Charlie Joyce served as chair of the Dean's Advisory Board from 2009 to 2018.
The Volgenau School of Engineering lost a great friend, supporter, and advocate when Charles C. Joyce passed away on Monday, November 25. Joyce’s contributions to George Mason University, the Northern Virginia community, and the nation were immeasurable. His advocacy and friendship spanned decades and affected many.
"Charlie’s unique combination of boundless technical knowledge, lifetime leadership experience, and laser-focused commitment to our success had a significant impact on important VSE initiatives during a time of extraordinary growth," said Dean Ken Ball. "His gracious mentorship and sage counsel will be missed."
Joyce was one of a distinguished group of senior executives who serve on the Dean's Advisory Board, most recently acting as the board's chair. He also served Mason for four years as president of what is now the Friends of the Center for the Arts at George Mason University, followed by four years as chairman of the Arts at Mason Board, the advisory board to the College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Born in Brooklyn, NY in 1934, Joyce spent his early years in Manhasset, NY and entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1952 as a Grumman Scholar, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering. A Distinguished Military Graduate of the ROTC program, he served as a Signal Officer in the Army Reserves for eight years reaching the rank of Captain. In 1961 he was selected for a scholarship program by the Mitre Corporation and in 1963 was awarded a master’s degree in industrial management at MIT’s Sloan School of Management.
Joyce played leadership roles in high technology from the very earliest stages of online computing and communications. He began his career at the Mitre Corporation in Bedford, Mass., planning for the application of integrated computer-communications technologies to military command and control functions. During the following decades, he held leading positions in industry and government. In 1979, Joyce co-founded and became president of Network Strategies Incorporated, a consulting firm established to assist corporations and governments at all levels to plan for the adoption of new and rapidly evolving technologies supporting data communications, where Joyce served as a lead partner until 1991.
Visitation of the family will be held at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home on Braddock Road in Fairfax, December 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral service will be at Church of the Good Shepard on Braddock Road in Fairfax at 10 a.m. December 7. Donations to the Charlie Joyce Scholarship Fund may be made in his honor. Please contact Michele Brumsey (mbrumsey@gmu.edu) for details.