JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY LAUNCHES ITS FIRST CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

From: Media Relations

 March 15, 2006

HARRISONBURG, Va. — James Madison University today launched its first-ever comprehensive capital campaign, setting a goal to raise $50 million to support teaching and learning at the predominantly undergraduate university and to complete the fundraising drive in 2008 when Madison marks its 100th year.

Actor Richard Dreyfuss delivered the keynote address at the annual Scholarship Luncheon, where "The Madison Century: A Campaign for James Madison University" was officially kicked off. The annual luncheon for student scholarship recipients and donors is held each March when the university celebrates its founding on March 14, 1908, and the March 16 birthday of its eponym, President James Madison.

The five priorities for "The Madison Century" endowment drive are established:
  • $7.5 million for faculty chairs, professorships and teaching excellence;
  • $4 million to support student scholarships;
  • $1.5 million for presidential initiatives and student success;
  • $17 million toward improved facilities; and
  • $20 million for annual ongoing support.

    Through the "quiet phase" of the campaign, which began in mid-2002, Madison has raised more than half of its goal.

    To support the capital campaign, Madison today also launched its new marketing campaign, "Be the Change," which spotlights alumni, faculty, students and donors who are making positives changes in the world and how Madison encourages such "world changers."

    Located in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, Madison has grown since 1908 from a state teachers college for women, with 209 students and 15 faculty, to its present-day status as an four-year, public university of 16,500 students and 795 full-time faculty. Named Madison College in 1938, the school became coeducational in 1966, and was named James Madison University in 1977. Five presidents have led the school in its first century.

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