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James Madison University

University Communications and Marketing records, 1930/2017

32.98 cubic feet 93 boxes, 1 flat file
Collection documents the varied functions and activities of James Madison University's Communications and Marketing office whose main objective is to advance the university's brand. Records include press releases, correspondence, general administrative files, event information, personnel biographical files, photographs, and assorted media.
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James Madison University

The Vanguard: Early Black alumni at Madison (enrolled 1966-1974, graduated 1970-1978) oral histories, 2024

55.3 Gigabytes (10 digital files)

The collection comprises five oral history interviews conducted in 2024 by Margaret M. Mulrooney, professor of history at James Madison University and a scholar of U.S. social and cultural history, along with corresponding transcripts. The interviews document the experiences of African American individuals who attended and desegregated Madison College in the late 1960s and early 1970s, a period of significant institutional change. The project was undertaken to examine the transformation of Madison College from a small, segregated women's college into a desegregated, coeducational, comprehensive university now known as James Madison University. Through firsthand accounts, interviewees describe campus life and the social, cultural, and institutional shifts associated with desegregation and coeducation, as well as the broader societal changes during this period. As an oral history project, the collection documents perspectives and experiences that may not otherwise be captured or preserved. The interviews serve as primary source documentation of this transitional era and contribute to a fuller understanding of the university's history.

2 results

Deborah Tompkins Johnson interviewed by Margaret M. Mulrooney, Session 1, 2024 10.4 Gigabytes 1 digital file 01:12:14 Duration (HH:MM:SS.mmm)

Records the first part of an interview with Deborah Tompkins Johnson, documenting her experiences as a student at Madison College beginning in 1974. The interview describes her transition to campus life, including residence in Eagle Hall and early academic experiences in the communications program (radio, television, and film), including studio work and internships. Johnson details her participation in the Black Student Alliance (BSA), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the Contemporary Gospel Singers, with discussion of activities such as Black Emphasis Week programming, step shows, performances, and events such as a student-organized fashion show. The interview recounts student advocacy efforts for institutional change, including demonstrations, meetings with administrators, and requests for increased representation across faculty, curriculum, and student services, as well as the establishment of a Minority Affairs coordinator role. Additional topics include student social life, residence hall dynamics, dining, participation in campus events, and graduation. The interview was held in Wilson Hall at James Madison University.

  1. Deborah Tompkins Johnson interviewed by Margaret M. Mulrooney, 2024

Deborah Tompkins Johnson interviewed by Margaret M. Mulrooney, Session 2, 2024 7.6 Gigabytes 1 digital file 01:36:06 Duration (HH:MM:SS.mmm)

Records the second part of an interview with Deborah Tompkins Johnson, exploring aspects of her career and contributions as a distinguished alumna. Topics include her service on the Board of Visitors between 1998-1994, her memories of the growth and transformation of JMU in the early 1990s, and her involvement in alumni organizations. She also discusses her reappointment by President Alger nearly a decade after her earlier term ended. She reflects on the President's task Force on Racial Equity, which she cochaired, and shares her thoughts on how the experiences of contemporary students compare to her own days at Madison College.

  1. Deborah Tompkins Johnson interviewed by Margaret M. Mulrooney, 2024

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