James Madison University, a public research university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, was established in 1908. Initially called the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, the name changed to Madison College in 1938 to honor President James Madison. In 1977, it was renamed again to James Madison University. The university has evolved from a teacher's college into a comprehensive university and is situated in the Shenandoah Valley, near Massanutten Mountain.
1908: Founding of the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg
In 1908, the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg was founded by the Virginia General Assembly.
1908: Establishment of the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg
The Virginia General Assembly established the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg in 1908 as a women's college.
1909: First Student Body Enrolled
The university welcomed its first student body in 1909, with 209 students and 15 faculty members.
1911: First Graduating Class
The first graduating class of 20 students received their diplomas in 1911.
1914: Name Change to the State Normal School for Women at Harrisonburg
In 1914, the institution's name was changed to the State Normal School for Women at Harrisonburg.
1915: JMU Student Government Association (SGA) Founded
The JMU Student Government Association (SGA) was established in 1915, becoming the first organization on campus. Its mission was to represent the JMU student population and advocate for their interests to the administration and the wider community.
1916: Authorization to Award Bachelor's Degrees
The institution was authorized to award bachelor's degrees in 1916, expanding its academic offerings beyond technical training and junior college courses.
1922: The Breeze Student Newspaper Founded
The Breeze, JMU's student-run newspaper, was founded in 1922, marking the beginning of a long tradition of student journalism at the university.
1924: Becoming the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg
In 1924, the university became known as the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg.
1938: Renaming to Madison College
In 1938, the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg was renamed to Madison College in honor of President James Madison.
1938: Renaming to Madison College
The university was renamed Madison College in 1938 to honor James Madison, the fourth President of the United States.
1946: Men Enrolled as Day Students
In 1946, the university first allowed men to enroll as regular day students.
1949: G. Tyler Miller Becomes Third President
G. Tyler Miller took over as the third president in 1949 following the retirement of Duke.
1949: Duke's Retirement as President
Samuel Page Duke served as president from 1919 to his retirement in 1949, a period during which nine major buildings were constructed.
1954: Authorization to Grant Master's Degrees
The university received authorization to grant master's degrees in 1954, marking a significant expansion in its academic offerings.
1966: Becoming a Coeducational Institution
In 1966, the Virginia General Assembly declared the university a coeducational institution, opening its doors to both men and women.
1970: End of Miller's Presidency
Miller's tenure as president lasted from 1949 to 1970, during which the campus expanded significantly, and new buildings were constructed.
1971: Ronald E. Carrier Becomes Fourth President
Ronald E. Carrier began his term as JMU's fourth president in 1971.
1972: Marching Royal Dukes Founded
The Marching Royal Dukes, JMU's official marching band, was established in 1972, the same year as the university's football team.
1974: John C. Wells Planetarium Opens
The John C. Wells Planetarium first opened its doors in 1974, marking a new era for science education at JMU.
1977: Renaming to James Madison University
In 1977, Madison College was renamed to James Madison University.
1977: Renaming to James Madison University
The university's name was changed once again in 1977 to James Madison University.
1983: Baseball Team Advances to College World Series
In 1983, James Madison University's baseball team advanced to the College World Series, becoming the first Virginia school to achieve this milestone.
1983: NFC Title Game Performance
In 1983, the Marching Royal Dukes performed at the NFC title game between Washington and Dallas.
1988: Bands of America Grand National Championships
In 1988, the Marching Royal Dukes performed at the Bands of America Grand National Championships.
1991: Bands of America Grand National Championships
In 1991, the Marching Royal Dukes performed once again at the Bands of America Grand National Championships.
1994: Men's Basketball Team's Previous CAA Championship
In 1994, James Madison University's men's basketball team won the CAA championship title, a milestone they wouldn't repeat until 2013.
1994: Women's Field Hockey Team Wins National Title
In 1994, the JMU women's field hockey team won the university's first national title, marking a significant achievement in the school's athletic history.
1994: Marching Royal Dukes Awarded Sudler Trophy
In 1994, the Marching Royal Dukes received the Sudler Trophy, the highest possible honor for a college marching band. They were the second ensemble from a school with an I-AA football team to achieve this, following Florida A&M University.
1997: Founding of JMU Men's Ultimate Team
In 1997, the JMU men's ultimate team, named the Flying Hellfish after a Simpsons episode, was founded.
1998: End of Carrier's Presidency
Carrier's presidency concluded in 1998, having overseen a period of significant growth in student enrollment, faculty, staff, and infrastructure.
2000: Police Presence Required at Off-Campus Party
An off-campus party with approximately 2,500 students became unmanageable in 2000, requiring a police presence at the Forest Hills townhouse complex on Village Lane.
2000: JMU Brass Band Formed
The JMU Brass Band, one of the few collegiate brass bands in the United States, was established in the Fall of 2000.
2001: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Debut
In 2001, the Marching Royal Dukes made their debut appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
2002: JMU Begins Fundraising for Performing Arts Complex
In 2002, JMU embarked on a fundraising campaign to secure state and private funding for a state-of-the-art performing arts complex, a project that would ultimately become the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts.
2003: SafeRides Program Founded
Inspired by a similar program at Texas A&M, the SafeRides program was founded at JMU in 2003 as a student-led initiative under the SGA. This non-profit organization provides free rides home to students at night, promoting safety and well-being on campus.
2004: Football Team Wins NCAA Division I-AA National Title
In 2004, the JMU football team won the NCAA Division I-AA national title with a 13–2 record, becoming the only team in history to win the title after playing four straight road playoff games.
2004: JMU Brass Band Wins First NABBA Honors Section Championship
In 2004, the JMU Brass Band achieved a significant milestone by winning its first North American Brass Band Association (NABBA) Honors Section Championship.
June 2005: Leasing of Former Harrisonburg High School Building
JMU expanded its presence across South High Street in June 2005 by leasing the former Harrisonburg High School building from the City of Harrisonburg.
June 24, 2005: Establishment of the College of Visual and Performing Arts
The Board of Visitors approved the Madison College Proposal on June 24, 2005, leading to the creation of the College of Visual and Performing Arts from the College of Arts and Letters.
2005: JMU School of Music Becomes All-Steinway School
In 2005, thanks to a generous gift from Dr. Elizabeth Swallow, JMU's School of Music achieved the distinction of becoming an All-Steinway School.
2005: Inauguration of Hellfish Bonanza
In 2005, the JMU men's ultimate team began hosting an annual tournament known as 'The Hellfish Bonanza,' which attracts 12 to 16 teams from across the east coast.
2005: JMU Brass Band Wins Second NABBA Honors Section Championship
The JMU Brass Band continued its winning streak in 2005, securing its second NABBA Honors Section Championship.
May 2006: Purchase of Former Harrisonburg High School Property
In May 2006, JMU acquired the property of the former Harrisonburg High School, which they had been leasing since June 2005.
2006: JMU Ranked Second in the Nation for Peace Corps Volunteers
In 2006, JMU was recognized for its students' commitment to service when The Princeton Review ranked it 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.
2006: Football Team's Playoff Appearance
In 2006, the JMU football team appeared in the playoffs.
2006: Tension in City-University Relationship
The university's rapid expansion during this period caused tension in its relationship with the city. The university's size had almost doubled in the preceding 20 years, which included the purchase of numerous local properties.
2007: Football Team's Playoff Appearance
In 2007, the JMU football team appeared in the playoffs.
August 11, 2008: Opening of Rose Library
The Rose Library, located on the east side of campus, was officially opened on August 11, 2008.
2008: Football Team's Playoff Appearance
In 2008, the JMU football team appeared in the playoffs.
2008: Second Macy's Parade Appearance
In 2008, the Marching Royal Dukes appeared for the second time in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
2008: John C. Wells Planetarium Undergoes Renovation
In 2008, the John C. Wells Planetarium underwent a $1.5 million renovation, transforming it into a state-of-the-art hybrid planetarium, the only one of its kind in the world at the time.
October 2, 2009: Phi Beta Kappa Chapter Granted
JMU was granted a chapter by the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society on October 2, 2009.
2009: Expansion of Bridgeforth Stadium Begins
After the last football game of the 2009 season, James Madison University began an expansion project for Bridgeforth Stadium, aiming to increase its seating capacity to approximately 25,000.
June 2010: Forbes Center for the Performing Arts Opens
After years of planning and construction, the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts officially opened its doors in June 2010. The center, exceeding $92 million in total cost, stands as a testament to the university's dedication to the arts.
September 2010: Forbes Center for the Performing Arts Opens
In September 2010, James Madison University celebrated the opening of the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts. This $82 million complex, funded by a Virginia higher-education bond package, houses two connected buildings: the Estes Center for Theatre and Dance and the Roberts Center for Music Performance.
2010: Opening of New Baseball and Softball Field Complex
In 2010, James Madison University opened a new multimillion-dollar baseball and softball field complex, marking a significant investment in athletic facilities during President Linwood Rose's tenure.
2010: JMU's Food Ranked Third in the United States
JMU's commitment to student satisfaction was evident in 2010 when its food was ranked third in the United States, showcasing the university's dedication to providing a positive campus experience.
2011: Football Team's Playoff Appearance
In 2011, the JMU football team appeared in the playoffs.
2011: Completion of Bridgeforth Stadium Expansion
In 2011, the expansion of Bridgeforth Stadium was completed, increasing its seating capacity to approximately 25,000 in time for the football season.
2011: JMU Ranked 20th "Happiest" Student Body in the Nation
JMU's vibrant campus life and academic excellence contributed to its ranking as the 20th "happiest" student body in the nation by Newsweek and The Daily Beast in 2011. This ranking took into consideration various factors, including surrounding area activities, academics, and the social scene on campus.
2012: Enrollment and Degrees Granted
In the 2012-2013 academic year, the university had a total enrollment of 19,927 students, with 18,392 undergraduates and 1,820 graduate students. In that same year, JMU granted 4,908 degrees, including 4,096 undergraduate and 812 graduate degrees.
2012: The Breeze Wins Multiple Awards
In 2012, The Breeze received well-deserved recognition for its journalistic excellence, winning several awards, including an Online Pacemaker Award, a VPA award for Best in Show for a Non-Daily News Presentation, and a VPA sweepstakes award.
2012: Women's Basketball Team Advances to WNIT National Championship
In 2012, the James Madison women's basketball team won a program record 29 games and advanced to the WNIT National Championship game, where they lost to Oklahoma State University.
2012: University Park Opens
In 2012, JMU expanded its campus eastward across Interstate 81 with the opening of University Park off Port Republic Road. This new addition combined recreational and varsity athletic fields, furthering the university's commitment to student life and athletics.
2013: BloombergBusiness Ranking
In 2013, BloombergBusiness ranked JMU's undergraduate business school 15th in the country for return on investment.
2013: Men's Basketball Team Wins CAA Championship
In 2013, James Madison University's men's basketball team won the CAA championship title for the first time since 1994 and won their first NCAA tournament game in 30 years by defeating Long Island University-Brooklyn.
2013: Women's Basketball Team Advances in WNIT
In 2013, the James Madison women's basketball team, led by head coach Kenny Brooks, advanced in the WNIT, defeating NC A&T, NC State, and Fordham before falling to Florida in the quarterfinals.
2013: Third Macy's Parade Appearance
In 2013, the Marching Royal Dukes appeared for the third time in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
2014: Marching Royal Dukes European Tour
During the 2014-15 winter break, the Marching Royal Dukes traveled to Europe, visiting cities like Athens, Dublin, Monaco, London, and Rome.
2014: Football Team's Playoff Appearance
In 2014, the JMU football team appeared in the playoffs.
2014: Women's Basketball Team's Record Season
In 2014, the James Madison women's basketball team posted an overall 29–6 record, culminating with a loss to Texas A&M University in the NCAA Championship Round of 32. This marked the ninth consecutive year of postseason play and the program's ninth consecutive season with 20 victories, a school record.
2014: BloombergBusiness Ranking
JMU's College of Business was ranked 40th among undergraduate business programs in the U.S. by BloombergBusiness in 2014.
2015: Kiplinger's "100 Best Values in Public Colleges" Ranking
JMU was ranked 21st in the nation for value among public colleges and universities in Kiplinger magazine's 2015 "100 Best Values in Public Colleges".
2015: Football Team's Playoff Appearance
In 2015, the JMU football team appeared in the playoffs.
2015: Participation in Italian New Year's Day Parade
In 2015, the Marching Royal Dukes participated in the Italian New Year's Day Parade in the Vatican as part of their European tour.
2015: JMU SGA Celebrates 100th Anniversary
In 2015, the JMU SGA celebrated a century of student leadership and advocacy since its founding in 1915, a testament to its enduring role in campus life.
2016: Second NCAA Division I-AA National Title
In 2016, the JMU football team won its second NCAA Division I-AA national title with a 14–1 record, going undefeated in the FCS.
2017: Football Team's National Runner-Up Finish
In 2017, the JMU football team was the national runner-up in the FCS.
2018: Football Team's Playoff Appearance
In 2018, the JMU football team appeared in the playoffs.
2018: Fourth Macy's Parade Appearance
In 2018, the Marching Royal Dukes appeared for the fourth time in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
2018: Washington Monthly College Ranking
JMU secured the eighth position among master's universities nationwide in the 2018 Washington Monthly college rankings, which evaluates institutions based on social mobility, research, and service.
2019: Football Team's National Runner-Up Finish
In 2019, the JMU football team was the national runner-up in the FCS.
2019: JMU Brass Band is NABBA Champion Section Runner-Up
The JMU Brass Band's success continued in 2019 when they were named the NABBA Champion Section runner-up.
2020: JMU Renames Buildings Honoring Confederate Soldiers
In 2020, JMU's Board of Visitors made a significant decision to rename three historic buildings on the quad that were originally named in honor of prominent Virginian Confederate soldiers. Ashby Hall, Maury Hall, and Jackson Hall were given temporary names (Valley Hall, Mountain Hall, and Justice Studies Hall, respectively) as the university sought new namesakes that better reflected its values.
2020: Annual Athletic Fee
In 2020, James Madison University set the annual athletic fee for each student at $2,340, which financed three-quarters of the Athletic Department's revenues.
August 2021: National Criticism for Orientation Leader Training Video
In August 2021, the university faced national criticism from conservative political commentators and alumni due to an orientation leader training video that suggested white Americans and Christians were oppressors. The university defended the training, stating its purpose was to equip student guides with the skills to work with students from diverse backgrounds.
2021: JMU Confirms New Names for Renamed Buildings
In 2021, JMU finalized the renaming process for the three buildings that had previously honored Confederate soldiers. Mountain Hall (formerly Maury Hall) was renamed Gabbin Hall in honor of Drs. Joanne V. and Alexander Gabbin, longtime professors at JMU; Valley Hall (formerly Ashby Hall) became Harper Allen-Lee Hall, recognizing Doris Harper Allen and Robert Walker Lee, both notable former JMU staff members; and Justice Studies Hall (formerly Jackson Hall) was renamed Darcus Johnson Hall, honoring Sheary Darcus Johnson, the first black student to graduate from JMU.
2021: ISAT/CS Building Renamed King Hall
In late 2021, JMU renamed the ISAT/CS building to King Hall, honoring Charles W. King for his long and dedicated service as Senior Vice President of the Administration and Finance Division at the university.
July 2022: Football Program Joins NCAA FBS
Beginning in July 2022, James Madison University's football program started competing in the NCAA's Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as part of the Sun Belt Conference, transitioning from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
2022: Largest Collegiate Marching Band
As of Fall 2022, James Madison University has the largest collegiate marching band in the nation, with 540 members. Known as 'Virginia's Finest,' the Marching Royal Dukes have performed at various prestigious events.
2022: Monument Dedicated to Members of Inter-Cultural Greek Council
In 2022, James Madison University dedicated a monument called 'The Yard' to honor the members of the Inter-Cultural Greek Council for their commitment to social justice and community service. The monument was built by the institution's Student Success Center.
2022: SafeRides Approved as FEB Organization, Surpasses 100,000 Rides
In 2022, SafeRides achieved two significant milestones. It was approved as a Front End Budgeted (FEB) organization by the SGA, securing its financial stability, and it surpassed 100,000 rides provided since its inception, demonstrating its profound impact on student safety.
March 18, 2024: Jonathan R. Alger Announces Departure from JMU
On March 18, 2024, Jonathan R. Alger, JMU's sixth president, announced his decision to leave the university to become the 16th president of American University.
July 1, 2024: Charlie King Appointed Interim President
Following President Alger's announcement, Charlie King, former Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance, was appointed as interim president of JMU, effective July 1, 2024.
2024: Men's Basketball Team Wins Sun Belt Tournament
In 2024, James Madison University's men's basketball team won the Sun Belt tournament with a record of 31–3 and is predicted to be seeded 11 or 12 in the NCAA tournament in March.
2024: U.S. News & World Report Ranking
JMU was ranked No. 124 among national universities in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report.
June 30, 2025: Charlie King's Term as Interim President Concludes
Charlie King's tenure as interim president of JMU is set to conclude on June 30, 2025, or sooner if a new president is selected before that date.