Largest–ever gift caps $251 million campaign

Going toward scholarships, programs and capital projects on campus, 63,976 donors gave more than $251 million, pushing the Unleashed comprehensive campaign past all of its goals and creating a historic moment at James Madison University! 

“This is something we should all be proud of,” said JMU President Jonathan Alger. “We are making history at JMU in our rise to being a national university and engaging with ideas locally and around the world. The commitment and support from our students, faculty and staff, parents and alumni has never been more present and exciting.” 

Unleashed: The Campaign for James Madison University began July 1, 2014, with an initial planning projection of $150 million. In 2018, Unleashed was publicly launched and set the total giving goal of $200 million. At the end of June 2022, the final numbers and dollars were counted to set a record of giving, in true JMU style, of $251,104,785. 

Our shared success and persistence has created an incredible moment for JMU. This is something special that is shared by each person who gives, wears purple and gold, loves the Dukes and cheers for JMU. The JMU nation rallied behind the vision to take this university to the next level. 

Unleashed accomplishments:

• More than half of all donors (39,802) made their first gift to JMU during the campaign.
• Donors who gave between $50 and $1,000 collectively topped the largest gift of the campaign at $17 million.
• More than 20,000 donors gave small gifts for a $10.5 million impact on scholarships.
• $102.6 million was given for scholarships and student support.
• 1,435 donors gave $5 million to support Valley Scholars tuition and programming.
• The Kathy (’92) and Eric (’93) Warden Challenge inspired more than 950 donors to give a total of $3.2 million to provide renewable scholarships for 125 Pell-eligible students. The first scholarships were awarded this fall.
• 3,436 donors provided more than $1 million in emergency scholarships helping 152 students through the Madison for Keeps program.
• 2,180 donors gave to or established Dukes Pay It Forward scholarships totaling almost $6.2 million in funding.

Holland Yates Hall

In addition to these accomplishments, the largest cash gift was received by JMU in the amount of $5 million that helped push toward our final victory! 

Paul Holland ('82) and his spouse, Linda Yates, for whom the hall has been renamed, made the gift to support scholarships, study abroad, entrepreneurship and other initiatives that align with their personal passions and will involve many areas across campus. 

Paul and Linda were attracted to renaming Madison Hall specifically because it is home to the Office of Admissions and the Center for Global Engagement. According to the couple, “Admissions represents the gateway to JMU and the Center for Global Engagement is a passport to the world,” which complements the university’s vision. 

Every gift counts. Your generosity will impact JMU for years, decades and even generations to come. Thank you for giving to Unleashed and for believing in JMU. Together, we did it! 

With gratitude, 

Nick Langridge ('00, '07M, '14Ph.D.),
Vice President for Advancement