Retiring Faculty Leave Lasting Impact on the College of Science

Dr. Geoff Birchard  has been an exceptional colleague over the last 35 years at Mason.  His primary focus has always been to serve the student body and support his colleagues – and he has been incredibly successful in this endeavor.  His research centered on the study of vertebrate and insect cardiorespiratory and developmental physiology, and in particular the relationship between gas exchange and growth rates earned him worldwide recognition. He also made a significant impact on the University through his service including University foundational committees like the Long Range Planning Committee, and serving as a program officer at the National Science Foundation in the Division of Integrative Biology and Neuroscience. Geoff has been an integral and essential part of the Department of Biology throughout its many guises over the last 35 years, and we will miss not seeing him everyday.

 -Geraldine Grant, Chair, Department of Biology

Professor Geller is synonymous with astronomy at Mason.  In addition to making many contributions in the development of the astronomy degree programs at Mason and being a well-loved instructor for his astronomy courses over the past three decades, Dr. Geller was instrumental in establishing the GMU Observatory, the largest on-campus telescope on the East Coast. The GMU Observatory is the singular educational and research tool on campus for our undergraduate and graduate students interested in astronomy and astrophysics. Dr. Geller’s contribution to the GMU Observatory and the astronomy program at Mason simply cannot be overstated.

 -Paul So, Chair, Department of Physics and Astronomy

Patty Granfield was a fixture in the Mathematics Department for decades, first as a student, then as an instructor and advisor.  For years she was in charge of student advising in the Honors Program and worked closely with the Dean of that program, helping countless students thrive and achieve the academic success and recognition they deserved.  She was an excellent teacher, thoughtful and patient, and much sought after by other faculty members for advice.  She was always a pleasure to interact with and she will be sorely missed.

-David Walnut, Chair, Department of Mathematical Sciences

John Kulesza was an outstanding colleague in the Department of Mathematical Sciences for more than 30 years.  His research in Set Theoretic Topology helped make George Mason the premier institution doing research in this area.  He was an excellent teacher and advisor and helped contribute to the life of the department in many ways.  His friendly demeanor and willingness to contribute to the work of the department in any way he could helped cement the reputation of the department as a friendly, pleasant place to work and to do mathematics.

-David Walnut, Chair, Department of Mathematical Sciences

Dr. Larry Rockwood’s time at Mason has touched the lives, careers and hearts of many.  We are honored or have been his colleagues, awed by his expertise, and calmed by his steady leadership. He embodies Douglas MacArthur’s vision of a great leader as one who “has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent."

In his more than 40 years at Mason, Larry helped shaped and define the Biology curriculum as both an educator and chair of the Department. He was the driving force behind the reformation of the Department in 2014, and the chief engineer of its current new wave of success. He has been the recipient of numerous University and College awards including the David King Award in 2014 and the College of Science Lifetime Achievement Award 2019.  His outstanding research on population and tropical ecology, and plant-animal interactions has brought him support from NASA and the Department of the Navy (Quantico Marine Base) to track movements and behavior of black ducks, and the population ecology and genetics of canids.  He is an outstanding colleague, and an extremely hard act to follow.

-Geraldine Grant, Chair, Department of Biology