In This Issue

• Write a note of congratulations to JMC’s Class of 2026

• Recent news from Case Hall

• An update on JMC’s Give Green Day fundraising

• Attend Student Senate’s annual Gala

• Know a high school student interested in JMC? Invite them to Junior Visit Days

• Alumni notes and updates

Congratulate JMC’s Class of 2026

JMC is excited to celebrate the Class of 2026 at Spring Commencement on May 2. United States Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Cummings (ETHNIC ’84) will serve as this year’s commencement speaker. To make the day even more memorable, the college will present each graduate with a personal letter of congratulations from a Madison alum. Want to welcome the newest members of the JMC alumni community? Share your note via Google Forms by April 17.

College News

New APA Studies Director: In February, JMC Prof. Anna Pegler-Gordon was named Director of MSU’s Asian & Pacific American Studies Program. Read more about Pegler-Gordon’s current research, which examines curfew resistance by Japanese Americans during World War II and the origins of birthright citizenship, on JMC’s website.

Truman Scholarship Finalist: Eleanor Pugh (IR & Russian ’27) is one of two MSU students named as a finalist for the nationally competitive Truman Scholarship. The award recognizes students with exceptional leadership potential who are committed to affecting change through public service. Prior to this year, Pugh earned a Boren Scholarship to study abroad in Kazakhstan in 2025 and was also a recipient of the prestigious University Distinguished Scholarship in 2023.

MSU Debate Firsts: JMC students made history twice at this month’s American Debate Association National Championship as members of MSU Debate. Joanna Gusis (PTCD & Statistics ’26) was named MSU’s first recipient of the Julia Burke Award. Zaria Jarman (PTCD ’27) was part of a two-person team that earned the Front Royal Cup for the first time in MSU Debate history.

Murray Scholar Symposium: The 2026 Stephen O. Murray Symposium, “Queer Futurisms,” will bring scholars from across the U.S. to Case Hall on April 15 for a daylong exploration of LGBTQ+ scholarship. Organized by 2025-26 Murray Scholar in Residence Dr. Christopher T. Conner, the event is free and open to the public.

Detroit Alumni Mixer: JMC students will meet with alumni in the Detroit area in May during the Madison Career Exposure Program. This year’s program will include an alumni mixer on May 5. Alumni interested in connecting with current students are invited to attend. Share your information via Qualtrics to receive an invite once event details are confirmed.

Women’s History Month Colloquium: Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Megan Cavanagh will serve as the keynote speaker of JMC’s 4th Annual Women’s History Month Colloquium on March 27 at 1 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Learn more and RSVP online.

JMC Pop-Up Shop

Browse JMC’s mini spring pop-up shop with major-themed crewnecks online via Fabricated Customs. Sales close March 26.

Giving Spotlight

On this year’s Give Green Day, the James Madison College community raised $32,957 through 105 gifts from alumni, faculty, staff and friends. Donors gave to funds across the college, including the Troy Calkins Student Success Fund for the Early Start Program, the JMC Emergency Scholarship Fund, the Rachel P. Kahan Memorial Scholarship for Washington D.C. Interns, the Human Rights Lab and JMC experiential learning initiatives. View the full honor roll.

Interested in making a donation to JMC? Contact Madison’s Assoc. Director of Development Joseph Agosta (agostaj@msu.edu).

JMC Gala

JMC Student Senate will host its annual Gala (formerly Charity Ball) on April 10 at The Graduate Hotel in East Lansing. Students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to attend to celebrate the strength and connection of the JMC community. This year’s event will raise benefit The Davies Project, which connects Greater Lansing families to free, reliable transportation to reach essential healthcare appointments. Learn more and buy tickets via Eventbrite.

Junior Visit Days at JMC

High school students and families interested in JMC are invited to attend our Junior Visit Days, hosted in Case Hall on April 17 and May 15. Prospective students have the opportunity to learn more about the college, connect with current students and faculty, and tour Case Hall.

Connect with the JMC Alumni Board of Directors

Interested in connecting with the James Madison College Board of Directors and supporting alumni engagement initiatives? The Board of Directors invites JMC alums to share their information via Google Forms.

Alumni Notes

Jonathan Andrews (IR ’25) was selected as a finalist for the U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship Russian program this summer. Andrews is a graduate student at the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.

Sean Goebel (CCP ’19) is a recipient of the 2026 Tomorrow’s 20 Awards, presented by the Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce. These awards recognize influential professionals, ages 21–40, who are driving meaningful change through leadership in the workplace, forward-thinking innovation in business and impactful service in their communities. Goebel is an Assistant Branch Manager with MSU Federal Credit Union and Oakland University Credit Union.

Sue (Karczewski) Hounsel (METRO ’92) was elected Chair of the Board of Directors for the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). Hounsel is a Senior Manager in the City of Dallas Office of Economic Development (OED).

Max Olivero (SRP ’13) received the MSU Award for Outstanding Service to Education Abroad. Olivero is the Assistant Director of Global Support Services for Eli Broad College of Business.

Reginald Pacis (JMCD ’92) received the Michigan Asian Pacific American Bar Association (MAPABA) Trailblazer Award in February. The award honors a distinguished Asian American and Pacific Islander attorney in Michigan whose exemplary leadership, mentorship and dedication have advanced the legal profession. Pacis is an immigration law attorney with Butzel.

Ben Schroff (CCP & SRP ’17) has a short film titled Sequester, which is an official selection for the Red Hook Brooklyn Film Festival. Schroff is a lawyer from Michigan and the Executive Creative Director of Hobby Horse Productions.

Paul Stern (JMCD ’75) wrote a book titled Dante’s Political Philosophy: Rethinking ‘Paradiso,’ published in March by Cambridge University Press.

Bill Stone (IR ’05) has joined the Michigan Catholic Conference as the Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy. He will serve as the primary liaison between the state government and the Catholic church in Michigan.

Noah Wofsy (JMCD ’83) has retired after serving more than 39 years with the Office of the Legislative Counsel of the U. S. House of Representatives. The last seven years, he served as the Deputy Legislative Counsel. The Office provides legislative drafting and related legal services on a nonpartisan basis to the Members, committees and leadership offices of the House.

Share great news about yourself or a fellow JMC alum.

Join the JMC Alumni LinkedIn group.

Donate to James Madison College.

Update your contact information with MSU Alumni.