Cowen named to inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy List
Cowen named to inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy List
Colleen Rich
Body George Mason University economics professor and alumnus Tyler Cowen, BS Economics ’83, has been named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in philanthropy. Cowen is being recognized for his leadership of Emergent Ventures, a fellowship and grant program, housed at George Mason’s Mercatus Center, that backs entrepreneurial thinkers and doers with extraordinary potential. Since its launch, Emergent Ventures has funded more than 1,000 individuals around the world who are advancing work across a wide array of fields, including science, policy, and journalism. “I’ve focused on trying to mobilize talent that otherwise is not discovered or inspired,” Cowen told TIME, explaining that he screens most of the applications himself. Emergent Ventures’ successes include funding one of the first COVID-19 saliva tests via its Fast Grants program and a prison reform startup that used data analysis to identify more than 150,000 safe candidates for early release. “Tyler's vision for Emergent Ventures is to do philanthropy differently,” said Economics Department chair Daniel Houser. “He created a highly effective and influential approach to broad-based giving that includes rapid decisions and taking an occasional risk. Tyler supports leading established scholars and also helps to develop prodigies at earlier stages of their career, sometimes as early as high school.” Cowen, who has led Emergent Ventures since 2018, is the director of the Mercatus Center and a faculty member of the Economics Department’s The Center for Study of Public Choice. A nationally renowned economist, he is a columnist for The Free Press and contributes daily to the Marginal Revolution blog. Responding to the honor, Cowen wrote on the blog, “It is the Emergent Ventures winners who deserve the real credit, thanks to them!” The inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy list recognizes 100 individuals who are reimagining the ways giving can drive meaningful change. Philanthropists from 28 countries made the list, including Warren Buffet, Michael Bloomberg, and Oprah Winfrey. Cowen was recognized in the innovators category along with Catherine, Princess of Wales; skateboarder Tony Hawk; and actor Michael Sheen. The full list is available at here. Read more about Cowen’s work with Emergent Ventures here.
Tyler Cowen joined University President Gregory Washington on the Access to Excellence podcast to discuss Emergent Ventures. Listen to the episode.Related News A watershed year for George Mason University sustainability data June 30, 2025 This George Mason psychology researcher is clocking in to make workplaces safer for all June 26, 2025 Student-led Chesapeake Bay project showcases George Mason’s commitment to environmental stewardship June 25, 2025 Alumnus uses his creative voice to build connections, honor heritage, and foster peace June 18, 2025 Kotcher named interim director of the Center for Climate Change Communication June 12, 2025Topics Topics Campus News Alumni College of Humanities and Social Sciences Mercatus Center
Body
George Mason University economics professor and alumnus Tyler Cowen, BS Economics ’83, has been named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in philanthropy.
Cowen is being recognized for his leadership of Emergent Ventures, a fellowship and grant program, housed at George Mason’s Mercatus Center, that backs entrepreneurial thinkers and doers with extraordinary potential. Since its launch, Emergent Ventures has funded more than 1,000 individuals around the world who are advancing work across a wide array of fields, including science, policy, and journalism.
“I’ve focused on trying to mobilize talent that otherwise is not discovered or inspired,” Cowen told TIME, explaining that he screens most of the applications himself.
Emergent Ventures’ successes include funding one of the first COVID-19 saliva tests via its Fast Grants program and a prison reform startup that used data analysis to identify more than 150,000 safe candidates for early release.
“Tyler's vision for Emergent Ventures is to do philanthropy differently,” said Economics Department chair Daniel Houser. “He created a highly effective and influential approach to broad-based giving that includes rapid decisions and taking an occasional risk. Tyler supports leading established scholars and also helps to develop prodigies at earlier stages of their career, sometimes as early as high school.”
Cowen, who has led Emergent Ventures since 2018, is the director of the Mercatus Center and a faculty member of the Economics Department’s The Center for Study of Public Choice. A nationally renowned economist, he is a columnist for The Free Press and contributes daily to the Marginal Revolution blog.
Responding to the honor, Cowen wrote on the blog, “It is the Emergent Ventures winners who deserve the real credit, thanks to them!”
The inaugural TIME100 Philanthropy list recognizes 100 individuals who are reimagining the ways giving can drive meaningful change. Philanthropists from 28 countries made the list, including Warren Buffet, Michael Bloomberg, and Oprah Winfrey. Cowen was recognized in the innovators category along with Catherine, Princess of Wales; skateboarder Tony Hawk; and actor Michael Sheen.
The full list is available at here. Read more about Cowen’s work with Emergent Ventures here.
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- George Mason University recognized as a top Military Friendly UniversityGeorge Mason University recognized as a top Military Friendly University Katarina Benson In This Story People Mentioned in This Story Keith Renshaw, PhDBody George Mason University has once again been recognized for its longstanding commitment to military-connected students and their families, earning a Silver ranking in the Military Friendly® School designation for the upcoming 2025-26 academic year. The annual recognition honors colleges and universities that demonstrate excellence in serving military communities. The full list of designees will be featured in the October issue of G.I. Jobs Magazine and can also be found at militaryfriendly.com. “At George Mason, we are a mission-driven community,” said Jennifer Connors, director of the Office of Military Services. “I am proud of the work our team and our colleagues across campus do every day to ensure our military-affiliated students and families feel supported.” More than 10% of George Mason’s more than 40,000 students are current or former military members or military dependents. This past academic year, approximately 20% of incoming freshmen, transfer, and graduate students had military ties, reinforcing George Mason’s reputation as a top destination for military-affiliated students. Many of these students receive education benefits to support their academic goals. More than 2,000 use Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits, approximately 1,000 benefit from the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program, and more than 100 receive Department of Defense Federal Tuition Assistance. George Mason’s commitment to military-connected students is also reflected in national rankings. U.S. News & World Report named George Mason one of Virginia’s best colleges for veterans. Its master of business administration (MBA) program for veterans ranked first among public universities both in Virginia and nationwide, and the master’s in nursing for veterans placed first in Virginia and the Washington, D.C. metro region. The university’s Military, Veterans, and Families Initiative (MVFI) focuses specifically on leveraging George Mason’s strengths as the commonwealth’s largest and most diverse research university by empowering servicemembers, veterans, and their families through connections to a wide range of campus and regional resources. “It speaks to our ability to not only serve those who have served us, but to create an environment where our service members, our veterans, and their families can thrive,” said Keith Renshaw, MVFI director, senior associate provost for undergraduate education, and a professor of psychology. Additional information on the ranking’s methodology can be found here. Topics Topics Military Military Veterans and Families Initiative (MVFI) Campus News
- Julie Zobel leads a new Administration and Operations organization as senior vice president and COOJulie Zobel leads a new Administration and Operations organization as senior vice president and COO Colleen Rich Body As George Mason University strengthens its commitment to enhanced operational efficiency, long-term planning, and stakeholder engagement, Julie Zobel has been named George Mason’s senior vice president and chief operating officer (COO), following a nationwide search. Julie Zobel. Photo provided “Julie is a talented leader and manager, possessing a deep commitment to our community and the commonwealth,” said George Mason President Gregory Washington. “With extensive experience and a drive to support the dynamic needs of our faculty, staff and students, Julie is not bound by just how far we have come but also motivated by what we are destined to become.” Joining George Mason in 2000, Zobel began as a health and safety engineer focused on chemical, biological, and radiation safety for George Mason’s instructional and research laboratories, serving in an escalating progression of leadership roles before becoming George Mason’s first chief risk officer in February 2024. Zobel provided operational stewardship of the university’s response to COVID-19, for which George Mason was recognized as a national leader in pandemic management. She also served as interim SVP beginning in August 2024 and was selected for this new role in April 2025 following a nationwide search. Zobel leads the newly formed Administration and Operations division, which includes Facilities and Campus Operations; Information Technology Services; Auxiliary and Business Services; Risk, Safety, and Resilience; Enterprise Risk Management; Operational Finance and Enterprise Governance; and Capital Strategy and Planning. Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), led by Interim Vice President Aurali Dade, now operates independently from the office of Risk, Safety, and Resilience (RSR), which is led by Associate Vice President Dave Farris. This allows the ERM program to continue serving as a resource for senior leadership in managing the most significant enterprise risks, while positioning the RSR team to take a stronger leadership role in driving operational safety measures. RSR now includes the units Operational Risk Management and RSR Administration, in addition to Environmental Health and Safety, Employee Health and Well-Being, and Emergency Management and Fire Safety. Information Technology Services (ITS) has consolidated the IT Governance and IT Service Delivery teams under George Mason’s first-ever chief experience officer, Charlie Spann, providing the enterprise framework, processes, and customer-facing execution for technology use and IT service delivery across the university. Operational Finance and Enterprise Governance (OFEG), which includes the Project Management Office, under Assistant Vice President Christine Zanellato, now reports directly to Zobel. This group includes enterprise governance, project management, and business analysis functions, extending beyond technology to include holistic operational financial strategies and forecasting across capital, space, and technology investments. Assistant Vice President for Business Services and Chief Business Officer Megan Laures will have a dotted line to unit finance and budget directors/managers, while continuing her current role in Facilities and Campus Operations. In addition, Auxiliary Services and Operations has updated its department name to Auxiliary and Business Services (ABS) to better reflect its current charge and portfolio. Real Estate Strategy and Operations is now part of Facilities and Campus Operations, to better align property acquisition and management with the university’s asset management, maintenance, and operations functions, while playing an integral role in the planning and development of the western portion of the Fairfax Campus. “George Mason is a remarkable place, powered by the foundation and support of our core administrative and operational units—they literally keep the lights on,” said Zobel. “As we have already begun to work more collaboratively and holistically as a unit, we are improving processes and opening new lines of communications to benefit the entire university community.”Join the Mason Nation Related News Around Mason: Week of July 1, 2025 July 1, 2025 George Mason University recognized as a top Military Friendly University June 30, 2025 Julie Zobel leads a new Administration and Operations organization as senior vice president and COO June 25, 2025 George Mason University Selects Chartwells Higher Education as New Dining Services Partner June 24, 2025 Around Mason: Week of June 24, 2025 June 24, 2025Topics Topics Campus News Faculty and Staff News
- George Mason University Selects Chartwells Higher Education as New Dining Services PartnerGeorge Mason University Selects Chartwells Higher Education as New Dining Services Partner Colleen Rich Body New contract brings fresh innovation, sustainability, and student-first experiences to campus beginning July 1, 2025 Fairfax, VA — George Mason University has selected Chartwells Higher Education, a national leader in campus dining, as its new dining services provider, following a comprehensive and competitive RFP process. George Mason’s contract with Chartwells begins on July 1 and is expected to transform dining on campus. Chartwells brings a strong track record of collaboration, creativity, and customized solutions to its work with more than 320 colleges and universities across the country. As part of Compass Group, the world’s largest foodservice organization, Chartwells offers George Mason access to a broad network of culinary innovations, emerging technologies, and food service partnerships—including opportunities through its relationship with Thompson Hospitality, a Northern Virginia-based hospitality contract food service, restaurant, and catering company. Rendering of Ike's. Renderings provided by Chartwells Higher Ed “At George Mason, we are always looking for new ways to enhance the student experience,” said Pascal Petter, associate vice president for Auxiliary and Business Services. “Chartwells demonstrated a strong understanding of our community’s needs and showed real excitement about the potential to bring innovation, inclusive dining, and sustainability to every dining location on campus. We’re confident this new partnership will elevate dining across all our locations and support the university’s Strategic Direction.” Chartwells’ vision for George Mason includes exploring new culinary concepts, expanding access to technology and robotics, further elevating food variety and quality, and streamlining convenience for busy students, faculty and staff—all while embracing Mason’s values around inclusion, health and well-being, and sustainability. As part of this vision, the existing fleet of Starship delivery robots will continue serving the campus community under the new contract. With a focus on authentic engagement, Chartwells also brings expertise in student-focused marketing, interactive events, and flexible meal plan options that will evolve over time to meet community needs. "We are honored to build an inclusive, people-first dining experience for George Mason University," says Nelson DeFigueiredo, divisional president at Chartwells Higher Education. "Our approach is to collaboratively create high-quality dining spaces that fuel a global student population, while also aligning with George Mason's sustainability goals." As George Mason prepares to welcome its new dining partner, the university also recognizes and thanks Sodexo, who has served as its dining partner for more than 30 years. Sodexo’s contributions have touched every part of campus life, from daily operations to national recognition for innovation and inclusion. They helped Mason become the #1 allergen-friendly university in the nation (via Spokin), introduced a National Association of College and university Food Services (NACUFS) award-winning Future 50 Foods station, and made George Mason the first university in the country to launch autonomous delivery robots. Throughout their tenure, Sodexo also implemented robust composting programs and prioritized local sourcing—advancing sustainability and leaving a lasting legacy of service. “Mason Dining has grown and evolved in meaningful ways thanks to Sodexo’s long-standing commitment to our students and community,” added Petter. “We’re deeply grateful for their years of partnership and service.” Additionally, Chartwells plans to retain many of Sodexo’s current staff. “As an organization that values creating meaningful opportunities for their people, we have engaged with current dining employees and provided all those who expressed interest the chance to apply for a position with the Chartwells team,” DeFigueiredo noted. Further information will be shared in the coming months about the transition process, upcoming opportunities for community feedback, and ways for students to help shape the future of dining on campus. About George Mason George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., George Mason enrolls more than 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. George Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility. In 2023, the university launched Mason Now: Power the Possible, a one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and stewardship. Learn more at gmu.edu. FAQs on Mason Dining Media Contact Aliya Rinaldi Associate Director of Marketing and Communications George Mason University Auxiliary and Business Services arinaldi@gmu.eduTopics Topics Campus News Press Releases Mason Dining
- “Patriots United. Together We Thrive.” is Athletics’ vision to strengthen George Mason’s competitive future“Patriots United. Together We Thrive.” is Athletics’ vision to strengthen George Mason’s competitive future Katarina Benson Body It’s less about wins and losses for Marvin Lewis, and more about building enduring bridges for the long term. The George Mason University assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics recently unveiled his vision with an ambitious five-year strategic plan called “Patriots United. Together We Thrive.” The plan aims to enhance student-athlete experiences, strengthen resources, raise competitiveness, curate storytelling and engagement opportunities, and cultivate a championship culture. The plan is designed to keep George Mason competitive in the fast-changing college sports landscape with improved facilities, expanded resources, and robust support for student-athletes. “I believe athletics is the front porch of this university, but our job is to unite the community,” Lewis said. “In this evolving landscape, our university needs athletics at the forefront, with our basketball programs gaining strong visibility—locally, regionally, and nationally. These pillars will guide our efforts as we continue to elevate George Mason Athletics and deliver on our mission to inspire and transform lives through the power of sports.” Marvin Lewis. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding Lewis presented his plan, as well as the fundraising priorities, to the university’s Board of Visitors (BOV) in February, where his call for support in building a winning program to unite the Northern Virginia community resonated. “If we look around the country at the elite universities, I think you’ll find the combination of great athletics and great academics,” BOV board member Jon M. Peterson said at the meeting. “I think we’ve got the academics; I just think we need to bring the other side up to match.” Key Highlights of the Plan There is a $35 million fundraising goal within the Mason Now: Power the Possible comprehensive campaign, to elevate George Mason Athletics, enhance student-athlete experiences, and strengthen the university’s competitive position. Basketball Greatness: The university’s signature men’s and women’s basketball programs are central to the plan, with $22.5 million allocated to position George Mason as the unofficial college team of Northern Virginia. Focused on attracting, recruiting, and retaining top-tier talent, providing championship-level support, and developing student-athletes to their full potential. A significant portion will fund the construction of a new Basketball and Academic Performance Center, a 30,000-square-foot facility with practice courts, coaches’ offices, locker rooms, a weight room, and an academic support center for all student-athletes. Sports Performance Ecosystem: $8 million will be allocated to enhance mental health and wellness services, as well as nutrition and fueling programs, based on student-athlete feedback identifying these as the top requested resources. Patriot Pathways: Champion to Career: $3 million will go toward this program, which provides holistic development opportunities for student-athletes beyond sports, including financial education, career readiness, leadership development, and civic engagement. Athletic Director Opportunity Fund: Aimed at supporting emerging opportunities, this $1.5 million fund will invest in innovative technology pilots, one-time campus and local business collaborations, and special projects to strengthen recruitment and retention efforts. Lewis predicts the addition of the Basketball and Academic Performance Center would be a “game-changer” for George Mason. This plan also highlights the need to upgrade the 40-year-old, 10,000-seat EagleBank Arena, which will require spending up to $10 million. “Men’s and women’s basketball are our flagship programs,” said Lewis, a former four-year starting shooting guard and team captain at Georgia Tech, who led the Yellow Jackets to the 2004 national championship game. “They’re the most visible programs for our university, so making sure they have the resources they need is imperative.” Lewis emphasized the broader benefits of a successful, high-profile comprehensive athletics program, noting the increased visibility can lead to increased student enrollment and attract more academically talented students who might not have otherwise considered George Mason. While most current George Mason students weren’t around for the Patriots’ Cinderella run to the 2006 Final Four, Lewis believes winning can revive that same spirit. Signs of renewed excitement are already evident after both the men’s and women’s basketball teams had successful seasons this winter. This season marked a historic year for George Mason Athletics, as the Patriots added to their proud legacy by capturing a combined five regular season titles and conference championships—marking the most successful year in the university’s Atlantic 10 era and the highest single-season total since 1994–95. “Everybody loves winners,” Peterson said. “We need more winners, and we’ll attract more students.” The magic starting to take hold at George Mason hasn’t gone unnoticed in the sports world, as Lewis was named to the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee in May. But building a championship culture doesn’t come easily, and it will require an all-hands-on-deck approach from the entire campus and local community. The university’s BOV recognized its role in this effort, using the May meeting to formally approve a name, image, likeness (NIL) policy that compensates student-athletes through personal branding opportunities. Lewis said the policy aligns George Mason with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s legal framework, pending NCAA legislation, and peer institutions. Visit the Patriots United. Together We Thrive page for more information. Visit the Patriots United website Related News George Mason Athletics embraces a new era of excellence June 23, 2025 “Patriots United. Together We Thrive.” is Athletics’ vision to strengthen George Mason’s competitive future June 20, 2025 A historic year for George Mason Athletics June 20, 2025 Quinn-Irons led George Mason’s charge into the baseball postseason June 20, 2025 Patriot Profile: Midori Galligan June 2, 2025Topics Topics Campus News Athletics Student Athlete Mason Now campaign
- A historic year for George Mason AthleticsA historic year for George Mason Athletics Katarina Benson Body The 2024-25 school year was one for the record books for George Mason University Athletics, delivering five Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) titles and the most successful run since joining the league 11 years ago. The Patriots captured A-10 titles or championships in: Men’s soccer—first regular season title in program history marking the team’s first title since winning the 2013 tournament championship Men’s basketball—first regular season title in program history Women’s basketball—first tournament championship in program history Women’s indoor track and field—first championship since 2014 Men’s outdoor track and field—first championship since 2019 Women's basketball A-10 champions. Photo by Art Pittman/Athletics “This year’s success is a reflection of the passion, resilience, and drive our coaches and student-athletes bring every day,” said Marvin Lewis, assistant vice president and director of athletics. “We’re proud to make history together and a strong sign of what’s possible for George Mason Athletics moving forward.” This marked the highest single-school year total in program history, surpassing the previous record of four titles set during George Mason’s inaugural A-10 campaign in 2013–14. It also marked the first time since 1994–95, during the university’s tenure in the Colonial Athletic Association, that the Patriots won five combined regular season and conference championships in one academic year. Men's outdoor track and field. Photo by Rafael Suanes/Athletics Additional highlights from a banner year: Men’s soccer Head Coach Rich Costanzo was named A-10 Coach of the Year after guiding the Patriots to their first regular season title, finishing 13-4-1 overall and 6-1-1 in A-10 play—their best conference finish—and earning them a top seed in the A-10 Championship. Men’s basketball Head Coach Tony Skinn was named A-10 Coach of the Year after leading the team to a share of its first-ever regular season A-10 conference title, a program-tying 27 wins,
- Mason Korea partners with Incheon City to advance K-content developmentMason Korea partners with Incheon City to advance K-content development Katarina Benson Body Mason Korea recently hosted the inaugural iDesign Seminar: K-Content in collaboration with Incheon City. The event brought together academic, government, and industry leaders to explore strategies for strengthening Korea’s cultural content sector. It was supported by Incheon Metropolitan City, Incheon Tourism Organization, Hanwha Corporation, and SM C&C. During the seminar, Mason Korea announced plans to establish a K-Content Research Center, which will provide academic and policy support for “K-con-land,” a new Korean-content hub initiative led by the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZ). K-Content Seminar panelists. Photo provided The event opened with a congratulatory address from Joshua Park, campus dean of Mason Korea. The first session, under the theme “Decode,” featured K-pop expert Gyu Tag Lee, an associate professor of global affairs at Mason Korea who presented on the growth of K-content from a discourse analysis perspective. This was followed by the “Deploy” session, which included case presentations by four industry practitioners—Bomin Seo (Incheon City), Song Jae Lee (SM C&C), Taehyun Kim (Incheon Tourism Organization), and Beom-seok Moon (Hanwha)—who shared real-world insights on policy, branding, tourism, and content innovation. The experts shared their thoughts on the global potential of K-content, best practice case studies, and concrete policy ideas to help position Incheon as a global content hub. In the final session, Lee moderated a panel discussion on how Incheon can drive K-content creation. Mason Korea students also contributed thoughtful questions during the Q&A session, sparking further dialogue. “The Korean Wave, or Hallyu—which refers to the globalization of K-culture and K-content—has already spanned nearly 30 years,” said Lee. “It began with the popularity of Korean dramas in Chinese-speaking regions and has since expanded to K-pop and the broader realm of Korean media and culture. Now is the time to envision the future of K-culture and K-content. This requires not only strong central government support but also regional efforts to develop K-content.” “Mason Korea has long engaged in research and education on Hallyu, the K-pop music industry, K-games, and public diplomacy, involving experts from various fields,” said Park. “The K-Content Research Center, to be launched this year, will work closely with Incheon City to develop local content discourse, advance academic research, promote programs, and nurture future talent.” He added, “This seminar serves as a model of university-industry-government cooperation and a meaningful starting point for shaping the future of K-content. Mason Korea will continue to expand research and education collaborations with domestic institutions, businesses, and universities to play a trusted role as a global gateway contributing to the development of Korea’s K-content industry.”Related Stories Mason Korea graduates Class of 2025 June 24, 2025 Mason Korea partners with Incheon City to advance K-content development June 9, 2025 Mason Korea hosts record-breaking digital art competition June 5, 2025 Mason Korea undergrads publish research in international environmental journal June 2, 2025 George Mason and Fairfax City leaders visit Korea to advance entrepreneurship May 20, 2025 Topics Topics Mason Korea Campus News partnerships