Follow the JMU Alumni Relations team during our adventures on the road this summer!

Make a contribution to the university that shaped your future. Click to give back.

For the JMU Centennial celebration, uniquely painted versions of the Duke Dog Statue will be on display throughout JMU and Harrisonburg. The JMU Alumni Association has three Duke Dogs in honor of our alumni on display in the Leeolou Alumni Center. Read about the Duke Dog statues

Alumni Awards

The JMU Alumni Association presents five awards each year to deserving members of its community. Two of the awards pay tribute to faculty and staff who demonstrate excellence in their fields and advance the mission of the university through their service on campus. Three of the awards honor alumni for distinguished achievement and service in their chosen fields.

Nominations for all awards are due to the Office of Alumni Relations by Aug. 30, 2008. The forms include all necessary instructions for completion, but you may contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 888-JMU-ALUM with any questions.

Awards are presented during Homecoming Weekend, generally held in October of each year.

The James Madison Distinguished Faculty Award

Created in 1996, the award recognizes professional achievement in and outside of the classroom. The recipient will have demonstrated a consistent pattern of excellence in classroom teaching and student motivation, and will have enriched this experience through participation and professional activities outside of the classroom. The recipient will receive $500 to be used for professional development and departmental expenses. All full-time faculty with a minimum of five years of service at the institution are eligible. Download the nomination form .

Past Recipients
1996 - Dr. Harold Teer
1997 - Dr. John Patrick Rooney
1998 - Dr. Mark Warner ('79, M.A. '81, Ed.S. '85)
1999 - Dr. Challace J. McMillin
2000 - Dr. Clarence R. Geier
2001 - Dr. Carmenza Kline
2002 - Dr. Lennis G. Echterling
2003 - Dr. Robert Kolvoord
2004 - Dr. In Dal Choi
2005 - Dr. Joanne V. Gabbin
2006 - Rustin P. Greene
2007 - Dr. Susan E. Kruck

The James Madison Distinguished Service Award

Created in 1996, the award recognizes a staff or non-teaching faculty member whose service to JMU and/or the local, national or international communities has continually advanced the mission and goals of the institution. The recipient will receive $500 to be used for professional development and departmental expenses. All full-time non-teaching faculty and staff members are eligible. Download the nomination form .

Past Recipients
1996- Dr. Elizabeth Neatrour (M.A. '60)
1997- Dr. Norlyn Bodkin
1998- Dr. Cecil Bradfield (M.A. '68)
1999 - Ms. Donna Harper ('77, Ed.S. '86)
2000 - Ms. Sherry P. Hood
2001 - Mr. Rich Harris ('77)
2002 - Ms. Glenda Rooney
2003 - Ms. Pat Buennemeyer
2004 - Ms. Christina Updike ('73)
2005 - Ms. Michelle Hite ('88)
2006 - Ms. Hillary Wing-Richards ('94)
2007 - Sheila Santee

The Inez Graybeal Roop ('35) Distinguished Alumni Service Award

Created in 1971, the award recognizes an alumnus or alumna whose dedication and volunteer commitment has significantly enhanced the goals and mission of the university and the alumni association and/or who has given of themselves for the enrichment of others and the betterment of their communities. All James Madison University alumni are eligible. Download the nomination form.

Past Recipients
1971 - Helen Mugler White ('25)
1972 - Mary Spitzer Etter ('34)
1973 - Chester Lee Bradfield ('62)
1974 - Thelma Lee Crenshaw ('47)
1975 - Jean L. Shelley ('49)
1976 - Mary McNeil Willis ('28)
1977 - Inez Graybeal Roop ('35)
1978 - Mary Wright Thrasher ('41)
1979-80 - Faye Morgan Dundore ('60)
1981 - Emily Lewis Lee ('43)
1982 - Herman W. Hale ('73)
1983 - Mrs. Nellie Lantz Long ('49)
1984 - H. Dan O'Donnell ('60)
1988 - Dario Savarese ('86)
1986 - No recipient
1987 - Ruth P. Stephenson ('39)
1985 - Francis E. Turner ('51)
1989 - William McAnulty ('81, M.P.A. '87)
1990 - Jeffrey Harper ('87)
1991 - David Caldwell ('75)
1992 - H. Daniel O'Donnell ('60)
1993 - Judith S. Strickler ('60)
1994 - Frank Ridgway ('80)
1995 - Deborah Tompkins ('78)
1996 - Paul Weber ('80)
1997 - Dr. Carl Lentz ('73)
1998 - Jennifer Norvell ('85)
1999 - Gregory S. Dawson ('84)
2000 - Jon D. Craver ('83)
2001 - No recipient
2002 - Hugh ('73, M. Ed. '80) & Nancy Bowman ('71) Lantz
2003 - Thomas A. Carr ('85)
2004 - Elizabeth Keane Martin ('85)
2005 - David L. Grimm ('74) and Kenneth R. Bartee ('83)
2006 - Mr. Matthew A. Miller ('98)
2007 - Mary G. Jones ('91)

The Ronald E. Carrier Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award

Created in 1997, the award recognizes an individual who has excelled in his or her profession for a minimum of five years and has attained recognition from peers or other professionals as an outstanding member of their field. All James Madison University alumni are eligible. Download the nomination form.

Past Recipients
1977 - Dr. Sarah Lemmon ('34)
1978 - Dr. Marylou Riddleberger Barnes ('52, M.A. '68)
1979-80 - Beverly McGinnis Lowe ('59)
1981 - Dr. Margaret Lee Moore ('42)
1982 - Mary Stewart Hammond ('39)
1983 - Dr. Martha Boaz ('32)
1984 - Anna Pence Keller ('42)
1985 - Gill Temple Hanlon ('51)
1986 - Christine M. Shelton ('70, M.S. '78)
1987 -Garnet Hamrick Owen ('32)
1988 - Dolores Phalen Lescure ('38)
1989 - Dr. Dorothy Harris ('53)
1990 - David Gill ('76)
1991 - Anne Duncan ('84)
1992 - Dorothy Crowder Coffey ('51)
1993 - Joseph Damico('76, M.B.A. '77)
1994 - Steve James ('77)
1995 - Steve Buckhantz ('77)
1996 - Suzanne Dickson ('52)
1997 - Stephen Leeolou ('78)
1998 - Phillip Bigler ('74, M. Ed. '76)
1999 - Clint F. Heiden ('90)
2000 - Robert "Phoef" Sutton ('81)
2001 - No recipient
2002 - Phil Vassar ('85) & Mr. Jeff Grass ('92)
2003 - Dr. Marcia Angell ('60) & Charles L. Haley ('87)
2004 - Elizabeth Wilson Gauldin ('50)
2005 - Barbara Hall ('82)
2006 - Dr. Carole C. Baldwin ('81)
2007 - Brig. Gen. Raymond Mason ('78)

The JMU Distinguished Alumni Award for Teaching

Created in 2007, the award honors the founding principles of the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, now James Madison University. The respected career path of present and past classroom teachers has had a multi-faceted influence on youth. This award to one gifted classroom teacher elevates and honors all JMU teachers for their contribution to society. This award is given to a JMU graduate who is an exemplary classroom teacher, pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, who has shown by spirit and professionalism to be outstanding in her/his profession. All members of the JMU Alumni Association who are classroom teachers, pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, with at least five years of teaching experience, are eligible. Download the nomination form.

Past Recipients
2007 - Lisa Melroy ('94, '95)

The Honorary Alumnus Award

Recognizes non-graduates who have given unselfishly of themselves to James Madison University and significantly contributed to the progress and development of the university. Awarded by the university.

Past Recipients
1998 - Dr. Ronald E. Carrier
2003 - Dr. Challace McMillin & Zane D. Showker
2005 - Ralph Roop