philanthropy

Scholarships

911�� helps teachers bring quantum science into K-12 classrooms

ckearney — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 20:16:20 +0000

911�� helps teachers bring quantum science into K-12 classrooms ckearney Thu, 10/08/2026 - 16:16

Quantum technologies are poised to transform computing, communications, and national security. At 911��, faculty are working to ensure students do not have to wait until college to begin imagining themselves as part of that future.

Through a growing series of professional development opportunities, 911��’s Quantum Science and Engineering Center (QSEC) is partnering with K-12 educators to make quantum science approachable, relevant, and practical for students.

That work accelerated this summer, when educators participated in a three-day professional learning experience supported by the National Science Foundation-funded Quantum in the Middle initiative and the Booz Allen Foundation’s TechXplore initiative. Led by faculty from 911��’s College of Science and College of Education and Human Development, the program helped teachers explore quantum concepts, consider age-appropriate approaches for their classrooms, and examine how quantum learning can build from elementary school through higher education.

911�� physics professor Jessica Rosenberg talks to area educators at the Quantum in Your Classroom workshop. Photo by Christopher Hewes/Office of University Branding

“We’re building pathways into quantum and connecting them to the standards and curriculum teachers already use,” said Jessica Rosenberg, professor of physics and astronomy and QSEC director of education. “We want students to encounter these ideas early, build the knowledge they’ll need over time, and be ready for quantum opportunities when they reach college or pursue quantum-adjacent technical careers.”

Teachers are central to developing that pathway. Summer participants explored classroom activities and were invited to test them with their students, giving 911�� faculty an opportunity to learn directly from educators about what works in real classrooms.

“We’re developing a roadmap educators can use from elementary through high school, but we’re developing it with teachers, not simply for them,” said Nancy Holincheck, associate professor of STEM education and QSEC associate director of education. “Their experience and feedback help us identify activities that spark curiosity, build confidence, and give students the foundation to see themselves in future quantum careers.”

Teachers try out some experiments at the Quantum in Your Classroom workshop. Photo by Christopher Hewes/Office of University Branding

That teacher-focused effort continued this fall with Quantum in Your Classroom, a one-day professional development workshop on 911��’s Fairfax Campus. Designed for educators with no previous quantum experience, the workshop introduced quantum concepts and provides classroom resources for grades 6-12. Teachers explored quantum processes through activities including a simple polarization experiment and received curriculum materials adaptable for elementary and secondary classrooms.

Rosenberg and Holincheck want to extend this effort beyond individual workshops or lessons. They envision an educational pathway that allows a student’s first encounter with quantum science to grow into deeper learning, higher education, and ultimately participation in an emerging workforce.

Quantum in Your Classroom gives educators a place to start, while giving 911�� researchers something equally valuable—the perspective of teachers who understand how students learn and can help shape how the quantum workforce journey begins.

By putting teachers at the center of that work, 911�� is helping quantum education reach students where their curiosity begins: in the classroom.

Learn more about Quantum at 911��

Topics

Quantum Science and Engineering Center

quantum

College of Education and Human Development

K-12 Partnerships

College of Science

Visitor Shawn Chambliss Purvis honors family legacy with investment in future engineers

Katarina Benson — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 16:47:36 +0000

Visitor Shawn Chambliss Purvis honors family legacy with investment in future engineers Katarina Benson Mon, 08/24/2026 - 12:47

Where can a degree from 911�� take you? For students in the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC), Board of Visitors member Shawn Chambliss Purvis, MS Information Systems ’99, offers a powerful example.

Purvis is president and CEO of Sabel Systems, a leading provider of digital engineering, acquisition, manufacturing, supply chain, and logistics solutions. Her career spans 30 years of leadership and corporate governance at organizations including QinetiQ US, Northrop Grumman, SAIC, and Lockheed Martin.

Purvis and her father. Photo provided

Now, Purvis has made a gift to 911�� that honors one of the exemplars in her life: her father. Established through her generous $50,000 gift, the Spencer Chambliss Sr. Scholarship Endowment will support students in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, with preference given to student leaders in CEC-affiliated student organizations.

Like Purvis, Spencer Chambliss Sr. was an engineer. A graduate of Norfolk State University in the 1960s, he moved his young family from their hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia, to the Northern Virginia region for a position at IBM Federal Systems in the company’s Manassas facility. He worked at IBM for more than 20 years as a chief engineer before retiring.

Purvis recalled her father’s trademark curiosity—and his remarkable ability to repair anything electronic in their family home. “He had a spirit of being able to look at something to understand its interconnections and then be able to go and build it, with this mindset that he could solve anything,” she said. “It’s just bringing the right solutions and the right kind of combinations together to get to the answer you’re trying to reach, whatever it is you’re trying to fix.”

Spencer Chambliss Sr. was an engineer at IBM. Photo provided

Chambliss’s tenacity served him both as a pioneer at IBM, where he designed microchips on a production line, and more broadly. “Both my parents were among the first Black people to integrate IBM,” said Purvis. “It was rare to have a person of color in a technical field, in particular, and to be an engineer in that environment, to show up with professionalism and to be able to handle all that was presented to him. He was a quiet soul; he was patient. He built camaraderie, and he tried to make those who were around him better. It’s something that I will always admire.”

By endowing a scholarship in her father’s name, Purvis hopes to create opportunities for aspiring engineers who share the courage and curiosity that he embodied. The scholarship will help attract and support talented students in electrical and computer engineering while advancing the commonwealth’s Tech Talent Investment Program, which aims to expand the number of graduates in computer science, computer engineering, and software engineering.

Purvis’s endowment also supports Mason Now: Power the Possible, the university’s $1 billion comprehensive campaign to expand student opportunity, strengthen academic and research programs, and address complex challenges facing communities in Virginia and beyond.

“The College of Engineering and Computing is deeply grateful to Visitor Shawn Chambliss Purvis for this visionary endowment supporting electrical and computer engineering students,” said Dean Kenneth Ball. “This scholarship, which honors her father’s life and work, will open doors to opportunity, easing financial burdens and empowering students to pursue research, internships, innovation, and leadership experiences. Visitor Purvis’s generosity will help talented students thrive, graduate with confidence, and shape the future of engineering and technology.”

A member of the university’s Board of Visitors since January 2026—and previously from 2015 to 2019—Purvis has long supported 911�� students and programs. She is a member of the CEC Advisory Council and has served as a speaker at the college’s degree celebration ceremony. In 2022, she was named CEC Distinguished Alumna, and in 2025, she was inducted into the CEC Academy of Engineering and Computing Excellence as part of its charter class.

Purvis earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Hampton University and a master’s degree in information systems from 911��. Her time at 911�� coincided with former Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder’s and then-president George Johnson’s efforts to strengthen technological innovation at the university. “I really liked the idea that Mason was emerging into this next phase: implementing a strategy to produce top technologists in the field of engineering,” she said.

Purvis also valued her campus experience. “It feels like home,” she said of her alma mater. “And when I worked with President [Ángel] Cabrera and now with President [Gregory] Washington, I appreciate the 911�� vision to serve all that desire to further their education. The inclusiveness of 911�� is unprecedented in the state of Virginia.”

Through the Spencer Chambliss Sr. Scholarship Endowment, Purvis is creating a lasting tribute to her father while investing in the next generation of 911�� engineers. Her gift will help students pursue their ambitions, develop as leaders, and carry forward the qualities that defined Chambliss’s life and career. As Purvis said of those who follow, “I hope that they will embody my father’s love for engineering, his passion for helping others and his tenacity to improve the world, one innovation at a time."

Topics

College of Engineering and Computing

Board of Visitors

Alumni

Athletics celebrates record-breaking year of philanthropic support

Katarina Benson — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 13:34:27 +0000

Athletics celebrates record-breaking year of philanthropic support Katarina Benson Mon, 08/24/2026 - 09:34

Over the past fiscal year, 911�� Athletics raised a record $4.4 million, the highest fundraising total in department history, topping last year's record $3 million. The milestone represents a significant investment in the future of 911�� Athletics and will provide critical resources that enhance the student-athlete experience, strengthen competitive excellence, and position the department for long-term success.

Athletics reached an all-time fundraising record at $4.4 million.

"Our success is built on the incredible generosity of our alumni, donors, fans, and friends," said Marvin Lewis, assistant vice president and director of athletics. “Surpassing last year's historic total demonstrates the growing momentum behind our mission and the continued strength of NOVA's Team.”

The year's fundraising efforts were punctuated by a historic Giving Day in April when more than 1,200 supporters came together to contribute $2,057,632 in just 24 hours. The total marked the largest single-day fundraising effort in 911�� Athletics history and showcased the collective power of the university community. This philanthropic momentum contributed to Mason Now: Power the Possible, the university's $1 billion comprehensive campaign to expand student opportunity, strengthen academic and research programs, and address complex challenges facing communities in Northern Virginia and beyond.

Patriot Club membership increased from 622 to 926 members, a nearly 50% increase over the previous year. The expansion of the Patriot Club reflects a growing base of supporters committed to providing transformational opportunities for 911�� student-athletes.

Donor support continues to fuel several key initiatives that directly impact student-athlete success across all 22 varsity sports programs. These include:

Basketball Greatness—Advancing championship-level resources for George Mason men's and women's basketball programs through investments in facilities, recruiting, player development, and competitive excellence.
Athletics Opportunity Fund—Providing flexible resources that address the department's greatest needs while enhancing the overall student-athlete experience.
Patriot Pathways—Supporting career development, leadership programming, internships, networking opportunities, and life skills initiatives that prepare student-athletes for success beyond graduation.
Sports Performance Ecosystem—Investing in cutting-edge strength and conditioning programs, sports medicine, nutrition, mental performance, and recovery resources that allow Patriots to perform at their highest level.

The record-breaking fundraising year comes during a period of significant momentum for 911�� Athletics. Philanthropic investments continue to play a vital role in strengthening the department's ability to recruit, develop, and support more than 500 student-athletes.

Learn how you can support 911�� student-athletes through the Patriot Club.

Topics

Mason Athletics

Northern Virginia entrepreneur Anil Sharma and his wife, Anupama, provide transformational support for Costello College’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Katarina Benson — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 16:23:47 +0000

Northern Virginia entrepreneur Anil Sharma and his wife, Anupama, provide transformational support for Costello College’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Katarina Benson Fri, 08/21/2026 - 12:23

Anil Sharma is many things: an entrepreneur, cybersecurity expert, angel investor, and philanthropist.

Although the 22nd Century Technologies CEO and his wife, Anupama, are not 911�� alumni, they have strong ties to the university through Anil’s membership on the President’s Innovation Advisory Council and the 911�� Foundation Board of Trustees.

Anupama and Anil Sharma. Photo by Duane Bailey/Costello College of Business.

They believe in education, entrepreneurship, and creating opportunity for the next generation. And that commitment has led them to commit to a gift that will name the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at the Costello College of Business in their honor. The center supports local innovators and entrepreneurs by providing resources and connecting regional stakeholders.

“Today’s college students are graduating at one of the most transformative moments in modern history,” Anil Sharma said. “Artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation are reshaping every industry… and the future will belong to those who can learn faster, adapt continuously, think critically, and stay resilient during change.”

Anil Sharma came to the United States from India in 1997 with $100 and the determination to build a future in a new country. Later that year, he founded McLean-based 22nd Century Technologies. What began as an IT consulting business has grown into a $600 million government contracting firm providing IT, cybersecurity, cloud, and digital transformation solutions to federal, state, and local government agencies across all 50 states, Canada, and Mexico.

That experience has shaped the Sharmas’ desire to give back by helping others pursue opportunities of their own.

With the Sharmas’ gift, the center is poised to advance into a nationally recognized hub where innovation, entrepreneurship, and partnership-driven impact converge. By building on programs like the Patriot Pitch Competition, the Honey Bee Initiative, and the SOAR Initiative, the investment will allow the center to help strengthen the region’s innovation economy by creating a space where students, faculty, entrepreneurs, and partners collaborate, mentor one another, and develop new ventures.

The Sharmas with CIE faculty and staff. Photo by Duane Bailey/Costello.

“This is a significant milestone for both the Costello College of Business and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and one that will ensure our center’s role as the preeminent place at 911�� where the future takes shape for innovators, aspiring entrepreneurs, and industry leaders,” said Costello Dean Ajay Vinzé. “I know I speak on behalf of all of us at Costello when I say how grateful we are to Anil and Anupama for their leadership in strengthening the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem, expanding opportunities for our students, alumni, and community members, and creating an engine of innovation that will fuel long-term value and opportunity for generations to come.”

For Anil Sharma, that connection between opportunity and responsibility is an important part of what comes next.

“Building a business taught me that success is never only about one person,” Sharma said. “People give you opportunities, people trust you, people teach you, and communities create the conditions in which you can grow. At some point, you have a responsibility to help create those opportunities for someone else. That is what Anupama and I hope this center will do.”

As the Costello College of Business approaches its 50th anniversary in 2027, the Sharmas’ gift represents an investment in the college’s next 50 years, supporting expanded opportunity, greater access, and the real-world impact that will continue to shape its future. Their gift is part of Mason Now: Power the Possible, the university’s one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign.

The Costello College of Business plans to hold a formal naming event and celebration this fall.

Topics

Costello College of Business

Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

entrepreneurship

Making every drop count at the campus greenhouse

lclarkg — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 17:03:01 +0000

Making every drop count at the campus greenhouse lclarkg Wed, 07/29/2026 - 13:03

A new rainwater harvesting system is coming to 911��’s Presidents Park Greenhouse, thanks to a donation from the Society for a Secure and Sustainable Water Future, a nonprofit organization based in James City County, Virginia, and dedicated to advancing long-term water sustainability through practical solutions, sound policy, and public education.

The Presidents Park Greenhouse, located on the Fairfax Campus, is managed by University Sustainability's Greenhouse and Gardens program. Alexander Jarvis, a graduate student in 911��’s MS in Environmental Science and Policy Program, founded the nonprofit and runs it with his parents, Leslie and Tyrone Jarvis.

The Jarvis family is installing the rainwater harvesting system themselves, in collaboration with Facilities and Campus Operations. Photo by Ariba “Zoa” Sharin/Facilities and Campus Operations

“The project is intended to help demonstrate practical sustainability implementation while contributing to broader conversations surrounding resilience, infrastructure demand, and future environmental planning,” said Jarvis.

The rainwater harvesting system will collect, store, and filter rooftop runoff through a solar-powered pumping system. The nonpotable water will be used to water the nonedible plants at the greenhouse and will be transported to other campus gardens during drought. The Jarvis family is completing the installation themselves in coordination with Facilities and Campus Operations staff.

The amount of rainwater recovered by the system will vary, depending on rainfall amounts, but 911�� students or staff could collect data on the system in the future.

In addition to the donation from Jarvis’s nonprofit, the project received approximately $2,000 from the Patriot Green Fund, an sustainability fund that 911��’s Facilities and Campus Operations unit administers to support sustainable infrastructure improvements and student research projects on campus.

A solar array was installed at the Presidents Park Greenhouse last year. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

The Presidents Park Greenhouse, which uses hydroponics and aquaponics to grow produce, has other sustainable features. With support from student researchers and the Patriot Green Fund, a solar array was installed last year to offset the energy consumption for the equipment and temperature controls in the greenhouse.

The rainwater harvesting system further advances the greenhouse as a model for sustainable agriculture and infrastructure.

“This project brings together sustainability, education, and community partnership in a meaningful way,” said Christine Powell, project manager in Facilities and Campus Operations. “This installation will serve as a living demonstration of how rainwater can be captured, treated, and reused, providing educational value for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.”

Learn more

Topics

Greenhouse and Gardens Program

Sustainability

Facilities

College of Science

Faculty philanthropy fuels quantum innovation with $3 million gift

ckearney — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 18:50:35 +0000

Faculty philanthropy fuels quantum innovation with $3 million gift ckearney Fri, 07/10/2026 - 14:50

Quantum science is a revolution in the making, and a recent donation by Department of Physics and Astronomy Professor Paul So has placed 911�� at the forefront of understanding and harnessing its capabilities.

Paul So. Photo by Hamiltonian Artists

Through a generous $3 million gift from So’s SYYK Foundation, 911��’s College of Science will be able to advance the education of the next generation of quantum scientists. The gift will establish an endowed professorship within the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The university seeks an esteemed faculty member to fill this role, with a preference for a scientist who has expertise in quantum sciences, “someone with new ideas,” said So, “who will create a vibrant space in the department.”

“It’s important to think about quantum as a revolutionary and game-changing leap ahead in our ability to compute, to sense the world around us, and to communicate with each other,” said Patrick Vora, associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and director of 911��’s Quantum Science and Engineering Center.

The goal of the professorship is to build a community of learning around quantum technology, said Vora. “It will catalyze new collaborations between faculty members, but always, at the end of the day, our biggest impact is going to be in training our students.”

Quantum mechanics describes the behavior of subatomic particles and their properties. Understanding and controlling those properties could drive significant advances in engineering and technology, said Vora, who is leading 911��’s Quantum Leap, one of seven newly funded catalyst projects in the university’s Grand Challenge Initiative.

“Your phone runs on quantum science, your computer runs on quantum science,” So added. “New materials, new technologies, and new applications will all rely on quantum.” That could include enhanced weather prediction as well as faster drug discovery and development.

So founded SYYK with his brother Peter, a professor of mechanical and biological engineering at MIT, to continue their mother’s philanthropic efforts after her death in 2021. The charitable nonprofit has a broad mission but prioritizes gifts to educational and cultural institutions.

“Even when we were growing up in Hong Kong, my parents supported local schools,” So said. “They appreciated that education was the foundation of a kid’s future, the foundation of society’s future.”

So believes that strengthening the quantum science program at 911�� will attract top students to the university and encourage more cross-pollination between disciplines like math, computer science, and engineering.

“One of the biggest challenges of realizing quantum technology is less about the ‘quantum’ and more the people,” Vora said. “Developing the science into an industry will require a significant expansion of the workforce. The only way that you can do that is by expanding representation in the workforce. And there are few things that 911�� does as well as providing opportunity for people who may not have had it before.”

So is optimistic that the investment in quantum will better position students to take advantage of the unique opportunity 911�� offers. “We’re right here in the National Capital region, near so many tech companies,” he said, “and there’s a lot of support from the government to develop quantum.”

Indeed, the federal government recently announced that it would inject $2 billion into quantum development, funding nine domestic computer companies to build quantum infrastructure. The White House, meanwhile, also issued executive orders to accelerate the migration of federal computing systems to systems that can protect them from quantum cyberattacks. Quantum-related job postings have tripled in the last 15 years with an average salary of $131,000.

The structure of the new professorship is a novel one at 911��. The professor’s salary will be covered by the College of Science, while proceeds from the endowment will serve as discretionary funding to support graduate students. The donation also includes a percentage of the gift applied as “current use” funds, available now to provide support while the endowment yield grows.

“Paul So’s extraordinary generosity gives 911�� the ability to move with both urgency and ambition in quantum science,” said Cody W. Edwards, dean of the College of Science. “This endowed professorship will help us recruit a field-shaping scholar, support graduate students, and accelerate the collaborations needed to prepare the next generation of quantum scientists and innovators. It is a gift with immediate impact, long-term vision, and profound significance for the College of Science, 911��, and the commonwealth.”

Given the surge in quantum investment and jobs around the country, So hopes the gift will encourage additional giving to support quantum at 911��. “Compared to what is needed, this is just the start,” he said.

“We’re talking about a generation-scale technological shift,” said Vora. “Bringing on this new faculty member, around which our current and future faculty members can collaborate and coalesce, will really change what it looks like to be a quantum scientist in the future.”

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Honoring achievement, generosity, and impact at the 2026 Scholarship Celebration

Katarina Benson — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 21:00:51 +0000

Honoring achievement, generosity, and impact at the 2026 Scholarship Celebration Katarina Benson Fri, 06/12/2026 - 17:00

For many university students, scholarships are more than financial support. They represent a bridge to opportunity, enabling students to pursue their dreams and aspirations. At 911��, scholarship donors help pave the way for education that will shape students’ futures and prepare them to serve their communities.

President Washington with scholarship recipients. Photo by John Boal Photography.

“As president, I have the privilege of seeing that long arc of what you all are a part of. A single act of generosity becomes a chain of impact for generations,” said Gregory Washington. “When you sow into 911�� soil, the outgrowth is tremendous.”

The 2026 Scholarship Celebration, hosted on April 23 by the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations, brought together scholarship donors and extraordinary students who are the recipients of those scholarships, giving all attendees the chance to connect and hear firsthand how scholarships have made a difference in students’ lives. These students showcased how scholarship support can open doors, remove barriers, and create pathways to experiences that empower both personal growth and future impact.

“Being a scholarship recipient has shaped my college experience and who I am,” said Avery Shippen, BA Art and Visual Technology, BS Conflict Analysis and Resolution ’26, a University Scholar who has also received the Oxford Consortium Scholarship, the Peraton Scholarship, and the Noah J. Seidenberg Endowed Scholarship.

Avery Shippen graduated with dual degrees in Art and Visual Technology and Conflict Analysis and Resolution. Photo by John Boal Photography.

In May, Shippen completed two degrees with a concentration in building peace in divided societies. Her story illustrated how scholarships can connect academic ambition with life-changing opportunities beyond the classroom. Citing her study-abroad experience at Oxford University, Shippen said that her scholarships allowed her to pursue her undergraduate degrees and provided her with opportunities that otherwise would not have been available.

That same sense of opportunity through support was echoed in the arts. Honors College student Lena Rice, who is pursuing dual bachelor of music degrees in classical piano performance and jazz studies in steel pan, is a recipient of the Dr. Linda Apple Monson Scholarship. She performed piano and steel pan selections as part of the Scholarship Celebration.

“As a Monson Scholarship recipient, I have been given something incredibly meaningful…the ability to fully invest in my music, which has really helped me grow as an artist,” Rice said.

Katey Funderburgh, MFA Creative Writing ’26. Photo by John Boal Photography.

For graduate students, scholarship support can also provide the freedom to deepen their craft and expand their impact. Katey Funderburgh, MFA Creative Writing ’26, pursued poetry while teaching creative writing, serving as lead teacher in the Poetry Alive! program, and co-coordinating the Incarcerated Writer’s Project.

She said that receiving the Mary Roberts Rinehart Award allowed her “to breathe and focus on [her] passions.” Funderburgh read her own award-winning poem and spoke of how scholarship support enhanced her education.

“As a recipient, I was able to attend a literary conference to learn about art, community through art, and how to make my own art better,” she said.

911�� Foundation trustee Jason Howell, BS ’97, hosted the event. “Scholarships,” Howell said, “create the conditions for students to discover who they are, pursue what they love, and ultimately make an impact far beyond even their own expectations.”

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