Mason named VP of Development

Thomas Mason, Department Head of Masters of Science in Engineering Management and Professor of Economics, has been appointed to the position of Vice-President of Development. The Rose Thorn recently sat down with him to ask of the details of his position.

The development office is involved with finding financial resources for the students and the school, and Mason, as the new vice president, is in charge of overseeing the department. Mason believes his position will benefit students since his goals are to bring in more financial aid, facilities and services for the students. He described his new position as very stimulating and enjoyable.

“Alumni, friends, and corporations need to be informed of the good things at Rose, the needs we have, and the ways to help meet those needs,” explained Mason. He mentioned that the financial requirements of the school require many resources, including endowments, which generate income for scholarships and other expenses. The school also receives gifts for facilities and donations from alumni, such as Hatfield Hall, which was a gift from Michael and Deborah Hatfield.

Other vice-presidents suggested Mason would make a good interim vice-president while the search committee continued looking for someone to fill the permanent position. On his feelings towards the new president, he wants to “help him start taking the campus to the next level. Make it easier for [Jakubowski] to do his job in leading [Rose] to a new area of excellence.” Asking how he felt about having the vice-president position as well being a professor, he said that it is very difficult and he has to juggle priorities everyday. He feels that the biggest problem is that he is not readily accessible to the students, but he suggests being persistent to get into contact.

He showed a strong appreciation for the Rose campus and everything the school provides for the students. “[I like the] consistent focus on the personal development of everybody connected here, especially students.” He likes the community of faculty and staff that are concerned about one another.

“The second is emphasis on excellence,” commenting on an additional aspect he likes about Rose. He explains that this encourages students to keep striving for high goals. Mason’s mission is to “get all graduates to think like entrepreneurs.” He feels that the roles he has been in can be used in classes, and to emphasize points for students to learn which helps motivate them.

Mason has been an economics professor since he graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1972 with a Ph.D. in economics. Over the last 34 years of service to the Rose community, Mason has been the department head of humanities for eight years and the vice-president of administration for nine years. He is one of the founders of Rose-Hulman Ventures and he developed the engineering management department, where he currently is the department head.

In his free time, Mason enjoys walking everyday and is an automotive enthusiast. He especially likes automobile racing, especially the Indy 500 and the Brickyard. He takes a strong interest in the technology of the Grand Prix, since a lot if it is developed by Engineers. In addition, when he can find free time, he enjoys reading everything from non-fiction to fiction, as well as three daily newspapers and magazines.