Viewpoint: GMU, the American Dream and the battle for higher education

Gregory Washington — the current president of George Mason University, at least for now — is the embodiment of the American Dream.

When the Washington Business Journal profiled him just a year into his presidency, it painted a portrait of perseverance and promise. Born 60 years ago in Harlem, Washington was the first in his family to attend college. His father served in the Army and was often stationed overseas; his mother worked as a maid. The family eventually moved to North Carolina, where Washington attended North Carolina State University on an ROTC scholarship and later earned a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering.

Washington’s academic career began at Ohio State University, where he advanced from assistant professor to full professor in only nine years — a rare achievement in academia