JMU Alumni Association makes $500,000 gift, issues challenge

Harrisonburg, Va. - The James Madison University Alumni Association announced a $500,000 gift to support the construction of a new, on-campus Convocation Center and the naming of the Alumni Plaza outside of the new facility during Saturday's home men's basketball game. As part of the announcement, the alumni board challenged JMU's 123,000 alumni to make contributions to support the project. The goal is to equal the association's gift with a sizable amount of alumni participation by June 30, 2016, for a combined total of $1 million.

The 8,500-seat facility, located on the corner of University Boulevard and Carrier Drive, will have the ability to host basketball games, concerts, events, speakers and conferences. The state-of-the-art structure will be the largest event space in the Shenandoah Valley and be a tremendous asset for the university.

"The new Convo project presented us with a unique opportunity to invest in the 'front porch' of the university and further enrich the collective experiences of our students, faculty and staff as well as the entire Shenandoah Valley," said JMU Alumni Association President Larry Caudle ('82). "The board also wanted to inspire our alumni to dream big and join us in making contributions of their own, no matter the size."

"With major recent success, such as ESPN's College GameDay, we see this facility as another opportunity for JMU Alumni to create memories," Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne said. "We want your experiences on campus to continue for years following your graduation as an alumnus. We feel this facility will directly assist with that."

The new complex will also feature a basketball practice facility – including locker rooms, training space, meeting rooms, coaches' offices and strength and conditioning area.

"We want to thank the JMU Alumni Association board for this significant commitment, coming on the heels of the recent gift of football alum Arthur Moats, we are gaining momentum toward reaching our overall goal," Bourne said. "Now, we're asking our greater alumni population to support this project."

The university is in the early stages of a campaign to raise $12 million for the project.

"The project will only become a reality with private support," Bourne said. "We must hit our goal to put a shovel in the ground. Your investment today is critical to our success."

Respond to the Alumni Challenge! Make your gift now.

Learn more about the new Convocation Center Project. For additional information, please call 540-568-6461.

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