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Citizenship

Photo: Katrina relief group There's something deliberate and compelling about a JMU education that attracts extraordinary people and fosters in them a commitment to something even bigger. Madison students, professors and alumni commit themselves to the ultimate societal benefit of education — an enlightened citizenry ready to build a better future. They lead, innovate and collaborate in the spirit set forth by President James Madison's vision that liberty and learning are inextricably entwined. They reach beyond themselves and help change the world.

The Stories ...

Operation Purple Pride

Building educated and enlightened citizens is JMU's mission. Members of the Madison community involved in the armed forces exemplify enlightened citizenship in a very special way. Operation Purple Pride is their forum. … Read More

A passion for politics

Rusty Carlock works to improve education in El Salvador JMU's Washington Semester can provide students with some of the best job experience, friendships and career preparation imaginable. Participant Lisa Maurer ('09) describes her experience in the nation's capitol … Read More

The People ...

James Madison

Fourth U.S. President

James Madison, soft-spoken and unimposing in appearance, employed his considerable learned intellect and civility to convince a fledgling nation to accept a document — the Constitution of the United States and its Bill of Rights …Read more
Shelby Brown ('93)

CBS WTVR-TV Chesterfield beat reporter

For journalist Shelby Brown, a story has a lot of power. During one sweltering summer, the CBS WTVR-TV Chesterfield, Va., beat reporter found out just how much. As part of a piece about a Chesterfield … Read More
Kai Degner ('03, '05M)

OrangeBand Initiative Executive Director

In February 2003, spurred by a classmate's deployment to Kuwait, undergraduate Kai Degner hatched an idea: Get students talking. Not Bickering. Talking, and listening. Degner's original vision of a visual … Read More
Lt. Col. Mike Dillon ('81)

Military officer, football coach, mentor

For some, the game of football is a metaphor for life. Mike subscribes to this philosophy, and is also trying to pass the game's positive values to youth all over the world. Stationed for six years at the … Read More
Linia Duncan ('07)

Student leader and advocate for diversity awareness

As a graduating senior, Linia Duncan knows it's never too early to start giving back. For Linia, this means continuing to help JMU increase in diversity through organizations such as Students for Minority … Read More
Vanessa Evans ('93,'97M)

President, JMU Black Alumni Chapter

Vanessa has a passion for working with young people who want to advance themselves and their communities. She's associate director of the Ron Brown Scholar Program sponsored by the CAP … Read More
Bruce and Lois Cardarella Forbes ('64)

JMU benefactors

In their quest to accentuate the connection of James Madison University with the intellectual legacy of President James Madison, Lois Cardarella Forbes ('64) and her husband, developer Bruce Forbes, … Read More
Elizabeth Gauldin ('50)

Space Scientist and Pioneer, 1928-2008

When chemistry graduate Elizabeth Gauldin first went looking for a job as a chemist, prospective employers asked her whether she could type. Undaunted, she became one of the first female scientists in the U.S. space … Read More
Jennifer Griffith ('09)

JMU marketing major and volunteer

In 2007, Jennifer organized 45 James Madison University students in a caravan headed to New Orleans. There the group worked with Habitat for Humanity in the Musicians' Village building homes for … Read More
Derwin Henderson ('83)

LAPD Officer and Kids' Hero

Convinced that every kid deserves a chance, Derwin Henderson went beyond his role as a Los Angeles police officer and began a youth-league football team to channel aimless, vulnerable kids … Read More
John Horigan ('04)

Pairing science and ethics

John Horigan set out to study international business and foreign languages, dreaming of fine suits and life in France. Instead, he says he wound up wearing torn jeans, flannel shirts and studying birds in early … Read More
Mike Hoss ('84)

News Anchor, WWL-TV New Orleans

For Mike Hoss, the 10 p.m. News Anchor at WWL-TV in New Orleans, reporting the news met a new obstacle in late August 2005. When Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast region, WWL was the … Read More
Emily Lewis Lee ('43)

World War II Veteran

For Emily Lee, collecting tin or knitting wool squares for the war effort was not enough. Emily rushed to earn her American Dietetics Association registration, then Lt. Lee supervised hospital-kitchen … Read More
Dolores Phalen Lescure ('38) (1916-2006)

Community leader, former president of the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace Foundation

In the year 1916 when Dolores Lescure was born, Woodrow Wilson was finishing his first term as president of the United States. More than 50 years later, she would become indelibly linked to Wilson's name … Read More
Nathan Marsh ('01)

JMU Video Producer

After starting his career in the freelance world, radio industry and the advertising business, Nate returned to JMU in October 2005 as a video producer for university marketing. The School of Media … Read More
Maj. Gen. Raymond Mason ('78)

American soldier and JMU ROTC pioneer

In 1974, Ray came to JMU ready to continue his family's military tradition -- his father was a 30-year Army veteran who served in World War II and the Vietnam War — but at the time, the university did not … Read More
Roger Myers

Bus driver, volunteer

Recently retired yet still wanting to keep busy, Roger looked for employment in human services to make the connections with people that were so important to him. He found the perfect position at JMU … Read More
Tracey Neale ('89)

Emmy Award-winning news anchor/reporter

In the nation's capital, where news is made at a break-neck pace, nine-time Emmy Award-winner Tracey Neale is a proven television news anchor and a thorough reporter. Her stories about AIDS in … Read More
Dee Nilsen ('00)

JMU staff member and relief worker

It's second nature for Dee Nilsen to be the change. This integrated science and technology graduate and computing support specialist has a busy work schedule, and she doesn't slow her pace outside of … Read More
Dr. John B. Noftsinger Jr. ('85)

Vice Provost for Research and Public Service

Since his undergraduate years at JMU when he was the first student appointed to the JMU Board of Visitors, John has shown a keen interest in the inner workings of the university, an innate talent for … Read More
Joy Petway ('07)

Social worker, past president JMU Black Student Alliance

When the Phoenix Project chose participants for their 2007 Nonprofit Leadership Program, Joy was one of 30 top students from 14 universities selected — "the best of the best in Virginia," according to … Read More
Richard M. Roberds

Silver Star recipient, founder of College of Integrated Science and Technology

Richard Roberds clearly remembers the guy sitting next to him, the guy who kept throwing up his hands in front of his face as the tracer bullets darted past their cockpit. "You don't forget things like … Read More
James Robinson

Director, Office of Equal Opportunity and JMU sports fan

When James Robinson joined the JMU staff several years ago, he brought with him an unflagging focus on the positive. One of his first efforts was to make sure his office became known as a resource … Read More
Inez Graybeal Roop ('35)

James Madison University benefactor

In 1931, Inez stepped onto campus as a student and began a steadfast involvement with the university that has made her a Madison legend. After graduating from the Harrisonburg State Teachers College in … Read More
Dave Sanderson ('83)

Miracle worker

Most people would call it bad luck — being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sitting aboard U.S. Airways Flight 1549 was probably the last place anyone wanted to be on Jan. 15. But Dave … Read More
Lisa Shull ('85, '91M)

Dream builder

Lisa Shull ('85, '91M) makes dreams come true for thousands of Harrisonburg children. Seven years ago Lisa inspired a cadre of volunteers who together started Harrisonburg Children's Museum. The … Read More
The Rev. Charles Douglas 'Doug' Smith ('93)

Executive director of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy

While an undergraduate, Doug Smith ('93) found "There was a whole series of sociology professors — including Mary Lou Wylie, Gail Funke and Cecil Bradfield — who really raised up a generation of us … Read More
Sister Glenna Smith ('04M)

Director, Benedictine Counseling Services

This Benedictine Sister speaks eloquently of her love for God and neighbor, but her actions are even more powerful. Sister Glenna helped launch Benedictine Counseling Services, which provides … Read More
Wesli Spencer ('06)

Former Student Government Association President

Immediate past SGA president Wesli Spencer continues to put his ideology "leadership through service" into action. Wesli addressed leaders, peers and participants at the 2006 National Association … Read More
Stanley Stewart ('78)

2007 Virginia Administrator of the Year

In true JMU-Be the Change spirit, Stanley Stewart is giving back to Virginia's youth — one juvenile at a time. Stan began service as a probation officer for the Loudoun County, Va., court system 29 years … Read More
Levar Stoney ('04)

Former executive director, Democratic Party of Virginia

Levar Stoney's life symbolizes one of the most important changes in American history. He is the descendant of slaves from the Rice Coast, an area on Africa's west coast; he also has served as the executive director of Virginia's Democratic Party … Read More
Samantha Terry ('05) ('08M)

Social entrepreneur

Searching for a hands-on experience in nonprofit studies, Samantha spent her summer in the Phoenix Project's 2008 Nonprofit Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship Program. The program seeks … Read More
Carolyn Copley Wake ('52)

A lifetime of service

In an era when many women devoted themselves exclusively to raising their families, Carolyn Copley Wake ('52) was a networker. You can almost hear her Southern drawl: "Come on." But her intent was far more … Read More
Brittany Williams ('05)

Miss United States 2008

Once upon a time Brittany Williams was a tomboy. Today she's Miss United States 2008 with a platform and a passion to empower other young women. Her conversion from tree climber in rural … Read More
J. Craig Williams ('79)

Attorney and lecturer

J. Craig Williams never forgot the Madison vice president who taught him the importance of "paying it forward." Dr. Ray Sonner, for whom Sonner Hall is named, made the phone call that helped Williams … Read More