[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 197 (Tuesday, December 20, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF DR. JOHN BOYD NOFTSINGER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB GOODLATTE

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 20, 2011

  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with Representatives 
Wolf and Ruppersberger to honor the memory of a constituent, an 
educator, a community leader and most importantly a friend, the late 
Doctor John Boyd Noftsinger, Jr.
  On November 10, 2011, James Madison University (JMU) lost one of 
their most innovative leaders and passionate advocates with the passing 
of John Noftsinger. John was the face of JMU on Capitol Hill and 
dedicated his career to public service through education.
  Dr. Noftsinger was born in Roanoke, Virginia. After graduating from 
William Fleming High School in 1981, he officially started his career 
at James Madison University when he arrived on campus as a freshman 
that fall. We're sure when he stepped onto campus for the first time he 
never could have imagined the profound effect he would have on the 
University over the course of his life.
  John went on to graduate cum laude with a double major in political 
science and public administration and a minor in business 
administration. Upon graduation, he entered the Ohio State University 
where he would later earn his master of arts degree in higher education 
administration.
  In 1989, John once again found himself on the campus of JMU. He would 
begin a long and distinguished professional career where he would most 
recently serve as vice provost for research and public service. 
Additionally, he would serve as executive Director of the Institute for 
Infrastructure and Information Assurance, professor of integrated 
science and technology and strategic leadership, and as the president 
and chair of James Madison Innovations.
  In a profile of Dr. Noftsinger on the JMU website he is quoted as 
saying ``my connections with the community were forged early in my 
career here and are now embedded in my philosophy of education and my 
work.'' These words exemplify John Noftsinger.
  Dr. Noftsinger's dedication and hard work was not limited to the 
university he so loved. He was truly committed to his community as a 
whole and the city of Harrisonburg is better because of his hard work.
  Dr. Noftsinger was a founder and served as the first president of the 
Shenandoah Valley Technology Council. He served as a board member for 
the Shenandoah Valley Partnership and Shenandoah National Park Trust. 
He was the past vice president and board member of the Harrisonburg-
Rockingham Chamber of Commerce and the former chairman of the board of 
directors of the Blue Ridge area food bank. He also served as a former 
board member and president of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Harrisonburg/
Rockingham County.
  Dr. Noftsinger's legacy is one that will not be soon forgotten. We 
will greatly miss our friend. We pray for his family--his wife Lucinda 
Bosley Shaheen and his three sons, Joshua, Zachary and Jacob. We join 
the entire JMU community in mourning this great leader.

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