President Jonathan Alger Announces Leadership Updates
Following up on the previous
Board of Visitors meeting, President Jonathan Alger of James Madison University
has today announced several additional updates regarding senior management
positions at the University.
Mr. Nick Langridge has been
named Vice President for University Advancement. A two-time JMU graduate, Langridge has been
serving as Acting Vice President in that capacity since March 2012 and has been
leading efforts in University Advancement for the past year. Langridge’s service at JMU has included other
roles in development as well as Assistant to the President and member of the
senior leadership team. In announcing
Langridge’s appointment, JMU President Jonathan Alger said, “Development is a
critical and immediate priority for me and the University as we seek to fulfill
our ambitious mission and dreams for the future, and it is thus crucial for us
to have our team in place as we shape our strategy and vision. Nick Langridge has played a pivotal
leadership role for the University over the past year in building and energizing
our organization and approach in University Advancement. Nick is well known and respected by donors,
board members, alumni, and people throughout the University community. He has worked very closely with me throughout
the Listening Tour, creating momentum and fostering relationships to set the
stage for our fundraising and advancement efforts. Nick’s broad experience, institutional
knowledge, integrity, innovative spirit, and deep commitment to JMU have made
him an indispensable part of our Senior Leadership Team.”
An internal search will now be commenced for the
Executive Assistant to the President.
This individual will also serve as a key member of the Senior Leadership
Team and assist the President with projects and programs, as well as administrative
duties associated with the office. An
announcement will be forthcoming to the university community as to the
qualifications and application process.
President Alger has indicated
that he hopes that this process will produce a richly diverse pool of
individuals who know the institution and community. A national search process will begin for the
position of Vice Provost for Research to fill the position previously held by
the late John Noftsinger. This key
position will provide leadership in thinking broadly about the important role
of research at JMU for all of our faculty and students.
This position will be defined
so as to promote our national recognition for engaging undergraduates in
research and creative performances.
Additional details about the search process and qualifications sought
will be announced in the near future.
The national search for the
Dean of the College of Business is well underway, with a goal of completing the
process during this academic year. In
fall 2013, national searches will begin for the deans of the university’s two
most recently reconfigured colleges: the
College of Health and Behavioral Studies and the College of Integrated Science
and Engineering.
In addition, the University
has successfully concluded the search for the academic unit head for the
Engineering program. Dr. Kurt Patterson
will be joining JMU as of the 2013-14 academic year. Dr. Patterson’s background is in Civil and
Environmental Engineering. He brings
with him not only experience in higher education, but also experience working
with organizations such as the Boeing Company and NASA.
Finally, the James Madison University Foundation has
announced that Thomas H. Schaeffer has been appointed President of the JMU
Foundation. Schaeffer’s work with the
Foundation began more than 25 years ago.
His knowledge and understanding of the finances, policies and daily
operation of the Foundation has prepared him to lead the Foundation and work
closely with the Foundation Board and JMU.
“This announcement from the JMU Foundation highlights the continuity,
recent successes of our fundraising efforts and overall partnership between JMU
and the Foundation. We look forward to
Tom’s continued leadership,” said JMU President, Jonathan Alger.
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