Distinguished Alumni Award Winner for the
College of Integrated Science and Engineering
Peter Denbigh (’02, ’11M)
Peter Denbigh graduated from JMU in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in integrated science and technology (ISAT). He earned a Master of Business Administration from JMU in 2011. Denbigh currently lives in Staunton, Virginia and is an entrepreneur in several start-up companies. His most popular start-up company is Skyler Innovations, where he serves as chief chaos creator.
Denbigh has been involved in several innovative projects since graduating sixteen years ago. One of his most successful ventures is the party game “Watch Ya’ Mouth,” which challenges players to say phrases while wearing a plastic mouthpiece. The game was awarded 2017 Toy of the Year by Australian Toy Association and has been an Amazon best- seller for over a year. Denbigh is now working to build an innovation hub in downtown Staunton and serves on the advisory board for Amazon Launchpad.
Creating a best-selling game didn’t come without its challenges. The party game became a huge hit in a short amount of time. “Watch Ya’ Mouth” became the fourth or fifth (depending on the data source) best-selling game of 2016 while only being on the market for three months. With three factories located abroad and one domestically, Denbigh had to ensure that manufacturing was able to keep up with the rapid demand. Denbigh says the ISAT program at JMU gave him the hands-on experience he needed to navigate the chaotic process.
“There’s such a focus on problem solving and through my entrepreneurial journey, it’s my ability to solve problems that has quite often given me a very distinct advantage,” Denbigh said. “The frameworks, the methodology and just the confidence that you gain through the ISAT program have really fueled that.”
Because the ISAT program has had such a huge impact on him, Denbigh is honored to be named the 2018 Distinguished Alumni of the College of Integrated Science and Engineering.
“I just hold the entire ISAT program in such high regard because they’re not afraid to be the changemakers and think differently and challenge traditions,” Denbigh said. “So to be a distinguished alumni of a program that has been so pivotal to my life and my career path is a huge honor.”
With a best-selling game already under his belt, Denbigh has even bigger goals for the future.
“To continue challenging reality, continue challenging the status quo and continuing to figure out who I am and how to help those around me,” Denbigh said.
Past Award Recipients
2016: Elayne Starkey (’84)
2017: Avrum Elmakis (’01)
2018: Peter Denbigh (’02, ’11M)
2019: Monica Rogan (’01)
2020: Chiedo John (’13)