What do Michael Jordan, Barry Sanders, and Bo Jackson all have in common with president Ronald Mason, Jr.? 

Like our beloved president Mason, these men all retired at the top of their game. This is a tribute to the "best president at the best university in the world."

When president Mason was appointed in 2015, Firebird Nation was in a very different place. We were searching for stability, respect, and pride. President Mason positively transformed our university, our programs, our image, our students, and our alumni. 

Firebird Nation will forever be defined as the period before Mason and the period after Mason. Recently, president Mason said it is a "good time to think about the next adventure." But, we are not ready to hang his jersey in the rafters. We much rather have him return to lead Firebird Nation to several more victories.

This is a tribute to the king of Firebird Nation!

The successful Equity Imperative centered on the university's mission to create pathways to the middle-class for District of Columbia residents.

President Mason's accomplishments are too numerous to list. Here are some amazing highlights that he led with his team:

(1) Guided the university through a global pandemic;

(2) Received the largest private donation in UDC's history;

(3) Grew College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) footprint across the District;

(4) Established the DC UP scholarship and UDC president scholarship;

(5) Established a new Cybersecurity degree program;

(6) Tripled research grants;

(7) Expanded the physical footprint of the Van Ness campus;

(8) Strengthened partnerships with ANCs and Van Ness Main Street;

(9) Launched the DAWN program at Anacostia High School; and

(10) Re-established the UDC National Alumni Society.