Official Twitter account for James Madison University. #GoDukes JMU was founded in 1908 and is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The JMU Foundation, first established as the Madison College Foundation in 1969, exists to "Promote the welfare, efficiency, service to the public and objectives of James Madison University and to encourage private gifts of money, securities, land or other property of whatever character for such purposes." During our 30 year history, we have played an important role in the university's dramatic growth from a state teachers college to a multipurpose university. The ability to purchase or receive property the university needs in a timely manner has made many of the buildings and facilities, essential to the JMU of today, possible.