JMU honors faculty, staff with 2025 President's Purple Star Awards

James Madison University recently celebrated its faculty and staff by awarding the 2025 President’s Purple Star Awards at this year’s university welcome event at the Atlantic Union Bank Center.    

The awards are presented annually to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the university. The awards highlight the achievements of faculty and staff across several categories, from career achievement to leadership and innovation. Recipients are nominated by peers and then selected by the awards committee, which is comprised of university staff and leaders.    

2025 President’s Purple Star Award recipients:   

Career Achievement Award 

• Roger Soenksen, SMAD  

Star Duke Award 

• Veronica Haun, World Languages 

• Irana Scott, Accounting and MBA Program  

Unsung Hero  Award  

• Shauna Moore, JMU PD  

Embracing Innovation and Change Award 

• QEP Steering Committee 

• • Dr. Hollie Hall, Dean of Students 

• • Dr. Paul Mabrey, Student Success Analytics 

• • Dr. Rudy Molina, Student Academic Success 

• • Dr. Jonathan Stewart, Student Affairs  

Leading Together Award  

• Office of Research Development, Office of Sponsored Programs, Office of Sponsored Programs - Financial Administration 

• • Dr. Lauren Pearce, ORD and OSP 

• • Dr. Naomi Bates, ORD 

• • Dr. Kadir Ayhan, ORD 

• • Dr. John Peterson, ORD 

• • Dr. Holly Yanacek, ORD 

• • Carol Lena Miller, ORD 

• • Dr. Brent Arehart, OSP 

• • Riley Parker, OSP 

• • Madeline Spivey, OSP 

• • Donna Crumpton, OSP-FA 

• • Kyra Shiflet, OSP-FA 

• • Carmen Witmer, OSP-FA 

• • Kelly Hill, OSP - FA  

Student Focus - Success and Learning Award 

• • Support and Advocacy Team 

• • Gloria Mast – chair (Dean of Students) 

• • Anne Brenneman – Health Center 

• • Hugh Brown – Residence Life 

• • Ritter Clevenger – Dean of Students 

• • Wendy Gerlach – Counseling Center 

• • Jen Grossman Leopard – Student Life 

• • Wendy Lushbaugh - OSARP 

• • Leslie Purtlebaugh – Academic Affairs 

• • Wendy Rippon – Threat Assessment Analyst 

• • Chad Skelton – JMU PD