The Rise of Diversity at George Mason University
GMU was not as ethnically or culturally diverse as it has come to be. During the early 1970s, George Mason College had a very low representation of Black students and faculty. This led to an investigation into the college’s efforts toward diversity and inclusion. Recommendations were made to improve representation and provide better support systems. The report emphasized the need for the college to take more active steps toward inclusivity. The image shows an African American student out of the very few at Winter Graduation on January 17, 1975.
The election of Dr. Vergil H. Dykstra as George Mason University's second president in July 1973 was a significant turning point in the school's early history after it gained independence from the University of Virginia in 1972. As the former vice president of the State University of New York at Binghamton, Dr. Dykstra brought with him a dedication to addressing internal issues and promoting inclusivity, especially concerning academic freedom, free expression, and the application of equal opportunity rules. There was mistrust among some academics and students of the current administration, which included traces of the university's ties with UVA. Understanding these difficulties, Dr. Dykstra made open communication a top priority and worked to close the divide between administrators and teachers.
During Dr. Dykstra's employment, encouraging diversity and integration within the university community was a major priority. He promoted the appointment of minority faculty members and created the Office of Minority Recruitment (OMR) to boost minority student enrollment. In 1974, under his direction, the institution hired Andrew Evans as its first African American admissions officer, demonstrating its dedication to fostering a more welcoming campus community.
The foundation for George Mason University's continued commitment to diversity and inclusion was established by Dr. Dykstra's work. Despite his retirement in 1977, his time there was characterized by significant achievements in reshaping the university into a more community-focused and inclusive establishment.
In the early 1970s, GMU was called out for having almost no diversity and no real affirmative action efforts. A 1971 report pointed out the problem, pushing the school to take action. Mason created the Office of Minority Recruitment and brought in its first African American admissions officer in 1974 to help recruit more diverse students. These were the first real steps toward making Mason the diverse university it is today. The image shows the first African American admissions officer, Andrew Evans (left).
Evans did more than just handle admissions. By building trust with Black communities and other oppressed groups in the area, he played a key role in the university's larger attempts to attract minority students. His hiring followed the establishment of the Office of Minority Recruitment (OMR), a division dedicated to expanding the student body's diversity through targeted contact and support.
Evans became an unofficial mentor and supporter of minority students, as he was one of the few Black professionals on campus at the time. At a period when colleges nationwide were struggling with integration, equity, and civil rights, he contributed to the creation of a more hospitable and inclusive atmosphere.
Evans' contributions helped to create a diverse and multicultural university for which George Mason is now recognized, and they set the groundwork for GMU's ongoing efforts toward inclusivity and representation.