Mason Advancement

09/03/2026

George Mason University is coming together for the 9/11 Day of Service.

Support Women Giving Back by donating new or gently used clothing, shoes, toiletries, and other essentials for women and children in need through September 9. Volunteers are also needed to help sort donations on September 10.

Learn more about how to give back and get involved 🔗 womengivingback.org

09/01/2026

President Gregory Washington addressed George Mason University's largest ever incoming class at New Student Convocation, emphasizing the university's commitment to supporting their success.

That promise is at the heart of George Mason's historic campaign, Mason Now: Power the Possible. Learn how George Mason prepares every student for a lifetime of achievement and how you can be a part of their educational journeys:

🔗 https://giving.gmu.edu/mason-now/student-success/

08/27/2026

George Mason University’s summer programs are bringing its groundbreaking research to the community. BioE Buzz introduced high school students to bioengineering technologies like 3D printing, ultrasound, and prosthetics; the AI in Health camp helped students work at the intersection of responsible AI and healthcare; and the George Mason Jazz camp showed young musicians how creativity, collaboration, and self-expression can make beautiful music.

Groundbreaking research and community-centered wellbeing are at the heart of Mason Now: Power the Possible, George Mason University’s historic billion-dollar campaign https://giving.gmu.edu/mason-now/

See how George Mason’s summer programs are improving health, wellbeing, and preparedness in our community: https://www.gmu.edu/news/2026-08/bioengineering-big-bands-george-mason-camps-focus-well-being?utm_source=george&utm_medium=email

From bioengineering to big bands, these summer camps teach all ages that George Mason's Grand Challenge Initiative solution of "improving human health" is about more than numbers on a medical chart.

08/26/2026

George Mason University ranked fifth among all Atlantic 10 institutions, with 318 student-athletes named to the 2025–26 Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

The total marks the third-highest number of honorees in George Mason history and builds on last year’s 315 student-athletes recognized. To earn a place on the Honor Roll, student-athletes must achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher across the fall and spring semesters while competing in an Atlantic 10-sponsored sport.

Balancing academics and Division I competition requires commitment both in the classroom and in competition. The achievement of these 318 Patriots reflects the dedication to learning, growth, and excellence that shapes the George Mason student experience and prepares students for what comes next.

Student success drives Mason Now: Power the Possible, George Mason University’s billion-dollar campaign. Learn more about how the university is preparing its students for a lifetime of achievement: https://giving.gmu.edu/mason-now/student-success/

Discover how George Mason student-athletes are making their mark in the classroom: https://www.gmu.edu/news/2026-07/george-mason-ranks-fifth-atlantic-10-commissioners-honor-roll

George Mason University placed fifth among all Atlantic 10 institutions with 318 student-athletes named to the Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll for the 2025-26 academic year. The 318 honorees mark the third-highest total in George Mason’s history, trailing only the 332 student-athletes recogn...

08/24/2026

Student success at George Mason includes more than what happens in the classroom. It is also about giving students opportunities to lead, build community, and turn their ideas into something meaningful.

Three years ago, George Mason University’s Quiz Bowl team didn’t exist. Today, its students are tournament champions competing on the national stage.

Revived by students in 2023, the club has grown from three members at its first meeting to three competitive teams. This year, 20 Patriots competed, the A-Team captured the first two tournament wins in the program’s history, and the team placed highly in Division 2 of the National Academic Quiz Tournaments Intercollegiate Championship Tournament.

Beyond competition, Quiz Bowl has created a community where students build friendships, strengthen their skills, and challenge one another to grow. Their journey reflects what’s possible when Patriots take initiative, create opportunities, and build connections. Student success is at the heart of Mason Now: Power the Possible, George Mason University’s historic billion-dollar campaign: https://giving.gmu.edu/mason-now/student-success

See how a student-led idea grew into a nationally competitive team: https://www.gmu.edu/news/2026-07/no-team-nationals-meet-students-who-revived-george-masons-quiz-bowl-team?utm_source=george&utm_medium=email

This year, George Mason’s intercollegiate quiz bowl team debuted on the national stage. Their A-Team won two major tournaments—the first ever won in the university’s quiz bowl history.

08/21/2026

Board of Visitors member—and George Mason University alum—Shawn Chambliss Purvis, MS Information Systems ‘99, has carried a lifetime of inspiration from her father, Spencer Chambliss Senior. A pioneering computer engineer, his curiosity, tenacity, and courage offered Purvis an example that has served her in her own successful engineering career.

Now, she is carrying his legacy forward. Through a generous gift, Purvis established the Spencer Chambliss Senior Scholarship Endowment, opening doors for future electrical and computer engineering students to pursue their ambitions and grow as leaders.

Read more about Purvis’s gift and how she is Powering the Possible:
https://giving.gmu.edu/2026/08/20/visitor-shawn-chambliss-purvis-honors-family-legacy-with-investment-in-future-engineers/

08/20/2026

Innovation at George Mason is about creating the partnerships, connections, and opportunities that help ideas move into the world. This spring, entrepreneurs from five countries gathered at the Nexus234 Innovation District for the inaugural Northern Virginia International Soft Landing Accelerator Global Innovation Showcase.

Over two days, start-ups connected with George Mason University faculty and researchers, investors, industry leaders, and regional partners while exploring opportunities to establish and grow their businesses in the United States.

Those connections are already creating momentum. Top companies from the inaugural showcase are finalizing plans to move into Nexus234, while participating businesses continue working with George Mason faculty to pursue new opportunities for research, funding, and commercialization.

By bringing together people, ideas, and partners from across the region and around the world, George Mason is helping build relationships that advance innovation and strengthen Northern Virginia’s growing economic ecosystem. Expanding innovation and its impact is a priority of Mason Now: Power the Possible, George Mason University’s billion-dollar campaign: ttps://giving.gmu.edu/mason-now/innovation/

See how Nexus234 is connecting entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry to move innovation forward: https://www.gmu.edu/news/2026-07/nexus234-innovation-district-opens-applications-its-next-soft-landing-cohort

This spring, start-ups from around the world came to the Nexus234 Innovation District for Northern Virginia International Soft Landing Accelerator's (NISA) Global Innovation Showcase.

08/18/2026

Passion for soccer and pride in her heritage have taken George Mason University student-athlete Mia Arevalo-Delcid from Northern Virginia to the international stage.

This summer, the civil engineering major earned a call-up to El Salvador’s Senior National Team, representing her family’s home country at one of the sport’s highest levels. At George Mason, Mia balances academics and Division I competition while giving back to her community through tutoring and education.

From George Mason to the international stage, Mia’s journey reflects the determination, leadership, and commitment to community that Patriots carry with them wherever they go. Mia’s experience is an example of the opportunities George Mason creates when talented students have the support and resources to pursue their ambitions in the classroom, in competition, and beyond. Student success is at the heart of Mason Now: Power the Possible, George Mason University’s historic billion-dollar campaign: https://giving.gmu.edu/mason-now/student-success

Read more about Mia’s journey from George Mason to the international stage: https://www.gmu.edu/news/2026-06/patriot-profile-mia-arevalo-delcid?utm_source=george&utm_medium=email

When the call-up to El Salvador's Senior National Team finally came through, Mia Arevalo-Delcid didn't need a moment to let it sink in. She already knew exactly what it meant. "That's the big leagues right there," said the George Mason women's soccer standout. "It's all eyes in the country on you. I...

08/05/2026

Every drop makes a difference.

A new rainwater harvesting system is coming to George Mason University’s Presidents Park Greenhouse, made possible by a generous gift from the Society for a Secure and Sustainable Water Future. The nonprofit was founded by George Mason graduate student Alexander Jarvis, and is run by his parents, Leslie and Tyrone Jarvis. The gift aligns with Alexander’s vision of helping to create a more sustainable future.

Installed by the Jarvis family in coordination with Facilities and Campus Operations staff, the system is designed to capture and reuse rainwater, reducing potable water demand. Combined with the greenhouse's existing solar array, it will also further establish the space as a living laboratory, offering educational opportunities for students.

Gifts like these help turn bold ideas into real-world solutions. Join us in advancing sustainability and creating a lasting impact.

Read more: https://www.gmu.edu/news/2026-07/making-every-drop-count-campus-greenhouse?utm_source=george&utm_medium=email

A new rainwater harvesting system is coming to George Mason University’s Presidents Park Greenhouse, thanks to a donation from the Society for a Secure and Sustainable Water Future, a nonprofit organization based in James City County, Virginia, and dedicated to advancing long-term water sustainabi...

08/04/2026

What began as a conversation about student needs became a powerful day of action.

This month, more than 100 volunteers joined George Mason University and SixDegrees.org—a nonprofit founded by actor Kevin Bacon—to assemble 35,000 meal kits and 400 mental health kits. Together, these resources will help address food insecurity and support the well-being of students and families across Northern Virginia.

This partnership demonstrates the power of philanthropy and collaboration to meet critical needs. The service event will have an immediate impact on the George Mason community, with a portion of the meal kits donated to the Patriot Pantry on campus.

Thank you to SixDegrees.org and our Fairfax community of volunteers and partners for making a lasting difference. Together, we power the possible.

Read more: https://www.gmu.edu/news/2026-07/sixdegreesorg-partners-george-mason-university-support-families-students?utm_source=george&utm_medium=email

SixDegrees.org hosted a Building Kits by Kevin Bacon activation on George Mason’s Fairfax Campus on July 19, bringing together more than 100 volunteers to assemble 35,000 meal kits and 400 mental health kits for students and families across Northern Virginia.