James Madison University facts for kids
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|
| Motto | Knowledge is Liberty |
|---|---|
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1908 |
|
Academic affiliations
|
SURA, SCHEV |
| Endowment | $80.0 million (2016) |
| Budget | $549 million (2017) |
| President | Jonathan R. Alger |
|
Academic staff
|
1,375 |
| Students | 22,667 |
| Undergraduates | 20,779 |
| Postgraduates | 1,888 |
| Location |
,
,
U.S.
|
James Madison University is a public coeducational research university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, the institution was renamed Madison College in 1938 in honor of President James Madison and then James Madison University in 1977. The university is situated in the Shenandoah Valley.
History
Founded in 1908 as a women's college, James Madison University was established by the Virginia General Assembly. It was originally called The State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg. At first, academic offerings included only today's equivalent of technical training or junior college courses; however permission to award bachelor's degrees was granted in 1916. During this initial period of development, the campus plan was established and six buildings were constructed.
The university became the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg in 1924 and continued under that name until 1938, when it was named Madison College in honor of James Madison, the fourth President of the United States whose estate is located in nearby Orange, Virginia. In 1976, the university's name was changed to James Madison University.
The first president of the university was Julian Ashby Burruss. The university opened its doors to its first student body in 1909 with an enrollment of 209 students and a faculty of 15. Its first 20 graduates received diplomas in 1911. In 1919, Julian Burruss resigned the presidency.
In 1946, men were first enrolled as regular day students. During 1949 to 1970, the campus was enlarged and 19 buildings were constructed. Major curriculum changes were made and the university was authorized to grant master's degrees in 1954.
In 1966, by action of the Virginia General Assembly, the university became a coeducational institution. Ronald E. Carrier, JMU's fourth president, headed the institution from 1971 to 1998. During Carrier's administration, student enrollment and the number of faculty and staff tripled, doctoral programs were authorized, more than twenty major campus buildings were constructed and the university was recognized repeatedly by national publications as one of the finest institutions of its type in America.
James Madison University now has over 350 clubs and organizations for students to choose from. The goal is to provide students with a unique experience that will help them to grow within the community and lifestyle outside of the classroom.
Images for kids
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James Madison, the father of the Constitution and namesake of James Madison University.
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Wilson Hall, centerpiece of the JMU quadrangle.
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A lifesized statue of James Madison is located on the bluestone section of the campus.
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JMU's East Campus overlooks distant mountains.
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The Rose Library at JMU which opened in 2008
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The Festival Conference and Student Center houses many of the university's programs.
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The university's main gym and athletic center is the University Recreation Center (UREC)
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The football team's stadium.
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See also
In Spanish: Universidad James Madison para niños
