Mason Mourns the Loss of Mathematics Instructor Ermias Kassaye
Ermias Kassaye spent three short years at George Mason University, but the impact he made is profound and lasting. The flowers at his office door and the outpouring of love from his students and colleagues are a testament to the lives he touched and how deeply he will be missed.
Ermias' journey was one of dedication and global pursuit. Born in Ethiopia, he earned his Master’s in Physics at Addis Ababa University before moving to South Africa to complete an MS in Applied Mathematics at the University of Cape Town in 2015. His interest in physics and math was inspired by his father and his teachers. When he moved to the United States, he brought that same quiet determination with him. He was incredibly proud to have recently received his permanent residency—a milestone he spoke of with deep gratitude, reflecting his appreciation for the opportunities he found here.
After teaching at several local schools and community colleges, Ermias joined Mason as full-time faculty in 2022. He was a versatile educator, teaching courses ranging from quantitative reasoning to calculus and statistics. Beyond the classroom, he was a visionary, serving as a Director of our Mathematics Summer Bootcamp. This program, which he helped develop to support students struggling with mathematics, even caught national attention, featuring Ermias in the Associate Press and several other media outlets.
As a person, Prof. Kassaye was reserved, yet he possessed a warmth that drew people in. Everyone who knew him felt the strength of his character and his unwavering commitment to his students. He truly cherished being part of our departmental and campus community, always eager to step up and help. He had recently moved closer to campus and was truly happy in his life here. His friends knew him as an avid darts and ping pong player. In an earlier interview, when asked about a quote that inspires him, Ermias chose Dorothy McCall’s words: “One cannot have wisdom without living life."
His legacy lives on through his students. One shared: “Professor Kassaye helped me find confidence in myself and my convictions. I no longer think I’m doomed as an engineer or doomed with mathematics. It is amazing how much can change in just three months with a professor who genuinely cares.”
Another student noted that he had a "rare gift for making students feel seen, encouraged, and capable." His kindness and enthusiasm created a space where everyone felt they belonged.
Ermias was an inspiration to us all. While he is no longer with us, the confidence he instilled in his students and the kindness he showed his colleagues will remain.
Rest in peace, Professor Kassaye.
Anyone interested in supporting Ermias Kassaye’s legacy can make a donation to the Math Department Scholarship fund at this link. Please put Ermias Kassaye in the comment field. Thank you!
