Alumni Awards 2025
JMU Headlines
SUMMARY: On March 14, the JMU Alumni Association hosted its Annual Alumni Awards ceremony, celebrating the extraordinary achievements and contributions of our honored alumni to their communities, professions, and the university.
JMU Dukes shined bright at the 2025 JMU Alumni Association Alumni Awards! (L-R): Honored guests included Paula Polgase (’92,’96), Ellen Wescott Hineman (’82), Paul Holland (’82), Brielle Sue Lacroix (’25), Mary Margaret Thacker (’18), Heather Easley Hedrick (’00), Leasa Neaves (’92) and Robert L. Dortch Jr. (’90), alongside University President Charlie King.
The evening opened with a dual introduction of the President of the Alumni Board of Directors Ellen Wescott Hineman (’89), and JMU Alumni Director Paula Polgase (’92, ’96) and providing warm welcomes and joyful quips to all guests in attendance.
Ronald E. Carrier Alumni Achievement Award recipient Robert L. Dortch Jr. (’90), in his acceptance speech, reflected on the contributions and support of his friends, family, and peers throughout his journey as a First-Generation student and early-career professional. “It’s not about beating the odds. It’s about changing the odds.”
Leasa Neaves (’92), recipient of the Social Justice Award imparted encouraging words to women in STEM fields and leadership roles. “... just barely ten—percent of Fortune 500 CEOs in the United States are women. But we can continue to change those numbers by touching one woman at a time, by touching 350 women at a time.”
Brielle Sue Lacroix (’25), Student Today, Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) Award recipient, expressed deep gratitude for receiving the award and reflects on her time at JMU, emphasizing the valuable experiences and lifelong connections she made. “Being a Duke is more than just going to school here, and the people I’ve met, the experiences I’ve had, and the lessons I’ve learned will carry with me throughout the rest of my life.”
Young Alumni Award recipient Mary Margaret Thacker (’18) thanked the Honors College, her family, discussing the lessons she learned, the friendships she built, and how the university fostered her passion for leadership and service. “They encourage me. They support me. They champion me.”
Recipient of the Inez Graybeal Roop (’35) Alumni Service Award, Heather Easley Hedrick (’00) shared her love for JMU and its community. “I want to thank each of you in this room, many of whom I’ve had the honor and privilege to serve alongside, for all that you do for JMU—because you are what makes this place so special.”
President of the University Charlie King, presented Paul Holland (’82) with the President’s Award, commemorating his leadership and loyalty to JMU’s community. In his acceptance speech, Holland expressed his gratitude towards JMU’s faculty, students, and his fellow alumni. “thank you for fostering the culture of excellence, innovation, and generosity that makes this university so special. This honor is not just mine; it belongs to everyone who believes in the power of education and in the limitless potential of JMU students.”
Members of the JMU Alumni Association Board of Directors past and present posed for a picture. The board is the governing body of the JMU Alumni Association and is made up of Dukes who represents our nearly 160,000 living alumni!
