This post was written by Lana Mason, Processing Student Assistant. Lana has an Associate of Arts degree in Fine Arts from Piedmont Virginia Community College. She is currently studying Art History at George Mason University. Lana was the recipient of the University Libraries Student Assistant Scholarship for the 2018-19 academic year.
This is the last post in a six-part blog series exploring the campus culture of George Mason University through the lens of each of its six past presidents’ tenures. The materials referenced in these posts are mainly derived from the George Mason University Office of the President records.
Ángel Cabrera – 2012 – 2019
Former President Ángel Cabrera.
Ángel Cabrera assumed the presidency of George Mason University (GMU) in 2012 following Alan Merten’s retirement. He served for seven years with an administrative focus on continuing to cultivate GMU’s growing reputation as a prestigious research university. The campus culture and academic direction developed during his presidency can be considered to remain the dominant culture of the university today. More information on Cabrera’s biography can be viewed here. In 2019, Cabrera departed from GMU to become president of the Georgia Institute of Technology. He was succeeded by Interim President Anne Holton. While the recency of Cabrera’s presidency means that little to no records from his tenure have been archived as of yet, Cabrera did participate in an oral history interview with Special Collections Research Center staff in June 2019. To learn more about Cabrera’s presidency and his personal views on the experience, access the oral history interview here.
Anne Holton – 2019 – 2020
Interim President Anne Holton.
Anne Holton is currently serving as the seventh president of GMU. She was named to the position on August 1, 2019, and her appointment announcement can be viewed here. To learn more about Holton’s background, view her biography here.
Holton’s tenure as interim president has been uniquely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Current information about GMU, the pandemic’s impact on academic operations, and Holton’s presidential activities can be accessed through articles found on The George online news site, accessible here.
Gregory Washington – 2020
Mason’s next President – Dr. Gregory Washington.
Dr. Gregory Washington was selected as the eighth president of GMU on February 24, 2020. His appointment announcement can be viewed here and information on his professional background can be viewed here. Washington will assume the role of president beginning in July 2020. The Mason community is excited to welcome him to the university and looks forward to the growth and success his future presidency is sure to hold.
Image sources:
- Ángel Cabrera – https://blogs.nvcc.edu/intercom/2013/04/22/commencement-address-speaker-mason-president-angel-cabrera/
- Anne Holton – https://www2.gmu.edu/news/577936
- Gregory Washington – https://www.virginiabusiness.com/article/george-mason-university-names-new-president/
Follow SCRC on Social Media and look out for future posts in our Travel Series on our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts. To search the collections held at Special Collections Research Center, go to our website and browse the finding aids by subject or title. You may also e-mail us at speccoll@gmu.edu or call 703-993-2220 if you would like to schedule an appointment, request materials, or if you have questions. Appointments are not necessary to request and view collections
