A Royal Honor: King Named Honorary Alumnus

The JMU Alumni Association Board of Directors voted to honor Charlie King, with their highest recognition, Honorary Alumni status, on June 13, 2025.  

King retired from JMU in December 2021 after spending 25 years as the chief financial officer and senior president of administration and finance. Stepping out of retirement, King returned to campus from July 2024-June 2025 at the Board of Visitor’s request to serve as interim president.  

Throughout his time as interim president, King was known to say that his role was to “keep the trains running on time.” Well with over 44,782 applications, successfully lobbying the state legislature for funding for capital projects and offering a holiday bonus to all employees, it is safe to say that King did more for JMU than to just keep the trains on time.   

During his remarks to the JMU Alumni Board on June 13, he expressed gratitude to both the SGA and Faculty Senate for their recognition of his year as President. He also shared that Commencement was a highlight of his year, saying that shaking the hands of each graduate and seeing their excitement and pride made a real impact on him. 

King joins his son Garrett (’14), daughter Ashleigh (’02) and daughter-in-law Lindsay (’09M, ’21D) as an alumnus of James Madison University with lifetime membership in the JMU Alumni Association. 

Alumni Board President Ellen Wescott Hineman (’89) joined current directors of the JMU Alumni Association to present King with the framed proclamation during their recent on-campus business meeting. 

During the presentation Ellen said, “We are grateful for your dedication to JMU: to the institution, the students, the staff, faculty, and the alumni population.”  

The framed proclamation presented to King reads: “The Board of Directors of the James Madison University Alumni Association proudly recognize Charles W. King, Jr. with the Association’s highest honor, that of Honorary Alumnus for his visionary leadership, steadfast dedication, and unwavering commitment to JMU and in recognition of his 25 years of service as Vice President of Finance and Administration and bonus year as President to our alma mater.” 

The JMU Alumni Board of Directors is a corporate board with the responsibility of directing the JMU Alumni Association. They give their time, talent and treasure to represent JMU’s 170,000 living alumni. 

The JMUAA Board recently bestowed honorary alumni status to Jeff Bourne, former Director of JMU Athletics at the conclusion of his 25 years of service to JMU.   

Visit the JMU Alumni Website to learn more about the JMU Alumni Association.