New online publication highlights faculty research

The Madison Scholar is a new Web-based publication that illustrates new, innovative faculty scholarship at JMU.

"The goal is to show the wide variety of research that faculty are engaged in," university spokesman Andy Perrine said. He added that the publication provides faculty with reputation in their disciplines and shows students that JMU has many opportunities for applied learning.

"Over time, if employers see that JMU exposes students to much more applied learning, [students] may land an edge in their chosen field," Perrine said.

Articles are written by students, giving them a chance to improve their writing skills and learn about the faculty scholarship at the university.

Madison Scholar also gives students the opportunity to write about current research at JMU and their experiences with the faculty.

"Overall, it was a fun experience," said senior Melissa Boss, who wrote an article for the current edition of the Madison Scholar as a class assignment.

"I really enjoyed talking with and interviewing the physics professor," she said.

The Madison Scholar can be viewed at www.jmu.edu/madisonscholar.

The idea for the Madison Scholar was conceived about a year ago and unveiled late this summer, said John Noftsinger of Research and Public Service.

The journal will be published quarterly. In the future, the four quarterly issues may be combined into an annual magazine in hard copy, Noftsinger said.