Leaders Comment on President Rose's Leadership and Contributions

"Lin Rose has been an active and articulate champion for JMU and for Virginia's entire system of higher education. While I was Governor, I had no stronger partner than President Rose in our successful efforts to make much-needed investments in our public colleges and universities. Dr. Rose also has been a steady and reliable leader in the Harrisonburg community and in the Shenandoah Valley region, strengthening the region's workforce and providing a key resource for local employers. Lin Rose has left an indelible mark on JMU, and I congratulate him on his accomplishments and wish my friend well in his retirement." — U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner

"I'm saddened to learn that Dr. Rose will be ending his wonderful service leading JMU. Susan and I have admired his always positive, innovative and outstanding leadership in improving JMU. We will always remember as parents moving our older daughter into the dorms with President Rose out there in summer heat with his sleeves rolled up helping families move in boxes of all the stuff freshman students bring to college. Dr. Rose is a gentleman that is rightfully admired and appreciated by the many tens of thousands of families who are grateful for his dedicated, exemplary leadership for JMU, which has improved opportunities for our children. With all my best wishes for Lin Rose's continued success in life and wonderful memories, admiration and gratitude." —George Allen, former Governor and U.S. Senator

"I am saddened to hear that Dr. Linwood Rose will be stepping down as President of James Madison University in June of 2012. I have known Lin for a number of years and have always appreciated his friendship and his hard work on behalf of JMU and higher education throughout the Commonwealth. Under his strong leadership, JMU has continued to grow and flourish into a nationally recognized university. While he will most certainly be missed at JMU, he should be proud of all that he has accomplished in his lengthy and distinguished career there. I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors." — U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte

"It has been a delight knowing, working with and learning from Dr. Rose. His leadership with the Commission on Colleges has greatly assisted all of our institutions in their quest to provide quality instruction and services. His passion for learning, dedication to students, knowledge of higher education financing, wit and sense of humor, and ability to navigate the political waters have all contributed to James Madison University being one of the most highly respected institutions in the nation. His impact will be felt for many, many years to come. His impact will be sorely missed." —Belle S. Wheelan, President, Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

"Dr. Rose has been a visionary leader, not just for James Madison University but for higher education throughout the Commonwealth. President Rose has the Council's appreciation and gratitude for lending his enormous talent to SCHEV in a number of capacities, including membership on the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee and most recently on the Restructuring Committee. His work has informed and shaped many of the most important developments in higher education for the past two decades. Speaking not only as SCHEV chair but as a JMU parent, I salute Lin Rose for his spirited dedication and tireless commitment to excellence. Students, parents, staff, faculty, and alumni have all experienced his warmth, his strength, and his vision for realizing JMU's potential as a premier university." —Susan Magill, Chair, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia

"Lin Rose has been an exceptional President of James Madison University and a truly great leader and spokesperson for all of higher education in the Commonwealth of Virginia. He will be sorely missed by the higher education community as well as by leaders in government. He has the respect not only of all the other presidents of Virginia's colleges and universities but also those of us in the business community throughout the State. Lin has been a major contributor to the efforts to the Virginia Business Higher Education Council and I know that I speak for every member of the Council when I say that we will miss him and wish him well." —Heywood Fralin, Chairman, Virginia Business Higher Education Council

"Every student, prospective student and parent who walks James Madison's campus sees and senses what Lin has meant to the university in his chapter as its leader. What they cannot know or appreciate, as I and so many others do, is his statewide leadership for higher education. He has been at the forefront in working with business leaders, governors and legislators on bond issues that have built classrooms and laboratories on almost every college and university campus. He is a leader in the highest and best sense of the word. The respect he has earned over and over again, on so many levels and issues, means he will take with him to his next venture the friendship of many, many Virginians across our Commonwealth." —Don Finley, President, Virginia Business Higher Education Council

"It is with mixed emotions that we accept Dr. Rose's resignation. We are certainly sad to see him go after his many years of dedicated service to the University and its students. The impact Dr. Rose has had on the university is a lasting one that has positioned JMU for continued success well into the future. While we are sad to see Dr. Rose go, we wish him continued health, happiness and success as he approaches this next phase of his life. Dr. Rose will certainly be missed and never forgotten." —Joseph Damico, Member of the JMU Board of Visitors and former Rector

"Lin Rose is a remarkable, visionary leader who has transformed JMU so that students have the knowledge to succeed in our challenging global economy. From the beginning, he has been supportive of SRI International and a valued partner in establishing SRI's Center for Advanced Drug Research in Harrisonburg.

He is a firm believer in exposing students to scientific research beyond the classroom and arming them with the real-world skills needed to approach problems from a range of perspectives. I am enormously grateful for the opportunities we have had to work together and advance scientific innovation in Shenandoah Valley. He has been a valued friend to SRI and me, and I wish him all the best in the next phase of his life." — Curtis R. Carlson, President and CEO, SRI International