The Patriot Lodge U.D. A.F. & A.M.
Fairfax, Virginia
The Patriot Lodge U.D. was issued a dispensation by Most Worshipful William Earle Rorer, Jr. on September 28, 2010. The Patriot Lodge is the first Academic Lodge in Virginia, being located at George Mason University. An Academic Lodge focuses its membership on students, faculty, staff, and alumni. However, any Master Mason in good standing is welcome to affiliate with The Patriot Lodge.
Most Worshipful William Earle Rorer, Jr. appointed as first officers:
Jon V. Shelton, PM Worshipful Master
Christopher Chrzanowski, Senior Warden
Mark Dreisonstok, PM Junior Warden
The Patriot Academic Lodge:
The Patriot Lodge requires that all non-Masons (those petitioning for degrees) have GMU affiliation (student, faculty, staff, alumni) for three main reasons
To preserve and focus mission of the Lodge over time so it doesn’t drift into becoming another regular Lodge competing for general membership
To protect other local Lodges (Henry & Acacia) from direct competition for all candidates
Helps us leverage GMU for membership outreach and to build a partnership with them as part of the GMU community
We expect petitioners to cover the gamut, from President to janitor, black, white, degree, non-degree, life-long learners, etc.
Any regular Master Mason in good standing is welcome to join via affiliation
Background:
In Fall of 2008 several GMU students expressed interest in having Masonry on-campus
Considered establishment of a GMU Masonic club under Student Organizations or even a chapter in the Acacia Fraternity
Took note of the “Academic Lodge” concept at Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge – and most recently – The Colonial Lodge at George Washington University
Decided that time & effort would be best spent in the long-term to create an Academic Lodge and pursue a partnership with GMU
Freemasonry is a place of learning and is therefore a natural companion for a university