President Charlie King bids farewell to JMU

James Madison University President Charlie King will bid farewell to the university community this week after serving as JMU’s president since July 1, 2024. 

In 1996, King was hired at JMU, where he served as senior vice president for administration and finance, overseeing government relations, budget management, business services, finance, human resources, information technology, intercollegiate athletics and university police.

Throughout his tenure at JMU, King has played an integral role in a variety of capital projects on campus, while managing the financial resources of the university. He has balanced the needs for growth and student affordability, while also managing to retain employees during budget reductions and fiscally conservative times. 

In his role as president, King focused on keeping the university running smoothly and reconnecting with faculty, staff, students and the community. 

“This past academic year was filled with remarkable success, which is a testament to our wonderful faculty, staff and students,” said King. “I’m grateful for everyone’s hard work and commitment in keeping JMU a top institution.” 

Some notable highlights from King’s tenure as president include: 

• JMU maintained its Research 2 Doctoral University status on the Carnegie Classification scale and continues to be a student-centered research university.
  
  
• JMU retained 91.9% of its 2023 cohort of first-year, full-time, undergraduate students, which is among the highest in the nation for a public research university.
  
  
• JMU football claimed its first bowl game win in school history at the Boca Raton Bowl, and JMU’s student-athletes were recognized for their academic excellence.
  
  
• Major capital projects, like the Carrier Library renovation and expansion, and the renovation of Spotswood Hall, are moving forward with support and endorsement from the Commonwealth. Potomac Hall is scheduled for an on-time completion and will open this fall and house 458 beds. Additionally, in 2025, JMU received permission from the state to spend $86 million to construct a new housing project that will house 400-500 beds and mirror the existing Paul Jennings Hall. 
  
  
• JMU was successful in securing $3.9 million in additional general funds for operating support, $968,000 in additional financial aid, and $1 million to expand JMU’s undergraduate nursing program. 

King’s next focus will be serving as a council member to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and will also serve on the seven-member Virginia Lottery Board, as he continues to cheer JMU on from the sidelines.