Finding “Happyville”

Alan Leffers (’87, ’90M) doesn’t think of his recent $1 million planned gift as just a donation — it’s a vote of confidence in the people leading JMU and a way to fuel the university’s future in the most flexible, impactful way possible.

“I want the leadership of this institution to have the tools they need to do their best work,” Leffers said. “Unrestricted giving says: I trust you. Now go do something great.”

For Leffers, a faculty member at the University of Virginia, and his husband, Dr. Michael Longo, giving to JMU has been a nearly 40-year journey of commitment. Together, they’ve supported 28 funds — from scholarships to student success initiatives — and have been consistent contributors through every major campaign, including Diggin’ Dukes and Giving Day.

But this gift goes beyond any single fund or initiative — it’s about giving the university freedom to respond to whatever opportunities or challenges arise. “Unrestricted funds are where the real magic happens,” Leffers said. “They give the university the ability to be nimble and responsive. That kind of trust in the institution is essential.”

In the mid-1980s, Leffers affectionately called JMU “Happyville.”

“I wasn’t that intellectually deep about my college search,” he said with a laugh. “I just knew JMU was the right fit and was a place I would be supported and able to grow.” The supportive campus atmosphere came from the very top; Leffers recalls seeing “Uncle Ron” — Dr. Ronald E. Carrier — around campus daily.

An on-campus job deepened his connections: “JMU was pivotal in shaping who I became, especially working the front desk in Warren Hall, which back then was like the prestige job,” he said. “It was the first time I really saw what it meant to be part of a tight-knit community where you were expected to contribute, to lead.”

He also worked at summer orientation, where helping nervous parents became a highlight: “They put me in the middle of the parent storm, and I got to deal with all the parents and answer all their questions. They all loved me, and I loved them. It was just amazing.”

These experiences planted the seed for his 25-year career in student affairs and enrollment management at institutions in Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania. Leffers is now an assistant professor at UVA’s School of Education and Human Development, teaching graduate students preparing to shape higher education themselves. His areas of expertise include higher education law, college student retention, strategic planning and higher education finance.

Living in Charlottesville makes it easy to visit Happyville, according to Longo, who works as a hospitalist at the Augusta Medical Center. “We go to JMU all the time. We drive over for football games and farmers markets — it’s still a Happyville and always feels like coming home.”

“I didn’t attend as a student, but I enjoy being part of something that’s so meaningful to Alan. I’m incredibly proud of Alan, his commitment to JMU, his generosity.”

Leffers’ first gift to JMU came the same year he graduated. “I don’t recall that exactly,” he said with a grin. “I didn’t have two pennies to put together, so maybe it was just five dollars, but I do remember I felt like it was important to be grateful.”

But his recent $1 million planned gift isn’t just about gratitude for his own experience, he said: “Now it’s also a commitment to new Dukes. I believe in the school and the people leading it, which is why I put my gift into the unrestricted fund. I know JMU’s leaders will use it where it’s needed most, and that they’ll keep the spirit of Happyville alive for the next generation.”