James Madison University

File:John Vanderlyn - James Madison - Google Art Project.jpg, the university's namesake, by John Vanderlyn (1816)]]

File:JMU aerial photograph, 1937.jpg

Founded in 1908 as a women's college, James Madison University was established by the Virginia General Assembly. It was originally called The State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg. In 1914, the name of the university was changed to the State Normal School for Women at Harrisonburg. Authorization to award bachelor's degrees was granted in 1916. During this initial period of development, six buildings were constructed.{{cite news|title=History of James Madison University |url=http://www.jmu.edu/president/about/history.shtml|work=Office of the President|date=March 31, 2005| access-date=July 17, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827105522/http://www.jmu.edu/president/about/history.shtml|archive-date=August 27, 2007}}

The university became the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg in 1924 and continued under that name until 1938 when it was named Madison College in honor of James Madison, the fourth President of the United States, whose Montpelier estate is located in nearby Orange, Virginia.{{Cite news | last=Quinn | first=Susan | date=April 30, 1944 |title='No college can be very much better than its teachers' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-no-college-can-b/151867397/ |access-date=July 23, 2024 |work=Richmond Times-Dispatch |pages=43 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite web |title=JMU Historical Timeline |url=http://www.jmu.edu/centennialcelebration/timeline.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531154409/http://www.jmu.edu/centennialcelebration/timeline.shtml |archive-date=May 31, 2019 |access-date=December 5, 2006 |publisher=JMU Centennial Office}} In 1977, the university's name was changed to James Madison University.

The first president of the university was Julian Ashby Burruss. The university opened its doors to its first student body in 1909 with an enrollment of 209 students and a faculty of fifteen. Its first twenty graduates received diplomas in 1911.

In 1919, Burruss resigned the presidency to become president of Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Samuel Page Duke was then chosen as the school's second president. During Duke's administration, nine major buildings were constructed. Duke served as president from 1919 to 1949.

In 1946, men were first enrolled as regular day students. G. Tyler Miller became the third president in 1949, following Duke's retirement. During Miller's administration, from 1949 to 1970, the campus was enlarged by {{convert|240|acre|km2}} and 19 buildings were constructed. Major curriculum changes were made and the university was authorized to grant master's degrees in 1954.

In 1966, by the action of the Virginia General Assembly, the university became a coeducational institution. Ronald E. Carrier, JMU's fourth president, headed the institution from 1971 to 1998. Carrier Library is named after him.

During the first decade of the 21st century under Linwood H. Rose (JMU's fifth president), the university continued to expand, not only through new construction east of Interstate 81 but also on the west side of campus. In early 2005, JMU purchased the Rockingham Memorial Hospital campus just north of the main JMU campus for over $40 million. The hospital has since moved and JMU now occupies the site.{{cite news|first=Sarah|last=Shahmoradian|title=Legislature approves hospital purchase|url=http://www.thebreeze.org/archives/3.31.05/news/news2.shtml|work=The Breeze|date=March 31, 2005 |access-date=October 19, 2006|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927101234/http://www.thebreeze.org/archives/3.31.05/news/news2.shtml|archive-date=September 27, 2007}} In June 2005, the university expanded across South High Street by leasing, and then purchasing the former Harrisonburg High School building.{{cite news|url=http://www.dnronline.com/news_details.php?AID=4519&CHID=2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804171718/http://www.dnronline.com/news_details.php?AID=4519&CHID=2 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 4, 2009 |title=Old School's Price Tag: $17 Million Proposals From JMU Go Before Council |last=Mellott |first=Jeff |date=May 24, 2006 |publisher=Daily News-Record |access-date=July 5, 2009 }}{{cite news |first=Jason|last=Burgene|title=Education to transfer in spring |url=http://www.thebreeze.org/archives/10.10.05/front/front3.shtml|work=The Breeze|date=October 10, 2005|access-date=October 19, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061105181335/http://www.thebreeze.org/archives/10.10.05/front/front3.shtml |archive-date=November 5, 2006}}

The rapid expansion of JMU's campus has at times created tension in the city-university relationship.{{cite news|first=Jeff|last=Mellott|title=Harrisonburg City Council Candidates Hear Concerns About Growth |url=http://www.dnronline.com/news_details.php?AID=4137&CHID=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928115626/http://www.dnronline.com/news_details.php?AID=4137&CHID=2|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 28, 2007|work=The Daily News Record|date=April 26, 2006|access-date=October 19, 2006}} In 2006, the local ABC affiliate reported that the university had nearly doubled in size in the preceding 20 years,{{cite news|first=Shane|last=Symolon|title=James Madison Expansion|url=http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/3190501.html|publisher=WHSV-TV|access-date=October 19, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070328034247/http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/3190501.html|archive-date=March 28, 2007|url-status=dead}} including purchases of several local properties.{{cite news |first=Jeff |last=Mellott|title=Kyger Contributes To Candidates Challenging Rogers, Who Aided University Effort to Gain Property |url=http://www.dnronline.com/search_details.php?AID=4065&CHID=1&key=kyger&title=&author=&channelid=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928115740/http://www.dnronline.com/search_details.php?AID=4065&CHID=1&key=kyger&title=&author=&channelid=|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 28, 2007|work=The Daily News Record|date=April 25, 2006|access-date=October 19, 2006}}{{cite news|first=Calvin|last=Trice|title=Harrisonburg to sell school site to JMU|url=http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149188528518&path=!news&s=1045855934842|work=Richmond Times-Dispatch |date=June 16, 2006|access-date=October 19, 2006}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

The university has also experienced tension with local residents and local police when 2,500 students at an off-campus block party grew unruly in 2000.{{cite news|url=http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/27318974.html|title=Increased Patrols for JMU Students|publisher=whsv.com|date=August 23, 2008|access-date=April 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414183010/http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/27318974.html|archive-date=April 14, 2010|url-status=dead}} Ten years later, police equipped with riot gear used force to disperse a group of 8,000 college-aged people at the party.{{cite news|url=http://hburgnews.com/2010/04/10/hpd-asks-non-residents-to-clear-springfest/|title=Police reportedly use tear gas and pepper spray to disperse block party|publisher=hburgnews.com|date=July 17, 2006|access-date=April 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414102506/http://hburgnews.com/2010/04/10/hpd-asks-non-residents-to-clear-springfest/|archive-date=April 14, 2010|url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=http://dnronline.com/news_details.php?AID=46189&CHID=64 |title=Party Escalates Into Riot |publisher=Daily News Record |access-date=April 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416140206/http://www.dnronline.com/news_details.php?AID=46189&CHID=64 |archive-date=April 16, 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://www.whsv.com/home/headlines/90544214.html|title=Harrisonburg Block Party Near JMU Turns To Civil Disturbance|publisher=Whsv.com|access-date=April 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412175423/http://www.whsv.com/home/headlines/90544214.html|archive-date=April 12, 2010|url-status=dead}} Several participants were airlifted to a medical center in Charlottesville for treatment.{{cite news|url=http://www.breezejmu.org/article_cf452ab5-f10a-563c-8ebf-e64635be85fe.html|title=Police Use Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets to Disperse More Than 8,000|publisher=The Breeze|access-date=November 4, 2010|archive-date=February 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160219222031/http://www.breezejmu.org/article_cf452ab5-f10a-563c-8ebf-e64635be85fe.html|url-status=live}} The university condemned the block party attendees' behavior.{{cite web |author=James Madison University – Public Affairs |url=http://www.jmu.edu/jmuweb/general/news/general11151.shtml |title=James Madison University – Springfest: Message from President Rose |website=JMU.edu |access-date=May 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111101105757/http://www.jmu.edu/jmuweb/general/news/general11151.shtml |archive-date=November 1, 2011 |url-status=dead }}

In August 2021, the university received national criticism from conservative political commentators and university alumni after an orientation leader training video and other publications surfaced that supposedly labeled white Americans and Christians as oppressors. In a statement to Fox News, the university stood by the training.{{Cite web|last=News-Record|first=IAN MUNRO Daily|title=JMU Training Video Causes National Stir|url=https://www.dnronline.com/news/local/jmu-training-video-causes-national-stir/article_590bef11-b2bd-5df4-aa2b-7599ee91845f.html|access-date=August 25, 2021|website=Daily News-Record|date=August 24, 2021|language=en|archive-date=August 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825215611/https://www.dnronline.com/news/local/jmu-training-video-causes-national-stir/article_590bef11-b2bd-5df4-aa2b-7599ee91845f.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Stabile|first=Angelica|date=August 24, 2021|title=James Madison University students shred 'racist' campus training labeling Whites, Christians as 'oppressors'|url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/james-madison-university-students-racist-training|access-date=August 25, 2021|website=Fox News|language=en-US|archive-date=August 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210825160828/https://www.foxnews.com/media/james-madison-university-students-racist-training|url-status=live}}

In March 2025, it was announced that James C. Schmidt would become the seventh president and he is scheduled to take office in July 2025.{{cite news |title=JMU announces Dr. James C. Schmidt as seventh president |url=https://www.jmu.edu/news/2025/03/26-seventh-president.shtml |access-date=26 March 2025 |publisher=James Madison University |date=26 March 2025}}

File:Wilson Hall.jpg, the centerpiece of the JMU quadrangle.]]

File:Keezell Hall (JMU).jpg

File:Varner House (JMU).jpg

File:Statue of James Madison -04- (50998927107).png on campus.]]

File:Harrison Hall, James Madison University.jpg

JMU's campus originally consisted of two buildings, Jackson Hall and Maury Hall, which are now known as Darcus Johnson Hall and Gabbin Hall, respectively.{{cite web|last=White|first=Kenzie|date=September 27, 2021|title=Public ceremony of renaming buildings on the Quad commences|url=https://www.breezejmu.org/news/public-ceremony-of-renaming-buildings-on-the-quad-commences/article_5e2ec264-1fcb-11ec-9ad4-1f4b04ad9ca6.html|access-date=December 12, 2021|website=www.breezejmu.org|archive-date=December 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213021855/https://www.breezejmu.org/news/public-ceremony-of-renaming-buildings-on-the-quad-commences/article_5e2ec264-1fcb-11ec-9ad4-1f4b04ad9ca6.html|url-status=live}} Today, the campus has 148 major buildings on {{convert|721|acre|km2}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.jmu.edu/centennialcelebration/today.shtml|title=JMU – JMU Today|access-date=November 12, 2006|publisher=JMU Centennial Office|archive-date=May 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517125507/http://www.jmu.edu/centennialcelebration/today.shtml|url-status=live}} It has become Virginia's second most photographed location on social media sites like Instagram and Twitter.{{Cite web|url = https://thetab.com/us/jmu/2016/12/03/jmu-named-2nd-instagrammed-place-virginia-3916|title = JMU named second most Instagrammed place in Virginia|date = December 3, 2016|access-date = April 20, 2022|archive-date = August 17, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220817124759/https://thetab.com/us/jmu/2016/12/03/jmu-named-2nd-instagrammed-place-virginia-3916|url-status = live}}

The original, historic Bluestone side of campus is located on South Main Street (also known as U.S. Route 11, and historically as "The Valley Pike") and is the heart of the university. Many of the buildings in the Bluestone area have been constructed out of the same stone, known as "bluestone," which is a type of limestone that is locally sourced from the surrounding Shenandoah Valley.{{cite web|url=https://www.jmu.edu/centennialcelebration/bluestone.shtml|title=JMU Centennial Celebration - The History of Bluestone|access-date=June 4, 2022|publisher=James Madison University|archive-date=June 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627032024/https://www.jmu.edu/centennialcelebration/bluestone.shtml|url-status=live}}

Beginning in 2002 JMU began receiving state and private funding to construct a performing arts complex. The facility is opposite Wilson Hall across South Main Street.{{cite web|url=http://www.jmu.edu/jmuarts/forbescenter/|title=JMU – JMU Arts|access-date=December 29, 2010|publisher=JMU Forbes Center|archive-date=January 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102010141/http://www.jmu.edu/jmuarts/forbescenter/|url-status=live}}

In 2020, JMU's Board of Visitors approved the renaming of three historic buildings on the quad that were named in honor of three prominent Virginian Confederate soldiers: Ashby Hall (named after Turner Ashby), Maury Hall (named after Matthew Fontaine Maury), and Jackson Hall (named after Stonewall Jackson). They were given the temporary names of Valley Hall, Mountain Hall, and Justice Studies Hall, respectively.{{Cite web|last=News-Record|first=MEGAN WILLIAMS Daily|title=JMU Votes To Rename Three Buildings|url=https://www.dnronline.com/news/harrisonburg/jmu-votes-to-rename-three-buildings/article_26040fdd-108b-5b98-918d-ae2a790a6607.html|access-date=December 13, 2021|website=Daily News-Record|date=July 7, 2020|language=en|archive-date=July 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715032228/https://www.dnronline.com/news/harrisonburg/jmu-votes-to-rename-three-buildings/article_26040fdd-108b-5b98-918d-ae2a790a6607.html|url-status=live}} In 2021, the halls were approved and given new names. Mountain Hall (Maury Hall) was renamed Gabbin Hall after Drs. Joanne V. and Alexander Gabbin, professors at JMU for more than 35 years;{{Cite web|title=JMU Location: Gabbin Hall|url=https://www.jmu.edu/directory/buildings/GABB.shtml|access-date=December 13, 2021|website=www.jmu.edu|language=en|archive-date=December 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213021857/https://www.jmu.edu/directory/buildings/GABB.shtml|url-status=live}} Valley Hall (Ashby Hall) was renamed Harper Allen-Lee Hall after Doris Harper Allen and Robert Walker Lee, both notable former staff members at JMU;{{Cite web|title=JMU Location: Harper Allen~Lee Hall|url=https://www.jmu.edu/directory/buildings/HALH.shtml|access-date=December 13, 2021|website=www.jmu.edu|language=en|archive-date=December 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213021855/https://www.jmu.edu/directory/buildings/HALH.shtml|url-status=live}} Justice Studies Hall (Jackson Hall) was renamed Darcus Johnson Hall after Sheary Darcus Johnson, the first black student to graduate from JMU.{{Cite web|title=JMU Location: Darcus Johnson Hall|url=https://www.jmu.edu/directory/buildings/DJH.shtml|access-date=December 13, 2021|website=www.jmu.edu|language=en|archive-date=December 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213021856/https://www.jmu.edu/directory/buildings/DJH.shtml|url-status=live}}

In late 2021, the ISAT/CS building was renamed King Hall in honor of Charles W. King; longtime Senior Vice President of the Administration and Finance Division at JMU.{{Cite web|title=Board of Visitors summary of actions and discussions|url=https://www.jmu.edu/news/2021/11/19-bov-summary.shtml|access-date=December 13, 2021|website=www.jmu.edu|language=en|archive-date=December 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205212655/https://www.jmu.edu/news/2021/11/19-bov-summary.shtml|url-status=live}}

{{Main|James Madison University College of Arts and Letters|James Madison University College of Business}}

The College of Visual and Performing Arts includes three schools: the School of Art, Design, and Art History; the School of Music; and the School of Theatre and Dance.

In September 2010,{{cite web |author=Sarah Sager |date=September 8, 2010 |title=JMU Forbes Center for Performing Arts Officially Opens |url=http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/102417599.html |accessdate=October 7, 2010 |publisher=Gray Television, Inc. |archive-date=March 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307152504/http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/102417599.html |url-status=dead }} the college opened the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, a complex composed of two connected buildings: the Estes Center for Theatre and Dance and the Roberts Center for Music Performance.{{cite web |title=About the Forbes Center |url=http://www.jmu.edu/jmuarts/forbescenter/ |accessdate=October 7, 2010 |publisher=James Madison University |archive-date=January 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102010141/http://www.jmu.edu/jmuarts/forbescenter/ |url-status=live }} The $82 million facility was funded by a Virginia higher-education bond package.{{cite web |author=Ken Slack |date=June 29, 2010 |title=JMU Opens New Performing Arts Center |url=http://www.nbc29.com/story/12654431/jmu-opens-new-performing-arts-center?redirected=true |accessdate=October 7, 2010 |publisher=WorldNow and WVIR |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232959/http://www.nbc29.com/story/12654431/jmu-opens-new-performing-arts-center?redirected=true |url-status=dead }}

Like all public universities in Virginia, James Madison is governed by a Board of Visitors appointed by the Governor of Virginia.{{cite web|url=http://www.jmu.edu/centennialcelebration/governance.shtml|title=Institutional Governance|access-date=November 12, 2006|publisher=JMU Centennial Office|archive-date=November 14, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061114013136/http://www.jmu.edu/centennialcelebration/governance.shtml|url-status=live}} In addition to the 15 members appointed by the governor, the speaker of the Faculty Senate and an elected student representative serve as representatives for the faculty and the student body respectively. The appointed members serve for a maximum of two consecutive four-year terms, while the student representative is limited to two one-year terms. The faculty representative serves for as long as he or she remains the speaker of the JMU Faculty Senate. Some appointed members of note include former presidential candidate Carly Fiorina and former first lady of Virginia, Susan Allen.{{Cite web |last=report |first=-staff |title=Former JMU Board of Visitors member Carly Fiorina announces bid for president |url=https://www.breezejmu.org/news/former-jmu-board-of-visitors-member-carly-fiorina-announces-bid-for-president/article_5010fecc-f273-11e4-892c-637ceda41504.html |access-date=May 2, 2022 |website=The Breeze |date=May 4, 2015 |language=en |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405183338/https://www.breezejmu.org/news/former-jmu-board-of-visitors-member-carly-fiorina-announces-bid-for-president/article_5010fecc-f273-11e4-892c-637ceda41504.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Turning Point Suffragist Memorial » TPSMA Honorary Board Members |url=https://suffragistmemorial.org/tpsma-honorary-board-members/ |access-date=May 2, 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504121345/https://suffragistmemorial.org/tpsma-honorary-board-members/ |url-status=live }}

Charlie King currently serves as interim president. He will serve until June 30, 2025.{{cite news |last1=Campbell |first1=Ashlyn |title=Charlie King Chosen As JMU's Interim President |url=https://www.dnronline.com/news/charlie-king-chosen-as-jmus-interim-president/article_97761fe7-06cb-5e78-a3c1-e2dd2e91178a.html |access-date=May 13, 2024 |work=Daily News-Record |date=April 19, 2024 |archive-date=May 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513013438/https://www.dnronline.com/news/charlie-king-chosen-as-jmus-interim-president/article_97761fe7-06cb-5e78-a3c1-e2dd2e91178a.html |url-status=live }}

On March 26, 2025, the university announced that James C. Schmidt (currently serving as chancellor of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire) will serve as the university's seventh president, beginning on July 1, 2025.{{Cite web |title=JMU announces Dr. James C. Schmidt as seventh president |url=https://www.jmu.edu/news/2025/03/26-seventh-president.shtml |access-date=2025-06-09 |website=www.jmu.edu |language=en}}

Jonathan Alger previously served as the university's sixth president until he became the president of American University on July 1, 2024.{{Cite web |title=BREAKING: Jonathan Alger named 16th president of American University - The Eagle |url=https://www.theeagleonline.com/article/2024/03/breaking-jonathan-alger-named-16th-president-of-american-university |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=www.theeagleonline.com |language=en |archive-date=March 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318183830/https://www.theeagleonline.com/article/2024/03/breaking-jonathan-alger-named-16th-president-of-american-university |url-status=live }}

• Julian Ashby Burruss (1908–1919)
• Samuel Page Duke (1919–1949)
• G. Tyler Miller (1949–1971)
• Ronald E. Carrier (1971–1998)
• Linwood H. Rose (1999–2012)
• Jonathan R. Alger (2012–2024)
• Charlie King (interim; 2024–present)
• James C. Schmidt (expected to take office July 2025)

James Madison University is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High Research Activity". It offers 139-degree programs on the bachelor's, master's, educational specialist, and doctoral levels. It comprises seven colleges and 78 academic programs, including the College of Arts and Letters; the College of Business; the College of Education; the College of Health and Behavioral Studies; the College of Integrated Science and Engineering; the College of Science and Mathematics; the College of Visual and Performing Arts; and The Graduate School. Total enrollment in the 2012–13 academic year was 19,927—18,392 undergraduates and 1,820 graduate students. JMU granted 4,908 degrees in 2012–4,096 undergraduate degrees, and 812 graduate degrees.

On October 2, 2009, JMU was granted a chapter by the Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society.{{cite web|url=http://www.jmu.edu/jmuweb/general/news/general10818.shtml|title=JMU Awarded Prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Chapter|publisher=James Madison University|access-date=July 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528022417/http://www.jmu.edu/jmuweb/general/news/general10818.shtml|archive-date=May 28, 2010|url-status=dead}}

{{Infobox US university ranking

| Forbes = 136

| USNWR_NU = 124

| Wamo_NU = 75

| THE_WSJ = 152

}}

The 2024 U.S. News & World Report ranked JMU No. 124 among national universities.{{cite web|title=James Madison University|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/james-madison-university-3721|website=U.S. News & World Report|access-date=March 28, 2024|archive-date=November 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119123718/https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/james-madison-university-3721|url-status=live}} In the 2018 Washington Monthly college rankings, JMU ranked eighth among master's universities nationwide. Washington Monthly assesses the quality of schools based on social mobility (recruiting and graduating low-income students), research, and service.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/college_guide/rankings-2015/national-universities-rank.php |title=2015 National Universities Rankings |magazine=Washington Monthly |access-date=March 1, 2016 |archive-date=April 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401042727/http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/college_guide/rankings-2015/national-universities-rank.php |url-status=dead }}

File:Converse Hall (JMU).jpg

The Princeton Review recognized James Madison as one of 81 schools in America "with a conscience", and in 2006 ranked JMU second in the nation behind only the University of Virginia in the number of Peace Corps volunteers it sent from its student body among "medium-sized" universities.{{cite web|url= http://www.peacecorps.gov/news/resources/stats/pdf/schools2006.pdf|title=Peace Corps – Top Producing Colleges and Universities|access-date=December 8, 2006|publisher= Peace Corps|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060928233154/http://www.peacecorps.gov/news/resources/stats/pdf/schools2006.pdf| archive-date=September 28, 2006}} And in 2010, the food at JMU was ranked third in the United States.{{cite web|url=http://www.princetonreview.com/schoollist.aspx?type=r&id=683&RDN=1|title=Best Campus Food|access-date=November 4, 2010|publisher=The Princeton Review|archive-date=January 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112051804/http://www.princetonreview.com/schoollist.aspx?type=r&id=683&RDN=1|url-status=live}} In 2011 the student body was ranked 20th "happiest in the entire nation" by Newsweek and The Daily Beast.{{cite web |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/features/college-rankings/2011/happiest.all.html |title=Happiest Schools |access-date=April 11, 2012 |publisher=The Newsweek Daily Beast Company |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405184045/http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/features/college-rankings/2011/happiest.all.html |archive-date=April 5, 2012 }} These rankings take into consideration the surrounding area's activities, academics, as well as the social scene on campus.

{{Main|The Breeze (newspaper)}}

The Breeze is a student-run weekly newspaper serving JMU since 1922.{{Cite web |title=The Breeze |url=https://www.breezejmu.org/site/about/ |access-date=May 2, 2022 |website=The Breeze |language=en |archive-date=May 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502202241/https://www.breezejmu.org/site/about/ |url-status=live }} The Breeze has won numerous awards, including a 2012 Online Pacemaker Award, 2012 VPA award for Best in Show for a Non-Daily News Presentation, and a 2012 VPA sweepstakes award.{{Cite web |title=ACP - 2012 Online Pacemaker Winners |url=https://studentpress.org/acp/awards/2012-online-pacemaker-winners/ |access-date=May 2, 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=January 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124055407/https://studentpress.org/acp/awards/2012-online-pacemaker-winners/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=report |first=-sStaff |title=Breeze named best non-daily newspaper in region |url=https://www.breezejmu.org/news/breeze-named-best-non-daily-newspaper-in-region/article_ce449cd6-aa2c-11e2-a8f9-0019bb30f31a.html |access-date=May 2, 2022 |website=The Breeze |date=April 20, 2013 |language=en |archive-date=May 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502220153/https://www.breezejmu.org/news/breeze-named-best-non-daily-newspaper-in-region/article_ce449cd6-aa2c-11e2-a8f9-0019bb30f31a.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Matray |first=Margaret |title=The Virginian-Pilot named state's top large newspaper |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/news/article_c4ee06e3-0072-560a-9f88-b20b1512aa0e.html |access-date=May 2, 2022 |website=pilotonline.com|date=April 21, 2013 }}

File:University Recreation Center (UREC).jpg

James Madison University has over 400 clubs and organizations for students.{{Cite web |title=Student Life: Clubs and Organizations |url=https://www.jmu.edu/student-life/clubs-organizations.shtml |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=www.jmu.edu |language=en}}

There are 10 front-end budgeted groups on campus, including the Black Student Alliance (BSA), Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC), Latinx Student Alliance (LSA), Madison Equality, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Panhellenic, SafeRides, Student Ambassadors (SA), Student Government Association (SGA), and University Program Board (UPB).{{Cite web|url=https://www.breezejmu.org/news/sga-senate-approves-amendment-to-student-government-financial-procedures/article_c7e69092-aaf4-11ec-87b7-1f597db8f46a.html|title=SGA Senate approves amendment to Student Government Financial Procedures|first=Kasey|last=Trapuzzano|website=The Breeze|date=March 23, 2022|access-date=April 19, 2022|archive-date=April 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419204856/https://www.breezejmu.org/news/sga-senate-approves-amendment-to-student-government-financial-procedures/article_c7e69092-aaf4-11ec-87b7-1f597db8f46a.html|url-status=live}} The funds allocated to these organization are voted on by the SGA, with the exception to the SGA budget which is approved separately by the administration. Some FEB organizations are more active than others, causing debate about their status from year-to-year.File:Students on JMU Quad.jpg File:JMU East Campus from near Potomac Hall.jpg File:JMU CISAT West.JPGSGA has initiated many of the university's traditional events and programs, such as Homecoming's Purple Out, Mr. and Ms. Madison, Ring Premiere, the Annual Tree Lighting, the Big Event, and SafeRides. They also vote on Front End Budgeted (FEB) organizational budgets each year and allocate contingency funds.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}} Founded in 2003, SafeRides originated as a program run by the SGA. Inspired by a program at Texas A&M, the organization is a student-led non-profit: unpaid students drive students home at night at no charge. By 2022, they had given more than 100,000 rides.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jmusaferides.com/|title=JMU SafeRides|website=JMU SafeRides|access-date=April 21, 2022|archive-date=May 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517083620/https://www.jmusaferides.com/|url-status=dead}}

The JMU Student Ambassadors work alongside the Admissions Office to offer student-led tours for prospective students. Formerly, the Ambassadors were also associated with the Alumni Office until the GOLD Network was established. Ambassadors are volunteers and are not paid.{{Cite web |title=MY SITE |url=https://jmusa.weebly.com/ |access-date=May 2, 2022 |website=MY SITE |language=en |archive-date=March 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309045823/https://jmusa.weebly.com/ |url-status=live }}

The JMU Speech Team has received awards. JMU Forensics is the only program in the nation directed by two recipients of AFA's most respected coaching awards: Distinguished Service and Outstanding New Coach.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20171229232114/https://www.jmuspeechteam.org/ "JMU Speech Team"]}} Retrieved on December 21, 2011.

JMU has the largest InterVarsity Christian Fellowship organization in the country.{{cite web|work=InterVarsity Christian Fellowship|url=https://intervarsity.org/news/move-week|date=August 25, 2010|title=Move-In Week|access-date=April 19, 2022|archive-date=August 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819231053/https://intervarsity.org/news/move-week|url-status=live}} Retrieved on April 19, 2022.

James Madison University is home to 20 fraternities and 12 sororities with an active membership of over 4,800 students.{{Cite web |title=About Fraternity & Sorority Life |url=https://www.jmu.edu/osl/fsl/about/index.shtml |access-date=2025-06-17 |website=www.jmu.edu |language=en}} Greek life at JMU is organized under three governing councils: the Interfraternity Council (IFC), the Panhellenic Council, and the Inter-Cultural Greek Council (ICGC), which represent multicultural and historically Black Greek-letter organizations respectively. Greek life was formally brought to campus in spring of 1939 with the chartering of Sigma Sigma Sigma and Alpha Sigma Alpha. As of 2025, over 20% of the undergraduate population participates in Greek life, with membership remaining stable despite national scrutiny of Greek systems.{{Cite web |title=Information for Parents and Family |url=https://www.jmu.edu/osl/fsl/parents-family/index.shtml |access-date=2025-06-17 |website=www.jmu.edu |language=en}}JMU is home to a number of multicultural and historically Black fraternities and sororities, including chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Lambda Upsilon Lambda, and Sigma Iota Alpha, among others. Greek organizations at JMU collectively raise hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for philanthropic causes, including Relay for Life, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and local Harrisonburg charities. A monument dedicated to the members of the Inter-Cultural Greek Council was built in 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.breezejmu.org/news/cmss-honors-greek-multicultural-organizations-in-new-ssc-construction-project/article_63c39cf8-217f-11ec-8045-bb08b38333e3.html|title=CMSS honors Greek multicultural organizations in new SSC construction project|first=Alex Baker | contributing|last=writer|website=The Breeze|date=September 30, 2021|access-date=June 9, 2022|archive-date=June 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607014617/https://www.breezejmu.org/news/cmss-honors-greek-multicultural-organizations-in-new-ssc-construction-project/article_63c39cf8-217f-11ec-8045-bb08b38333e3.html|url-status=live}}

Greek life at James Madison University has expanded steadily since its founding in 1939. Sigma Nu, chartered in 1974, is the oldest continuously operating fraternity on campus and remains one of the university’s largest fraternities, known for its active presence in student leadership and philanthropy. The newest addition to JMU’s Greek community is the Eta Nu chapter of Gamma Phi Beta, which was officially installed in December 2014.

In recent years, the university has implemented stricter policies on new member education and risk management, including expanded hazing prevention programs and mandatory educational training for all Greek members. Over the years, several JMU Greek chapters have lost university recognition or faced serious sanctions due to hazing, alcohol abuse, and other misconduct. In the last decade alone, Alpha Tau Omega, Sigma Chi, Delta Chi, and Phi Delta Theta were removed or suspended following investigations into ritual violations and risk management failures.{{Cite web |title=Unrecognized Organizations |url=https://www.jmu.edu/osl/fsl/potential-members/unrecognized-organizations.shtml |access-date=2025-06-17 |website=www.jmu.edu |language=en}} More recently, the Pi Beta Chi fraternity has faced a wrongful death lawsuit alleging that a hazing and drug‑fueled recruitment event in West Virginia in February 2023 resulted in a fatal car crash that killed three students; the lawsuit claims reckless fraternity behavior caused the deaths.{{Cite web |last=Willett |first=Mason |date=2025-01-25 |title=Lawsuit against fraternity claims hazing, drug use caused car wreck that killed three JMU students |url=https://www.whsv.com/2025/01/25/lawsuit-against-fraternity-claims-haizing-drug-use-caused-car-wreck-that-killed-three-jmu-students/ |access-date=2025-06-17 |website=WHSV |language=en}} The university’s Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices maintains a policy of no tolerance toward hazing and alcohol misuse, and routinely disciplines chapters—most recently Alpha Sigma Tau, Pi Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi, Tau Kappa Epsilon, and Alpha Epsilon Pi during spring 2025—for similar violations.{{Cite web |title=OSARP: Organizational Records |url=https://www.jmu.edu/osarp/org-records.shtml |access-date=2025-06-17 |website=www.jmu.edu |language=en}}

Over its history, some Greek organizations have been kicked off of campus as a result of alleged hazing and behavioral violations. As of 2025, the university does not recognize Alpha Tau Omega (now Sigma Alpha Epsilon), Delta Chi (also known as Pi Beta Chi and the Cross Keys Society), Sigma Chi (also known as Iota Chi and Sigma Iota Chi), and Phi Delta Theta. Other organizations that have been kicked off of campus in the past and include Chi Phi (kicked off in fall of 2000). Other Greek organizations have left campus for other reasons including Delta Gamma (charter withdrawn in 2022), Zeta Beta Tau, Sigma Pi, Alpha Chi Omega (chartered in March 1987 and withdrawn in April 1996), and Theta Sigma Upsilon (merged into Alpha Gamma Delta in 1959 and went inactive in March 1990).

{{see also|Marching Royal Dukes}}

James Madison University has the largest collegiate marching band in the nation, with 540 members as of Fall 2022. Nicknamed "Virginia's Finest", the Marching Royal Dukes have performed at the inaugurations of Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, the NFC title game between Washington and Dallas in 1983, and the Bands of America Grand National Championships in 1988 and 1991. The band has made four appearances in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, first in 2001, again in 2008, 2013, and most recently in 2018. In the past decade, the band has performed in Europe during winter break; they appeared in Athens, Dublin, Monaco, London, and Rome.{{cite web | title = JMU School of Music: Ensembles: Marching Royal Dukes | url = http://www.jmu.edu/music/mrd/about.html | access-date = October 19, 2006 | archive-date = October 18, 2006 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061018131439/http://www.jmu.edu/music/mrd/about.html | url-status = live }}

The JMU Brass Band is one of only a few collegiate brass bands in the United States. Formed in the fall of 2000, the band has twice been named the North American Brass Band Association (NABBA) Honors Section Champion (2004, 2005), and is the 2024 Championship Section Champion.{{Cite web |title=James Madison University Brass Band - Brass Band Results |url=https://brassbandresults.co.uk/bands/james-madison-university-brass-band/ |access-date=March 2, 2022 |website=brassbandresults.co.uk |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623164209/https://brassbandresults.co.uk/bands/james-madison-university-brass-band/ |url-status=live }}

JMU is home to ten a cappella ensembles: four all-female, three all-male, and three co-educational groups.{{Cite web|url=https://www.breezejmu.org/culture/behind-the-scenes-look-of-jmu-a-cappella-group-auditions/article_c5dfa866-20e5-11e9-9763-9f3eaa259630.html|title=Behind-the-scenes look of JMU a cappella group auditions|first=Camryn|last=Finn|website=The Breeze|date=January 26, 2019|language=en|access-date=August 9, 2019|archive-date=August 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809172844/https://www.breezejmu.org/culture/behind-the-scenes-look-of-jmu-a-cappella-group-auditions/article_c5dfa866-20e5-11e9-9763-9f3eaa259630.html|url-status=live}} They are nationally recognized, with many of them featured on the Best of College A Cappella (BOCA) yearly compilation albums.{{Cite web|url=https://varsityvocals.com/project/boca-2019/|title=BOCA 2019|website=Varsity Vocals|language=en-US|access-date=August 9, 2019|archive-date=June 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601024916/https://varsityvocals.com/project/boca-2019/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://varsityvocals.com/project/boca-2018/|title=BOCA 2018|website=Varsity Vocals|language=en-US|access-date=August 9, 2019|archive-date=June 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601034954/https://varsityvocals.com/project/boca-2018/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://varsityvocals.com/project/boca-2016/|title=BOCA 2016|website=Varsity Vocals|language=en-US|access-date=August 9, 2019|archive-date=October 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021220410/https://varsityvocals.com/project/boca-2016/|url-status=live}} Several of the groups, such as Note-oriety and The Overtones, have gone "viral" for their music videos, "Pretty Hurts"{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/09/17/beyonce-pretty-hurts-female-cappella-group/32543463/|title=Watch: Female a cappella group covers Beyonce's 'Pretty Hurts'|last=Rein|first=Kristen|website=USA TODAY|language=en|access-date=August 9, 2019|archive-date=August 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809174244/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/09/17/beyonce-pretty-hurts-female-cappella-group/32543463/|url-status=live}} and "Say Love",{{Cite web |date=September 17, 2015 |title=A Cappella Version Of Beyonce's 'Pretty Hurts' Conveys Powerful Message |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pretty-hurts-a-cappella_n_55fabc46e4b00310edf5dc06 |access-date=May 2, 2022 |website=HuffPost |language=en |archive-date=May 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502220152/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pretty-hurts-a-cappella_n_55fabc46e4b00310edf5dc06 |url-status=live }} respectively. Note-oriety also performed at the White House in 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.breezejmu.org/culture/jmu-a-capella-group-note-oriety-to-perform-at-the/article_1da1b8f2-00a5-11e9-976d-ff12d4c0da2e.html|title=JMU a capella group Note-oriety to perform at the White House|first=Amy|last=Needham|website=The Breeze|date=December 15, 2018|language=en|access-date=August 9, 2019|archive-date=August 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809172843/https://www.breezejmu.org/culture/jmu-a-capella-group-note-oriety-to-perform-at-the/article_1da1b8f2-00a5-11e9-976d-ff12d4c0da2e.html|url-status=live}}

The JMU men's and women's club soccer teams are two of the most decorated club organizations in JMU school history.https://www.jmu.edu/recreation/sports/sport-clubs/clubs/menssoccer.shtml

The JMU men's ultimate team, the Flying Hellfish, was founded in 1997.{{Cite web|url=http://hellfishultimate.weebly.com/about-the-hellfish.html|title=about the hellfish|website=hellfish ultimate|access-date=March 14, 2016|archive-date=March 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315034514/http://hellfishultimate.weebly.com/about-the-hellfish.html|url-status=live}} The team is named after the Simpsons episode 22, season 7, "Raging Abe Simpson and His Grumbling Grandson in 'The Curse of the Flying Hellfish'"{{Cite magazine|url=http://skydmagazine.com/2013/02/the-making-of-the-hellfish-bonanza/| last=Neeley | first=Jonathan | date=February 19, 2013|title=The making of the Hellfish Bonanza |work=Skyd Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=March 14, 2016|archive-date=March 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315035057/http://skydmagazine.com/2013/02/the-making-of-the-hellfish-bonanza/|url-status=live}}{{Citation|last=Lynch|first=Jeffrey|title=Raging Abe Simpson and His Grumbling Grandson in 'The Curse of the Flying Hellfish'|date=April 28, 1996|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0778451/|access-date=March 14, 2016|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306042208/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0778451/|url-status=live}} Since 2005, the team has hosted an annual tournament known as "The Hellfish Bonanza," which attracts between 12 and 16 teams from across the east coast. Several current and former Hellfish play Ultimate professionally for Major League Ultimate's Washington DC Current and the American Ultimate Disc League's DC Breeze.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}

{{Main|James Madison Dukes}}

File:James Madison University Athletics logo.svg

James Madison University's athletic teams are known as the Dukes. An English bulldog, with a crown and cape, and Duke Dog, a gray canine costume in a purple cape and crown, serve as the school's mascot. The "Dukes" nickname is in honor of Samuel Page Duke, the university's second president. The school colors are royal purple and gold. Madison competes in the NCAA's Division I in the Sun Belt Conference and the Eastern College Athletic Conference.

Beginning in July 2022, the football program began competing in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as part of the Sun Belt Conference. Before that, the team participated in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and within the Colonial Athletic Association.

File:James Madison University Football.jpg

Over 546 varsity athletes compete in football, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's tennis, women's swimming and diving, women's volleyball, baseball, women's lacrosse, field hockey, men's and women's golf, women's cross country and track and field, and softball. James Madison has won five national championships in football (2), field hockey, women's lacrosse, and archery, giving the Dukes the second-most national titles by a college or university in Virginia.

James Madison University invested heavily in new athletic facilities throughout the tenure of President Linwood Rose. JMU built a new multimillion-dollar baseball and softball field complex that opened in 2010. Additionally, after the last football game of 2009, the university began an expansion of Bridgeforth Stadium that increased seating capacity to approximately 25,000. Construction was completed in time for the 2011 football season.{{cite web|url=http://www.jmu.edu/bridgeforthstadium/|title=Bridgeforth Stadium|publisher=James Madison University|access-date=April 11, 2010|archive-date=March 29, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329075248/http://www.jmu.edu/bridgeforthstadium/|url-status=live}}

In 2013, James Madison University's men's basketball team won the CAA championship title for the first time since 1994. The Dukes then won their first NCAA tournament game in 30 years, defeating Long Island University-Brooklyn. The Dukes fell to Indiana in the second round, 83–62, finishing the season with a 21–15 record."Top-seeded Hoosiers make quick work of No.16 James Madison." ESPN. March 22, 2013. Retrieved June 10, 2013.

After the move to the Sunbelt Conference in 2022, the Dukes won their first Sunbelt title in the 2023-2024 conference tournament championship win over Arkansas State, 91-71. This win was followed with a run in the NCAA Tournament defeating No. 5 seeded Wisconsin in a 72-61 win.{{Cite web |title=No. 12 James Madison Controls No. 5 Wisconsin 72-61 in NCAA First Round |url=https://jmusports.com/news/2024/3/23/mens-basketball-no-12-james-madison-controls-no-5-wisconsin-72-61-in-ncaa-first-round |access-date=2025-06-09 |website=James Madison University Athletics |language=en}} Coming into the tournament as a No. 12 seed, the [https://jmusports.com/news/2024/3/23/mens-basketball-no-12-james-madison-controls-no-5-wisconsin-72-61-in-ncaa-first-round Dukes] made a push into the second round of the tournament and fell short to the No. 1 seeded Duke Blue Devils in a 93-55 loss.

The James Madison University's women's basketball team have won 5 national championships along with 15 conference championships while competing in the CAA. Since moving to the Sunbelt conference, the Dukes have won two regular season championship titles and one conference tournament championship in the 2022-2023 season, defeating Texas State, 81-51. Their most recent NCAA appearance came after the 2023 conference championship, making it as a No. 14 seed in the NCAA tournament, falling short in the first round to the Ohio State Buckeyes, 80-66.{{Cite web |title=No. 14 JMU to Face No. 3 Ohio State in NCAA Tournament in Seattle Region |url=https://jmusports.com/news/2023/3/12/womens-basketball-no-14-jmu-to-face-no-3-ohio-state-in-ncaa-tournament-in-seattle-region |access-date=2025-06-09 |website=James Madison University Athletics |language=en}}

JMU football won the NCAA Division I-AA national title in 2004,{{Cite web |last=Breeze |first=Jackson Hephner {{!}} The |date=September 12, 2024 |title=How JMU’s 2004 National Championship team propelled the program |url=https://www.breezejmu.org/sports/how-jmu-s-2004-national-championship-team-propelled-the-program/article_40a9551c-70ac-11ef-9fc1-e774bd1724c6.html |access-date=October 8, 2024 |website=The Breeze |language=en}} with a 13–2 record, and in 2016 with a 14–1 record going undefeated in the FCS. The 2004 squad was the only team in history to win the title after playing four straight road playoff games. Since 2004, the JMU football team has appeared in the playoffs in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. In 2022 JMU football moved from the FCS to the sunbelt division in the FBS.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-06 |title=James Madison moving to FBS, joining Sun Belt |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32565005/james-madison-dukes-making-move-fbs-joining-sun-belt-conference |access-date=2025-06-09 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} Within their first three years playing in the FBS they went on to win their first bowl game at the Boca Raton Bowl in Boca Raton, Florida{{Cite web |title=JMU football claims first bowl title in Boca Raton |url=https://www.jmu.edu/news/2024/12/19-first-bowl-win.shtml |access-date=2025-06-09 |website=www.jmu.edu |language=en}}

{{Excessive examples|section|date=June 2025}}

{{Main|List of James Madison University alumni}}

Notable alumni of James Madison University include:

• Daniel Brown, football player
• Gary Clark, football player
• Jeff Compher, university athletics director
• Lindsay Czarniak, news anchor{{cite news |title = Meet the News Team |url = http://www.nbc4.com/meetthenewsteam/4723557/detail.html |work = WRC-TV |accessdate = July 16, 2007}}
• Ben DiNucci, football player
• Dion Foxx, football player{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/player/dionfoxx/2500693/profile|title = Dion Foxx | publisher= NFL Enterprises LLC|accessdate= December 10, 2012}}
• Charles Haley, football player{{cite news|title=Charles Haley |url=http://databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=HALEYCHA01 |work=Databasefootball.com |accessdate=July 21, 2007 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205044542/http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=HALEYCHA01 |archivedate=February 5, 2007 }}
• Tiombe Hurd, track & field athlete{{cite news |title = Tiombe Hurd bio |url = http://www.tiombehurd.net/bio.asp |work = tiombehurd.net |accessdate = January 21, 2015 |archive-date = February 20, 2014 |archive-url = https://archive.today/20140220112419/http://www.tiombehurd.net/bio.asp |url-status = dead }}
• Akeem Jordan, football player{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JordAk99.htm|title=Akeem Raphael Jordan|publisher= Pro-Football-Reference.com|accessdate= December 21, 2012 }}
• Kevin Kelly, baseball player
• Alan Mayer, soccer player
• C. J. Sapong, soccer player
• Aaron Stinnie, Football

• Marcia Angell, professor of medicine[https://www.nlm.nih.gov/changingthefaceofmedicine/physicians/biography_10.html Dr. Marcia Angell] at the [https://www.nlm.nih.gov/ National Library of Medicine]. Accessed July 17, 2007.
• Matt Bondurant, novelist
• Kembrew McLeod, professor of communication
• Marney White, professor of psychology

• Jason Harris, professor of business
• Jennifer Morgan, Co-Chief Executive Officer of SAP SE
• John-Paul Lee, founder and CEO of Tavalon Tea
• Christina Tosi, owner of Momofuku Milk Bar; MasterChef judge; James Beard Foundation Award winner: Rising Star Chef
• Kathy J. Warden, CEO of Northrop Grumman

• Sarah Baker, actress
• Ashley Iaconetti, television personality
• Steve James, documentary producer and director
• Nathan Lyon, television host
• PFT Commenter, blogger
• Reshma Shetty, actress
• Patricia Southall, Miss Virginia USA
• Sara Tomko, actress

• Jim Acosta, Senior White House Correspondent for CNN{{cite news

|first = Liz

|last = Taylor

|title = CBS News' Jim Acosta ('93) joins Dan Rather on the set for blackout story

|url = http://www.jmu.edu/monty/AssignmentAmerica.shtml

|work = Montpelier

|date = December 1, 2004

|accessdate = June 24, 2007

}}

• Cornell Belcher, writer, pollster, and political strategist; regular contributor on NBC News, MSNBC, and NPR
• Julia Campbell, newspaper journalist and reporter for CourtTV
• Lawrence Jackson, photojournalist{{cite news |last1=Ziu |first1=Christina |title=JMU alumnus photographed Obama presidency |url=https://www.breezejmu.org/news/jmu-alumnus-photographed-obama-presidency/article_09808128-0f7a-11e7-a2df-0343186cabf8.html |access-date=November 27, 2020 |work=The Breeze |date=March 23, 2017 |language=en}}
• Alison Parker, television reporter who, along with videographer Adam Ward, was killed during a live interview{{cite web|url=http://www.wdbj7.com/news/local/law-enforcement-investigating-incident-at-bridgewater-plaza/34923086 |title=Two WDBJ7 employees killed in attack at Bridgewater Plaza | Local News - WDBJ7.com Central and Southwest VA |accessdate=August 26, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826131524/http://www.wdbj7.com/news/local/law-enforcement-investigating-incident-at-bridgewater-plaza/34923086 |archivedate=August 26, 2015 }} in 2015
• Chuck Taylor, music journalist

• Everything, '90s rock band
• Joe Hottinger, musician (Halestorm)
• Keith Howland, musician (Chicago)
• Illiterate Light,{{Cite news |last=Greenberg |first=Rudi |date=January 22, 2020 |title=Illiterate Light and its very specific sound as a band: Massive |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/music/illiterate-light-and-its-very-specific-sound-as-a-band-massive/2020/01/17/b6e1deba-3872-11ea-bf30-ad313e4ec754_story.html |access-date=September 10, 2024 |work=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} rock band
• Leroi Moore, musician (Dave Matthews Band)
• Old Dominion, members Whit Sellers, Geoff Sprung, Brad Tursi, country musicians and songwriters
• Nate Smith, drummer, songwriter, producer
• Butch Taylor, musician (Dave Matthews Band)
• Phil Vassar, country music singer; awarded honorary degree
• Andrew York, musician and composer

• Kirk Cox, former Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates
• Emmett Hanger, Virginia State Senator
• Jason Miyares, Attorney General of Virginia{{cite news |last1=Russo |first1=Michael |title=Virginia AG Jason Miyares to speak at JMU winter commencement |url=https://www.whsv.com/2024/09/24/ag-jason-miyares-speak-jmu-winter-commencement/ |work=WHSV |date=24 September 2024 |quote=Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, a 1998 graduate of James Madison University, will be the featured speaker for JMU’s winter commencement}}
• Matt Rinaldi, former Texas State Representative and chairman of the Republican Party of Texas
• Walter Shaub, former director of the United States Office of Government Ethics and senior director, Campaign Legal Center
• Joseph R. Slights III, Vice-chancellor, Delaware Court of Chancery; Judge, Superior Court of Delaware
• Levar Stoney, Mayor of Richmond, Virginia and former Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Matthew Wasniewski, Historian of the United States House of Representatives

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