University Life

Mason Madness Set For Friday

Mason Madness is back!

On Friday at 7 p.m., EagleBank Arena will host the official kick-off to George Mason men’s and women’s basketball season.

Mason fans will be introduced to the student-athletes from each team and hear from men’s basketball head coach Kim English and women’s basketball head coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis. Each team also will take part in a scrimmage on the EagleBank Arena floor.

Read more about Mason Madness

Nominate your family to be our next Family of the Year!

The 11th annual Dr. Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year award is back! The 2021 Family of the Year Award honors a family who supports their Mason student’s achievements and provides recognition for the crucial role families play in their student’s experience.

The nomination process is easy! All you have to do is complete the short nomination form at masonfamilyevents.gmu.edu/2021-family-of-the-year and submit a presentation, essay, or creative writing telling us why your family deserves to be awarded Family of the Year. That’s it!

The winner will receive the following:

  • Commemorative plaque
  • All Family Weekend fees refunded or waived (up to $250)
  • $100 University Bookstore gift card
  • GMU woven blanket
  • Featured article on GMU.edu
  • Family photoshoot with a photo selected to be the cover of the 2022-2023 Family Calendar
  • The winner will be notified on Friday, October 1, and the award will be presented during Breakfast & Bingo on Sunday, Oct. 17.

Visit masonfamilyevents.gmu.edu/2021-family-of-the-year to nominate your family before the deadline this Friday, September 17 at 5 p.m. Good luck!

First-generation students find success at Mason 

First-generation college students find a welcoming environment at Mason, with a multi-layered support network to help ensure success and provide help through any challenge.

Welcome to the Mason Nation

Welcome Back, Mason! We’re glad to have students, faculty and staff back on campus. Here’s to what we’ve been missing. Watch the opening video from New Student Convocation.

New and returning Patriots welcomed back

George Mason University President Gregory Washington and a host of Mason student, faculty and staff representatives welcomed the largest incoming class in the university’s history at two convocations Friday, challenging the newest Patriots to push themselves academically, get involved on campus and prepare to tackle the grand challenges of our time.

New Patriots arrive on campus ready for fall semester

Freshman moving into the residence halls on Wednesday, Aug. 18, marks the start of the 2021-22 academic year. See more photos from Move-In. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

Mason gears up to welcome the newest Patriots to campus

George Mason University will welcome new and returning students to the Fairfax Campus during New Student Convocation on Friday, Aug. 20.

This year, two classes will be acknowledged at EagleBank Arena: the incoming Class of 2021 and the returning Class of 2020, whose official on-campus welcome was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more about the newest Patriots

Family Weekend Registration is Open!

New Student and Family Programs invites your family to join us for Family Weekend 2021 – October 15-17! Online registration is now open and will close on Monday, October 4 at 10 a.m. Eastern Time.

Family Weekend is an opportunity to come together to connect, have fun, celebrate and make new memories, become familiar with the institution, and spend time with your student, which is why our schedule includes events for people of all ages. Family Weekend features several events that showcase the best of Mason and all it has to offer, including a signature athletic event, faculty spotlights, student performances, area tours, service opportunities, and much more! There will also be opportunities to tune into Family Weekend events from the comfort of your own home if you are unable to come to campus.

PRICING
Family Weekend tickets are $35 for adults (ages 13+); $12 for children (ages 5-12); and FREE for Mason students and children ages 4 and under. Your ticket grants you entry into every on-campus Family Weekend event! View the full schedule of events on our website at MasonFamilyEvents.gmu.edu.

VISITING CAMPUS
If you need hotel accommodations, book now at one of our Marriott partner hotels for a discounted rate. Rooms fill up quickly, so book early if you know you are attending Family Weekend! Visit MasonFamilyEvents.gmu.edu/Where-To-Stay for information on where to stay.

FAMILY OF THE YEAR
Nominate your family for the Dr. Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award and be recognized for the crucial role you play in your student’s experience at Mason. There are a few ways to nominate your family!

  • Create a presentation or collage (minimum of 5 slides)
  • Write a short essay (minimum of 500 words)
  • Compose a creative writing (i.e. poetry, speech, play, song, etc.)

The winning family will receive the following:

  • A commemorative plaque presented at “Breakfast & Bingo” on Sunday, October 17
  • All fees associated with Family Weekend registration will be waived or refunded if already paid in full (up to $250 will be covered)
  • $100 gift card to the University Bookstore
  • A GMU woven blanket from the University Bookstore
  • A featured article on GMU.edu
  • A family photoshoot and featured cover photo on the 2022-2023 Family Calendar

We look forward to welcoming and spending time with your Mason Family during Family Weekend! If your family has a question or needs assistance, visit our website at MasonFamilyEvents.gmu.edu, specifically the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) webpage, or reach out to us via email at [email protected], phone at (703) 993-2475, or our live chat at MasonFamily.gmu.edu.

Welcome Back to Mason

You’re the guests of honor at a party on Friday, August 20, 2021, to celebrate the start of fall semester and mark our return to vibrant, bustling campus life.

Learn more about the Welcome Back Celebration

Patriots, it’s time to take our shot!