Matt Miller (‘98) the face of “Ironman”

A colleague pointed out that JMU world changer Matt Miller (‘98) is the face of Avon’s campaign for its Ironman fragrance/product line. Matt founded C Different Foundation, which is dedicated to helping visually impaired athletes participate in athletic competitions by providing them with sighted guides. I can’t think of a better campaign representative.

Check out commencement highlights

Catching up on commencement highlights? Here are some nice stories:

Ryan Powanda, an ISAT graduate earned a National Science Foundation Fellowship and is headed to Stanford. Ryan was recognized as a JMU world changer several years ago–good work, Ryan!

David Preczewski and 17 other members of the James Madison Duke Battalion received commissions as second lieutenants in the Army, National Guard or Reserves. Preczewski’s entire family was at the ceremony, some members came from as far away as Germany and Iraq for the event. Preczewski’s father, Stan, a retired Army colonel, read him the oath.

Congratulations to Ryan, David and all the graduates. You make us proud! If you had to miss JMU commencement ceremonies or want to relive the excitement, visit the commencement coverage Web site.

JMU anticipates visit of Former President Carter

Our campus is anticipating a special visit in September. Former U.S. President and Nobel Peace laureate Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter will visit James Madison University to receive the Mahatma Gandhi Center for Global Nonviolence’s top honor, the second Mahatma Gandhi Global Nonviolence Award, September 21, 2009, the International Day of Peace.

Make your plans to attend the award ceremony!

achievement oriented

I just read a “Washington Post” online bio of JMU alum Dave Rennyson (B.A., economics and history). Rennyson, president of Angel.com, a McLean-based provider of on-demand voice applications, was asked about how he got where he is today.

I loved his reply: “I remember one of the folks I delivered papers to told me years later, ‘I knew you would be successful one day when you actually came to my door to find out where we wanted our papers to be placed.’”