Philanthropic-investors pledge more than $118K for innovations
News
Dr. Hui Chen, assistant professor of environmental and material chemistry, presents to philanthropic-investors in the boardroom. Her project converts nitrogen and phosphorus from poultry manure into fertilizer to achieve circular nutrient economy, preventing pollution in water systems.
Philanthropic-investors have committed $118,150 so far to 2025 Madison Trust projects, with several donors stepping forward to extend their support for future years. All 10 projects representing the year’s best JMU faculty- and staff-led innovations received some level of seed funding.
JMU faculty and staff start preparing their proposals in the fall and compete to become one of the 10 finalists. Come spring, selected innovators polish their presentations and then pitch their ideas to a group of philanthropic-investors who go deep with their questions and pledge funds for the projects of their choice.
“Madison Trust gives our faculty and staff a stage to pitch innovative ideas that make a real impact at JMU and beyond,” said Ryan Boals (’17, ’23M), who coordinates the annual event. “Every year, our philanthropic-investors rise to the occasion.” At JMU, imagination and innovation race well ahead of resources, so donors have stepped forward over the last decade to invest more than $1 million in Madison Trust ideas.
Sloan Frey (’95) attends his first-ever Madison Trust with an eye to continuing his support in 2026 and assisting faculty in preparing their pitches ahead of event day.
After patenting the innovative Animal Monitoring Data Station that stores video and measurements of tiny creatures without trapping the animals, biology professor Dr. Katrina Gobetz returned to Madison Trust to pitch her new idea, “Taking It to the Trees.” The innovation redesigns the station into a tree-landing pad to collect data from flying squirrels in the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum.
A virtual reality training module can help equip nursing students and family caregivers to deliver compassionate and effective dementia care across cultural contexts. This VR Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) training involves Dr. Hui Zhao, Dr. Jamie Robinson, Dr. JY Zhou and the Prince of Songkla University in Thailand.
While Madison Trust brings 10 new JMU innovations to the table each year, Jeanne Bodeman-Jambor (’87) is another donor who sees value in investing long term and sustaining the program for the next five years.
The AAAD Arts Lyceum brings acclaimed performers in music, theater and dance from African-descended communities worldwide to collaborate with JMU faculty, students and the local community through exhibitions and performances. The project was presented by Dr. Diane Phoenix-Neal and Dr. Delores Phillips.
Dr. Kristofor Wiley presents The Global Educators Forum, which seeks to bring K-12 educators and administrators from abroad for a week of dialogue and professional development with College of Education faculty, students and local educators.
Dr. Nick Langridge (’00, ’07M, ’14Ph.D.), vice president of University Advancement, leads the discussion as philanthropic-investors reflect together on their pledges of support for the day's innovations.
Dr. Delores Phillips and philanthropic-investors Susan and Mark Sumner visit with professors Javier Padilla and Tara Burns during the reception at the conclusion of the Madison Trust presentations.
Learn more about Madison Trust. https://www.jmu.edu/madison-trust/current-projects.shtml
Photos by Olive Santos and Rachel Holderman.
