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“Patriots United. Together We Thrive.” is Athletics’ vision to strengthen George �鶹��Ƶ’s competitive future

Katarina Benson — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 19:31:48 +0000

“Patriots United. Together We Thrive.” is Athletics’ vision to strengthen George �鶹��Ƶ’s competitive future Katarina Benson Wed, 06/18/2025 - 15:31

It’s less about wins and losses for Marvin Lewis, and more about building enduring bridges for the long term.

The �鶹��Ƶ assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics recently unveiled his vision with an ambitious five-year strategic plan called “Patriots United. Together We Thrive.” The plan aims to enhance student-athlete experiences, strengthen resources, raise competitiveness, curate storytelling and engagement opportunities, and cultivate a championship culture.

The plan is designed to keep George �鶹��Ƶ competitive in the fast-changing college sports landscape with improved facilities, expanded resources, and robust support for student-athletes.

“I believe athletics is the front porch of this university, but our job is to unite the community,” Lewis said. “In this evolving landscape, our university needs athletics at the forefront, with our basketball programs gaining strong visibility—locally, regionally, and nationally. These pillars will guide our efforts as we continue to elevate George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics and deliver on our mission to inspire and transform lives through the power of sports.”

Marvin Lewis. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Lewis presented his plan, as well as the fundraising priorities, to the university’s Board of Visitors (BOV) in February, where his call for support in building a winning program to unite the Northern Virginia community resonated.

“If we look around the country at the elite universities, I think you’ll find the combination of great athletics and great academics,” BOV board member Jon M. Peterson said at the meeting. “I think we’ve got the academics; I just think we need to bring the other side up to match.”

Key Highlights of the Plan

There is a $35 million fundraising goal within the �鶹��Ƶ Now: Power the Possible comprehensive campaign, to elevate George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics, enhance student-athlete experiences, and strengthen the university’s competitive position.

Basketball Greatness:

The university’s signature men’s and women’s basketball programs are central to the plan, with $22.5 million allocated to position George �鶹��Ƶ as the unofficial college team of Northern Virginia.
Focused on attracting, recruiting, and retaining top-tier talent, providing championship-level support, and developing student-athletes to their full potential.
A significant portion will fund the construction of a new Basketball and Academic Performance Center, a 30,000-square-foot facility with practice courts, coaches’ offices, locker rooms, a weight room, and an academic support center for all student-athletes.

Sports Performance Ecosystem:

$8 million will be allocated to enhance mental health and wellness services, as well as nutrition and fueling programs, based on student-athlete feedback identifying these as the top requested resources.

Patriot Pathways: Champion to Career:

$3 million will go toward this program, which provides holistic development opportunities for student-athletes beyond sports, including financial education, career readiness, leadership development, and civic engagement.

Athletic Director Opportunity Fund:

Aimed at supporting emerging opportunities, this $1.5 million fund will invest in innovative technology pilots, one-time campus and local business collaborations, and special projects to strengthen recruitment and retention efforts.

Lewis predicts the addition of the Basketball and Academic Performance Center would be a “game-changer” for George �鶹��Ƶ. This plan also highlights the need to upgrade the 40-year-old, 10,000-seat EagleBank Arena, which will require spending up to $10 million.

“Men’s and women’s basketball are our flagship programs,” said Lewis, a former four-year starting shooting guard and team captain at Georgia Tech, who led the Yellow Jackets to the 2004 national championship game. “They’re the most visible programs for our university, so making sure they have the resources they need is imperative.”

Lewis emphasized the broader benefits of a successful, high-profile comprehensive athletics program, noting the increased visibility can lead to increased student enrollment and attract more academically talented students who might not have otherwise considered George �鶹��Ƶ.

While most current George �鶹��Ƶ students weren’t around for the Patriots’ Cinderella run to the 2006 Final Four, Lewis believes winning can revive that same spirit. Signs of renewed excitement are already evident after both the men’s and women’s basketball teams had successful seasons this winter.

This season marked a historic year for George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics, as the Patriots added to their proud legacy by capturing a combined five regular season titles and conference championships—marking the most successful year in the university’s Atlantic 10 era and the highest single-season total since 1994–95.

“Everybody loves winners,” Peterson said. “We need more winners, and we’ll attract more students.”

The magic starting to take hold at George �鶹��Ƶ hasn’t gone unnoticed in the sports world, as Lewis was named to the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee in May.

But building a championship culture doesn’t come easily, and it will require an all-hands-on-deck approach from the entire campus and local community.

The university’s BOV recognized its role in this effort, using the May meeting to formally approve a name, image, likeness (NIL) policy that compensates student-athletes through personal branding opportunities. Lewis said the policy aligns George �鶹��Ƶ with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s legal framework, pending NCAA legislation, and peer institutions.

Visit the Patriots United. Together We Thrive page for more information.

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�鶹��Ƶ Vision Day 2025 noted for record support from the George �鶹��Ƶ community

Colleen Rich — Wed, 28 May 2025 18:18:12 +0000

�鶹��Ƶ Vision Day 2025 noted for record support from the George �鶹��Ƶ community Colleen Rich Wed, 05/28/2025 - 14:18

Each year, �鶹��Ƶ Nation unites for 24 hours to support the mission and vision of �鶹��Ƶ. �鶹��Ƶ Vision Day 2025 encouraged donors to support what means the most to them. They came forward in record numbers—with record-breaking results.

More than 1,900 donors participated in this year’s �鶹��Ƶ Vision Day, breaking last year’s record and raising $1.38 million.

By the Numbers

1,924 donors

322 new donors

43.5% alumni donors

26.1% community partner donors

17.5% faculty/staff donors

$1.38 million raised

207 funds supported

"It’s a wonderful showing from our community of alumni, faculty, staff, families, and friends, and I could not be more proud of that support,” said Trishana E. Bowden, president of the �鶹��Ƶ Foundation and George �鶹��Ƶ’s vice president for advancement and alumni relations.

Donors made more than 2,300 gifts during the 24-hour period from noon April 3 to noon April 4, supporting 207 distinct funds across the university. These included campus-wide programs like the Military, Veterans, and Families Initiative, the Center for Community Mental Health, and the Patriot Pantry—programs that strongly impact the experience of hundreds of George �鶹��Ƶ students as well as members of our local community.

Several of George �鶹��Ƶ’s individual units saw exceptional support throughout the day, spurred by challenge gifts and matching opportunities that allowed individual gifts to work to create more meaningful impact. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Public Health, and the Honors College were among the areas that benefited from the enthusiastic generosity of donors.

Zofia Burr, dean of the Honors College, was very pleased with the generosity of donors to the college. “The Honors College walks in step with the important mission of �鶹��Ƶ: to offer exceptional access to an exceptional education,” she said. “Our students are leaders—in academics and everywhere on campus. We are proud of our program that brings such highly motivated students to the university community, and it means a great deal to know that our alumni recognize the value of the Honors College education and experience.”

The �鶹��Ƶ Nation of alumni, now 250,000 strong, was responsible for the bulk of the gifts made on �鶹��Ƶ Vision Day. “The generosity of our alumni community is particularly inspirational,” said Bowden. “They give to George �鶹��Ƶ in so many ways, through their time, talents, and in this case, their treasure. They are a living tribute to what this university experience means, and what it means to be a Patriot.”

Support George �鶹��Ƶ

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Generous gift will name School of Computing, support scholarships

Katarina Benson — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 19:31:52 +0000

Generous gift will name School of Computing, support scholarships Katarina Benson Mon, 04/28/2025 - 15:31

�鶹��Ƶ received a gift with an impact of $36 million from the Kimmy Duong Foundation to name the Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong School of Computing within the College of Engineering and Computing. The university’s Board of Visitors approved the name change on April 1, and it will become official pending approval from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia this summer.

Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

This is not the first significant gift to George �鶹��Ƶ from Duong and her husband, who gave $5 million in 2009 for the state-of-the-art Nguyen Engineering Building, a facility providing cutting-edge research and education spaces for a new generation of engineering, computing, and information technology professionals.

"Kimmy Duong and Long Nguyen have been good friends to George �鶹��Ƶ, recognizing the opportunity our university provides for students to succeed,” said �鶹��Ƶ Gregory Washington. “Kimmy came to this country with very little and climbed her way to success, not unlike how many of our students who—whether they are first generation or come from difficult socioeconomic circumstances—overcome their own challenges. George �鶹��Ƶ has been a leader in computing for many years, and this transformational gift will help ensure that remains the case for many more years to come.”

The naming of the Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong School of Computing represents a significant milestone for �鶹��Ƶ Now: Power the Possible, George �鶹��Ƶ’s historic $1 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign. Designed to enhance the university’s capacity and broaden its impact, �鶹��Ƶ Now focuses on expanding access to education, driving innovation, and deepening the university’s influence across the region and beyond.

“This transformational gift from the Kimmy Duong Foundation marks a pivotal moment in the �鶹��Ƶ Now campaign,” said Trishana E. Bowden, vice president for advancement and alumni relations and president of the �鶹��Ƶ Foundation. “The naming of the School of Computing stands as a powerful testament to their belief in George �鶹��Ƶ’s mission and their commitment to expanding access—particularly in fields that shape innovation and prepare students for the future.”

Duong was born in Nha Trang, Vietnam, in 1945 and earned a bachelor of science in economics and law from the University of Saigon in 1966. She joined IBM in 1968, where she worked until she left the country in 1975, when she fled Vietnam and arrive in the United States with only $30.

From a refugee camp, she traveled back to the United States, moving to Northern Virginia and continued her work with IBM. In 1994, she joined Pragmatics, where she served as vice chairwoman and CFO. For 30 years, she has overseen their finance, legal, facilities management, and human resources departments, playing a key role in the company’s continued growth.

In 2015, she established the Kimmy Duong Foundation, which supports a range of health, education, and welfare initiatives in the United States and Vietnam. It has given more than $4 million toward scholarship programs with endowments to Washington, D.C.-area universities. According to the foundation website, “Influenced by her Buddhist background, Kimmy Duong has always been concerned about the poor and sick. Being raised in a poor family and coming to the U.S. as a refugee, Mrs. Duong knows the many challenges that poverty brings.”

She has been awarded the �鶹��Ƶ Medal, George �鶹��Ƶ’s highest honorary award for service to the community, state or nation, and the Glen Martin Medal from the University of Maryland.

“Education is the cornerstone of life,” Duong told a gathering of George �鶹��Ƶ students, noting that many in her generation worked multiple jobs to send their children to college. “Now, we are giving back.”

The gift will establish three endowments: two within CEC to provide lasting support for scholarships and student success initiatives—both of which support the commonwealth’s Tech Talent Investment Program—and one for University Life to provide scholarships through the Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong Scholarship Endowment especially with a preference for students majoring in nursing, education, or journalism

With some of the funds dedicated to computing-specific majors, a portion of the gift would be eligible for matching funds from the Tech Talent Investment Program, thereby amplifying the impact of the gift. The Tech Talent Investment Program of the commonwealth aims to increase the number of graduates with computing degrees and strengthen the workforce by providing financial incentives to colleges and universities that enroll and graduate more students with these skills.

George �鶹��Ƶ’s School of Computing is known for its strengths in computer science, artificial intelligence (AI), and software engineering. It plays a key role in Northern Virginia’s thriving tech ecosystem, particularly due to its proximity to Washington, D.C., and partnerships with major government and industry partners. Among the strengths of the school:

AI and machine learning, with strong research and academic programs in AI, robotics, and human-computer interaction.
Designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security.
Its analytics faculty and students engage in cutting-edge big data research, particularly in health care.
One of the most robust software engineering programs in the region.

Topics

College of Engineering and Computing

Tech Talent Investment Program (TTIP)

�鶹��Ƶ Vision Day: one day, extraordinary impact

Katarina Benson — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 15:09:59 +0000

�鶹��Ƶ Vision Day: one day, extraordinary impact Katarina Benson Thu, 03/27/2025 - 11:09

Once a year, every corner of �鶹��Ƶ unites for a 24-hour period, �鶹��Ƶ Vision Day, coming together with the singular goal of moving George �鶹��Ƶ forward.

“We have the entire community in mind,” said Zavin Smith, BA ’00, MA ’03, assistant vice president for annual and constituent giving and strategic initiatives, “both for their generosity and for the recipients of that generosity. It is truly an opportunity for everyone in the �鶹��Ƶ Nation, whether alumni, staff, faculty, parents, or steadfast friends, to support whatever it is they love at the university.”

�鶹��Ƶ Vision Day kicks off at noon on April 3 and continues for 24 hours. Across George �鶹��Ƶ’s campuses, units have organized structured challenges, matching opportunities from generous donors and leadership, and specific initiatives—and they have been letting their constituents know about those opportunities. The Schar School of Policy and Government and the College of Public Health, for example, are noting their Student Emergency Assistance Funds, and the College of Visual and Performing Arts is highlighting several initiatives. The College of Science offers opportunities around the goal of supporting scientific innovation. Each unit encourages donors to join matching challenges and support the areas at George �鶹��Ƶ that resonate with them.

Smith emphasized that what matters most is the community nature of �鶹��Ƶ Vision Day. “George �鶹��Ƶ has a host of initiatives that support students, research, and programs. Everyone in the �鶹��Ƶ Nation has been touched by one or more of them, and every donor can help them grow.” A complete listing of all �鶹��Ƶ giving opportunities is available through masonvisionday.gmu.edu.

“�鶹��Ƶ Vision Day is a yearly reminder of the impact we can make when the entire community comes together,” said Smith. “It truly is the power of YOU.”

Topics

philanthropy

Advancement launches new awards to recognize faculty and staff giving

Katarina Benson — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 19:10:28 +0000

Advancement launches new awards to recognize faculty and staff giving Katarina Benson Fri, 03/14/2025 - 15:10

�鶹��Ƶ’s staff and faculty bring their generosity to their work each day, and many go a step farther by contributing to George �鶹��Ƶ through financial giving. Each year, the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations holds a celebration of faculty and staff generosity and commitment, and this year debuted two awards highlighting a faculty member and a staff member who embody the many ways in which the George �鶹��Ƶ community gives to its students and programs.

Kim Eby and Philip Wilkerson with their awards. Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

“George �鶹��Ƶ’s success streams directly from the many ways that our faculty and staff give of themselves,” said Trishana E. Bowden, vice president of advancement and alumni relations and president of the �鶹��Ƶ Foundation. “We are incredibly fortunate to benefit from this culture of philanthropy, and we created the Luminary Award and the Spirit of Giving Award to let us tell the stories of individuals whose giving serves as an inspiration to us all.”

The Luminary Award honors faculty donors whose philanthropy and advocacy serve as a shining example for the George �鶹��Ƶ community, she said. These faculty members go beyond their professional roles to champion George �鶹��Ƶ students and programs, inspiring students, colleagues, and the broader university community to engage in meaningful giving through their leadership, advocacy, and their own commitment to giving.

The inaugural Luminary Award was given to Kim Eby, vice provost for faculty affairs and development.

“Kim truly embodies the ethos of the arts at George �鶹��Ƶ,” said Rick Davis, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, as he presented the award. “For years, Kim has served as the co-chair of the Dance Fête, our annual celebration of dance and philanthropy. Through her leadership, this event has grown in both impact and visibility, ensuring that our dance students have the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to excel.

“Kim’s support of George �鶹��Ƶ students extends across and beyond the arts, from dance to music, from undergraduate research to supporting student food and housing insecurity issues. She has given not only her resources but also her time, energy, and leadership to ensure that the students continue to thrive at George �鶹��Ƶ.”

Eby appreciated that the award reflected the length and breadth of her service to the university. “It is an honor to be recognized with the inaugural Luminary Award, particularly since George �鶹��Ƶ has been my professional home for nearly 30 years,” she said. “The knowledge that I am part of making a difference for our students brings me a sense of purpose and gives hope. I know that together we can have a tremendous impact on our community.”

Bowden also announced a Spirit of Giving Award to recognize staff members who embody the university’s philanthropic spirit and actively contribute to the university through charitable giving, service, and engagement. Their deep commitment to supporting George �鶹��Ƶ’s mission, whether by donating, leading fundraising efforts, or encouraging a culture of giving within their departments, exemplifies selflessness and generosity, strengthening the George �鶹��Ƶ community and inspiring others to give back.

The first Spirit of Giving Award was given to Philip Wilkerson III, MEd ’23, an employer engagement consultant with the Office of Career Services, and was presented by Lewis Forrest II, associate dean of University Life.

“Philip's charitable giving supports initiatives benefiting student success, including the College of Education and Human Development Dean’s Excellence Fund, University Life Student Emergency Assistance Fund, the Black Scholars Endowment, and the Career Readiness Fund,” said Forrest. Moreover, he said, Wilkerson "literally knows everyone on campus. His light and energy make it easy for others to be inspired to give their time, talents, or gifts to George �鶹��Ƶ.”

Forrest described a particular effort of Wilkerson’s that has made a positive impact: “The Pats for Patriots initiative enables members of our community to send kind messages to colleagues. These are easy ways to show someone you see them, and it costs nothing,” said Forrest. “This is what Phil does, he gives of himself so that others can benefit. Because of his leadership, more than 2,000 George �鶹��Ƶ Patriots have submitted recognition to colleagues and friends. This is what it means to give in a variety of ways.”

Wilkerson said that George �鶹��Ƶ was the place where he found his life’s work in helping others. "This award made me feel seen, heard, and valued as someone who contributes to �鶹��Ƶ through my day-to-day efforts. That means the world to me because George �鶹��Ƶ has given me so much—a community, a career, and a profound sense of purpose and belonging,” he said. “I’m honored to be recognized in this way, and I will continue to do the work that helps the next generation of students feel empowered, just as George �鶹��Ƶ has empowered me. It’s about sustaining the thriving community that has given us so much.”

That thriving community, said Bowden, is “a reflection of care, dedication, and belief in our students, our mission, and our future that makes an impact far beyond the classroom or office. Our faculty and staff offer an extraordinary commitment to the university, and it is an honor to highlight their service—and to thank them.”

In This Story

Rick Davis

Kim Eby, PhD

Topics

Alumni

philanthropy

Faculty and Staff News

The College of Visual and Performing Arts Launches Initiative to Renovate Center for the Arts

Kirstin Franko — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 21:53:20 +0000

The College of Visual and Performing Arts Launches Initiative to Renovate Center for the Arts Kirstin Franko Mon, 02/03/2025 - 16:53

�鶹��Ƶ’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) announces the public launch of the Give Voice initiative, a $35 million fundraising effort to renovate and modernize the Center for the Arts into a state-of-the-art venue. The Give Voice initiative is part of �鶹��Ƶ Now: Power the Possible—the university’s first one-billion-dollar comprehensive fundraising campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and stewardship.

“For decades, our Center for the Arts has been a beacon for talent and innovation, a proving ground for students learning their craft and pursuing their passions, and home to world-class performances as the cultural hub of our region," �鶹��Ƶ President Gregory Washington said. “The Give Voice initiative will ensure that the arts remain a front door to the university, as they have been for 6.5 million patrons who have been enriched and inspired by their shared experiences in this storied building.”

Built in 1990, the Center for the Arts has supported the early work of �鶹��Ƶ students whose careers led them to Broadway, and has hosted Grammy, Tony, Emmy, and Academy Award-winning artists—and U.S. presidents. The modernization aims to improve and enhance the venue’s ability to support the needs of artists, audiences, and the students and faculty of CVPA. It will include major technological and acoustical upgrades; improved accessibility, sightlines, and aesthetics; additional aisles on Orchestra and Balcony levels; a remodeled lobby; expanded teaching and rehearsal spaces; a new donor lounge; expanded restrooms; and more.

Architectural concept rendering of the Center for the Arts Concert Hall by Quinn Evans.

“So many people have told us that there are really two eras in George �鶹��Ƶ history—before and after the Center for the Arts opened its doors,” CVPA dean Rick Davis said. “I think this transformation will be thought of in the same way in years to come, as we create a modern, technology-rich, visually stunning, and artist-and-audience friendly home for all who enjoy the arts, whether as a creator or an audience member.”

The Give Voice initiative quietly began with a $10 million gift from Barry Dewberry and Arlene Evans, which was announced in April 2022 as part of George �鶹��Ƶ’s 50th anniversary celebration. Their transformative gift set the stage for this capital initiative towards the reimagining of the Center for the Arts for future generations. Upon the conclusion of its renovation, the Center for the Arts will be renamed the Barry Dewberry and Arlene Evans Center for the Arts in recognition of their visionary support.

“My father, Sid Dewberry, was one of the founding fathers of George �鶹��Ƶ and he had a special fondness for music,” said Barry Dewberry. “Towards the end of his life, Arlene and I saw the need to pick up the baton and continue supporting George �鶹��Ƶ and �鶹��Ƶ Arts. We recognize the important role the Center for the Arts plays and what this renovation will do to heighten the experience for students, visiting artists, and the public. Arlene and I are honored to make the lead gift for the Give Voice Initiative, and we look forward to seeing the exciting results.”

Arlene Evans and Barry Dewberry. Photo by Chia-Chi Charlie Chang.

In addition to the Dewberry/Evans gift, the Center for the Arts has also secured a $6 million gift from the Peterson Family Foundation. The Peterson Family gift—announced in May 2024—specifically supports enhancements to the Center for the Arts’ Concert Hall and lobby. These spaces will be renamed the Peterson Auditorium and the Peterson Family Lobby, respectively.

With the Dewberry/Evans and Peterson gifts, along with many other instrumental philanthropists pledging support, Give Voice has raised nearly $18 million of its $35 million goal. An additional $35 million toward the reimagination of the Center for the Arts is anticipated to come from �鶹��Ƶ.

The Give Voice initiative was officially announced at the �鶹��Ƶ Arts Elevated event held on February 5 at the Center for the Arts. The event brought together distinguished donors, university and local leaders, and VIP guests. At the event, President Washington spoke about the importance of this renovation initiative for �鶹��Ƶ Arts and was joined by Dean Davis, who highlighted the new plans for modernizing the Center for the Arts. Also in attendance during the event were Provost James Antony and President of the �鶹��Ƶ Foundation and VP for Advancement and Alumni Relations Trishana E. Bowden.

�鶹��Ƶ Arts is the collective presence of the arts embedded throughout George �鶹��Ƶ. In addition to CVPA, �鶹��Ƶ Arts includes seven community arts programs, galleries across three campuses, and multiple performance venues—both physical and digital.

Part of the �鶹��Ƶ Now: Power the Possible campaign, the event also brought awareness to additional fundraising priorities across �鶹��Ƶ Arts, including student scholarships; the development of a George �鶹��Ƶ Arts District with sculpture installations on the Fairfax Campus; expanding facilities for the growing Film and Video Studies and Computer Game Design programs; support for chair positions and professorships to recruit and retain outstanding faculty; funds to create a concept plan for an art museum; and the Hylton Center for the Performing Arts Endowment Fund supporting its performances and arts education opportunities for the public, veterans, and students of all ages.

Additional information about the Center for the Arts renovation is available on the Give Voice initiative website. Project specifics including the renovation timeline will be announced at a later date and updated on the website.

�鶹��Ƶ Now: Power the Possible

In This Story

Rick Davis

Gregory Washington

Topics

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

Center for the Arts

�鶹��Ƶ Arts