George Mason University

George Mason University Overview

George Mason University (George Mason, Mason, or GMU) is a leading public research university situated in Fairfax County, Virginia. Originally established in 1949 as a Northern Virginia regional branch of the University of Virginia, it gained independence in 1972 and was subsequently named after Founding Father George Mason in 1959. Today, it stands as the largest public university in the Commonwealth of Virginia, operating several campuses across the state, including Fairfax, Arlington, Front Royal, Prince William, and Lorton, and even a campus in Incheon, South Korea.

George Mason University boasts an esteemed academic reputation, classified as "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity." The university's commitment to academic excellence is exemplified by two professors who were awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics: James M. Buchanan in 1986 and Vernon L. Smith in 2002.

Among its impressive facilities is the EagleBank Arena, a 10,000-seat arena and concert venue situated on the Fairfax campus. The university fosters a vibrant campus life with a wide array of student groups, including 41 fraternities and sororities.

The university's journey began in 1949 as an extension center of the University of Virginia, offering both credit and non-credit classes to serve the Northern Virginia community. Through significant growth and development, George Mason College was eventually renamed George Mason College of the University of Virginia in 1959. Subsequently, the institution transformed into a four-year degree-granting university in 1966, paving the way for its expansion into a prominent regional institution with plans for offering graduate degrees.

Today, George Mason University continues to be a pillar of higher education in Virginia, contributing significantly to research and innovation while nurturing a diverse and engaged student community.