Friday, Aug. 22, Raymond A. “Chip” Mason ’59, L.H.D. ’98 passed away at the age of 88. The College of William and Mary’s Mason business school was named after Mason. Mason was the founder, chairman and CEO of the Baltimore-based investment firm Legg Mason. When he stepped down from his position in 2007, Legg Mason managed over $800 billion in assets.
During his years as a student at the College, Mason was a brother in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and worked for a tour boat in historic Jamestown.
Mason was an impressive and well-respected leader in the Baltimore finance community. According to the Baltimore Banner, Legg Mason was one of the most prominent employers in the city, earning Mason the title “Mr. Baltimore.” Mason further grew his business exponentially through strategic mergers that maintained the independence of the acquired companies.
His philanthropic dedication to the College helped its school of business develop national prominence. He was not only essential to the foundation of the school in the 1960s, but he also served on the Business School Foundation Board and continuously engaged with the campus community throughout his life.
