I have always loved working at George Mason University because the university thinks big and never rests on its last success. At times this ethos can feel overwhelming. “Can we really do that too”? But in the long run I value this Mason ethos, in part because it means the work is always interesting, in part because our world’s rapid change demands it, but most of all because I have seen the opportunities it has created for George Mason students.
When George Mason selected a new president in 2020, it found the right leader in Dr. Gregory Washington for a university that thinks big. And part of the president’s ambitious vision for George Mason includes continued rapid growth of Mason’s campus in Korea.
President Washington has been eager to visit Mason Korea throughout the years of pandemic travel restrictions. This August, he was able to visit us at last. We were fortunate to have four US-based members of Mason Korea’s advisory board joining President Washington. Much of this newsletter features individual stories about President Washington’s and these board members’ visit.
While on our campus, President Washington made some important points about the role he sees for Mason Korea. President Washington believes that Mason must address the great challenges of our day. These challenges are global; they do not respect national boundaries. Hence the solutions to these problems must be global too. President Washington views Mason’s campus in Korea as strategically located to engage global partners in these great challenges—particularly partners in Asia.
President Washington likewise praised the education that students at Mason Korea receive, since their multilingual and multicultural knowledge prepares them to work across borders. It also, he noted, supercharges their career success. He told our students at their convocation, “Mason is a place where the only limitations are the limitations you put on yourself,” and he promised Mason would support them in the great things they will accomplish.
Dream big and help make it happen. That is Mason. It was great for our students—and our entire community—to hear that message from our university president.
President Washington’s words and vision for George Mason provide the theme of this year’s fall fundraiser: “No limits.” I hope that you will consider a donation to this fundraiser for need-based scholarships, so we can ensure that "Mason is a place where the only limitations are the limitations you put on yourself."
Read more about Mason Korea's fall fundraising campaign, No Limits