James Madison University

James Madison University
Name	James Madison University
Established	1908
Type	Public research university
Endowment	$169.7 million (2022)
President	Jonathan R. Alger
City	Harrisonburg
State	Virginia
Country	United States
Campus	College town, 721 acres
Students	22,224 (Fall 2022)
Faculty	1,485
Colors	Purple and gold
Nickname	Dukes
Affiliations	University of Virginia (former), State Council of Higher Education for Virginia

James Madison University. Founded in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, the institution was created by the Virginia General Assembly. It became part of the University of Virginia in 1944, gaining independence as a comprehensive university in 1977. Named for the fourth President of the United States, it is a public research university renowned for its programs in health sciences, business, and education, consistently ranked among the top public universities in the Southeastern United States by publications like U.S. News & World Report.

History

The university's origins trace to a 1908 act of the Virginia General Assembly, establishing the State Normal and Industrial School for Women. Its first president was Julian Ashby Burruss, who later became president of Virginia Tech. The school was initially housed in the former Harrisonburg Normal and Commercial School building. In 1914, it was renamed the State Normal School for Women at Harrisonburg, and in 1938, it became Madison College in honor of James Madison and his wife, Dolley Madison. Following a period as the women's college of the University of Virginia from 1944 to 1966, it became coeducational. Achieving university status in 1977, it was renamed by the Virginia General Assembly. Significant growth occurred under presidents like Ronald E. Carrier and Linwood H. Rose, with the campus expanding dramatically and the university gaining national recognition in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

Academics

The university is organized into several colleges, including the College of Business, College of Health and Behavioral Studies, and College of Arts and Letters. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Notable programs include the highly ranked School of Accounting and the Department of Nursing, with other strengths in communication sciences and disorders, psychology, and engineering. The university offers numerous degrees through the Graduate School and emphasizes engaged learning via the John C. Wells Planetarium and the Institute for Visual Studies. It maintains a core curriculum rooted in the liberal arts and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Campus

The main campus is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, within the Shenandoah Valley, and features a blend of colonial revival and modern architecture. Key landmarks include the iconic Wilson Hall, the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, and the University Recreation Center. The university has expanded with the development of the College of Integrated Science and Technology complex and the Health and Behavioral Studies building. It also operates the Polyface Farm for sustainable agriculture research and the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum. Additional facilities include the Hartman Hall and the recently constructed Chandler Hall.

Student life

Student life is governed by the Student Government Association and features over 350 student organizations, including fraternities and sororities under the National Panhellenic Conference and the North-American Interfraternity Conference. Major annual events include Homecoming and the Madison Week celebration. The university's media outlets include the newspaper The Breeze and radio station WXJM. Campus traditions are centered around the statue of James Madison, known as the Duke Dog, the official mascot. Religious life is supported by organizations like the Campus Christian Center and the Hillel International chapter.

Athletics

The university's athletic teams, known as the James Madison Dukes, compete in the NCAA Division I as members of the Sun Belt Conference for most sports, with football competing in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Notable facilities include Bridgeforth Stadium and the Atlantic Union Bank Center. The Dukes have won multiple national championships in FCS football, most recently in 2016, and have seen success in sports like women's lacrosse and men's soccer. The program has produced athletes who have played in the National Football League, such as Charles Haley and Gary Clark.

Notable alumni

Alumni have achieved prominence in diverse fields. In politics and public service, notable figures include former United States Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and Virginia politician Mark Obenshain. Entertainment industry alumni include actress and comedian Ashley Williams and NBC News correspondent Kelly O'Donnell. Sports alumni include Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Charles Haley and Major League Baseball player Kevin Munson. Other distinguished graduates are Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Maraniss and former president of The College of William & Mary Timothy J. Sullivan.

Category:Universities and colleges in Virginia Category:Public universities and colleges in the United States Category:Educational institutions established in 1908