http://www.jmu.edu/parents

James Madison University - Index

James Madison University - Madison Family Connection Fall 08 Edition - Index

Dates for
Parents:
Fall semester
2008
n aug. 20-24 Orientation
n aug. 25 First day of classes
n Oct. 3-5 Family Weekend
n Oct. 27 Registration for
2009 spring semester
n Oct. 31-Nov. 2 Homecoming
n Nov. 22-30 Thanksgiving
break
n Dec. 5 Last day of classes
n Dec. 8-12 Final exami-
nations
n Dec. 12 University closes
at noon
n Dec. 13 Commencement
n Dec. 24-31 University
holidays
spring semester
2009
n Jan.12 First day of classes
n Jan. 19 Martin Luther
King Jr. Day (no classes)
n feb. 17 Student assessment/
faculty assistance
n March 9-13 Spring break
n March 18 James Madison
Day
n March 23 Advance registration
for 2009 summer
semester begins
n april 7 Registration begins
for 2009 fall semester
n May 1 Last day of classes
n May 4-8 Final examinations
n May 9 Commencement
Information
Resources for
Parents:
(866) 399-8432
(540) 568-3190
parent@jmu.edu
www.jmu.edu/parents
4 Family ConneCtion
en D o W m e n t s — the GiFt oF a liFetime
JMU’s top endowment needs are scholarships
and faculty support, according to Karen
Ahrens Wheatley (’80), director of development
for parent giving at JMU. “Throughout the
university, there is a tremendous need for endowments
for scholarships and faculty support,” says
Wheatley. “JMU’s endowment value is well below
its peer national and state institutions.
Endowed gifts are
important because
they “give” in perpetuity.
The JMU Foundation
invests the gift of
principal with approximately
four percent
of the endowment’s
market value being the
anticipated amount
for use each year. Any
additional return on
the endowment is invested to increase its value.
The original principal always remains invested.
JMU alumni and parents donors can establish
an endowment at levels beginning at $25,000. The
gift can be structured over a period of five years so
donors can give, for example, $5,000 per year until
the endowment level is reached. A donor’s gift
can also be enhanced significantly with employee
match programs where applicable.
Many donors also establish endowments with
gifts of stock for the additional tax advantages. “This
makes a significant gift manageable for families who
want to honor loved ones, a child who attends JMU,
or a special faculty member,” adds Wheatley.
Making a difference
David Joseph (’78) & Judy Settle (’77)
Naquin family Scholarship Endowment
Endowed scholarship, where funds are provided
annually to an outstanding freshman
student scholar.
“We count choosing JMU as one of the best decisions
we ever made… On both sides of our family we
were the first to attend Madison but since that time
we have had seven relatives follow in our footsteps,
including two daughters.
— Dav i D (’78) a n D Ju D y (’77) na q u i n (’09P)
Parents of JMU students can initially establish
an endowment. After their student graduates from
JMU and begins a career, the student can establish
his or her own habits of philanthropy by supporting
the parent’s initial endowment. This scenario
creates a family legacy that supports Madison students
for generations to come.
Donors who create scholarships are currently
invited to the university’s annual Scholarship Luncheon
during James Madison Week in March.
Donors meet with the students that their scholarship
has assisted. Endowments that fund scholarships
can be merit or need based. Merit-based
scholarships enable the university to recruit and
retain students of the highest academic caliber.
Deserving students who might otherwise be unable
to attend college due to financial constraints are
helped through need-based scholarships. Scholarships
ease the debt burden upon graduation.
While JMU’s endowment gifts primarily take the
form of student scholarships, gifts can also support
faculty in a variety of ways. “During their careers
professors have a far reaching impact on Madison
students,” Wheatley explains. “The best professors
impart lessons their students will carry with them
for the rest of their lives. Endowment gifts provide
essential support for our professors.”
If you are interested in establishing an endowment
for scholarships or a professorship, please
contact Karen Ahrens Wheatley (’80) to explore
the possibilities: Call (540) 568-6605 or e-mail
gunthaka@jmu.edu. M
Dear Gail O’Donnell (’60):
“I want to thank you and the members of the
Class of 1960 Endowed Academic Scholarship
team for awarding me an amazing scholarship. I
am able to worry less about money and more about
my academic studies… Thank you again for this
scholarship. Words cannot express how much it
means to me.”
– Bi a n c a mo n r o e (’09)