GTE Auditorium Opens at Prince William Campus

GTE Auditorium

By Karen Louden Allanach
In October 1999, George Mason University unveiled the new GTE auditorium on the Prince William Campus. The $1.1 million facility provides lecture space for academic use, as well as executive training and community meeting space.

The 309-seat auditorium includes four breakout rooms and high-tech audio and visual capabilities. The auditorium is equipped with rear screen and overhead projection, as well as wireless communications.

David Jensen, University Computing and Information Systems director of network and emerging technologies, says the auditorium has a custom-designed VETEL technology package for videoconferencing and teleconferencing capabilities. This is George Mason's fourth VETEL system, and it can be easily connected with other networks on campus or to systems outside the network.

"The opening of the auditorium is just another step in the continued growth of this campus," says Karen Pirhalla, B.S. Business Administration '80, coordinator of campus operations at Prince William. "With its opening, we have added another facility that allows George Mason to partner with the local community through its scheduled use."

Business and community groups have already been calling to reserve space. "The local community is most interested in this auditorium, as it will be the largest facility of its kind in the western end of Prince William County," says Pirhalla. "George Mason is extremely excited about our ability to serve large university audience needs, as well as those of our local community and corporate partners."