JMU receives $500,000 gift towards investment in Madison District

JMU James Madison University

James Madison University received the first private investment of $500,000 from the Charlie Obaugh Auto Group towards the transformation of the Madison District.

The Madison District is a reimagined portion in the center of campus that will include student and athletic facilities as well as shopping, dining, and lodging.

Included with the gift is the 10 year naming rights of the Champions Parking Deck located just behind the football stadium.

The gift seeds a general expendable account with the JMU Foundation to receive charitable contributions supporting naming opportunities on campus.

JMU President Jim Schmidt said, “Gifts like this, along with other kinds of investments and partnerships, will be essential to turning our plans into reality. It is heartening to see that our campus vision is already resonating with the JMU community and beyond. I look forward to what we can accomplish together.”

For more information on the announcement, click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

JMU First VA University to earn Pollinator-Smart Certification

JMU James Madison University

James Madison University has become the first university in Virginia to earn certification through the Virginia Pollinator-Smart Program.

The recognition highlights JMU’s East Campus Hillside.

Where an expanded solar array and a native pollinator meadow now work together to produce clean energy.

The project began in 2022 when the university replaced its older 10-kilowatt solar array with a new 310-kilowatt system.

During construction, the surrounding landscape was redesigned with native plants selected to benefit pollinators while remaining low enough to avoid shading the solar panels.

The site supports bees and butterflies and other pollinators.

It will do so by using birdhouses, native bee nesting shelters, educational signage, and a long-term vegetation management plan.

The Virginia Pollinator-Smart Program is administered by the Virginia Departments of Conservation and Recreation and Environmental Quality.

It recognizes solar energy projects that incorporate pollinator-friendly habitat through strict environmental standards.

University officials say the East Campus Hillside will continue serving as an outdoor classroom and living laboratory, giving students hands-on opportunities to study renewable energy, conservation, and native ecosystems.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Rohrbaugh named Coordinator of Student Activities at Sherando

The Frederick County School Board announced the appointment of Taylor “TJ” Rohrbaugh as Coordinator of Student Activities at Sherando High School during the June 14th School Board meeting.

Rohrbaugh will continue to serve as Head Varsity Football Coach in addition to his role as CSA.

He is the only combination football coach and CSA in FCPS (Casey Childs serves in both roles at Clarke County High School).

The Sherando Alum has dedicated his entire career to FCPS with 17 years at Sherando and one year as a teacher and CSA at Millbrook High School.

As the head football coach, Rohrbaugh took the reigns in 2023 and has a record of 24-13.

The Warriors best season under his leadership came in 2024 when Sherando went 12-2 and advanced to the State Semifinals.

Rohrbaugh is just the second CSA in SHS history, and he will follow Jason Barbe who served in the role for 27 years.

FCPS announced in June that Barbe was selected as the new director of planning and construction.

Rohrbaugh holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History from James Madison University, a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from West Virginia University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from James Madison University.

Story cover photo c/o Kirby on Sports Podcast.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

SCPS announces Melissa Foltz as Interim Superintendent

ryan lingle

Last week, the Shenandoah County School Board announced the appointment of Melissa Foltz as the Interim Superintendent, effective August 1st.

Foltz has served SCPS for the past 35 years as an elementary teacher, reading specialist, assistant principal and principal.

She has held the role of principal at Sandy Hook and W.W. Robinson Elementary Schools and since 2017 at Strasburg High School.

Foltz holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and an endorsement in Administration and Supervision PreK-12 from James Madison University and at Shenandoah University she earned a masters of Education in Reading and completed the Reading Recovery Certified Teacher Training.

In the announcement, School Board Chairman Larry Vance said, “A number of names were suggested, but Ms. Foltz brought the best range of experience and knowledge of the Shenandoah County School System.”

“I am truly honored to serve as Interim Superintendent of Shenandoah County Public Schools,” said Foltz. “I look forward to working alongside our
exceptional leadership team, whose dedication and expertise will help ensure a smooth”
transition.

Previous Shenandoah County Superintendent Dr. Melody Sheppard submitted her letter of resignation earlier this summer and was announced as the new Superintendent of Amherst County Public Schools on June 17th.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Brian Kibler named AD at Central

The Shenandoah County School Board announced the appointment of Brian Kibler as the new Athletic Director at Central High School, effective July 1st.

Kibler joins Central after working in Frederick County Public Schools since 2007.

He brings with him experience as a Physical and Health Education Teacher, wrestling coach, and football coach and most recently served as the Assistant Coordinator of Student Activities at Sherando High School.

Before his time in Frederick County, Kibler worked for SCPS as an Alternative Education Teacher and earned his bachelors and masters degrees in kinesiology from James Madison University.

In the announcement, Kibler said, “I am truly honored and excited to have been appointed as the Central High School Athletic Director… I hope to enhance the overall student-athlete experience by promoting championship-level performance where success is driven by focusing on the day-to-day process both on and off the field.”

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

SCPS appoints new Assistant Principal of WWRES

ryan lingle

Shenandoah County Public Schools announced the appointment of Chandler Hatfield to the role of Assistant Principal at W.W. Robinson Elementary School.

The Shenandoah County School Board approved the appointment during the May 13th meeting and will be effective on July 1st.

Hatfield has served as an 8th grade teacher at Peter Muhlenberg Middle School since 2023 and has prior experience teaching and coaching in Augusta County and Waynesboro.

He recently completed the SCPS Administrative Leadership Academy before accepting the new position and earned a masters in teaching and certificate in educational leadership from James Madison.

SCPS Superintendent Melody Sheppard said, “He has done an outstanding job during his time at SCPS, demonstrating a strong commitment to student success and relationship building. We look forward to the leadership and support he will bring to W.W. Robinson Elementary School.”

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Graduation season begins in the Shenandoah Valley

Graduation season begins around the region this weekend with Shenandoah University’s commencement ceremony taking place Saturday morning at 10 am at the James R. Wilkins Center.

The ceremony will honor over 1,400 graduates and the University is anticipating roughly 5,000 attendees so expect heavy traffic near campus entrances and Millwood Avenue Saturday morning.

SU’s Commencement events begin on Thursday, May 7th with the Graduate Walk Through and Grad Bash and will conclude with Saturday’s Ceremony.

Laurel Ridge Community College and Christendom College will host their commencement ceremonies next weekend.

Other Spring ceremonies include:

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

Carroll crater named after JMU alumni, wife of astronaut

JMU James Madison University

NASA’s Artemis II astronauts named a moon crater after Carroll Wiseman, a 1995 JMU Alumni, during Monday’s travels to the moon.

Shortly after the crew broke the record for human spaceflight, they began to name craters from the far side of the moon.

The first crater was named after their spacecraft, Integrity, and just northeast of Integrity the crew spotted Carroll crater.

The name was recommended in honor of NASA astronaut and mission commander Reid Wiseman’s late wife.

The location is near the far-side boundary and can sometimes be seen from Earth.

While on the radio line with mission control just before 2 pm, Mission specialist Jeremy Hansen said it is a “really neat place on the moon” and was emotional while requesting to name this “bright spot on the moon.”

Carroll was a pediatric nurse practitioner and passed away following a battle with cancer in 2020.

She was a native of Virginia Beach and studied biology at JMU.

Once the mission is complete, a formal submission to propose the naming of the crater will be submitted to the International Astronomical Union.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

Elizabeth Hopkins named Director of CTE, Principal of Triplett Tech

The Shenandoah County School Board approved Elizabeth Hopkins as Director of Career and Technical Education and Principal of Triplett Tech.

Hopkins is the current Acting Principal of Triplett Tech after the tragic passing of former CTE Director and Triplett Tech Principal Todd Lynn.

Previously, she served as Assistant Principal and Acting Principal at W.W. Robinson Elementary School and she holds a masters degree in teaching from James Madison University.

In the announcement from Shenandoah County Public Schools, Hopkins said, “I am honored to serve as the Director of Career and Technical Education and Principal of Triplett Tech and to continue building opportunities that prepare our students for meaningful careers and lifelong success.”

Superintendent Dr. Melody Sheppard said, “Mrs. Hopkins stepped into this role during an incredibly difficult time for the Triplett Tech
community and has provided a steady hand and unwavering support for our students and staff. We are grateful for the care and dedication she has
shown, and we are confident she will continue to lead Career and Technical Education in Shenandoah County with the same commitment and strength.”

Her appointment will take effect on July 1st, 2026.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

JMU student dies in accidental fire

JMU James Madison University

A James Madison University senior has died following an accidental kitchen fire late Thursday night, February 26th.

Twenty-eight-year-old Lorenzo Isaiah Gibbs suffered cardiac arrest after the fire at his Squire Hill apartment on Devon Lane around midnight.

Gibbs was an Integrated Science and Technology major.

The university announced his death in a campus-wide email Friday morning.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.