History of George Mason University in Timeline

George Mason University (GMU) is a public research university located in Fairfax County, Virginia, near Washington, D.C. It is named after George Mason, a U.S. Founding Father. As a major public university, it provides a wide range of academic programs and research opportunities.

1949: University Founded as a Branch of UVA

In 1949, George Mason University was founded as a northern branch of the University of Virginia.

1949: Extension Center Created

In 1949, the University of Virginia created an extension center in Northern Virginia to serve working professionals and non-traditional students with evening classes.

1952: Enrollment Reaches 1,192 Students

By the end of 1952, the extension center's enrollment had reached 1,192 students.

January 1956: Extension Center Becomes University College

In January 1956, a resolution of the Virginia General Assembly transformed the extension center into University College, the Northern Virginia branch of the University of Virginia.

September 1957: First Freshmen Attend Classes

In September 1957, seventeen freshmen students began attending classes at University College in Bailey's Crossroads.

1958: University College Renamed George Mason College

In 1958, University College was renamed George Mason College.

1959: Permanent Name Selected for the College

In 1959, the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia selected a permanent name for the college: George Mason College of the University of Virginia.

1960: Fairfax Campus Construction Planning Begins

In early 1960, Fairfax campus construction planning began, showing visible results.

1962: Development of Fairfax Campus Begins

In 1962, development of the first 40 acres of the Fairfax Campus began.

1964: New Campus Welcomes 356 Students

In the Fall of 1964, the new Fairfax campus welcomed 356 students.

March 1, 1966: George Mason College Becomes Degree-Granting

On March 1, 1966, George Mason College became a four-year, degree-granting institution under the direction of the University of Virginia following approval of bill H 33.

1972: George Mason College Separated and Renamed

In 1972, George Mason College was separated from the University of Virginia and renamed George Mason University.

1972: Becomes an Independent University

In 1972, the northern branch of the University of Virginia became an independent university.

1978: George W. Johnson Appointed President

In 1978, George W. Johnson was appointed as the fourth president of George Mason University.

April 1979: Acquisition of the School of Law and Arlington Campus

Shortly before George W. Johnson's inauguration in April 1979, George Mason University acquired the School of Law and the new Arlington Campus.

1979: Arlington Campus Founded

In 1979, the Arlington Campus was founded with the acquisition of a law school.

1986: James M. Buchanan Receives Nobel Prize

In 1986, James M. Buchanan, a professor at George Mason University, received the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics.

1988: Original George Mason Fight Song Written

Between 1988 and 1990 Anthony Maiello wrote the original George Mason Fight Song.

1990: Original George Mason Fight Song Written

Between 1988 and 1990 Anthony Maiello wrote the original George Mason Fight Song.

April 12, 1996: George Mason Statue Dedicated

On April 12, 1996, the bronze statue of George Mason on campus, created by Wendy M. Ross, was dedicated.

1996: Enrollment More Than Doubles

By 1996, during George W. Johnson's tenure as president, enrollment more than doubled from 10,767 in 1978 to 24,368.

1996: Alan Merten Appointed President

In 1996, Alan Merten was appointed as the university's president.

August 25, 1997: Science and Technology campus opening

On August 25, 1997, the Science and Technology campus, originally named the Prince William campus, opened in Manassas, Virginia. The campus spans 134 acres and offers programs in bioinformatics, biotechnology, information technology, and forensic biosciences.

1998: University Hosts World Congress of Information Technology

In 1998, George Mason University hosted the World Congress of Information Technology.

1998: Hazel Hall Opened

In 1998, Hazel Hall opened to house the Antonin Scalia Law School.

2002: Celebration of Second Nobel Prize Winner

In 2002, George Mason University celebrated a second Nobel Memorial Prize-winning faculty member.

2002: Vernon L. Smith Receives Nobel Prize

In 2002, Vernon L. Smith, a professor at George Mason University, received the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics.

2005: Campus in Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates Opens

In 2005 George Mason University opened a campus at Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.

2006: Men's Basketball Team NCAA Final Four Appearance

In 2006, the George Mason University Men's basketball team made an appearance in the NCAA Final Four.

2009: Increase in applications between 2009 and 2013

Between 2009 and 2013, George Mason University saw a 21% increase in the number of applications.

2009: Campus in Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates Closes

In 2009 George Mason University closed the campus at Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.

2009: Controversy over Schar School's relationship with former US intelligence agency personnel

In 2009, the Schar School of Policy and Government faced controversy over its ties with former US intelligence agency personnel, particularly the hiring of Michael Hayden and Robert Deitz.

2009: Editing of the George Mason Fight Song

In 2009, the original George Mason Fight Song, written by Anthony Maiello between 1988 and 1990, was edited by Michael Nickens.

2010: Great Colleges to Work For

From 2010, The Chronicle of Higher Education listed George Mason University as one of the "Great Colleges to Work For".

2010: Opening of Merchant Hall and Verizon Auditorium

In 2010, Merchant Hall with 1,123 seats and the Verizon Auditorium with 300 seats, located in the Hylton Performing Arts Center, were opened.

June 29, 2011: Groundbreaking of Front Royal campus

On June 29, 2011, groundbreaking occurred for the new campus in Front Royal, Virginia, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and George Mason University.

July 1, 2012: Ángel Cabrera Appointed President

On July 1, 2012, Ángel Cabrera was appointed as the university's sixth president.

August 2012: Front Royal campus opening

In August 2012, the Front Royal campus, a partnership between the Smithsonian Institution and George Mason University, opened to students, focusing on global conservation training.

August 17, 2012: Board Asks for Creation of New Strategic Vision

On August 17, 2012, the board asked Ángel Cabrera to create a new strategic vision to help George Mason University remain relevant and competitive.

2012: Enrollment Reaches 33,000 Students

By the spring semester of 2012, enrollment had increased to approximately 33,000 students during Alan Merten's tenure, making George Mason University Virginia's largest public university.

2012: Enrollment statistics for fall 2012

In fall 2012, George Mason University had a total enrollment of 32,961 students.

March 25, 2013: Decision to Join Atlantic 10 Conference

On March 25, 2013, George Mason University announced its decision to leave the Colonial Athletic Association and join the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10).

2013: Data Review by the Center for Postsecondary Research at Indiana University

George Mason University moved into the "R1: Doctoral Universities" classification based on a review of its 2013–2014 data that was performed by the Center for Postsecondary Research at Indiana University.

2013: Exploratory Hall for Science Completed

In 2013, Exploratory Hall for science was completed.

2013: Establishment of Phi Beta Kappa Chapter

In 2013, Phi Beta Kappa established a chapter at George Mason University.

2013: Enrollment statistics for fall 2013

In fall 2013, George Mason University enrolled 33,917 students, which was a 3% increase from fall 2012. Undergraduate students made up 65% of the enrollment.

March 2014: Opening of Mason Korea

In March 2014, Mason Korea opened in the Songdo International Business District in South Korea, approximately 25 miles from Seoul.

2014: Data Review by the Center for Postsecondary Research at Indiana University

2014: Listed as a Top Workplace

In 2014, The Washington Post listed George Mason University as one of the "Top Workplaces".

2014: Enrollment statistics for fall 2014

In fall 2014, George Mason University had 33,791 students enrolled, including 21,672 undergraduates.

April 23, 2015: Renaming of the Science and Technology Campus

On April 23, 2015, the Prince William campus was officially renamed to the Science and Technology Campus.

2015: Awarded the Seal of Distinction

In 2015, the WorldatWork Alliance for Work-Life Progress awarded George Mason University the Seal of Distinction.

2016: Classification as 'R1: Doctoral Universities'

In 2016, George Mason University was classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".

2016: Student appeal overturning suspension for sexual assault

In 2016, a male student successfully appealed and overturned his suspension related to a sexual assault case at George Mason University.

December 2017: Mason Korea's first commencement

In December 2017, Mason Korea held its first commencement ceremony, marking a significant milestone for the campus.

2018: Allegations against Peter Pober

In 2018, Peter Pober was accused of sexual misconduct during his tenure as a competitive speech coach and retired while under investigation.

2018: Controversy over Donor Influence

In 2018, a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit revealed that conservative donors were given direct influence over faculty hiring decisions, raising questions about academic integrity at George Mason University.

July 31, 2019: Cabrera Resigns

On July 31, 2019, Ángel Cabrera resigned from his position as president of George Mason University.

2019: Sponsored research projects total

As of 2019, George Mason University hosts $149 million in sponsored research projects annually.

2019: Feasibility study for a medical school

In 2019, George Mason University initiated a feasibility study to explore the possibility of establishing a medical school at the Prince William Campus.

2019: Controversy over Brett Kavanaugh's hiring and Title IX concerns

In 2019, the hiring of Brett Kavanaugh as a visiting professor sparked controversy, leading to a student petition demanding his removal and an increase in Title IX Coordinators on campus. The petition garnered 10,000 signatures and secured funding for two additional Title IX Coordinator positions.

February 24, 2020: Gregory Washington Appointed President

On February 24, 2020, the Board of Visitors appointed Gregory Washington as the university's eighth president.

March 23, 2020: Shift to Online Instruction Due to COVID-19

On March 23, 2020, George Mason University shifted to exclusively online instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

July 1, 2020: Gregory Washington Assumes Role as President

On July 1, 2020, Gregory Washington assumed his role as the university's eighth president.

2021: Hybrid Instruction Offered

In 2021, George Mason University offered hybrid instruction, a combination of online and in-person classes.

2021: Enslaved People of George Mason Monument Installed

In 2021, an Enslaved People of George Mason Monument designed by Perkins & Will was installed near the George Mason Statue.

2022: Arlington Campus Named Mason Square

In 2022, the Arlington Campus was named Mason Square.

October 7, 2023: Unrest Following Hamas Attack on Israel

Following the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel, mild unrest occurred on George Mason's campus and statements denouncing antisemitism and Islamophobia were made.

October 2023: Allegations of pervasively hostile environment for Jewish students and faculty

The US Department of Education opened an investigation into allegations of a pervasively hostile environment for Jewish students and faculty from October 2023 through the 2024-2025 academic year at George Mason University.

2023: Enrollment statistics for 2023

As of 2023, George Mason University enrolled 40,185 students, becoming the largest university by headcount in Virginia.

2023: Faculty Senate resolution quoted from the university's strategic plan

In 2023, a resolution by the Faculty Senate quoted from George Mason University's strategic plan, which later led to a review by the Department of Justice.

2024: Admissions statistics for undergraduate applicants

In 2024, George Mason University accepted 90% of its undergraduate applicants. Admitted students had an average high school GPA of 3.68. The average SAT score was 1250 (38% submitting scores) and the average ACT score was 28 (3% submitting scores).

2024: George Mason University rankings by U.S. News & World Report

In 2024, George Mason University was ranked by U.S. News & World Report, achieving notable positions such as tied at #109 in National Universities, #52 in Top Public Schools, and #25 in Most Innovative Schools, among other rankings.

2024: Allegations of pervasively hostile environment for Jewish students and faculty

July 2025: US Department of Education announces investigations

In July 2025, the US Department of Education announced two investigations of George Mason University. One investigation concerned allegations of a hostile environment for Jewish students and faculty from October 2023 through the 2024-2025 academic year. The other was based on a complaint that the university illegally used race and other immutable characteristics in university policies.

July 17, 2025: US Department of Justice announces investigation into hiring practices

On July 17, 2025, the US Department of Justice announced an investigation into potential discriminatory hiring and promotion practices at George Mason University, citing concerns about racial or gender-oriented preferences.

July 21, 2025: DOJ announces second investigation into admissions procedures

On July 21, 2025, the DOJ announced a second investigation into George Mason University, this time focusing on admissions procedures and the awarding of student benefits and scholarships, to ensure compliance with federal non-discrimination laws.

July 25, 2025: Department of Justice plans review of Faculty Senate resolution

On July 25, 2025, the Department of Justice announced its intention to review a resolution by the Faculty Senate, which quoted from the university's 2023 strategic plan.

August 2025: Department of Education Claims Title VI Violation

In August 2025, the Department of Education claimed that George Mason University had "violated Title VI by illegally using race and other immutable characteristics in university practices and policies, including hiring and promotion" in the name of "diversity, equity and inclusion."