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A record number of Mason studentathletes—332—earned the Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll distinction for the 2020–21 academic year. With the second highest number of honorees in the conference, Mason had 23 student-athletes with a 4.0 GPA and 218 with a 3.5 GPA or better. Designed to recognize excellence in the classroom, the Commissioner’s Honor Roll celebrates studentathletes with a 3.0 GPA or better.

The Marshes Say Goodbye After Many Years of Service

Jay Marsh, BS Business Administration ’73, and Carolyn Marsh are bidding adieu to George Mason University after a combined 90 years of service. But the larger-thanlife roles they played in the university’s Athletics Department are here to stay.

The couple, who officially retired on June 30—Jay as senior associate athletic director for events and facilities, and Carolyn as executive assistant for men’s basketball— have showcased their deep affinity for Mason with a $50,000 gift to the Mason men’s and women’s basketball programs as part of the team’s locker room renovations. The gift was also used to fund the creation of the men’s basketball film room, known as the Carolyn Marsh Film Room.

“We had already committed to an endowed scholarship here at the university for athletics [for] basketball,” says Jay. “We decided to take another $25,000 and donate toward the locker rooms because we knew we could get this done.”

The couple has been among the most devoted supporters of Mason Athletics since they first began working for the university. And they’ve influenced scores of lives along the way.

The Marshes first met at a country dance while Jay was finishing a two-year stint in the U.S. Army, and they married in 1967. In December 1975, Carolyn started at Mason as a sports information assistant, and eventually became the trusted executive assistant to all eight Patriot men’s basketball coaches since. She still receives calls and cards from the players.

Jay, who graduated from Mason after completing his military service, played two seasons of basketball for former coach John Linn while finishing his degree.

He followed Carolyn back to Mason in May 1976, when he began to serve as business manager while also overseeing the equipment room and facilities. His duties in the subsequent years included working as a fundraiser for the Patriot Club.

When Mason hosted the first Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) basketball tournament in 1986, Jay ran things so smoothly that the conference asked him to run future tournaments, regardless of location. He did so until Mason left the CAA in 2013.

Next up for the Marshes is spending time catching up with friends and family. But they say their love for Mason remains strong, and they plan to be regulars at many campus events, including at EagleBank Arena this basketball season in the seats Carolyn has had for years.

“We never thought it would last this long,” Jay says, “But there are a lot of great people at George Mason University.”

A New Mobile App for Patriots Fans

Developed with SIDEARM Sports, the new George Mason Patriots app features real-time news alerts, schedules, exclusive multimedia content, game day details, and more. The app is free and compatible with both iOS and Android devices.

Through the app, Patriots fans enjoy a personalized mobile experience with the ability to manage tickets, shop for official Mason merchandise, and receive breaking news and score notifications for the teams they follow. The app also features new promotional offers for fans from various Mason Athletics sponsors.

Continuing with the transition to mobile ticketing that started during the 2020–21 season, the George Mason Patriots app provides easy and secure access to purchase and manage tickets. This will mark the first time that George Mason fans can enjoy ticket functionality, including transferring tickets to friends, posting tickets for resale, and accessing their tickets for entry to upcoming events directly through the tickets tab in the app.

The app’s user-friendly interface integrates with GoMason.com to bring the latest Mason Patriots digital content right to your fingertips. Additionally, it includes links to video and audio streams of live games, in-game stats, and team social media feeds.

To download the app, visit the Apple Store or Google Play and search for George Mason Patriots.

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Q&A with Sharnnia Artis

Sharnnia Artis joined Mason on September 1 as the new vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion and chief diversity officer. Before coming to Mason, Artis served as assistant dean of access and inclusion in the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences and the Samueli School of Engineering at the University of California, Irvine, one of the most diverse engineering programs in the nation. Artis has been creating programs to improve diversity and inclusion in the engineering and computing fields for most of her career.

How did you get interested in engineering?

Growing up, I loved math and science and was good at both. In high school, I learned about a summer residential program called C-Tech2 at Virginia Tech, which is designed for high school girls who have an interest in computers and technology and want to explore what college is like. During C-Tech2, we took apart a camera and a computer—and had to put it back together. And it worked! I think that’s what hooked me. Not just the hands-on component of it, but the instant gratification of being able to solve a problem. As a Black woman who was also a first-generation college student, having access to the summer program showed me what was possible regardless of my gender, ethnicity, race, or socioeconomic status. It was also my first exposure to the field of engineering and people who looked like me as engineers. C-Tech2 changed my life in so many ways, and the lasting impact has served as a motivation for creating inclusive environments where everyone is welcomed and supported to achieve their fullest potential. Prior to coming to Mason, my responsibilities as an administrator in computing and engineering—especially with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion—had been about creating pathways for individuals from underrepresented groups. One pathway is giving them access to the university, including the campus, our students, faculty and staff, technology, and resources. I was able to do that through summer and year-round enrichment programs. I realized how important that summer program was for me. If I had not participated in C-Tech2, I probably would not be an engineer today.

What most excites you about beginning your new role at Mason?

I am excited about Mason’s vision to become a national exemplar of antiracism and inclusive excellence in action. Mason has a history of being a leader in inclusivity and access in higher education and is committed to building systems of equity to remove bias from the university’s culture. This vision energizes me and gives me the drive to be a tireless champion working with our students, faculty, staff, alumni, partners, and community. Together, we will thrive and transform lives by leading with inclusive excellence.

PHOTO PROVIDED

—Colleen Kearney Rich, MFA ’95

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21 Days to Better Understanding

With racial tension high in the United States, and the need for equity growing ever stronger, students and faculty at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School participated virtually in a 21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge in March and April.

The challenge, created by diversity expert Eddie Moore Jr., focuses on the Black American experience and is designed to advance deeper understandings of the intersections of race, power, privilege, and oppression, and guide participants in becoming more aware and engaged regarding racial equity.

“Wherever one might be in their diversity, equity, and inclusion journey, there is always a new perspective to learn,” says Jina Hwang, JD ’05, an adjunct professor and attorney for a federal agency who proposed the challenge to the school after experiencing it herself.

The challenge consists of 21 exercises, each roughly 15 to 30 minutes long, over 21 consecutive days. The exercises include articles, videos, podcasts, music, poetry, and other media that expose participants to perspectives on Black history, identity, culture, and racism. About 30 students and faculty attended.

In addition to the personal growth that comes from empathy and learning about diverse experiences, juris master student Marissa Fariña-Morse says the challenge has professional implications.

“As a mental health professional working in the criminal justice system, racism has a large impact on many of those I serve,” she says. “Providing effective mental health services can only be done by better understanding the past of this country by becoming exposed to perspectives of Black history.”

“One of the most interesting things to me was learning how to be an ally and how to respond to microaggressions,” says Scalia Law senior associate dean Alison Price. “I feel more emboldened to find a way to talk to somebody who I believe is using a microaggression and how to talk to someone who is a victim of one.”

Mason launched the challenge with a virtual screening of True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight for Equality, which follows the attorney’s struggle for racial justice with wrongfully convicted inmates on death row. Hwang facilitated virtual discussion groups for participants to share and expand upon their learnings and experiences.

“My hope is that people have a desire to learn more, and more importantly, to share that information and experience with others,” says Hwang, adding that one student brought his 14-year-old daughter to join the discussions, and others forwarded the challenge to colleagues.

The challenge speaks to Mason’s values, which view diversity as a strength.

“[Mason and Scalia Law] are part of this global community,” Price says, “And it’s time for us to think about how we can do better together.”

—Mariam Aburdeineh, BA ’13

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The University Mourns the Loss of Governor Linwood Holton

Former Virginia Governor A. Linwood Holton Jr., father of former George Mason University interim president Anne Holton, passed away on October 28. He was 98.

“Governor Holton was a giant in Virginia politics and here at George Mason,” said President Gregory Washington when Holton’s passing was announced. “With a stroke of a pen, he gave this great university its start and his leadership began a legacy of diversity and inclusion that has been and will always be central to Mason’s mission.”

Holton, who in 1972 signed the legislation that granted Mason its independence from the University of Virginia, played a leading role in integrating Virginia schools and increasing the number of women and African Americans employed in state government. He also created the Virginia Governor’s School Program.

Holton is credited for embracing desegregation at the height of the busing controversy more than a half century ago. Enrolling his children in predominately Black schools, Holton will be remembered for helping Virginia take a step away from its segregationist past as he walked his daughter Tayloe into John F. Kennedy High School in Richmond.

“As a student, I remember doing all the normal things a student would do, but with an extra sense of purpose,” said former Mason President Holton—who would go on to be Virginia’s Secretary of Education—in a previous interview. “It was the first time I can remember being a part of something bigger than myself, and the experience helped make me the person I am today.”

In addition to giving Mason its independence from the University of Virginia, Governor Holton was also responsible for providing early funding that would contribute to Mason’s growth.

Holton received the George Mason Medal in 2010, honoring his outstanding community service. The university named a plaza on the Fairfax Campus near the Center for the Arts in Holton’s honor in 2016 and has established the A. Linwood Holton Jr. Leadership Scholarship for students with excellent academic credentials who have overcome barriers to academic success, demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities, or have helped others overcome discrimination in any facet of life.

The Holton siblings released a statement in October, remembering their father’s impact on their family and the commonwealth.

“To the world, Governor Linwood Holton is known as a giant of civil rights and change. When others stood in the doorways of schools to block desegregation, our dad walked us (and bused us) to integrated schools to show the rest of the world the way of justice,” the statement said. “…But to us he was simply a great dad—a hero who helped us with our math homework, told us funny stories, and showed us the way to live committed to what is right.”

“Governor Holton lived out his beliefs in an unprecedented manner,” said President Washington. “His commitment to civil rights and inclusion and his courage to take a stand in the face of adversity created a legacy that Mason honors and strives to follow.” From left, Anne Holton, former Governor A. Linwood Holton Jr., and then President Ángel Cabrera at the dedication of Holton Plaza in 2016.

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Celebrating 40 Years of Bill Brown

This spring Bill Brown, BA Government and Politics ’80, celebrated his 40th season at the helm of George Mason University’s baseball program and his 44th season overall with the Patriots. Brown’s tenure places him among an elite group of collegiate baseball head coaches. Here are some facts about Brown: ■ A native of Vienna, Virginia, Brown played baseball at George C. Marshall High School and helped the team go to the Virginia state finals his senior year. ■ He arrived at Mason as a player in 1978 after playing at the University of Georgia and Allegany Community College. Brown was selected as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-District catcher after helping the Patriots to 36 wins his junior year. ■ After playing two seasons for the Patriots and then serving as an assistant coach for two years, Brown, then 24, was named the third coach in the baseball program’s history when Walt Masterson retired in 1981. ■ Brown was elected to the Washington, D.C., Home Plate Club Sandlot Hall of Fame and to the George C. Marshall High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006. ■ With an overall record of 1,055–1,016–7, it’s been 28 years since Brown surpassed the program’s founder, Raymond H. “Hap” Spuhler, for most wins. ■ Under Brown, the Patriots have posted a school record of 42 wins and earned an at-large bid in the 2009 NCAA tournament. Mason was nationally ranked for the first time in school history that year, ranking in the top 30 in both the National College Baseball Writer’s Association and Collegiate Baseball polls. ■ Brown’s career has spanned nearly 2,100 games. That’s more than 18,734 innings. ■ There have been only 22 head coaches in the history of Division I baseball who have coached for 40 or more years. Among active head coaches, Brown is one of only three with four decades or more of experience. ■ Brown has led Mason to the NCAA tournament in 1985, 1988, 1992, 1993, 2004, 2009, and 2014. ■ Brown recorded his 1,000th career victory on March 7, 2018, when Mason defeated Towson, 14-7, at Spuhler Field. Only 54 head coaches in the history of Division I baseball have reached that milestone. ■ Brown was honored as the Colonial Athletic Association’s Coach of the Year six times and guided the Patriots to two CAA titles. ■ Hundreds of players have benefited from the knowledge that Brown has been able to pass along over the years. Since Brown has been the head coach, 68 players have signed professional contracts after playing at Mason, with 47 players drafted and 21 players signed as free agents. A record six players were drafted from the 2009 team. Overall, six of Brown’s players have gone on to play for Major League Baseball teams.

Brown continues to pass along his love and knowledge of the game, working with community and local baseball organizations, summer camps, and coaching clinics. He and his staff actively take part in the development and promotion of baseball throughout the Northern Virginia community.

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Mason Start-Up Increases Its Footprint in Prince William County

Ceres Nanosciences, a Northern Virginia bioscience company spun out of George Mason University that specializes in diagnostic products and workflows, has opened a 12,000-square-foot advanced particle manufacturing plant in Prince William County’s Innovation Park. The new facility increases the manufacturing capacity of Ceres’s Nanotrap® Magnetic Virus Particles, which improve diagnostic testing for viruses like SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus.

The completion of the new facility also reflects the partnership between Mason and the Prince William County Department of Economic Development.

The construction of the facility, which was completed in under four months, was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics initiative to expedite the production and commercialization of diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2, the virus commonly known as COVID-19. Prince William County also supported the swift development of the site.

“It was fortunate that we had put a lot of energy into developing the technology for viral infections and released a product for it before the pandemic, not even knowing that COVID-19 would come about,” says Ceres Nanosciences CEO Ross Dunlap, who serves on the George Mason University Research Foundation board. “We were able to rapidly respond and quickly validate our technology for COVID diagnostics, which was done in partnership with Mason.”

The base technology underlying the Nanotrap® particles was created by Mason’s Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine (CAPMM). The technology was funded with a series of NIH grants.

It was then licensed to Ceres Nanosciences in 2008. Follow-on funding to advance the technology was awarded to the Ceres and Mason team by the NIH, the Center for Innovative Technology, Virginia Catalyst, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Department of Defense.

With the assistance of Mason researchers, who played a large role in efforts such as testing particles and generating data, the technology evolved into a platform that can be modified and adapted to different applications, such as infectious diseases. For example, in 2015, Mason CAPMM scientists and Ceres Nanosciences demonstrated the use of the Nanotrap® technology for the detection of Lyme disease. Today, the Lyme Borrelia Nanotrap® Antigen Test is offered by Galaxy Diagnostics, a medical laboratory that specializes in tests for flea- and tick-borne pathogens.

Ceres Nanosciences and Mason have worked together since the company’s genesis. Ceres’s first lab was on Mason’s Science and Technology Campus, and the two organizations have collaborated on numerous research projects.

“Mason has consistently been a resource that we go to when we need extra support and research power,” says Dunlap. “The researchers have a range of backgrounds that we need, from virology to microbiology to proteomics. Their areas of expertise have been critical across a lot of our development programs.”

—Katie Maney

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Mason Enterprise has been awarded a GO Virginia grant to expand its network of tech mentors. The funding will support the Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program (ICAP), a program under the Virginia Small Business Development Center Network, doubling its capacity to assist technology and innovation-driven startups across Virginia. Between 2018 and 2021, more than 600 companies across the state accessed ICAP services and went on to generate $40 million in new capital.

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Brenda Leverson, Early Identification Program participant and incoming Mason freshman, bumps elbows with Fairfax County Public Schools superintendent Scott Brabrand at the 2021 EIP Senior Graduation and Recognition Ceremony.

High School Grads Head to Mason with Scholarships, Thanks to EIP

Brenda Leverson, a first-generation college student born in Honduras, is attending George Mason University this fall on a full-tuition scholarship through Mason’s Early Identification Program (EIP). A graduate of Annandale High School, Leverson is enrolled in the Honors College and studying business administration and accounting.

“I am really happy and proud of myself for working this hard and achieving my goals,” says Leverson, who has worked part time since she was 15 to help support her family.

Leverson is one of 32 graduates from Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) who participated in EIP during the 2020–21 academic year, and one of eight FCPS students to accept partial or full scholarships to Mason. In total, 108 Northern Virginia graduating seniors participated in EIP. Of that amount, 48 have chosen to go to Mason. Twenty-eight of those students have been awarded partial or full scholarships.

“This is a special group of students,” says EIP director Khaseem Davis. “They are academically strong, socially aware, and have a good understanding of themselves. They know they have to work and sacrifice to get through hardships, and I’m so proud of them.”

EIP is an extensive outreach effort to first-generation, college-bound students in the Northern Virginia area. Established in 1987, the program is designed to help students hone their academic skills and increase their confidence, while providing access to educational resources. EIP works in seven local public school systems, including Arlington County, Falls Church City, Prince William County, and Alexandria City. The multiyear program provides mentoring, enrichment classes, and study sessions, as well as college preparation assistance and scholarships.

This past year, FCPS led in the number of EIP students receiving scholarships.

“As a district, we are grateful for the EIP partnership with Mason,” says Eileen Ruzicka, FCPS’s EIP liaison. “It has increased access and support for FCPS middle and high school students who are from populations that are historically underrepresented on college campuses, especially those who face challenges caused by poverty, racism, and lack of access to resources.”

A graduate of Fairfax High School, Stacy Maravi is attending Mason as part of the Honors College and studying bioengineering. Maravi, a University Scholar, says that EIP helped her focus and better understand the college process.

“Without EIP, I wouldn’t have gotten where I am,” says Maravi.

Muhammad Farhan Babar, a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, received a fulltuition scholarship and is also part of the Honors College. Babar says he chose Mason for its engineering program, affordability, and its diverse and welcoming community. Babar, who was born in Pakistan, credits EIP for helping him with resources when he needed them and providing him with mentors.

“Through EIP, I’ve experienced the community at Mason, and the community is great,” says Babar.

—Anna Stolley Persky

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Diversity Scholarship Golf Classic Celebrates 25 Years

When more than 100 golfers teed off on June 14 at the George Mason University Diversity Scholarship Golf Classic, they were taking part in an event that has become one of the university’s most meaningful traditions.

The golfers play to support two programs— the Early Identification Program (EIP) and the Student Transition Empowerment Program (STEP)—that exemplify Mason’s mission of access to excellence.

Since it debuted in 1995, the tournament has raised more than $700,000 to support scholarships and aid for first-generation college students. Since the tournament began, more than 220 scholarships have been awarded.

The tournament is a top fundraiser because its cause is so strong, according to Angela Moody, chair of the University Life Advisory Board, which puts on the event. “Our generous sponsors understand that the event directly supports first-generation college students.”

Founded in 1987, EIP supports the academic, career, and personal development of firstgeneration college-bound students. Each year EIP accepts a new class of rising eighth graders from seven school districts in Northern Virginia. Students “graduate” from the program after their senior year in high school. With its 2020 class, EIP saw 96 percent of students enroll in college. More than 200 EIP alumni currently attend Mason.

The Student Transition Empowerment Program helps many of these same students succeed once they are accepted at Mason. STEP provides a summer bridge model, which hosts more than 50 students each year to live on campus, take courses together, and receive mentorship support.

Funds raised through the golf classic are often the key to helping students who may struggle to make ends meet. Each year, EIP director Khaseem Davis sees Mason students who need funds to close the tuition gap.

“We are able to get students the assistance they need when they need it,” Davis says.

Last year’s tournament—the 25th—was cancelled due to the pandemic; however, volunteer organizers rallied to bring the event back in 2021, better than ever, in celebration of the anniversary.

Sandy Spring Bank, the tournament’s title sponsor for the past decade, and the dedicated volunteers from University Life’s Advisory Board and staff are the engines behind the tournament’s success. The volunteers recruit local corporations, small businesses, and individuals to sponsor and play in the tournament.

“A big thank you goes to everyone who takes the time to come play and who puts the tournament together,” says Davis. “They do this because of their affinity for Mason and their love of the students—and wanting to help provide those students the opportunities they need to succeed.”

—Rob Riordan, MPA ’19 Above, President Gregory Washington chats with Mason alumna and Virginia House of Delegates majority leader Charniele Herring, BA Economics ’93. Below, Washington and Herring with EIP students.

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Scholarship Gift Will Help Future Dancers

School of Dance professor Elizabeth “Buffy” Price and her husband, Mike Brown, have established a scholarship endowment to help recruit dance students to George Mason University’s highly regarded program.

The couple’s gift is a generous culmination to a remarkable 30-year career at Mason for Price, who retired this year. A dancer and choreographer, Price arrived at Mason in 1991 as an adjunct professor in the Dance Department. When the School of Dance was established in 2010, she served as its founding director until 2013.

In 2017, Price became the first faculty member from the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) to receive the David J. King Teaching Award for her career contributions— the highest honor a Mason faculty member can receive.

Recognizing dancers as athletes, Price established an athletic training position, one of only six in the nation, dedicated to providing full-time support for dance majors.

She was also a key member of the architectural design team for the de Laski Performing Arts Building on the Fairfax Campus, creating the top-notch dance facilities that have helped raise the profile of Mason’s program.

“Buffy’s commitment to, and passion for, the School of Dance are seen in every aspect of our program,” says School of Dance director Karen Reedy, BFA Dance ’95, MFA ’09, who announced the gift in March at the annual Mason Dance Gala. “She brings elegance, generosity, and excellence to everything she touches, and her impact is reflected throughout our School of Dance curriculum and philosophy.”

Brown, an attorney, has also been instrumental in supporting Mason Dance as an advisor, advocate, patron, and fundraiser. A member of the Arts at Mason Board since 2002 (and the past chair), Brown was part of a small circle that helped form the board, and later the Dance Partnership Council, where he is also a member.

For Price and Brown, both of whom benefited from student scholarships, the affirmation that scholarship support provides to a young dancer is evident.

“I was supported through scholarships when I was at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, and it absolutely changed my world that someone believed in me enough to support my education,” Price says.

With its focus on contemporary and modern dance, Mason’s School of Dance admits only about 20 students per year, many from out of state.

“Our school remains small, intentionally so,” Price says. “But we knew we could grow in excellence, and so the trajectory of the program has been to recruit these highly intelligent and talented students to enter the world of dance.”

“Scholarships are essential to attract and retain the most talented students, and Buffy and Mike are leading by example through this generous gift,” says Susan Graziano, director of development for CVPA.

PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER BOBO

—Rob Riordan, MPA ’19

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MEET THE

MASON NATION

PHILIP WILKERSON Job: Industry Advisor, University Career Services

Like many of the faculty and staff who work at Mason, Philip Wilkerson, MEd Counseling and Development ’12, started out as a student, first coming to the university to pursue his master’s degree. But his time as a student quickly segued into full-time employment as he found himself growing more and more involved with the Mason community. In his position at University Career Services, he specializes in advising students who are hoping to pursue employment in creative fields, from the performing or visual arts to events management and tourism.

ALL IN A DAY’S WORK: An average day for Wilkerson includes one-on-one appointments with students going over job search strategies and sometimes offering classroom presentations explaining the resources that Career Services offers. “I also connect with employers to support their recruitment efforts by developing unique programming to attract Mason talent.”

ADVISING STUDENTS DURING A PANDEMIC: Many of the industries where Wilkerson’s students are seeking employment were brought to a standstill during the pandemic. “I try to emphasize to these students [that] your major has given you transferrable skills in other areas,” he says of these conversations. “It’s about being optimistic for the future. I have been surprised by how creative students have been during this time and [how they] learned technology so fast. I am also inspired by their resiliency.”

FAVORITE STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES: “I have too many success stories to call one my favorite,” Wilkerson says. “I keep all my positive emails and notes in a folder. I call it my ‘Good News Folder.’ I also have thank-you notes behind my desk at work that I can look at to help motivate me throughout the day.”

ON GIVING BACK: “My favorite part about working at Mason is that I grew up in this area, and I feel like I am giving back to the community. I love when I meet students who went to local high schools. It makes me feel like I am helping a younger version of myself.”

BROADCASTING POSITIVITY: Wilkerson additionally hosts a podcast, Positive Philter, that he started prior to coming to Mason. “I just wanted an outlet to share positive and uplifting stories,” he says. “I get to connect with others and learn new things by hosting the show.” It also turns out to be a way to practice what he preaches to his students: “It’s a great way to network with others. I’ve made a lot of new friends through podcasting.”

—Priyanka Champaneri, BA ’05, MFA ’10

In October, Gregory Washington was formally invested as Mason’s eighth president with a ceremony and a week of activities.

BY PRESTON WILLIAMS PHOTOS BY RON AIRA, SHELBY BURGESS, EVAN CANTWELL, AND SIERRA GUARD

Declaring “It’s Mason’s time,” George Mason University president Gregory Washington laid out ambitious plans for the university at his Investiture and, in a moving close to his remarks, dedicated his presidency to Mason students.

“I want you to know that I see you,” Washington said, speaking directly to students in the audience at EagleBank Arena on October 21 and others tuning in to the event on GMU-TV. “I honor you. And I dedicate my presidency to you.”

Washington added, “I have lived, grown, and ultimately worked my way to this podium facing many of the obstacles you have. I know your journey because I am your journey. As I stand here, I am a living testament to the places your journey can take you.”

Before Washington’s remarks capped the nearly two-hour ceremony, Mason rector Jimmy Hazel, JD ’84, presented Washington with the Presidential Medallion, which signifies the investiture of a new Mason leader.

At the outset of the event, Washington entered the arena with his wife, Nicole, as the Green Machine blasted the Temptations’ “Get Ready.” The fasten-your-seatbelt anthem foreshadowed Washington’s speech, a bold vision that includes “rescuing our future” to ensure a healthy planet, healthy people, healthy economies, and healthy societies.

“It is our job to conduct research to find solutions to our overlapping grand challenges— and to educate students to solve them,” Washington said.

He added that Mason is well positioned to be a national exemplar of anti-racism and inclusive excellence because the university population currently looks like what America will look within this decade—with no ethnic group comprising more than 50 percent of the population. Additionally, Mason boasts success at achieving comparable graduation rates by students regardless of racial or ethnic status.

“Who’s better to lead?” Washington asked. “An institution with diversity integrated at its core? Or one that predominantly serves one [ethnic] group? One that already looks like America’s future? Or one that looks like its past?

“I contend to you, it’s Mason’s time.” Above, left to right, student musicians in Mason’s Wind Symphony played during the ceremony’s processional and National Anthem. College of William and Mary president Katherine Rowe was one of the featured speakers. Virginia House of Delegates majority leader Charnielle Herring, BA Economics ‘93, hosted the ceremony. Below, student leaders processed into EagleBank Arena bearing banners that represented each of Mason’s colleges and schools.

Top, left and right,President Washington addressed faculty, staff, and students on the Science and Technology Campus. Right,Washington talked to students at SciTech. Below, from left, an Investiture celebration with Mason Korea on Zoom and in person.The Korean -American Student Association performed a song for Dr. Washington.President Washington shared his goals for Mason Korea.

Other highlights of Washington’s speech included calling for the establishment of a Mason-led medical school focused on clinical training that would be located on the Science and Technology Campus, and becoming the ultimate “Point B” institution for students pursuing a degree or needing help starting a business.

“We are not just in the knowledge and degree business,” Washington said. “We are in the success business. No matter where your ‘Point A’ is, we will get you to your ‘Point B.’”

Charniele Herring, BA Economics ’93, majority leader in the Virginia House of Delegates, served as host of ceremonies. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, and many government officials and higher education leaders from throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia provided congratulatory greetings by video, including a message from Governor Ralph Northam.

“Around our commonwealth, we have admired how you have guided Mason through a challenging period in your first 18 months on the job,”

Northam said. “We’re proud to have you leading our state’s largest, most diverse public university, and we know that Mason will continue to grow and prosper under your leadership.”

College of William and Mary president Katherine Rowe also spoke of Washington’s rapid emergence as a state higher education leader, noting that the job he accepted in February 2020 was a different job than the one he inherited July 1 of that year.

COVID-19, the historic economic fallout of the pandemic, and the national racial justice reckoning following the murder of George Floyd forced Washington to revise his plans and priorities.

“In that intense time of partnership, you come to really discover who the people are who you’re working with,” Rowe said. “This is who I know you have as your new president—someone who is resourceful and creative, who’s laser-focused on mission, whose integrity shines through in every challenge that comes his way.”

Washington welcomed the two former Mason presidents represented at the event—Ángel Cabrera, who served as Mason president from 2012 to 2019 and is now president of Georgia Tech, and Eric Merten, representing his late father, Alan Merten, who served as Mason president from 1996 to 2012. Washington also thanked his predecessor, Anne Holton, who served as interim president the year before Washington arrived.

The event was one of both vision and reflection. Washington, a firstgeneration college graduate who grew up in Harlem, New York, recalled how his mother, Elouise Chisolm, worked multiple jobs to support her family and returned to school, earning her first degree the same year Washington earned his PhD in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State.

“She is why I understand the full power of education,” Washington said.

Chisolm was present at the Investiture, as were the Washingtons’ sons, Joshua and Kaleb, and other family members.

Watch the Investiture and other events at bit.ly/gmuinvestiture. Read Washington’s remarks at bit.ly/washingtonspeech. Above, the Washingtons received a warm welcome on the Arlington Campus. Below, President Washington credited his mother, Elouise Chisolm, for helping him understand the full power of education.

The Washingtons (above) greet faculty and staff during a lunch on the Merten Hall lawn that included participants getting their portraits done (right) and some competitive games of corn hole (far right).

President Washington used the Investiture to elevate research with two faculty panels. Above, Virginia Espina, PhD Biosciences ’13, Thomas Lovejoy, and Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, and (right) Robinson Professors Hakeem Oluseyi, Spencer Crew, and Steven Pearlstein spoke on grand challenge issues. Motivational speaker Calvin Mackie (far right) spoke to student leaders (bottom right).

Far left, President Washington gives his address at the Investiture. Above, the Washingtons— Kaleb, Gregory, Nicole, and Joshua. Left, Board of Visitors rector Jimmy Hazel, JD ‘84, presented Washington with the Presidential Medallion.

We are not just in the knowledge and degree business. We are in the success business. No matter where your ‘Point A’ is, we will get you to your ‘Point B.’

—Gregory Washington

BY COLLEEN KEARNEY RICH, MFA ‘95

George Mason University students come from all 50 states and 130 countries, and they are making a difference in ways big and small.

They are students. They are teachers. They are researchers. They are advocates. Some are the first in their families to obtain a college degree; others come from a family of Patriots. But one thing they share is that they are all passionate. They

are passionate about their studies and helping

others. They aren’t content to just have a place at the table; they want to make sure others are heard, too. Here are just a few of the Mason students who are showing the world what it means to be a Patriot every day.

PHOTO BY RON AIRA

Yousif Hakeem

Junior Yousif Hakeem comes from a Mason family. His sister Danya Hakeem, BS Conflict Analysis and Resolution ’14, is an alumna, and his sister Julia is a senior majoring in biology. The community health major from Vienna, Virginia, is a member of the Theta Chi fraternity and vice president of Mason’s Volunteers Around the World (VAW) Dental Outreach chapter. In August the aspiring dentist traveled to Cusco, Peru, where he and chapter members assisted two VAW dentists and a nurse with cleanings, restorations, fillings, and extractions for almost 100 patients.

My high school had this program in which you do an internship for two weeks and then report on your experience. I decided to intern with my cousin, who is a dentist, and I instantly fell in love with the profession. I love how focused it is and how the results are instantaneous. Many people think dentistry is just teeth, but it really ties to your overall health. In Cusco, we saw a 14-year-old who had never brushed his teeth in his entire life. That was normal for them, and it was so easy to implement change—you just give out toothbrushes and floss and provide some simple lessons. In community health, you learn about preventative medicine for large groups of people. I really want to become a global health dentist. I don’t necessarily want to work in an office building. I want to travel the globe and work in underserved communities. The work we did in Peru cemented for me what I want to do for the rest of my life.”

Natalia Kanos

Hailing from Jos, Nigeria, Natalia Kanos is the new student body president. During her time at Mason, the double major in government and international politics and conflict analysis and resolution has been a resident advisor, a research assistant, a student-athlete on Mason’s rowing team, and a part of Mason’s Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Task Force.

Growing up in Nigeria and experiencing ineffective government and violence pushed me toward majors in government and conflict analysis. Being interested in politics, I knew being close to Washington, D.C., would give me the knowledge and experience I needed. My goal is to help developing countries in Africa. I want to help advise leaders to create policy that will positively help its citizens. I love the diversity at Mason, but I saw a huge lack when it came to inclusion. College is supposed to be a place where you are able to express yourself and find yourself, and I wanted everybody to be able to feel comfortable in their space. A university exists because of its students, and I want to make sure that Mason students are heard and represented.”

Austin Johnson

Musician Austin Johnson teaches orchestra to fourth, fifth, and sixth graders at two Fairfax County Public Schools. Prior to the pandemic, Johnson, who plays the viola among other instruments, performed with several ensembles and is hoping to get back into performing as things begin to re-open. He has been pursuing a master’s degree in arts management and plans to graduate in spring 2022.

Music, and the arts in general, create such an amazing community. There are several paths that you can take in the arts, and by pursuing a master’s degree, I wanted to open myself up to not only being a teacher, but to being someone who could create artistic communities outside of the classroom. A lot of us in the arts move into education or move into arts management, but we all start out as performers. We are musicians at our core. I love being a teacher, and I aim to create community for my students. In the classroom and when performing, we’re working as a team. And we’re connecting on a different level. I miss performing, and I know my students do too.”

Dorothy Hayden

Graduate student Dorothy Hayden started out her academic career at Arizona’s Pima Community College with a $1,000 scholarship. A first-generation college student with a challenging home situation, Hayden made great grades and was able to turn that initial scholarship into others, eventually securing a full ride to the University of Arizona, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in higher education. Hayden, who has worked in the career services field for more than eight years, is an industry advisor at Mason’s Career Services and is working on her third degree, a master’s in learning design technology.

I’m a low-vision student, so I have a disability. I’ve done quite a bit of research on user design and disability, and that’s something I’m considering doing for a PhD program. There’s so much research around who engages with technology and who participates—and I think that’s a reflection of who’s in the conversation. There aren’t many individuals with disabilities in the conversation, which creates disparities in who participates in training opportunities. I want to combine my knowledge of universal design, user experience, and career education to create new ways of providing career readiness training for everyone. If I had a hashtag, it would be #access. That’s what I’m passionate about. And it’s great being at Mason because I feel like I can be myself within my office and within University Life. They’re all very supportive of me and what I’m trying to do.”

Shriniwas Patwardhan

Bioengineering doctoral student Shriniwas Patwardhan was one of the winners of this year’s Three-Minute Thesis competition at Mason with his presentation, “The Senses and My Hand: An Investigation for Multisensory Feedback for Prosthetic Control.” Patwardhan, who has an electrical engineering degree from the University of Pune in his native India and an MS in electrical and computer engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara, is a graduate research assistant in Mason’s Biomedical Imaging Lab. I think that being able to communicate your work to a broad audience is almost as important as being able to do the work itself. If I have truly understood the problem at hand, I should be able to explain it to an audience with any expertise level within any given time frame. Mason offered me a chance to follow my passion of working closely with prosthetics and more broadly with all types of interesting questions in rehabilitation science. Mason’s proximity to several federal research labs in the [Washington, D.C., metropolitan] area enables students to pursue such opportunities. I decided to join my current lab within Mason because it offered me the freedom and opportunities to follow my research interests wherever they may lead me.”

LeNaya Crandall Hezel

Sociology PhD student LeNaya Crandall Hezel is a classically trained soprano who is now using her voice to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. During the tumultuous year of 2020, the military spouse and mother of three girls started NayceQuest LLC to guide organizations as they discover meaningful ways to be equitable and inclusive. She has been named a 2021 Stand-To Veterans Leadership Program Scholar with the Bush Institute and 2021 Tillman Scholar by the Pat Tillman Foundation for her work with veterans and the military community.

The original plan was that I would be working full time and going to graduate school part time. Then when COVID19 hit—I have three small children and my husband had just returned from a deployment in Djibouti—I thought, ‘How are we going to do this?’ I made the decision to step away from my fulltime job. Then George Floyd’s death happened, and I couldn’t sit on the sidelines and be like, ‘I’m just going to be a full-time student and let the rest of the world figure it out.’ When I recognized where the need and the demands for this work were, I took action.”

What Does It Mean to be aPATRIOT?

George Mason University president Gregory Washington initially posed this question in his first letter to alumni in the Summer 2020 issue of the Mason Spirit. “By definition, it is an expressed feeling of love, devotion, and sense of attachment to a particular place or way of life. There is so much more to being a patriot than the physical defense of our country, and here at Mason, we have a more expansive, more inclusive approach to patriotism,” he wrote. He suggested we “not deny the contradictions in our history, our community, and our own lives but…instead face them, embrace them, and grow honestly through them.” We asked the Mason Nation through email and social media what it means to them to be a Patriot. This is what they told us.

PERSEVERANCEand DETERMINATION. Whether

it’s a tough class, life adversity, or a college sport, these two words were the foundation of my time at Mason—and in life as well—and define what it means to be a Patriot.”

Former Mason basketball player Charles Makings, BS Public Administration ’07, is now a government consultant and CEO of his own production company. He is married to a fellow Mason alum, and they have two daughters.

TRADITION.”

Will Thomas, BS Health, Fitness, and Recreation Resources ’08, was a member of the Mason men’s basketball team that went to the Final Four in 2006. He is now a professional basketball player.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MASON ATHLETICS

TO BE A GEORGE MASON PATRIOTmeans

for me to be declarated and accomplished.”

Jai Lewis, BS Health, Fitness, and Recreation Resources ’06, was a member of the Mason men’s basketball team that went to the Final Four in 2006.

With each day I reflect more and more on how my time at the university SHAPED MY FUTURE, beginning with my soccer colleagues—my first exposure to a truly international cohort—and my experiences in student media and the Sports Information Office. I learned skills I continue to use in my career as a writer/ journalist/editor/columnist and now (irony!) as the communications director of the Schar School at Mason. Impossible to sum up in a single word, but BEING A PATRIOT MEANS MY LIVELIHOOD,

my appreciation of other cultures, and my dedication to helping the university reach ever higher. Thank you, Mason.”

Buzz McClain, BA English ’77, is the communications director for Mason’s Schar School of Policy and Government, a longtime professional rugby football referee, and a freelance journalist. Being a Patriot means being in A LARGE, EVER-GROWING FAMILY. When I lived in Alexandria, Virginia, there were always fellow Patriots locally, and it was great getting together. Having moved to the United Kingdom, I forgot what that was like until I bumped into a neighbor down our street who graduated from Mason in the early ’90s who was pleasantly surprised to see me wearing my Patriots sweatshirt. Then, oddly enough, a few weeks later [I realized] there was a fellow Patriot at work. In a city of 9 million people, still bumping into other Patriots shows the spread and reach of Mason graduates and the impact we have on the world!”

Ryan Allain, MPA ’00

As a student, I had CLASSMATES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD

and learned about other cultures. I made lifelong friends, especially through rugby. I traveled after graduation and got involved in the culinary world. I also became an independent musical artist under the name RASCATRIPA in Argentina.”

Marco Vietti, BA English ’93, lives in Argentina. It is being immersed in a world

WHERE HUMANITY STRIVES

to achieve its greatest accomplishments both of mind and spirit.”

Stacey Remick-Simkins, BA English ’88, has worked in Mason’s English Department for more than 20 years. She is one of the founding members of Mason’s Staff Senate.

A patriot is ‘one who loves and supports his or her country.’ The word was coined in 1577. In 1957, George Mason College was established. I arrived 25 years later. I completed graduate degrees and a certificate. I was a student, graduate teaching assistant, graduate research assistant, staff, part- and fulltime faculty. I watched our basketball team reach the 2006 Final Four and saw faculty awarded Nobel Prizes in 1986 and 2002. I saw thousands graduate in the Patriot Center (now EagleBank Arena) and watched an astronomical observatory rise from dust.FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS, MASON HAS

BEEN MY HOME, AND I A PATRIOT.”

Associate professor emeritus Harold Geller, MAIS ’92, DA ‘05, directed the Mason Observatory he helped build from 2007 until his retirement in 2020. He was the 2008 George Mason University Alumni Association Faculty Member of the Year. He has written books, contributed to edited volumes, and published more than 100 papers in education, astrobiology, astrophysics, and biochemistry.

Being a Patriot is like being in a BIG, SUPPORTIVE FAMILY. I’ve been a part of the Mason Nation for more than 20 years as a faculty and staff member and as a graduate. We’re colleagues, but we’re also friends who are always looking out for each other and supporting each other’s initiatives. Also, in my time in the advising community, there has always been one goal: student success.”

Assad Khan, MAIS ’11, is the associate director for undergraduate student affairs in Mason’s College of Science. During his almost 20 years at Mason, Khan helped found the Mason Academic Advisor Network, which is a support system for Mason’s advising community. He won an award for advising excellence in 2018. Also during his time at Mason, he concurrently worked as a radio DJ at two of Washington, D.C.’s biggest rock stations, 99.1 WHFS and DC 101.

Being a Patriot is a commitment to MAKING A DIFFERENCE in people’s lives and society. It is working collaboratively with others who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, but share a common purpose to innovate, and always having the grit and passion to do something that is much bigger than yourself.”

Amy Adams, BS Biology ’03, MS Chemistry ’12, is executive director of Mason’s Institute for Biohealth Innovation. The proud mother of a 7-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son, she has worked at Mason since 2002.

CREATIVE SERVICES A Mason Patriot is a member of a diverse community, with the passion to learn varied perspectives of a chosen subject. WE ARE PROBLEM SOLVERS, often accomplishing more with less resources. Patriots help each other and cheer for our fellow Patriots as they strive for success. Go Patriots!”

Jennifer Shelton, BS Public Administration ’94, is part of a family of Patriots, including her husband and daughter. She is a past president of the Alumni Association and an active Mason volunteer.

Being a fourth-generation alumnus, and the second generation to provide service to the university as an alumnus, I see the mark of my family throughout the campus ecosystem. The connection to the university is AN EXTREME POINT OF PRIDE, which also carries a strong sense of responsibility within our family. It is not just about where the university has been, but also where Mason has the potential to go.”

Raymond Wotring, BA Government and International Politics ’05, is founder and principal of Savis Data Solutions. He’s married to Amy Wotring, MPP ’11, and they have two children.

Compassion, integrity, social justice, and

COMMITMENT TO BEING A LIFELONG LEARNER

are guiding principles gained during my time as a student at Mason. While a student, I served during 9/11 as a social worker in New York City providing disaster relief services, and during the pandemic I served as a behavioral health care provider in our community. Dedication to these principles learned at Mason guides my public service work daily.”

Darcy Kim, BS Social Work ’02, MPA ’20, is a licensed clinical social worker. To have your eyes on the future, improving both commerce and society in ways that CELEBRATE OUR CULTURES, maximize our potential, and cultivate our values.”

Muoki Musau, BA Religious Studies ’12, is a realtor with Howzer LLC and lives in Leesburg, Virginia, with his wife and young son.

Being a Mason Patriot means you won’t always agree with your peers but you will gain knowledge of how others think. I saw Mason’s values in class, for diversity, LGBTQ+, BLM, free speech, women’s rights, and the importance of volunteering. I’M PROUD TO HAVE GONE TO

A SCHOOL THAT WELCOMES ALL PEOPLE

AND IDEAS.”

Midhath Syed, BA Communication ’18, is currently a graduate student in the School of Business.

Being a Patriot means that YOU ARE

WILLING TO TAKE YOURSELF OUT

OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE—whether it is in the classroom or on campus by being involved in one of the many clubs and organizations. Once enrolled in Mason you are a part of a unique and diverse community of individuals from all over, not just Virginia.”

Jasmine Young, BA Integrative Studies ’14, is a School of Business adjunct faculty member, a government contractor, and owner of two Virginia LLCs.

MASON HAS BEEN A PART OF

MY LIFE FOR 52 YEARS. I am the first of eight in my extended family to be a Mason alum, including both my children. The value of my degree from Mason stood me in good stead during my career and now, as a retiree, I continue to take classes at Mason. Go Mason Nation!”

Mark Monson, BS Biology ’74, is retired from the Virginia state government and serves as a member of the Virginia Board of Nursing.

Attending Mason was transformative and exposed me to A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY and lifelong friendships. As an undergrad, graduate student, and current employee, witnessing the evolution of the ‘school behind the trees’ has been astounding, and I know we’re just getting started.”

Janae D. Johnson, BS Psychology ’11, MAIS Higher Education ’15, is the assistant director of Mason’s University Information office, a UNIV 100 instructor, a student organization advisor, president of the Black Alumni Chapter, and a member of the Mason Alumni Association board. Outside of Mason, she is active with her sorority Delta Sigma Theta and various church ministries. Being a Patriot to me is an ever-evolving definition as the school grows, and as I grow in my career and life, the meaning continually transforms, which I love! The foundations, however, have never changed. Being a Patriot is about community, diversity, inclusion, access to excellence, commitment to each other, endless opportunities, PUTTING OTHERS ABOVE SELF, all while making a positive impact and creating a brighter tomorrow!”

After a 27-year career at Deloitte, Christine Landoll, BS Accounting ’89, MS Taxation ’92, began teaching as an adjunct faculty member in the School of Business and later joined the school in the full-time role of director of business engagement and professor of practice in 2019. She is the president-elect of the Mason Alumni Association.

I really identify with being an athlete and student and then a graduate of what was, at the time, almost exclusively a commuter school. The alums are the lifeblood of the reputation of the school, and I’d like to think I’ve done and am doing my part to advance the ever more IMPRESSIVE REPUTATION of the university.”

Former Mason baseball player Steve Kann, BA English ’85, is an investment banker, advisor, and investor. The married father of four is still playing baseball at age 57.

When I applied to law school, Mason’s law school was still young. I managed [to get] a seat in the PreAdmission Summer Trial (PAST), a unique program for those with potential but lacking perfect grades. As usual, MASON RECOGNIZED UNTAPPED POTENTIAL. I graduated from PAST at the top of the class, was admitted, and have been practicing law in Northern Virginia since 1988. Being a Patriot means everything to me—Mason gave me my career, and I continue to give back.”

Brian Drummond, JD ’88, has served as president of the Mason Alumni Association, is a Mason Society Donor, and is currently on the advisory board for both the Patriot Club and the Green Machine. He has held season tickets to Mason basketball for 34 years.

THE TREES HAVE IT

Showcasing a collection of more than 100 native and non-native trees and shrubs, the George Mason University Arboretum is located across multiple campus sites, including the Fairfax Campus, the Point of View International Retreat and Conference Center, the Potomac Science Center, and the Science and Technology Campus.

Work on the arboretum, which recently earned Level II accreditation from ArbNet—an interactive community of arboreta—began in 2015 as a collaborative project among students and faculty in the Department of Biology in Mason’s College of Science. Professor Andrea Weeks, director of the Ted R. Bradley Herbarium, created the arboretum to educate the Mason community about the biological diversity on campus.

The arboretum emphasizes the value of trees and shrubs as integral components of the rich campus ecosystem and demonstrates the connection between human health and the health of nature. It also expands learning opportunities for Mason’s campus sites to function as living labs, especially with its ongoing integration into academic courses.

“I always envisioned the arboretum as a space for everyone to learn and a space for all of us to protect,” says Weeks.

The arboretum is now featured in the Morton Register of Arboreta, an international database of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants. Visitors can enjoy the arboretum in person or online using the interactive map at bit.ly/masontrees.