Morrison Bruce Center

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Harrisonburg, VA
Morrison Bruce Center

The MBC provides programs that enhance the well-being of girls & women through the promotion of a healthy and active lifestyle.

03/13/2026

Meet today’s staff spotlight: Jenna Howorth! Jenna is a junior Health Science major and a member of the EmpowHER committee this semester. Jenna learned about the Morrison Bruce Center (MBC) through her Health Science professor/MBC Associate Director, Dr. Lassister, and immediately knew she wanted to be a part of it. Jenna is incredibly excited to help individuals build confidence and challenge themselves through fitness.

Outside of the Morrison Bruce Center, Jenna enjoys dancing, reading for fun, and embroidery. She’s also recently picked up a new hobby, making sourdough bread, and loves experimenting with it in her free time.

We’re so excited to have you on the team, Jenna!

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03/10/2026

Let’s give a warm welcome back to one of our returning staff members, Hailey Waghalter!

Hailey is a senior at JMU and completed her practicum with the Morrison Bruce Center a few semesters ago. During her time with the Center, she previously worked on the Healthy Kids Committee, where she helped children learn about nutrition and physical activity. This semester, Hailey is excited work with both the EmpowHER Committee and the Marketing, Research, and Development Committee. She’s especially passionate about helping women find their confidence and sense of belonging by pushing themselves through workouts.

Outside of the Morrison Bruce Center, Hailey enjoys doing CrossFit, trying out new recipes, and binge-watching TV shows or movies with friends. She is also a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority and the Pre-Physical Therapy Society.

We are so excited to have you back on the team, Hailey!

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03/06/2026

Today we are showcasing one of our most popular programs, EmpowHER! EmpowHER is a weekly resistance training program designed to help participants build strength and confidence in a supportive, welcoming environment. Open to women of all fitness levels, and to all members of the JMU and Harrisonburg communities, EmpowHER makes the weight room approachable, educational, and empowering.

Each semester features new full-body workouts using resistance bands, kettlebells, dumbbells, barbells, and more. Whether you’re new to strength training or looking to grow your skills, EmpowHER helps you feel confident lifting in the gym and at home!

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03/03/2026

Let's hear it for today’s staff spotlight: Gracie Peery, a key contributor to our staff team at the Morrison Bruce Center! Gracie is a member of the Healthy Kids Committee, where she is excited to learn more about teaching children and helping them develop useful skills they can carry into the future.

Although Gracie did not have prior experience working with the MBC, she learned about the center through a friend who graduated from JMU. In addition to her role on the Healthy Kids Committee, she is excited to conduct research with our EmpowHER program as part of her honors thesis research.

Outside of the MBC, Gracie enjoys spending time at the gym weightlifting and relaxing with a good book. We’re so excited to have her as part of the MBC community!
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02/27/2026

Today, we are going to highlight our Healthy Kids program here at the Morrison Bruce Center! Each week, our team partners with JMU’s Young Children’s Program to bring age-appropriate physical activity and nutrition lessons to 3- and 4-year-old students. Through movement-based activities and hands-on learning, children are introduced to fundamental motor skills and basic nutrition concepts they can carry with them for a lifetime of health and wellness.

One of our favorite parts of this program is watching the children gain confidence in their abilities. Whether they’re trying a new movement, learning about foods that help them grow strong, or simply celebrating what their bodies can do; their curiosity and enthusiasm fuel us every single week.

We are so excited to support these little learners as they grow, move, and learn! 💙💚

02/24/2026

Let’s give a warm welcome to Gabriella Schreiner, one of our interns at the Morrison Bruce Center!

Gabriella is a junior at JMU and is interning with the Marketing, Research and Development committee, as well as the Healthy Kids committee this semester. She joined the Morrison Bruce Center to become more involved in the JMU community and work alongside others who are passionate about promoting healthy living. For Gabriella, the MBC provides the perfect opportunity to combine her interest in exercise science by giving back in a meaningful way.
Through her work with the Healthy Kids committee, Gabriella especially enjoys creating hands-on activities that help teach children the importance of staying active and healthy.

Outside of the MBC, Gabriella enjoys hiking and spending time with her horse, Blue.
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02/20/2026

We are thrilled to reintroduce our incredible GAs, Emily Barner and Sam Holbrook- the true lifeblood of the Morrison Bruce Center!

Emily and Sam lead with heart, purpose, and unstoppable energy. From guiding committees to supporting programs across the MBC, they embody everything we stand for: empowerment, community, wellness, and connection. Their behind the scenes work keeps our programs thriving, our students inspired, and our mission moving forward.

Join us in celebrating the incredible impact of these two powerhouse women. We couldn’t do what we do without them! ✨ Thank you, Emily and Sam, for advocating for all things MBC, and for making the Center a better place for everyone. 💙💚

02/17/2026

We are pleased to introduce today’s Staff Spotlight, Evelyn Davenport!

Evelyn is a first year student majoring in Health Science, and is a member of our Healthy Kids Committee. Her passion for fitness and dedication to encourage healthy habits inspired her to apply and join the Morrison Bruce Center team. This semester, Evelyn is especially excited to work on the Healthy Kids Committee by helping the children develop motor skills while teaching the importance of healthy habits at an early age.

Outside of the Morrison Bruce Center, you can find Evelyn soaking up the sun or hitting the weights. She also enjoys reading, ceramics, and arts and crafts in her free time.
We are so excited to have you on the team, Evelyn!

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02/13/2026

Our recent leadership dinner brought MBC staff together for an evening of connection, reflection, and growth. Through team-building activities and guided discussion, we took time for a leadership lesson and fun with fellow staff members. These moments of collaboration help strengthen our team and ensure we continue moving forward with purpose and intention.
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02/10/2026

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Emma Prachar, one of our wonderful staff members at the Morrison Bruce Center! Emma is part of the Healthy Kids Committee, where she is especially excited to work closely with youth and help them build positive habits that will support a healthy future.

Emma previously volunteered with the MBC and instantly fell in love with the experience. One of her favorite parts of being involved is seeing how happy and excited the kids are when they get to interact with staff and participate in activities. Those moments of joy and connection are what make her time at the MBC so meaningful.

Outside of the MBC, Emma enjoys doing crafts and loves finding a new show to binge in her free time. We are so excited to have her enthusiasm and passion as part of our MBC community!
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02/06/2026

We’re proud to highlight our Undergraduate Research Fellows who are collaborating with the Morrison Bruce Center this semester through four different research studies associated with the EmpowHER and Fitness Sampler programs, as well as the overall practicum student experience. These students are gaining hands-on research experience while contributing to projects that promote health, equity, and community impact, all while fulfilling their academic requirements and passion for research!

Their curiosity, dedication, and passion for research play a vital role in advancing the work we do at the MBC. We’re excited to support the next generation of researchers and leaders in health and wellness!
Pictured Left to Right: Marija Krnetic, Ali Downey, Gracie Peery, and Megan Cropper 💙💚

Address

261 Bluestone Drive MSC 2302
Harrisonburg, VA
22807

Telephone

+15405684348

Website

http://www.jmu.edu/mbc, https://linktr.ee/morrisonbrucecenter?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabIUClvg1A2knzLp26tmz917wsIWfDoo

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