Commentary: Va. ecosystem supports growth
It has been almost four years since I began leading economic development and innovation efforts at George Mason University, and what a whirlwind! This is an exciting time to be in Virginia, and getting to do this job every day feels like winning the lottery. It all started with the Amazon.com HQ2 win in 2018, […]
George Mason receives $5M donation from Peterson Cos. family
The Peterson Family Foundation, the family behind the Peterson Cos. real estate development firm, donated $5 million to the George Mason University‘s Center for the Arts improvement project, the university announced Tuesday. The gift to the university’s College of Visual and Performing Arts will support modernization of the Concert Hall auditorium, part of George Mason‘s Center [...]
GMU report: Arena project would produce 5,400+ affordable housing units
Updated Feb. 22, 2024 A study conducted by George Mason University‘s Center for Regional Analysis found that the proposed $2 billion Alexandria sports arena and entertainment district supported by Gov. Glenn Youngkin would create more than 5,400 workforce-affordable housing units, far exceeding the city’s goals. The report released this week was requested by JBG Smith […]
Federal shutdown could have deep impacts in Va.
In late 2018, the last time the federal government shut down for an extended period, Eric Ingram was furloughed from his job at the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration for six weeks. He used that time to co-found a startup focused on space safety, Scout Space. Launched in 2019, the Alexandria-based technology startup now has several […]
Three Va. universities land on top patents list
Three Virginia research universities have made the National Academy of Inventors’ new list ranking the nation’s universities that were granted the most patents in 2022. The University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University and George Mason University each made the list released Aug. 30, ranking 43rd, 86th and 91st respectively. U.Va. had 52 patents issued in […]
Law 2023: KEN RANDALL
As dean and George Mason University Foundation Professor of Law, Randall continues into his third year at the university’s law school. Previously, Randall served as dean of the University of Alabama School of Law for two decades. During his tenure, UA’s ranking rose from 96th to 21st on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Law […]
Money machine
In 2009, Donald Hart found himself in an enviable position. Leading up to his graduation from Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, Hart had been accepted to a slew of the state’s public, four-year universities: Virginia Tech, the University of Virginia, Old Dominion University, George Mason University and James Madison University. Attracted by the […]
NoVa housing forecast: sellers’ market to continue
Northern Virginia’s housing market will likely remain a sellers’ market for the rest of 2023, according to a Northern Virginia Association of Realtors market forecast released June 6. NVAR and George Mason University‘s Center for Regional Analysis predict a continuing housing inventory shortage and pent-up demand from buyers amid positive economic conditions but mounting risks. [[...]
The ol’ college try
Snacks and energy drinks are often the fuel for young entrepreneurs burning the midnight oil while perfecting their pitches and products. But for some University of Richmond students, snacks and energy drinks are their products. Grace Mittl, a 2022 UR graduate, is co-founder and CEO of Absurd Snacks, a food allergy-friendly trail mix devised during […]
GMU biz school receives $50M bequest
George Mason University‘s School of Business will be renamed for the late Donald G. Costello, a Loudoun County native and business owner who left the university $50 million in his will, GMU announced last week. The donation is the university’s largest individual gift in its 50-year history. Costello, who died in 2017 at the age […]
Va. launching semiconductor workforce initiative
The commonwealth is launching a Virginia Alliance for Semiconductor Technology to foster a semiconductor industry workforce, funding its establishment with a $3.3 million Growth and Opportunity for Virginia (GO Virginia) grant. Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced the initiative Friday. In March, GO Virginia announced the $3.3 million grant to the program, then called the Virginia Nanotechnology [&hellip[...]
GMU names EVP for finance and admin
George Mason University has promoted Deb Dickenson to executive vice president for finance and administration, the university announced Monday. Dickenson had been serving as interim senior vice president for administration and finance since June. In her new role, she will be responsible for universitywide leadership, strategic oversight and financial and operational management of the administrativ[...]