2024 Young Alumni Award: Daniel Blevins '17
Daniel Blevins graduated from JMU in 2017 with a major in Economics and double minor in Computer Information Systems and Spanish. Blevins began his JMU journey as a freshman living in Eagle Hall. He went on to work for the Office of Residence Life and was a resident advisor in Eagle Hall his sophomore, junior, and senior years. “It was never a dull moment in Eagle Hall,” recounted Blevins.
According to Blevins, living on campus all four years really allowed him to understand “being the change.” This manifested in his participation in the Madison Economics Club–of which he was president–and the Society of Entrepreneurs.
In 2020, Blevins was hired to work with Amazon and moved to Seattle, Washington. Upon arrival, he was constantly reminded of JMU since the colors of the University of Washington are also purple and gold. This encouraged Blevins to get involved with the Seattle Alumni Chapter.
Thanks to his involvement in revival efforts for the Seattle Alumni Chapter, it has become the thriving and active chapter it is today.
Prior to moving to Seattle, Blevins was a founding member and served on the College of Business Economics Advisory Board. Serving as a member on this board allowed him to stay connected to professors, new and old, and students in the College of Business. Furthermore, during his four-year tenure he worked closely with the Office of Strategic Gifts and helped increase donations to almost $12,000 as a member of the Fund sub-committee for the Economics Advisory Board Support Fund.
In his free time, Blevins loves renovating his 1920s Seattle home with his wife and going on walks along the Puget Sound Coast with their two dogs.
“Don’t be afraid to get involved or use the JMU Alumni Network,” he advises. “Be the change.”
History of the Inez Graybeal Roop (’35) Alumni Service Award Inez Graybeal Roop ('35) Alumni Service Award
The Inez Graybeal Roop Distinguished Alumni Service Award recognizes alumni who have performed notable service to the university and/or the alumni association. Created in 1971, the award is given on an annual basis to an individual on the basis of distinguished service, meritorious achievement and/or meaningful contributions in promoting the mission of either James Madison University and/or the JMU Alumni Association. This includes, but is not limited to, serving on official university boards and providing effective support of the university, its students, faculty, staff and alumni. All JMU alumni — with the exception of current university students, employees and trustees — are eligible.
The award is named in honor of Inez Graybeal Roop (’35), a former member of the JMU Board of Visitors and the JMU Alumni Association Board of Directors, who in 1977 made the formal motion to change the name of Madison College to James Madison University. A State Teachers College alum who graduated with degrees in English and History, Roop’s public service work included serving as chair of the Alumni Fund Drive, president of the Richmond Chapter of the JMU Alumni Association and an officer in the Bluestone Society. In 1994, the university named Roop Hall in her honor. Aside from participating in almost every university milestone — including representing the Class of 1935 at JMU’s centennial celebration in 2008 — Roop and her husband, Ralph (’05H), demonstrated their commitment to JMU through a lifetime of giving, providing funds for student scholarships and faculty advancement. At the time of her death in Nov. 2010, 142 Roop scholarships had been awarded to students.