JMU's presidents

Julian A. Burruss

Samuel Page Duke

G. Tyler Miller

Ronald E. Carrier

Linwood H. Rose

World-Changer Profiles

James Madison

Carolyn Abitbol ('67)

Donna Amenta

Shawn Arnold ('76, '81M)

Andy Bacon ('00)

Carole Baldwin ('81)

John Barrick ('76)

Ken Bartee ('83)

Phil Bigler ('74, '76M)

Norlyn Bodkin

Keith Brill ('77)

Shelby Brown ('83)

Bill Buck

Tom Carr ('84)

Ginjer Norris Clarke ('94)

Cynthia Coolbaugh ('70)

Maj. Patrick Creed ('93)

Joe Damico ('76, '77M)

Kai Degner ('03, '05M)

Mark Dertzbaugh ('82)

Sue Dickson ('52)

Lt. Col. Mike Dillon ('81)

Tom Dingledine

Linia Duncan ('07)

Curt Dvonch ('08)

Katy Elmore ('01M)

Ed Estes

Karen Evans

Richard Evans

Vanessa Evans ('93, '97M)

Judith Flohr

Bruce and Lois Cardarella Forbes ('64)

Marlon Foster ('82, '95M)

Joanne Gabbin

Mark Gabriele ('95)

Chris Gatesman ('94M)

Elizabeth Gauldin ('50)

Valerie Gibbs ('11)

Joann Grayson

Oris Griffin

Jazminia Griffith ('06)

David Grimm ('74)

Debbie Grimm ('74)

Donna Sizemore Hale ('81)

Charles Haley ('87)

Barbara Hall ('82)

Sarita Hartz ('02)

Derwin Henderson ('83)

Mike Hoss ('84)

Vida Huber (1937-2005)

Dan Irwin ('90)

Eric Johnson ('95)

Pamela Johnson

Jessica Kahn ('91)

Josh Kelaher ('11)

Shannon Kennan ('97M)

Lesley Kipling ('99)

Karina Kline-Gabel ('92)

Margot Knight ('74)

Jonathan Koves ('05)

Susan E. Kruck ('94) ('95M)

David LaMotte ('90)

Emily Lewis Lee ('43)

Steve Leeolou ('78)

Gordon Leisch ('56, '65M)

Nathan Lyon ('94)

Gina MacDonald

Sonja Macys ('97)

Virginia Mann ('06)

Samier Mansur ('07)

Nate Marsh ('01)

Special Agent Charles T. May Jr. ('83)

Beth McGinnis ('00)

MeMe McKee ('99)

Amy McPherson ('83)

Challace McMillin

Matt Miller ('98)

Sushil Mittal

Roger Myers

Tracey Neale ('89)

Dee Nilsen ('00)

John B. Noftsinger Jr. ('85)

Mary Ellen Garber Otto ('58)

Ross Paterson ('90)

Michael Peretich ('06)

Joy Petway ('07)

J. Peter Pham

Janet Phillips ('88)

Robert and Frances Plecker

Ryan Powanda ('09)

Jim and Julie Riley ('99P, '05P)

Don Rhymer ('82)

Dave Rizzo ('83)

Dick and Shirley Hanson ('56) Roberts

James Robinson

Inez Graybeal Roop ('35)

John Rothenberger ('88)

W. Raymond "Buddy" Showalter Jr. ('50) (1928-2007)

Mary Slade

Charles Douglas 'Doug' Smith ('93)

Wesli Spencer ('06)

Anne Stewart

Diane Strawbridge ('80, '02M)

Debra Sutton

Elizabeth Swallow

Laura Taalman

Jason Teasley ('02)

Casey Templeton ('06)

Bruce Thayer ('84)

Kathy Thomas ('78)

Mike Thomas ('76, '77M)

Jeff Tickle ('90)

Sean Tobin ('92)

Dennis Tracz ('78)

Christina Updike ('73)

Cathy Webb

Louise Wilkins-Haug ('76)

J. Craig Williams ('79)

Grace Wyngaard

Amy Porter Zacaroli ('88)

William J. Buck

Professor of Theatre
Director, School of Theatre and Dance

For a dozen summers, Bill Buck, founder of the JMU Children's Playshop, has raised the curtain on the magical world of the stage for thousands of pint-sized, first-time theatregoers. Dedicated to creating high-quality productions, the Children's Playshop brings the heroes and villains of fairy tales to life for its young audiences. And what better way to train a student actor to hold an audience's attention than to test their craft before a room packed with wriggling, giggling 5-year-olds? The rewards are a new generation introduced to the imagination, artistry and joy of the theatre, where even their parents can be kids again.

"Children and their parents have always felt comfortable coming to our shows because we choose shows that have a positive message and that show the empowerment of children. Bullies, witches and monsters are always shown to be the ridiculous creatures that they are."