Madison Week



“Big Jim” is big man on campus

Forbes family reaffirms President Madison’s university connection

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, have transformed the face of campus — yet again.

The couple has probably done more single handedly than anyone else to call popular attention to this underappreciated Founding Father, except perhaps his birthplace, Montpelier. The Father of the Constitution and Fourth President James Madison is a fixture on the Madison campus thanks to the Forbes’ contribution of not one, but two statues of James Madison. The couple’s donation has changed the face of the campus by situating the Founding Father’s image in two prominent spots.

One, unveiled on Constitution Day in 2002, stands near the west entrance to the Quad. It has become a student tradition to pose for photos with the life-sized “Jemmy” and festoon him with the frills and trappings of student life. Prior to the 2002 dedication, the campus community enjoyed a bust of Madison located at Carrier Library. Ken Beer crafted the bust while he served faithfully as a member of the JMU faculty.

The newest Madison statue, a heroic 10-foot-tall image of a youthful, striding James Madison (already affectionately christened, “Big Jim”), was erected on the Integrated Science and Technology building’s front patio during the university’s Centennial Celebration.

The Forbes’ impact stretches beyond symbolism, however. The Forbes’ influence is seen and felt all over campus through their gifts to the Plecker Athletic Performance Center, men’s and women’s golf, the College of Business and their own Forbes Family Scholarship. They also have given time as generously. Lois, currently a member of the Board of Visitors, has served on the JMU Foundation board, the James Madison Day planning committee, and the Duke Club board. Both are committed Dukes fans. In one more grand magnanimous gesture, this spring the Forbes made the single largest gift in the university’s history to transform the future Performing Arts Center from promise into reality. Their $5 million gift makes the Forbes’ financial devotion to JMU second to none.

Joining the Forbes for the statue dedication at the entrance to the ISAT building on Friday were more than 250 students, professors, staff members and administrators. Helping the Forbes unveil the new Madison statue were son Jeff, a member of the Class of 1990, with a master’s degree in 1992; daughter-in-law Stephanie, a member of the Class of 1992 with a master's degree in 1993; and the Forbes’ granddaughters.

During the statue dedication SGA President Lee Brooks (’08) said, “It is fitting that this statue is bigger than life. Mr. Madison looks over us as our spiritual founder.”

President Linwood H. Rose added, “Placing a Madison statue in the midst of our students is most fitting. He looks West with the same pioneering spirit that we try to instill in James Madison University students. As we dedicate this second piece of artwork on our campus for James Madison, we honor a man who turned our government from a collection of 18th century ideals into a spectacularly successful political artwork.”

Rose also acknowledged sculptor Lee Leuning, who with Sherry Treeby, created the first James Madison statue, the Duke Dog statue at Bridgeforth Stadium and the new Madison statue.

Thanks to the Forbes’ generosity, President James Madison’s legacy and connection to the university has been doubly solidified.