JMU Board of Visitors votes on key leadership roles

Harrisonburg, Va – James Madison University’s Board of Visitors met for a regularly scheduled meeting and made several votes on key leadership roles. 

At the Board of Visitors meeting today, April 19, the board voted and approved the following appointments:

• Charlie King to serve as interim president (background information).
• Suzanne Obenshain to serve as rector of the Board of Visitors.
• Teresa “Terrie” Edwards to serve as vice rector of the Board of Visitors.
• David Kirkpatrick, chief of staff, to serve as the board secretary.
• Biography information for each member of the Board of Visitors is available on BOV: Member Biographies. 

“Charlie King is uniquely qualified to serve as interim president given his 25-year career at JMU and is someone who has also proven to be a proficient leader on campus, in Richmond and within our local community,” said current Rector Maribeth Herod. 

Herod continued, “This decision was thoughtful and done with great confidence knowing there will be a seamless transition of the university’s operations into Charlie’s leadership. Just as importantly, his established relationships, knowledge of the institution and desire to continue JMU’s upward trajectory will aid greatly upon arrival of the new, incoming president.” 

The interim president will serve the institution, starting July 1, 2024, and until the next president completes their transition. The newly named rector and vice rector roles will take effect July 1, 2024, and the secretary to the board appointment will begin May 16, 2024.   

“Having the opportunity to come back to the university I care so deeply about is a great honor,” said King, interim president of JMU, starting in July. “I look forward to supporting JMU during each phase of this transition and am eager to be back on campus.” 

In the coming months, additional information will be provided surrounding the presidential transition, search committee, process and timeline. 

Herod adds, “As I have stated before, I am extremely confident in the current leadership throughout the university. I eagerly anticipate the next chapters yet to be written in our university’s story.” 

Additional news and information surrounding the presidential transition will always be available online. 

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Media contact: Mary-Hope Vass, vassmg@jmu.edu