Charlotte welcomes President Jim
Tour kickoff encourages big ideas for JMU’s future
JMU News
SUMMARY: “President Jim” tossed around idea-starters to provoke big thinking among alumni at the first stop of his Presidential Tour in Charlotte, N.C.
JMU alumni welcomed President James C. Schmidt to Charlotte on Oct. 3, where he talked big picture and big ideas at the first event of his Presidential Tour. He invited Dukes to think big alongside him and to join in shaping the future by contributing to JMU’s Strategic Plan.
“You’ll see, this guy is bold and ready to lead us,” said Don Rainey (’82), as he introduced JMU’s seventh president at the Mint Museum-Uptown. “He has been called the entrepreneurial president. As a serial entrepreneur myself, I like that.”
Schmidt began by tossing around idea-starters (his own and others’) to provoke bold thinking — a “Madison Promise” to students, employers and society, all sophomores living on campus, leading rural health care, establishing a JMU retirement community for alumni, and more.
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"Oh, my gosh, we hung on every word … Also he was such a nice guy — relatable, funny and warm. It makes me so happy for the students of JMU.” — Robyn Fant (’92) |
“I have a lot on my mind,” Schmidt said. By the end of the program, everyone was calling him “President Jim.”
“Oh, my gosh, we hung on every word,” said Robyn Fant (’92). “I loved everything he said. One of the alumni [Rebecca Overton (’77)] there encouraged him to protect free speech and the Constitution. He gave such a great answer. Everybody clapped for her question, which was great.”
“I am a fierce free-speech advocate,” the president responded. “We need to learn to talk to each other … without alienating people who disagree. We must show humility and listen. What better place than a college campus to make that happen.”
Fant said, “I liked his vision for the university and that he asked about our big-picture goals and vision for the university. Also, he was such a nice guy — relatable, funny and warm. It makes me so happy for the students of JMU.”
When alumni asked about maintaining JMU’s small-school feel and sense of belonging, Schmidt said it was his top priority. “JMU knows what it’s doing,” he said, pointing to the university's enrollment increase and concurrent increase in students who said they felt cared about as an individual.
He also mentioned JMU’s No. 22 U.S. News & World Report ranking for undergraduate teaching among national universities. “National universities — think about that. That includes Ivies and state flagships!”
“It’s clear that people really love JMU,” Schmidt said. "I have not heard an alum say anything negative about their Madison Experience.”
Click here to view all of the photos from the Charlotte event.
Share your ideas for JMU’s Strategic Plan. President Jim reads every submission.
If you missed the Charlotte event, watch the recording of the Sept. 24 Presidential Tour Zoom webinar.
For more information on the Presidential Tour and upcoming events, click here.
President Jim addresses alumni gathered on the top floor of the Mint Museum-Uptown amid the Charlotte skyline.
During the reception, there was time for alumni to speak individually with the president.
JMU alumni are always happy to see one another.
Attendees chat on the terrace of the Mint Museum-Uptown. (Clockwise, from far left): Kimberly Turner (’00, ’04M), Carrie Klamut (’09), Nick Langridge (’00, ’07M, ’14Ph.D.), Tracey Milcarek (’98), Don Rainey (’82), Megan Watts, Devon Watts (’12)
