University Life

Category: Uncategorized

Homecoming is ‘Brave and Bold and Coming to You’

masked students with "brave and bold" sweatshirts at homecoming
Homecoming 2021 kicked off on Friday, Feb. 5, with the tip-off party, including the SI2Go truck. More activities run online and in person throughout the week and include men’s and women’s basketball games and a drive-in game watch party on Saturday night. See more photos. Learn more about the events. Photo by Creative Services 

Celebrating Black and African Heritage Month

Black and African Heritage Month, February 1-28, 2021
This February, Mason’s Center for Culture, Equity and Empowerment and others have created programming that centers and uplifts the well-being of Black life on campus and includes storytelling, guest speakers, a gala, and more. Check out the schedule of activities.

Mason Lobbies gives students access to Virginia leaders

About two dozen George Mason University students took part in the ninth annual Mason Lobbies on Wednesday, Feb. 3.

About two dozen George Mason University students took part in the ninth annual Mason Lobbies on Wednesday, Feb. 3, discussing issues with lawmakers from across the Commonwealth of Virginia, including Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates Eileen Filler-Corn, House Majority Leader Charniele Herring and Secretary of Education Atif Qarni.

This year the program was virtual but still featured opportunities for interaction with state leaders.

Read More about Mason Lobbies

Homecoming at Home

Mason Homecoming at Home: February 5-14, 2021

Enjoy this year’s fun-filled festivities from the comfort of your home. Check out what Alumni Relations has in store for Homecoming 2021!

City of Fairfax businesses support 2021 Homecoming

Homecoming and Fairfax City

Although many of this year’s Homecoming events are virtual, more than 50 City of Fairfax businesses are showing their Patriot Pride with discounts and promotions in early February. Find out more.

Mason’s ADVANCE program celebrates first graduates

Rocio Cornero

George Mason University’s ADVANCE program, which partners with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) to help students earn four-year degrees at Mason, is celebrating its first four graduates next week.

The ADVANCE graduates are Amir Bhatti, Rocio Cornero, Erica Koprowski and David Kowalewski.

“I am very proud of these graduates,” said Ashlie Prioleau, executive director of the ADVANCE program. “They thought strategically about their education and how to achieve a Mason degree while spending less money for it. They are dedicated to their education, intelligent, determined. To achieve this important milestone in a pandemic means these students are tenacious.”

Read more about the ADVANCE program’s graduates

Virtual Gold Rush 2020

Student volunteers hand out t-shirts at the annual Gold Rush event on the Fairfax Campus

Gold Rush at Mason traditionally signals the start of basketball season. Mason students weren’t about to let the global pandemic prevent them from showing their school spirit, and they turned out for four days of Virtual Gold Rush 2020 festivities, including T-shirt giveaways, a virtual murder mystery, virtual Kahoot and a weekend-long treasure hunt, all from Nov. 11-15.

The events were jointly hosted by Student Involvement, University Life and Student Government.

See more Gold Rush photos

Virtual Family Weekend

While it is not possible to hold traditional, in-person events this year, Mason is committed to helping you create your own Family Weekend 2020 experience! We are offering live events families and members of the Mason community can participate in from the comfort of home. Online registration is required for most events and the registration links are listed within the Schedule of Events. This newsletter will be updated weekly to highlight events. This week’s activities include:
  • Faculty Spotlight
    Thursday, November 12, 5:30 p.m.: Exploring Emerging Infectious Disease and COVID-19 featuring Dr. Amira Roess
  • Events with Seniors
    Monday, November 9; 1:00 p.m.: Lunch with Provost Mark Ginsberg
Individuals are also encouraged to explore Digital Activity Guides which include local activities that are good for social distancing, dining, and shopping. Mason students are encouraged to nominate their family for the 10th annual Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year Award. Applications are open now and close on Friday, November 6. For questions regarding Family Weekend, visit the website or contact New Student and Family Programs at [email protected].

Rose Pascarell Named as Pillar of the Profession by NASPA Foundation 

Rose Pascarell, Vice President, University Life George Mason University. Photo by: Ron Aira/Creative Services/George Mason University

Rose Pascarell, Vice President for University Life, was recently honored with the Pillars of the Profession award by the NASPA Foundation. Each year, the organization honors exceptional members of the student affairs and higher education community who represent outstanding contributions to the field. “It is an honor to be acknowledged by my peers and colleagues. And, honestly, there’s no way I could achieve this in this role without the skill, intelligence, collaboration, and collegiality of the teams I’ve worked with who truly know what it means to put students first,” Pascarell said.

Video shares student-athletes’ reasons for voting 

Mason Votes video still

Student Media and Mason Votes, working with Mason student-athletes, produced a video on the topic “I Vote Because….” Watch the video. With Mason Cable Network, they are collaborating on a live election night broadcast starting at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3 airing on YouTube, featuring Mason students, MCN anchors, members of the Mason Votes Editorial Team, and some faculty members as expert guests. Learn more at masonvotes.gmu.edu.