Fuse at Mason Square powers research and innovation through collaboration

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George Mason University celebrated Fuse at Mason Squarewith the same collaborative spirit that will fuel decades of innovation at the state-of-the-art facility in Arlington, Virginia. Hundreds of representatives from industry, academia, government, and the community came together for the grand celebration at Fuse on Thursday, which included Governor Glenn Youngkin speaking at the ribbon cutting for the Energy Exploration (E2) Center.

"Igniting a fuse signifies the moment where possibility transforms into inevitability," George Mason President Gregory Washingtonsaid during the main program celebration that culminated the grand opening event. "It's that razor-thin instant where preparation meets decision and hesitation gives way to action. What we have done today is strike that initial flame. And that initial flame is a declaration that the future will no longer be passive. It will unfold because you dare to set it in motion."

Fuse, which anchors the Arlington Innovation Corridor that runs from Rosslyn to Ballston, is a "a factory of dreams, factory of ideas," said Takis Karantonis, chair of the Arlington County Board. Fuse will house research and economic opportunities in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, power/energy, Next G communications, nuclear small reactor control systems, and data center engineering.

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Much of that work will support the university's Grand Challenge Initiative. In addition, Mason Enterprisewill support thousands of entrepreneurs in tech and other fields on their path to commercialization and adoption of their ideas and inventions.

Washington singled out several key figures in the completion of the Fuse project, including College of Engineering and Computingdean Ken Ball; Liza Wilson Durant, associate provost for strategic initiatives and community engagement; and Mason Innovation Partners, a development consortium led by Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate. The event also included acknowledgment of the key role philanthropy plays at George Mason, giving thanks to Kimmy Duong and Long Nguyen, whose names grace Virginia's first School of Computing.

"We are celebrating more than a building," said Trishana E. Bowden, vice president of advancement and alumni relationsand president of the George Mason University Foundation. "We are celebrating a bold vision come to life, a place where ideas, partnerships, opportunities will shape our future. So consider this an open invitation. Partner with us, invest with us. Help us ensure that the energy we celebrate today continues to inspire generations of thinkers, doers, and leaders."

Ball said that 44 engineering and computing faculty have moved into their offices at Fuse and are setting up their labs, and 120 PhD students are there as well. Hundreds of students are already enrolled in classes at Fuse, where there are labs for robotics and autonomous systems, virtual reality, power engineering, networking, cybersecurity, and other innovative pursuits. With Fuse fully open, every school and college at Mason now has a presence at Mason Square.

From left, Vice President Trishana E. Bowden, Long Nguyen, Kimmy Duong, President Gregory Washington, and Dean Ken Ball at the Grand Celebration for Fuse at Mason Square. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

"You'll see the best minds in higher education and private industry together tackling some of society's toughest ethical and technical challenges," George Mason Board of Visitors Rector Charles "Cully" Stimsonsaid. "And most importantly, you'll see our students gaining the kinds of hands-on experience that will carry them into the workforce ready to lead."

Ball was one of multiple speakers to thank the university's philanthropists, including Kimmy Duong and Long Nguyen, who gave a $20 million gift to establish the state's first School of Computingin their name. Duong and Nguyen also provide scholarships to students at George Mason and other colleges and universities in the Washington, D.C., region through the Kimmy Duong Foundation.

One scholarship recipient is Rakibul Alam, an Honors Collegestudent in the Costello College of Business. Alam has served in Student Government and as a student ambassador at the business school, launched a startup called Project Hope to improve the availability of menstrual health products in Bangladesh, and studied abroad in Morocco and India. Alam also is president of Mason Consulting Groupand interned with the Department of the Navy and KPMG.

"The generosity of our donors, including the Kimmy Duong Foundation, has not only helped me with the financial challenges of tuition, books, and living expenses, but has also help me accomplish my dream of a global education," Alam said in thanking Duong and Nguyen, telling them, "You are changing lives and creating a generation of students who will be giving back. You are making this world a better place. And I hope that I can be part of that change and to represent you well."

The Fuse celebration included the dedication and ribbon cutting of the Energy Exploration (E2) Center, the largest small modular reactor (SMR) control room simulator of its kind in the country, and one of 11 in the world.

E2, in partnership with NuScale Power Corporation, will provide students with opportunities to learn on the latest technology to become leaders and innovators in the sustainable energy workforce, a shared vision among higher education, government and industry.

Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank funded E2 as part of the Virginia Department of Energy's investments in the state's nuclear energy workforce development.

"You all are about to engage in a step function change in your ability to understand the power of nuclear power," Youngkin said, singling out the students and faculty in attendance at the dedication on the seventh floor of Fuse. "Because you're no longer going to be reading about SMRs. You're no longer going to wish that you could work on one. You are going to be able to walk into that room….and do something incredible, which is prepare yourself for an extraordinary career.

"We have a collective moment to celebrate, a collective moment to say this is a step that we will all remember that the workforce of the future in order to drive the power of the future was right here at George Mason University."

Glenn Davis, BA Economics'93, is the state's energy director. He joined Youngkin, Washington, and NuScale Chief Commercial Officer Clayton Scott at the dedication.

"George Mason University has been an exceptional partner building curriculum, recruiting talent, and opening this space to educators, local leaders, and the public. It's the right capacity and capability in the right place at the right time," Davis said.

At a VIP reception that preceded the E2 event, Washington thanked several groups for their involvement in Fuse, including the President's Innovation Advisory Council, which includes representatives from industry, community, and government.

Washington specifically cited Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, for the extensive role he has played in championing Fuse and lifting technological innovation in Northern Virginia, including attracting Amazon HQ2 to the region.

"His efforts to drive economic growth, jobs, and investment across Northern Virginia has been recognized and championed all throughout the country," Washington said. "He has been a huge supporter of us, putting George Mason literally at the center of that development, and has been incredibly helpful in helping to move it forward.

"He has provided leadership and vision in shaping Fuse at Mason Square as a model for collaboration among business, government, and academia."

George Mason faculty and students presented interactive demonstrations involving drones, robots, and other tools of technological advancement.

"When the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Northern Virginia community, and George Mason University work together, there is absolutely no limit to what we can achieve and achieve together," Washington said.

Learn more about Fuse at Mason Square

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