Madison W I N T E R 2 0 1 8 Vol. 41, No. 1 B OA R D O F V I S I T O R S 2 017–1 8
VANESSA M. EVANS-GREVIOUS ( ’93, ’97M), Rector WA R R E N K . C O L E M A N ( ’ 79, ’81M), Vice Rector M I C H A E L B . B AT T L E ( ’81, ’83M) W I L L I A M T. B O L L I N G
LETTERS
As news of the death of Madison’s beloved President Emeritus Ronald E. Carrier reached the JMU community, hundreds posted their memories of “Uncle Ron” on Facebook. Here are just a few of the tributes.
J E F F R E Y E . G R A S S ( ’92) M AT T H E W A . G R AY ( ’05) M A R I B E T H D . H E R O D ( ’82) L U C Y H U T C H I N S O N ( ’06) M A R I A D . JA N KO W S K I D E B O R A H T. J O H N S O N ( ’ 78 ) L A R A P. M A J O R ( ’92) E D WA R D R I C E J O H N C . R O T H E N B E R G E R ( ’88 ) M I C H A E L M . T H O M A S ( ’ 76, ’ 77M) C R A I G B . W E L B U R N ( ’96) E R I C K A U F M A N N , Student Member D O N N A L . H A R P E R ( ’ 77, ’81M, ’86ED.S.), Secretary PRESIDENT
J O N AT H A N R . A L G E R S E N I O R A D M I N I S T R AT O R S
BRIAN CHARETTE Special Assistant to the President, Strategic Planning and Engagement H E AT H E R C O LT M A N Provost and Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs M I K E DAV I S Executive Advisor to the President A R T H U R T. D E A N I I ( ’93, ’99M) Executive Director, Campus & Community Programs for Access and Inclusion D O N N A L . H A R P E R ( ’ 77, ’81M, ’86ED.S.) Vice President, Access and Enrollment Management CHAR LE S W. KI N G J R . Senior Vice President, Administration and Finance N I C K L . L A N G R I D G E ( ’00, ’07M, ’14PH.D.) Vice President, University Advancement M A R K J . WA R N E R ( ’ 79, ’81M, ’85ED.S.) Senior Vice President, Student Affairs SUSAN L . WHEELER University Counsel and Special Assistant Attorney General VICE PROVOSTS
L I N DA C A B E H A L P E R N University Programs Y VO N N E R . H A R R I S Research and Scholarship
– Mary Beth Brown (’88)
Dr. Ronald E. Carrier was a giant for higher education, the Shenandoah Valley and the Commonwealth of Virginia! Words cannot express the sense of loss that so many people feel .... he inspired us, he motivated us to act, and he transformed the lives of so many people, young and old. He certainly was a man who helped to transform my life and helped to give meaning and purpose to my future. I loved Dr. Carrier and send my heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Carrier and the family. God bless all of them at this very sad time. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. – Mike DeWitt (’78), JMU Board of Visitors member, 1978-82
JIE CHEN The Graduate School
I will never forget him. He was a wonderful person and truly loved the students and JMU. You never knew when he would slide into the chair next to you at D-Hall. Rest in peace, Uncle Ron. You will be missed by this Duke from the Class of 1996.
M A R Y A . G O WA N Business
– Stacey Gibson (’96)
M A R I L O U J O H N S O N ( ’80 ) Academic Development DEANS
J. CHRIS ARNDT Arts and Letters (interim) CYNTH IA M . BAU E R LE Science and Mathematics
R O B E R T A . KO LVO O R D Integrated Science and Engineering S H A R O N E . L OV E L L ( ’85) Health and Behavioral Studies A DA M L . M U R R AY Libraries and Educational Technologies BRADLEY R . NEWCOMER Honors G E O R G E E . S PA R K S Visual and Performing Arts PHILLIP M. WISHON Education A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N O F F I C E R
H E AT H E R H E D R I C K ( ’00 ), President PA R E N T S C O U N C I L C H A I R S
DA N and L I S A E N G E L H A R D T ( ’18P)
4
Uncle Ron! He propelled our school to greatness in many ways, but the best was how he was always mingling with students. I am convinced that is a main reason JMU is known as one of the friendliest campuses. I’m hoping he was met with purple and gold streamers on his entrance to heaven!
M A D I S O N
M AG A Z I N E
I met Dr. Carrier when he first came to Harrisonburg many years ago. He and my 93-yearold father had become very good friends over the years. Such a sad day for the city, JMU and many JMU alums, as he was truly one of the best leaders any city or school could have. We were so fortunate to have had him in Harrisonburg and at JMU! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! – John Leake (’77)
Dr. Carrier’s vision took JMU from 4,000 young people to 14,000 and accordingly changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of students, their families and the city of Harrisonburg—my life being one of them. I probably would have never become a state senator if he had not encouraged me to apply to be a Governor’s Fellow in 1993 and offered to fund my summer food and housing expenses. Few people are able to impact so many in their lifetime. RIP, Dr. C. – Virginia Sen. Scott A. Surovell (’93)
Ron Carrier was a great role model for me when I was a student and a few years later as a faculty member. He inspired me to go into higher education. He took a personal interest in me during all my JMU years, and I will never forget it and always be thankful. – Steven A. Schwab (’86)
P H O T O G R A P H C O U R T E S Y O F J M U S P E C I A L C O L L EC T I O N S