Alumni Awards 2026
News
SUMMARY: On February 28, the JMU Alumni Association hosted its Annual Alumni Awards ceremony to honor six outstanding Dukes for their extraordinary achievements and contributions to their professions and the JMU community.
Outstanding JMU Dukes were recognized at the 2026 JMU Alumni Association Alumni Awards
(L-R) Inez Graybeal Roop (’35) Alumni Service Award: Eric L. Bowlin (’02); Presidential Award: Maribeth Herod (’82); Ronald E. Carrier Alumni Achievement Award: Matthew W. McFarlane (’92); Student Today, Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) Award: Morgan Rylee Tribby (’26); Young Alumni Award: Olivia Marcey (’18, ’22M); and Being the Change Award: Charles T. May Jr. (’83)
The ceremony began as President of the Alumni Board of Directors Ellen Wescott Hineman (’89) and JMU Alumni Director Paula Polglase (’92, ’96) took the stage for a dual introduction, providing warm welcomes for all guests in attendance.
Ronald E. Carrier Alumni Achievement Award recipient Matthew W. McFarlane (’92) shared in his acceptance speech how the support of his family and friends made his distinguished military career possible. “JMU’s values have remained heavily embedded in the way I serve,” McFarlane said.
Charles T. May Jr. (’83) received the Being the Change Award for his dedication to change in the JMU community. May, a founder of the Ole School Alumni Scholarship Group, brought students impacted by his work on stage to thank them for their support.
Morgan Rylee Tribby (’26), the Student Today, Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) Award recipient, thanked the Honors College, the College of Business and her family for their support. She expressed her gratitude for the JMU community and her opportunities during her time as a student. “Say yes to opportunities,” Tribby said. “If you want to do something, you can do it. Try new things”
Young Alumni Award recipient Olivia Marcey (’18,’22) shared her passion for holding doors open for other Dukes. Marcey thanked her family and colleagues from the College of Business and Women for Madison Executive Advisory Council.
Inez Graybeal Roop (‘35) Alumni Service Award recipient Eric Bowlin (’02) shared his passion for the JMU community. Bowlin recognized previous Roop Award winners, demonstrating his gratitude to be added to the list.
President Jim Schmidt presented his first pick of the Presidential Award to Maribeth Herod (’82), commemorating her leadership and loyalty to JMU. In her acceptance speech, Herod expressed her passion for service to JMU through philanthropy and advocacy.
