Units Form the Foundation of the Campaign
The priorities and fundraising objectives of George Mason's schools and disciplines
are the foundation of The Campaign for George Mason University. Each academic
unit is in the process of forming volunteer campaign committees to facilitate
those objectives. Unit dollar goals are purposely ambitious, exceeding the total
overall campaign goal and dependent on the level of private support.
The following are brief descriptions of the unit campaigns:
College of Arts and Sciences
This college achieved great success in meeting a National Endowment for the
Humanities challenge by creating a $2 million endowment to support the Center
for History and New Media. The college's campaign is focused on innovative faculty
projects - including research efforts in the biosciences - while continuing to seek
scholarship support. Its campaign goal is $18.5 million.
Graduate School of Education
The $3.2 million gift from Arthur and Elizabeth Kellar to establish the Helen
A. Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities is the foundation of the school's campaign.
Other campaign priorities are currently being developed.
School of Management
Initially, the school's campaign will focus on student scholarships, faculty
research support, executive education and lecture series sponsorships, and expanded
support to promote the reputation of the school in the region. Thereafter, the
campaign will expand its efforts to endowed faculty positions, and facilities
and operational support.
School of Law
Student scholarships, chaired professorships, the Law and Economics Center - which
trains judges in economics and other subjects - and the annual Networked Economy
Summit (formerly the Global Internet Summit) remain campaign priorities. The school's
campaign goal is $18 million. Nationally ranked in the top tier, the School of
Law is one of the fastest rising law schools in the country.
Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (ICAR)
ICAR's current funding focus is faculty and student support to advance its
globalization and violence initiative and the planned Center for the Study of
Religion and Conflict. Donations of property and funds totaling $10.7 million
from Edwin W. Lynch Sr., his wife, Helen, and the Lynch family, to build a retreat
and conference center is of major significance to the unit's campaign goal of
$17.5 million. Committee Co-Chairs Mariann Laue Baker and Edwin W. Lynch Jr. are
leading fundraising efforts.
College of Nursing and Health Science
Caring Close to Home is the campaign theme of this nationally recognized
college - the number one provider of nurses and clinicians to area health care facilities.
To graduate more nurses to address the region's critical nursing shortage, the
expansion and renovation of the clinical practice laboratories and technology
media center is a top campaign priority at the college. Hazel Johnson-Brown and
Russell P. Seneca, M.B.A. '96, are leading volunteer committees to raise $3 million
to accomplish this and other initiatives relating to student, faculty, and program
development.
School of Information Technology and Engineering (IT&E)
To fuel the workforce needs of the region's IT industry, phase one of IT&E's
campaign seeks immediate impact funds to establish corporate partnerships, strengthen
faculty recruitment and retention, and expand research opportunities. The second
phase will build on phase one's success and seek permanent funds for endowed faculty
positions and scholarships. Thomas L. Hewitt is leading the campaign's volunteer
efforts.
School of Computational Sciences
This new school - which emphasizes the central role of computational methodologies
in the biological, physical, mathematical, and data sciences - is currently exploring
exciting cooperative ventures to further expand scientific studies and analysis.
The focus of its campaign is on funding support for endowed student fellowships
and research initiatives in areas such as medicine, the environment, and global
climate predictions.
School of Public Policy
Student support and the recognition and retention of the school's faculty
are the unit's top campaign priorities. To support regional needs, the school
is planning to enhance the capabilities of the Center for Regional Analysis, endow
the Mason Enterprise Center, and expand the Enterprise Engineering and Policy
Laboratory. Additional support is being sought to establish an international visiting
scholars program. Leading volunteer efforts to raise $10 million in campaign funds
is A. George Cook III.
College of Visual and Performing Arts
This new college is taking advantage of opportunities to redefine the university's
role as a leader within the region's arts community. As a first step, a campaign
goal of $5.5 million has been set to fund student scholarships and annual operating
expenses. Marianne M. Keler is the campaign's volunteer chair.
Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study
The primary focus of this institute's campaign is faculty research and endowment
support. The Krasnow Institute brings together basic scientists from neuroscience
and related fields to study the brain and human thought processes in a research-intensive
environment.
University Libraries
The libraries' campaign is driven by recognition of its vital role in the
university's teaching, learning, and research commitments, and the extended community's
access to its specialized resources. Top campaign priorities include securing
endowments for outstanding print and digital collections, providing state-of-the-art
technologies for study and research, attracting and retaining excellent library
faculty members, and improving the libraries' physical facilities.
Mercatus Center
This center's campaign goal of $28.2 million has been greatly advanced by
leadership gifts from the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation. Through scholarly
research of market processes, education, and outreach to decision makers, the
Mercatus Center bridges academic theory and real-world practice. Its work has
established a national constituency.
Patriot Club (Athletics)
With a campaign goal of $7 million, the Patriot Club's primary objective is
endowment support for student athletic scholarships. A planned gift from the late
Jim McKay and his wife, Ruth, will fund endowments for scholarships and aquatic
programs. Gerald D. Pelano and Robert C. Steele, M.A. '98, are the unit campaign
co-chairs.
University Life
This unit's initial campaign focus on the Early Identification Program has
been expanded to include support for student leadership initiatives and a student
services fund. Its campaign goal is $1.25 million. University Life provides students
with academic, career, social, and health services integral to success both in
and out of the classroom.
Prince William Campus
The campus, in conjunction with community leaders, is currently exploring
its options to build a performing arts center. Funds to support the proposed center's
construction and endowment for its operating budget will be pursued. In addition,
Prince William remains committed to funding Early Identification Program initiatives
for eligible middle and high school students. Leading the volunteer campaign efforts
are Mark A. Holcomb and Kathleen K. Seefeldt.
Diversity Advisory Board
Since the earliest days of the campaign, the advisory board has raised significant
scholarship support for disadvantaged students. Such support will remain its focus
as it seeks $1 million in funds. Chairing the scholarship committee is W. James
Green.
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