From a teachers’ school for women, to a regional master’s-level university, to a national research institution, JMU certainly has evolved during its 117-year history. Dr. Anthony Tongen, vice president of Research, Economic Development and Innovation, and Dr. Rudy Molina, vice provost for Student Academic Success, discuss how this evolution continues to progress and what’s in JMU’s future.

Dr. Kara Dillard, executive director of the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement, discusses the recent conversation on campus between Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell (’93) and Minority Leader Ryan McDougle (’93), and how these two JMU alumni from opposite sides of the political spectrum collaborate despite their differences.

Chaz Haywood ('97), clerk of the Rockingham County Circuit Court, and Megan Pullen ('18, '23M), the court's deputy clerk for historic archives, discuss how unearthing courthouse records dating back to the 1700s brings to life local history and demonstrates how much our lives have improved since the early days of the republic.

Sierra Stanczyk ('09), Meghan Schenker-Fulcher and Carole Anderson ('86) discuss the phenomenal rise of Women for Madison, a group that has taken the JMU campus community by storm by celebrating successful women and supporting the university.

Undergraduate applications to JMU have increased by more than 80% over the last five years, smashing records. Vice President for Enrollment Management Melinda Wood discusses the factors contributing to this incredible increase in JMU's national and international popularity, and how the university plans to navigate increased competition as college-aged populations decline.