JMU President Jonathan Alger announced Monday that he will be stepping down and moving on to other things according to Augusta Free Press. The James Madison University website’s statement said, “President Alger has served as president of JMU for 12 years, during which time the university has grown and evolved into a nationally recognized, student-centered research university.” 

President Alger will be assuming the role of President at American University once he finishes his term at JMU on July 1. In the statement on the JMU website, a Board of Visitors Rector, Meribeth Heriod, said “JMU is no longer the hidden gem in the mountains because Jon has led us to national prominence and is leaving the university after accomplishing so much together.”

The University’s statement closed by saying, “In the coming weeks, the Executive Committee of the Board of Visitors will make a recommendation for an acting president to the full board for a formal vote. The university’s Board of Visitors will approve an acting president to start July 1 and begin executing the search process for the next president of the university. Additional information will be shared as this process advances.”