Alumni Association Kicks Off Centennial with Gift

The James Madison University Alumni Association began the celebration of its 100th birthday Friday by making a gift commitment of $100,000 to the JMU Foundation. 

Alumni association president AJ Fischer made the announcement during JMU's quarterly Board of Visitors meeting. 

"The alumni association is delighted to celebrate the alumni centennial with this gift on behalf of our 100,000-plus alumni," Fischer said. 

The financial commitment, which comes a month after the alumni association welcomed more than 3,000 new members at May commencement, will help fund three endeavors as the alumni association enters its second century. 

Funds from the gift will be used to develop the James Madison University Alumni Association Centennial Scholarship Endowment, commission the official portrait of university president Linwood H. Rose after his retirement in 2012, and dedicate and improve Alumni Centennial Park - located on the grounds between the Leeolou Alumni Center and East Campus Library. 

"Alumni Centennial Park will be a new JMU tradition for all alumni, now and in the future," Fischer said. "We are also honored to thank President Rose for all of the progress alumni have witnessed during his tenure. Lastly, and most importantly, the endowed scholarships will help students become alumni and realize the success of graduation."

The JMU Alumni Association officially celebrates its centennial on homecoming weekend, Sept. 30 - Oct. 2.