Timeline of JMU's History By hannahmac22 1908 1908 - State Normal and Industrial School for Woman was created 1908 Julian Ashby Burruss was the first president Sep 27, 1909 Nannie Sword of Lee County - first student to arrive at school 1910 First summer session 1911 First 20 students receive diplomas 1914 Name shortened to State Normal School for Women at Harrsonburg 1916 Authorization was received for the school to award bachelor's degrees. 1919 Dr. Samuel Page Duke became the second president. 1924 Institution was renamed the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg. 1928 Ernest F. Bowman of Harrisonburg became the first male to receive a degree. 1938 The institution was renamed Madison College in honor of President James Madison.
