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President Dr. Linwood Rose

Dr. Linwood H. Rose, the fifth president in James Madison University's 103-year history, has led the University into a position of national prominence. He began his professional career with JMU in 1975 and his assignments have included responsibilities in every division of the University. He was appointed president in 1998 and has announced that he will be stepping down from the post in June of 2012. 

Under Dr. Rose's tenure as President, the University’s budget has more than doubled, over twenty new academic programs have been implemented, twenty-five major buildings have been constructed, and 2.4 million square feet have been added to the campus. Enrollment has grown by thirty-seven percent, a Phi Beta Kappa chapter was installed, the University’s first capital campaign was completed at forty percent over goal, and the number of admissions applicants grew to over 26,000 per year.

JMU has been identified by U.S. News & World Reports as the #1 public comprehensive university in the South during each year of Rose’s presidency. The University has been regularly listed among the top fifty in the country as a "Best Value" by Kiplinger’s and The Princeton Review.

Asked of what he is most proud, he will tell you: reducing the student-faculty ratio from over 19:1 to under 16:1, a graduation rate that is in the top ten in the country among public universities, and student overall satisfaction rates routinely above ninety percent.

Rose has also represented the University and higher education in a number of leadership capacities. He has served on the National Infrastructure Advisory Council that makes recommendations to the President of the United States regarding the security of the cyber systems and the physical infrastructure of the Nation, He has served as the chair of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the regional accrediting agency for eleven Southern states, and as a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the NCAA.

In May 2010, Governor McDonnell appointed Dr. Rose to the Governor’s Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation and Investment. He is a member and currently serves as Chair of the Council of Presidents, an organization of the presidents of Virginia's senior colleges and universities. Rose also serves on the Boards of Directors of the Virginia Innovation and Entrepreneurship Investment Authority (IEIA) and the Virginia Center for Innovative Technology (CIT).  He is a Director of the Chesapeake Crescent Innovation Alliance, and is a member of the Board of Trustees of GenEdge Alliance. Dr. Rose has also served as chair of the United Way and of Rockingham Memorial Hospital Board in Harrisonburg.

Born in Daytona Beach, Florida, Dr. Rose grew up in Staunton, Virginia.  He earned his bachelor's degree in economics from Virginia Tech, his master's degree in educational administration and supervision from the University of Tennessee, and his doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Virginia.

Professional Experience
September 9, 1998 - President, James Madison University
July 1997 - January 1998 - Acting President, JMU
December 1995 - August 1998 - Chief Operating Officer, JMU
May 1994 - August 1998 - Executive Vice President, JMU
June 1991 - May 1994 - Senior Vice President, JMU
May 1987 - June 1991 - Vice President for Administration and Finance, JMU
May 1986 - May 1987 - Vice President for Administration, JMU
January 1986 - May 1986 - Executive Assistant to the President, JMU
August 1985 - January 1986 - Deputy Secretary of Education, Commonwealth of Virginia
May 1985 - August 1985 - Executive Assistant to the President, JMU
May 1984 - May 1985 - Assistant Vice President for University Relations, JMU
August 1982 - April 1984 - Assistant to the President and Director of Special Projects, JMU
September 1981 - July 1982 - Educational Leave
June 1979 - August 1981 - Director of Residence Halls and Commuting Student Services, JMU
July 1976 - May 1979 - Associate Director of Residence Halls and Commuting Student Services, JMU
August 1975 - June 1976 - Assistant Director of Residence Halls, JMU
February 1974 - July 1975 - Residence Hall Director, University of Tennessee