Arts and Letters News

Rocket man

Raphael Perrino ('07, '09M) finds his technical communication background fits the rocket industry.

Landmines and the civil war, a precursor to modern weapons of destruction

In his newest book, "America's Buried History: Landmines in the Civil War," Kenneth R. Rutherford unearths the history of landmines.

The Flowerings Project: a Library in Transformation

A $150,000 grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation will allow the College of Arts and Letters and the JMU Libraries to deepen their partnership.

President’s Day, an unrealized dream for Founding Fathers

Professor of history explains why the founding fathers were so fixated on their legacies and how we can still see traces of their influence on our lives today.

Making government work

Alumnus Dan Richardson ('12) will begin clerking for the United States Supreme Court for the 2020 term.

Relationship expert on emotional support in time for Valentine’s Day

Love expert is available to discuss common relationship myths, self-love and the importance of emotional support between partners.

#Oscarssowhite, How digital spaces are reimagining advocacy

Morgan Smalls, SMAD professor, uses popular culture as an entryway to have larger conversations in the classroom about race, class, gender and power.

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.

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.

Faculty Expert Q&A

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

Communication studies professor wins Faculty Excellence Award

Communication studies professor Melissa Alemán was awarded the Shirley Hanson Roberts (’56) and Richard D. Roberts Endowment Award for 2019.

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."