PHOTOS: George Mason University Inaugurates New President

Dr. Angel Cabrera was sworn in during a special ceremony Friday, leading up to the start of 'Mason Day' festivities.

  George Mason University's new president is now officially on the job.  Dr. Ángel Cabrera was officially inaugurated as the university's sixth president on Friday at the Patriot Center. University officials say they are excited to welcome Cabrera into his new position and begin work toward shaping a new vision for the school. They say, the school's new vision incorporates both "the Mason idea" and the university’s core characteristics of being "innovative, diverse, entrepreneurial and accessible." According to a press release issued Thursday, the vision was developed under Cabrera’s leadership with working groups representing stakeholders throughout the university, examining key areas and foundational concepts that form the core of Mason’…

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Virtuoso Pianist Jeffrey Siegel Returns to Fairfax with 'Schubert in the Age of the Sound-Byte'

Virtuoso Pianist Jeffrey Siegel Returns to Fairfax with “Schubert in the Age of the Sound-Byte”

Mason Students Say Fairfax Needs to Embrace GMU

Students and council members discuss what it takes to draw GMU downtown, inform students of downtown opportunities.

George Mason University student officials said more business promotion, entertainment venues and overall acknowledgement of the university next door could help attract more students to downtown Fairfax.  Council members and student officials met Tuesday night at the Fairfax campus to discuss ways in which the city and university could partner to bring more of the university's on-campus population into the city limits. "A lot of people don't want to see Fairfax become what they envision a 'college town' is," Student Body President Alex Williams said. "Factually speaking, Fairfax City is a college town. What does [that term] mean to Fairfax City?" Williams cited the University of Virginia and Charlottesville as an example. He said that when …

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On the Agenda: Special GMU Meeting

What's on the agenda for tonight's council meeting with GMU.

Fairfax council members will meet with George Mason University officials Tuesday night to discuss Old Town Fairfax, community service projects and the disposition of publicly owned property. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in Mason Hall at the Fairfax campus. Here's a look at the agenda: You can watch the meeting live online here.

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Ricardo Aronja Concert Means Patriot Center Traffic

Avoid Braddock and Ox roads before and after the concert.

Expect Ricardo Aronja to tie up traffic around George Mason University Thursday evening. The Patriot Center will host Aronja as part of his Metamorfosis tour starting at 8 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.  Motorists should anticipate a car crawl along the edges of George Mason University and long lines at the Braddock Road-Route 123 and Braddock-Patriot Circle, Braddock-Sideburn and Route 123-University Drive intersections. Avoid these areas for at least an hour before and after the concert start time. Traffic will also be heavy after the concert ends from 10:30-11:30 p.m. Those who live in the neighborhoods near GMU (hi Kelley Drive residents!) should try to get home early and, well, stay there. Plan to park on campus? General permit lots A, C, …

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Town/Gown Agenda: Braddock Road Construction, Spring Events

The meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. in Kings Park Library.

George Mason University officials plan to meet with City of Fairfax residents Wednesday night to discuss the school's traffic and construction projects. This month's Town and Gown forum will update Fairfax on the following: The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Kings Park Library on 9002 Burke Lake Road. GMU hosts these meetings every few months to keep in touch with the school's neighbors to the north. There residents can ask questions and raise concerns about GMU activities.  Click here to see presentations and minutes from past forums.

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Police/Fire to Hold Exercise at GMU Saturday Afternoon

The mock incident was planned before the Sandy Hook school shooting, according to police.

About 100 police officers and firefighters and 20 volunteer victims plan to gather at George Mason University today for a training exercise. Expect some action, as GMU police say the event will draw numerous emergency vehicles and perhaps even the Fairfax County Police Department helicopter. City of Fairfax Fire and Police departments will participate in the exercise, which runs from 4-5 p.m. at the Patriot Center, said GMU Interim Chief Drew Tracy. “It’s important that these exercises look and feel real,” Tracy said. “We need to test our skills and responses so that we can be ready to work as a team when necessary.” Area law enforcement and rescue personnel hold these events throughout the year to practice for real-life, large-scale …

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GMU's First Nobel Prize Winner James Buchanan Dies at 93

Buchanan received the Nobel Prize in 1986.

George Mason University's first Nobel laureate died Wednesday at the age of 93. Economist James M. Buchanan taught at University of Virginia and Virginia Tech. He joined GMU's faculty in 1983. Buchanan received the Nobel Prize in Economic Science in 1986. His research asserted that politicans act out of self-interest despite constituent concerns. Here's an excerpt from The Washington Post obituary on Buchanan: "In simplified form, Dr. Buchanan applied the principles of the economic marketplace to politics. He argued that politicians and government officials — like other participants in an economic system — acted in their own self-interest. Since the policymakers’ goal was to be reelected or maintain power, they did not always act in the …

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Police, Fire, Volunteer Victims to Hold Mock Incident at GMU Sunday

Don't be alarmed if you see emergency vehicles and a helicopter.

About 100 police officers and firefighters and 20 volunteer victims plan to gather at George Mason University Sunday for a training exercise. Expect some action, as GMU police say the event will draw numerous emergency vehicles and perhaps event the Fairfax County Police Department helicopter. City of Fairfax Fire and Police departments will participate in the exercise, which runs from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Innovation Hall, Johnson Center, Lot A and Mattaponi River Lane, said GMU Interim Chief Drew Tracy. “It’s important that these exercises look and feel real,” Tracy said. “We need to test our skills and responses so that we can be ready to work as a team when necessary.” Area law enforcement and rescue personnel hold these events …

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