About Clarence J. Robinson
(1897-1983, In Memoriam) Clarence J. Robinson was a successful Northern Virginia businessman who had a keen interest in George Mason’s mission to educate the citizens of Northern Virginia. Robinson joined the George Mason College Advisory Board in 1964, and served as its chairman until 1970, while also making generous donations to the school, including some real estate property in the early 1970s. In 1975 George Mason University’s Academic II building was renamed Clarence J. Robinson Hall in his honor. Robinson Hall served Mason well and was replaced by Horizon Hall in January 2021. Robinson passed away in 1983, and his will stipulated that half of his estate was to be given to George Mason University. However, just before his death Robinson made clear that he had specific plans for how the money was to be used. He wished for it to be spent on quality faculty members and not buildings. Robinson believed that when the university had exceptional faculty members the buildings would follow.
Dr. George W. Johnson, who was then president of George Mason University, agreed with Robinson and instituted the Clarence J. Robinson Professors program in 1984. George Mason University’s Clarence J. Robinson Professors are outstanding scholars who are dedicated to undergraduate teaching and whose teaching and scholarship concern broad and fundamental intellectual issues. They have chosen to come to George Mason University from senior positions elsewhere to become closely involved with the education of undergraduate students. Follow the link for more information about the History of the Robinson Professors
