Event Details

 

On July 1, 2012, Jonathan R. Alger became president of James Madison University, the sixth since the university’s founding in 1908. Alger’s appointment was announced by the JMU Board of Visitors on Nov. 28, 2011.

President Alger serves as JMU’s chief executive officer. In addition to ensuring the development and provision of high quality academic and student life programs, his leadership involves developing and articulating a shared vision and mission for the university, anticipating trends and issues affecting higher education, providing strategic institutional leadership and planning, and ensuring sound fiscal management. These responsibilities inform the president as he oversees an executive team and management structure to lead and manage education, student life, facilities and services, financial management, health and safety, planning, fundraising, constituent development and stewardship, and athletics.

Alger plays a very public role in the life of JMU, as he represents JMU to the government of the Commonwealth of Virginia, presides at university events, serves as the principal voice of the institution, participates in fundraising and stewards JMU’s many relationships. The new president plans an extensive listening tour that will take him around the country to hear from JMU’s alumni and friends.

 

Prior to becoming president of JMU, Alger was senior vice president and general counsel at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. As a member of the president’s leadership team, Alger managed all legal affairs, provided strategic leadership, oversaw compliance, worked with government officials, and played a critical role on major initiatives involving (among many issues) diversity, governance, biomedical education, administrative restructuring, athletics, compliance, ethics, campus safety and enrollment management.

Alger had previously served as assistant general counsel at the University of Michigan, counsel for the American Association of University Professors, attorney-advisor in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, and as an associate in the Labor and Employment Section of the international law firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. At the University of Michigan, Alger played a key leadership role in the university’s efforts in two landmark Supreme Court cases on diversity and admissions and coordinated one of the largest amicus brief coalitions in Supreme Court history. He has since advised universities nationwide on how to build and sustain diversity initiatives and programs. At the American Association of University Professors, Alger worked with faculty members from around the country in developing and advising institutions nationally on policies, procedures and cases on issues such as academic freedom, shared governance, tenure, due process and discrimination. At the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, he was the point person on the development and implementation of national policies involving race-conscious financial aid, racial harassment and free expression. He began his career by representing major Fortune 500 companies at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius.

 

William A. Howard and Kathy Woollum, both from Mercer Health & Benefits who will be presenting on the PPACA from a Broker’s perspective. 

 

Jennifer E. Shirkey from Lenhart Obenshain and Nicholas A. Perrine, CPA  from PBMares who will be presenting on the PPACA from an attorney’s and tax perspective.

 

Cathleen P Welsh, Esq. from Lenhart Obenshain who will be presenting on Hot Topics in Employment Law.

 

Todd Leeson, Esq., partner with Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore LLP; VASHRM Legislative Director: Legal Issues Arising Out of Social Media Use by Employees: