George Mason University

George Mason University (GMU) is a public research university located in Fairfax County, Virginia, near Washington, D.C. Named after Founding Father George Mason, the university was established in 1949 as a branch of the University of Virginia and became an independent institution in 1972. It has since grown into Virginia’s largest public university by enrollment. GMU offers a blend of liberal arts and professional education, serving both traditional residential students and commuters at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.The university operates four campuses in Fairfax, Arlington, Front Royal, and Prince William County, along with a retreat center in Lorton and an international campus in Incheon, South Korea. It holds an R1 designation, indicating very high research activity. Two GMU economics professors, James M. Buchanan and Vernon L. Smith, have received the Nobel Prize in Economics.Initially created to serve working professionals through evening classes, GMU gradually expanded. It became a four-year degree-granting institution in 1966 and officially gained university status in 1972. Under the leadership of George W. Johnson from 1978 to 1996, the university saw major expansion in infrastructure and academic offerings. Alan Merten further enhanced GMU’s national and global reputation during his presidency from 1996 to 2012.Ángel Cabrera served as president from 2012 to 2019 and led a strategic vision for growth and academic excellence. His tenure included a transition to the Atlantic 10 Conference and the establishment of a Phi Beta Kappa chapter. He was succeeded by Gregory Washington in 2020, GMU’s first African-American president. The university adapted to online and hybrid learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.In 2023, GMU experienced minor campus unrest following events in the Middle East, prompting the administration to issue statements condemning antisemitism and Islamophobia.