Impact Stories

Stearns Travel Scholarship has made a tremendous impact on my educational journey, allowing me to concentrate solely on my studies and achieve remarkable academic success. This is because I was able to devote my time and energy entirely to my studies by alleviating the need to work for financial reasons. This has enabled me to achieve excellent grades and expand my knowledge in areas that truly interest me.

Winning this scholarship is an incredibly meaningful achievement for me, as it represents not only a significant help for my family but also serves as a powerful catalyst that propels me to strive even harder in pursuit of my academic goals. Currently serving as a research assistant at the esteemed research center of GMUK,  Center for Security Policy Studies Korea, I am privileged to work in CSPS-K symposium, events and engage with seasoned professionals and experts in the field of security.

I, Gaby Maldonado-Aguilera, would like to thank you for your generosity and support. I was selected to receive financial support on behalf of the Mason Korea Stearns Global Education Fund Committee, which will make this opportunity of studying abroad much more enriching and enjoyable.

I want to express my gratitude to our generous donors. Your support helps students like me realize our potential to give back. Thank you for believing in us, and thank you for giving. You have planted a giving tree at our school, one that fosters the growth of countless seeds that will continue to give back.

Knowing that my gift may contribute towards a student’s academic success at GMU Korea encompasses the reasons behind why I give.  

We are Chap and Sharon (Kim) Petersen, residents and business owners in Fairfax City, Virginia, where the GMU main campus is located. As business owners, we employ a number of GMU graduates. Sharon also has played violin in The Green Machine which is the GMU pep band open to community members. So we have a close relationship with the University.

George Mason University has provided the foundation for me to establish myself as a professor and opinion leader in the IT field up until today.

Monthly donations play a vital role in the university’s financial aid planning. Even a small contribution, like the cost of a daily cup of coffee, can have a profound long-term impact on students. Joining forces as a community, we can make a significant difference in the lives of our students and recognize the power of collective action.

My name is Peter Stearns, currently a Distinguished University Professor of History at Mason, and formerly Provost. In the latter capacity it was my great pleasure to participate in setting up the Songdo campus -- really, one of the achievements that gives me the greatest pride -- and I am delighted to see how well Mason Korea is doing now.

Mason Korea’s efforts to support students with financial need took a big step forward with a generous gift from Sam Machour, Executive Vice President and Chief Quality Officer at Samsung Biologics and Vice Chair of Mason Korea’s advisory board. The funds will be used to create a permanent Sam Machour Scholarship Endowment.