The Graduate School Alumni Newsletter: August 2022

Each summer we say good-bye to graduating students and hello to new alumni! In this graduate-school alumni newsletter, we share some interesting things as we continue to celebrate the achievements of our remarkable community.

This alumni newsletter is created each quarter by The Graduate School of James Madison University. For more information, visit our website.  

English alum Steven Cummings (’06, ‘08M) discovered yoga during his time in the military. He learned about acro yoga during a trip to Bali after completing his military service. His passion for Acro yoga led him and his partner and main flyer, Gina Shiotini, to open Om Garden, a gathering space for yoga events, private lessons, and community classes. Learn more about how JMU instilled a passion for community building that influenced his life and work. 

Graduate alum Ruth Bowers-Sword (‘20M) investigated the status of the threatened Red colobus monkeys in Cameroon.  Her research supports the recommendations of the Red Colobus Conservation Action Plan and the Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of the Nigeria Cameroon chimpanzee. She shares some of her experiences with this story and video.

A new accelerated graduate education licensure program paves the way for career changers to become teachers. The three-semester program is designed for adult learners who desire to become teachers and will help to address the national shortage of qualified educators. Learn more.

Occupational Therapy alum, Savanah Howe (‘17M) shares how she has been able to combine her interest in neuroscience with her passion for helping people through her graduate program and career as an Occupational Therapist. Read Savanah’s story.

Briar Dunn (‘14M) enjoyed studying and living in Italy during his undergraduate study abroad program and again as a graduate student in the Political Science: European Policy Studies program. He returned to Italy in 2021 for a new position for the U.S. Army. Learn more about Briar’s journey and his love for Italy and public service.

On May 12, TGS celebrated the achievements of 661 students who earned their master’s degrees and 32 students who earned doctoral degrees. In-person May ceremonies resumed, for the first time conducted in the Atlantic Union Bank Center. The ceremony is available for viewing here.