Administrative Assistant Dianne Fulk is a tireless advocate for James Madison University, its students, and the local community; she defines what it means to be a true member of JMU. I am happy to nominate her for an All Together One award.

Dianne joined JMU’s Honors College as an Administrative Assistant in 2017; Dianne and I worked together in the Honors College for over a year. Dianne dedicated herself to supporting the College’s students, faculty, and staff. Usually the first in the office and the last to leave, she was the person behind the scenes ensuring Honors classes were scheduled appropriately, from meeting times to room selections. She served as the building manager for Hillcrest House and supported many on-campus Honors College events. She was the one who entered, by hand, each individual Honors student into the system so they had card access to the Honors study lab. She also served on the COVID-19 response team for Honors, conscientiously working to find ways to continue operations safely and efficiently while protecting public health despite losing several friends and family members to the disease. Dianne ensured classes, meetings, admissions weekends, travel plans, and administrative functions happened without a hitch. Simply put, she always went above and beyond to assist the faculty and staff in Honors. 

She was also often one of the first people visiting students or current Honors students encounter in Hillcrest or over the phone. She worked tirelessly to ensure “her” students (and “her” students were all the students in the Honors College) were well cared for, and I have watched her stay late to fix a printer in the computer lab or remain well past her normal hours to ensure Torch, the new first-generation student organization, had building access after 5PM for their meetings. A first-generation student herself, she is sensitive to students’ needs and she makes sure students know they are valued and welcome. She forms deep bonds with many students, paying close attention to their majors, their struggles, and their achievements. She keeps tabs on students after they graduate, rejoicing from afar. I’ve seen her bring soup or cookies in times of student sickness or celebration; I’ve seen more than a few students seek her out when they need an ear or a shoulder. Her kindness and wisdom are well-known and well-loved. She has been particularly dedicated to assisting female students and first-generation students at JMU. I have watched her help a female student learn how to negotiate effectively with a difficult male advisor, assisting the student in balancing tact with expressing her priorities, and I’ve seen her help first-generation students work through complicated university policies and procedures to get what they need in order to succeed. 

I spent a year working in the Honors College before my position was relocated, and the first thing Dianne always asked me was “How can I help?”  From proofreading letters of recommendation to helping me prepare for large presentations (back when those were a thing we did in person), Dianne was always willing to drop everything and get involved in whatever I needed, and she does just that time and time again for anyone who needs her assistance. She will be the first person to run a missing flash drive or forgotten handouts across campus for a faculty member in need; in the midst of the pandemic, she has shown up at my house with necessary documents when I’ve been unable to come to campus due to an injury. Dianne has a heart dedicated to service; her biggest gift is always the gift of herself. 

Earlier this year, Dianne changed positions, and she now serves the Justice Studies Department. This is a natural match. A heart of service can be seen in Dianne’s ongoing commitment to the Pilot International Club in Harrisonburg whose focus is on preventing brain injuries and assisting those with brain injuries. At her invitation, I attended their last fundraiser pre-Covid, a fashion show, and I watched her welcome all who arrived while frequently working behind the scenes to keep the event running seamlessly. She even put her own wedding dress on display in the timeline of fashion. She and I also participated in 2019’s Alzheimer’s Association Walk, raising funds on behalf of JMU’s Honors College to battle the debilitating disease. Before coming to JMU, Dianne served for many years as the Administrative Director at The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham, a local nonprofit dedicated to serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A lifetime community servant, Dianne Fulk is driven to make JMU, Harrisonburg, and the community a better place for each of us. For that, I am grateful, and I am proud to nominate her for this honor. 

Written by - Dr. Meredith M. Malburne-Wade, Director, Fellowships and Awards