James Madison University - Madison Forever
Giving made the difference
Madison For Keeps recipient Ashley Gregory ('11). Photo by Jason Grow.
Ashley Gregory is a 2011 alumna who benefitted from the 2009 emergency aid initiative Madison For Keeps. Madison checked in with Ashley to see what she's up to now.
Interview by Carrie Combs
What have you been up to since graduating?
After graduating from the College of Business as a management major, I started my full-time job three weeks later working as a recruiter for an IT staffing agency. In three months, I’ve learned that my education has benefitted me more than those working around me. I find that I can apply the concepts and knowledge much quicker.
As a student in financial need, how did you learn about Madison For Keeps?
I found out about Madison For Keeps from my accounting professor, Dr. Paul Copley, who knew about the program and was aware of my situation. I applied for the emergency funding, which allowed me to return to JMU for my junior year. Without Madison For Keeps, I would not have been able to finish my education, and I would have been left with huge loan payments.
What changed in your life that put your Madison Experience at risk?
My father passed away from pancreatic cancer. Losing the breadwinner of the family made it nearly impossible to return to school. Between the out-of-state tuition, cost of living and travel expenses, the money just wasn’t there.
How did Madison For Keeps change your experience at JMU?
The Madison For Keeps program was so fast and the need was so urgent. The financial aid office took that into consideration and turned it around to make an immediate impact. I now have my dream job in Boston working for an IT staffing agency. Without JMU and Madison For Keeps I wouldn’t have any of that.
It’s important to keep programs like Madison For Keeps for students who have been in situations like mine. It’s important to help others in their time of need. A lot of people feel it’s kind of embarrassing to talk about not having enough money, but that’s just not the case. I’m not going to turn down any help that allows me to continue my education. That is something my dad would have wanted me to do.
If you could tell the donors one thing, what would it be?
It would be that their generosity allows students like myself, who have either gone through personal troubles or have been affected by our country's economic downturn, to continue their education at JMU, an education which has proven to be more valuable in a student's future than any sum of money could compare to.
This program is extremely important, especially in these economic times, to continue in the future. Anyone who is considering donating to Madison Forever should do so without any hesitation. Their donation will truly have a positive impact on the future of JMU students who are deserving of such assistance. Because of the generosity of donors of the Madison For Keeps program, I am now in a position to become a donor myself one day. This is a program that should always be available to JMU's bright student body to help them be successful after graduation.
Hold the door open
In the last few years, numerous colleges and universities across the nation have experienced unprecedented numbers of students with urgent financial needs resulting from drastic and unforeseen changes in household income. Acting without hesitation, James Madison University deployed Madison For Keeps, an emergency fundraising campaign, to aid students with greatest financial need. Thanks to a host of JMU alumni and donors more than 100 students were given the gift to finish their journey as Dukes.
Now, JMU students once again need your help. Madison Forever is a permanent program that will enable JMU financial aid officers the flexibility to help students with greatest financial need. This program hopes to hold the door open for Dukes in the years to come. Please give today.