Arts and Letters News

Verse With Virginia Roots

Amber McBride (‘10) is a poet, professor, Hoodoo practitioner, and award-nominated author who calls Virginia home. Her debut young adult novel in verse, Me (Moth), is just the beginning.

Writer’s block

A Buddhist printing workshop cultivates creativity and mindfulness through lino- and laser-cutting.

JMU Debate Team Finish 2021 Ranked #6 in the Nation

The JMU Debate Team will close-out 2021 as the #6 ranked debate program in the nation, according to the rankings released by the governing body of intercollegiate competitive debating, CEDA.

A digital future for Black poetry at JMU, thanks to new $2 million grant

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has awarded JMU $2 million to secure the digital future of the Furious Flower Poetry Center, the nation’s first academic center devoted to Black poetry.

JMU professors receive Outstanding Faculty Awards

Lauren K. Alleyne, Erica Lewis win Outstanding Faculty Award

Three JMU community members recognized by national non-profit

Three James Madison University community members were recognized for their leadership in the effort to tackle racism.

JMU Debate Team Novices Win Second Tournament

The JMU Debate Team has found success once again, winning the novice division of the Liberty University Debate Tournament last weekend.

JMU Alum Thrives at a Global Nonprofit

Harrisonburg native and JMU alum Emily Knapp ('18M) grew up with dreams of making Hollywood films and instead found her passion in the nonprofit sector.

Applications open for Latinx studies cohort hire

Following a successful seven-faculty cohort hire in 2020-21, the College of Arts and Letters is launching its second cohort search for six outstanding, tenure-track faculty working broadly across Latinx studies.

JMU Debate Team Novices Win Season Opening Tournament

Three novice members of the JMU Debate Team shine in their intercollegiate debate debut, making for a great start to the season.

Living the dream

Kaitlin Porter (’06) and her wife and children are proof that even if you're living tiny, you can live large with more quality family time.

‘How can I be a solution?’

Alumna aims to leave her mark on the world through her advocacy, writing and poetry.

Media arts and design professor awarded fellowship to study representations of Black women in pop culture

Smalls’ research will use popular culture as an entryway to conversations on race, class, gender and power in television and digital media spaces.

Professor, students launch interactive map visualizing civilian death toll in Yemen

Drawing attention to drone attacks and civilian casualties in Yemen also has implications for human rights law and international humanitarian law.

JMU professors receive 4-VA grant to study Spanish-speaking communities' COVID experiences

A central goal of the project is to learn from the COVID-19 crisis to prepare for the next health crisis.

History professor awarded ACLS grant to study Russian peasantry

Moore plans to use her award to support the completion of her book manuscript on the Russian peasantry during WWI.

Serving the college

The 19 retirees have collectively contributed over 500 years of service to their units, the college, the university and the local community.

Alumna overcomes 'block' to create award-winning LGBTQ film

Despite her larger-than-life demeanor, Carrie Brennan carried a sinking feeling that she wasn’t living authentically.

‘Her work has made ours more meaningful’

Over the past two years, Angela Carter has “transform[ed] the department’s outreach, image and identity.”

JMU History professor receives prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship

Michael Gubser is one of approximately 175 individuals awarded prestigious Guggenheim Fellowships for 2021.

Virtual launch set for JMU center focused on African Diaspora studies

President Jonathan R. Alger will be among the guest speakers March 23 for a launch of the new African, African American, and Diaspora Studies Center.