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Interim president of James Madison University takes reins this week

Crystal Graham
charlie king interim jmu president
Photo courtesy of JMU

There’s a new man at the helm of James Madison University, but his face is already known to many people on the Harrisonburg campus.

Charlie King begins his term as interim president of JMU this week.

King retired from JMU in December 2021 after spending 25 years as the chief financial officer and senior vice president of administration and finance.

The Board of Visitors appointed him interim president after the university’s sixth president, Jonathan Alger, announced he would be leaving to become the president of American University in Washington, D.C.

“With our joint commitment toward the success of our students, faculty and staff, I believe we can all make this year a uniquely special time in our institution’s history,” said King in a letter to faculty and staff. “JMU has a longstanding tradition in caring for one another and coming together to conquer challenges. That culture and collaboration will continue as I serve in this interim role.”

As senior vice president for administration and finance at JMU, King oversaw government relations, budget management, business services, finance, human resources, information technology, intercollegiate athletics and university police.

King will continue in the interim role until a new president is selected, and the transition is complete. The timeline for the process by the search committee has not been announced.

Charlie King to return to James Madison University as interim president

JMU President Jonathan Alger to step down, heading to American University

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.