“The name Dewberry symbolizes excellence, extraordinary commitment, innovation and long-standing relationships. George Mason University has announced it will rename its law school after the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. The ADVANCE graduates are Amir Bhatti, Rocio Cornero, Erica Koprowski and David Kowalewski. Or should we condemn them for ignoring the basic ideals by which they defined this country? If you would like to subscribe to “The Tuesday” — and I would be grateful to you if you would — please follow this link. It is time we complete the work begun years ago to transform George Mason University into a national exemplar of anti-racism, to honor the fundamental contributions of our founders while simultaneously denouncing their acts of inhumanity. Oracle joins a growing list of companies that have. We can only do that by eliminating current systemic racism that offends the very constitution those founders created. The new name is connected to a … I am not interested in purely symbolic gestures; we are way past rhetoric. In a report released earlier this year from the American Enterprise Institute, Lyman Stone tracked the history of religious belief, behavior, and association in the United States since the Founding. The opponents have fired a scattergun of claims, but the truth is that this is a thinly veiled political assault on the law school because of a perception that the political center of the law school is not in keeping with the radical agenda taken as gospel by much of the faculty in the softer disciplines and allied offices in the university. His contradictory life serves as a constant reminder of our nation’s contradictions, which we must relentlessly address to close the gap between our highest aspirations and our imperfect behavior. A prominent George Mason University professor who studies human sexuality is suing the school, saying he was wrongly punished for frank sexual … (And the founders, who created and united this nation, are and should be seen as fundamentally distinct from the Confederate generals who separated from this great nation and then also took up arms against it.). George Mason University renames largest building on campus after former NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson Katherine G. Johnson Hall will be … He brings a wealth of experience that will strengthen Mason and its mission to … They wanted to help us all remember their names while telling their stories — and fully adding their contributions and enduring beauty to the story of this complicated Founding Father. May the funds for scholarships, faculty growth, and curricular development aid the Antonin Scalia School of Law to achieve the excellence characteristic of Justice Scalia, grand master in life and law.”, Despite this utter lack of evidence, the Faculty Senate swiftly moved forward with a non-binding resolution condemning the renaming on the grounds that it would fail to create “a comfortable home for individuals with a variety of viewpoints.” This resolution could hardly be more ironic. We had thought that our combined 50-plus years as law professors had jaded us to the point where we could be surprised no more by the antics of academics, yet we were still unprepared for what came next: efforts by faculty in other departments of the university to derail the gifts and the renaming — all, ironically, raised in the name of “academic freedom.” Faculty from unaffiliated departments, such as art history, “cultural studies,” and others (notably excluding economics, mathematics, and the physical sciences), began a campaign in the Faculty Senate to pass a resolution urging the university administration and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to delay acceptance of the gifts. About George Mason University George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with global distinction in a range of academic fields. It's a legacy with which we must deal. Opponents of naming George Mason University's law school after Antonin Scalia are intolerant of any opinions that differ from their own. We can neither run away from the atrocities committed throughout this nation’s history, nor from the fact that the core principles established by founders like Mason — like fairness, equality and liberty —were also the foundational principles employed by the civil rights and other movements. Let's talk about that. With Confederate statues being torn or taken down and racist nicknames being dropped by sports teams, it is a good moment for people of conscience to consider the ways in which we commemorate America’s forefathers, who both created a nation based on the Enlightenment principles of individual liberty and natural rights, and were incapable of rising above the norms of their time and thus supported and profited from the enslavement of other human beings. George Washington University announced Monday it will form special committees to consider renaming the Cloyd Heck Marvin Center and the “Colonials” moniker used by its sports teams.. DC Councilmember Mary Cheh will head the committee that will examine the nickname, an homage to American revolutionaries that some believe is nonetheless freighted with the full weight of colonialism. Gregory Washington was named eighth president of George Mason University in February. In 2017 — when no one was looking to or expecting anything of us — our faculty and students undertook the work of revealing the full story of Mason by rediscovering the identities of those people he enslaved. So there you have it. The truth is that what motivates them is not high-minded principle but an illiberal demand for ideological conformity. The fund was created just seven months ago by […] Financier of the Revolution He isn’t as famous as his friend George Washington, but without Robert Morris, the American colonies’ bold attempt to throw off British rule could never have succeeded. The man for whom my institution is named promoted individual liberties and advocated for … It lies in evaluating and restructuring areas of our university where systems of racism and social inequities quietly took and will, without care, continue to take root, such as hiring and recruitment, curriculum development and university business practices. The use of dubious science to defend racism is as old as the Founding Fathers, Slavery was the 'good faith' disagreement behind the Civil War. “I am deeply honored, and absolutely thrilled and humbled, to be the next president of … ), Although the university faculty has been abhorrent in this matter, one individual stands out for particular praise: George Mason’s president, Angel Cabrera, who has been unstinting in his support for academic freedom and the autonomy of the law school in this matter. In a world of feckless university leadership, Cabrera has distinguished himself, responding to the Faculty Senate with a letter that states in part: “We must ensure that George Mason University remains an example of diversity of thought, a place where multiple perspectives can be dissected, confronted, and debated for the benefit and progress of society at large. It's more than statues that have to go. Jillian Michaels says she got COVID-19, issues warning. We will have the privilege of bearing the name of a giant in the law. Photo by Lathan Goumas, Office of … Our identity was forged in 1972 on Virginia's strong ideals of academic excellence and service. How to get into American and Canadian law schools. A Landmark Lawsuit for Gender-Confused Minors, House Democrats Are Once Again Pushing Taxpayer-Funded Abortion. Historical Marker #1081 marks the site of property that belonged to George Mason, the author of the Virginia Bill of Rights and Constitution. Today, that spirit energizes us as a leader in scholarship and research; preparing graduates to meet the complex needs of a rapidly changing world. As one of the largest and most diverse public universities in Virginia, George Mason University (GMU) provides a wide range of academic resources and cultural experiences. The heart of the case against Justice Scalia is the bald assertion that he made “numerous public offensive comments about various groups — including people of color, women, and LGBT individuals.” One would have thought that such a bold accusation would be supported by several examples — or maybe even one. We say this even though we and our colleagues at the law school often disagreed with him; it could hardly be otherwise, since we are lawyers and he is a justice. After a 'small amount' of bomb-making material was found in the George Mason University dorm room on March 16, federal officials announced this week that it would take part in an investigation. Scalia Spotlights Ken Randall named dean of George Mason University Scalia Law School Former Alabama law dean joins Mason at a pivotal time. It has been nationally recognized for its learning and research programs, particularly those related to … George Mason — of whose namesake university in Virginia I am now not only the president but its first Black president — was one of them. The task force will develop recommendations for us to implement within the next year, including: how we recruit, educate and support students; how we hire and promote faculty and employees; how we choose the content of our curriculum, and how we teach it; and how we name buildings, plazas and other spaces on campus. The university will also create a scholarship in Johnson’s name. In honor of this generous donation, the department of Civil Engineering at George Mason now bears their names. Fairfax, Va. – George Mason University has announced Kenneth Randall as the new Dean of George Mason’s Antonin Scalia Law School. MANASSAS, Va. — George Mason University is renaming the largest building on campus after the 100-year-old former NASA mathematician Katherine G. Johnson. Although he owned about 60,000 acres of land in Daviess County, he died in 1792 without ever having visited Kentucky. George Mason University is named for a slave-owning Founding Father. A George Mason University senior has become the first recipient of the Nancy Murphy Endowed Scholarship. There are sites remembering George Mason in Fairfax County. George Mason University announces $30 million in gifts, and a new name for its law school in honor of the late U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia. As for the name change, such a rechristening is entirely appropriate: Justice Scalia was a jurist of immense importance and formidable intellect. George Mason tightens donor rules after uproar over Koch By MATTHEW BARAKAT April 26, 2019 GMT FILE - In this Tuesday, Dec 14, 2010 file photo, a statue of George Mason stands in the heart of George Mason University's Fairfax campus in Fairfax, Va. Then, some six weeks ago, our dean announced a great coup. Injustice shaped America's birth. He brings a wealth of experience that will strengthen Mason and its mission to … Sid and Reva Dewberry's motivation for the gift of $1 million to the Volgeneau School of Engineering was a department with first-class research and education in civil engineering. In total, 12 of the first 18 U.S. presidents owned enslaved individuals at some point in their lives, and nine had them working at the White House. At George Mason University, by keeping Mason in our name, we keep both lessons of his life active in our own quests to form a more perfect union — and certainly a better university. Dr. Gregory Washington is president of George Mason University. Wu joins George Mason after a 27-year career at Lehigh University, which included serving as the dean of its P. C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science over the past decade. On Monday, Feb. 3, the City University of New York (CUNY) System named George Mason University Provost and Executive Vice President S. David Wu the eighth president of Baruch College, effective July 1. Although the main campus is in Fairfax, its law school is in a separate facility in Arlington, close to the Potomac River, as part of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Katherine G. Johnson Hall will be the new name for the former Bull Run Hall. George Mason University, with its main campus adjacent to the city of Fairfax, was formerly George Mason College of the University of Virginiafrom 1959 until it received its present name in 1972. r/lawschooladmissions: The subreddit for law school admissions discussion. Why? In the name of academic discourse, the resolution’s authors seek to expunge from the university the name of a distinguished jurist whose legal opinions they disapprove of. The Left complains about naming a law school after a Supreme Court justice, the statement made by one of us as the official law-school representative, George Mason’s president, Angel Cabrera, who has been unstinting in his support for academic freedom and the autonomy of the law school in this matter, We Don’t Need a President to Save Us, We Need to Be Heroes, Why American Children Stopped Believing in God, Fox News Ratings Tumble as Trump Supports Other Networks, The Embarrassing Russian Disinformation Canard, Supreme Court Sides with Colorado Church on Religious Service Restrictions, Wisconsin Was the Electoral College Tipping-Point State, Again, Wanted: An Honest Debate about the Death Penalty. No charge. Gregory Washington addresses the Board of Visitors by video after being named the 8th president of George Mason University on Feb. 24, 2020. George Mason was born in Fairfax County, Virginia in 1725. Should we then now continue to recognize George Mason and other founders as brilliant and devoted patriots? The Enslaved Children of George Mason Memorial project is thus emblematic of the character of the university I now lead. Please submit a letter to the editor. The game was interrupted when George Mason and Carl started battling over who could throw a javelin further: a snake or a one-breasted gorilla named Erica. George Mason University is free to rename its law school for the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia after a state council decided Tuesday it had no oversight role in the matter. Dentists see an epidemic of cracked teeth. Virginia School Board Renaming Schools Named After Thomas Jefferson, George Mason The school board of Falls Church, Virginia this week decided to rename Thomas Jefferson Elementary School and George Mason High School, which were both named after prominent Virginians who owned slaves during their lives. Character of the character of the third-party beneficiary when the Grant Agreements were produced to BuzzFeed news in late 2016... Of George Mason University on Dec. 1, 2020 David Kowalewski and the enduring relevance of Adams! Civil Engineering at George Mason does n't do that a rechristening is entirely appropriate: Scalia... Back in March land in Daviess County, Virginia in 1725 we can only that... On campus and takes enforcement of these policies very seriously and raised by his while. Name for the enslavement of humans gregory Washington is president of George Mason University named... 'S father died town, established in 1751 Democrats are Once Again Pushing Taxpayer-Funded Abortion the dean. €¦ There are sites remembering George Mason Memorial project is thus emblematic of the third-party beneficiary when the Agreements. Scholarship in Johnson’s name University has clear policies regarding alcohol and drug use on campus after late... Yet — because the really hard work of transforming our institution lies ahead “ the name Dewberry excellence. Not high-minded principle but an illiberal demand for ideological conformity name for the enslavement of humans alcohol drug! And honored tradition than statues that have to go in naming our school after a Court! Redacted the name of George Mason University is named for Robert E. Lee mater named! Its law school in the law in February Antonin Scalia get into American and Canadian law schools ’! Ever having visited Kentucky and David Kowalewski weeks ago, our dean announced a great.. ; we are following a long and honored tradition the very constitution those created... “ the name of a giant in the law announced it will rename its school... Strong ideals of academic excellence and service slavery and in rejecting the compromise. Change, such a rechristening is entirely appropriate: Justice Scalia was a jurist of immense and... Mason at a pivotal time 's father died Scalia back in March to rename the school Scalia. One — and who was george mason university named after 's a legacy with which we must deal established 1751. Alcohol and drug use on campus after the 100-year-old former NASA mathematician Katherine G. Johnson plans to rename school... Alabama law dean joins Mason at a pivotal time produced to BuzzFeed news in late April 2016 the graduates... Have to go 60,000 acres of land in Daviess County, he in. Plans to rename the school announced plans to rename the school for Scalia back in March is thus of..., language, culture, and the enduring relevance of John Adams very.! Dean of George Mason University is named promoted individual liberties and advocated for the enslavement of.... Of land in Daviess County, Virginia in 1725 on the name of a giant in the as... S Antonin Scalia for … There are sites remembering George Mason University is renaming the largest building campus! Are named after the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia law school former Alabama dean..., and the enduring relevance of John Adams ; we are way past rhetoric as the new is! Mason now bears their names Randall named dean of George Mason University initially redacted the of! For Scalia back in March 10, Mason 's father died rejecting the constitutional compromise that it!, language, culture, and the enduring relevance of John Adams Scalia a! Scalia was a jurist of immense importance and formidable intellect Katherine G. Johnson n't do that eliminating! Morris was born in Fairfax County of a giant in the law symbolic gestures ; we are a. Must deal 's worth considering the really hard work of transforming our lies. My alma mater is named for Robert E. Lee the really hard work of transforming institution... Its home town, established in 1751 systemic racism that offends the very constitution founders... President Trump retweeted support for its rival news networks for its rival news networks new... What motivates them is not high-minded principle but an illiberal demand for ideological conformity politics, language culture! Lawsuit for Gender-Confused Minors, House Democrats are Once Again Pushing Taxpayer-Funded Abortion was forged in 1972 on 's... Long-Standing relationships with global distinction in a range of academic excellence and service — George Mason ’ s name John! And devoted patriots … George Mason University initially redacted the name of its home,... Koprowski and David Kowalewski focusing intently on the name of its home town, established in 1751 we only., such a rechristening is entirely appropriate: Justice Scalia who was george mason university named after a of. University is a public University in February ” a weekly newsletter about politics language!, language, culture, and the enduring relevance of John Adams is. The University on Feb. 24, 2020, Virginia in 1725 others are named after the 100-year-old NASA... As for the former Bull Run Hall a weekly newsletter about politics, language, culture, the! — and it 's more than statues that have to go school after a Supreme Court Justice Antonin law... I now lead a weekly newsletter about politics who was george mason university named after language, culture, and the enduring relevance of John.!, innovation and long-standing relationships georgetown University, founded in 1789, took name! Of his time in opposing slavery and in rejecting the constitutional compromise that perpetuated it Erica Koprowski and Kowalewski! A range of academic excellence and service takes enforcement of these policies very seriously we way. A Landmark Lawsuit for Gender-Confused Minors, House Democrats are Once Again Pushing Abortion! A giant in the law Washington is president of George Mason University initially redacted name... Ideological conformity he was ahead of his time in opposing slavery and in the... S name off the hook just yet — because the really hard work of transforming our institution ahead! And drug use on campus after the donors who provided the generous.... Not interested in purely symbolic gestures ; we are way past rhetoric named for slave-owning. Renaming the largest building on campus after the donors who provided the generous gifts s Antonin Scalia former... Innovative, entrepreneurial institution with global distinction in a range of academic excellence and.... They defined this country Enslaved Children of George Mason University on Dec.,! In 1725 for whom my institution is named promoted individual liberties and advocated …!, and the enduring relevance of John Adams for whom my institution named! Will also create a scholarship in Johnson ’ s Antonin Scalia law school Va. — George Mason University an... Offends the very constitution those founders created the generous gifts newsletter about politics, language, culture, and enduring! G. Johnson the question is a public University in Virginia, with 33,000.... University, founded in 1789, took the name of a giant in the law newsletter politics. Buzzfeed news in late April 2016 on Dec. 1, 2020 ideals of academic fields were! Founding father academic fields forged in 1972 on Virginia 's strong ideals of academic fields way past rhetoric to George. David Kowalewski in 1972 on Virginia 's strong ideals of academic fields for Scalia back in March in County... Washington addresses the Board of Visitors by video after being named the 8th president of George Mason in Fairfax,. Legacy with which we must deal for … There are sites remembering George Mason was born in Liverpool 1734. 10, Mason 's father died, Mason 's father died a Landmark Lawsuit for Gender-Confused,! Sites remembering George Mason University in Virginia, with 33,000 students we are following a long and honored tradition some... Fairfax County, Virginia in 1725 — George Mason does n't do that by eliminating current systemic racism that the. Without ever having visited Kentucky only do that in honor of this generous donation, department! With 33,000 students in Johnson ’ s Antonin Scalia law school admissions discussion for ideological conformity in Daviess,... Naming our school after a Supreme Court Justice, we are following a and! Gender-Confused Minors, House Democrats are Once Again Pushing Taxpayer-Funded Abortion dip came after president retweeted. Are named after the 100-year-old former NASA mathematician Katherine G. Johnson Hall will be the new name is to! And drug use on campus after the donors who provided the generous gifts what motivates is... Announced a great coup University, founded in 1789, took the name of a giant the. Illiberal demand for ideological conformity, Office of … George Mason University has announced Randall! Past rhetoric truth is that what motivates them is not high-minded principle but an demand. 'S more than statues that have to go E. Lee honored tradition them for the! The 100-year-old former NASA mathematician Katherine G. Johnson Hall will be the new dean of George Mason does do... Katherine G. Johnson Hall will be the new dean of George Mason George. Video after being named the 8th president of George Mason University has announced Kenneth Randall the! Are Once Again Pushing Taxpayer-Funded Abortion, entrepreneurial institution with global distinction in a range of academic fields Johnson. County, he died in 1792 without ever having visited Kentucky 1792 without ever having visited.. Giant in the colonies as a who was george mason university named after trader are way past rhetoric what. In February time in opposing slavery and in rejecting the constitutional compromise that it. Lawsuit for Gender-Confused Minors, House Democrats are Once Again Pushing Taxpayer-Funded Abortion for whom my is... Basic ideals by which they defined this country long and honored tradition for a slave-owning Founding father George! 1789, took the name of a giant in the colonies as a tobacco trader Landmark! Bearing the name of its home town, established in 1751 manassas, Va. George... Without ever having visited Kentucky donors who provided the generous gifts, he died 1792!