Among the guests attending the dinner marking the 35th anniversary of the George Mason University Foundation were Foundation Vice Chairman Lovey L. Hammel, B.S. '88, and her husband, Thomas.

Earlier this year, current and former members of the George Mason University Foundation's Board of Trustees and the university's Board of Visitors (BOV) gathered at a dinner to mark the foundation's 35th anniversary. The commemorative celebration, held at the Johnson Center, included remarks by BOV Rector Edwin Meese III, Foundation Chairman K. David Boyer Jr., and University President Alan G. Merten.

"At critical junctures throughout the university's development, the George Mason University Foundation and its donors have provided the extra margin of support that has enabled the university to take important new steps," said Merten. "We have only to look at the growing accomplishments of our alumni to see the impact of private support."

Judith Marshall Jobbitt, president of the foundation and vice president for University Development and Alumni Affairs, noted the growing number of alumni who are members of the foundation's Board of Trustees.

"The active participation by these alumni on the board greatly enhances our ability to engage and educate the community about the needs of an emerging university," said Jobbitt.

Currently, 10 of the 39 trustees are alumni, including Lovey L. Hammel (B.S. '88), the foundation's vice chairman and the president of Employment Enterprises, Inc. Other trustees are Michael G. Anzilotti (M.B.A. '83), president and CEO, First Virginia Bank; Lucy C. Church (B.A. '81, M.P.A. '86), founding chair, George Mason University Women's Advisory Board; Katherine K. Clark (M.B.A. '95), CEO, Landmark Systems Corporation; James W. Hazel (J.D. '84), president and CEO, Williams, Mullen, Clark & Dobbins; Bruce E. Johnson (B.S. '70), physician, Medical Specialists, Inc.; Teresa M. Klaassen (B.S. '77), founder and executive vice president, Sunrise Assisted Living; J Hamilton Lambert (L.H.D., hon. '97), president, J Hamilton Lambert & Associates; David A. Roe (B.S. '89, M.B.A. '96), chief financial officer, George Mason University Foundation, Inc.; and D. Jean Wu (M.S. '87), president, Integrated Management Services, Inc.

The George Mason College Foundation was launched in 1966 and primarily served to purchase, accept, and hold real estate during its early years. In 1972--the same year George Mason became a university--the foundation acquired the old Fairfax High School building, which was used as the university's North Campus until 1983.

In 1978, the foundation financed the acquisition of the International School of Law in Arlington. This acquisition, combined with state authorization to grant doctoral degrees, brought George Mason to the status of a comprehensive university.

Concurrently, the seeds of support through individual generosity were taking root as the foundation initiated a transition from a real estate holding body to an active fund-raising body.

Donations from alumni, friends of the university, foundations, trusts, organizations, and corporations have greatly affected virtually every aspect of life at George Mason. Foundation funds have supported student scholarships and fellowships, faculty grants for research and study, library purchases, cultural enrichment, program and equipment support, salary supplements for eminent scholars, the acquisition of facilities and property at the three campuses, and much more.

According to Jobbitt, current and former trustees have been key in the development of the university, its students, faculty, and greater community.

"Thanks to their vision, leadership, and generosity," said Jobbitt, "the foundation has made a critical difference in George Mason's transformation from a two-year college to a major doctoral research institution."