Letter From the Editor

Adaptation is the name of the game

LLife will never be the same. Several aspects of our everyday lives won’t return to the way they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, the use of technology has exploded. Our computers have been our portals to teaching, learning and connecting with others while being housebound.

The theme of this issue, “Adapting to a Changing World,” touches on the many ways that the JMU Family has acclimated to the ground shifting beneath them. On Page 15, read about Bridge to Madison, a partnership between JMU and Blue Ridge Community College that serves students in new and innovative ways and helps meet the Commonwealth of Virginia’s changing workforce needs. Meet a media arts and design professor studying how Black women are represented in an evolving media landscape on Page 17.

Also on Page 17, find out how a JMU expert on sport psychology is shining a light on the importance of athletes’ mental health as the issue, mercifully, continues to be destigmatized on a national level. Mental health, which for many of us has suffered during the pandemic, also is one of the numerous conversation topics on the Well Dukes podcast, which helps JMU students lead healthy, well-rounded lives. Learn more about Well Dukes on Page 42. And get to know Betsy Kauffman (’97), a leader who coaches organizations to be agile and change-driven, on Page 55.

JMU alumni who embrace change, like Kauffman, are thriving. According to a new report based on earnings data provided by Equifax, JMU graduates experience increased earnings over time. This speaks to both the earning power of the JMU degree as well as the capacity of our graduates to be productive citizens. Median earnings from bachelor’s- degree graduates rise by 138% after 15 years from their JMU graduation. Over time, JMU bachelor’s degreeholders consistently and exponentially outperform the national benchmark. Myriad factors affect earnings, and it is not the only measure of their success—but it is an important puzzle piece. That JMU graduates have competitive incomes and see increased earnings for several years after graduating tells us that alumni outcomes remain strong.

If you’re a prospective JMU student, you could be the next success story. As I shared in my testimonial with future Dukes, the Madison Experience will change your life forever. When the inevitable bumps in the proverbial road happen—as they have for all of us over the last couple years—lean on your JMU support system. You can read other alumni advice for new and future Dukes at https://j.mu/advice.

As Heraclitus posited, “The only constant in life is change.” Go Dukes!

Sincerely,

Khalil Garriott (’04)

executive editor, Madison magazine @khalilgarriott

Letters to the Editor

UNIQUE CONNECTION

The Jessica Nickels story on CISR and how JMU students are benefitting from the Frasure-Kruzel-Drew Memorial Fellowship has a unique connection to my family and JMU. Joe Kruzel was my brother-in-law, and married to my sister, Gail, on that tragic day that took the lives of these fine individuals. I graduated from JMU in 1984, my wife, Karen, in 1986; Joe and my sister, Gail, were godparents to our daughter, Kristine (’16, ’17M), and our son, Jac (Joseph Albert Chipman) (’19), is named after Joe Kruzel. Thanks for publishing the very well written and informative article. — Bill Chipman (’84)

EDITOR’S NOTE: CISR managed the fellowship from 1999 to 2021. The program continues through the U.S. Department of State.

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE ...

The old adage is true: “Nothing changes, yet nothing stays the same.” People no longer dot the hillside to watch JMU football games. The iconic, round dining hall no longer stands. The swimming pool at Godwin Hall is no longer the newest place to get in your laps. And the tunnel is no longer the most direct route to the basketball games. And yet ... the stately Quad remains dotted with students; professors remain dedicated to their students’ successes; academic excellence remains the

WINTER 2022

Vol.45, No.1

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Khalil Garriott (’04)

SENIOR EDITOR-AT-LARGE Pam Brock

MANAGING EDITOR Jim Heffernan (’96, ’17M)

EDITOR

Amy Crockett (’10)

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Bill Thompson

ART DIRECTOR

Carolyn Windmiller (’81)

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Haley Garnett

DESIGN ASSISTANTS Emily Dodge Hannah Phillips

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Kristen Essex Emma Loscalzo

CREATIVE MEDIA TEAM

Steve Aderton (’19)

Justin Roth Cody Troyer

Julia Weaver (’21)

ATHLETICS PHOTOGRAPHY

Cathy Kushner (’87)

CAMPUS CONTRIBUTORS Alumni Relations Athletics Donor Relations Parent Relations University Communications and Marketing

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 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.

23 Melvin Petty’s (‘84) dream of being a business owner led him to launch an award-winning government consulting firm.

Contents 34 Diana Kiser (‘18M) and USA Dance member Greg Rid1 Full Frame dle waltz for the judges in Dancing With the Stars of the ’Burg.

Hologram exhibit lights up Duke Lawn

BY STEVE ADERTON (‘19)

2 Letter From the Editor

The JMU Family adapts to a changing world

BY KHALIL GARRIOTT (‘04)

28 In 25 years at JMU, Charlie King oversaw the university’s tremendous growth while managing to retain its strong sense of community.

6 Contributors, Staff

Soundbites

Get to know the people behind the stories

7 Presidential Perspective

President Alger on how JMU is being recognized for what we have become

8 Unleashed

CoB Learning Complex grand re-opening; small animal data station gets backing from Madison Trust; alumna scholarship recipient pays it forward 9 Ari Garcia (’19) is excited for the opportunity to fulfill the promise of Dukes Pay It Forward.

12 News & Notes

Building rededication ceremony; grant to help extend access to preschools in Virginia; alumnus to become next VA attorney general; Mineral Museum re-opens following mega gift; Bridge to Madison transfer program; board extends Alger’s contract; Bluestone Seed Fund launches

15 Brag Sheet

”Talking points,” a way to brag about JMU 32 Emily Baker (’21) worked under the Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry as a Governor’s Fellow this past summer.

CONTENTS

18 JMU Nation

Jeff Bourne on JMU’s move to the Sun Belt Conference; storied placekicker stumbled before finding his game; men’s basketball’s huge win over UVA; softball coach signs extension; Kuster wins CAA inspiration award

22 Bright Lights

Melvin Petty (‘84) wins Mid-Atlantic Entrepreneur of the Year

BY AMY CROCKETT (‘10)

24 Man in motion

Professor Barkley Rosser has been on the cutting edge of economics for decades

BY JIM HEFFERNAN (‘96, ‘17M)

28 The King has left the

building

Retiring senior VP for administration and finance leaves a legacy of leadership, customer service

BY ANDY PERRINE (’86)

32 ‘Ms. Madison’ goes to

Richmond

Emily Baker (‘21) gains firsthand experience in government as a Virginia Governor’s Fellow

BY AMY CROCKETT (‘10)

34 Dancing for the day care

Ballroom competition benefits local children since 2010

BY EMMA LOSCALZO

38 Finding her calling

Stanford professor draws on her Madison Experience to champion environmental causes, sustainability

BY KHALIL GARRIOTT (‘04)

42 Well Dukes

Podcast serves as important health resource for students

BY KRISTEN ESSEX

44 Writer’s block

Religion class uses JMU makerspace to practice the ancient art of Buddhist printing

BY EMILY BLAKE

46 Alumni for Life

Longtime bus driver returns for 50th class reunion; JMU food and beverage startups; Homecoming poetry contest; Dukes Against Childhood Cancer; new JMUAA board members; MAC chapter award winners; leader coaches organizations to be agile

56 Class Notes

Scholarship thank-you letters; Staff Emeriti Association update; celebrations; Faculty Emeriti news; playwright became a curious thinker at JMU

64 By the Numbers

Quick facts about JMU Libraries

>>> FROM PAGE 2 Letters (cont.)

standard; and students remain proud to be associated with a school full of genuinely encouraging people.

I am grateful that my life has been surrounded by this stellar institution of learning. My first photograph of me at JMU is as a baby at my father’s graduation on the Quad in 1969. My earliest memories of JMU include attending my dad’s “Star Talks” at the planetarium, being haunted by the specimen jars and tanks in Burruss Hall, and hearing the pride in my dad’s voice as he drove us past the new sign along Main Street pointing out the change from Madison College to James Madison University. Later, as a high school senior, I didn’t have to do a “college search.” I submitted only one application—to the only school that felt like home.

After graduating from JMU, I began to reflect on my years there. It was the outreach of JMU that affected me the most—the connection between JMU and the community. Like when Dr. Violet Allain invited our methods class to her home for dinner and when Hank Bowers took the first group of us from JMU on a teaching exchange program to Cardiff, Wales, U.K., intermingling JMU students with yet another community. This is one of the magical traits about JMU—that sense of belonging to a community. “JMU Nation” didn’t come about as simply a tagline. It is the essence of that feeling of belonging that JMU endows to everyone who is connected to the university. My parents (dad [’69, ’71] and mom [’86]) felt it; I (’90) felt it; my brother (’96) felt it, as well as many other family members; and our daughter experienced it.

My greatest hope is that as a community member, I can help perpetuate that legacy of connection. This is definitely a connection you want to make and will be grateful that you did. – Angela S. Osinkosky (’90)

(L-R): Mother Kathy Chaplin Suter (‘86), alumna Angela S. Osinkosky (‘90) and daughter Andrea Osinkosky (‘21) 20 Before he kicked his way into the record books, Ethan Ratke nearly quit football.