George Mason University Office of the President

George Mason University's roots can be traced to the University of Virginia (UVa) Extension Division's Northern Virginia University Center. The Extension Division, under the direction of George B. Zehmer, established UVa's Northern Virginia University Center in September 1949 with John Norville Gibson Finley (1899-1971) as the Center's first director. The Center's administrative offices and "campus," were located on the campus of Washington - Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia. During the Center's beginning years, it offered college-level courses for adults.

By 1956, sensing the public need for a college in Northern Virginia area for recent high school graduates, the Extension Division proposed and created, with the help of the Virginia State Legislature, a new two-year branch college alongside the Northern Virginia Center. The branch was called the University College. Finley was appointed director of the new college, whose administrative office was also located on the campus of Washington - Lee High School. Finley remained director of both schools through the 1950s.

In 1957, the University of Virginia leased the vacant Bailey's Crossroads Elementary School for the University College's temporary site. The building was renovated and outfitted with laboratory equipment and other additions needed to make it ready for college instruction. Meanwhile, UVa sought a more permanent site for the new college. In 1959 the Town of Fairfax donated the tract of land on which the University resides today. Director Finley saw the first buildings completed in late 1963 and early 1964.

Robert H. Reid (1913-1970) was director of George Mason College from 1964-1966. During his tenure, George Mason College moved from Bailey's Crossroads to the new 150 acre campus just outside of Fairfax City. The Virginia General Assembly passed a bill to expand GMC to a four-year degree-granting institution in 1966. Reid resigned in March, 1966 stating that his resignation had been prompted by the failure of the 1966 General Assembly to make George Mason independent of the University of Virginia.

In 1966, Lorin A. Thompson (1902-1999), became the first chancellor of George Mason College, and in 1972, the first president of the newly independent George Mason University. During his seven years, 1966-1973, the student population grew from 840 to more than 4,000; and in 1970 Mason began its first graduate program.

Vergil H. Dykstra (1925-2010), president of George Mason University from 1973 to 1977, described his years at Mason as demanding and difficult, but rewarding. Rapid growth of the University continued as undergraduate and graduate programs were added to the curriculum. He also proposed establishing a law school for the University and expanded academic facilities.

Robert C. Krug (1918-2006) came to George Mason College in 1965. Prior to accepting the presidency, after Vergil Dykstra's resignation in April 1977, Dr. Krug held the positions of Dean of the College, Dean of the Faculty and Graduate School, Provost, and Vice President for Academic Affairs. During his presidency from 1977 to 1978, Krug proved to be an effective lobbyist for funds from Richmond. He also obtained the University's first computers.

George W. Johnson (1928- ), inaugurated president in 1979, guided George Mason University from a small liberal arts college into a major university. In his eighteen years as president, George Mason University acquired doctoral status; establish a law school; instituted thirty-four new programs; created new organizational structures; including six academic institutes, and became a distributed university with campuses in Arlington and Prince William counties. Johnson also instituted the Early Identification Program and the Mason Scholars Program.

Alan G. Merten (1941- ) became the fifth president of George Mason University in July of 1996 and he has announced his retirement for June 2012. During his time as president, Merten has successfully stressed connecting research, teaching, and outreach activities; increasing the positive perception of George Mason; initiating activities with a local impact; and identifying and pursuing bases of financial support.

From the guide to the George Mason University Office of the President records, 1949-2004, (George Mason University. Special Collections and Archives.)