Re: What does George Mason need to do to gain credibility?
Posted by:
College Fan
()
Date: February 14, 2019 06:08PM
Mason moving up Wrote:
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> It was on the up and up and kind of plateaued in
> the early 2000’s. What does mason need to do to
> get back on track to getting on par with UVA, VT
> and some of the other big boys?
What "other big boys?"
Mason is probably the fourth best public university in the Commonwealth, overall. In a few areas it probably is the best university in the Commonwealth, although it is hard for locals in FFX County to appreciate that, akin to the ancient saying that no prophet is accepted in his hometown.
However, it is unlikely ever to surpass UVA, VT or William & Mary which are all much older universities with a more established national reputation and more resources.
The proven and time tested way for a university to grow its reputation is to grow its resources and the only proven and time tested ways for a university to grow its resources of which I am aware are: (1) get lucky and produce a generous gozillionaire alumnus; and (2) get more of your alumni elected to state office. If the legislature was filled with Mason alumni, we would see more state money going to Mason, and less to UVA, VT and William & Mary. THAT would eventually build Mason's prestige.
Anyway, Mason needs to worry more about staying ahead of Madison than catching UVA, VT or William & Mary. I understand that Madison is set to get a YUGE infusion of state STEM education dollars as part of the Amazon deal.