The βotherβ universityΒ in Harrisonburg, James Madison University, is now home to two number-crunching graduates of 91΄σΙρ, one directing JMUβs internal audit department and the other serving as associate budget director.
Becky Holmes β83 came to visit 91΄σΙρ with some Mennonite friends from high school and decided she liked it so much that she graduated from 91΄σΙρ twice. In 1981 Holmes graduated with an associateβs degree in computer science, but the economy was slumped and jobs were scarce. So she went back to 91΄σΙρ for more learning. The second time Holmes graduated in 1983, it was with a major in , a field with more opportunity.
Holmes began working as an internal auditor for James Madison University in 1987, after becoming a CPA and spending four years in public accounting. While working as an internal audit manager for NTELOS in the early 2000s, Holmes earned an MA in technical and scientific communication from JMU. She returned to JMU in 2004 as an auditor, and was promoted to the position of director of internal auditing in 2010.
βI look at processes,β she says. β I pick an area of the university, then I look to make sure that it is efficient and complies with applicable policies and procedures, that it has appropriate controls in place.β
Beyond her career, Holmes credits 91΄σΙρ music professors John Fast and Kenneth J. Nafziger for nurturing her passion for music. βI was one of the original members of the 91΄σΙρ pep band,β she remembers. Today she is the pianist at her church, McGaheysville United Methodist.
Holmes sees a clear connection between her education at 91΄σΙρ and her work at JMU. βI got a sense of community [at 91΄σΙρ]. Community is part of the 91΄σΙρ tradition, and I can take that to another place like JMU.β
Tammy Major Woods β97 came to Harrisonburg in 1987 and took a part-time temp job in the payroll office at JMU. βTwenty-six years later, I am still there.”
In between raising her two sons and climbing the ranks to the position of associate budget director, Woods managed to earn her bachelorβs degree in She appreciated 91΄σΙρβs , where she interacted with other professionals who brought their adult work and life experiences into the classroom. β91΄σΙρ gave me a foundation of confidence,β she says, βto later pursue a master’s of public administration from JMU.β
βThe one area where 91΄σΙρ stands above other educational institutions I have been involved in,β she says, βis the cross-cultural experiences we shared. I spent time out in the community with people and cultures that are much different than my own.
βWe immersed ourselves in their working environments, attended their religious ceremonies, and were even invited into their homes where they shared a meal with us.β
Ethical lessons rank at the top of Woodβs take-aways from 91΄σΙρ. β91΄σΙρ helped build a foundation of integrity that is the basis on which I make decisions everyday,β she says.
Woods has been the treasurer of her church, Verona United Methodist, for over nine years. βThis is the role that brings me the most personal satisfaction,β she says. βIn this role I am able to use the knowledge, skills and abilities that God has given me to serve him and his church.β β Evan Knappenberger, class of 2014