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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

As JMU continues to grow in size and diversity, so do our alumni groups. The James Madison University Alumni Association serves as the umbrella organization for our various alumni groups, supporting their unique and valued connection to the university. Enthusiastic volunteers from across the country lead these groups by promoting and representing JMU's values and mission. The alumni relations staff is here to provide expertise and assistance to our alumni groups, new and old, that continue to serve and build the JMU community.
Are you looking to start a new alumni group? Stephanie Hamson, our chapter coordinator, assists new alumni group leaders and works with them to identify other volunteers who will support the group.
Starting a new JMU Alumni Chapter
Regionally-based groups of JMU alumni where at least 200 JMU alumni live
1. Check our Web site or call the Office of Alumni Relations to see if there is a chapter near you. If you're located within 60 miles of another chapter, we encourage you to join the established chapter.
2. If an alumni group is not located within 60 miles of where you live, request a population report from the Office of Alumni Relations.
3. Identify chapter's purpose and goals and submit the new group request form.
4. If there are 50 or more alumni living within 60 miles, the Office of Alumni Relations will email interest surveys to local alumni.
5. If at least 50 people are interested in starting a local group, and a chapter leader is identified, the interest group may begin the process of becoming a chartered JMU Alumni Chapter.
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5. If at least 20 people are interested in starting a local group and a leader is identified, the group may begin the process of becoming a JMU Spirit City.
Starting a new JMU Alumni Affinity Chapter
Groups of JMU alumni with similar interests, hobbies, or undergraduate experiences.The group must be able to be identified through the JMU alumni database, serve a unique audience and support the mission of the JMU Alumni Association.
1.Contact the Office of Alumni Relations, who will assist in pulling a list of potential members.
2. Identify chapter's purpose and goals and submit the new group request form.
3. If at least 20 people can be identified as members of the group, the Office of Alumni Relations will email interest surveys to those constituents.
4. If at least 20 people are interested in starting an alumni affinity chapter and a chapter leader has been identified, the group may begin the process of becoming a chartered JMU Alumni Affinity Chapter.
Becoming a JMU Spirit City
Regionally-based groups of JMU alumni where fewer than 200 JMU alumni live
1. Follow steps 1-4 of Starting a new JMU Alumni Chapter.
2. If at least 20 people are interested in starting a local group and a leader is identified, the group may begin the process of becoming a JMU Spirit City.
3. Once the Office of Alumni Relations has deemed your local area a JMU Spirit City, we will send you a contact list of local alumni and a spirit kit.
4. JMU Spirit Cities are welcome to host as many events throughout the year as their local alumni will support.
5. If a JMU Spirit City grows in population and shows a record of successful events, it may evolve into a Level One JMU Alumni Chapter.
All JMU Alumni Affinity Chapters and JMU Alumni Chapters will become official, chartered alumni groups once the Alumni Board of Directors has approved them. Once a chapter completes its chartering process, it will be formally recognized as an alumni group of the James Madison University Alumni Association. The Board of Directors meets three times a year, during which they can approve new alumni groups.
In April, Kelly Warren (’00) led the Richmond Alumni Chapter team in the Monument 10K, raising more than $7,500 for the Massey Cancer center.
Have exciting alumni news? A story idea? Pictures from a JMU event? Click here to submit!
Read the May edition and subscribe to receive future issues of the official JMU Alumni Association e-newsletter.