Support that makes a difference

When Duncan Kelleher pictured college, he imagined staying close to home. He grew up in Northern Virginia and liked the idea of being close to family while still having space to grow into his independence. JMU felt right from the start, but the scholarship he received made attending a possibility.

“It was completely 100 percent the scholarship that made the decision for me,” he said. “It was more cost effective to come to JMU, and being two hours from home was huge for me.” Receiving that support set the stage for his involvement and commitment to both his studies and professional development.

Even so, adjusting to college life didn’t come without its challenges. “I felt like I was a nobody,” he said. “All these seniors seemed like they had it figured out.”

Over time, that feeling shifted. Connecting with classmates, joining student organizations and working as a tutor helped him find his footing. “I know so many people now,” he said. “I feel welcomed here.”

That sense of belonging was something Kelleher, now a Computer Information Systems major, sought out early on. He is a member of the Madison Consulting Club, Beta Gamma Sigma and the newly formed Madison AI Club, and he serves as a student-athlete tutor. For Kelleher, involvement also means connection. “Meeting people is the best,” he said. “There are people I sit next to in class now because of these clubs, and I wouldn’t have known them otherwise.” 

His confidence deepened even further during his semester in Antwerp last fall, where he completed COB 300. Kelleher visited eight countries throughout the semester, sometimes traveling with his roommate and other times finding his way on his own. “It was a challenge, but a cool one,” he said. “You’re checking your pockets ten times to make sure you have your passport and boarding pass—figuring everything out on your own.”

Despite some nerves, he was surprised by how familiar the experience felt. “People are people,” he said. “Different language, different currency, but everyone is cracking jokes and laughing. I thought it would feel completely different, but it really didn’t.”

Alongside the travel and cultural adjustments, Kelleher was also navigating a demanding academic environment. Courses were long and fast-paced, with three-hour classes and new teaching styles. By midterms, the whirlwind experience had caught up to him. “I did poorly on my finance exam and was beating myself up about it. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten a worse grade,” he shared.

Disappointed but determined, Kelleher doubled down for the remainder of the semester. “I crushed it,” he said. “I was so happy that the work I’d put in paid off. That was probably the hardest I’ve ever studied for a final.”

The confidence he found abroad now carries into the way he approaches opportunities on campus and in his internship. As a Technology Support Specialist at New Country Organics, he’s had moments where he can see his growth in real time. One morning, he was asked to repair an old emergency light. After taking the device apart, he diagnosed the problem himself. “It turned out to be a dead battery, but I was proud,” he said. “It felt good to figure it out.”

When Kelleher reflects on what his scholarship made possible, the answer comes easily.

“Besides being able to come to JMU, I wouldn’t have been able to study abroad,” he said. “The scholarship took the financial burden off and let me be more involved on campus.”

It also gave him space to explore, grow and build confidence in who he’s becoming—support he hopes to one day pass on. “I want to be active after I graduate and help the next generation of Dukes if I can,” he said. He imagines returning to campus, mentoring students and staying connected to the place that helped him find his footing. “People here are really proud to be Dukes. The community is tight.” And because of the generosity of donors, Kelleher found his place within this community.