Madison Trust 2026: where bold ideas come to life
The annual event continued a decade-long tradition of turning innovation into action
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SUMMARY: Faculty, staff and students took the pitch stage at the annual Madison Trust event, earning philanthropic support for their innovations. All 10 presented projects received funding from donors who served as panelists, with $112,000 pledged so far.
“Programs like [Madison Trust] say, I can. I can dream; I can innovate; I can imagine possibilities; I can see a need at the frontline in my classroom — and I can dream to try to solve the problem” - President James C. Schmidt
On March 13, all 10 projects presented at the 2026 Madison Trust in Festival Conference Center’s Board of Visitors room received philanthropic investment. To date, donors have pledged $112,000 in support of faculty, staff and student ideas.
The top-funded pitches
To the left: Anthony Green and Taylor William’s presentation, Business Bound. To the right: Dr. Chris Hollinsed’s presentation, The Madison Muscle.
The top-funded project was Business Bound, pitched by Anthony Green and Taylor Williams. The initiative introduces first-generation students to business education pathways they may not initially see as accessible. The second-most funded project was The Madison Muscle: A Polymeric Artificial Muscle Fiber, presented by Dr. Chris Hollinsed. The synthetic polymer is engineered to behave like natural muscle tissue, with potential applications in robotics, prosthetics and biomedical engineering.
The common thread
Other presentations addressed topics such as global leadership, intergenerational learning and AI-driven sports communities. JMU students Marija Grove and Bethany Droubay also presented their project, Math Connections Theater, a program fusing live performance with mathematics. What links all the projects, said Ryan Boals (’17, ’23M), associate director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, was a focus on turning ideas into action.
Katie Rankin (left) talks about training K-12 teachers to use their schoolyards as living labs for hands-on learning. Dr. Ning Zhang (top-right) explains using genome editing to strengthen crop resistance without stunting plant growth. President Schmidt (bottom-right) comments upon the possibilities the program creates.
James C. Schmidt, attending his first Madison Trust as the university’s seventh president, echoed that theme. “One thing that's been very clear to me — people at this university are not waiting to be told what to do,” he said. “They do what needs to be done and they love to be inspired by the possibility of what JMU could be. And, I have to say, this program really encourages that.”
From pitch to pledge
Dr. Nick Langridge (’00,’07M,’14Ph.D.), vice president for Philanthropy and Engagement, closed the day by facilitating a reflection and pledge session where panelists shared what moved them before committing their support.
“I was preparing to just write a check out of generosity to JMU,” said Josh VerStandig (‘12) (left), not knowing what to expect at the event as a first-time panelist. “Needless to say, I was blown away by the presenters, the projects, and the organizational team at JMU.”
Sloan Frey (’95), who helped faculty prepare their presentations this year, said Madison Trust reinforces JMU’s broader mission. “What resonates with me most about the program is seeing firsthand the meaningful difference that JMU students and faculty are making in the world.”
“[Madison Trust] continually reinforces both my appreciation for JMU’s mission and my pride in the role it plays well beyond campus,” said Sloan Frey (‘95).
Since its launch in 2014, Madison Trust donors have invested more than $1.2 million in faculty and staff projects that expand learning and opportunity for JMU students’ future.
“It's amazing to see how much has progressed since I was a student in the late 90s,” said philanthropist Amanda Haddaway (’99). “The future is bright — and it just may have a purple and gold shine.”
Presenters and panelists celebrate and chat at the ending reflection and event reception.
