STUDENT COVER DESIGN WINNER
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‘March for Our Lives’
The JMU chapter of the NAACP organized “March for Our Lives” as a peaceful way of speaking out against racism in America. Held June 12, the march began on Warner Commons and ended at Spirit Rock. An estimated 350 people participated. For full coverage, read about the march on Page 34.
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Self-reflections on racism
please visit j.mu/socialmedia JamesMadisonUniversity
Sincerely,
@JamesMadisonUniversity James Madison University
Khalil Garriott (’04) executive editor, Madison magazine @khalilgarriott
M A D ISON
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Khalil Garriott (’04)
S E N I O R E D I T O R - AT - L A R G E
write this while fighting back tears and tired. Tired of going to bed livid and waking up really sad. Tired of worrying about the state of our country and the world. Tired of crying about what Black people have endured for centuries. This topic has weighed heavily on my mind, putting me on an emotional roller coaster. I’m angry. I’m sad. I’m hurt. I’m motivated to act. I can’t just sit by idly and do nothing. I’m inspired to enact change. I want to be a part of the solution. I’m committed to helping. When I posted a selfie wearing a BLM T-shirt, my mom replied, “Not sure if it’s wise to wear it out! It’s still Virginia, please!” I have an Indian mother and a white father. That makes me a racial minority. I’m brown and a “person of color.” I’ve experienced racism/discrimination/implicit bias/prejudice in my life. Some examples: n Being called, by white peers growing up, slurs like “Arab,” “towelhead,” “Apu” (character from The Simpsons) and other names my brother and I were called that I won’t list because of their vulgarity. n Being racially profiled at airports. n Being questionably pulled over a couple of times, once while driving with my Black friend in the front seat. n Being told, “{Expletive} affirmative action” by my high school best friend when I’d win a scholarship, get a job or get into college. (Some best friend he was.) n Sometimes, it’s just a side-eye look or a double take. Like when I’m walking with my white family members. A person’s nonverbal expressions can be loud. n Then there’s lack of support, being left out of things and unfriendings. Those might not be overt racism, but they make me suspicious. An important caveat: I’ve never experienced the unspeakable atrocities Black people have suffered. My experiences pale in comparison to what they’ve experienced. But on some level, I can relate. I present you these indisputable facts: Racism is woven throughout Ameri“If you don’t can society. “All Lives Matter” is garbage because until Black lives matter, all lives can’t matter. White privilege is real, pervasive and can be hidden. stand for Indecision is a decision. Symbols reflect what you value. Removing them is something, not a panacea, but it is a step. you stand I’ve been reflecting on what matters most to me—personally and profesfor nothing.” sionally. It’s caused me to reevaluate, prioritize and put clear thinking around values and guiding principles. I encourage you to do the same. If you don’t stand for something, you stand for nothing. To everyone up in arms when our cities are on fire, where was that same rage when Black people were senselessly murdered? Many people who used to be silent on this matter are now speaking out. I wish they’d done so earlier. However, I’m willing to forgive them for that, as long as they act NOW. Actions and words need to align. “Liberty and justice FOR ALL” rings hollow. Those are empty words in the Pledge of Allegiance. “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” rings hollow. Those are empty words in the Declaration of Independence. Connect with us If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention. We have so far to go. For a complete list of all university social media links, We have to do so much better.
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JamesMadisonU @JMU Madison magazine jmu.edu/madisonmagazine
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 EDITOR
Janet Smith (’81) ART DIRECTOR
Carolyn Windmiller (’81) DESIGN INTERN
Carly Chisholm
EDITORIAL INTERN
Amanda Christian
C R E AT I V E M E D I A T E A M
Mike Miriello (’09M) 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
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. (REVISED JANUARY 2020)
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Reimagining democracy What comes to mind when you hear the word democracy? BY AALIYAH McLEAN (’20) AND CARAH ONG WHALEY
26 Cover-worthy inspiration
Students tackle design challenge with boldness, creativity
BY JIM HEFFERNAN (’96, ’17M)
34 ‘March for Our Lives’ highlights racial injustices
Student-led protest honors lives lost to systemic racism, police brutality
BY KHALIL GARRIOTT (’04)
36 Seeing new opportunities
Business incubator helping startups navigate uncertainty
BY JIM HEFFERNAN (’96, ’17M)
40 Telling the stories
Students develop podcast series about local immigrants’ experiences
BY ELAINE KAYE (’09, ’13M), NICOLE WILSON (’99, ’10M), KIRSTEN MLODYNIA (’12, ’15M), KRISTEN SHUYLER AND ELISE TRISSEL
42 A big heart in the Big Apple
Honors graduate brings care, compassion to front lines in NYC hospital
BY SARAH FEATHERSTONE (’13, ’19M)
46 ‘I am because we are’
Sisters in Session sheds light on driving change at JMU
BY VENUS MILLER, BESI MUHONJA AND BJ BRYSON
ABOUT THE COVER: For its inaugural Design Your Own
Cover contest, Madison asked JMU students, “What would you do to strengthen democracy?” Rachel Rizzetto’s (‘20) winning design speaks to the importance of making one’s voice heard. I LLU ST R AT I O N BY H A R RY C A M PB E LL
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Full Frame
BY JUSTIN ROTH
The JMU chapter of the NAACP organized a peaceful march June 12
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Letter From the Editor
BY KHALIL GARRIOTT (’04)
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Contributors, Staff Soundbites
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Directions
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News & Notes
Self-reflections on racism
JMU President Jonathan R. Alger shares hopeful observations
Neuroscientist George Vidal receives $1 million NIH grant; JMU among top Peace Corps schools; tuition freeze; 2020 graduates earn Fulbrights; two new directors join JMU
14 Unleashed
Madison for Keeps and the COVID-19 pandemic; annual fundraising update
17 By the Numbers
The Class of 2024—our largest ever
18 JMU Nation
Mark Byington takes over men’s basketball program; Halle Duenkel (‘20) serves her community; Brad Babcock’s coaching legacy
50 Alumni for Life
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Three campus buildings renamed after BOV vote
The JMU Board of Visitors unanimously approved the removal of the names of three buildings that honored Confederate leaders—Jackson, Ashby and Maury halls BY CAITLYN READ (’10, ’18M) AND MARY-HOPE VASS
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$1 million for JMU license plate program; Sarah Montana (‘09) chooses to forgive; Dave Urso (‘03, ‘05M) leads Alumni Association
56 Class Notes
Updates and news from JMU alumni; Celebrations, including Weddings, Honors and Future Dukes announcements
64 Brag Sheet
”Talking points,” a new way to brag about JMU
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We’ve missed you all!
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Carrie Chang (’20) shares her first-person introspection through a before-and-after treatment of campus imagery. For the full photo essay from an empty campus, visit https://j.mu/campus
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Staff Soundbites
Your vote is your voice. How has that rung true for you in your life? “As a member of many community and school organizations, I’ve been able to influence decisions through the voting process. Voting has given me the opportunity to express my preferences and speak up on issues that are important to me.” CARLY CHISHOLM design intern
“2000. Bush/Gore. Florida recounts. Controversy. Bitter legal battles. Supreme Court 5-4 decision. That was the first election I voted in. As the closest presidential election in American history, it reinforced just how important each person’s vote really is. I came away from that election realizing that my vote truly matters. It was unforgettable.
“Voting is just one of the many actions I take to make my voice heard, express my values and push change. As the sports photographer for JMU, I’m helping more voices be seen and heard, and I’m documenting history at the university both on and off the field.” CATHY KUSHNER (‘87) athletics photography supervisor
KHALIL GARRIOTT (‘04) executive editor
Sarah Featherstone (‘13, ‘19M) received her undergraduate degree in English and her master’s degree in writing, rhetoric and technical communication. She currently owns a content marketing studio in Harrisonburg, working with businesses and organizations to craft and share their brand stories online. Featherstone wrote the feature about David Killeen (‘12) on Page 42. Jason Krech (‘11) is director of athletics communications at JMU, overseeing parts of the communications staff and working directly with JMU men’s basketball for the last five years. The Harrisonburg, Virginia, native graduated from JMU with a degree in sport and recreation management. When he’s not grilling (or even when he is), he’s always happy to talk about sports, JMU or both to anyone who will listen. Krech wrote the men’s basketball preview on Page 18.
Steve Neumann, who holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Moravian College, is a freelance writer who tells the stories of students, faculty, staff and alumni for colleges and universities across the country. He also writes essays and reported stories of people, places and organizations for various publications in print and online. Neumann wrote the Being the Change alumni feature on Sarah Montana (’09), found on Page 52.
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Caitlyn Read (‘10, ‘18M) has served her alma mater for the past six years in various public relations positions. In her current role as university spokesperson and director of communications, she oversees the team responsible for media relations, issues management, crisis communications and social media. Read wrote stories about the renaming of campus buildings (Page 8) and the tuition freeze (Page 10).
Dave Urso (‘03, ‘05M) holds a Bachelor of Science in communications and a master’s degree in college student personnel administration from JMU. He also holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Colorado State University. Urso is currently dean of academic affairs at Blue Ridge Community College. Urso’s first letter as president of the JMU Alumni Association is on Page 53. 6
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K R ECH PH OTO G R A PH BY C ATH Y K US H N E R (’ 87 ); R E A D BY E LI S E TR I SS E L ; U RSO BY CO DY TROY E R
D I R E C T I O NS FA L L 2 0 2 0 Vol.43, No. 3 BOA R D O F V I S ITO RS 2020 –2 1
Lara P. Major (’92), 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, Student Member Donna L. Harper (’77, ’81M, ’86Ed.S.), Secretary PRESIDENT
Jonathan R. Alger S E N I O R A D M I N I S T R AT O R S
Cynthia Bauerle
Vice Provost, Faculty and Curriculum (interim)
Heather Coltman
Provost and Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs
Mike Davis
Executive Advisor to the President
Arthur T. Dean II (’93, ’99M)
Executive Director, Campus & Community Programs for Access and Inclusion
Donna L. Harper (’77, ’81M, ’86Ed.S.)
Vice President, Access and Enrollment Management
Charles W. King Jr.
Senior Vice President, Administration and Finance
Jack Knight
Senior Assistant Attorney General and University Counsel
Nick L. Langridge (’00, ’07M, ’14Ph.D.) Vice President, University Advancement
Tim Miller (’96, ’00M)
Vice President, Student Affairs
Towana Moore
Associate Vice President, Administration and Finance 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, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors DEANS
Robert Aguirre Arts and Letters
John Burgess
The Graduate School (interim)
Michael E. Busing Business
Rubén Graciani
Visual and Performing Arts (acting)
Robert A. Kolvoord
Integrated Science and Engineering
Mark L’Esperance Education
Sharon E. Lovell (’85) Health and Behavioral Studies
Melissa M. Lubin
Professional & Continuing Education
Bradley R. Newcomer Honors
Bethany Nowviskie Libraries
Samantha Prins
Science and Mathematics (interim) A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N O F F I C E R
Dave Urso (’03, ‘05M), President
PA R E N T S C O U N C I L C H A I R S
Jim (’89) and Cathy (’89) Dotter (’21P)
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Reasons for optimism
ears seem to have passed in the months we have been sustaining the unrelenting blows dealt by the pandemic. As I write this in late July, spread of the COVID-19 virus is resurging in many parts of the United States, threatening not only public health and the nascent economic recovery, but also our plans to reopen JMU for in-person and hybrid learning. Of course, my primary concern is for the health and safety of everyone in the extended JMU family, and I offer my deep sympathies to those directly affected by the pandemic. In addition to the physical toll taken by this virus, I also lament the disruption to our students’ educational lives. All of us are young only once, and it is a time meant for exploring, discovering and relationship-building—activities severely curtailed by the pandemic. Despite this most challenging current state of affairs, I remain optimistic. You might remember that in the last issue of Madison, published digitally during the early weeks of the pandemic shutdown, my letter pondered whether this crisis could open our eyes to important improvements we might make in how we conduct ourselves and how civil society might reorganize its priorities. Since then, and during this time warped by hovering unknowns and shaped by the personal reflections such a state of uncertainty impels, let me offer two hopeful observations for your consideration.
The pandemic shows we are more interreliant than we thought. The Latin phrase “e pluribus unum” has appeared on the official American seal since 1782 when the 4th U.S. Congress—including James Madison—placed this phrase, meaning “out of many, one,” onto the scroll clenched in the eagle’s beak in the seal. The virtuous notion that all Americans, despite our multitudinous differences, comprise one popular sovereign dependent upon one another for achieving a common good was essential to the perpetuity of the republic in Madison’s thinking. The COVID-19 pandemic now has made undeniably clear that our interreliance is essential to beat the pandemic. As JMU tentatively makes its way toward reopening for the Fall 2020 semester, all of us must think beyond our individual situations and to the greater good if we are to remain open. More than
a few of our faculty and staff members believe that their lives depend on students’ fidelity to public guidance on stopping the viral spread, and justifiably so. Let us all hope that this forced recognition of our interreliance remains even after a vaccine presumably curtails COVID-19.
Learning and innovation can emerge from crisis. You might have read that survey responses from JMU students and families overwhelmingly expressed appreciation for the university’s quick shift to virtual learning in the spring, to maintain academic progress despite the closure of campus. You might also remember that in the same surveys, the vast majorities also expressed the absolute superiority of in-person instruction and a strong desire to return to campus in the fall. Virtual learning is useful in supporting traditional in-person learning, but it’s not a perfect replacement as some critics of higher education assert. Since the experience of the Spring 2020 semester, faculty have flocked in exponential numbers to existing workshops and training provided by the JMU Center for Faculty Innovation and JMU Libraries. Their care for their students’ learning drove this migration as the realization that the pandemic could be with us for a long time sunk in. What is happening, though, is a very real shift in the campus mindset regarding change. Many of the new modes learned in this crisis will inevitably continue even after the pandemic is behind us, and will improve how we teach, learn and conduct business. This is good. This is progress. So please remain hopeful. Better times are ahead. Together we will get through this, and as is true with most of life’s difficult times, we can learn and grow. My personal and professional experience has taught me that learning and growing through challenges require purposefully cultivating three traits: strength, resilience and love. In balance, a blend of these three is indomitable and will see us all through to the better days, which can inspire hope in us all.
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n July 7, the JMU Board of Visitors unanimously approved the removal of the names of three buildings on JMU’s historic Quad that honored Confederate leaders—Jackson, Ashby and Maury halls. Immediately following the vote, signage was taken down and temporary names were assigned. “For many people, the memorialization of Confederate leaders on campus was a painful reminder of a history of oppression and racism in our country,” JMU Board of Visitors Rector Lara Major (’92) said. “JMU believes in creating an equitable learning and working environment where all feel welcomed and valued. These building names were incongruent with that vision. “The board believes it is the institution’s responsibility to evolve alongside our nation and our commonwealth,” Major said. “We are thankful to President Alger and his leadership team for bringing this proposal to us. We are also grateful for the work of so many students, employees and alumni over the years to increase diversity and equity at the university.” Alger recommended on June 22 that the university’s governing body rename the three buildings. JMU’s Task Force on Inclusion has studied the history of the insti-
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tution, including the names of these buildings, for a number of years. Information on Jackson, Ashby and Maury halls, compiled by the task force’s History and Context Working Group, was shared with the campus community, and individuals were invited to send their thoughts on the building names to university leadership. While the overwhelming majority of respondents were in favor of changing the names, every comment was carefully considered. The resolution passed by the board allows the university to assign temporary, non-honorific names to the buildings in the meantime. The history of these buildings and their names over the years will be described through internal building signage and online information in keeping with the university’s educational mission. Temporary names are Justice Studies Hall (formerly Jackson), Valley Hall (formerly Ashby) and Mountain Hall (formerly Maury). The university is undertaking an inclusive process, in which the JMU community will have the opportunity to offer naming suggestions, to rename the three buildings. “I am grateful for the board’s support not only in the decision to remove Confederates’ names from these buildings, but in the deliberative process we took to get to this point,” Alger said. “At JMU, we believe that how we
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(L to R): Justice Studies Hall, Mountain Hall and Valley Hall are the temporary names of buildings on the JMU Quad that had honored Confederate leaders.
change matters as much as what we change, and for that reason pursued a years-long strategy of educating, listening and learning, and ultimately acting on this important issue. “While there is much work to be done to increase equity and inclusion at JMU beyond changing three building names,” Alger said, “the university becomes better and stronger in striving to live out those values. This is a proud day for the university.” James Madison University is named for the fourth president of the United States and the Father of the U.S. Constitution. Madison owned slaves in his lifetime, and the university recognizes his flaws as well as his virtues. The university will continue to honor Madison’s legacy through the name of the institution, and carry forward his vision “to form a more perfect Union.” — Caitlyn Read (’10, ’18M) and Mary-Hope Vass
Watch Alger’s June 22 update at https://j.mu/names.
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Neuroscientist receives $1 million NIH grant
iology professor George Vidal and how to treat its dysfunction. received $1 million from the “We will study how integrin beta National Institutes of Neuro3 affects neurons and circuits in the logical Disorders and Stroke, a part cerebral cortex in vivo. The neurons of the National Institutes of Health, and circuits we will study are the ones to research the function that underpin behavof an autism risk gene iors that are impaired in the developing brain. in autism, such as social The grant is the largest functioning.” research grant ever given The grant will also supby the National Institutes port Vidal’s mentorship of Health to a single scienby neuroscience faculty tist at JMU. at JMU, the University of “We are so excited for Virginia, the University George to receive this of North Carolina-Chapel award, which reflects the Hill and Brown University. George Vidal’s truly outstanding caliHis primary mentor will research focuses ber of his research,” said be JMU biology professor on a gene impliCynthia Bauerle, dean of Mark Gabriele (’95), who cated in autism. the College of Science and was awarded a 2018 OutMathematics. “As a primarily understanding Faculty Award from the State graduate research university, this Council of Higher Education for Virreally sets the bar for the research ginia, and runs an NIH-funded lab with that our faculty and students are JMU undergraduates. engaged in.” “I could not have achieved this major In addition to being the largest award without mentorship from my NIH grant, the grant is also the first faculty colleagues at JMU and beyond, NIH faculty development award for and from the outstanding work of my a JMU faculty member. The program JMU undergraduate research team,” provides support and protected time Vidal said. “Their dedicated work is for an intensive, mentored research how we discovered that integrin beta project for underrepresented junior 3 is a worthwhile autism risk gene to neuroscience faculty, boosting their study. I have been privileged to work research independence. with my students to discover knowlThe grant will support Vidal for up to edge that can be used to combat neufive years as he investigates how integrodevelopmental disorders.” rin beta 3, a gene implicated in autism, Prior to joining the faculty at JMU, helps form brain circuits properly. Vidal earned a bachelor’s degree in “Integrin beta 3 is an autism risk neurobiology from Harvard University gene that is associated with intellecand a doctorate in neurosciences from tual disability, but it has a completely Stanford University. At JMU, Vidal’s unknown function in the cerebral corlab studies how genes and environtex,” Vidal said. “If we discover where, ment shape the development of the when and how it works in the cerebral cerebral cortex. cortex, we will also know where, when — Eric Gorton (’86, ’09M)
“The neurons and circuits we will study are the ones that underpin behaviors that are impaired in autism, such as social functioning.” — GEORGE VIDAL, biology professor
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JMU among Peace Corps’ top volunteerproducing schools
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he Peace Corps announced that James Madison Uni- Jason Locksley (‘02) (with white shirt) helps as a versity ranked No. 25 among large schools on the coastal resource manager in the Philippines. agency’s list of top volunteer-producing colleges and universities in 2020. There are 38 Dukes currently volun- from theory into action during my time as a coastal teering in countries around the world. resource manager in the Philippines. It is because of JMU has been ranked in the top volunteer-producing colleges for the the diversity and enlightenment which I encountered at past five years. Since the agency’s founding in 1961, approximately 570 JMU that I am successful in my everyday work with local alumni from JMU have served abroad as Peace Corps volunteers. fisher folk, in environmental education campaigns regarding the “These schools are institutions that emphasize being global citizens ocean and our constant struggle against pollution,” Locksley said. and service-minded students,” Peace Corps Director Jody Olsen said. As an official partner university of the Peace Corps Prep program, “I am excited to know the graduates coming from JMU helps interested students build core competenPeace Corps’ Top Colleges are using their skills to cies through interrelated course work, hands-on expemake a positive impact on their communities at rience and professional development support. home and abroad.” A total of 382 Virginia residents currently serve Jason “Rok” Locksley (’02) serves with the Peace in the Peace Corps and more than 8,315 Virginians Corps as an environmental volunteer in the Philippines. have served in the Peace Corps. More than 240,000 “The motto of James Madison University, Americans have served in 142 countries worldwide. ‘Knowledge is Liberty,’ has become a compass gauge The Peace Corps sends Americans with a passion for the way I live my life,” Locksley said. “Because of for service abroad on behalf of the United States to the time I had spent on JMU campus, I have built work with communities and create lasting change. — JODY OLSEN, my life on that axiom that seeking knowledge will Volunteers develop sustainable solutions to address Peace Corps director bring true liberty to the person and mind. I’ve been challenges in education, health, community ecotaught this while reading books outside of Shorts Hall at Newman nomic development, agriculture, the environment and youth developLake, attending excellent, expanding-thought lectures in Harrison and ment. Through their Peace Corps experience, volunteers gain cultural Wilson (halls) and, of course, many hours of study in Carrier (Library). understanding and lifelong commitment to service that positions them “As I set myself upon a quest of knowledge in service, as a member of to succeed in today’s global economy. the United States Peace Corps, I could feel all those lessons condensed — Hannah Robinson (’18)
“These schools are institutions that emphasize being global citizens and service-minded students.”
Tuition freeze
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he JMU Board of Visitors voted to freeze tuition for in-state and out-of-state undergraduate and graduate students at its May 15 meeting. This is the second year in a row that JMU has not increased tuition for undergraduate in-state students. JMU continues to offer one of the lowest tuitions in Virginia and to be one of the best values in higher education nationally. The board also voted on student fees for the 2020-21 academic year. The comprehensive fee for students will increase by $62 per semester ($124 annually), and
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the room and board fee will increase by $192 per semester ($384 annually). The fee increases are necessary to cover factors such as operating costs and contractual obligations, debt service obligations for new facilities and student services. For the majority of students, a typical in-state, full-time undergraduate commuter student will pay $12,330 in tuition and mandatory fees in the 2020-21 academic year. Out-of-state undergraduate students will pay $29,230. Senior-level students will pay slightly less. These decisions ensure that JMU remains an outstanding value. Despite receiving the lowest funding among all public fouryear institutions in the state on a per
in-state student basis, JMU’s in-state tuition currently ranks 11th out of the 15 Virginia public institutions. “The action taken by the Board of Visitors is reflective of the care we have at JMU for our students and families, many of whom are facing financial hardship in the face of the COVID-19 crisis,” JMU President Jonathan R. Alger said. “Since the beginning of the pandemic, our main goal has been to continue to fulfill our educational mission and keep students on a path of academic progress. This decision is yet another way in which we will continue to support students in that endeavor and help ensure access to learning.” — Caitlyn Read (’10, ’18M)
PH I LI PPI N E S PH OTO G R A PH CO U RT E SY O F JA S O N LO C K S LE Y ( ’ 02); C A M PU S BY E LI S E T R I S S E L
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2020 grads earn Fulbright awards
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ix JMU students received Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants this year while three additional students were named alternates. They Lauren Palmieri (’20) were selected out of 19 completed her bachelor’s applicants from the unidegree in history. She has versity. Thirteen of those been selected to complete students were named semia research project on finalists this year. women’s roles and women’s Applicants and recipieducation in Kuwait via ents represent the range of the archival study of select Fulbright opportunities, periodicals. including those planning Alison Sall (’19, ’20M) to teach, conduct research holds an undergraduate and pursue artistic endeavdegree in mathematics and ors abroad. an M.A.T. with a concenThe COVID-19 pantration in secondary educademic has caused Fulbright tion. She has been selected to delay all departures until to serve as an English teachat least January 2021. ing assistant in Taiwan. The recipients are AndriKatie Stankard (’20) anna Boykin (’19, ’20M), completed her bachelor’s who holds a bachelor’s degree in geographic degree in interdisciplinscience. She has been ary liberal studies and an selected to serve as an M.A.T. with a concentraEnglish teaching assistant tion in elementary educain Taiwan. tion. She is headed to South Iliana Ioannides (’19, Korea to serve as an English ’20M) completed her bacheteaching assistant. lor’s degree in interdisciplinMallory Burrell (’20M) ary liberal studies and her completed undergraduM.A.T. with a concentraate degrees in studio art tion in inclusive early childand art history at Virginia hood education at JMU. Fulbright award recipients include (from top, L to R): Andrianna Tech. She completed her She was named an alternate Boykin (’19, ’20M), Mallory Burrell (’20M), Emma Holleran (’19, ’20M), M.F.A. in studio art at for an English teaching Lauren Palmieri (’20), Alison Sall (’19, ’20M) and Katie Stankard (’20). (Bottom row, L to R): The three alternates are Saidah Lerman (’20), JMU. She secured the assistantship in Cyprus. Western Sydney University Iliana Ioannides (’19, ’20M) and Abigail Weiderhold (’20). Saidah Lerman (’20) Award in the Arts, Environment and Public Health in Australia completed her bachelor’s degree in biology. She has been named to study and document the mangrove forests. an alternate for an English teaching assistantship in Uzbekistan. Emma Holleran (’19, ’20M) majored in English and completed Abigail Weiderhold (’20) is completing her bachelor’s degree her M.A.T. with a concentration in secondary education. She in intelligence analysis. She has been named an alternate for an has been selected to serve as an English teaching assistant in the English teaching assistantship in Georgia. — Meredith Malburne-Wade Czech Republic.
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New director joins Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship
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fter a national search, the Leslie Flanary Gilliam (’82) become global changemakers, capable of disrupting industries and Center for Entrepreneurship has chosen Bobby Smith as impacting communities.” its executive director. Previously, Smith taught nonprofit He sees opportunities during the COVID-19 crisis. “During these management and social entrepreneurship courses at the uncertain times, entrepreneurial leaders and multidisciplinary thinkUniversity of Denver. He is the principal consultant for Socialers are on the front lines fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Smith Group, a company focused on assisting clients with They are creating better processes for the mass production accelerating social impact and achieving sustainable growth. of masks, testing kits and ventilation systems,” Smith said. “I’m delighted to welcome Bobby Smith, who will bring “With your support, I hope to work across colleges to fresh viewpoints and a strong collaborative approach to strengthen the JMU entrepreneurial ecosystem and prepare building an entrepreneurial mindset across all of our proour community to answer the challenges of the future.” grams,” said Provost and Senior Vice President for AcaThe Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship promotes demic Affairs Heather Coltman. entrepreneurship on and off campus to empower indi“I am honored to join the JMU community as the new viduals and transform lives. The center supports interdisexecutive director of the Gilliam Center for Entrepreneur- Bobby Smith ciplinary programs within colleges and multidisciplinary ship,” Smith said. “During my tenure, the spirit of entrepreneurship collaborations across campus through active participation, marketing will continue to be woven throughout the fabric of our community.” support, academic and entrepreneurial networks, and grant funding. Smith is highly experienced with advising individuals on early- Along with the entrepreneurship minor, it is a resource available to all stage venture funding strategies that result in successful capitaliza- students on campus, and is housed in the College of Business. tion. “This combination of skills and abilities will round out the In 2018, the Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship was named Gilliam Center’s programming, which will promote a very inclusive for the late philanthropist Leslie Flanary Gilliam (’82), followculture for entrepreneurship at JMU,” College of Business Dean ing the largest gift commitment in JMU’s history. As an alumni Mike Busing said. “His rich background and experiences, in both leader, Gilliam advocated for entrepreneurship at the university theory and practice, will advance the research, pedagogy and execu- and helped establish Madison Trust and Women for Madison. Her tion of entrepreneurship at JMU and beyond.” family announced the gift in her honor at the 2018 public launch of For Smith, “Entrepreneurship is as much of a mindset as it is a Unleashed: The Campaign for James Madison University. skill, career path or even lifestyle. At the core, an entrepreneur is anySmith joins the center during an exciting period, as it moves into one who can provide value by solving problems.” He looks forward the newly built College of Business Learning Complex. to “empowering our students and faculty across the university to — Stephen Briggs
“Entrepreneurship is as much of a mindset as it is a skill, career path or even lifestyle. At the core, an entrepreneur is anyone who can provide value by solving problems.” — BOBBY SMITH, executive director, Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship
Hart School selects new leader
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tephanie West became the new director of the Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management on July 1. She previously was a professor of recreation management at Appalachian State University, where she served as director of the Recreation Man-
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agement program “I see a strong between 2008 and connection 2012. Prior to her between my profesacademic career, she sional and academic spent nine years in experiences and campus recreation. the mission of the West holds a Ph.D. Hart School,” West in Recreation, Park said. “I look forward and Tourism Sciences to working with the Stephanie West from Texas A&M Unistudent-centered versity, a Master of faculty, staff, leadRecreation Administration from ership and alumni. Together, Georgia Southern University I’m confident we can build on and a Bachelor of Science in the school’s current success Education (Recreation Administo make meaningful and reltration) from Auburn University. evant contributions, locally
and throughout the nation, as well as in the fields of hospitality, sport and recreation management.” GJ (’84) and Heather Hart, for whom the school is named, are also enthusiastic. “We are very pleased to have Stephanie West join the Hart School as its new director,” the couple said. “We believe she will provide great leadership and continue to build on the positive momentum of the school.” — Stephen Briggs
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FACULTY FOCUS Spotlighting JMU professors through the lenses of scholarship, awards and service Ryan Alessi
MEDIA ARTS AND DESIGN
Alessi received one of 14 of the Virginia Press Foundation’s 2020 Leadership and Innovation Awards. He was recognized for his collaboration with the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement, where he was a Faculty Fellow in 2019-20, as well as for his student mentoring. The awards are presented to those who work in the journalism field and have “exhibited leadership and innovation, in big and small ways, by making their organization, newsroom or classroom a better place.” Colleagues and community members nominated the winners in the foundation’s inaugural awards program. Gwyneth Mellinger, director of the School of Media Arts and Design, is a foundation board member.
Lori GanoOverway KINESIOLOGY
Gano-Overway is the co-author of A Coach’s Guide to Maximizing the Youth Sport Experience: Work Hard, Be Kind. The book provides coaches with strategies they can use to create a positive environment based on evidence-backed practices in sport psychology. “Over the last several decades, research has demonstrated the importance of emphasizing improvement and effort,” Gano-Overway said.
“More recently, studies have emerged highlighting how caring and supportive coaches are important to athlete experiences and development.” The book, published by Routledge, provides numerous strategies and reflective exercises focused on developing a positive sport climate. “Youth sport should be about learning the importance of hard work, learning from your failures, treating others with respect and valuing each member of a community,” Gano-Overway said. “My colleagues and I hope this book will help coaches consider ways they can do this on their sport teams.”
Besi Brillian Muhonja ENGLISH
Muhonja received the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship with project partner Jane Mutane of the University of Nairobi. During her three-month residency at the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies, Muhonja will design a prototype for community-engaged archiving of Indigenous cli-
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“Landmines are the No. 1 cause of U.S. military casualties in current operations and remain a dangerous threat.” — KENNETH RUTHERFORD, professor of political science mate wisdoms. This decolonial project is titled “Community Engaged Research in Environmental Protection and Management: Digital and Physical Archiving of Indigenous Knowledges and Technologies.” She will partner with JMU Libraries, the Makueni County Cabinet and the University of Nairobi. The project was scheduled to begin in May, but the start date was delayed due to COVID-19.
Steven Reich HISTORY
Reich is the editor of The World of Jim Crow America: A Daily Life Encyclopedia, which covers the social, political and material culture of the time of legalized racial segregation from roughly the late-1880s until the Civil Rights Movement. An expert on American labor history and African American history, Reich brought his knowledge to the publication project and gathered other scholars to share their expertise on specific topics. Among the categories in the encyclopedia are arts, economics and work, family and gender, fashion and appearance, food and drink, housing and community, politics, warfare, recreation and social customs, religion and belief, and science and technology.
“Youth sport should be about learning the importance of hard work, learning from your failures, treating others with respect and valuing each member of a community.” — LORI GANO-OVERWAY, professor of kinesiology
Published by Greenwood Publishing Group, the two-volume encyclopedia’s content is designed to give readers “the basics you need to know to be conversant” on a particular topic, Reich said.
Kenneth Rutherford
POLITICAL SCIENCE
In his newest book, America’s Buried History: Landmines in the Civil War, Rutherford explores the history of the weapon. His study reveals how and why mines were built, where they were deployed, the effects of their use and the impacts of those who suffered from their deadly blasts. “After the Civil War, landmines became a major component of land warfare by most major militaries, and the weapon’s use has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties,” Rutherford said. “Landmines are the No. 1 cause of U.S. military casualties in current operations and remain a dangerous threat. The book [published by Savas Beatie Publishing] lends credence to the argument that the American Civil War served as a precursor to modern warfare tactics and weapons.” Rutherford is co-founder of the Landmine Survivors Network and was a prominent leader in the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, which won the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, which preserves and interprets the region’s significant Civil War battlefields and related historic sites.
— Janet Smith (‘81)
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Clair Blacketer (‘10) is an associate director and epidemiologist at Janssen.
Battling the pandemic
Madison for Keeps scholarship recipient Clair Blacketer (‘10) leads an international charge to bring reliable data to COVID-19 researchers
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omeday a vaccine might bring the COVID-19 public health emergency to an end. Until then, scientists continue to pore over data, seeking to unlock secrets that can help doctors find more effective treatments and public health officials develop better guidelines to keep people safe. Motivated by the deadly urgency of the pandemic, the collection of this data from millions of cases is unprecedented. Making sense of it all is an equally unparalleled challenge that starts with ensuring the data itself is usable. “Unless you have high-quality data, you will never have highquality evidence for making decisions,” said Clair Blacketer (’10), an associate director and epidemiologist at Janssen, the pharmaceutical arm of Johnson & Johnson. She noted that there have already been missteps caused by bad data, referring to the early June retraction of articles in The New England Journal of Medicine and The Lancet that addressed the use of a malaria drug for treating COVID-19. Health data quality has become Blacketer’s niche, and she is now an international expert on the subject. Collaborating with the Observa-
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tional Health Data Sciences and Informatics group, a global network of researchers, Blacketer developed a data quality tool being widely used by the European Health Data and Evidence Network as well as by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. On a typical day, Blacketer can be found examining the quality of COVID-19 data sets from around the world, teaching other scientists how to use her techniques, and writing papers about her work as part of her doctoral studies at Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands. “I feel like I can do something to contribute, and that feels really good,” she said. Her research, which is being used by the National COVID Cohort Collaborative, is making a difference in managing a disease that will define a generation. Blacketer’s story might have been far different if she hadn’t received emergency funding as an undergraduate student back in 2010. “I don’t know if I would be where I am today without the Madison for Keeps scholarship I received 10 years ago,” she said. Blacketer is one of 107 JMU alumni who were able to complete their degrees because of the first Madison for Keeps scholarship drive in 2009-10.
PH OTO G R A PH BY C H E L S E A T R AC Y PH OTO G R A PH Y
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Pandemic affects campaign, too
JMU Nation turns out to support students anyway
F Blacketer has become an international expert on health and data quality.
The summer before her senior year at JMU, Blacketer had just changed her major to epidemiology—but then she found out she might not be able to complete her degree at all. “My father had a tumor on his spine. He wasn’t able to work, and I knew there wouldn’t be enough money for me to finish college,” she said.
“I don’t know if I would be where I am today without the Madison for Keeps scholarship I received 10 years ago.” — CLAIR BLACKETER (‘10)
The scholarship made it possible for Blacketer to return for her senior year and concentrate on epidemiology. Then a biology professor, Chris Lantz (’90), suggested she enroll in his Global Health course, and she knew she had found her path. The following year, she enrolled at Eastern Virginia Medical School for her master’s degree and eventually landed at Janssen in 2015. Now, Blacketer is working hard to ensure that researchers and health officials worldwide have reliable data. As a result, researchers will find better treatments for COVID-19 patients, and officials will find better ways to keep everyone as safe as possible until a vaccine conceivably brings the pandemic to an end.
ollowing JMU’s largest-ever year of giving at $23 million in fiscal year 2019, donor momentum behind Unleashed: The Campaign for James Madison University slowed in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020 with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. JMU finished the fiscal year that ended on June 30 at $18.4 million in private gifts, the university’s sixth straight year above the $18 million mark. Prior to Unleashed, the three-year rolling average of giving to the university had hovered around $10 million per year. With three strong quarters in fiscal year 2020 and a campaign total reaching $170 million, the Unleashed goal of $200 million by 2022 was seemingly well within reach, said Nick Langridge (’00, ’07M, ’14Ph.D.), vice president for university advancement. In fact, JMU’s fundraising program was cited earlier this year by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education with a national award for overall performance. With the change in the economic forecast, however, prospects for reaching the campaign goal now appear less certain. “In early spring, we saw prospective donors engage in a period of pause and reflection while dealing with the uncertainty around COVID-19,” Langridge said. “Then, when we needed them most, our donors showed up for student scholarships and financial aid in response to this crisis.”
Donors help Dukes stay Dukes
“In early spring, we saw prospective donors engage in a period of pause and reflection while dealing with the uncertainty around COVID-19.”
During May, JMU donors around the world contributed $759,000 during the Madison for Keeps challenge to provide immediate emergency scholarship aid for students at risk of not returning to JMU because of — NICK LANGRIDGE (’00, economic hardship caused by COVID-19. ’07M, ’14Ph.D.), vice president Donors came together on May 5 for for university advancement #GivingTuesdayNow, raising more than $500,000 in 24 hours to help Dukes stay Dukes, prompting, and then surpassing, a new $750,000 goal for the month. More than 2,100 generous alumni, faculty and staff members, parents and friends gave. As a result, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships awarded these emergency funds over the summer, and JMU students are continuing their Madison Experience this year. “The JMU Nation responded immediately and enthusiastically to help our Dukes stay Dukes,” Langridge said. “This is exactly the kind of extraordinary response JMU needs right now during these challenging times.”
— David Taylor (‘85)
BLACKETER PHOTOG RAPH COU RTESY OF OH DSI; CAM PUS STU DENTS BY RACH EL LAM
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Donors key to sustaining JMU Right now, student scholarship need has intensified while the university’s means of support are under stress, Langridge said. The pandemic has
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Unleashed: The Campaign for James Madison University
25 MILLIONS
The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships continues to receive emergency scholarship requests from JMU families dealing with the financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the students’ need has increased significantly from earlier estimates, requiring the university to increase Madison for Keeps awards to an average of nearly $6,500 per student. This has meant that approximately 115 students, instead of 150 as first thought, are receiving awards from the funds raised during the May drive.
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prompted reductions in funding from the Commonwealth of Virginia. Refunds to students after the university’s move to online classes this past spring, as well as looming threats to future enrollment levels, add to the financial pressure.
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“Our donors who are in a position to give have always stepped forward,” Langridge said. “As we head into fiscal year 2021, frankly, we are counting on the philanthropy of our faithful to serve as a stabilizing force and bolster our rise above the chaos of this pandemic.”
NEXT SPRING!
Women for Madison Summit Save the date for a weekend retreat: May 21-22, 2021 Aaliyah McLean (’20) and Angela Russell (’85) at the 2019 Summit
INSPIRING SPEAKERS JMU FRIENDS MEANINGFUL PROGRAMS
Celebrating Women. Supporting Students. Sustaining JMU.
j.mu/wfm
For sponsorship opportunities, please email womenformadison@jmu.edu. Anyone who makes an annual gift to JMU and identifies as female is one of the Women for Madison. W4M 1/2 page Ad-Summer Madison 062320.indd 1
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7/2/20 12:30 PM
Numbers
By the
Class of
2024 Over
4,700
Students hail from
1,111
high schools
41
across the Commonwealth of Virginia,
11 and
states,
freshmen have committed
countries
to JMU (most ever)
24,682
record number of applications
These photos were taken before the COVID-19 pandemic began. In the imagery you see here, campus life looks much different than it does during the pandemic. I N FO G R A PH I C S BY C A R LY C H I S H O LM ; C A M PU S PH OTO G R A PH BY E LI S E T R I S S E L ; PE P R A LLY BY T I FFA N Y S H OWA LT E R
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New coach, new season, new roster, new facility, new era
Byington takes over men’s basketball program embarking on ‘an entirely new environment’
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BY JASON KRECH (’11), athletics communications director
idnight Madness against Richmond and Kent Culuko’s title-winning buzzer-beater. Lou Campanelli and Lefty Driesell prowling the JMU sidelines. The Electric Zoo. Ask any devout fan of James Madison men’s basketball to reminisce about the Dukes, and you’ll undoubtedly get a laundry list of historic moments and joyous memories in return. They might tell you they were in the stands when JMU went toeto-toe with North Carolina and a talented, skinny freshman named Michael Jordan in the Tar Heels’ toughest test on their way to the 1982 national title. They might think back on a few dozen of Driesell’s beloved quotes or the myriad powerhouse teams that came to the Convocation Center to face the Dukes. After a stretch of JMU Athletics reaching new heights—but its men’s basketball program struggling to regain its footing—Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne has two crucial tools with which to usher in a new era of JMU men’s basketball. In Spring 2020, Bourne sought a new leader for the program. With previous head coaching experience as a priority, he tapped
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a coach with local ties, experience in A rendering of the the Colonial Athletic Association and Atlantic Union Bank Center main entrance a proven track record of building a pro- before a game. (Inset): gram: Mark Byington. Mark Byington, men’s “Mark Byington made an immediate, basketball head coach positive impression and quickly stood out as the best fit to lead James Madison men’s basketball,” Bourne said upon Byington’s hiring. “He demonstrated a deep knowledge of our program and our current studentathletes, and he has a plan to lead JMU to the top of our conference, to win championships and to lead us back to postseason play.” Byington takes charge of the Dukes after seven years rebuilding Georgia Southern’s men’s basketball program as head coach, leading the Eagles to five winning seasons and four 20-win campaigns after GSU had gone eight consecutive years without a winning record. “I am extremely excited to be the next basketball coach at James Madison University,” Byington said upon joining the JMU family. “I want to thank President Alger, Charlie King and Jeff Bourne for trusting me to lead an exciting time for James Madison basketball. I feel it’s one of the best jobs in the mid-Atlantic and I’m looking forward to winning immediately.”
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Prior to his revival efforts at Georgia Southern, Byington was on the staff of current CAA foe College of Charleston—where he was the right-hand man for legendary head coach Bobby Cremins—and made commonwealth coaching stops at Virginia, Virginia Tech and Hargrave Military Academy. Byington, a native of Salem, Virginia, has even closer basketball ties to the Dukes, however, having begun his collegiate basketball journey in the CAA as an all-league performer at UNCW from 1994 to 1998. In Wilmington, he picked up a firsthand look at the potential lurking at JMU, along with some less-than-fond memories of the raucous atmosphere with which fans welcomed opponents to the Convo. “The basketball environment there was at the top of the league,” Byington told reporters in his introductory teleconference. “One of the things that drew me to the job at James Madison was understanding there is a passionate fan base that loves James Madison. So, I want us to be one with the community. I want the program to be something they can be proud of.” With the 2019-20 season having marked the farewell to the Convo, the Dukes’ home of 38 years and 524 games, Byington will have a hefty ace in the hole as he looks to revive the passion in the stands of JMU men’s basketball for a new era. The Atlantic Union
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Bank Center, the new home of the Dukes’ men’s and women’s programs on East Campus, will be completed soon. The sparkling new arena will be the crown jewel of an athletics program that has made James Madison a formidable player on the national stage in the last decade, having collected 17 conference championships and a pair of national titles across the department in the last four years—accomplishments that few, if any, programs outside of the power conferences can come close to boasting. Located at the corner of University Boulevard and Carrier Drive, across from the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum, the AUBC will seat 8,500 fans—including students directly beside the visitors’ bench—and will include premium seating experiences and state-of-the-art technology such as video boards, lighting and sound previously unavailable while enjoying a JMU basketball game. “We have an opportunity [in the new arena] to take advantage of some of the great traditions of the past,” Byington said. “But we also have the opportunity to build new traditions and do some things different. There’s going to be an entirely new environment for JMU basketball. I know the Convocation Center had a lot of great moments, but we’re going to have the ability to make our own.” Byington has assured fans at every opportunity that those who are able to join the
(Clockwise from above left): The basketball court in the Atlantic Union Bank Center, club level terrace seating and an interior view of the club.
Dukes for their inaugural season in their new home will not only have plenty of wins to enjoy, but also will have a fast and exciting brand of basketball on the floor. Such a style calls for a formidable group of proud JMU student-athletes. In an unprece dented recruiting season amid COVID-19 safety protocols, Byington had to build much of his roster without promising student-athletes ever having a chance to visit JMU’s campus. Despite the unknown, eight talented players have signed on to join the Dukes’ five returning letter winners, assembling a new class of players that has drawn praise from national recruiting services. The returners include All-CAA selection Matt Lewis, who explored the 2020 NBA Draft process after his junior season. The new era of JMU men’s basketball is set to tip off in November as the Dukes welcome rivals such as Old Dominion and George Mason to their new home, with 2019 national champion Virginia set to make its fourth trip to Harrisonburg in program history as well. It’s time to build some new memories for a new generation. Make sure you’re in the stands.
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Love for community inspires Duenkel’s service
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BY CHRIS BROOKS, athletics communications associate director
alle Duenkel (’20) has always seen the need to serve her community. It started well before her time as a James Madison student-athlete, but it grew as her time in Harrisonburg went along. She and her lacrosse teammates seized opportunity after opportunity to heavily expand the program’s community outreach. Whether it was playing with youth in elementary schools, helping less fortunate families or raising money for cancer research, the Dukes have collectively accumulated more than 1,000 community service hours since the start of the 2016-17 academic year. During JMU’s 2018 national championship season, the Dukes also won the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Team Community Service Award for the first time in program history after setting a single-year record of 385 service hours. “Community service has been a bonding force in my life—it has brought me closer to the people in the surrounding areas, on my team, the students, faculty and staff at JMU and to God,” Duenkel said. “In our community, we saw a need and an opportunity to help, and my team generated unparalleled chemistry to make our long-term goals into a reality. I am confident that we will continue to make a lasting impact in our area, and all the places we go after JMU because of the vision instilled in us from our experiences through outreach.” For Duenkel and her teammates, it’s more than just about being a student and an athlete at JMU; it’s about serving others and making a difference in a place that will set these young women up for the rest of their lives. At the end of her run at JMU, Duenkel received two of lacrosse’s most distinguished off-field accolades, becoming the first player in school history to win the Yeardley Reynolds
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Love Unsung Hero Award and the IWLCA Community Awareness Award. “These awards are not a tribute to me, but [to] our whole team—both players and staff,” Duenkel said after winning the IWLCA award. “The team has embraced an attitude of helping others, and we are creating a sus-
“She has single-handedly pushed our program to be champions on and off the field.” — SHELLEY KLAES-BAWCOMBE, lacrosse head coach
tainable, long-lasting, positive impact in our JMU community. I could not be prouder of what we have accomplished to this date, but what is to also come in the future.” Through the JMU College of Business, Duenkel won the 2020 Zane Showker Entrepreneurship Award and was one of three JMU student-athletes to win the Colonial Athletic Association’s Leadership and Sport Excellence Awards for 2019-20. “Halle continues to break down barriers at JMU,” head coach Shelley Klaes-Bawcombe said. “She has single-handedly pushed our program to be champions on and off the field, bringing national attention to our team com-
petitively, scholastically and within the community. Her ability to make positive change in all these areas is inspiring.” Though the spring season was cut short due to COVID-19, Duenkel and the Dukes still made an impact with all the lives they touched during the last academic year. Duenkel led the program’s efforts last year by running clinics for Camp Wonder at Spotswood Elementary School, bringing lacrosse to a diverse group of youth on a weekly basis. She has also helped coordinate a Salvation Army Food Drive through the College of Business, participated in Overcoming Barriers, Relay for Life and the HEADstrong Foundation’s Virtual 5K. Through working with her Delta Delta Delta Sorority in her time at JMU, she has been part of raising tens of thousands of dollars for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Duenkel is active in RISE Church’s Love Packs initiative, which provides meals for Harrisonburg families in need, and is a co-founder of Compassion in Actions, a faith-based nonprofit serving the Washington, D.C., area. Duenkel, who graduated from JMU in May with a degree in computer information systems, was a dean’s list student who previously was named to the IWLCA Academic Honor Roll, CAA Commissioner’s Honor Roll and was a JMU Athletic Director’s ScholarAthlete. On the field, she competed in 54 career games, scoring 43 goals with eight assists, 35 ground balls and 22 caused turnovers. Though Duenkel has graduated, the team has the vision to continue what it started four years ago. The Dukes will continue to make a difference at JMU and beyond, one person at a time. “I am so proud of Halle and her teammates from this past year and the few years prior,” Klaes-Bawcombe said. “They have all shown just how much a team with a mission can make positive change in our communities.”
D U E N K E L PH OTO G R A PH CO U RT E SY O F J M U AT H LE T I C S
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Hall of Fame coach Babcock’s legacy BY KEVIN WARNER (‘02), assistant A.D. for communications
ESPN interviews Babcock in all of Fame baseball coach Brad Babcock, who continued as an adjunct professor 1983. That year, the Dukes amassed a program-record 558 wins in 19 seasons in the kinesiology department for won the NCAA Eastern Regi and guided the Dukes to the 1983 College World another seven years. onal en route to the College Series, died on June 2 at age 81. As baseball coach, Babcock World Series. Babcock led JMU baseball beginning in its sectook the Dukes from a fledgling ond season in 1971 through 1989, a run that included second-year program in 1971 to one of the more highly-respected JMU’s transition from NCAA Division II to Division I in 1977 and five programs in the East. His second JMU team was his only non-winning NCAA Championship appearances, highlighted by the 1983 CWS squad. Twelve of his teams won 30 or more games and three won run. Babcock was inducted into the JMU Athletics Hall of Fame in 40 or more games. Of his last 14 teams, 12 won 30 or more games. 1998 after a 558-249-4 career record, and the 1983 squad became He owned a winning head-to-head record against every Division I the second team inducted in departprogram in Virginia. ment history in 2016. Six of his former The Dukes made NCAA appearplayers are also JMU Athletics Hall ances under Babcock in 1976 (Division of Fame members and 30 went on to II), 1980, 1981, 1983 and 1988. In one play professionally. of JMU baseball’s most successful “Brad Babcock is a true JMU legstretches from 1980 to 1984, the end, both in his role as baseball head Dukes went 188-72-2 with three NCAA coach and as a long-time administraappearances and the program’s first — JEFF BOURNE, director of athletics tor,” Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne two 40-win seasons in 1981 and 1982. said. “He built JMU baseball to one of The 1983 squad went 37-13 and the preeminent programs in the CAA and the region with a blueprint was an at-large selection to the NCAA Championship and won the for success that remains today. The 1983 College World Series, in NCAA Eastern Regional in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, en route to particular, was a transformational achievement in the history of JMU the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. The Dukes competed Athletics. He is sadly one of several Dukes ‘icons’ we have lost in the in a field of eight with the likes of future MLB stars Barry Bonds, last year, joining Tom Martin and Challace McMillin. Our thoughts and Roger Clemens, Pete Incaviglia and Barry Larkin, among others. JMU prayers are with Brad’s family and friends.” fell to eventual national champion Texas in the opener, followed by a Babcock joined JMU Athletics in the fall of 1970 and also was close 3-1 loss to Stanford. an assistant football coach, junior varsity basketball coach, intraBabcock’s players over the years included his son, Whit, in his mural director and physical education instructor early in his JMU final season in 1989. Whit, a 1992 JMU graduate, is a college athlettenure. After his retirement as baseball head coach, he worked ics administrator in his father’s footsteps, serving as director of as an administrator for JMU Athletics until 2003 and afterward athletics at Virginia Tech.
“He built JMU baseball to one of the preeminent programs in the CAA and the region with a blueprint for success that remains today.”
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Bright Lights
Gov. Ralph Northam and other dignitaries listen to Gilbert Bland (’77) speak at the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia. Bland is the chairman of the Virginia African American Advisory Board.
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Connecting the dots “I’ve seen what lack of opportunity can be and I’ve also witnessed the evolution in thinking and opportunities over my lifetime. I want to help wherever I can to turn on a light for others to see that opportunities do exist.” —GILBERT BLAND (’77)
Gilbert Bland (’77) blends talents as civic leader and businessman to benefit the commonwealth BY JANET SMITH (’81)
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ilbert Bland (’77) epitomizes service-centered leadership on behalf of his fellow Virginians. He is president and C E O of t he Ur b a n League of Hampton Roads and shares his expertise on no fewer than 11 boards of organizations ranging from Sentara Healthcare and the Virginia Chamber of Commerce to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Virginia African American Advisory Board, which he chairs. He’s also a former chairman of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and a former member of the JMU Foundation Board of Trustees. “I’m known as a civic leader, but I’m also a businessman,” said Bland, who majored in accounting and economics at Madison College and earned an MBA from Atlanta University. As founder and chairman of The GilJoy Group, he was the owner and operator of more than 70 Burger King, Pizza Hut and Mrs. Fields Cookies restaurants in Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., for 30 years. He’s proud that he and his wife, Joyce, employed more than 2,000 team members annually. The Blands are the parents of five children.
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When the COVID-19 pandemic began affecting Virginians, Bland found yet another opportunity to lead through service. As a member of Sentara’s Health Equities Workgroup and with his familiarity of community needs from his work with the Urban League, Bland encouraged testing of underserved populations, including those in Harrisonburg. In April, when testing supplies were severely limited and physical distancing was not broadly occurring, Bland called Art Dean (’93, ’99M), executive director of campus and community programs for access and inclusion at JMU and a member of the Board of Directors of Sentara RMH Medical Center, to help him connect with Harrisonburg officials. By early May, Sentara professionals were taking testing into the city’s minority neighborhoods. Two hundred people were
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tested as a result of the partnership among the Virginia Department of Health, Sentara Healthcare, Sentara RMH and the city. “He’s always had a passion for helping JMU, especially in recruiting minority students and faculty and staff members,” said Dean, who has known Bland since he was chairman of SCHEV. “In this situation, he brought together Sentara, JMU and city leaders.” Bland was impressed with the cooperation among the parties required for Harrisonburg’s testing. “They truly care about their citizens and wanted to ensure that the testing was as broad as possible given the limited testing supplies at that time,” he said. “We have tested everywhere Sentara has a hospital footprint,” Bland said. In addition to Harrisonburg, testing has occurred in Hampton Roads, Woodbridge, Halifax and Charlottesville.
Bland (right) helps with food distribution in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia this past spring.
“I borrow a well-worn phrase, ‘it takes a village,’ in my work,” Bland said. Leaders in specific communities must work together, he said, because there is often a fear of testing among African Americans and immigrants. Long-standing memories of historically bad medical practices, such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, remain. Accordingly, there was an intentional effort to build local coalitions of municipal, housing, civic and clergy leaders who had already earned the trust of the local citizenry, Bland said. “I have a passion to assist and provide information as well as health care tools to the underserved communities,” he said. “We have a phrase—social determinants
“I have a passion to assist and provide information as well as health care tools to the underserved communities. We have a phrase— social determinants of health—that essentially means ‘What are the factors that will give you a better quality of life and a longer life?’” —GILBERT BLAND (’77)
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of health—that essentially means ‘What are the factors that will give you a better quality of life and a longer life?’ Eighty percent of the factors are nonclinical, such as where you were born, where you live, transportation, literacy and education issues. In underserved communities across the nation, there is a lifespan of 20 fewer years for these residents than other, more affluent communities.” Bland joined with Hampton Roads faith leaders to overcome distrust and to vouch for the importance of COVID-19 testing. Each community leader was recorded having a nasal swab test as part of a YouTube video to encourage testing.
‘I WANT TO HELP’ Bland grew up in King George, Virginia, during the Jim Crow era, attending a segregated school until the fourth grade. His parents faced even deeper injustice. His father’s education ended after seventh grade. His mother, the valedictorian of her high school class, could only find work as a domestic servant. “I’ve seen what lack of opportunity can be and I’ve also witnessed the evolution in thinking and opportunities over my lifetime,” Bland said. “I want to help wherever I can to turn on a light for others to see that opportunities do exist. I believe [the biblical admonition] “to whom much is given, much is required.’ I was raised in that environment and remain in that belief.” Both Bland and his sister graduated from college. While at Madison College, he was a charter member of Omicron Delta Epsilon, the international honor society for economics, helped establish the Black Student Alliance and ran track. “JMU has been very important in my life,” he said.
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In 1992, Burger King Corp. wanted to endow a scholarship to honor Bland’s exemplary service to the global brand. He asked that JMU receive the endowment, and the Gilbert T. Bland/Burger King Hospitality/Tourism Management Scholarship was established. In 2013, he was honored by JMU’s College of Business with an Outstanding
“He’s always had a passion for helping JMU, especially in recruiting minority students and faculty and staff members.” —ART DEAN (’93, ’99M), executive director of campus and community programs for access and inclusion at JMU
Alumnus Award. Two recent honors, induction into the Hampton Roads Business Hall of Fame and the Hampton Roads Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteerism, are particularly meaningful to him. In appreciation for his years of service in higher education, Longwood University awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2017. For the past seven years, Virginia Business magazine has recognized Bland as one of the 50 Most Influential Virginians. Despite the harsh reality of f ighting a brutal virus, Bland is hopeful. “The spirit of community cooperation has been broad, it’s been sincere and it’s been effective,” he said. “I am pleased beyond words at how the community has come together and indeed has operated as a village. We’re all interdependent on each other. It is my hope and my prayer that once this crisis subsides that the spirit of cooperation and recognition of the need for interdependence will continue.”
Bland was the owner and operator of more than 70 Burger King, Pizza Hut and Mrs. Fields Cookies restaurants in Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. for 30 years. He’s proud that he and his wife, Joyce, employed more than 2,000 team members annually. The Blands are the parents of five children.
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STUDENT COVER DESIGN CONTEST
Cover-worthy inspiration
Students tackle design challenge with boldness, creativity
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By Jim Heffernan (’96, ’17M)
adison invited JMU students to design wanted these concepts to be the center of attention in my design. the cover of this issue, with its overarching “The young woman of color standing in front of a group on James themes of civic engagement and renewing our Madison University’s campus is speaking up for what she believes in civil society—no small task given the tensions and inspiring others to want to make change,” Rizzetto said. “To me, in our country ahead of the 2020 presidential this absolutely embodies what it means to be civically engaged.” election. The runner-up, Mackenzie Herrlich, a Our inaugural Design Your Own Cover senior majoring in media arts and design, contest was over a year in the making. took a different approach. Her concept of “It was entirely a student-led effort,” Mada woman holding up a sign with the words ison Executive Editor Khalil Garriott (’04) “ERROR 155: Democracy not found” is said. “One of our previous editorial interns based on the error messages we receive on brainstormed it before he graduated, then our devices. “By pointing out the fact that another editorial intern took the baton and there is a problem [with our democracy], I pushed it across the line. She also led the marhope the audience would ask themselves, keting efforts to get the word out about the ‘What can I do about it?’” Herrlich wrote contest. We even had a couple students serve on her submission form. as judges on the selection committee.” Senior SMAD major Emily Robertson The magazine sought creative, original took third place for her illustration of the designs from students across campus. Special voting process. thanks to Adrienne Hooker, an assistant pro“Voting is such an important part fessor in the School of Media Arts and Design, of being a citizen and is often taken for who agreed to make the contest an optional granted, especially in smaller and local assignment in her Visual Communication elections,” Robertson said. “By composDesign class during the Spring semester. ing the design with a ballot box and a Rachel Rizzetto (’20), who The staff at Madison selected five final- majored in graphic design, is the hand in the act of voting, I felt that it ists from the entries received. An indepen- winner of Madison’s inaugural would be the clearest and the most effecDesign Your Own Cover contest. dent panel of judges was then asked to rate tive way to show how important it is to each design on how well it represented the issue’s theme; whether vote. Including the phrase ‘Your Voice, Your Future’ was to highlight it was nonpartisan, respectful and aesthetically appealing; and if it how even one vote can affect change.” encouraged the audience to want to read more. Bill Thompson, Madison’s creative director, was impressed with The winning design, which is featured on the cover of this issue, the overall quality of the student submissions. “They were incredwas submitted by Rachel Rizzetto (’20). ibly thoughtful and communicated powerful messages,” he said. “When I started to brainstorm ideas, I knew I had to include design “Rachel’s design, in particular, speaks to our time now and how that intertwined the concepts of civic engagement, democracy and critical it is for each of us to realize the importance of freedom to who JMU is as an institution,” said Rizzetto, who graduated with a peacefully protest and have our voices heard.” graphic design degree in May. “I am familiar with JMU’s ‘Being the Garriott added, “The fate of our country is in the hands of these young Change’ slogan and thought this adults. I was proud to see their paswas a perfect opportunity to highsion for action, driving change and light the meaning of that, along improving the world come through in with the fact that encouraging the designs they submitted. Knowing our students and their generation that they are motivated to strengthen to speak up to inspire change and our democracy gives me great hope growth is crucial in today’s world. I that better days are ahead.” — RACHEL RIZZETTO (’20)
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“Encouraging our students and their generation to speak up to inspire change and growth is crucial in today’s world.”
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Emily Robertson
Carly Chisholm
“By pointing out the fact that there is a problem [with our democracy], I hope the audience would ask themselves, ‘What can I do about it?’”
THE MAGAZINE OF JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
FALL 2020
— MACKENZIE HERRLICH, runner-up
Jessica Bodner (’20)
Kathleen Brett
THE MAGAZINE OF JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
Jessica Benton (’20)
Rachel Clarke
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By Aaliyah McLean (’20), Woodson Martin Democracy Fellow, James Madison Center for Civic Engagement
and Carah Ong Whaley, associate director, James Madison Center for Civic Engagement
What comes to mind when you hear the word democracy?
Reimagining democracy
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emocracy can be an amorphous term that individuals interpret differently based on their perspectives, education, backgrounds and positions. Deep divisions over the nature and meaning of democracy have threatened its very survival. We are living in one of those defining moments. In 2020, conversations about what is broken with democracy have centered around deeply rooted racism in America that has created racial gaps across every system, including ability; health; education; income; exposure to pollutants; access to food, clean air and clean water; adequate medical treatment; and interactions with the criminal justice system. Conversations have also centered around the COVID-19 crisis, and the economic disruption and resulting uncertainty have become yet another major test of the strength and resilience of our democracy.
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However, for more than a decade, scholars and observers have been warning that democracy is in decline, as evidenced by a lack of faith in democratic institutions, retrenchment of voting rights, the influence of money in politics, the concentration of power not reflective of the larger population, and declining percentages of young people who consider it essential to live in a democracy. Some of the most pressing questions before us are: How can we reimagine and rebuild our democracy? What values should serve as its foundation? While there are many different definitions, one useful way to think of democracy is as a process of collective decision making in which there is some degree of equity among participants and a commitment among the participants to accept the outcomes. Democracy can take different forms with varying degrees of depth. At a minimum, a democratic process might entail individuals voting in an election. More meaningful participation includes working in coalitions on a pressing issue for the broader public good. Such coalitional work is characterized by
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“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” — MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
participants who are informed and treated as equal collaborators and contributors; and open, fair, transparent and accountable processes that seek regular input from the public at all stages of decision making. Democracy can be practiced in different settings, whether as an individual, family, organization, campus, corporation, community, country or international organization. Justice has long been central to the idea of practicing democracy. In arguing for the U.S. Constitution, James Madison wrote in The Federalist Papers, Number 51: “Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been and ever will be pursued until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in the pursuit.” By “justice,” Madison, who was referencing Aristotle, meant that the purpose of society and government is to
make it possible for individuals within that society to reach their highest potential, to flourish and to thrive. But the Constitution itself was unjust, creating exclusionary practices and institutions that did not allow every individual to flourish. Rather, what a select few agreed to at the time created a social, political and economic structure that benefited an elite, white, male, landowner class and embedded the bondage and enslavement of fellow human beings as central to American democratic institutions, economy and society. Struggles for freedom, rights and justice for every member of our society have been waged by groups origiProtesters march in Minneapolis, Minnesota, near the site of the memorial to George Floyd, a Black man who was killed on May 25 by a white police officer.
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“Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.” — FANNIE LOU HAMER
nally excluded in the Constitution and willing or forced to sacrifice for a greater good. But moments of progress toward a more just and inclusive democracy, such as after the Civil War and during Reconstruction or the passage of the Civil Rights Act, have often been met with backlash and regression, and through laws and court cases that have created barriers to political and economic participation and representation. As our nation continues to grapple with what is broken, at James Madison University, we are reviving the idea of justice as central to conversations about the future of democracy because it creates a sense of shared responsibility and links us together in a common pursuit of ensuring that every individual thrives. Martin Luther King Jr. expressed this idea when he said, “Injustice
anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” Similarly, women’s rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer succinctly said, “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.” Without justice, democracy becomes a tool of exclusion, oppression and control, especially in times of crisis. Still, democracy can also be the means for dismantling injustice by creating more equitable and inclusive institutions, policies and decision-making processes. To ensure that democracy is just, there must be constant reflection and engagement around its purposes and how it is accessed and practiced. As an institution of higher learning, JMU has committed to facilitating
PROT E ST E RS PH OTO G R A PH BY FI B O N ACC I B LU E ; H A M E R BY W I LLI A M J . S M I T H
opportunities for students, faculty and staff to develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary to be informed participants in a democracy. Participation can take many forms—from staying informed on issues and discussing them with others, to voting, to protesting, to contacting public officials, to attending local meetings, to empowering others to run for elective office. As Desmond Tutu said, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” During these pressing times, “Being the Change” at JMU must include collective action by students, faculty and staff on racial and social justice. As a result of conversations in the wake of the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks, Tony McDade, Sean Reed and too many others—and as result of the advocacy of students, alumni and faculty—JMU President Jonathan R. Alger made a strong recommendation to the Board of Visitors to remove the names of Confederate military Fannie Lou Hamer of Mississippi worked for desegregation and voter registration in the 1960s.
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leaders, who represent racism, oppression and treason, from three campus buildings. It is a step in the right direction, but there is much still to do. JMU provides students with multicultural centers and resources to discover a sense of belonging, but as an institution we still need to build a framework for inclusion and equity within our various divisions. It’s on us to build the next group of leaders who will cultivate attitudes of equity and inclusion and advocate for every group. As an institution, we need to question and challenge our budgets, programs and initiatives. Are we equipping our students to be the next change agents within our communities to create a more just society? Do they leave feeling a sense of purpose and agency to do the work? We expect additional progress as Athletics,
Student Affairs, student organizations and faculty critique their structures and commit to new and redesigned programs and courses that better incorporate racial and social justice goals.
Your voice matters
This year, JMU has also been deeply involved in working at the local, state and national levels to ensure a complete count in the 2020 census. Mandated by the Constitution, the census is the basis for political representation because the population count determines how congressional seats are allocated among the states and how legislative district lines are drawn. Census-derived data also determines how federal funds are allocated to states and local communities. James Madison was a foremost advocate of the census because he believed that decision makers should have an understanding of the population in order to make good policies and decisions that would affect different sectors of society. The census has presented an opportunity to educate and engage students, as well as to lead efforts to build a more just and inclusive democracy. The census is also a chance to empower communities that have been traditionally left out
of political and decision-making processes. Working with students as co-educators and co-creators, JMU emphasizes the value of voting to exercise agency and as a means of full participation in democracy. Initiatives through the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement work not only to register students to vote and apply for absentee ballots, but also to deliberate about major issues like racism and social justice, the economy, public health crises, the environment and immigration, just to name a few. At JMU Civic, students lead efforts to engage in politics through learning-centered, action-oriented dialogues in public spaces, both on campus and virtually. Students also have opportunities to learn about why voting matters for the issues they care about and how to register to vote during classroom visits by trained undergraduate volunteers, in firstyear and transfer student Orientation, and even at the University Recreation Center. With support from JMU Civic and political science professors, students also produce a nonpartisan voter education guide that is distributed throughout campus and the community. Prior to voter registration deadlines, students facilitate a town hall with elected
(Left): Retired Virginia Supreme Court Justice John Charles Thomas discusses our need to “fulfill the promise of America� during a Madison Vision Series lecture in February 2019. (Below): JMU students work to ensure a complete count in the 2020 census.
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“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” — DESMOND TUTU
officials and candidates in campus residence halls to literally meet students where they are. On Election Day, with support from the Center for Inclusive Music Engagement, music education students contribute their talents by performing at our campus precinct to build a culture that celebrates democracy. Election night features live coverage of returns by JMU’s student media organizations from our Election Night Watch Party. Post-election, students and faculty participate in a panel to analyze and discuss what results mean for governance.
As we join efforts to dismantle racism, respond to a pandemic of tremendous ferocity and scope, make sure everyone counts in the 2020 census and encourage full and informed participation in elections, JMU is exercising its collective creativity to solve problems and build a more just and inclusive democracy. As we reimagine democracy, we must ask ourselves hard questions. What does democracy need from us? What skills and resources will you contribute? How can tradition-
Timothy Eatman of Rutgers UniversityNewark presents the keynote address at the 2018 Engagement for the Public Good Conference at JMU. (Above): Abe Goldberg, Shelby Taraba (’18) and Anna Connole at a Dukes Vote registration drive for members of the JMU football team.
THOMAS PHOTOG RAPH BY M I KE M I RI ELLO (’09M); FOOTBALL REG ISTRATION BY TREY SECRIST (’15); EATMAN AN D MARCH ERS BY ELISE TRISSEL; SH EEL BY CARRI E CHANG (’20)
ally marginalized, oppressed, disenfranchised, underserved and underrepresented voices be heard? What are the values and ideals you want to see? What are you willing to sacrifice for the greater public good? We challenge you to join in this work with us. Democracy depends on people who can engage in thoughtful, innovative ways about the complex challenges we face, with a diversity of opinions around us and a sense of responsibility for each other’s success and well-being. Your voice matters.
(Above): Students march during MLK Week at JMU in January. (Left): Jarritt Ahmed Sheel of the Berklee College of Music discusses “The Democratic Practice of Hip-Hop Culture.” FA L L
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‘March for Our Lives’ highlights racial injustices
Student-led protest honors lives lost to systemic racism, police brutality By Khalil Garriott (’04)
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student-led march to highlight racial injustices and honor the lives lost as a result of systemic racism and police brutality took place June 12 on the campus of James Madison University. Organized by the JMU chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, “March for Our Lives” was a peaceful way of speaking out against racism in America. The march began on Warner Commons and ended at Spirit Rock. An estimated 350 people attended. Face masks were required and participants were asked to maintain social distancing guidelines.
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The JMU chapter of the Before the march began, NAACP organized the march there was a moment of silence as a peaceful way of speaking for Black people who have been out against racism in America. murdered. The first 8 minutes and 46 seconds of the march were held in silence to celebrate Black lives lost. JMU students painted Spirit Rock black and added the words “Black Lives Matter.” The group believes that without justice, there will be no peace. “The reason behind holding this march is to bring attention … on a local level,” said senior Evaton Blackwood, who sits on the executive board of the NAACP chapter at JMU as parliamentarian. PH OTO G R A PH S BY J U ST I N ROT H
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“I think it’s important to use your voice because if not you, then who else is gonna do it? Everybody always waits for somebody else to speak up. If you’re that person [who] really wants to see a change, you should be part of that driving force to make that change.” — LORI FRIEND, senior “Hopefully this will help to make progress. Seeing as I am African American, I felt this is something that’s necessary.” The march was promoted via a Facebook event page, hosted by JMU Civic and Dukes Vote. Among the signs that students held were: “No Justice Without Peace,” “End Police Brutality,” “We Will Not Be Silenced,” “Teach Anti-Racism,” “Black Lives Matter,” “Why Is Ending Racism a Debate?” “Love Us Like You Love Our Culture,” “Black Lives Have Always Mattered,” “United We Stand,” “All Lives Can’t Matter Until Black Lives Do” and “Enough Is Enough.” Senior Lori Friend said, “I decided to participate in this march because it’s something that affects my everyday life. I want to be able to look back in 20 years, when I have my own family, and say that I did something and I was a part of a movement that helped reshape the way that our society looks at every individual. “I think it’s important to use your voice because if not you, then who else is gonna do it? Everybody always waits for somebody else to speak up. If you’re that person [who] really wants to see a change, you should be part of that driving force to make that change,” Friend said. Venus Miller, assistant director for staff training and development in Career and Academic Planning, said the march showed the community “that there’s unity, we’re all part of this, and together we can actually make a difference.” “I’m here today because as an African American female, I feel the pain of everything that has happened,” Miller said. “I spend days worrying about my family members, and seeing this again on TV is just retraumatizing not only myself, but the people I care about. Our voice is our breath; our voice gives us life. And if we’re not using it to speak out, then every time something like this happens, we’re just dying more and more. We have to use our voices.” Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest, largest and most widely recognized grassroots-based civil rights organization.
An estimated 350 people attended the June 12 march on JMU’s campus.
In addition to the march, the JMU chapter of the NAACP launched a social media series, “Living in Black America: A JMU NAACP Series,” to allow the Black community to voice their concerns and tell their stories of what it’s like to be a Black person living in America. Recognizing that change often is a multistep process over time, student leaders designed the series to be a safe platform for everyone to use their voice. The group accepts all submissions from people who identify as Black, and you don’t have to be a JMU student to participate. People are welcome to share their stories of injustice and/or support their peers on the @JMUNAACP accounts on Instagram and Twitter. “We need ALL students, staff, administrators and alumni to listen as these stories are
being told,” the group posted. “Remain respectful, and support one another in solidarity.” Earlier on June 12, JMU President Jonathan R. Alger sent an update to the university Bowers-Sword community on racial equity actions and camdeployed acoustic pus building names. “Members of the JMU monitoring sensors to community have participated discussions record the in monkey’s and actions near andvocalizations far, insisting that change as well as gunshots the area. is needed and reminding us ofinthe hard work ahead,” he wrote. Elsewhere on campus, JMU Libraries created a batch of e-resources themed “Antiracism in Action.” These resources include e-books, streaming movies, videos and articles available with a JMU login, as well as podcasts, videos, books and articles available to anyone. “Antiracism in Action” is meant to educate people about the past, understand the present, amplify and listen to the voices of those affected by racism, and confront the current and ongoing injustices in the United States. On June 9, JMU Libraries released a statement titled “A Pledge: Self-Examination and Concrete Action in the JMU Libraries.” On June 11, JMU held a student town hall on racial injustice. Led by Heather Coltman, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, and Tim Miller, vice president for student affairs, the town hall was designed to help participants better understand and address racial injustice and inequities, with a recognition of this nation’s history of racism and violence perpetrated against Black communities and communities of color. Students were encouraged to share their personal experiences and suggestions surrounding inclusivity at JMU. “It’s important for you to use your voice and speak out because there are those who couldn’t speak out, even if they wanted to, because doing so meant certain death to them,” said Blackwood, who added that he wants to be on the right side of history. “If I have a voice, I want to use it because some people can’t.” FA L L
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Seeing new opportunities
Business incubator helping startups navigate uncertainty By Jim Heffernan (’96, ’17M)
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ike many of the small businesses it nurtures, Startup Virginia welcomed 2020 with great expectations. The Richmond, Virginia-based incubator’s 78 member companies had combined to generate $26.3 million in revenues in 2019—a 361% increase over the previous year—and employ more than 450 people in the region. Startup Virginia had provided 116 training programs, logged 2,863 hours of mentoring, awarded 308 certificates to graduates of its nine-week community entrepreneurship program, and shared its workspace in a century-old converted tobacco warehouse in
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the city’s Shockoe Bottom district with 185 Richard Wintsch (’97), left, execufounders and their employees. “We had a fantastic year,” said executive tive director of Startup Virginia, director Richard Wintsch (’97), and that with co-founder momentum carried over into the first quar- Bryan Bostic ( 83). ter of 2020. Then, suddenly, the wheels came off. “When COVID-19 hit,” Wintsch said, “that created a lot of extremely difficult and uncertain situations for not only us, but also our members.” To help ease the burden on its members, Startup Virginia waived
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“A lot of folks, unfortunately, are out of work right now, and some of them have great ideas that we can help grow into businesses.” — RICHARD WINTSCH (’97), executive director, Startup Virginia
its membership fees for April, May and June. Although the organization was forced to close its doors and cancel events during the second quarter, it successfully moved all of its programming online and continued to mentor member companies remotely. “We remain committed to executing our mission and supporting our startups during this difficult time,” Wintsch said. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Startup Virginia created a free virtual resource guide to help small businesses navigate the changing landscape, including securing federal funds through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. It compiled a list of Professionals in Transition to connect growing companies with talented individuals looking for new career opportunities. And in June, the incubator received a $50,000 grant from GO Virginia to encourage aspiring entrepreneurs in the Richmond area impacted by the economic downturn to launch their own businesses, particularly in technology and manufacturing. “A lot of folks, unfortunately, are out of work right now, and some of them have great ideas that we can help grow into businesses,” Wintsch said of the project, known as the Idea Factory, a joint venture with the local product development company Bldr. “Entrepreneurs see times like these as an opportunity to do things differently,” he said. “They’ll either adjust their business to fit or they’ll create a new business.” With support from community partners, mentors, investors and donors, Startup
Virginia’s goal is to help its member companies grow faster and smarter than they would on their own. Members benef it from workshops that address specific needs as well as more holistic programming to help founders hone their leadership skills, improve company culture, practice mindfulness and build community. Two companies currently on Startup Virginia’s roster were founded by JMU graduates. Light the Music is reimagining music education. The company’s ORO Visual Music Education programs help children learn and create using the intuitive connection between visuals and sounds. Light the Music traces its roots to JMU. Co-founders Steve Van Dam (’92) and Craig Honeycutt (’92) were in the band Everything, which was a force on the local music scene in the early 1990s. After leaving JMU, the group went on tour, signed with a record label and even had a hit song, Hooch, in 1998. In 2016, Van Dam, who studied music composition at JMU, transitioned from writing music for film and television to designing curricula and apps for music teachers. Music education has continued relatively unchanged for 100 years, Van Dam said. “In elementary and middle school, you spend a lot of time learning to read music and learning to sing or play an instrument. It’s a major
(L to R): Steve Van Dam (’92), Andrew Town (’92) and Craig Honeycutt (’92) of Light the Music, a Startup Virginia member company that helps children create music using the connection between visuals and sounds.
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commitment. By the time they reach high school, a lot of kids drop out.” ORO is designed to remove the barriers to music creation, making it a great tool for children with disabilities and others who tend to slip through the cracks of music education. By 2019, Light the Music, with Startup Virginia as its host and mentor network, was growing by leaps and bounds. Sales of ORO curricula and apps were up 400% in a sixmonth period. “There was no runway,” Van Dam said. “It was all systems go.” When COVID-19 hit earlier this year, music educators lost the ability to teach in the way they were accustomed, Van Dam said. “You could no longer sing or play instruments in a room together. And you can’t coordinate it over Zoom because of the delays.” The pandemic created an opportunity for Light the Music to convince educators of the value of interactive musical experiences that keep children engaged, Van Dam said. And with remote learning likely to continue as the new school year starts, the company is poised to continue to grow. Light the Music’s chief financial officer, Andrew Town (’92), and sales director,
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“I was able to find a resource where other people in the community also expected to find people like me. It was like a startup magnet.” — Casey Boutwell (’08),
Bionica Labs founder and CEO
Jackie Wilson (’93), are also JMU graduates, and intern Scott Tiernan, an industrial design major, is helping with graphic design and video production. Bionica Labs, meanwhile, develops wearable medical devices with support from federal government customers. The company’s patented technology monitors tissue oxygenation in the brain in real time. Founder and CEO Casey Boutwell (’08) was a physics major at JMU who went on to earn a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in optics from Central Florida University. In 2013, he accepted a position in North Carolina State University’s Office of Technology Transfer, where he worked on patent strategies and sought companies to make commercial use
of the university’s faculty and student inventions. Boutwell then moved to a research center at N.C. State University that investigated digital health devices. He left Raleigh in August 2018 with three of his co-workers to found Bionica Labs. In Richmond, Boutwell discovered not only a community of entrepreneurs, but also a hub in Startup Virginia’s 1717 Innovation Center in which to leverage talent, mentorship and capital. “I was able to find a resource where other people in the community also expected to find people like me,” he said. “It was like a startup magnet.” As a member company, Bionica Labs gained valuable office space, a mailing address, access to printers and other office supplies, and a steady stream of coffee. “Startup Virginia accelerated our legitimacy,” Boutwell said. When he and his team encountered a problem, the staff at Startup Virginia searched their mentor network to find the right person to help solve it. “I even found my attorney through them,” he said. Wintsch speaks during a donor reception at Startup Virginia’s facility in the Shockoe Bottom district of Richmond in fall 2019.
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(Left): Wintsch facilitates a panel discussion. (Below): Bostic believes colleges and universities are a feeder system for entrepreneurship.
Nearly half of Startup Virginia’s member companies are women-, minority- or veteranowned, which helps strengthen communities, Wintsch said. “We’re actively working on educating our own business community on the importance of diversity and inclusion.” One of the biggest challenges startups face, he said, is funding. “I think a lot of entrepreneurs make the mistake of trying to get funding when their business is not ready to be funded. You have to do a lot of customer discovery work to make sure that you have something that someone is willing to pay for. And if you can demonstrate that, then hopefully fundraising will follow.” Startup Virginia has a network of more than 300 accredited investors who are willing and able to fund startups. “If you’re at a point where you’re raising capital, you can come make your pitch to our group,” Wintsch said. Although Wintsch doesn’t share entrepreneurs’ tolerance for risk, he’s passionate about leadership development and building strong communities. As an executive with the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, Wintsch was introduced to incubators while visiting other cities and talking with local business leaders. When he found out that a team including fellow JMU alumnus Bryan Bostic (’83) planned to launch one in Richmond backed by Capital One, Wintsch was intrigued. He joined Startup
Virginia as chief programming officer in 2017. “As interim director, Bryan did an amazing job leveraging his relationships and setting the stage for the nonprofit to be a success,” Wintsch said. “And then, when the time was right, he handed it over to me to lead. After 14 years at the chamber, I couldn’t have dreamed of a better career opportunity.”
“People want to buy from people they like, people they trust, people they feel comfortable with.” — Bryan Bostic (’83)
As executive director, Wintsch believes his main responsibility is “to make sure we have the infrastructure in place” to fulfill Startup Virginia’s mission of helping high-growth startups reach their full potential. That includes fundraising. As a nonprofit, Startup Virginia receives about half of its annual operating budget from membership fees. The other half is a combination of grants, corporate partnerships and individual donations. During a “Being the Change” interview in 2018, Bostic, who sits on Startup Virginia’s board of directors, said there’s no better feeder system for the next set of business pio-
neers than Virginia’s colleges and universities. “People want to buy from people they like, people they trust, people they feel comfortable with,” he said. “And JMU puts out people who meet all three of those characteristics.” Wintsch said JMU’s culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across disciplines is meeting a need. “The new generation, I think, wants to do a lot more with it and will be demanding of it,” he said. “Fostering innovation and entrepreneurship at a young age can really help with that. … The dream would be, when they’re ready and want to work on their venture full time, they can come to an incubator like Startup Virginia.” Moving forward, Wintsch said Startup Virginia will continue to help small business leaders build viable, responsible companies. The organization also hopes to make its resources and programming more widely available. “People say that Richmond is home to one of the nicest incubators in Virginia,” he said. “But my challenge, and my team’s challenge, is to be known as one of the best incubators in the country.” Watch Bryan Bostic’s (’83) “Being the Change” interview at https://j.mu/bostic.
R EC E PT I O N A N D PA N E L PH OTO G R A PH S CO U RT E SY O F R I C H A R D W I N TS C H (’ 97 ); B OST I C ( ’ 8 3) BY J U ST I N ROT H
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Telling the stories
Students develop podcast series about local immigrants’ experiences By Elaine Kaye (’09, ’13M), Nicole Wilson (’99, ’10M), Kirsten Mlodynia (’12, ’15M), Kristen Shuyler and Elise Trissel
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ver the course of the Spring 2020 semester, 18 students in Allison Fagan’s Introduction to Ethnic Literature (English 360) class worked diligently to elevate the stories of past and present immigrants living in Harrisonburg and the surrounding community. The students explored oral histories archived in JMU Libraries’ Special Collections, learned about podcasting and storytelling, and applied theoretical concepts from their readings to create a podcast series, Harrisonburg 360: Real People. Real Stories. One Community. Fagan said the students were encouraged to view storytelling as a kind of power. “When I look around at Harrisonburg and at JMU, I see all kinds of students and community members not always afforded that power,” she said. “It’s one thing for us to talk about who gets to tell their story, but it’s another thing to participate in that propulsion of a story into a space where maybe more people can hear it.”
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Allison Fagan Engaging in this digital project was no (center) reviews small task, especially after COVID-19 her students’ work prevented the student groups from being on their podcast able to work face-to-face. But in spite of series about immigrants living in the upheaval of the semester, the students Harrisonburg. and their professor remained committed to this creative, community-focused project. “With everything going on with the pandemic, it just really showed how passionate everyone was to get this project out there for people to hear,” said Corinne Martin, then a freshman English major studying Native American culture and narratives. “It’s just bigger than anything I’ve ever done, to have someone else’s story in my hand and be able to tell it and give it justice,” said Carrington Balser, a junior interdisciplinary liberal studies major, whose group focused on two immigrants from Iraq now living in Harrisonburg. Although the episode, “The Huddled Masses,”
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draws attention to the similarities of the refugees’ experiences, it also highlights their individuality and humanity. “The word immigrant is established in the identity of many people, but the value of the person extends far beyond that label,” the group concluded. Junior English major Tyler Belcher’s group produced “Finding a Home: Education, Family and Identity,” about an immigrant from Mexico who had to learn to navigate the local public school system, and is now a high-school senior taking classes at a local community college while considering his options for higher education. Watch at https://j.mu/impod as the students work on their podcast series.
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“It was very eye-opening,” Belcher said. “It made me realize that we, as a society, need to do better … at being willing to listen.” In addition to being featured on the Immigrant Harrisonburg website, the Harrisonburg 360 podcast series was shared on popular platforms like iTunes, Spotify and Google Podcasts. “If you have an opportunity to sit down with someone and listen to their story, and just have that moment of human connection, take it,” Martin said.
The students learned about podcasting and storytelling, and conducted interviews with local immigrants.
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A big heart in the Big Apple
Honors graduate brings care, compassion to front lines in NYC hospital
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By Sarah Featherstone (’13, ’19M)
n June 2019, Dr. David Killeen (’12) was heading to New York City to start his first year of residency at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center. Eight months later, COVID-19 hit and Killeen was thrown onto the front lines of treating patients in the U.S. epicenter of the pandemic. “It was really quick,” Killeen said. “Within just a few weeks, we went from having no patients with coronavirus to, at one point, all but one of the 24 patients we had on our service had coronavirus.” What began in the first week of March quickly escalated throughout the city as hospitals and staff prepared for the worst. Less than three weeks later, the number of patients testing positive for coronavirus skyrocketed, and cities across the U.S. went into lockdown. “At one point, our emergency room, which normally has 30 beds, had 90 patients,” Killeen recalled. His small community hospital had to expand the number of ICU beds and turn other parts of the facility, including the psychiatry and post-op floors, into additional treatment rooms for coronavirus patients. It also utilized a large athletic field next to the hospital as
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treatment space for infected patients. Former military personnel and traveling nurses joined the hospital staff to help deal with the increasing number of cases, and established policies and procedures became obsolete as staff dealt with a shortage of personal protective equipment and limits on the number of visitors. Killeen’s recollections from that time center around community, personalized care and devotion to service—personal values he said were nurtured during his time at JMU.
David Killeen (’12) is a front-line medical resident in New York City.
FOSTERING CONNECTIONS Killeen entered JMU as a freshman in 2008 with a double major in biology and Spanish. He later picked up a minor in Latin American and Caribbean Studies and was admitted into the Honors Program, which is now a college. A rigorous undergraduate schedule only seemed to complement his passions.
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“I always grew up fascinated “It just felt really natural to be able Killeen said the experience also with languages … and learning showed him how well his knowlto talk to people, even in these about other cultures,” Killeen edge of the Spanish language moments of extreme stress for said, explaining his decision to would serve him in the medical double major. He also valued them. It didn’t really feel like work, profession. “Being able to speak studying abroad, which was one Spanish and be bilingual has so I knew it was something of the deciding factors in choosdone more for me than anything I wanted to do in the future.” ing JMU. He knew of the many else,” he said. opportunities available, in part, Histor y professor K risten — David Killeen (’12), on his experience with the because his older sister, Jessica McCleary, the Faculty Member Harrisonburg Rescue Squad Killeen (’07), had a rewarding in Residence on Killeen’s study experience studying abroad in abroad trip to Salamanca, Spain, Argentina and Spain during her said she could see his committime at JMU. David’s decision ment early on. was solidified when he received “He always seemed to be able a scholarship to study biology as to take his interests and apply a Duke. them to real, practical work,” Killeen devoted himself to takMcCleary said. “There was a real ing summer courses every year in connection between his work and order to fit in all of his schedule the community, and I think that requirements. was something that Harrison“I had medicine on the radar, burg had to offer, since we have a but I was also thinking of maybe large immigrant population and becoming a teacher as well,” a large demand for Spanish and Killeen said. “I just always knew that I liked Killeen (’12) suited for duty at the New medical support in this community.” York City medical center. helping people.” Biolog y professor Sharon Babcock, Killeen’s professors immediately noticed During his first semester at JMU, Killeen Killeen’s pre-med advisor, saw his commithis passion. approached a UREC employee, who was ment to the Spanish language as a unique Biology instructor Elizabeth Doyle taught walking around with a fanny pack, to ask quality that should be nurtured. Killeen during his sophomore year and then what she did at the center. The employee “It wasn’t just medicine for him; it was worked closer with him as a teaching assis- told him that students could take a for-credit communities, cultures and medicine,” Babtant during his senior year. course to work as an emergency medical cock said. “And David was able to be pas“I’ve worked with a ton of teaching assis- technician, which Killeen ended up doing sionately interested in cultures, languages, tants over the years, and David was clearly the following semester. science and medicine, and didn’t face a wall one of the best,” Doyle remembered. “When After taking that class, Killeen volun- or a barrier or someone saying, ‘Well, you’ve you’re a TA, it’s a bit of a struggle because teered with the Harrisonburg Rescue Squad got to make a choice. How can you be genuyou’re serving two different populations. for two years, an experience that would lead inely committed if you’re still thinking about You’re there to help the lab instructor, but him toward medical school. all these other things?’ you’re also there to help the students. And “It was during that time working on the “He’s just a wonderful example of what it David just had a really good knack of know- ambulance that really solidified for me that means to be a JMU student,” Babcock added. ing how to balance those two.” I wanted to go to medical school and that Killeen said JMU’s culture and the perKilleen maintained an interest in teach- this was something that I wanted to pursue,” sonalized support he received from profesing throughout his undergraduate career Killeen remembered. “It was a volunteer sors, mentors, fellow students and alumni and followed that passion after graduation, experience, but you could spend multiple helped forge his professional path. spending two years teaching abroad in Spain nights out of the week sleeping at the rescue “I think, in general, there’s a lot of willand earning a master’s degree in education squad. And it just felt really natural to be ingness from professors and other students while he was there. able to talk to people, even in these moments to help you and to give you recommendaBut he said a simple moment in the Uni- of extreme stress for them. It didn’t really tions on what to do going forward and to versity Recreation Center changed the trajec- feel like work, so I knew it was something I talk about their experiences,” Killeen said, tory of his life. wanted to do in the future.” adding that JMU’s academic requirements,
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while rigorous, never made it feel like an intimidating place to learn. Killeen also recalled the benefit of smaller class sizes, which he was guaranteed as an Honors student. And he appreciated the unique Honors seminar courses, which provided opportunities to discuss topics that were outside of his major. “The Honors seminars offered me the opportunity, in a small-group setting, to discuss topics and subjects that were not offered in traditional classes, [and] I looked forward to the intellectually stimulating sessions,” Killeen said. While that defining moment in UREC changed Killeen’s trajectory, he said it was the array of opportunities and experiences he had at JMU that made his time as a Duke so rewarding. “It’s the accumulation of all these small moments of support,” Killeen explained. “I don’t think people realize how much it helps you grow as a person, and it all sort of led me to where I am right now.”
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ON THE FRONT LINES In 2015, Killeen entered medical school at Virginia Commonwealth University in a track for students interested in family medicine. Killeen, whose mother is a family physician, said he always thought of a doctor as the first point of contact for a patient. While working at a community health center prior to medical school, he noticed how patients were sent to various departments depending on their ailments. “A light bulb clicked for me that I could be the physician who’s taking care of this whole thing,” Killeen said. “For me, that’s always how I thought [being a doctor] would be, that it’s not only taking care of the patient in front of you, but thinking about the context of their family and the community that they’re in.” That lens has proven important during the pandemic. As a family medicine resident at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, about half of Killeen’s patients speak Spanish, so his focus
on language and cultures has proven important. He said he uses his second language every day and relies on previous teaching experiences to aid him in his work. “I feel really fortunate that every day I get to use those skills to not only teach patients about what’s going on with them, but to really teach them how to empower themselves and take control of their health,” he said. “That’s something that’s really fun for me, especially when they teach me back things that I’ve told them or things they remember from previous visits. “So, luckily, I got to hold on to that part of teaching that I enjoyed,” he added. While Killeen has continued to work with patients through telemedicine procedures, including video calls, his in-hospital residency has drastically changed since the pandemic. Normally, residents have different rotations so they can experience multiple departments, but all of those experiences were canceled as the hospital turned its full attention to treating coronavirus patients.
(Below): New York City COVID-19 new case numbers from Johns Hopkins University & Medicine. At the height, on April 9, there were over 10,000 new cases.
A large athletic field adjacent to the hospital (above) was equipped to provide treatment space (left) for patients with COVID-19. 44
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Killeen says what started as a normal year in residency quickly shifted, with many of the established procedures being disrupted as doctors attempted to treat a novel virus that was making patients very sick, very fast. Killeen recalled having patients on the highest amount of oxygen possible, but it still not being enough. He said he’s lost more patients during this pandemic than he did during the entire first eight months of his residency. Many hospitals, including Killeen’s, also restrict visitors, meaning that families aren’t allowed to visit or say a final goodbye to their loved ones. In an effort to mediate these difficult experiences, Killeen would FaceTime with a dying patient’s family, holding the phone as the family members said their final words. He said he realized how much these experiences have impacted him when he starts to think about another spike or a second wave coming in the fall, and clinging to hope that he won’t have to go through it again. Killeen has been documenting these experiences in detail so that he can revisit them, but not have to carry them on his shoulders every day. “I think that has been a really helpful thing for me,” he said. “And I would recommend it to other people [who] have had to work in these situations.” While treating patients during a pandemic is traumatic, Killeen said the experience has reinforced the importance of building relationships with them. “It’s definitely helped me realize how important it is, especially from the family medicine side, to build a relationship with patients and their families over a long period of time so that when something like this does happen and there’s an abrupt change in health, you already have a relationship established with the patient and the family,” Killeen explained. He added that checking in with patients who were stuck at home in quarantine, especially those of advanced age, also demonstrated the effects of authentic medical care. “I think the whole experience has reinforced how important that is for people to have a primary care physician and to have a physician who knows who they are and cares about them,” Killeen said.
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Killeen (’12) with a fellow resident at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center.
Jessica Killeen knows how much her brother truly cares about his patients because she’s seen his devotion to helping others from an early age. “One thing about David is that he’s always been very caring, and I think that shines through with his medicine,” she said. “I’m not surprised he’s chosen a field where his job is to take care of others. That’s where he exceeds.”
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Prior to beginning his residency, Killeen visited JMU pre-med students to discuss applying to medical school and being a medical student. During the presentation, Killeen said he discussed the importance of handson experience to ensure being a doctor is something they are truly passionate about. This is especially important now as medical professionals are faced with a new reality and an uncertain future. “It’s not an easy job, and at times there’s not a lot of thanks for what you’re doing,” Killeen said, adding that during the pandemic, he has worked 100 hours per week. “The only thing that was getting me up
in the morning and helping me through these really long days was the fact that this was something I’m really passionate about—giving people the care they need,” Killeen explained. “So, I think that’s just one thing that I would reiterate is more important now, to really think about what your motivations are for going into this and then trying to find ... within medicine, what really brings your passion out and trying to pursue that.” Jessica Killeen, deputy counsel to Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, believes that JMU’s culture aids those who desire to work for the greater good. “I really do think [JMU] makes you humble, hardworking, social and kind,” she said. Killeen said that despite the difficulties ahead, he holds on to the little things that can brighten someone’s day. “One thing that has been important in this whole crisis, especially in the hospital, is that there are little things you can do during the day that can make someone else’s day a little bit nicer,” Killeen said, reflecting on small gestures he has done to help dying patients feel more comfortable. “I think [the little things], like trying to do something extra for your neighbor or when you’re at work, are even more important now where a lot of people feel isolated,” he added. “I think that does go a long way and that’s something that I learned at JMU.” Killeen said things are beginning to slow down in NYC as his clinic reopened and began seeing patients for regular appointments. But his devotion to service remains the same, something his sister believes will “change the world.” “I do think my brother’s a really special person, and I’m so excited for his career and all the people that he’s going to be able to get to help,” Jessica Killeen said. “I know he’s going to have a big impact on people’s lives and medicine and people he meets, and I can’t wait to see in 10, 20, 30 years from now, the impact that he could have on the health care system.” “So I’m really excited for him, to see what he does with his career, and I’ll be there cheering him on every step of the way.” FA L L
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‘I am because we are’ Sisters in Session sheds light on driving change at JMU By Venus Miller, Besi Muhonja and BJ Bryson
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tudent-led research in Fall 2014 exploring diverse students’ campus support experiences had a serendipitous finding: just 35 women of African descent among faculty and staff members on JMU’s campus that semester—with fewer numbers of other women of color. A March 2015 conference presentation, followed by a gathering in the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum, led to the formation of Sisters in Session. Our numbers have only slightly improved over the years. Sisters in Session is a self-defined, individually selecting group for women of African descent, primarily from the JMU community. We represent the diverse identities of African, Black, Caribbean, South American, multiracial and African American. We are partnered, single, members of the LGBTQ* community, parents, caregivers, international, from distant states and natives of Harrisonburg. Black women have historically recognized how their multiple identities create multiple societal jeopardies, and that subtracting any identity does not improve their realities. Today, this concept of intersectionality identifies our status and felt oppression as exponential as race x gender x class x ableness x ethnicity x sexual orientation—rather than simple addition. Do the math to understand.
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“Black women have historically recognized how their multiple identities create multiple societal jeopardies, and that subtracting any identity does not improve their realities.” “I am because we are,” the African philosophy of Ubuntu, shapes our thinking, being and doing in relationship to others, embracing collaborative processes and recognition of ALL humanity and personhoods. It recognizes that as women of African descent, we are interconnected and interdependent through a universal bond. Aya, the Adinkra symbol of a fern, originating from communities of present-day Ghana, illustrates our endurance and resourcefulness regardless of location or situation. Our common connection is reflected in the support, advancement, professional development and care for one another. A convener coordinates group processes but is not a formal leader of SIS. This structure serves to maximize our endeavors, as SIS efforts are in addition to other employment responsibilities. There is institutional variation based on employment, but SIS seeks to be inclusive and to value all our voices. A listserv connects us throughout the year. Members post opportunities, events, resources and needs, such as collecting diverse books for a local elementary school. Semester social gatherings build relationships, with the fall gathering welcoming graduate student sisters to campus. We are here for the well-being of JMU students who might feel disenfranchised because of their identity, first-generation or economic status. Whether in an office, dining hall or a community location, many SIS members find the time to speak with, support and encourage students toward their successes or to troubleshoot concerns. We invest in finding appropriate support systems for students as needed. SIS’s presence on campus for many Past, present and future—the history of Sisters in Session is still being written. (Top to bottom, left to right): Besi Muhonja, Cierra Davis, Joanne Gabbin, Lauren Alleyne, Venus Miller, Bev Walker (’11, ’13M), Sheary Darcus Johnson (’70, ’74M), BJ Bryson, Valarie Ghant, Marsha Mays-Bernard, Cheryl Talley (’90) and Linda Alexander (’77, ’79M).
students is a light in the dark. Students find comfort in knowing that there are women on campus they can speak with about the impacts of attending a predominantly white institution, being the only voice of color in a class, daily micro/macroaggressions and more. Annual conferences or workshops combine the presentation of research for, about and by Black women, discussion of critical issues faced in higher education, strategizing processes for success, connecting to allies on campus or in the community and recognition of professional successes. Participants come from all over the country to share in this unique experience as we try not to simply replicate professional conferences but innovate based on cultural practices, philosophies and approaches to sensemaking. Events include brave spaces where sisters speak their truths and challenge others to do the same. In these spaces, we are unapologetically Black women of strength, capability and substance. We are valued, celebrated and no longer invisible nor diminished by our context. For many, SIS gatherings, workshops and conferences are the only times we have the opportunity to be in spaces to have critical conversations with women of color on campus. A lot of us are in units and offices where we are the only Black woman or person of color. These cultivated relationships are more than professional networking; they are personal and familiar. Quite often these relationships propel us to our next achievement and keep us grounded during times of turmoil. The Office of Access and Inclusion; Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; African, African American, and Diaspora Studies, and other JMU units have supported our conferences and workshops. The Department of Social Work, where the original student research emerged and the convener is housed as a full professor, provides continual support.
Sisters in Session convenes on campus in 2017 to discuss experiences, interconnectedness and interdependence.
In this moment, where the disparate realities of Black people and transcultural trauma are laid bare, SIS engages our context as members of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities. We continue to address micro/macroaggressions; call for the recruitment and retention of Black staff and faculty to generate the critical mass necessary for change; advance greater campus integration into opportunities for research, scholarship and leadership; be co-conspirators with others on campus who seek equity of experience and opportunity; and share in the reconciliation of JMU with its past. SIS is important. Through our shared cultural and professional experiences, we are able to create spaces where we not only belong—but where we matter. Our successes, challenges, growth, experiences and, most importantly, all aspects of our identity, matter. At the core of SIS is a commitment to excellence for ourselves, to use our resources to make a better world for all, the JMU campus and the Harrisonburg community. Sisters in Session, an organization dedicated to the support of women from African/Africana and Black descent as they navigate and traverse academic and higher education at James Madison University, was formed during the 2015 JMU Diversity Conference. This guest column was written by three sisters who have helped coordinate many SIS events. Learn more about the group on its Facebook page.
M U H O N JA , DAV I S , M I LLE R , M AYS - B E R N A R D, TA LLE Y A N D E V E N T PH OTO G R A PH S BY A J M O R E Y; G A B B I N BY G R EG G I BS O N ; A LLE Y N E BY A D R I A N A H A M M O N DS; J O H N S O N , B RYS O N , G H A N T A N D WA LK E R BY E LI S E T R I S S E L ; A LE X A N D E R BY T I FFA N Y S H OWA LT E R
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Don’t settle for just a bumper sticker
JMU license plate program reaches $1 million milestone in supporting student scholarships
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BY JESSICA SAVOIE (’14, ’20M), alumni relations associate director
riving around town, you might have noticed license plates sporting the JMU brand. But what you might not know is that, in addition to showing your JMU pride, these plates support scholarships for JMU students. JMU license plates are part of a revenue-sharing program with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. This means that $15 of the DMV’s annual $25 renewal fee goes directly back to JMU to support student scholarships. Sales of JMU license plates in Virginia generate roughly $73,000 each fiscal year for university scholarships, totaling more than $1 million since the program was established in 1992. During the 2019-20 academic year, JMU used this money to provide scholarships to 20 deserving students. The program is proof that something as simple as a license plate on your car can really impact JMU students in a meaningful way. “Money raised for scholarships, such as through the purchase of a license plate, creates opportunities for those students who want the Madison Experience to have their dream come true,” said Donna Harper (’77, ’81M, ’86Ed.S.), vice president for access and enrollment management. “These students are grateful and very proud to be part of the JMU family. Plus, with your purchase of a license plate you are spreading the good name and goodwill of JMU!” The DMV currently offers two JMU-themed plates to choose from. One features the classic university seal with a touch of purple and gold. The second plate features every Duke’s favorite canine: Duke Dog!
Chiquita King (’09, ’11M) and her son, future Duke Victor (“Lil Vic”), show their Purple Pride. 50
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“When I see someone with a JMU license plate, I feel an instant sense of connection,” said Carrie Combs (’07, ’09M), director of alumni relations. “I know the people in that vehicle are a JMU graduate, student, faculty member or friend of the university and we already share a common love of JMU.” During the past fiscal year, 2,551 plates with the university seal and 2,359 plates with the iconic Duke Dog were registered, according to the DMV. The Virginia DMV offers license plates supporting more than 80 colleges and universities, 59 of which are in-state schools. Of the college and university plates offered by the DMV, JMU license plates are among the top three plates on the road. For more information, visit the Virginia DMV’s website, https://j.mu/plates, or your local DMV office.
“Still never gets old driving by Tech fans.” —JARED SHERMAN (’14)
“Proud new alumni! Go Dukes!” —ELIZABETH DONOVAN (’20)
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“21-16” —MATTHEW BOWER (’06, ’07M)
“Intelligence analysis ’17 grad, still representing JMU in Florida. Moved down here for the military, but kept my old Virginia plates too.” —James Aguilera (’17)
“JMU Nursing proud!” —ASHLEY ZELASKI (’09)
“Best 4 years of my life! #ProudAndTrue” —ROB JONES (’95)
Donte Jiggetts ('11)
“Reached $1 million milestone!” —DUKE DOG
“New alumni Class of 2020 and alumni Class of 1982.” —Tyler Brooks-Craft (’82) PH OTO G R A PH S CO U RT E SY O F T H E O FFI C E O F A LU M N I R E L AT I O N S; D U K E D O G BY J U ST I N ROT H
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The catalysts of tragedy and community
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When Sarah Montana’s (’09) brother and mother were murdered during her senior year, the JMU community helped her turn trauma into equanimity. BY STEVE NEUMANN, guest writer
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arah (Smith) Montana (’09) and her younger brother, Jim, were best friends. Both were musical theatre majors at JMU, roommates on campus and inseparable. Jim was the Calvin to her Hobbes. Halfway through winter break of her senior year, Montana’s brother and mother were murdered by a 17-year-old kid from their neighborhood. The murderer had a rap sheet for robbing houses, and had broken into theirs looking for stuff to sell for some quick cash before Christmas. He didn’t expect anyone to be home. “There is no good age at which your family is murdered,” Montana said. “But just because something like this happens, it doesn’t mean that your life is over. There was also this beautiful, positive side I never would have expected.” Though most 22-year-olds wouldn’t have been able to go back to school after such a tragedy, the rush of support that Montana received from the JMU community helped her through it. Nearly 2,500 people attended her brother’s funeral, where the a cappella group Exit 245, of which Jim was a member at JMU, performed an arrangement of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” one of Smith’s favorite songs. “The world definitely wanted to turn me into a victim,” Montana said, “but JMU didn’t. They treated me like I was still Sarah Smith, and I am forever appreciative of that fact.” Even before Montana returned to campus after the tragedy, JMU was preparing a soft landing for her. “ T he c om mu n it y at JM U ra l l ied around me after Mom’s and Jim’s deaths,” she said. “Most people would drop out of school or take a semester off, but JMU was the safest place I could have been.
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“Dr. Carrie Stevens, in particular, advocated for me in a way that I’ll be grateful to her for the rest of my life,” Montana said. “She stepped in like a mom.” Stevens, a professor in the School of Music, not only found a therapist and trauma specialist within walking distance of Montana’s apartment, she even booked and paid for her to get a 90-minute massage. Stevens gave Montana a concrete, actionable plan for self-care. “She really impressed upon me that taking care of myself through this grieving process would not just be a one-dimensional thing,” Montana said. “It would really have to be about caring for myself physically, emotionally and spiritually. “The really liberating part of that time is that, even though life doesn’t work the way that we want,” Montana said, “it set me up to go on all these adventures and meet all these people I never would have expected.”
Sarah Montana (’09) shared her inspira tional story during a TED Talk, titled “Why forgiveness is worth it.”
Today, Montana is a screenwriter for The Hallmark Channel. Having grown up in a family that loved music, literature and theater, Montana attended the Manhattan School of Music after graduating from JMU. From there, she started working at a small media firm where she learned the ropes of the entertainment industry by writing TV pitches, ghostwriting books and editing manuscripts. During that time, she also wrote her first play, a memoir that details her healing and coming of age after her brother and mother were killed. It won a competition for a staged reading at a theater in New York, but after the reading, Montana realized it was too complex for a play. “One of the producers I worked with on it told a producer at Hallmark that
PH OTO G R A PH S CO U RT E SY O F SA R A H M O N TA N A (‘ 09)
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“Most people would drop out of school or take a semester off, but JMU was the safest place I could have been.” — SARAH MONTANA (’09)
they should hire me to write movies,” Montana said. “So, I ended up sending the producer 10 pitches and she was like, ‘I would make all of these movies.’ So, we started collaborating together.” Montana’s first movie for Hallmark, which came out in March 2019, was Love to the Rescue, a meet-cute about two single parents whose kids want to adopt the same dog. The second one was a Christmas movie, Two Turtle Doves, which premiered in November 2019, and revolves around two people who realize they must help each other with their respective grieving processes in order to achieve happiness. “I love writing for Hallmark,” Montana said, “and I will be happy to write movies for them
for a long time. But I am also working on my own things.” Over the next 10 yea rs, Montana wants to publish her memoir, become a showrunner for her TV show and write more feature f ilms— specif ically romantic comedies, because her Hallmark Christmas movie, Two Turtle Doves, was all about grief. “Art doesn’t necessarily have to be inspirational or aspirational,” Montana said, “but we’re inundated by content that reinforces trauma. I’d love to just make movies that show people your story isn’t over the second something terrible happens to you.” Watch Sarah Montana’s (’09) popular TED Talk at https://j.mu/montana.
Great leadership is a legacy of the Alumni Association BY DAVE URSO (’03, ’05M),
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JMU Alumni Association president
he JMU Alumni Association has been shaped by many great leaders. After the organization was established, fellow Dukes Dan Lynch (’84), Jeff Smith (’90) and Jim Katzman (’89) set a tone for service and partnership that make the organization special. Under the more recent leadership of Jamie Jones Miller (’99), Larry Caudle (’82), Heather Hedrick (’00) and Eric Bowlin (’02), we transitioned into a more active organization, focused on serving our current alumni base and our alma mater in new and different ways. With the inclusion of the Class of 2020, our total number of living alumni surpassed the 143,000 mark. Our board’s role is to serve as the voice of every single one of our alumni by weighing in with comments and contributions as the opportunities present themselves. The board strives to celebrate where Madison has been and support where it’s headed at the same time. While I was earning my undergraduate degree, I was fortunate to serve as a Student Ambassador. One of the best parts of that role was telling the story of this university to prospective students and watch the physical change that took place as we explored the campus. I saw them acknowledge that this was the place they wanted to be. At the end of each tour, as we sat around the Kissing Rock, I would tell the prospective students and their families, “JMU is not a place. Madison is a spirit.” It is that spirit that we carry in our hearts as alumni. That spirit that calls us to serve our alma mater in so many different ways. That spirit that makes us Dukes.
“JMU is not a place. Madison is a spirit.”
U RS O PH OTO G R A PH BY CO DY T ROY E R
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THE JMU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
ALUMNI LEARNING CONSORTIUM Go to alumni.jmu.edu for more information and to get exclusive access to webinars and online events
SAVE THE DATE: NOV. 2–7 Homecoming 2020 will be here before you know it! Make plans to join us for a Virtual 5K, online cooking classes, outdoor movie nights and so much more! To view a full list of all Homecoming events and to register, visit alumni.jmu.edu/homecomingevents 54
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A LU M N A W I T H I PA D PH OTO G R A PH BY M I K E M I R I E LLO ( ’ 09 M ); H O M ECO M I N G BY E LI S E T R I S S E L
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MixedMedia BOOKS, MUSIC
& FILM
Unhinged Heather Harris (’15M, ’18Ph.D.), statistician at Solstice Studios, joins her team in preparing to release the first new film in the midst of the pandemic. As a member of the studio’s marketing data science team, Harris focuses on predictive analyses and micro targeting. Unhinged is a road-rage thriller starring Russell Crowe.
Newark Minutemen: A True 1930’s Legend About One Man’s Mission to Save a Nation’s Soul Without Losing His Own
BY LESLIE KAPLAN BARRY (’84) Morgan James Fiction ISBN-13: 978-1631950728 In between the world wars, during the Great Depression, American democracy is being threatened by a shadow Hitler-Nazi party in America, complete with a selfproclaimed American Hitler and a 1939 Nuremberg-like rally at Madison Square Garden. Inspired by a true American legend, a Jewish boxer trained by the mafia and FBI fights the rising American Nazi party. During his undercover mission to rid the country of the American Führer, he falls in love with the enemy’s daughter. Hollywood screenwriters also are working on a movie based on Leslie Kaplan Barry’s (’84) book.
100 Things to Do in Savannah Before You Die BY LYNN SELDON AND CELE SERWITZ SELDON (’84) Reedy Press ISBN-13: 978-1681062501
Let alumna Cele Serwitz Seldon (’84) and her husband, Lynn Seldon, guide you on your Savannah adventure. The book is filled with easy-to-follow suggestions of where to go, what to see, can’t-miss dining, outdoor recreation, events and entertainment, and where to shop ’til you drop—along with seasonal activities and suggested itineraries. PH OTO G R A PH S CO U RT E SY O F T H E O FFI C E O F A LU M N I R E L AT I O N S
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The Origins of Southern College Football: How an Ivy League Game Became a Dixie Tradition
BY ANDREW MCILWAINE BELL (’00) LSU Press ISBN-13: 978-0807171202 Andrew McIlwaine Bell (’00) sheds new light on the South’s obsession with football and explores the sport’s beginnings below the Mason-Dixon Line in the decades after the Civil War. The book is an entertaining history of the South’s most popular sport cast against a broader narrative of the United States during the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, two momentous periods of change that gave rise to the game we recognize today.
The Enemy of the People: A Dangerous Time to Tell the Truth in America BY JIM ACOSTA (’93) Harper Paperbacks ISBN-13: 978-0062916136
From CNN’s veteran Chief White House Correspondent Jim Acosta (’93), an explosive, firsthand account of the dangers he faces reporting on the current White House while fighting on the front lines of President Trump’s war on truth.
Untamed
BY GLENNON DOYLE (’99) Penguin Random House ISBN-13: 978-1984801258 In this No. 1 New York Times bestseller, and her most revealing and powerful memoir yet, Glennon Doyle (’99) explores the joy and peace we discover when we stop striving to meet others’ expectations and start trusting the voice deep within us. “Packed with incredible insight about what it means to be a woman today” (Reese Witherspoon), Untamed shows us how to be brave.
SHOW YOUR PRIDE! JMU license plate sales have provided $1 million for student scholarships. To show your Madison pride wherever you drive and support scholarships for Virginia students, visit www.dmvNOW.com to get your JMU plate today.
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Class Notes
STAFF EMERITI 58 CELEBRATIONS 59 SCHOLARSHIP THANK-YOUS 61 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT 63 C L A SS
NOT E S
A student completes paper work during a Dukes Vote regi stration drive in 2013. (Inset): To acknowledge their registra tions, participants were given the option to have a check box drawn on their hands.
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P H OTO G R A P H S BY C A S E Y WAG N E R ( ’ 1 4)
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Brenda Young and several of her hallmates from the second-floor C Wing of Eagle Hall recently got together for a 40-year reunion. They reunited at Lake Monticello in Virginia. The weekend was filled with laughs, reminiscing and bonding.
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Julie Mullinax Crawford took second place in the 2020 DAR American Heritage Contest in the vocal music category for her original piece “A Voice in the Government,” based on an 1872 speech given by Susan B. Anthony. n Andy Hayden was selected as deputy director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence College in April 2019. He also received a Meritorious Presidential Rank Award in 2019 for his work at the National GeospatialIntelligence Agency since his promotion to the Senior Intelligence
(L to R): Brenda Young (’82), Patricia Beale Milteer (’82), Janet Bracey (’82), Janice Cotter Lasker (’82), Cathy Yost Nagle (’82), Katie Donahue Webb (’82) and Toni Boggess Hagerman (’82)
While space is limited in print issues of Madison magazine, the Alumni Online Community gives you a chance to tell your full story, share your photos and communicate with other alumni! To sign up and start sharing your news, visit
alumni.jmu.edu
David (‘88) and Laura (‘99M) Kuykendall celebrate Lily Judge’s decision to attend JMU this year. FA L L
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Thomas E. Rivers Jr. (’95M) is the secondary schools director in the Instructional David and Services Division Laura Kuyken- Thomas E. Rivers for the Lexington dall (’99M) attend County School DisJr. (’93, ’95M) Grace Church Bethletrict in South Carohem with incoming freshman lina. He has 23 years of educaLily Judge and her family. When tion experience, beginning his they found out Lily decided to career in 1996 as coordinator make JMU her home for the of multicultural student affairs next four years, they surprised at the University of South her with balloons, a sign and a Carolina. retro JMU T-shirt! “Lily was thrilled and excited to have this Erin Michael Rettig is bright spot in the middle of all the supervising stage that is going on,” Lily’s parents, engineer for the Newman Scoring Stacey and Ray Judge, said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 60 >> Service in 2014. He lives in Hayfield, Virginia, with his wife, Susan, and their three boys.
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Erin Michael Rettig (’96) in the Fox Studios control room
SEA membership growing and engaged BY TINA UPDIKE (’73), SEA Steering Committee chair
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ince January, the Staff Emeriti Association has grown by 18 members to reach a total of 207 classified staff retirees who have earned the emeriti designation. The SEA celebrates these new members and looks forward to greeting them at an upcoming event. Over 30% of the membership participates in monthly meetings and volunteer activities. In the first quarter of the year, SEA set records for attendance at monthly luncheon meetings. In March, members gathered at O’Neill’s Grill in Harrisonburg to share a meal and socialize before a planned tour of JMU’s newest residence hall, Paul Jennings Hall. However, at the lunch they learned of the university’s decision to close campus because of the coronavirus pandemic. The tour, along with all SEA activities through June, was canceled following Gov. Ralph Northam’s “Stay at Home” order for all Virginians. During this period, SEA members have remained in touch with family and friends, both electronically and by phone. Some have used Zoom to take classes and listen to lectures offered by JMU’s Lifelong Learning Institute. Some have made and helped distribute face masks to local health care providers. Still others have used the quarantine time to garden, declutter areas at home, take walks, catch up on reading and other downtime activities.
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In June, Virginia entered Phase 2 of its reopening plan. SEA members are still mindful of the “safer at home” advice and following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to remain healthy. Hopefully in the coming months, when it is safe to do so, the SEA Steering Committee can reschedule the tour of Paul Jennings Hall and the luncheon with JMU President Jonathan R. Alger as the featured speaker. Future activities could
include a tour of the new SEA members Atlantic Union Bank Center, enjoyed lunch a mini-golf outing with din- at O’Neill’s Grill. ner afterward, more luncheons and a volunteer activity. In the meantime, the SEA sends positive energies to all for health and well-being.
For more information about the Staff Emeriti Association and upcoming events, visit jmu.edu/staffemeriti or email staffemeriti@jmu.edu.
R E T T I G P H OTO G R A P H BY J O S H UA J . K R AU S E ; S E A 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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Celebrations W E D D I N G S , H O N O R S & FUTUR E DUKES
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4 1 Courtney Tubbs (’12) and Steve Myers (’12) were married on Sept. 28, 2019, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Bridesmaids and groomsmen included alumni Beth Mannella (’12), Amanda Hoffman Blumenthal (’12), Chris Purcell (’12), Brett Cabrera (’12), Kevin McKeever (’12) and Jess Cox (’12). The couple resides in New York City. 2 Jacqueline Severance (’15, ’16M) and Jordan Burns (’16M) were engaged on Nov. 9, 2019, at Wintergreen Resort overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. The couple met in 2015 through JMU’s European Union Policy Studies master’s
program in Florence, Italy. 3 Amanda Herman (’13) married Michael Snellings at the Church of the Nativity in Burke, Virginia, on May 23. Due to COVID-19, the ceremony was limited to immediate family. The couple plans to celebrate with a vow renewal and reception once it is safe to gather. 4 Andrea Lockard (’14) and Miles Blunt (’14) were married in Fairfax, Virginia, on June 8, 2019. They were music majors at JMU who met during their freshman year and have been dating since their junior year. They live in Austin, Texas. FA L L
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10 5 Mary “Molly” Rossberg (’11‚ ’14M) married Daniel Caldera on Nov. 2, 2019, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Many JMU alumni were in attendance, including her two aunts, an uncle, brother, cousin, bridesmaids and friends. 6 Maretta (‘11) and Kyle (‘11) King welcomed their first child, Eloise Madison King, on Jan. 14. 7 Laura Tutino (’07) and Kyle McCloskey (’08) welcomed their third child, Cecilia Christine, on Oct. 1, 2019. Cecilia joins Charlotte, 5, and Timothy, 3. 8 Katie (’05) and Ryan McByrne had a son, Matthew, on Nov. 30, 2018. Valerie (‘08) and Jason (‘09) Vitale welcomed Hudson Joseph Vitale on Nov. 14, 2019 (not pictured). 9 Maggie (‘07) and Philip L. III (’08) Wilkerson
>> FROM PAGE 58
Stage at Fox Studios in Los Angeles, California. He recently completed a major upgrade in the studio control room, including installation of the Meyer Bluehorn Loudspeaker System.
tor of player negotiations and salary cap manager.
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Josh Rosenthal co-founded CloudSamir Suleiman Sploit, an open (’97) source-core cloud security posture management Samir Suleiman joined Software as a Service (SaaS), the NFL’s Carolina from a fledgling product to a Panthers in January as direcsuccessful exit to Aqua Security.
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celebrated their 10-year wedding anniversary on July 3. They are Northern Virginia natives and have been dating since college. They attribute their love for JMU to the development of their relationship in Harrisonburg as well as the great memories they shared as Dukes. JMU will always have a special place in their hearts. 10 Laura Pond (’11) and Steven Foy were married on Oct. 12, 2019, at the Richmond Raceway. The bride had a purple dress and a purple amethyst engagement ring—both nods to JMU. (L to R): Martha Hensler Compton (’12), Amanda Divine (’12), Dan Richa rdson (’12), Laura Pond Foy (’11), Drew Savage (’12), Robert Bryant (’11), Brayden Zanks (’11) and Jill Lu (’11).
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Beth McGinfamily-centered and nis was hired collaborative care envias manager of safety, ronment, regardless of security and emergency the ability to pay. management for Shriner’s Hospital in PortJennifer land, Oregon. ShriLesowitz Josh Rosenthal ner’s Hospitals provide (’99) received her Doctor the highest quality care of Nursing Practice to children with neuromusculodegree from Frontier Nursskeletal conditions, burn injuing University. She is a certiries and other special health care fied nurse midwife in Saraneeds within a compassionate, sota, Florida.
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Jeffrey E. Tickle (’90) Family Endowment in Science and Mathematics The scholarship was established in 2006 by Jeffrey Tickle (’90) with the goal of advancing the development of an environment at JMU in which students shall pursue courses of study that will stimulate their knowledge of science and mathematics, as well as deepen their appreciation of the fundamental importance of these disciplines in our society.
Philip L. Wilkerson III (’08) receiving the Employee of the Month award at George Mason University.
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In September 2019, Philip L. Wilkerson III was awarded Employee of the Month at George Mason University. He was presented the award by interim President
Anne Holton. This award highlights the hard work and achievements of a Mason faculty or staff member who embodies the values of the university.
Faculty Emeriti Association news Martha Belle Caldwell, 88, professor emerita of art and art history, passed away June 15. She joined the JMU faculty in 1968 as the sole art historian in the art department. She was active in the university community and involved in the restoration of Montpelier, James Madison’s home in Orange County, Virginia, before retiring in 1998. After retirement, she was instrumental in the creation of the JMU Faculty Emeriti Association. Philip James, 87, professor emeritus of art and art history, passed away Feb. 20. He joined JMU in 1975 and taught art education, with a focus on special education. A member of the JMU faculty for 22 years, seven of which as head of the department, he also established the university’s Summer Art Program for children. Charles R. Neatrour, 90, professor emeritus of education, passed away June 17. In 1968, he began teaching mathematics and research methods at JMU. He published many articles on teaching math in the elementary grades. He retired in 1992. Paul H. Steagall Jr., 91, professor emeritus of business education and administrative services, passed away June 6. He taught from 1968 until his retirement in 1991. Active in professional associations, he served terms as president of the Virginia Business Education Association and the National Association for Business Teacher Education. He was state director of the Future Business Leaders of America Phi Beta Lambda college student organization for more than 15 years. 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.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Tickle, I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for you making the Jeffrey E. Tickle (’90) Family Endowment in Science and Mathematics possible. I was very appreciative to learn that I was one of the recipients of this scholarship. I am majoring in chemistry and planning on attending graduate school following my graduation from JMU. I hope to get my Ph.D. in environmental chemistry so that I can become a college professor and start my own environmental chemistry research while inspiring a love for science in future students. Your generosity has brought me one step closer to my goals. Thank you once again for your support and munificence. I hope to one day give back to my community and help others achieve their goals just as you have done. Sincerely, Madison A. Roberts Chapel Hill, North Carolina
J. Barkley Rosser Sr. Memorial Economics Scholarship
The scholarship was established by J. Barkley Rosser Jr. in 1989 in memory of his father. John Barkley Rosser Sr. was a leading figure in American mathematics, computer science and space science during the mid-20th century. Dear Dr. and Dr. Rosser, I am writing to express my appreciation for being awarded the J. Barkley Rosser Sr. Memorial Economics Scholarship. In my time at JMU, I have worked hard at my academics to get to where I am today: a double major in economics and hospitality management with a general business minor. As I have further explored my majors and different fields of economics, I have found a deep interest and excitement for the subject and am so glad I have been able to find success in this major. I am truly grateful for the recognition and financial aid I have received with this scholarship, which will help me continue to reach my goals in my final semesters at James Madison University. Thank you again. Sincerely, Caroline J. Healey Annandale, Virginia
Frances Hughes Pitts (’29) Memorial Scholarship The scholarship was established in 1983 in memory of Mrs. Pitts by her husband, George C. Pitts Jr., her son, George R. Pitts, and friends of the family. It is awarded annually to a female student majoring in one of the natural sciences.
Dear Dr. and Dr. Pitts, I would like to thank you for the generous donation that allowed me to receive this scholarship. I am very grateful for the donation, as it lessens the financial burden on my parents and myself. With two brothers who are also in college, as well as one who recently graduated, I was elated to find out that I was the recipient of such a generous gift. After I receive my degree in biology from JMU, I plan to move on to medical school. The fact that I can save a little money now takes a bit of the weight off my back. Lastly, I can feel confident and proud of my academic ability because you both were willing to make an investment in me. I cannot thank you enough for this gift, and I will continue to be the best I can be. Sincerely, Alexandra K. Black Great Falls, Virginia
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SC CH H IOPTTEHSA N K -Y O U L E T T E R S LO ALSASR SN James D. Fugit (’94) General Endowment in Military Science The scholarship was established in 2015 to honor the four years Fugit was in the James Madison University ROTC program and the impact that the program and the U.S. Army have had on his life and success. Dear Mr. Fugit, I hope this note finds you well. I want to take the time to thank you for your extremely generous donation to my education through the James D. Fugit (’94) General Endowment in Military Science. I received the scholarship after a long weekend of field training with my ROTC unit here at James Madison University. With your donation, I was able to fully pay for my room and board fees, which I have recently had to start paying for on my own. You took a huge burden off of my shoulders, and I am truly grateful. You gave me the opportunity to focus more on my studies and goals, rather than on the costs behind it. I appreciate your generosity, and I hope my words reflect that for you. It is people like you who make this world a better place for students to live out their ambitions. Again, I thank you! Sincerely, Alyssa C. Cartee Leesburg, Virginia
Damiano Endowment for Overcoming Adversity
The scholarship was established in 2010 by Frank A. Damiano (’00) to provide funds annually to undergraduate students with learning disabilities in order to generate hope and to relieve a portion of financial stress. Dear Mr. Damiano, Thank you kindly for granting me the Damiano Scholarship for Overcoming Adversity. I truly appreciate your generosity and am moved by your gift. As a student with a disability, this means that I am valued for the ways in which I am able, and that I am not seen as hindered by the aspects of learning that are challenging for me because of my learning disability. I chose to come to JMU because I was enthralled by the industrial arts program. Although I sometimes struggle with written work, I have always been an artist and a keen problem solver. I love looking at things and figuring out how they work, and how to make them function more efficiently. A degree in industrial design would play to my strengths. My hope is that ultimately I will design solutions that will help to build a more sustainable future. Thank you again for believing in me. Sincerely, Lucia Zeimet Ewing, New Jersey
Lacy Daniel Scholarship
Élider DiPaula (’17) with Proj ect 88 in Berwyn, Illinois
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Taleia Barksdale received her Juris Doctor degree from Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C., on May 9. She is currently preparing to take the D.C. bar exam. n Élider DiPaula received Roosevelt University’s Alumni Social Justice Award, which recognizes alumni who strive to improve social justice through professional experience by fostering and creating an inclusive
and equitable community. He is the executive and artistic director of the Berwyn, Illinois, nonprofit Project 88, which presents free classical music concerts and offers free and low-tuition music classes. n Kristen Greiner graduated from George Mason University with a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing with a concentration in nonfiction writing on May 22. She was also recognized as the October 2019 George Mason University Employee of the Month.
The scholarship was established in 1980 to provide a memorial tribute to Dr. Lacy Daniel, who faithfully advised the Black Stu dent Alliance during his tenure at JMU. Terry LePera, associate professor emeritus of mathematics and statistics, and Judith LePera, a former foreign language adjunct professor, provided the financial support to establish the scholarship. Dear Mr. and Mrs. LePera, First and foremost, thank you so much for your generosity and kind hearts. This was a guiding aid to me not only comfortably enjoying the school year without being worried about financial hardship, but it also allowed me to take the time to reflect on all of the blessings I have received. What you give to the students at JMU does not go unnoticed; we see you and we appreciate you. You are a blessing to all of us, and I pray that you continue helping students across campus one at a time. Again, thank you very much! Sincerely, Gracelyn Hamlett Richmond, Virginia
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Kristen Greiner (’17) receives the Employee of the Month award at George Mason University from former President Anne Holton.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Making government work
Alumnus appointed law clerk at U.S. Supreme Court
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BY CIARA BRENNAN (’17)
an Richardson (’12) believes our passions often arise In 2012, Richardson graduated with honors and received douin response to the issues that most frustrate us. The ble bachelor’s degrees in political science and public policy and Leesburg, Virginia, native’s passion first developed administration. He then worked for the U.S. judicial branch in while watching his mother, a special education Washington, D.C., before joining the Congressional Research teacher, try to navigate the standardized tests and Service, which conducts nonpartisan policy and legal analysis for regulations imposed on teachers. “I remember thinking this could members of Congress. be done better,” Richardson said. “Even if we agreed that these Early in his career, Richardson saw the value in a law degree. goals are important, there are ways to make this easier for people “You realize that if you actually want to fix government and make and better for people.” things work better ... knowing the policy and management stuff is While his career aspirations have changed over time, Richardson only half the story. You need the law to navigate it all.” has been passionate about the same issue since he was 17—making At UVA Law, Richardson was selected as editor-in-chief of government work. “It’s kind the Virginia Law Review, of a simple idea, but it’s been one of the nation’s most the core of everything I’ve prestigious law journals, wanted to do.” and afterward worked as a Richardson, who graduclerk for an appellate court, ated at the top of his class where he had to “digest from the University of legal arguments all day and Virginia School of Law, try to make sense of them.” previously served as one of “My favorite thing about five Bristow Fellows to the [law] is that it’s constantly a Office of the Solicitor Genmental workout,” Richarderal, which handles the litison said. “It’s an inherently gation for the U.S. Supreme collaborative field because Court. This summer, he you often learn the best by began his new role as clerk just talking to other people.” to Associate Justice Stephen Richardson described Breyer on the high court. the opportunity to clerk for Coming to JMU as a as “a dream come “What I found at JMU is there’s a lot of Breyer political science major, true.” Supreme Court law research going on ... and they always had clerks are responsible for Richardson found a sense of belonging in Miller Hall. resources to have undergrads help out.” screening petitions to the “[Professors] were just court, writing memos, draft— DAN RICHARDSON (’12) around. It’s the same thing ing opinions, and researching I had in law school,” Richardson said. “The ability to talk it out and debating some of the most critical legal questions today. with people and be in an academic environment where that’s “It’s an experience that is great in and of itself, but it’s also one encouraged and professors are present—doors aren’t closed, peo- of those experiences where you learn so much and meet so many ple aren’t gone all the time—I think that’s the whole game to me. people who are thinking about the law in interesting ways,” RichThat’s the stuff.” ardson said. “You grow a lot as a lawyer just by being around peoHe also took advantage of JMU’s undergraduate research ple like that for a year.” opportunities. Working as a research assistant alongside political Although Richardson is filling one of the most prestigious posiscience professors Melinda Adams and John Scherpereel, Rich- tions for law practitioners, the career accomplishment he’s most ardson studied international gender diversity within the execu- proud of is, like his passion to make government work, seemingly tive branch. “What I found at JMU is there’s a lot of research simple. going on ... and they always had resources to have undergrads “Anytime I’ve been able to talk to someone, maybe two years help out.” behind me, who was facing the same decision points [I had], and Richardson also participated in the JMU Washington Semester, then look back a couple years later, and they’re rocking it and played saxophone in the Marching Royal Dukes and completed an doing important work ... you feel like you were able to contribute honors thesis as a member of the Honors College. in some way to that happening.”
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Talking points As loyal Madison readers, you are also brand ambassadors for James Madison University. This new feature is a one-stop shop of JMU’s recent rankings and recognitions. Use it to brag about JMU and help spread the word!
NO. 1 IN POST-GRAD EMPLOYMENT
—Based on U.S. Department of Education data
For the second year in a row, JMU has been ranked the “Top College in Virginia for Getting a Job,” according to U.S. Department of Education statistics compiled by Zippia. Not only does JMU have the highest post-graduation employment levels out of all Virginia institutions, graduates earn the 13th-highest median income nationally for smalland mid-sized universities.
JMU TAKES TOP AWARD AT NATIONAL WIND ENERGY COMPETITION JMU placed first in the project development category of the 2020 Collegiate Wind Competition, topping 11 other universities from around the country. In 2018, a JMU team finished first in the business portion of the competition, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. This year’s competitors were challenged to design a turbine to withstand continuous winds of 22–25 meters per second and to research and develop a plan for a hypothetical 100-megawatt wind plant in eastern Colorado. JMU’s wind plant design was judged the best; the turbine design placed fifth.
“We couldn’t be more proud of these hard-working young men and women. Mostly seniors, they operated under extraordinary and imperfect conditions while juggling competing priorities.” — JONATHAN MILES, professor of integrated science and technology and one of three advisers to the team 64
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SHARING THE
WISDOM What began as a private journal is now a published book for Mia Brabham (’16). Note to Self, published June 20, is a 117page collection of her personal thoughts and quotes. But it’s more than just her “little reminders about life, love, people, and that tiny voice inside.” Brabham is also using it as a platform to raise money and bring attention to current events. A Note to Self social media campaign resulted in over $500 donated to Campaign Zero, which offers free safety checklists that patients and families can use to get safe care during a hospital stay. Additionally, all Amazon royalties during the first week of publication were donated to Girls For A Change, a Central Virginia nonprofit that empowers young women of color to implement social change in their communities. Readers can support positive change through their donations and purchases. “Community is the single most powerful thing we can ever hope to be a part of,” Brabham said. While at JMU, Brabham was the Spring 2016 Commencement student speaker, a Freshman Orientation Guide (FROG), a member of the Student Government Association and University Program Board, and worked in the Office of Career and Academic Planning. The quotes in her new book have been lived. They reflect her story. “I asked myself: ‘What would happen if I believed in myself?’” Brabham wrote. “Something in me responded: ‘Everything.’”
— Khalil Garriott (‘04)
Follow Brabham’s journey on YouTube (youtube.com/ yourstrulymia), where she has more than 2.6 million video views and 18,200 subscribers—and counting. PHOTOGRAPH BY JORDAN JONES
See more inspiring stories at j.mu/beingthechange