Arts and Letters News

Professor nominated for national award

Lauren K. Alleyne, associate professor of English, has been nominated for the NAACP Image Awards for her book of poetry, “Honeyfish.”

"We All Need A Voice"

The Whitten Maher Memorial Scholarship recognizes undergraduates in all JMU disciplines whose writing and design reflects Maher’s commitment to advocacy and change.

Middle East expert Bernie Kaussler wins inaugural Cinquegrana

Kaussler will spend the 2020 year conducting new research on proxy war and civilian victimization in the civil war in Yemen.

JMU professor and poet nominated for NAACP Image Awards

Professor Lauren K. Alleyne, an associate professor of English at James Madison University, has been nominated for the NAACP Image Awards for her book of poetry, “Honeyfish.”

Expert can discuss aspects of Gov. Northam's budget proposal to combat maternal mortality

JMU expert available to discuss the significance of Governor Northam's budget proposal to combat maternal morality

James Acosta (’93) Scholarship for Media Excellence

Paige Ellenberger, the lead anchor and managing editor for Breeze TV, is the first recipient of the $5,000 James Acosta (’93) Scholarship for Media Excellence.

Just how natural is your meat?

Alan Levinovitz, professor of religious studies, is available to discuss the moral issues surrounding fake meat.

Building bridges in Panama

Lily Gates, a senior double majoring in philosophy and public policy and administration, spent her summer interning with the U.S. Department of State in the U.S. Embassy in Panama.

National feminist rhetoric conference knits university together

Undergraduate and graduate student voices come together to help plan a national feminist rhetoric conference at James Madison University.

Interpreting the past

Patrick Spero ('00) wrote a final paper at JMU that lead him to later write two books on the American Revolution.

Experts share tips for dealing with stress during the holiday season

James Madison University professors Lori Britt and Jaime Kurtz are available to discuss helpful ways to make your audience feel more at ease this holiday season.

Alumnus calls for government ethics reform

Walter Shaub ('93) urges federal employees to consider their own values and maintain “a kernel of skepticism” in the workplace.

Expert on rapid decline of public integrity

In his newest book, The Death of Public Integrity, political science professor Robert Roberts argues that it has become nearly impossible to hold public officials accountable.

Expert can discuss why people like to scare themselves during Halloween

Lindsey Harvell-Bowman, professor of communication studies, is available to discuss the logic behind why people like to scare themselves during Halloween.

JMU experts to discuss the impeachment process

Political Science faculty experts Tim LaPira and Valerie Sulfaro will provide insights into the impeachment process and how it will affect politics.

Award-winning JMU professor researches girlhoods

Professor of communication studies Sharon Mazzarella researches the way adults "talk" about young people, particularly girls.

Wonders of Wilson

The history department at JMU will celebrate the past and envision the future with Wonders of Wilson event.

More than a resume

During his senior year at JMU, Matt DeMartis ('06) launched his career in TV through an unlikely internship with the NBC Olympics.

JMU to address intersections between migration and religion

National law and policy experts will come together with local immigrant community activists at JMU to illuminate the surprising intersections between religion and migration at colloquium.

JMU hosts religion and migration conversations

JMU religion professors Christina Kilby and Eric Trinka discuss this Thursday's event Religion & Migration: Illuminating Intersections.

CISR to address global landmine crisis with grant from U.S. Department of State

The U.S. Department of State awarded JMU’s CISR a grant to plan and implement the three-week course to strengthen CWD efforts in 12 countries.

Working group facilitates community dialogue on Harrisonburg’s past of racial terror

Gianluca De Fazio provides working group with the research to identify and document each lynching victim in Virginia from 1877 to 1972.

Celebrate, Educate, Preserve

The Furious Flower Poetry Center, the nation's first academic center devoted to black poetry, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

Honey Bees Found in Harrison Hall Prove JMU is "Bee Friendly"

JMU supports honey bees, even when they come to class.

Bestselling authors lead upcoming conversation at JMU

On Sept. 12, James Madison University will host the latest presentation in the Madison Vision Series.

History department unlocks Wilson Hall

Yesterday, Aug. 12, 2019, faculty and staff in the Department of History unlocked a new chapter for the department, college and university.

Faculty Expert Q&A

Melissa Alemán, professor of communication studies at James Madison University, researches the power of cultural communication.

History department moves into Wilson Hall after significant renovations

Wilson Hall, one of James Madison University’s most iconic landmarks on the Quad, will open on Monday, Aug. 12.

Furious Flower celebrates 25 years

On Sept. 27 and 28, the most notable poets of our time will gather in the nation’s capital to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Furious Flower Poetry Center.

Free creativity camp serves area children

Area children will perform and display art work Friday, July 26, at noon to conclude their week at the 2019 Furious Flower Creativity Camp.

JMU grad receives prestigious State Dept fellowship

JMU grad continues legacy of fallen U.S. diplomats through prestigious State Dept fellowship.

JMU team to excavate local history

The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum will partner with the JMU department of sociology and anthropology to conduct their second archeological investigation.

Furious Flower presents Nikki Giovanni

Nikki Giovanni will give a reading at James Madison University on Friday, June 21.

Landmine crisis in Yemen brings JMU professor to Capitol Hill

Ken Rutherford, director of the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery, is available to discuss the landmine crisis.

History professor to study white-columned plantation house

Dr. Philip Mills Herrington, an assistant professor of history at James Madison University, has been named a Virginia Humanities Fellow for Fall 2019.

Professor makes his mark on National WWI Memorial

Professor Emeritus of English Mark Facknitz proposed two quotes that were chosen for inscription on the first National WWI Memorial.

Faculty Expert Q&A

Professor of history, answers questions about his research on immigration, borderlands, race and ethnicity and Latin/x history.

Q&A with media arts and design alumna

Media arts and design alumna Katrina Purcell ('04) answers questions about her first job at the Discovery Channel, 12 years at Bloomberg, LP and her best advice for grads.

Faculty Expert Q&A

Alan Levinovitz, professor of religious studies, answers questions about his research at the unique intersection between food and religion.

Arts and Letters Outstanding Students chosen

As May commencement draws near, outstanding students are being celebrated.

JMU alum named deputy national press secretary

Sawyer Hackett ('14), deputy national press secretary to Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro, credits engagement opportunities like Washington Semester for jumpstarting his career.

Grisham and McDermott talk their craft

Writers Alice McDermott and John Grisham gave a JMU audience a glimpse of the writer's world.

2019 CAL Fulbright Semifinalists

This year, 26 JMU students and alumni were chosen as 2019 Fulbright Semifinalists. Of those honored, 17 are from the College of Arts & Letters.

From JMU to SNL

Madison recently caught up with Alan Linic ('11), who is living his dream — and realizing a prophecy — as a writer for "Saturday Night Live."