While celebrating the College of Business’ golden anniversary in 2022, Dean Michael Busing challenged supporters to get serious about merit scholarships. “Our alumni believe in rewarding hard work,” he says. “We wanted to recruit top students and set the bar high.” A year later, the Fifty to Infinity Scholarship program attracted 883 applicants.
Having displayed both academic excellence and business acumen at the high school level, many of them were also being aggressively recruited by JMU’s competitors. Would a $10,000 renewable scholarship seal the deal in JMU’s favor? For the students who would become known as the “Gold Scholars,” the answer was, “Yes.”
2025-26 Scholarship Recipients
Eve Elliott
For Eve Elliott, being a Gold Scholar means more than academic achievement, it’s about shaping the culture of learning. “College isn’t just about getting a diploma,” she says. “It’s about discovering who you are and what you care about. I want to help others see learning as a way to grow and serve—not just something to check off a list.”
Her love of learning led to a passion for international relations and foreign cultures. “What interests me most about different cultures and nations is how they interact with one another and how their dynamics shift over time,” she explains. She’s especially drawn to the psychological side of diplomacy and hopes to study abroad in France to deepen her understanding of francophone culture and language. “It’s a big undertaking, but I know it will help me build meaningful connections and prepare me for a career in international business or government.”
Kate McKee
“From the moment I first visited campus, JMU felt like home. The sense of community stood out immediately, and I could tell that the College of Business was a place where students are supported and encouraged to grow,” says Kate McKee. She was also being recruited by Virginia Tech and the University of South Carolina, but receiving the Gold Scholar award made her decision easy. “To be one of only five students chosen means that JMU sees potential in me, and that recognition means a lot,” she says.
McKee has big plans for her four years, and says she is looking forward to getting involved and building strong connections. She’s already joined Women in Business and wants to join the Madison Consulting Club and a business fraternity in the spring. “Further on,” she says, “I want to challenge myself by applying to become a CoB MAP and help incoming students by sharing the same resources and guidance that have helped me navigate the College of Business.”
Drawing on her grandparents’ experience relocating from Cuba to America, McKee recognizes that hard work pays off. “Because of them, I see education as something powerful, not just a path to success but a way to honor their sacrifices,” she explains. “Their story keeps me grounded and reminds me why I want to lead with empathy and purpose. I want to use the education and opportunities I have at JMU to make a positive difference, not just for myself but for others who are working toward their dreams too.”
Marco Brattoli
“When I first heard about DECA, I was careless and believed that I had better things to do,” says Marco Brattoli. “Luckily, one of my teachers convinced me to attend a meeting that ended up changing my mind and opening up many new opportunities.” That moment eventually led Marco to become a DECA Board Member and New Jersey state finalist, gaining experience in professionalism, confidence and business strategy.
“I always prioritize ensuring my work is the best it can be and completed on time,” says Marco, who brings a strong sense of dedication to JMU, shaped by his involvement in varsity sports, DECA and his job at Wegmans. His leadership experience as a soccer team captain taught him the value of dependability, collaboration, and adaptability.
Looking ahead, Marco hopes to pursue a banking career in New York City. He’s especially interested in study abroad programs, which he describes as “a great way to create connections, and have an overall once in a lifetime experience.” Reflecting on his decision to attend JMU, he says, “I ultimately chose JMU because of the opportunities I was offered, and the environment all around campus.”
Maggie Testerman
“I take pride in being someone people can count on,” says Maggie Testerman. “Whether it’s for school, work, or everyday responsibilities, I always try to follow through—for myself and for others.” That dependability has shaped her leadership style, from managing her high school track team to serving as a team captain in the United States Pony Club. “Even when I wasn’t in a leadership role, I tried to be someone others could rely on.”
She’s most excited to explore Marketing at JMU, drawn to the creative and strategic side of understanding how people think and make decisions. “I love the idea of helping a product connect with people—making it memorable and appealing,” she says. Though new to the field, she’s eager to dive in and learn through hands-on experience.
Maggie toured both JMU and Virginia Tech, but ultimately, JMU stood out to her from the start of her visit. “It was the first college I visited, and I remember how welcoming everyone was,” she recalls. “Receiving the scholarship really sealed the deal—it showed me that the people here believe in my potential.” She is looking forward to taking advantage of internship opportunities, building her personal brand and taking COB 300 because “real-world experience is one of the best ways to grow,” she says.
Tess Riley
"Every person I met on campus wanted me there, and that sense of belonging was so beautiful,” Tess Riley says of her first visit to JMU. “This scholarship came and I knew, yes, this is the place."
Coming from a Penn State family, she initially felt an expectation to attend her family’s alma mater. “It really was a hard decision, but in the end, JMU felt like my home. The Fifty to Infinity Scholarship made JMU the same cost as Penn State in-state, allowing me to make my own decision.”
Riley, the owner of a jewelry collection featured online and in regional stores, says she loves how business can bring people together. “One time a waitress wearing one of my bracelets told me it helped her get through hard days. Moments like that make the business journey meaningful beyond profits."
She envisions a future filled with that type of connection: "I want a career where I interact with diverse people. Talking to people, creating those unique connections, that’s what drives me."
Melissa Acors
After a single day in Harrisonburg, Melissa Acors knew JMU would become her home. "I visited. I loved it, and I didn’t want to consider anywhere else,” she recalls. “Getting the Fifty to Infinity Scholarship was the icing on the cake."
From childhood lemonade stands to a position in store management at a Chick-fil-A, Acors came to JMU already conversant about profit margins, shift management, inventory and productivity strategies. She has not yet declared a major, but is considering Finance and has aspirations to work in fraud detection for a bank or government agency.
While she explores her options, Acors says she’s constantly grateful to be at JMU. “This scholarship showed me that JMU saw value in me in the ways I wanted to be valued. It reaffirmed that I would not be just a number at this school.”
Katie Kelly
Before graduating high school, Katie Kelly was already running a profitable online bakery. So it came as no surprise when she was recruited by business schools across the country. “It came down to the University of Miami, Virginia Tech or JMU,” she recalls. “Once I got the Fifty to Infinity Scholarship, I realized I needed to look at JMU very seriously because clearly, JMU saw promise in me.”
Now pursuing a Business Management degree, Kelly has put her baking pursuits on pause to focus on her academics. “I loved being an entrepreneur. I learned that the business parts came naturally to me,” she says.
She is currently serving as a First Year Orientation Guide (FROG) and a teacher for the Dancing Dukes, with hopes of later earning a master’s degree. “I’m proud to be a Duke, and I’m working hard to take advantage of every opportunity I can while I’m here.”
Duncan Kelleher
"The Fifty to Infinity Scholarship made my decision for me," Duncan Kelleher says. “I’d worked hard in high school, and this was validation that my work paid off. I felt rewarded for putting in so much effort.” He considered colleges across Virginia but ultimately chose JMU’s combination of a strong business program with a close-knit community.
Kelleher is serving as a tutor with University Student-Athlete Services and “ace”-ing challenging classes in Computer Information Systems. “Professor Tom Dillon’s classes are credited with being some of the toughestones, but I had such a positive experience that I’m considering changing my major. I never thought of myself as someone who enjoyed programming, but now I’m thinking my future will probably have something to do with computers."
Kelleher says he’s glad he chose JMU and is grateful to CoB supporters for rewarding his ambition: “I hope all the donors know how much this means to students like me; it’s what made JMU possible.”
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