Charlie King begins role as interim president of James Madison University

As Charlie King begins his term as interim president of James Madison University this week, he will draw on his vast knowledge of the university to continue its ascent as one of the top public universities in the nation.

King retired from JMU in December 2021 after spending 25 years as the chief financial officer and senior vice president of administration and finance. The Board of Visitors appointed him interim president after the university’s sixth president, Jonathan Alger, announced he would be leaving to become the president of American University in Washington, D.C.

Among some recent achievements, the university received more than 40,000 undergraduate applications for the 2024-25 academic year, has been elevated to an R2 doctoral university on the Carnegie Classification scale, transitioned to the top level of Division 1 football and joined the Sun Belt Conference for most of its athletic teams and is in the process of renovating or rebuilding several key campus buildings, including Carrier Library and the Ikenberry Hall dormitory.

In a letter to faculty and staff, King noted that JMU continues to undergo positive transformation and change. During those moments of transition, he is proud that the core focus of student success has never wavered.

“With our joint commitment toward the success of our students, faculty and staff, I believe we can all make this year a uniquely special time in our institution’s history,” he said. “JMU has a longstanding tradition in caring for one another and coming together to conquer challenges. That culture and collaboration will continue as I serve in this interim role.”