OLIVE SANTOS (’20); HOLDERMAN BY CODY TROYER; SANTOS (’20) BY JULIA WEAVER (’21); TIMOTHY BY STEVE ADERTON (’19); TROYER BY RACHEL HOLDERMAN
PREMIERE TRIP
Greek Isles Adventure
The Cyclades, Greece, May 31 – June 9, 2025
JOURNEYS
Our exclusive trips are open to JMU alumni, parents, employees, and friends. Spaces are limited.
Women Who amaze Summit
Come back to campus for an amazing weekend getaway!
Friday-Sunday, May 2-4, 2025
Registration opens in February.
jmu.edu/womenformadison
Advancing Madison GRADUATES OF THE PAST CHANGE CARRIER
LIBRARY’S FUTURE
When Stan Jones (’54) enrolled at Madison College as a day student, he walked the sidewalks of his childhood from home to work, class and back home again. His daily route passed by the campus library, which quickly became his retreat. “I would go to the library to study and just relax,” Jones said. “I’ve always been fond of libraries.”
In the summer of 2023, JMU embarked on the Carrier Library renovation and expansion, a transformation to the heart of campus and the Madison Experience. Seventy years after graduating from Madison College, Stan Jones (’54) and his wife, Rosemary Hayes Jones, have named the brand-new wing of Carrier Library with a $2.5 million gift to the university.
JONES (’54) PORTRAIT COURTESY OF 1954
SCHOOLMA’AM; STAN AND ROSEMARY BY MIKE MIRIELLO (’09M); JONES WING CONSTRUCTION BY CODY TROYER; GLASS INSTALLATION COURTESY OF JMU LIBRARIES
“The naming of these two library spaces — historic and modern — adds another chapter to JMU’s story.”
BETHANY NOWVISKIE, dean of Libraries
Mary Marshall Gilmore McCormack (’50) graduated from Madison College with a degree in Education and was a member of Alpha Sigma Tau sorority. Prior to her passing in 2023, she was an avid supporter of the Mary Marshall Gilmore McCormack (’50) Scholarship Endowment in the College of Visual and Performing Arts, which was established in her honor by her daughter, Joan Ferrill.
In 2024, Ferrill made another gift to the university to name the iconic Carrier Library entrance as the McCormack Historic Entrance in honor of her late mother.
THE FUTURE OF CARRIER LIBRARY
To learn more about the renovation and expansion, scan the QR code or visit www.jmu.edu/renovation/carrier. ADVANCING
M
SCHOLARSHIPS:
CREATED AND LIVED BY DUKES
Various causes at JMU, including scholarship support funds and the Class of 1950 Endowed Library Collection Fund
DUNCAN KELLEHER (’27)
MAJOR: Business Management
SCHOLARSHIP: 50 to Infinity Scholarship
HOMETOWN: Vienna, VA
Duncan Kelleher wanted to stay in his home state and attend a prestigious business program, and thanks to leadership donors to the Fifty to Infinity Scholarship fund, his dream came true at JMU. “I got the scholarship, and I was just, I was so excited. The Fifty to Infinity Scholarship made my decision for me,” he said. In his first year, Kelleher found inspiration in an unexpected class. “[Computer Information Systems with Tom Dillon] was one of the hardest classes I’ve taken, but I just learned so much. I never thought of myself as somebody who enjoyed computer programming at all … Now I’m thinking my future will probably have something to do with computers …” Kelleher is part of GOLD Scholars, a cohort of students awarded merit-based scholarships to study business at JMU.
XAVIER ADKINS (’24)
SCHOLARSHIP: Centennial Scholar
MAJOR: Elementary Education
HOMETOWN: Richmond, VA
Xavier Adkins described the Centennial Scholar cohort as “a room full of friendly faces that I know I have something in common with.” As a student, Adkins worked as an adviser through Upward Bound, an intensive advising program that helps local high school students to consider and apply for college. “I think it’s actually the best part of my college experience,” Adkins said. “It’s really helped me be a mentor in a way that I think I really needed in high school.” Since graduating in December, Adkins has stayed in Harrisonburg as the studentservices coordinator for Valley Scholars. “The reason I came into education was to support students, and students that really need the extra push, and that’s what these programs are entirely.”
ESTHER SAINT-GERMAIN (’26)
SCHOLARSHIP: Speights Endowment
MAJOR: Biotechnology
HOMETOWN: Orange Park, FL
Florida native Esther SaintGermain was drawn to JMU for its sense of family. “I was searching for a home away from home, and JMU provided that in every way,” she said. The sophomore track and field student-athlete, specializing in sprints, is the recipient of
DIOMA OGWARA (’26)
the Speights Endowment, an award specifically for track and field student-athletes at JMU.
“Running has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started when I was just 4 years old, and it quickly became a passion,” she said. “Being a Speights scholarship recipient
SCHOLARSHIP: Warden Dukes Pay It Forward
MAJOR: Theatre, minor in Political Science
HOMETOWN: Lorton, VA
Thanks to a scholarship match initiated by Kathy (’92) and Eric (’93) Warden, and more than 950 donors who gave to the Dukes Pay It Forward Annual Scholarship Fund, 100 Dukes have been able to say “yes” to JMU. Junior Theatre major Dioma Ogwara (bottom right) is one of 50 students who will graduate from the first Dukes Pay It Forward
is more than an honor; it’s a responsibility and a constant reminder to give my best in everything I do. It motivates me to work hard on and off the track, and continue striving with the perseverance, dedication and leadership that this scholarship represents.”
cohort. “I am so grateful that I have been given this fellowship and the opportunity to come to JMU. It’s been a very fun, stressful, creative, kooky adventure,” he said. “I’ve been in so many productions, and currently I’m devising a piece for Spring 2025.”
Ogwara is also a first-gen mentor to 12 students in the Centennial Scholars Program. “I’m giving them advice; I’m getting to know them as people and trying to show them the ways I’ve been successful in my own way,” he said, “but [also] teaching them
NAOMI MINWALLA (’26)
SCHOLARSHIP: Witherspoon Scholarship
MAJORS: Political Science, Spanish, Honors
HOMETOWN: Loudoun County, VA
After a JMU study abroad trip to Spain in 2023, Naomi Minwalla applied for the Witherspoon Scholarship, which awards outstanding Honors students funding to support transformative, off-campus summer experiences, and returned to Seville, Spain, last summer to study symbols of power in architecture. “There’s something about the architecture that’s so different to what I’ve seen in the U.S.,” she said. “And people don’t realize, the foundation of politics was originally based on symbolism.” What began as a fascination on a study abroad trip has now become the basis of her honors thesis. “A lot of work does go into making the proposal, the budget, getting a faculty member to supervise you, but it is so worth it. Absolutely worth it.”
SCAN TO LEARN ABOUT
Special Education major Kamille Booth’s (’24) inspiring scholarship story
KELLEHER PHOTOGRAPH BY CODY TROYER; HARTMAN AND WARDEN COHORTS BY OLIVE SANTOS (’20); SAINT-GERMAIN BY CATHY KUSHNER (’87)
CELEBRATING
WORLDS OF BLACK POETRY
Renowned poets, emerging voices, scholars and educators gathered at JMU from across the globe for Furious Flower IV. They came to perform their work, share scholarship, celebrate achievement, mentor and be mentored, and praise the Furious Flower Poetry Center for its instrumental role in establishing a Black poetic community since its first conference in 1994. Once newcomers at earlier conferences, many veterans are now the leaders guiding the next generation of poets.
“Welcome home, family. This is the Black poetry planet. This is homecoming. This is where we come together to affirm ourselves.”
JOANNE GABBIN, founding executive director of FFPC
“I can’t repeat enough how energizing and hopeful and effervescent this conference [is] … We think of Black poetry at the Furious Flower Poetry Center as a conversation across generations and continents, and our gaze is firmly oriented not only toward the legacy but also toward the future.”
RITA DOVE, former U.S. and Virginia poet laureate leading the laureate reading and Q&A
“We gather at Furious Flower for the fourth time in as many decades to celebrate Black poets and to lift up Black poetry, which offers a language for that which is often unlanguageable and illuminates new ways of visioning our world.”
M c KINLEY MELTON, Furious Flower Poetry Center board president
(L-R): Furious Flower founder and Professor Emerita Joanne Gabbin with successor and Executive Director Lauren K. Alleyne
“Gratitude is not a sentiment. It’s not just a feeling. It’s an action. … to give back, to make space for others, to encourage others, to always recognize that you never get here on your own — people behind you, people in front of you, people guiding you.”
KWAME DAWES, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and conference honoree
“We are taught that, being a poet, you are in your house alone, doing your work. And that is not the African way. … What Furious Flower is doing by bringing the Black diasporic poet tradition together in one room is the richest thing I’ve seen in 1,000 years. They tell us we don’t have connections with each other once we cross the water, but, oh my gosh!”
NIKKY
“Well, this is extraordinary. We’ve all been in a lot of rooms. We’ve been in a lot of homes, we’ve been on a lot of streets, we’ve been a lot of places. We’ve sung a lot of songs, we’ve made some bad rhymes, we’ve acted out our lives in pieces. But what I think we know tonight is that there is no love like Black poet love …”
ELIZABETH ALEXANDER, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and conference honoree
FINNEY, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient
LISTEN to the voices, poems and stories in the Furious Flower IV podcast, in collaboration with With Good Reason. DAWES
WATCH Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and poet Toi Derricotte’s moving remarks at Furious Flower IV.
TIPPING OFF ANOTHER SEASON OF HOOPS IN HARRISONBURG
Men’s, women’s teams eyeing Sun Belt title, postseason berth
(Below): The women’s team was impressive early in the 2024-25 campaign, notching seven wins in their first 10 games entering league play.
A new-look men’s team, under head coach Preston Spradlin, is seeking to make a run following last year’s historic 32-4 season.
“With a step that is steady and strong / for old Harrisonburg march along / true to the colors we bear / the purple and gold so fair.”
STUDENT CHEER, Harrisonburg Teachers College
The women’s basketball program is among the oldest in the nation, founded in 1920. In the early days, the team played a sevengame schedule, including “homeand-home” games with the other three normal schools in Virginia.
DUKES SHOW UP FOR GAME DAY
Football has been part of the Madison Experience for more than 50 years
Whether it’s a spirited Homecoming performance (right) or a choreographed halftime arrangement, the Marching Royal Dukes always put on a show.
“Some of the best times I had at James Madison were when my friends and I would go to the game and cheer for our football team.”
SCOTT MYER (‘85),
member of the “Hillside Gang”
Students, faculty, staff and the local community have been cheering on the Dukes football team since their debut in 1972, when home games were played at the old Harrisonburg High School (left). The program would go on to win two national championships (2004 and 2016) at the Division I-AA and FCS levels before fully transitioning to FBS this past season.
THEN & NOW
From a teachers college to a regional comprehensive university to a national research institution, JMU continues to remake itself — and the surrounding community.
PHOTOGRAPH BY RACHEL HOLDERMAN
LEAPS AND BOUNDS
During a time of great change, as we evolve into a national research university, it’s important to look back on our origins as a teachers college.
ENLARGED FOOTPRINT
Once a women’s teachers college in the rolling hills of the Shenandoah Valley, today JMU is a major university on 785 acres straddling Interstate 81.
1930 s QUAD PHOTOGRAPHS BY FRANK TURGEON JR. AND COURTESY OF JMU
COLLECTIONS; 2024 MASSANUTTEN SKYLINE BY CHRIS TIMOTHY
STUDENTFOCUSED
The acquisition of land behind the Quad paved the way for student facilities such as Gibbons Dining Hall, Warren Hall (Student Union) and Bridgeforth Stadium.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
The Village section of campus, built in the 1960s, features residential suites with a common lounge area. A new 459-bed residence hall is under construction on site.
Photographers Rachel Holderman and Cody Troyer use an iPad in flight to capture aerial images of The Village (far left) and East Campus (above). For more on how our “Fearless Flyers” achieved this feat, see Parting Shot on Page 48.
STUDY ABROAD: THE WORLD AS OUR CLASSROOM
Dukes bring art to life with dance; Madison Art Collection loans works to Ben Shahn exhibition
(Above): Dance and Music students led by Rubén Graciani, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, perform a choreographed dance in an interior courtyard of the famed Museo National Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid on Oct. 20, 2023. (Right): Professor Raymond Dingledine Jr. with students: Opportunities to study abroad were limited for the women of Madison College.
MADRID PHOTOGRAPHS BY OLIVE SANTOS (’20); DINGLEDINE JR. AND STUDENTS COURTESY OF JMU LIBRARIES/SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
“I was thrilled by the opportunity to bring 30 years of research to a project that would allow me to present Ben Shahn’s far-reaching artistic and social vision to vast numbers of international audiences on such a grand and prominent scale.”
LAURA KATZMAN, professor of
art history
Professor Laura Katzman, a Ben Shahn scholar, was invited by the Reina Sofía’s director to serve as guest curator of the art exhibition Ben Shahn, On Nonconformity / De la no conformidad.
DUKES IN DISCOVERY
The tools have changed but the spirit of intellectual curiosity and engaged learning remains at Madison
(Above, left): Anatomy and Physiology students conduct a lab on respiration with biology professor Janet Daniel. (Right): The Curie Science Club at Madison College in 1939: Although teacher training remained the principal function of the college in the late 1930s and 1940s, students were required to take general courses in biology, chemistry, physics and geology.
(Above): A medical technology class at Madison College in 1960. (Left): Students in JMU’s Center for Genome and Metagenome Studies use Nanopore’s MinION sequencer for DNA and RNA sequencing. (Below): Students give poster presentations at a Biotechnology Research Symposium.
“The advancement of science and the diffusion of information [is] the best aliment to true liberty.”
JAMES MADISON, Founding Father
Students in a general-education science classroom in 1960: At the start of the decade, Madison offered 10 curricula of study, including one leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in liberal arts.
(Above): Students in the new Information Technology major participate in a circuitry demonstration with associate professor Ahmad Salman of the College of Integrated Science and Engineering. (Left): Professor Carole Nash’s ISAT students plant trees at the JMU Farm along a stream bank as part of their capstone project.
(Right): Sophomore Engineering students, under the direction of professor Steven Woodruff, load-test cardboard bridges that they built and analyzed.
(Above): Geology students survey rock formations in Franklin, West Virginia, as part of their fieldwork. The class examines the stratigraphic, structural, and tectonic principles that control the character and distribution of rocks. (Left): Harrisonburg Teachers College students having “just crossed the Cowpasture River, returning from Monterey and McDowell, May 1924.”
“[Our work] can no longer be confined to theory and books but must seek its material in real things, in nature, in the practical activities of industry and commerce, in the business, civic and social interests of life … ”
JULIAN BURRUSS, president, Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg
POSITIVE CAREER OUTCOMES
While the world of work has changed fundamentally, JMU graduates are fully prepared to succeed
More than 95% of the Class of 2023 found work or were continuing their education within six months of graduation.
UNIVERSITY CAREER CENTER, Career Outcomes Report
Students of all majors benefit from a strong liberal arts tradition at Madison, which dates to the founding of the institution and continues to this day. JMU’s General Education Program, “The Human Community,” helps students become skilled in questioning, investigating, analyzing, evaluating and communicating.
(Above): JMU Nursing is helping meet demand for health care professionals in Virginia. The university produces more nurses than any other institution in the state. (Left): After participating in JMU X-Labs’ first, cohort-based internship with Ellucian this past summer, Hamid Elias (’24) was hired by the Reston, Virginia, higher education services company as an associate product manager.
(Below): 1960s graduates on the steps of Wilson Hall; (right): Born in China and raised in South Africa, Yulin Yuan (’24M) is now a Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Professional Fellow.
(Above): The College of Business is home to a nationally ranked MBA program with locations in Harrisonburg and Northern Virginia. (Right): Students in associate professor Christina Kilby’s Global Religions and Cultures course, Buddhism in the Modern World, contributed research as part of the JMU Diplomacy and Defense Lab’s collaboration with the U.S. Department of State.
STORIED FORMER BOARDING HOUSE A ‘TIME CAPSULE’ RICH
IN BLACK HISTORY
JMU helping lead an effort to preserve the long history of the city’s last remaining Green Booklisted property BY Josette Keelor
Faculty from James Madison and Eastern Mennonite universities are thrilled with the wealth of history they’ve unearthed while researching Harrisonburg’s last remaining Green Book house.
Dating to the early 1900s, the two-story Ida M. Francis House at 252 N. Mason St. has witnessed at least three distinct eras — as a successful woman-owned boarding house, a Green Book safe place for Black travelers and the lifelong home of siblings Henry and Lois Rouser.
At the end of its Green Book era in 1962, this remarkable community treasure survived the city’s sweeping Urban Renewal Project that demolished much of the Northeast neighborhood’s Blackowned homes and businesses.
(Below, left): Deanna Reed and her father, William Reed, in front of the Ida M. Francis House, which was listed as a Green Book location for African American travelers in the 1950s and 1960s: William recently inherited the house from the late owners, siblings Henry and Lois Rouser, his longtime friends.
The Ida M. Francis House was one of several included in The Negro Motorist Green Book, published by Victor Hugo Green, listing safe travel spots for African Americans.
“Having a house here in Harrisonburg allows us to tell the story of Harrisonburg in ways that connect to national history.”
MOLLIE GODFREY, professor of English
Now, more than 60 years later, JMU and EMU faculty are sifting through rooms of documents, photos and decor that will add depth to the stories that helped define a community. “This is a time capsule. I mean, they threw away nothing,” said Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed, whose father, William, inherited the house from Lois Rouser in 2022.
Mayor Reed, who was raised on stories of the homeowners and their famous visitors, understood the important role the house has played in local history. “We realized, ‘Okay, we got something special here,’” she said. “I knew that this was too big for me and my family to handle.” She and her father reached out to local experts to help them plan a future for the property.
The Green Book house preservation team includes Mollie Godfrey (English; African, African American, and Diaspora Studies Center) and Carole Nash (School of Integrated Sciences; Mountain Valley Archaeology) from JMU; Mark Metzler Sawin (History; Honors Program) from EMU; and JMU Libraries.
Urban Renewal in the 1960s targeted Black communities, with lasting effects for decades. The redevelopment of the Mason Street corridor divided Harrisonburg’s Northeast neighborhood from the rest of downtown — an issue Mayor Reed said persists to this day. Urban Renewal “was not that long ago,” she said. There are people living in town who “can still remember the burning of the buildings, the burning of the homes.”
(Above): Photos found in the house show the home and its people from the 1920s and 1930s. “It gives you great images of this active, hip, well-dressed, havinga-good-time Black community in Harrisonburg that I just don’t think is a story that we’ve told, and honestly is a story that’s largely forgotten,” Mark Sawin said. (Below): Members of jazz artist Duke Ellington’s band, shown here in the 1930s, were among the guests who stayed at the Ida M. Francis House in Harrisonburg.
Recently, the team secured a $5,000 grant from Virginia Humanities, $1,700 of which funded a summer research assistant to transcribe interviews Sawin conducted with community members who are knowledgeable about the home’s history. The team also has an oral history of the house, transcribed from cassette tapes the Rousers recorded in a 2002 interview with local writer and historian Ruth Toliver. “Having their actual voices and words is a really wonderful find,” Sawin said.
The team worked with an architectural historian to nominate the house to the Virginia Landmarks Register, and in June their application was approved by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. Then, in September, the house and property were placed on the National Register of Historic Places. “It means a lot to the city, and we want to make sure that we take care and respect the legacy of this house,” Mayor Reed said.
People often think the National Register of Historic Places lists “places where important people lived or important things happened,” Nash explained. But the register is really “designed to tell America’s story through standing structures and archeological sites that are significant. This is one of those places. It’s hiding in plain sight.”
SCAN TO READ AND LEARN MORE about the historic Green Book house and its past at www.jmu.edu/news/ 2024/08/02-green-book-house.shtml.
for Alumni Life
Homecoming 2024
A week of fun-filled events that ended with a win at Bridgeforth Stadium
STEVE ADERTON (’19), RACHEL HOLDERMAN, KYLA DAVIS AND OLIVE SANTOS (’20)
The Marching Royal Dukes, Dukettes Dance Team and JMU Cheerleading energized the crowd at QuadFest. (Inset, far left): Dukes wearing purple and gold filled tailgating lots before the game. (Top): Fireworks lit up the sky over Bridgeforth Stadium after the Dukes’ 32-15 victory over Southern Mississippi. (Insets, above): Senior Tony Gelona was crowned a 2024 Madison Majesty. Returning alumni greeted old friends at QuadFest. This year marked the Harrisonburg Alumni Chapter’s Annual Golf Tournament’s 25th anniversary. (Bottom): The Student Government Association revived an old Madison tradition — the Homecoming Parade.
MixedMedia
BOOKS, MUSIC FILM
Soundings: Beneath the Surface
A SERIES OF PAINTINGS BY LISA TUBACH
The Bugs: A Novel
BY CJ FRIEDMAN (’11)
Unsolicited Press
ISBN-13: 978-1956692976
In The Bugs, humanity’s fate rests in the tiny hands of the insects that monitor not only the health of the planet, but also the moral compass of its most influential inhabitants: humans. If mankind reaches a point of no return, the bugs will unleash a final solution — exter mi nation. But don’t worry, they’ve got a backup plan. With mosquitocollected DNA, they’re ready to start fresh with a new batch of humans, hoping the next generation might do better.
A chilling look at the potential consequences of climate neglect, The Bugs explores themes of environmental collapse, collective responsibility and survival, all seen through the eyes of Earth’s most overlooked creatures. Readers will be captivated by CJ Friedman’s dark humor, inventive storytelling and the eerie plausibility of the bugs’ last-resort plan.
A Touch of Truth
BY KATHRYN K. MURPHY
(’11, ’12M)
Caraway Press LLC ISBN-13: 978-1733246385
La Puerta (Snakelocks at Benalmádena); acrylic on canvas; 24” x 24”; 2024
“Soundings” can be defined as the process of measuring the depth of the sea. For her exhibition of paintings, Lisa Tubach, professor of art, employs this term scientifically and metaphorically — the depths here are simultaneously actual and inventive. They are geographical and emotional.
“Beneath the Surface” refers not only to the experience of witnessing these aquatic spaces, but also the dichotomy of micro to macro present in much of this work. It implies the journey of going beyond what is easily seen — to microbial, oft-hidden or partially fictional realms.
Viewers will notice geometric components to some of the compositions; these specific architectural references were inspired by extensive documentation of southern Spain, particularly the medieval, Islamic influences of the Andalusian region. It reflects Tubach’s recent artist residency there — the awareness for the need of water conservation was written into the pages of the Quran, along with its spiritual verses.
Aspiring to become Goldvein, Montana’s, first female police detective, Sgt. Ash Myers’ dreams are shattered when a series of violent attacks and murders rock the town and she becomes the prime suspect. Fleeing into a blizzard, Ash stumbles upon Max, a mysterious man who holds the key to her salvation.
Max, presumed dead for five years after escaping a secret lab, seeks revenge against the doctor responsible for his torment. When news of the doctor’s murder reaches him, instead of retribution, he finds himself drawn to a strikingly beautiful woman — Ash. With a blizzard closing in and the police hot on their trail, Max and Ash join forces to survive in the mountains and uncover the truth about Goldvein.
As they delve deeper, their attraction grows, but danger lurks around every corner, and time is running out. In A Touch of Truth, the final installment of the Sisters in Sirens series, Kathryn K. Murphy, a Master of Teaching, weaves a tale of steamy romance, suspense and the strength of a woman’s determination. Experience the power of love and the relentless pursuit of justice in this gripping conclusion to the series.
Minka and the Mouse
BY SABINE GARVEY CAMPBELL (’91)
Nightingale Books
ISBN-13: 978-1838756826
Minka and the Mouse is the story of how twins David and Kyla learn that friendships come in all shapes and sizes. They grow from love, compassion and understanding. And, from knowing that some things in this life may not be as they seem.
A bedtime book written in rhymes with colorful illustrations, it won the 2024 Firebird Book Award for best Children’s Picture Book.
Webster the Beagle and His Adventures at the River
BY FRANK PAYNE (’89) Mascot Kids
ISBN-13: 978-1637556733
This is the story of Webster the beagle and his adventures on the Rappahannock River, a tale of hope that will inspire you to never give up on your dreams. Sometimes we think we’re lost when, really, we’re just hoping to be found.
Frank Payne is an avid hunter, tennis player and fan of all things James Madison University. He lives in Richmond, Virginia, with his wife, Caren, and their two dogs: Billy, the beagle, and River, the black Labrador retriever.
He Was Just Sittin’ There and Other Stories
BY PAUL C. CLINE
Literary Spa
ISBN-13: 979-8218371586
Paul Cline, professor emeritus of political science, has published He Was Just Sittin’ There, stories of “our town” and mountains, complete with humor, surprise, and bizarre to normal behavior.
While there are no quizzes, there are questions that will be answered in He Was Just Sittin’ There. What did the window-washer see? What would bring together an old man, a young girl and a goat at the county fair? How could an old Army sergeant have served with three generations of men in the same family? How did a secret passage lead to a house, where a blinking upstairs light beamed out at night? What was the story of the boy from the mountains who spoke an unknown language?
Do not be shocked at a little irreverence about the “authentic” history of various medical specialties, such as orthopedic surgery or the preacher who was seen visiting the racetrack. It is possible a “children’s story” may yield revelations for the adult reader. Tales of schoolteachers may bring a nostalgic response from one’s own experience. The mysterious use of a Carpathian Mountain cavern may stir a sense of justice achieved.
Cline recalls gathering on summer evenings with other kids in front of the neighborhood school to hear a high-school boy tell stories in which each of the youngsters played a role. Cline carries forward this experience to the present day.
A former member of the Virginia House of Delegates, he resides with his wife, Diane, in Venice, Florida.
DUKE DOG COMIC STRIP BY JOHN ROSE (’86)
Notes Class
CELEBRATIONS 45 IN MEMORIAM 47
83
John Cario, a Hospitality Management major, and his classmates gathered for a 41st reunion at Carolina Beach, North Carolina, as several alumni couldn’t return to JMU for their 40th. The crew reside in Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. They enjoyed watching the JMU football team crush UNC, laughing at old photographs and catching up over the long weekend.
89
Ellen Wescott Hineman, president of the JMU Alumni Board of Directors, represented JMU at the inauguration of Susan Aldridge, president of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 9.
90
Gary Huffman’s daughter, Bridget, and son, Patrick, continue the Huffman family legacy at JMU by joining their freshman cousin, Elizabeth Huffman.
93
Shelby Brown McDowney and Monyette L.F. Martin (’93, ’96M) hosted JMU Day for incoming students at McDowney’s coffee shop, The Story Café, in Brunswick County, Virginia, on July 13. McDowney bleeds purple and is committed to paying it forward for students and families, specifically in the Southside region of Virginia. Her nephew is JMU men’s basketball player Xavier Brown, a junior Sport and Recreation Management major.
98
Erica Wrenn, a Speech Pathology major, won an Outstanding Performance Award with the Fairfax County Health Department in the category of Empowerment and Support of Residents Facing Vulnerability for her exceptional dedication and impactful contributions to the Helping Hands Stroke Club. A speechlanguage pathologist, Wrenn enables members to navigate the challenges of stroke recovery with resilience and hope, and consistently makes a profound difference in the lives of the clients she serves on a daily basis. She continues to benefit the community with her genuine connection, empathy, professionalism and mentorship of colleagues. ■ Michael Andrews (’00M), a Master of Education who majored in Psychology and Sociology, completed his doctorate in education from American University in May. His research on Black fatherhood stemmed
from his experience being a part of the Black male organization BOND at JMU in the 1990s and working with the African American Male Leadership Academy with Byron Bullock (’89M), former associate vice president for Student Affairs.
00Brett Banker, a double major in Marketing and Advertising, cofounded
X&O, a new type of ad agency. In 2023, Banker and partner Eric Segal established X&O out of frustration with the traditional agencyofrecord advertising model, where the top talent are the ones least likely to spend time on a brands’ business. X&O was created to be the modern brand’s solution to the AOR model, delivering solutions in
CONTINUED ON PAGE 44 >>>
(Front row, second from right): Shelby Brown McDowney (’93) hosted JMU Day at her coffee shop, The Story Café.
(L-R): Jay Wilson, Tim Laverty, Jeff Ewing, Paul Bowers, John Schroeder and John Cario from the Class of 1983
THEN & NOW: scrum chums
The Madison Men’s Rugby Club started in fall of 1974. It’s the first and oldest club sport at JMU, followed two years later by the Women’s Rugby Club. Men’s rugby celebrated its 50th year from Oct. 10 to 13, with a campus tour and several rugby matches for the women’s A and B teams, a current men’s season game, and men’s alumni joining forces with current men’s rugby players.
(Right): One of the first Men’s Rugby Club teams pictured in the 1977 Bluestone
A Saturday night Celebration of the Future featured the establishment and induction of the first class of the Madison Rugby Hall of Fame. More than 300 attended the event, including coaches from the last five decades. Nearly 230 attendees flew in for the occasion, and about 70 watched JMU’s Thursday night football game.
Scan here for the full story.
(Top): Members of the Half Century Team and several coaches are pictured during the Rugby Club’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. (Front row, L-R): Coach Holmes Brown, Chris Marcelin, Chris Andres, Rob McGinnis (co-founder and original player-coach) and coach Phil Simmons; (Middle row, L-R): Federico Meersohn, Andrei Golding, Alex French, Erik Carlson, GJ Sucher and coach Bill Boyd; (Back row, L-R): Mo Katz, Chris Kunkel, Zac Wilmott, Stack Stevens, John Galiani and coach Mark Fowler; (Not pictured): Mike Coyner, Carter Elder, Jeff Bowlby, Schuyler Whalen, Brian Hawkinson and coach Mark Lambourne. (Deceased): John Carr, Luis De Souza Pinto and Chris Ball “Blumpkin”
CLASS NOTES
one to three weeks rather than months, with a flat fee. Banker’s team works to tackle a range of issues, such as strategy, naming, upstream innovation, brand platform development, campaign launches and onoff creative wins. Banker’s career in advertising includes managing partner and account management for a number of agencies, including Grey and Anomaly. He has worked with brands like the NFL, P&G, Panera, MLB and Pfizer. ■ Jaclyn Bonham gathered last summer with JMU football alumni from the Classes of 2000 and 2001, including Mike Dealy and family; Matt Von Schuch and family; Ryan Ferguson and family; Grant and Michele (Johnston) Clark and family; Andy and Jaclyn (Evers) Bonham and family; and Kevin
and Vicki (Karousos) Reinhardt and family.
01John Soules celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Madison Men’s Rugby Club on campus from Oct. 10 13. Men’s rugby was the first club sport at JMU (followed two years later by the Women’s Rugby Club). More than 200 graduates, parents, students and coaches attended from across the country. Events included an alumni game at John Carr Field and an awards ceremony, where the all decades teams were announced, along with the establishment and induction of the first class of the Madison Rugby Hall of Fame.
05
George H. Burns IV, starting lineman on JMU’s 2004 National Championship football team, climbed California’s Mount Whitney in July. At 14,505 feet, it is the highest peak in the lower 48 states. This was Burns’ first trip to the Sierra Nevada and first long, backcountry trip. The route approached Whitney from the west via New Army Pass and took three days to get to the base camp at the iconic Guitar Lake. The ascent to the top involved a camp departure at 2 a.m. with headlamps. An early departure is necessary to avoid the sun, as this area is above tree line, and to avoid popup thunderstorms at the top in the afternoon. The
Lake took five and a half hours. At the peak, the oxygen level in the atmosphere is 12%, causing increased fatigue, heavy breathing and frequent stops. The trail consists of rocky granite walking surfaces, rock scrambles and sharp dropoffs.
Burns made it back to Guitar Lake 10 hours after departure. Originally, the plan was to follow the John Muir Trail farther north with his dad, but a foot injury necessitated the 2,500foot reascent the next day along the same approach trail to trail junction, and a 6,000foot descent to civilization. He characterized the epic journey as CONTINUED ON PAGE 46 >>>
3,000 foot climb from Guitar
JMU football alumni from the Classes of 2000 and 2001 gather with their families. The former offensive linemen are Mike Dealy, Matt Von Schuch, Ryan Ferguson, Grant Clark, Andy Bonham and Kevin Reinhardt.
WEDDINGS, HONORS & FUTURE DUKES
Baltimore Museum of Industry on Sept. 28 in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore, Maryland, where they also purchased a home in April. 6. Nick Kawchak (’16), a Health Services Administration major, and Sarah Lundberg (’16), a Media Arts and Design major, married on June 8 at Hollyfield Manor in Richmond, Virginia. 7. Stephen Abramowitz (’19), a former editorial assistant at Madison, married Marcela (Luna) Abramowitz (’19) on Aug. 17 in New Jersey with JMU alumni in attendance, fulfilling his promise to make it into the back of the publication he once helped produce. 8. Clayton Thomas Poffenberger (’15) married Morgan Haleigh Barnes (’18) on June 10, 2023, at Sky Ridge Farm in Waynesboro, Virginia. More than a dozen JMU graduates attended, ranging from the Classes of 1978 to 2019. 3 6 7 8 5 2 4
Hannah (Hudson) Meyers (’18) at Rock Hill Farm in Culpeper, Virginia, on June 8. 2. Rebekah (Pitts) Stewart (’15), who majored in Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication and Spanish, married Mike Stewart on June 8 in Raleigh, North Carolina. 3. Joely (’90) and Trey Mauck (’88), College of Business graduates, recently welcomed their granddaughter and future Duke, Madison Mauck, to the family. Joely and Trey are deeply engaged with the Madison community, including funding a scholarship for business students and sponsoring the football team. 4. Jeff and Amanda Blumenthal (’12, ’13M), an Accounting major, welcomed twins James and Virginia, on Feb. 1. The future Dukes join big siblings Laina and Lucas. 5. Patrick Doherty (’17) married Sydney Moreland (’17, ’18M) at the
George H. Burns IV (’05) at the peak of Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 states
harder than any day in his football career.
Burns has worked in the insurance industry since graduation, and owns a life and healthinsurance agency in Charles Town, West Virginia.
08
Future Dukes and cousins Paige Perry, 9, and Cooper Cox, 11, attended the football game during Family Weekend on Sept. 29 at Bridgeforth Stadium. Paige is the daughter of Allison Perry Fields (’08), and Cooper’s parents are Jennifer (’05, ’06M) and Jim Cox (’05). Allison and Jennifer are sisters.
11
Aishah Hunter, a Communication Studies major, began the next chapter of her career in September by joining the Field HR team at Burlington Stores Inc. as a territory human resources director. She was previously the HR business partner to the senior executive leadership team at Barnes & Noble Inc.
■ Courtney Horne (’13M) is celebrating her 10th year as a school counselor and has been instrumental in creating Patriot Point,
an innovative nature playscape at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Louisa, Virginia. This project, made possible through generous grants and contributions from local businesses, is a reflection of Horne’s commitment to enhancing student wellbeing.
Patriot Point offers an alternative to a traditional playground, where students are encouraged to explore, collaborate and engage in creative play with natural materials like creek beds and mud kitchens. These activities tap into the proven benefits of nature, such as improving attention, reducing stress and fostering resilience, all while promoting essential social and emotional skills.
Future Dukes and cousins Paige Perry and Cooper Cox pose with Duke Dog at the Family Weekend football game.
CLASS NOTES
Patriot Point, a passion project for Courtney Horne (’11, ’13M), will offer an alternative to the traditional school playground, where students are encouraged to explore, collaborate and engage in creative play. (Right): Horne at a Dukes football game with her husband, Colby Horne (’10, ’12M), and their two daughters
This nature playscape is a key part of the school’s 202425 mental health initiative, Look Up & Engage, which aims to harness the power of nature to create healthier, happier and more successful students. Horne believes nature is a valuable tool that can help children develop resilience and regulate their emotions.
13John Briskey and Christie Briskey (’14, ’17M), who met at JMU, introduced their daughter, Madison, to her namesake during Homecoming weekend. “My father also went to JMU, and we are crossing our fingers for a third generation,” said Christie, a Master of Occupational Therapy.
21
Tiffany Rutledge (’22M) reunited with her Chappelear suitemates in the Outer Banks of North Carolina while welcoming a future Duke. The alumni friends met during FROG week, when they were asked to hold 30 second conversations with different members of their residence hall. Seven years later, they still get together. “So blessed to have met these people the first day of college and turn into lifelong friends,” Rutledge said.
IN MEMORIAM
Hannah Finley Cullen (’47) and her granddaughter, Casey Cullen (’07), in cap and gown in front of Wilson Hall, 60 years apart
Hannah Finley Cullen (’47), 98, died on Aug. 8 at Seasons Place in Lewisburg, West Virginia. Majoring in Physical Education, Hannah completed her student teaching in Rockingham County. During her time at Madison College, she was an active and engaged student, serving as the Athletic Association’s treasurer and a member of the varsity basketball team and Student Council. As part of her roomandboard arrangement, she lived in Hillcrest House with the family of former Madison President Samuel P. Duke. She supported Mr. and Mrs. Duke with everyday activities, including cleaning and caretaking for the president’s elderly mother. This unique experience left an indelible mark on her life and furthered her love for education and JMU.
Hannah is survived by her three children, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren, including son Daniel Cullen (’81), daughterinlaw Eleanor Deely Cullen (’81), and granddaughters Casey Cullen (’07) and Maggi Cullen (’15).
Maureen Frances (Agnew) Kalenich (’75) died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on May 15. She fought a courageous battle against frontotemporal dementia.
Scott Schreier (’97), a Finance major and member of Theta Chi fraternity, died on July 20 after a brief but valiant battle with colon cancer. “JMU was an important part of Scott’s life,” said his first cousin, Spencer Morgan.
Tiffany Rutledge (’21, ’22M) reunited with her Chappelear suitemates in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Future Duke Madison Briskey
Parting Shot
FEARLESS FLYERS
For this “Then & Now” issue, our photo team worked with Madison Creative Director Bill Thompson to align old photos of campus from the 1930s through the 1950s with current images to show the growth of JMU. Initially, they tried to use a drone to capture the “now” photos but quickly found the technology to be restrictive. Photo Manager Cody Troyer then reached out to Blue Ridge Aviation at Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport about chartering a Cessna aircraft for the task. Using ChatGPT, Cody estimated the altitude and lens used in the old photos. During the flight, Rachel Holderman had the idea to connect an iPad to the camera to view the camera’s screen in real time and then aligned it with the old photo on another iPad. Cody was then able to direct Rachel and the pilot, Sonet Gandhi, to capture the desired shots. (L-R): Rachel Holderman, Sonet Gandhi, Cody Troyer, Chris Timothy
SCAN TO SEE a collection of stunning, sky-high snapshots captured by our “Fearless Flyers.”
