April 2, 2015

Dear Donors and Friends,

The 2015 Stewardship Luncheon on Friday, March 20, 2015, showcased
some of Madisons best and brightest in a celebration of giving. More
than 400 donors, student scholarship recipients, faculty and university
leaders all came together to make JMU shine. You are a crucial element
of what makes JMU such an amazing place, so I wanted to take some
time to share the highlights of the event and keep you apprised of the
great things happening at Madison.
University Advancement Vice President Nick Langridge explained how
one gift from a donoryour giftacts as a catalyst that sets off a chain
reaction of impact at JMUwell beyond what you might first have
realized.
Avrum (01) and Lauren McKay (01) Elmakis, owners and co-founders
of a growing natural pet product empire, gave tribute to one of their
favorite professors at JMU. It was this professors enthusiasm for
teaching, encouragement and faith that inspired the Elmakises in their
lives as students and in their lives today. Recognizing it is a professors
guidance and mentorship that truly enhances a students success and
well-being, the Elmakises made a gift to support the faculty in the
College of Integrated Science and Engineering. They commented that
they want JMU to continue to be known for the quality of the professorstudent relationship.
Dr. Cindy Klevickis was incredibly grateful for Avrum and Laurens gift
in her honor, which will allow her and other exceptional professors to
do what they love. She shared the many exciting ways that the Elmakis
gift enhances her ability to teach students, including preparing future
teachers, teaching a dual enrollment course for college credit at
Huguenot High School in Richmond through JMUs Professor in
Residence program, and much more.
Graduate student Deserae Barney (14M) also expressed her thanks to
Dr. Klevickis, My professors have been the best part of my Madison
Experience. As a part of the Roop Learning Community, established by
Dr. Klevickis, Deserae learned as an undergraduate about transferring
her passion to students and getting them excited about science.
Deserae, who will teach in a dual-language program this fall, says she
is inspired to be as motivational and committed as her mentor Cindy
Klevickis.

Huguenot High School students Jenae Bailey (15), Dara Sao (15),
LaKayla Bonaparte (15) and Jada Wade (15) all met Cindy Klevickis
through the Professor in Residence program. Most of them never
imagined they would be going to college, but Dr. Klevickis encouraged
them to be proactive about their futures and seek out opportunity. She
wrote them letters of recommendation, helped with applications and so
much more. Jenae explained that all of them will graduate from JMU
within the next year and have promising futures ahead of them. If it
hadnt been for Dr. Klevickis, she said, I would not have even tried.
Thats how much one JMU professor matters.
Dean of the College of Integrated Science and Engineering, Bob
Kolvoord, urges us to recognize the power of one gift. One gift made to
support faculty touches a special professor, who in turn inspires a
classroom of students who go out into the world to continue the ripple
effect, thats how one gift for faculty support keeps giving.
Rounding out the days stellar speakers was President Jonathan Alger.
He thanked everyone for their support in making the kinds of
educational experiences described by some of the speakers possible.
He also announced a transformative gift of more than $3 million from
California Pizza Kitchen CEO and alumnus G.J. (84) and Heather Hart to
name the Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management
in the College of Business. The Harts giftlike yourswill have a
profound and unending impact on thousands of students.
I want to thank you again for all of your support to JMU. It is because of
you that we can count on such an extraordinary future ahead of us.
Thank you for believing in Madison.
Please visit http://www.jmu.edu/donors to see the video from the
luncheon.
Also included with this letter are a few items given to luncheon
attendees: a printed program and this years Be the Change Calendar.
Sincerely,
Linda Elliot, Director
Donor Relations
P.S. I hope to see you next year at our next luncheon on Friday, March
18, 2016.