George Mason University has many qualities about which I am proud, some of which I have written about previously. Two of those qualities inspire our theme for this year’s Mason Korea Fall Fundraiser—“No Limits.”
First, there is the dynamism and ambition of George Mason. Who would have thought that this university with humble beginnings would in 50 years have 40,000 students, an R1 research portfolio, a rank as the top university under 50 years in the US—or a campus across the world in Korea?
But second, and even more importantly, George Mason’s limit-defying superpower has always helped its students and communities defy limits of their own. As George Mason University President said when he was here last August, "Mason is a place where the only limit is the limit you put on yourself."
Mason’s excellence is inclusive, its institutional growth serving the personal growth of its constituencies. Mason has been the place where first-generation students, students of limited means, students from all walks of life and from diverse backgrounds, have obtained an education to which they would not otherwise have had access. And with that access they have gone on to fantastic success.
At Mason Korea, a student who has never left the state of Virginia can have a transformative study abroad experience that seemed out of reach. Or a student from Korea can gain a US degree, English language skills, and global mindset that would be unobtainable if these required studying for four years in the US.
We want to make sure we continue that promise of access for our students at Mason Korea—both those who enroll directly to this campus, and those from the US who study here for a semester or a year. In these tough economic times, additional financial support can make all the difference.
I hope you will join me in supporting our students. Your donation, large or small, will help to fund need-based scholarships for our students. Further, each donation provided will be matched dollar for dollar—or won for won—up to $25,000.
Donors supporting this one-for-one match include University Provost Emeritus Peter Stearns, who played a key role in the establishment of Mason Korea, Mason Professor Joy Hughes, who was one of the campus’ founding leaders, Virginia State Senator Chap Petersen, who sponsored the original legislation that gave George Mason the permission to go ahead with the Mason Korea project, and myself.
I feel privileged to join this group of pioneers who believe in and have helped to build Mason Korea into the thriving campus it is today. I hope you will join me, and ensure that there are no limits to the life-changing experiences we can offer our students at Mason Korea.
Note: as of this fall, you can now make a donation in won or dollars.