Discover the Magic: Top 8 Amazing Fun Facts About James Madison University You Never Knew!

1. Madison's Debate Showdown

Before he was the "Father of the Constitution," James Madison was the life of the party at Princeton, trading political punches with his rival club in a thrilling 18th-century debate showdown: Madison, the fourth U.S. President, completed a three-year Bachelor of Arts degree in just two years at the College of New Jersey (now known as Princeton University) and was a prominent member of the American Whig–Cliosophic Society, which competed against its political counterpart, the Cliosophic Society, before making history with the drafting of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Teaching Excellence Legacy

When James Madison University isn't busy grooming future American presidents or molding esteemed educators, they're racking up accolades in teaching excellence: JMU has been churning out award-winning teachers since 1908, with its education program praised for exceptional faculty and hands-on learning experiences that help students grow into top-notch pedagogues.
Source => jmu.edu

Did you know James Madison was once the life of the party at Princeton, engaged in thrilling debate showdowns with rival clubs? Discover his journey from 18th-century college debates to becoming the "Father of the Constitution."

=> Fun Facts about Jmu

3. Sports Kingdom Revolution

Who runs the world? JMU girls – and their fellow Dukes! From sprinting down the lacrosse fields to making a slam dunk in basketball, these athletic prodigies have been fearlessly revolutionizing the sports kingdom since the roaring '20s: JMU boasts of five NCAA national championships in field hockey, football, and women's lacrosse, with its women's athletic tradition being one of the oldest nationwide. As a trailblazer, JMU helped shape a more inclusive landscape for female athletes in intercollegiate sports and continues to dominate the scene as a revered member of the Colonial Athletic Association.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Towel-Trade Team Name

Once upon a time in a galaxy far, far away, a group of basketball players struck a deal with royalty, trading towels for titles: James Madison University's sports teams earned the nickname "The Dukes" after their second president, Samuel P. Duke, who supplied the men's basketball team with towels and equipment in 1947, leading them to name the team in his honor, while the entire athletic department eventually adopted the moniker in 1982.
Source => jmu.edu

5. Ultimate Academic Combo

If James Madison University were a pizza, it'd be a large, supreme pie just waiting for you to dive in: hosting over 21,000 hungry minds from all 50 states and 89 countries with a delightful menu of over 200 majors, minors, and concentrations, JMU is the ultimate diverse, academic combo, and one of the nation's top public universities.
Source => commons.lib.jmu.edu

6. UREC Glow-Up

Trying to get fit at JMU? More like getting lost in fitness paradise! In recent years, James Madison University's UREC facility went through a total glow-up: The massive renovation and expansion added 137,815 square feet of space, including six group fitness studios, three super multi-activity centers, an indoor track, a climbing-wall-loaded Adventure Center, a demo kitchen, and extra instructional spaces—all ready to rock by Fall 2016.
Source => jmu.edu

7. Duke Dog's Charm

Like the lovechild of a bulldog and a royal court jester, James Madison University's Duke Dog has been charming fans since the 1980s: Making his grand debut on November 28, 1982, during a basketball game against Virginia Military Institute, this canine mascot captured hearts and ensured a win, staying true to the legacy of his predecessors Duke III and Duke IV.
Source => jmu.edu

8. Mascot Evolution Trifecta

Much like a lovable Pokémon, James Madison University's mascot has evolved into three distinct forms, each more awe-inspiring than the last: you can now find Duke Dog as a student donning the fluffy, huggable costume, a larger-than-life inflatable looming near Bridgeforth Stadium, and protecting Newman Lake as a majestic bronze statue for eternity.
Source => jmu.edu