Funding & Development of the Statue
Initially in 1989 the Student Government (SG) estimated the cost of the statue between $30,000-$50,000 dollars. For donors, SG planned for a commerative plaque to accompany the statue to remember donors of $500 or more. Ideally, over a five-year period, students would be able to raise the full amount; in the even the total could not be raised, SG would seek outside donors and organizations to cover the remaining costs.
As a solely student funded project, the statue was unsuccessful and the amount of money raised by Student Government is not recorded. [1] Consequently, in 1992, the Student Senate approached the administration of George Mason University for assistance in the development of the statue. The Office of the Provost and Office of Student Affairs agreed to sponsor a competition to select a nationally known artist to create a sculptural design proposal; [2] The Mason Statue Committee approved of the model submitted by Wendy Ross early fall semester of the same year. [3] [4]
Early iterations of Ross’ George Mason Marquette (left column) closely resemble the finalized version; George Mason’s right hand resting upon a stack of books, the left arm extending outwards with the Virginia Declaration of Rights in the palm. [5] [6] The primary difference between the concept and finalized version is the intended size of the statue –expected to stand at 10ft—and the visual difference in the complexion of George Mason’s face.
The expected cost for the erection of statute was estimated to be $210,000; similarly, a commemorative plaque was intended to inscribe the names of contributors. However, the lacking specificity of a financial tier potentially indicates all names to be recorded regardless of donation amount whereas aforesaid earlier it was reserved for donations of $500 and higher. In addition, the cast of the statue was scheduled to be created during 1993 spring semester; unfortunately, despite the intervention of campus administration and the donations of student organizations, the statue was unable to be commissioned through use of public funds and indefinitely postponed. [7] [8]
Three years later, on August 1st, 1995, the statue was commissioned by The George Mason Fund for the Arts as a gift to the university community. [9] [10] The final cost for the statue totaled to $159,500 and the contributions of the Arts Gala Committee as well as their patrons contributed 93% ($148,850) of the commission charge; the Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution donated $10,000; [11] and a combined total of $650 dollars was collected from the George Mason Memorial Society, George Mason descendants, and Chi Kappa and Chi Omega. [12]
[1] In 1988, 18,000 students were mailed donation requests for GMU's University Fund and General Scholarship Fund. Of the requests mailed, 31 students responded, totaling $1,205 and surpassing the Office of Development's expectations. Less than 1% replied to this call for action and based on this information it can be inferred that relying on student funding for projects is an incredibly difficult task.
[2] "George W. Johnson Center, dedication program, April 12, 1996," 12 April, 1996. Box 79 (4), George Mason University Office of the President records, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, https://ahistoryofmason.gmu.edu/items/show/310.
[3] The committee was composed of a group of students and chaired by Barrington White, Jr. and advised by James Fletcher (associate provost and dean of undergraduate studies). "George Mason Statue Design Approved," 11 December1992, The Mason Gazette, Box 81 (90), George Mason University List of University and Student Publications, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] This alternate image of a George Mason marquette suggests there are more version variations in-between the first and final version. The most glaring difference between the two early models are the amount of books underneath Mason’s hand
[7] "George W. Johnson Center, dedication program, April 12, 1996," 12 April, 1996, George Mason University List of University and Student Publications.
[8] Between 1993-1996, countless articles were written about the development of the Johnson Center (former University Center). However, the statue, despite its dedication tied to the grand-opening of the new building, was not a university sponsored project. This conclusion may provide an explanation as to why the statue is not explicitly referenced in faculty “University Projects Under Construction” articles, maintenance records, and the budget records of the Board of Visitors.
[9] "George W. Johnson Center, dedication program, April 12, 1996," 12 April, 1996, George Mason University List of University and Student Publications.
[10] "Mason Sculpture Commissioned for Campus," 03 November 1995, The Mason Gazette, Box 81 (90), George Mason University List of University and Student Publications, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.
[11] June of 1995, the DAR State Board of Management voted to provide financial assistance toward the statue of George Mason. "District V, Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution: Support the State Regent's Project," Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, January 1997, p. 36-37.
[12] "George W. Johnson Center, dedication program, April 12, 1996," 12 April, 1996, George Mason University List of University and Student Publications.