Highlights

What a Ride!

Latest U.S. News Ranking Elevates Law, Education, Computer Science

Koch Foundation Provides
$2 Million in Recent Support

George Mason Society Welcomes New Members

Contact Us




Mission
University Development, Alumni Affairs, and the George Mason University Foundation support Mason's advancement by
-- building relationships
-- developing resources
-- managing assets
-- engaging communities




From the blogosphere...
"As a proud Mason grad, I just love that a little game with an orange ball will finally make people notice the amazing college I went to."

"I went to campus yesterday to pick up my green and gold gear. (I realized I had thrown out my GMU sweatshirt during last year's clothing closet cleanout.) It was amazing to hear absolutely everyone buzzing about the team!"

"GMU is certainly on the upswing. It's doing everything right to move up in the world, and it's exciting for me to be a part of it."

"GMU may not have long tradition and national recognition, but it definitely has academic excellence, great faculty members, great graduate programs, and now the greatest basketball team!"














Contact Us
George Mason University Foundation
4400 University Drive, MS 1A3
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
703-993-8850
development@gmu.edu
www.gmu.edu/development

What a Ride!
Mason Spirit Reaches New Heights
"Magical" is how one alum described Mason's astounding NCAA performance by the men's basketball team -- a performance that reignited school spirit and community pride and created a "Mason Nation" that transcended geographic borders. For one historic moment, it seemed the whole country, if not the world, was thinking green and gold and enjoying the exhilarating ride.

"This magical run has brought back memories and connected me with the friends that I left behind," wrote Sabina Shrestha, '06, in the George Mason Basketball Digital Memory Bank recently created by the Center for History and New Media. "I can't get enough of the Patriots!"

The explosion of excitement resulting from the NCAA tournament and accompanying media blitz has provided a significant boost in recognition and precipitated a surge in alumni enthusiasm and support.

For example, during the game between Mason and Wichita State, a group of alumni attending one of the numerous watch parties across the country collected gifts of $16 in honor of Mason playing in the Sweet 16. A similar challenge was made for the Final Four game. And, during the height of the hoopla, phonathon callers reported receiving 275 gifts and pledges in just three days from alumni who had never given before to Mason.

"Mason pride abounds, and the sudden spotlight has given the entire university a unique window of opportunity," said President Alan Merten. "From academics to athletics, this institution is being recognized and celebrated for its many achievements."
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Latest U.S. News Ranking Elevates Law, Education,
Computer Science
The just-released U.S. News & World Report edition of "America's Best Graduate Schools 2007" ranked the School of Law 37, up from last year's rank of 41; and the school's intellectual property law specialty ranked 24. Mason's graduate education program ranked 66, up from a previous ranking of 73.

New to the rankings this year was the computer science PhD program, which ranked 60. The program is part of the Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering.
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Koch Foundation Provides $2 Million in Recent Support
The Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation recently provided grants totaling $2 million to support the work of the Mercatus Center ($1.8 million) and the College of Arts and Sciences ($200,000).

The following are other recent major gifts and pledges:

• AT&T: $100,000, School of Law
• Beers & Cutler PLLC: $122,954, School of Management
• Jim Beers: $127,046, School of Management
• Bernard Osher Foundation: $50,000, university-wide
• John Bryan: $30,000, Mercatus Center
• Carthage Foundation: $150,000, College of Arts and Sciences
• Larry Czarda, PhD '97 and Carolyn Czarda: $25,000, Community Performing Arts Center
• Donald de Laski and Nancy L. de Laski Family Foundation: $25,000,
  Mercatus Center
• Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation: $87,291, School of Public Policy
• ExxonMobil Foundation: $30,000, School of Law
• Robert and Elborg Forster: $50,780 gift-in-kind, University Libraries
• Hewlett-Packard: $25,000, Volgenau School of Information Technology and Engineering
• Holly Corporation: $50,000, Mercatus Center
• Ethelmae Humphreys: $100,000, Mercatus Center
• Kaiser Permanente: $24,469, College of Nursing and Health Science
• Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Inc.: $43,000, College of Nursing and Health Science
• Lee and Joan Sammis: $40,000, Community Performing Arts Center
• Sarah Scaife Foundation Inc.: $100,000, School of Law
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Related Entities: $100,000, School of Law
• Wachovia Foundation: $130,000, university-wide
• John and Rosamond Warfield: $30,000, School of Public Policy
• Norma Ellis Zimdahl: $25,000, Mercatus Center

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George Mason Society Welcomes New Members
The George Mason Society, which honors individuals who have provided cumulative support of $100,000 and above to the university, welcomed the following:

• Helen Ackerman, MA '86, and Bill Ackerman (Members)
• Larry and Gioconda Doll (Members)
• Cecil Van Alsburg (Patriot)