Over 400 donors, alumni, JMU leaders and students gathered on March 28 at the 34th Annual Stewardship Luncheon to celebrate the impact made possible by private philanthropy. Watch the videos below:
Vice president’s welcome
Dr. Nick Langridge, vice president of University Advancement, welcomed guests with news of JMU’s ’record-shattering’ number of student applications to join the Class of 2029, reported on JMU’s impressive first-generation-college student success and shared updates about giving.
Gratitude from JMU Libraries
Dr. Bethany Nowviskie, the dean of Libraries, and Dr. Bob Kolvoord, the interim provost, extended their gratitude to scholarship and library donors Stan (’56) and Rosemary Jones.
Athletic leadership
Cassidy Strittmatter (’25), Marketing major and the retired co-captain of JMU’s field hockey team, and Jordan Yang (’26), an Integrated Science and Technology major and 2024 Women’s Soccer Sun Belt Conference Champion, thanked donors and reflected on their leadership experiences at JMU.
A lieutenant colonel's legacy
Dahlia Constantine, founder of the Lt. Col. Justin Constantine Scholarship Endowment for First Generation Students, recounted the love she shared with her husband, the late Lt. Col. Justin Constantine (’92). Nursing-Track student and scholarship recipient Samantha Cornell (’28) joined her at the podium to reflect on her experiences as a first-generation student and express her gratitude.
Musical partnership
U.S. Marine Corps Band euphoniumist Andrew Ribo (’22, ’24M) made a special visit to JMU to share his experiences working alongside Kevin Stees, a music professor and director of the JMU Brass Band.
National champions
The 2024 National Champion JMU Brass Band performed under the direction of Kevin Stees.
University update
President Charlie King announced the hiring of JMU’s new president, James C. Schmidt, who will begin July 1, and remarked on the generosity of donors over his 30-year career.
