Bayley Frederick Mason (b.1929), the son of Herbert P. and Ethel P. Mason was born in Lynn, Massachusetts. He received his B.A. from Harvard in 1951 cum laude and attended Harvard Law School for a year before being called to active duty in the U.S. Naval Reserve during the Korean War.

            In 1954, Mason married Wellesley College graduate, Edith Elizabeth Harwood; and this marriage produced three children, Beverly (b. 1956), Stephen (b. 1959) and Christopher (b. 1964).  In addition to being wonderful companion and mother, his wife, Edith, played an active role socially throughout his career as well.

            Mason returned to Harvard in 1956 and studied in the Graduate School of Public Administration, prior to joining the Harvard Defense Studies Program as research assistant.  From 1957-1960 he was research associate and project director with the Boston management consulting firm of Harbridge House, Inc.

            Harvard beckoned again in 1960 when Mason became an assistant manager of the Program for Harvard Medical School.  Mason was the chief assistant to the program manager and director of public relations.  Professionally Mason prospered in this environment--growing from an assistant to the dean of Resources in 1965, to assistant dean in 1966 and, finally, to associate dean in 1969.

            In 1971, Mason accepted the position of the Administrative vice-president under Oberlin College President Robert W. Fuller (b. 1936).  Mason's eastern connections, along with his mainstream, friendly and practical manner probably made him an ideal appointee in this newly restructured post in the college administration.  His responsibilities included the generation and management of college resources and the supervision of administrative operations of the business office, development and public relations, and the coordination of these with alumni affairs.

            Following Robert Fuller's (b.1936) announced resignation as President in the fall of 1973 and the naming of Ellsworth C. Carlson (b. 1917) as Acting President in 1974, Mason resigned and accepted a position as Vice President for Resources at Boston University.  Mason, his wife, Edith E. Harwood, and their three children now reside in Boston, Massachusetts.