Jonathan R. Alger

Last updated

Jonathan Alger
236473 Jonathan Alger JMU 1015 crop.jpg
Alger in 2019
16th President of American University
Incumbent
Assumed office
July 1, 2024
Signature Jonathan R. Alger signature.svg
Website University website

Jonathan Roberts Alger is an American academic and the current president of American University. [1] [2] Alger became the university's 16th president on July 1, 2024. He previously served as James Madison University's sixth president from 2012 to 2024. [3] [4]

Contents

Alger is also a legal scholar with expertise on higher education policy and law [5] and co-taught a seminar on leadership in the James Madison University Honors Program. [6] [7]

Education

Alger graduated from Swarthmore College, where he received his B.A. with high honors in political science with a history minor and a concentration in public policy as a member Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his Juris Doctor with honors from Harvard Law School. [8]

Career

Before becoming president at JMU, Alger was the senior vice president and general counsel at Rutgers University. Before working at Rutgers, Alger served as assistant general counsel at the University of Michigan, where he played a key role. [9] [10] In the university’s efforts in two landmark Supreme Court cases on diversity and admissions he coordinated one of the largest amicus brief coalitions in Supreme Court history. [11] At both Rutgers and Michigan, he taught courses, seminars and independent studies in law, higher education and public policy. He has also taught interdisciplinary courses for graduate students in law, education, public policy and information. [5] [12]

Prior to his time at University of Michigan, he served as counsel for the American Association of University Professors, where he advised institutions on policies, procedures and cases on issues such as academic freedom, shared governance, tenure, due process and discrimination. [13] Earlier in his career he served as attorney-advisor for the United States Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. He also previously served as an associate in the law firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. [4]

Because of Alger’s background in civil rights law, he has been credited with understanding the intricacies of how the Office for Civil Rights interprets and enforces Title IX. [14] Alger's track record promoting campus civic engagement has been positive. In 2018, Alger was one of the first recipients of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge Standout Campus President Award. In February 2024, Alger was appointed to the initiative's President’s Council. [15]

While at JMU, President Alger declined to comment on a specific assault case, but acknowledged that he was concerned about public perceptions of the school and appeared in a video created by JMU to raise public awareness of the problem. He also promised in a letter to the university community that the institution would do everything in its power to help keep its students safe. [14]

On March 18, 2024, American University announced Alger's appointment as the university's 16th president. [16] On July 1, 2024, Alger succeeded Sylvia Burwell, who had served as the university's first female president since 2017. During his 12 years at JMU, the university had successes in funding (increase in external research funding, and doubled the endowment), sports (moved up to the highest level of football and joined the Sun Belt Conference), and student programs (a new first time student scholarship, and the Madison Center for Civic Engagement launched). [17]

Boards, memberships and service

Current appointments:

Past appointments:

Published works

Personal history and family

Alger was born and raised outside Rochester, New York. His wife, Mary Ann, has a B.S. from Auburn University and an M.B.A. from the University of Miami. The Algers have a daughter named Eleanor. [21]

Alger has sung with acclaimed choral groups that have toured internationally, made professional recordings and performed on national television. [22] Additionally, he used to play trombone. [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Madison University</span> Public university in Harrisonburg, Virginia, US

James Madison University is a public research university in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Founded in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, the institution was renamed Madison College in 1938 in honor of President James Madison and then James Madison University in 1977. It has since expanded from its origins as a normal school and teacher's college into a comprehensive university. It is situated in the Shenandoah Valley, just west of Massanutten Mountain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Michigan</span> Public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, US

The University of Michigan is a public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1817, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the state. The University of Michigan is one of the earliest American research universities and is a founding member of the Association of American Universities. In the fall of 2023, the university employed 8,189 faculty members and enrolled 52,065 students in its programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rutgers University</span> Multi-campus public research university in New Jersey

Rutgers University, officially Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a public land-grant research university consisting of three campuses in New Jersey. Chartered in 1766, Rutgers was originally called Queen's College, and was affiliated with the Dutch Reformed Church. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States, the second-oldest in New Jersey, and one of nine colonial colleges that were chartered before the American Revolution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michigan State University</span> Public university in East Lansing, Michigan, US

Michigan State University is a public land-grant research university in East Lansing, Michigan, United States. It was founded in 1855 as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, the first of its kind in the country. After the introduction of the Morrill Act in 1862, the state designated the college a land-grant institution in 1863, making it the first of the land-grant colleges in the United States. The college became coeducational in 1870. Today, Michigan State has facilities all across the state and over 634,000 alumni.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russell A. Alger</span> American politician (1836–1907)

Russell Alexander Alger was an American politician and businessman. He served as the 20th governor of Michigan, U.S. Senator, and U.S. Secretary of War. Alger's life was a "rags-to-riches" success tale. He became an army officer, financier, lumber baron, railroad owner, and government official in several high offices. He was supposedly a distant relation of author Horatio Alger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary Sue Coleman</span> American businesswoman, university president

Mary Sue Wilson Coleman is an American chemist and academic administrator who served as the 13th president of the University of Michigan from 2002 to 2014, interim president of the University of Michigan in 2022, and the 18th president of the University of Iowa from 1995 to 2002.

Walden University is a private for-profit online university headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It offers bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and specialist degrees. The university is owned by Adtalem Global Education, which purchased the university in August 2021. The institution is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

In the United States, a board often governs institutions of higher education, including private universities, state universities, and community colleges. In each US state, such boards may govern either the state university system, individual colleges and universities, or both. In general, they operate as a board of directors, and they vary by formal name, size, powers, and membership. In some states, members are appointed by the governor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Joel Trachtenberg</span>

Stephen Joel Trachtenberg was the 15th President of the George Washington University, serving from 1988 to 2007. On August 1, 2007, he retired from the presidency and became GW's President Emeritus and University Professor of Public Service at the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michigan State University academics</span>

Michigan State University (MSU) offers over 200 academic programs at its East Lansing, Michigan campus. MSU is well known for its academic programs in education and agriculture, and the university pioneered the studies of packaging, horticulture and music therapy. MSU has one of the premier hospitality schools in the United States, and the study abroad program is one of the largest of any university in the nation, offering more than 300 programs in more than 60 countries on all continents, including Antarctica. MSU's Office of the University Ombudsperson is the oldest continually operating ombudsman office at a college or university in the country. Its most popular undergraduate majors, based on 2021 graduates, were:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linwood H. Rose</span>

Linwood Howard Rose was the fifth president of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. Rose held 11 other positions at JMU before being named acting president in the fall of 1997, chief executive in September 1998, and being formally inaugurated on September 17, 1999.

The College of Business is the business school of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It is a fully accredited business school that offers undergraduate degrees in accounting, computer information systems, business analytics, economics, finance and business law, international business, management, marketing, and quantitative finance. Additionally, the College of Business offers two master of business administration programs – an Innovation MBA program and an Information Security MBA program. The college also offers a master of science in accounting. It has received recognitions and awards from multiple organizations, including being listed in BusinessWeek's Top 5% Undergraduate Programs and the 40th best business school in the United States. Its facilities are located in Zane Showker Hall on the southwestern part of JMU's campus.

Marvin Krislov is the eighth and current president of Pace University in New York. Prior to President Krislov’s appointment at Pace, he served for 10 years as the president of Oberlin College and nine years as the vice president and general counsel of the University of Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Roosevelt (lawyer)</span> American lawyer (born 1945)

James Roosevelt III is an American attorney, Democratic Party official, and a grandson of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt. As of 2021, he is the co-chair of the Rules and Bylaws Committee of the Democratic National Committee, a position he has held since 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Madison Dukes men's basketball</span> Intercollegiate mens basketball program

The James Madison Dukes men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The school, a member of Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, joined the Sun Belt Conference on July 1, 2022, after having been a member of the Colonial Athletic Association since that league's establishment in 1979. The Dukes are led by head coach Preston Spradlin. The Dukes play their home games at the on-campus Atlantic Union Bank Center which seats 8,500 fans and opened in November 2020. The Dukes have appeared six times in the NCAA tournament, most recently in 2024.

Martha Boaz was an American librarian. She earned a B.S. in Library Science in 1937 from George Peabody College. She was the assistant librarian at Carrier Library, then known as Madison Memorial Library, from 1940 to 1949. The library was at James Madison University, then known as Madison College. She received her master's degree in library science in 1950 and her PhD in library science in 1955, both from the University of Michigan. She was the first woman and the third person to earn a PhD in library science from the University of Michigan. She was the dean of the University of Southern California School of Library Science from 1955 to 1978, its longest-serving dean as of 2005, and some of her records are held at the University Archives of the University of Southern California. She also served as president of the California Library Association from 1962 to 1963, chair of its Research Committee from 1958 to 1960, chair of its Intellectual Freedom Committee from 1964 to 1966, president of its Library Education Division from 1968 to 1969, on its board of directors in 1972, and as its chair of the Council of Deans from 1977 to 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James D. Spaniolo</span>

James D. Spaniolo is an American attorney, professor, and former university administrator. He was the president of the University of Texas at Arlington from 2004 until his retirement in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Asua Wubah</span> American academic

Daniel Asua Wubah is a Ghanaian-born American president of Millersville University of Pennsylvania. Prior to that he was the Provost at Washington and Lee University. In his private life, Wubah is a tribal king, Nana Ofosu Peko III, Safohene of Breman Traditional Area in Ghana. He is the first Ghanaian-born president of an American university.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Colonial Athletic Association men's soccer season</span> Sports season

The 2019 Colonial Athletic Association men's soccer season was the 37th season of men's varsity soccer in the conference. The regular season began on August 30, 2019 and concluded on November 2, 2019.

Matt Lewis is an American professional basketball player for Karditsa of the Greek Basket League. He played college basketball player for the James Madison Dukes.

References

  1. ↑ "BREAKING: Jonathan Alger named 16th president of American University - The Eagle". The Eagle.
  2. ↑ Svrluga, Susan (March 18, 2024). "American University names new president: Jonathan Alger of JMU". Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  3. ↑ Schmidt, Peter (January 1, 2012). "A Lawyer Takes an Uncommon Path to a University Presidency". The Chronicle of Higher Education . Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  4. 1 2 "James Madison University names new president". Virginia Business. November 28, 2011. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  5. 1 2 Trevor, Greg (October 18, 2004). "Jonathan R. Alger appointed vice president and general counsel". Rutgers Focus. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  6. ↑ Flynn, Erin (October 12, 2014). "President Alger co-teaches leadership honors course". The Breeze . James Madison University . Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Fall 2014 Honors Course Offerings" (PDF). James Madison University . Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  8. ↑ Gnagey, Laurel Thomas (June 16, 2003). "The legal team: Jonathan Alger". The University Record Online. University of Michigan . Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Perspective, Reflections on Institutional Leadership" (PDF). National Association for College Admission Counseling. pp. 2–5. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 24, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  10. ↑ Reed, Nick (April 24, 2003). "Attorney in Michigan case speaks on importance of affirmative action". The Lantern . Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Grutter and Gratz: Amicus Briefs". University of Michigan Admissions Lawsuits. Archived from the original on July 13, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  12. ↑ Ostby, Kristin (October 6, 2004). "'U' lawyer leaving for Rutgers position". The Michigan Daily . University of Michigan . Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Search Results: Alger". American Association of University Professors . Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  14. 1 2 Anderson, Nick (September 26, 2014). "JMU president versed in civil rights law". The Washington Post . Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Alger continues commitment to Campus Democracy Challenge". www.jmu.edu. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  16. ↑ "BREAKING: Jonathan Alger named 16th president of American University - The Eagle". www.theeagleonline.com. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  17. ↑ Svrluga, Susan (March 18, 2024). "American University names new president: Jonathan Alger of JMU". Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Agenda: National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Presidential Advisory Group" (PDF). NCAA. p. 3. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Persons Who Have Served on the NACUA Executive Board/Board of Directors" (PDF). National Association of College and University Attorneys. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  20. ↑ "National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council". National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. March 4, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  21. ↑ Woodroof, Martha (March 21, 2014). "The Spark: Mary Ann Alger". WMRA . Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  22. ↑ Parker, Alison (February 12, 2012). "Q&A: President-Elect Jon Alger's agenda". The Breeze . James Madison University . Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  23. ↑ Graves, Eric (February 22, 2015). "A JMU President's Past". The Breeze . James Madison University . Retrieved March 23, 2018.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.