The Nelson Institute for Public Affairs was established in 1998 by Dr. Ronald Carrier, fourth President of James Madison University (1971-1998), who announced a commitment on the part of the university to study political violence and terrorism. The Institute is named for Dr. William R. Nelson, former Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, who, as the Head of JMU’s Department of Political Science, was responsible for the university’s first course on terrorism.

From its foundation through April, 2005, the Nelson Institute was directed by Dr. Stephen R. Bowers, who led its educational and development efforts in the post-communist states of Eastern Europe as well as its terrorism analysis initiatives. Cont'd.