Forbes funds building
Posted on March 17, 2008
Local developer Bruce Forbes didn’t go to JMU, but that’s never held him back from donating to the alma mater of his wife, Lois, and son, Jeff.
At a luncheon following Friday’s Centennial Convocation, the Forbes were rewarded for their philanthropy after giving the school $5 million for construction of the new College of Arts performing center, set to be finished in 2009.
The new center, which is being built on South Main Street across from the Quad, will be named after the Forbes. Board of Visitors member Steve Leelou introduced the donation as the biggest philanthropic announcement in the history of the school.
It will also be the largest construction project undertaken at JMU and was described to be “as big as ISAT and Costco combined,” by Leelou.
“We are trying to set an example for other people to give so that our university will have an alumni as big as the University of Virginia,” Forbes said. “We’ve always given, and we like the performing arts and that’s what we were trying to do.”
A new statue of James Madison – also a Forbes’ contribution – was unveiled outside of the College of Integrated Science and Technology shortly after the luncheon.
The statue is about twice as tall as its life size predecessor located on Bluestone Drive, and can be seen from Interstate 81.
“I think it’s a great building for the city, the university and I think it sets a new standard for James Madison University,” Forbes said.
Forbes added that his wife wanted to spend her remaining years near the school after years developing in the Northern Virginia area.
“It’s phenomenal,” Lois said of JMU’s progression. “When I came it was a tiny little town, and we weren’t allowed to walk on the grass. And now it’s a wonderful university and I love coming over here and love being a part of it.”
