University Life

Scholarship endowment for EIP grads honors Mason stalwarts

To honor the legacy of Mason benefactors Paul and Gwen Patton, the University Life Advisory Board and Paul’s colleagues at CACI have established a scholarship endowment for students who graduate from Mason’s Early Identification Program (EIP).

Read the full article.

Spreading Kindness: Give a Pat to a Pat Today

The Mason Chooses Kindness Committee is conducting the Pats for Pats program, an initiative to spread kindness throughout the campus by giving shout-outs and recognition throughout the Mason Community. Pats for Pats are a free and easy way to thank, recognize, show appreciation for a Mason colleague or student who has taken the time to do something kind, generous or thoughtful towards others.

Learn more or nominate an individual.

Homecoming 2022

Homecoming 2022, which kicks off Mason’s celebration of its 50th anniversary, begins Friday, Feb. 4, with Student Involvement’s Tip-Off Party. Head out to the Hub to pick up exclusive Homecoming goodies and a special Homecoming shirt. Homecoming will conclude the following weekend with the men’s and women’s basketball games.

Check out the schedule.

Family of the Year takes an eclectic, supportive approach to learning and living

Leah and Peregrine Pistone, both freshmen attending George Mason University, credit their loving family for encouraging them in their desire to learn and experience new things.

This year, their family received the 11th annual Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award at Mason’s Family Weekend. Ken, Leah and Peregrine’s father, wrote a three-page, newsletter-style essay, complete with photos, explaining why their family should be nominated.

Read more about the Family of the Year

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