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Alger’s contract extended five years
A JMU, BRCC launch Bridge to Madison program
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new joint program between Blue Ridge BRCC President Community College and JMU is opening John Downey and JMU President doors for future students. The Bridge to Jonathan R. Alger Madison transfer program provides aca- sign the transfer demic and social support to help students from BRCC agreement. gain admittance to and succeed at JMU. Under the agreement, students who applied to JMU but have not been accepted through the regular admissions process can be considered for selection into the program. These students will be able to live on the university campus while taking their first year of college course work at BRCC. The arrangement lowers the cost of tuition for these students and provides academic support from both institutions. Students successfully completing the program will be able to attend JMU full time beginning in their sophomore year. BRCC and JMU expect to support approximately 50 students through the Bridge to Madison program in the first year.
t its regularly scheduled board meeting in September, the JMU Board of Visitors voted to extend President Jonathan R. Alger’s term as president for five years. “The board appreciates President Alger and the growth the university has experienced under his leadership,” said Lara Major (’92, ’20P), the board’s rector. “Jon’s commitment to student success and academic excellence has been instrumental in maintaining JMU’s high graduation and satisfaction rates, outstanding post-graduation employment levels and continued affordability.” “I am honored and humbled to continue my service at JMU and lead a place with such extraordinary talent,” Alger said. “In the coming weeks, I look forward to sharing more of our vision for the near and distant future of the university.” Alger became the sixth president of JMU in 2012. His new contract will begin July 1 and run through June 30, 2027. — Ginny Cramer
— Ginny Cramer
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As loyal Madison readers, you can use this to brag about JMU and spread the word!
Healthy forest-verified
JMU earned recognition as a 2020 Tree Campus Higher Education institution. The Tree Campus USA program, launched in 2008 by the Arbor Day Foundation, helps colleges and universities around the country establish and sustain healthy community forests. JMU met five core standards for effective campus forest management.
Career-ready
For the third straight year, JMU is the best college in Virginia for getting a job. The Zippia ranking is based on Department of Education data.
Arts and culture
The Harrisonburg International Festival was recognized with the 2021 Circle of Excellence in the Arts award by the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, the Arts Council of the Valley and the College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Top sports venue
Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field was voted by Virginia Living’s readers as one of the Best Sports Venues in the Shenandoah Valley region in its 2021 Best of Virginia issue.
Rejoice, foodies!
JMU earned the No. 7 ranking on Niche.com’s 2022 Best Food rankings list. Niche analyzed meal-plan costs and student reviews.
Highest honor
The JMU chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma, a business education honor society, earned Highest Honors Chapter recognition. BGS is comprised of top-performing business students.
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