The Campaign for George Mason University Tops $83 Million
By Denise St. Ours
More than $5 million has been raised in gifts and pledges since the public
launch in April of The Campaign for George Mason University, which seeks to raise
a minimum of $110 million in private support by June 2005. The campaign total
now exceeds $83 million, which includes the $78 million raised during the campaign’s
pre-public phase.
$1-Million Gift Funds Faculty Chair
A recent $1-million gift to fund a faculty chair from Dwight C. Schar, chairman
and CEO of NVR Inc., has helped propel the campaign forward. Schar is a member
of the university’s campaign committee and a former member of the George
Mason University Foundation Board of Trustees.
In recognition of this gift and Schar’s longtime support and service
to the university, the chair has been named the Dwight Schar Faculty Chair. Stephen
Fuller, professor of public policy and director of the Center for Regional Analysis,
has been appointed the chair’s inaugural holder. (See story below.) Faculty
appointments will rotate among schools and disciplines to strengthen and enhance
programs across the university.
The campaign initiated efforts to seek additional research funds for the center
from a consortium of area business leaders. Commitments totaling more than $350,000
have been made. Contributors include Giuseppe Cecchi, president and CEO, The IDI
Group Companies; John Hazel Jr., partner, Reed Smith LLP; William Hazel, chairman
of the board, William A. Hazel Inc.; Michael Kahn, president, Michael P. Kahn
and Associates LC; and John Toups, retired president and CEO, Litton PRC Inc.
Pool Named for McKay
The swimming and diving competition pool at the Aquatic and Fitness Center
has been named for the late James “Smilin’ Jim” McKay, founding
owner of Jim McKay Chevrolet Inc. The Jim McKay Natatorium was officially dedicated
on Aug. 16.
The naming of the natatorium recognizes Jim McKay’s legacy of community
involvement and his longtime support of the university. Jim McKay and his wife,
Ruth, established a trust to fund major endowments for scholarships for disadvantaged
students and student athletes, and to support aquatic programs at the Fairfax
Campus. The McKays’ deferred gift was announced at the campaign kickoff
dinner in April.
Initiatives Spark Support
Two special initiatives have sparked campaign support within the College of
Arts and Sciences. The Economics Department has raised more than $260,000 through
its Friends of Economics fund, which will support research and education endeavors
centering on free markets and individual liberty. In addition, faculty members
and forensics team alumni have raised gifts and pledges totaling more than $100,000
for an endowment fund to support team scholarships and activities.
For more information about the campaign, see www.campaign.gmu.edu.
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