Masonat50

George Mason College officially opened in Fairfax, Virginia, on Sept. 14, 1964. Then a branch campus of the University of Virginia, the college welcomed 356 registered students and had a faculty that included seven full-time and 18 part-time instructors.

From 1972 to 1983, George Mason operated a satellite campus, known as North Campus, in the former Fairfax High School building, located on Fairfax Boulevard between Fairfax Circle and the intersection of Routes 50 and 29.

After more than 30 years of service, Molly Grove, the associate director for Community and Local Government Relations at George Mason University’s Science and Technology Campus, is retiring.

George Mason University’s iconic cherry tree grove by Mason Pond turns 30 this year. The first trees were donated in 1993 by the members of the student organization Club Nippon in celebration of Mason’s annual International Week.

The Working Moms Support Group at George Mason University celebrated its 20th anniversary on February 23. The group supports Mason faculty and staff through all stages of their parenthood journeys.

For almost 10 years, Melissa Cannarozzi has worked in Mason’s Office of University Branding. She has spent half that time taking classes part-time and working on a master of arts in history.

Twenty years ago, in December 2002, Vernon L. Smith was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, recognizing his pioneering work in the field of experimental economics.

In 1995, Mason staff photographer Neil Adams took aerial photos of the Fairfax Campus from a Huey helicopter.

Mason alum Neil Adams talks about taking aerial photos of the Fairfax Campus from a helicopter in 1995.

The passage of Title IX in 1972 also marked the beginning of athletic opportunities for women at George Mason University. Mason's first women's sport—tennis—started its inaugural season in 1972-73.