From College to University, March 1972

Story and Photo Provided By Robert Vay, Special Collections & Archives, University Libraries

This Week in Mason History flashes back to campus life in March of 1972.

At that time, the name “George Mason University” was only a few weeks old. Technically, the school was called “George Mason College of the University of Virginia” until April 7 when Governor A. Linwood Holton signed a bill passed earlier in the Virginia Legislature officially separating Mason from UVa. However, many Mason officials, including Chancellor, Lorin A. Thompson, began using the new name in March.

Mason’s Fairfax campus consisted of seven buildings: Finley, East, West, South (now known as Krug), Academic II (now known as Thompson), the Lecture Hall, and Fenwick Library. The P.E. Building was under construction. Students, faculty, and staff voted on a new official seal for Mason from twenty different designs displayed in the pages of Broadside on March 20.

George Mason had a North Campus on Lee Highway (the former Fairfax High School and currently Paul VI High). North campus served as extra space for classes, athletic events (until the completion of the P.E. building), and food service.

As for March Madness, well it’s safe to say that it really wasn’t the same as it is here this week. On March 6, Broadside raved “Patriots Wrap Up Best Season Ever” as they finished 13-17 for the 1971-72 season. The program, which first began intercollegiate play in 1968 under the name the “Mason Marauders,” shocked some as they finished second in the 1972 Potomac Intercollegiate Conference Tournament and racked up quality wins against teams such as Frostburg State, Saint Mary’s, and Coppin State Colleges.