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February 2007

The "Mason Connection" is Mason's electronic newsletter, designed to keep you informed of the latest developments at the university. The newsletter is sent monthly when the General Assembly is in session and every other month when it is not in session.

Mason Cited as a 'Best Buy' University

Two notable publications have recently cited Mason as being one of the top educational values in the nation.

Mason is one of 247 schools listed in the ninth edition of Barron's "Best Buys in College Education." The criteria for Barron's include tuition rates, as well as a questionnaire that is completed by the dean of students and by students.

Schools listed in the book provide a high-quality education and range from publicly supported schools that are almost tuition-free to those that are moderately priced.

Wrote one student: "In contrast with Virginia's old, traditional schools, Mason emphasizes its youth and lack of 'old habits' and reputation. Mason exudes an exciting feeling of opportunity and innovation."

Mason's "best value" status was also commended in the February issue of Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, where the school came in No. 78 in the country amongst public colleges.

The Kiplinger's rankings were based on information that more than 500 four-year schools provided to Peterson's, a Nelnet company. Kiplinger's then added its own reporting to the data.

A University Engaged

Mason Answers Demand for Teachers in Loudoun County

To keep up with the extraordinary growth in Loudoun County, Va., Mason is expanding the course offerings at its Loudoun location to include an elementary education PK-6 initial teacher licensure program with a master of education option.

Offered through the College of Education and Human Development, the program is designed to provide professionals with the specialized knowledge, skills and dispositions needed to meet the educational needs of children attending today's elementary schools. The partnership school program is targeted to students who may need more flexibility because of time constraints.

In Loudoun County, the demand for elementary educators has never been more urgent. The county currently has more than 25,000 children in elementary schools and is expected to open numerous schools over the next five years, including three this year.

Research Spotlight

Mason Chemist Receives $1 Million Prize for Water Filtration System

Abul Hussam, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, received the 2007 Grainger Challenge Prize for Sustainability Gold Award of $1 million yesterday from the National Academy of Engineering. The award recognized his innovative solution for removing arsenic from drinking water that is poisoning tens of millions of people in developing countries.

Hussam, a native of Bangladesh, developed the SONO filter, a household water treatment system that he and his brothers have been manufacturing and distributing in Bangladesh for about five years. The filter's use has helped stop the spread of arsenic poisoning in nearly 100 villages. "The most satisfying aspect of working on this project is seeing people drinking clean water from SONO filter and feeling better, and for some, the melanosis [poisoning] has been reversed," said Hussam.

Hussam has arranged to give $700,000 of his prize money to an NGO that manufactures the filters so that more filter units can reach Bangladeshi households more quickly. He is distributing the remainder of his prize money to support ongoing research efforts, as well as to George Mason University.

In The News

Tuesday, Jan. 9, CNN International

Sarah L. Sweetman, director of student services for New Century College and PhD student in cultural studies, was interviewed for CNN International's "Your World Today" regarding China's new policies for determining eligibility of foreign couples to adopt children born in China.

Sunday, Jan. 28, La Tercera (Chile)

Positive Psychology Academically Important

"Todd Kashdan, assistant professor of psychology, told La Tercera that incorporating Positive Psychology in a curriculum is vital for young people 'in a society where we have thousands of so-called experts telling us how we should act and who often contradict each other. This is why it is necessary, at some level, to control the quality to assure that we're communicating good information that you know is correct.' In his opinion, the best quality control, in this case, is science."

Wednesday, Jan. 31, USA Today

FCC Ruling Changed Phone Industry in 1968

"Maybe U.S. consumers need another Carterfone to bust open the cell phone industry. No, this is not referring to some hotline on Jimmy Carter's White House desk. The landmark 1968 Carterfone Decision is a 'neat historical analogy' to a couple of current conflagrations in technology, says J.P. Auffret, professor at George Mason University's business school. One should alter cable TV this year. The other might result in cell phones that work with any wireless carrier - the way any telephone works no matter what company you use for landline service."

Mason Connection is a free service and official publication of George Mason University. It is designed to give you quick, monthly updates on the happenings at Mason. You received Mason Connection because of your affiliation with George Mason University. Subscribe and unsubscribe requests for Mason Connection, including address changes, are handled by sending an e-mail to the Office of Community Relations at tclaar@gmu.edu. Please be sure to include your name and e-mail address. For more information, contact Traci Claar, Director of Community Relations. For additional campus event information, please visit Today@Mason. Editorial content produced by Devon Madison, Creative Services.