Make a difference

Amanda “Mandy” Matherly Stowe ('10) was a few months from graduation when her father was killed in a tragic accident. Thanks to Madison For Keeps donors, she was able to complete her degree and is now pursuing her passions in Danville, Va.

... See what Mandy is up to now

Madison Forever

Many JMU students have the desire, ambition and talent to obtain a college education, but the lack of just those last few dollars is keeping the door to their dreams closed. Enter Madison Forever, a permanent program to give our financial aid officers the flexibility to help students with the greatest financial need

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Your gift can help change the world

Josh Kelaher ('11) graduated at the top of his high school class with a goal: to become a global voice in environmental policy. Why he choose JMU: Our committment to providing opportunities to tackle real world issues and because JMU was able to offer him a scholarship. ... View video

Support one-of-a-kind, well-rounded leaders

Triple-major and scholarship recipient Christa Brown ('12) came to JMU for academics and got a whole lot more

Ask Christa Brown ('12) what she wants to do after JMU and you'll hear a 20-year plan that ends either in Congress or the Oval Office. She is well on her way to attaining her goals as she will graduate with three majors that as a unit make Brown a one-of-a-kind, exceptionally well-rounded leader ... Read more

Name a seat in the Forbes Center

The Madison Association of Clarinets named a seat to honor new Concert Hall, support scholarships in the arts

“I had a professor who said ‘Playing in Wilson Hall is like playing in a loaf of bread,’” says music performance major and clarinetist Laura Bridges (’12). “There is no sound quality.” Acoustics now soar with the opening of the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts. The excitement is palpable among the members of the Madison Association of Clarinetists ... Read more

Help Dukes follow their bliss

Presser Scholarship recipient Andrew Pham ('10) is piling up the academic laurels in writing and music

Author/philosopher Joseph Campbell famously advised people in search of a fulfilling life to live by the credo "Follow your bliss." Andrew Pham seems to have known that little secret since high school. Now this honors scholar and musician can look back proudly on a long list of accomplishments in the classroom, on stage and in the growing collection of his original compositions ... Read more

Fuel their passion

Alumna Katie Schwizer ('09, '10M) has realized her dreams thanks to JMU

Even at an early age, Schwizer dreamt of becoming a teacher, constructing her own classroom in her bedroom with stuffed animals as students. At JMU, she received the prestigious Pruden Scholarship, a full-tuition award given to an outstanding individual pursuing a career in early education. What fuels Katie's passion? The passion to change the future through her students.
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Help students carve their own path

Dingledine scholar Amanda Kuhnley ('11) is melding her different interests into into one incredible project

This honors student was attracted to JMU's "different approach" to science — a broader, more collaborative environment with lots of teamwork and hands-on learning. With two majors, art history and integrated science and technology, Kuhnley is merging fields not only to help her JMU professors but also to help future students ... Read more

Help JMU students help others

Patrick Wiggins ('11) tapped for Pearson Prize

This Richmond, Va., native likes helping people who cannot help themselves, and he's become quite good at it. So good, in fact, that the Pearson Foundation is giving Wiggins a $10,000 scholarship. says he thinks the scholarship award committee was particularly impressed with his efforts at organizing a weeklong shelter for homeless people in Harrisonburg last spring ... Read more

A time for the arts

Students in theater, dance and music thank donors for their support 

For the JMU community and students in the performing arts, the new Forbes Center is much more than a building. Three students thank Forbes Center donors for their support of JMU. View video.

It takes a community

Assistant Dean of the College of Education Maggie Kyger discusses the importance of private giving 

James Madison University began as a teacher's college in 1908. More than 100 years later, educating teachers remains a top priority. But as teachers reach out to the community, they rely on the entire community to give back. View video.