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Commencement Speaker Ali Reza Manouchehri’s remarks to George Mason’s winter 2025 graduates

Katarina Benson — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 21:02:13 +0000

Commencement Speaker Ali Reza Manouchehri’s remarks to George Mason’s winter 2025 graduates Katarina Benson Thu, 12/18/2025 - 16:02

As prepared for delivery

Good morning, Patriots!

Two things I want to get out of the way:

Hi mom! You see, “C” students can stand here on stage; and Meila, happy 15th birthday. I love you and can’t wait to see how you change the world.

I want to thank the distinguished faculty and staff of ��, the parents, guardians, families, and friends, our amazing President Washington, and Board of Visitors who made today possible and, of course, the most important people in the “Arena,” the graduating class of 2025!

Ali Reza Manouchehri. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Today is about more than what you’ve achieved, it’s about how you got here.

I want to talk to you about the power of curiosity—that thing that sparks you to ask why?, what if?, and what’s next?

And today, I want to share a few personal stories, moments from my own journey where curiosity shaped who I became and the lessons I hope you’ll carry into your own stories ahead.

We often wonder—why me?

For me it was about why do my parents keep moving across revolutions, wars, liberties, and continents?

Why did I survive a horrific accident?

And I’ve realized—maybe it was so that I could share a few stories, with you, today.

To tell you this:

Curiosity creates change. Boldness inspires action. Transformation changes the world.

That’s been the rhythm of my life—sometimes my shield, sometimes my compass – but always my light.

I was born into a revolution.

My grandmother came to the United States in 1976 when the Eagle and the Lion—America and Iran—were best friends. My parents later returned to Iran for my birth. By the age of 4, the Shah had fallen, the dream of democracy had been stolen by Islamist revolutionaries, and the country was plunged into war.

As a little boy, I remember car rides with my mom in her 1979 Land Cruiser truck delivering first aid kits, taping windows, learning why we had to store water and food, and taking shelter when the sirens went off.

My mother taught me at an early age not to fear and to be prepared. At the age of 5, I was contributing and learning to survive.

I wasn’t just watching; I was doing. And that gave me something powerful at an early age—independence and curiosity.

My mother was a concert pianist. My father was an entrepreneur, a third-generation textile industrialist and a man who prayed and sipped his whiskey. (Not exactly the combination the regime encouraged!)

Every morning before school, my mom would sit me down and try to explain (it was more like interrogation) that the world around us had changed overnight. She would say, “At school, don’t mention the piano or the whiskey.”

It wasn’t about shame—it was about survival.

But to a curious child, those warnings became questions:

Why…Who are these people? Why do they hate and use fear to control? Why do I have to hide who we are?

That curiosity became a quiet rebellion. Instead of fearing people, I wanted to understand them. I grew up in a community of Armenian Christians, Persian Jews, my Muslim classmates, teachers, and agents of the revolution. I learned that even in chaos, connection was possible if you stayed curious long enough to listen and learn.

That lesson shaped me—not just as a child, but as a leader later in life.

Because I realized something:

Curiosity isn’t just about asking questions. It’s about learning to blend, to see, and to lead in a very complex world.

It taught me that curiosity is not passive—it’s ACTIVE. It’s what helps you observe before reacting, understand before judging, and connect before dividing.

So, lesson ONE for you:

Be curious about people, even those who seem different or opposed to you. Curiosity helps you connect where fear divides.

Years later, my parents decided to come back to the United States—to Virginia, where my grandmother had moved from Pennsylvania. We settled in Falls Church, Virginia.

Once again, I had to blend in—this time as a kid from Iran in a post-hostage-crisis America. The language, friends, and culture—everything felt new again.

I went through three different elementary schools, shifting from Persian to French to English, each one a crash course in starting over. But in the middle of all that change, I found an escape: Sketching. I’d sit for hours drawing bunkers, gadgets, inventions—things that existed only in my imagination. I didn’t know it then, but I was designing the future I wanted to build.

And then came Mr. Clark, my middle school science teacher at Glasgow.

He was eccentric, brilliant, and mysterious, and he had lived in Iran. He never said exactly what he did there, but his stories sounded like something out of a spy novel.

He saw something in me. He took my curiosity and gave it direction. He used to tell me, “You should sell that idea to DARPA!”

At the time, I had no idea what that meant—but looking back now, I smile.

Today, MetroStar sells over a quarter-billion dollars’ worth of innovations, solutions, and services to the Department of War and intelligence community.

Mr. Clark planted a seed—one that took decades to bloom.

I still remember watching MacGyver on Monday nights and the next day, Mr. Clark would say, “All right, let’s test it. Could MacGyver really make that work?”

He’d turn a TV show into an experiment. He made us curious about what we watched and to think critically and try it ourselves.

Curiosity asks “What if?”

Experimentation says “Let’s find out.”

That’s when curiosity took on a new meaning for me.

It wasn’t just about wondering why—it was about testing how.

Mr. Clark made me curious about science, physics, and technology, but also about people and possibilities. Here was an American who made me feel proud of my Persian heritage.

His stories connected two worlds I thought could never meet.

And he taught me a lesson that feels even more important today—in a world overflowing with information, opinions, politics, and technology, don’t just consume what you see. Explore it for yourself. Research it. Understand it.

Because the truth isn’t always what’s the loudest or highest likes on social, it’s in what you take the time to discover.

So, lesson two for you:

Be curious enough to question. Don’t just react—explore. Curiosity and experimentation are like mind and motion—one is the spark, the other is the flame.

Just as I had finally found my place again in America, my parents decided to return to Iran. It was 1991. My father needed to care for my ill grandfather, and my mother wanted to return to teaching music and supporting the youth within her community.

When we arrived, I was stepping into a world that felt both familiar and foreign, a home filled with the echoes of family stories and the rhythm of rebuilding.

The stories of my family’s hardship, resilience, and curiosity were always around me.

My great-great-grandfather was a merchant along the silk routes, then my great-grandfather’s curiosity led him to open a shop to sell the textiles. My grandfather’s curiosity took it further—he built and operated the factory that produced it. My father modernized it, introducing new machinery and processes to bring the family business into a new era.

And for me?

My curiosity pushed me to define a new identity, one that began not with textiles, but with technology.

Each generation faced uncertainty—wars, revolutions, and reinventions. But what connected them all wasn’t just survival. It was curiosity, the same curiosity that asks: What’s next? How do we rebuild? What can we create from the ashes?

My father used to tell me stories at night about how our family kept moving forward, even when logic said stop, how my great-great-grandfather died young, but his son, just 15 years old, kept the family alive through sheer grit and curiosity.

And that’s when I learned:

Resilience isn’t inherited—it’s practiced. And curiosity is always at its heart.

Because curiosity keeps you moving when the world stands still. It lets you imagine new beginnings when others only see endings.

So, lesson three for you:

Be curious about your own journey. Ask “Why me?” not with doubt, but with purpose.

Every challenge is a chance to redefine yourself. Curiosity isn’t just about discovery—it’s about reinvention.

By 1995, curiosity brought me back to the United States again—this time to continue my education.

The plan was to study polymer technology to honor my family’s legacy in textiles.

But life, as it often does, had other plans.

After missing application deadlines for both George Mason and Clemson, I was about to enroll at Northern Virginia Community College to stay on track. I told myself, “Study hard this semester, and wait and see.”

But a friend said, “Don’t rush. Wait until next semester, something better might happen.”

He was right.

On January 6, 1995, I opened a letter that changed my life: I had been accepted to ��.

Clemson went on hold, and suddenly the plan I thought I was following shifted completely.

When I arrived at Mason, I told myself, “Just one semester. Then I’ll transfer.”
But that one semester became a lifelong connection.

At Mason, my curiosity finally found its home.

I met friends from all over the world — people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and dreams.

At the same time, the dot-com revolution was happening. Curiosity about this new thing called the Internet became an obsession. I met my future business partners and started building our first company right here at George Mason.

Looking back, I realize I was simply manifesting the sketches of a curious child—the bunkers, the gadgets, the inventions, now coming to life through code, creativity, and innovation.

And like other entrepreneurs, I lived that delusional optimism, believing that failure wasn’t final; it was just feedback.

But here’s the part that matters most:

Curiosity didn’t just shape my career, it shaped my purpose.

Because as MetroStar was being founded, I was also discovering the greatest role of my life: becoming a husband, a father, and a man grounded in something bigger than business.

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the people who are here with me today: My incredible wife, Kat, and our four amazing children—Michael, Meila, Max, and Melody.

You are the reason I chase meaning, not titles.

You are the reason I stay curious. About love, about family, about the kind of man I want to be.

To my dad, mom, friends, and family here today, thank you for giving my life depth, joy, new family, and direction.

And that brings me to the heart of this final story:

Never let go of the curious kid in you.

Because that kid, the one who draws, dreams, questions, and believes
is the one who will build your future.

So, the final lesson for you:

Be curious enough to build.

Be curious enough to love.

Be curious enough to grow beyond who you are today.

Because curiosity doesn’t just shape your journey.

It shapes your destiny.

Congratulations, Patriots. Now go make the world wonder.

Q&A with Ali Reza Manouchehri

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George Mason’s Winter 2025 Commencement in pictures

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 20:38:44 +0000

George Mason’s Winter 2025 Commencement in pictures Lauren Reuscher Thu, 12/18/2025 - 15:38

Winter 2025 Commencement at �� on Dec. 18 at EagleBank Arena celebrated nearly 5,300 graduates and certificate recipients. Read more about the graduates. George Mason photographers captured the excitement and spirit of the day.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

President Gregory Washington welcomed the graduates and their families and friends to Commencement. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Winter Commencement speaker Ali Manouchehri, BA Philosophy ’99 and co-founder and chief executive officer of MetroStar, urged graduates to always keep their sense of curiosity. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Student speaker Ayham Elayan, an Honors College student earning a bachelor’s of science in bioengineering. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Rector of the Board of Visitors Charles "Cully" Stimson, Commencement Speaker Ali Manouchehri, and President Gregory Washington. Photo by Romulfo Sison/Office of University Branding

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

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Winter Commencement speaker encourages graduates to keep exploring and questioning

Colleen Rich — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 19:49:46 +0000

Winter Commencement speaker encourages graduates to keep exploring and questioning Colleen Rich Thu, 12/18/2025 - 14:49

�� honored more than 4,900 graduates at Winter Commencement on Thursday, but before they turned their tassels, President Gregory Washington wanted them to know the caliber of university from which they were earning their degrees.

George Mason is one of only five very large universities in the country that the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education have cited as excelling in opportunity, outcomes and research.

“I want each of you to leave here today knowing that you didn’t just earn your degree from any old place,” Washington said. “You actually earned your degree from a special place.”

More than 4,900 students received their degrees December 18 at George Mason's Winter Commencement. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

The ceremony at EagleBank Arena, livestreamed on George Mason’s YouTube channel, occurred the same month that the university’s namesake turned 300, another distinction for a graduating class with students from 87 countries and 38 states. In addition to the 4,900 graduates, more than 300 students received certificates. About 27% of the bachelor’s degree recipients identified as first-generation graduates.

Washington in his remarks noted the scrutiny the university has been under in recent months and how he and his leadership team have relied on George Mason’s core values in their management and response to these challenges. He encouraged the graduates to determine their core values to help guide responses to the complex issues they will encounter.

“When facing trials and tribulations of life, lean into who you are—who you really are,” Washington said. “Like the old saying goes, an honest man’s pillow is his peace of mind. If you make choices and decisions rooted in your core values, rooted in who you are, that peace of mind will sustain, inspire, and comfort you and those who you lead.”

Washington and George Mason rector Charles “Cully” Stimson, JD ’92, presented guest speaker Ali Manouchehri, BA Philosophy ’99, with an honorary doctorate of humane letters. Manouchehri’s George Mason experience began with a missed application deadline but concluded with him co-founding a business from his room in Dominion Hall at the onset of the dot.com boom.

From left, Rector Charles Stimson, Commencement speaker Ali Reza Manouchehri, and President Washington during the 2025 Winter Commencement at EagleBank Arena. Manouchehri was presented with an honorary doctorate of humane letters. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

That business, MetroStar, now has more than 500 employees and is a major source of innovation and services in the government and intelligence sectors. Manouchehri, the company’s CEO, credits the power of curiosity as a factor in his success because “it lets you imagine new beginnings when others only see endings” and it “helps you connect where fear divides.” He encouraged the new graduates to see how far their own inquisitiveness can lead them.

With an anecdote that no doubt warmed the hearts of the educators in the audience, Manouchehri recalled an inspiring Fairfax County middle school teacher who stoked his relentless curiosity and ability to dream big.

“He taught me a lesson that feels more important today in a world overwhelming with information, opinions, politics, and technology,” Manouchehri said. “Don’t just consume what you see. Explore it for yourself. Research it. Understand it. Because the truth isn’t always what’s the loudest or the highest likes on social media, it’s about what you take time to discover for yourself.”

Student speaker Ayham Elayan, an Honors College student graduating with a degree in bioengineering, said an introductory course group project that entailed designing a 3D-printed prosthetic hand fueled his interest in the humanitarian impact of that field. One of his two George Mason study-abroad trips was to Ecuador, where a group of student and faculty volunteers assembled 22 prosthetic legs for amputees.

Elayan, who also has interned at a pharmaceutical company, acknowledged bouts of self-doubt during his time in college but encouraged his fellow graduates to always focus on the future. He is the fourth child in his family to attend George Mason.

“Don’t get stuck in chapters that have already closed, because you can’t change what’s been written in ink,” Elayan said. “Because there’s blank page upon blank page ready to share the new untold chapters of the stories of your lives. But the real kicker is that you hold the pen.”

Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) majors accounted for 30% of students earning bachelor’s degrees at Winter Commencement as well as 37% of students earning advanced degrees.

Scott Hine, BS Decision Sciences ’85, president of the �� Alumni Association, welcomed the new graduates to an alumni network of more than 250,000 worldwide. He encouraged the Winter Class of 2025 to follow him on LinkedIn to further build the alumni network, attend their first homecoming this winter, and to volunteer at George Mason.

“The strength of our university is built on accomplishments and engagement by alumni like you,” Hine said. “Your success strengthens the George Mason degree for all who hold it and for all who will earn it in years ahead.”

Learn more about the Alumni Association

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Adaptive baseball hits a home run at George Mason

Katarina Benson — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 21:04:21 +0000

Adaptive baseball hits a home run at George Mason Katarina Benson Tue, 12/16/2025 - 16:04

In a first for any university in the United States, visually impaired baseball players are getting a chance to step up to the plate at ��. Led by a volunteer coach and University Life’s Mason Recreation and Disability Services offices, Mason’s Beep baseball initiative is gaining momentum after a successful community learn-to-play clinic last fall.

Beep baseball allows blind and visually impaired batters to listen for a loud beep coming from a ball pitched by a sighted pitcher. Photo by Paul Bazzano/Mason Recreation

The adaptive sport of Beep baseball allows blind and visually impaired batters to listen for a loud beep coming from a ball pitched by a sighted pitcher. If the batter hits the ball, they run to one of two buzzing bases. If they touch the base before the ball is fielded, they’ve scored a run. It’s a game that prioritizes communication, teamwork, and athleticism. This initiative supports George Mason’s efforts to build an inclusive community where all students are valued and have meaningful ways to participate, connect, and belong.

“Beep baseball is a fantastic way for Mason to tap into some underserved populations via athletics,” said Paul J. Bazzano, assistant director of competitive sports with Mason Recreation. “Beep baseball brings together students, staff, and community members in a meaningful way. It’s about creating space for inclusive play and laying the groundwork for something that can grow far beyond campus.”

Bazzano said that it is also providing opportunities for George Mason as there really are no collegiate Beep baseball programs. “But we have had some conversations with other schools interested in forming their own teams.”

The addition of Beep baseball to Mason Recreation represents the fulfillment of a lifelong passion of a George Mason philanthropist, the late Dr. Barry R. Berkey, through the vision of his wife, Velma Berkey. She proposed the idea to Bazzano and sponsored the three-year pilot program.

The beep baseball initiative by Mason Recreation is the first of its kind. Photo by Paul Bazzano/Mason Recreation

“My husband’s dream was to become a major league baseball player, but he became a doctor instead,” Berkey said. “In later years Barry’s vision gradually deteriorated, which greatly impacted watching and enjoying his favorite sport. We became very sensitive to visually impaired and blind kids who may be in the same position. After my husband passed away, I delved into reading about Beep baseball, which inspired me to present the sport to ��.”

Berkey said the George Mason community has an opportunity to be an innovator and leader by bringing this sport to campus and the region. “The team can serve as a model for other colleges and universities, serving as a mentor further down the road for high schools and Little League teams.”

Jeff Rhines, head coach of the Philadelphia team that won the 2024 Beep Baseball National Championship, helped arrange Mason’s first learn-to-play clinic. Alfonso Medrano, head coach for a Houston-based team, also provided valuable input. Students and members of the surrounding community who participated described it as a fantastic community-building experience.

“We had two blind students who thoroughly enjoyed it and said they would definitely do it again,” said Naomi Martinez-Jones, director of Disability Services at George Mason. “We also had some of George Mason’s baseball team help and participate. It was great for everyone to have that connection with each other.”

George Mason’s long-term goal is to build a competitive team made up of students, staff, and community members to play in tournaments and events sanctioned by the National Beep Baseball Association. As a first step, Mason Recreation is working to connect with other teams and recruiting a volunteer coach. There are plans to offer more training and networking events and launch a sustainable, inclusive team with regular practices and programming.

To learn more, reach out to Bazzano at pbazzano@gmu.edu.

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George Mason coaching leaders hold first professional conference

Katarina Benson — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 18:20:38 +0000

George Mason coaching leaders hold first professional conference Katarina Benson Tue, 12/16/2025 - 13:20

Student Affairs and Academic Advising professionals from across the country attended the first Student Success Coaching Conference: Ignite Your Success Through Coaching in October. The conference, hosted by ��’s Student Success Coaching (SSC) unit, provided an opportunity for more than 400 coaching professionals from 100 institutions—including Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University, Purdue University, and others—to collaborate and learn from each other.

Envisioned by SSC associate director TJ Pegg and assistant director Michael Ward, the conference was born from a simple idea: to create a space for coaching professionals within higher education to come together. The main goals of the conference were to create a purposeful space for the student success coaching community to learn, share, and collaborate in an ever-changing field, and to offer dedicated time and opportunities to connect with peers and gain new insights.

“We wanted our team to have the chance to host a conference fully,” said Ward. “We envision George Mason becoming a global hub for the student success coaching field, much like Kansas State is for academic advising.”

“We wanted to make sure that we’re connecting with other coaching communities so that we can learn from each other, as success is a layered achievement,” Pegg said.

Success coaching has grown as a new functional area to support student success within the higher education. Since 2020, the university’s SSC unit has supported more than 20,000 students in achieving individualized success.

The need to support coaching professionals has grown into a collaboration with international associations like the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and the American College Personnel Association (ACPA). NASPA’s Success Coaching Knowledge Community was cofounded by Adrienne White, former SSC director. Pegg and success coach Michael Rybak cofounded ACPA’s Task Force for Coaching.

Conference sessions addressed how to use coaching for student success, best practices of student assessment, and other trending topics. Attendees had opportunities to learn from one another and network through collaboration spaces, all online.

“Attending the sessions expanded my perspective and introduced new strategies and innovations that can be applied to my work,” said Tanzania Cooper, a presenter and attendee from Trinity Washington University. “I left the conference re-energized, connected to new colleagues, and motivated to continue bridging research, practice, and advocacy to elevate student success.”

Nena Rogers, two-time George Mason alumna and current deputy athletic director for Student Services and Performance, delivered the opening keynote speech focused on the power of coaching to help students thrive.

“This is the perfect time for higher education professionals to come together in this capacity to share the knowledge, tools, and the amazing results that success coaching has on students’ lives,” said Kelly Severo, director of Student Success Coaching. “I’m excited to see this conference grow into an even bigger event in 2026. Coaching in higher education is a rapidly growing field, and the impact on students’ lives cannot be overstated.”

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Driving community spirit: Kathy McKay's impact on George Mason

Katarina Benson — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 12:44:25 +0000

Driving community spirit: Kathy McKay's impact on George Mason Katarina Benson Tue, 12/16/2025 - 07:44

Kathleen (Kathy) McKay has deep ties to Fairfax, Virginia, her hometown. Her parents, James "Smilin’ Jim" and Ruth Averill McKay, were pioneers in the Fairfax business community; her father opened Jim McKay Chevrolet in 1956, becoming one of the first car dealers in the area.

As student athlete at Woodson High School, she grew up near ��'s burgeoning Fairfax ��. “I played field hockey, I played softball, and I was a swimmer,” she said.

McKay with Mason basketball players on the K. McKay Court. Photo provided by Mason Athletics

Much of that swim experience took place at a neighborhood club, where her own daughters still hold records from the 1990s. After graduating from James Madison University, she returned to Fairfax.

McKay is now the president of Jim McKay Chevrolet, a sponsor for many student activities and sports at George Mason, and Intercollegiate Athletics has been at the heart of her personal connection with the university. Since the mid-1990s, she’s been an avid Patriots fan, attending many men's and women's basketball games, including the ones out of town, often with her daughters and now her grandchildren.

“I’ve always been a sports person,” McKay said. “I love college athletics; it’s the excitement. This is something that the athletes really, really want to do, and so few make it [to this level].”

She also appreciates the role college sports plays in bringing a community together. “It’s everything. No matter what your preference is, we offer every sport to allow a fan to be involved.”

McKay's support extends far beyond the sidelines. She has been a generous donor to George Mason for nearly 20 years, serving as a member of the Patriot Club Advisory Board and in the Green Coat Society, which recognizes generous, multi-year donors.

In 2017, she made a leadership gift to the university's basketball fundraising campaign, resulting in the naming of the K. McKay Court at the Recreation Athletic Complex (RAC). Her philanthropy has included substantial gifts—in conjunction with the family-linked Richard W. Averill Foundation and Jim McKay Chevrolet—to a variety of George Mason’s teams, including a pledge that touched all 22 sports teams during an annual Mason Vision Day.

She has also made gifts to the College of Visual and Performing Arts' scholarship benefit ARTS by George! and to the Green Machine ensembles.

“Kathy McKay embodies the spirit of George Mason and the Northern Virginia community,” said Marvin Lewis, assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “Her loyalty and generosity have touched every corner of our program—from cheering courtside to investing in opportunities that enrich the student-athlete experience. Kathy’s passion, rooted in family and community, reflects the very best of what it means to be a Patriot, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have her in our corner.”

McKay and President Washington. Photo provided by Mason Athletics

McKay carries on a family tradition of philanthropy and community service—George Mason’s Jim McKay Natatorium in the Aquatic and Fitness Center on the Fairfax ��, a regional resource that includes a 50-meter Olympic-sized competition pool, bears the name of her father. She is continuing that tradition and is encouraging a culture of connected philanthropy through her own children: her daughter, April, and son-in-law, Matt, are also active supporters of George Mason Athletics.

McKay has been there for some of basketball’s biggest moments.

She remembers being warmly welcomed by the men’s basketball team, including then-coach Jim Larrañaga and his wife, Liz, when she traveled with the team to the ESPN Events Invitational Thanksgiving tournament in Orlando, Florida, in 2007. She also attended Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) Tournaments at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, including “during COVID, in March 2020, [when] we got sent home after winning our first game.”

McKay was also in the front rows at the Robins Center in Richmond when the men’s basketball team defeated the University of Richmond to claim the 2025 A-10 regular season title, the team’s first. That same season saw Patriots Head Coach Tony Skinn, whom McKay had known since his undergraduate days, named A1-0 Coach of the Year.

“Tony was my pick from day one when we were searching for a coach,” she said.

With a grandson in tow, McKay traveled in March 2025 with the women’s basketball team to Richmond for the A-10 Women's Basketball Championship, where George Mason defeated St. Joseph’s to claim the title for the first time.

“I couldn’t not go, and they win this thing—because I really thought they could,” she said.

She also joined the women’s team for the España 2025 cultural and athletic expedition, where the Patriots played international opponents in Madrid, Valencia, and Barcelona. With her on the trip was her eldest granddaughter, who has been attending games with McKay since she was six months old.

“Riley and I had a time together that neither one of us will ever forget!” she said.

She plans to enjoy as many games and team activities as she can fit on her calendar. “I love it!” she said. “I’m always looking at the schedule to see who’s playing what.”

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George Mason honoring almost 5,300 graduates at Winter Commencement

Colleen Rich — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:10:19 +0000

George Mason honoring almost 5,300 graduates at Winter Commencement Colleen Rich Mon, 12/15/2025 - 14:10

�� will honor nearly 5,300 students graduating or earning certificates at Winter Commencement at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at EagleBank Arena on the Fairfax ��.

The event will be livestreamed on George Mason’s YouTube channel. Doors open an hour before the ceremony.

The winter graduates hail from 87 countries and 38 states, and 27% of bachelor’s degree recipients identify as first-generation graduates.

The guest speaker will be Ali Reza Manouchehri, BA Philosophy ‘99, co-founder and chief executive officer of MetroStar, a company he started as a George Mason student. The student speaker is Ayham Elayan, an Honors College student earning a bachelor’s of science in bioengineering.

Degree celebrations for nine George Mason schools and colleges also will take place this week at EagleBank Arena and those too will be livestreamed.

Tickets are required for all guests at Commencement and degree celebration ceremonies.

The top five majors among the 3,107 undergraduates in the winter Class of 2025 are business; computer science; psychology; information technology; and criminology, law and society.

Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) majors account for 30% of students earning bachelor’s degrees and 37% of students earning advanced degrees, indicative of how George Mason is a top producer of tech talent for Northern Virginia and the state.

For the 1,647 students earning master’s degrees, the top five majors are data analytics engineering, special education, computer science, accounting, and business administration.

The top majors for the 190 students earning doctoral degrees are education, computer science, psychology, biosciences, economics, and statistical science.

The winter graduating class also includes three law school graduates.

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George Mason and MetroStar launch partnership to fuel federal tech talent and innovation

Katarina Benson — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 16:02:54 +0000

George Mason and MetroStar launch partnership to fuel federal tech talent and innovation Katarina Benson Fri, 12/12/2025 - 11:02

More than two decades ago, three �� students launched a company from their dorm room with a belief that technology would drive change in the federal government.

Today, that company—MetroStar, a venture-backed leader in AI enabled services—has come full circle. The company is proud to announce a multi-year strategic partnership with George Mason, solidifying a shared mission to empower the next generation of tech leaders and public servants.

Through the agreement, MetroStar will support students and programming across George Mason. It will become a Costello Corporate Partner in the Donald G. Costello College of Business and an Industry Partner in the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC).

Through these partnerships, MetroStar will launch a scholarship for undergraduate and graduate students with preference for those minoring in government contracting or management information systems, and a Clearance Ready Scholarship for students interested in obtaining a national security clearance.

“MetroStar’s investment in the Costello Corporate Partners program aligns closely with our strategic priorities, particularly in fostering innovative business collaboration and advancing career readiness,” said Ajay Vinzé, interim provost and Costello College of Business dean. “Their support will expand access to education in government contracting for our students and strengthen the academic offerings of the Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting, the first university-based center in the nation focused on the business, policy, and regulatory dimensions of this vital sector.”

MetroStar will also support academic initiatives through the Dean’s Excellence Funds in CEC and Costello, in furtherance of strategic academic initiatives. “This gift from MetroStar, which will support the education and training of our students who are interested in serving our nation as federal employees or as employees of our government contractors,” said CEC Dean Ken Ball. “The partnership will also enhance our clearance ready programs by developing additional experiential learning opportunities, including internships and applied research projects involving classified technologies that protect our nation.”

MetroStar’s CEO and co-founder Ali Reza Manouchehri, BA Philosophy '99.

The philanthropic commitment deepens MetroStar’s long-standing relationship with its co-founders’ alma mater while advancing workforce readiness and innovation aligned to national priorities.

MetroStar’s CEO and co-founder Ali Reza Manouchehri, who earned a BA in philosophy from George Mason in 1999, is the 2025 Winter Commencement Speaker, a privilege that shows his enduring connection to the university and his passion for inspiring the next generation of innovators.

“This is more than a corporate partnership. It’s a personal return,” said Manouchehri. “George Mason is where we built the foundation for MetroStar. We’re investing in students who will one day shape the digital future of government just like we dreamed about doing back then.”

Manouchehri started MetroStar with fellow Patriots Robert Santos, BA International Relations ’99, who became the company’s president, and Pirooz Javan, BS Systems Engineering ’02, who served as its chief operating officer from 1999 to 2006.

A Vision for the Future Federal Workforce

The three-year partnership, running through 2028, creates a new model of agile collaboration between academia and the public sector, bridging the fast-paced world of government innovation with the grounded mission of education. It reflects the growing need under the new federal administration to build talent pipelines that are not only technically skilled but clearance ready and public service minded.

Earlier this year, George Mason released its plan for advancing a responsible approach to harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and driving societal impact. Through AI²Nexus, the university is building a nexus of collaboration and resources on campus, in partnerships like the one with MetroStar, and across the state.

As federal agencies embrace AI, digital transformation, and faster acquisition models, companies like MetroStar are reinforcing the importance of the human side of innovation, ensuring that the workforce of tomorrow is built on a foundation of collaboration, education, and civic commitment.

From College �� to National Service

The partnership extends into the university’s forward-leaning spaces, places where creativity, entrepreneurship, and service intersect.

MetroStar’s partnership will fuel the Mason Innovation Exchange (MIX), a hands-on incubator for student-driven ideas, and power events like PatriotHacks, the university’s high-energy hackathon that challenges students to solve real-world problems with code and courage.

“Our partnership isn’t about one-off contributions but investing in people and the future of civil servants who will protect and guide the nation,” said Manouchehri. “We’re creating deliberate pathways from campus to cleared service, from idea to implementation, and from classroom projects to real-world impact.”

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Q&A with Ali Reza Manouchehri, Winter Commencement 2025 Speaker

Katarina Benson — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 19:07:25 +0000

Q&A with Ali Reza Manouchehri, Winter Commencement 2025 Speaker Katarina Benson Thu, 12/11/2025 - 14:07

MetroStar co-founder and chief executive officer Ali Manouchehri, BA Philosophy ’99, is the featured speaker at ��’s Winter Commencement on December 18. Here he talks about his George Mason experience, his company’s partnership with the university, and his advice for new graduates.

Are there any lessons or experiences from your time at George Mason that inform your life (work or otherwise) today?

The most important experience George Mason provided was the opportunity to meet my co-founders. Robert [Santos] and I met as roommates at Mason and quickly developed a bond through our shared classes and curiosity. We came of age during the early days of the dot-com boom, where the spirit of experimentation, invention, and resilience shaped our thinking. Our time at George Mason gave us more than a degree, it gave us a launchpad.

Mason’s environment was rich with diverse people and perspectives. We were fortunate to learn from outstanding professors across the humanities and business, which helped shape the holistic thinking behind MetroStar. Associate Professor Rose Cherubin was a major influence; I took every course she offered. Her way of unlocking creativity through logic, philosophy, and storytelling helped influence the foundation of how I view problem-solving, leadership, and innovation today.

What George Mason truly offered us was the ability to customize our education and blend disciplines. That cross-pollination of thought, from engineering to philosophy to business, became a core trait of MetroStar’s culture and is something I carry forward every day.

Can you share a favorite George Mason memory?

One of my favorite and most pivotal memories was how Rob and I became roommates. At the time, I was living with a wrestler, and my suitemates were also on the wrestling team. Rob was living with a new wrestling recruit. One day, my roommate Ben asked me to speak with Coach [Brian] Shaffer, next thing I know, I moved downstairs, the wrestling recruit moved upstairs, and Rob and I ended up as roommates.

That move changed everything. We bonded quickly, exchanged ideas constantly, and soon began building what would later become MetroStar. That memory reminds me how spontaneous connections can become life-changing partnerships. It’s also a perfect metaphor for what we want to recreate with our partnership, bringing students from different disciplines together to spark the unexpected.

MetroStar’s partnership with George Mason offers some incredible opportunities for our students. Please speak about your inspiration to enter into the partnership, and what you look forward to most in working with the College of Engineering and Computing and the Costello College of Business.

The inspiration behind this partnership is deeply personal. When we founded MetroStar, Rob was in the business school, I was studying humanities, and our third co-founder, Pirooz Javan, BS Systems Engineering ’02, was a computer science major. The DNA of MetroStar was born out of these intersections—engineering, creativity, and business.

In many ways, this partnership is our opportunity to give back and pay it forward. We’ve always found ways to stay engaged with Mason, through internships, sponsored courses, events, and hackathons, even when we were bootstrapped and building. But this three-year partnership is different. It brings two decades of lived experience, lessons, and growth to the forefront.

What excites us most is creating structured opportunities for students to collaborate across disciplines and experience what we once did organically: the power of “accidental collisions.” We hope to spark those chance meetings, innovative projects, and unexpected friendships that can turn into start-ups, solutions, and careers.

What do graduates need to know about harnessing the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) regardless of their field, and how do you see AI impacting the job market? 

AI isn’t just a tool, it’s a mindset shift. It’s changing how we approach problems, unlock creativity, and imagine what’s possible. Whether you're in health care, the arts, business, or public service, the ability to understand and thoughtfully apply AI will become foundational to your career. You don’t need to be a machine learning expert to harness its power, but you do need to be curious, adaptable, and willing to engage with it meaningfully. 

One of the most important new skills is learning how to prompt AI, how to ask the right questions, frame the right challenges, and steer the outputs in useful directions. Prompting is quickly becoming a core competency, both personally and professionally. Knowing how to effectively communicate with AI, whether it’s for brainstorming, writing, analysis, or planning is like having a new kind of literacy that will only grow more essential. 

What AI does best is free us to focus on what makes us uniquely human: creativity, judgment, empathy, reasoning, and innovation. The future won’t be AI vs. Humans: it will be AI + Humans. The people who learn how to integrate AI into their workflows, whether to make faster decisions, personalize experiences, or generate new ideas, will have an edge. 

You’ve stayed involved at the university in various capacities. How is it mutually beneficial for George Mason alumni to stay engaged with their alma mater? 

Staying connected to George Mason is like plugging back into the source of your original spark. 

When alumni engage, whether by mentoring students, guest lecturing, sponsoring events, or collaborating on research, they’re not just giving back. They’re staying sharp. They’re reconnecting with fresh perspectives, new ideas, and the energy that comes from being around passionate, hungry students. 

It’s a two-way street. Students gain real-world insight and inspiration; alumni get renewed purpose and fresh perspective. What has always made George Mason special is the diversity of thinking across disciplines of business, engineering, humanities, and sciences and how that fuels creative problem-solving. The more we stay connected, the stronger that ecosystem becomes, and the more meaningful innovation takes root and grows beyond the classroom.  

Finally, if you could offer any advice to a George Mason student, what would it be?

My advice is simple: Stay curious and mix it up. If you’re studying AI, take a philosophy course, maybe even one on pre-Socratic thinkers. If you’re an engineer, take a business class. If you’re a business major, dive into the humanities or computer science.

Some of the greatest breakthroughs come from the intersection of disciplines. Don’t just follow a linear path. Explore. Take electives that challenge your thinking and expand your worldview. Meet people outside your major. Mason today offers more opportunities and resources than we ever had, so maximize them. This university is full of goodness—you just have to stay curious enough to discover it.

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Ajay Vinzé, Costello College of Business Dean, appointed interim provost

Katarina Benson — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 21:27:56 +0000

Ajay Vinzé, Costello College of Business Dean, appointed interim provost Katarina Benson Wed, 12/10/2025 - 16:27

Costello College of Business dean Ajay Vinzé has been named interim provost at ��, effective immediately, President Gregory Washington announced Wednesday.

Ajay Vinzé. Photo by Office of University Branding

This follows Provost Jim Antony’s recent announcement that he will become provost of the University of San Diego as of March 1. Vinzé will serve alongside Antony from now through February to ensure a collaborative transition.

“Ajay, a distinguished scholar, is a respected voice among our deans,” Washington said. “I look forward to working closely with him during his time as interim provost. I ask that you extend to him your support and good wishes as he steps into this important role for George Mason.”

Since joining the university in 2022 as dean of the School of Business, Vinzé has overseen its rapid transformation to a named college, positioning the Costello College of Business as a nationally recognized leader in business education. Under his leadership the college has established a signature interdisciplinary and modular approach to workforce-ready degree delivery; championed student experiences with programs like Costello on Wall Street, Patriot Pitch, and the Camp Costello initiative for incoming first-year students; and a maintained a commitment to cross-campus research and curricular collaborations.

“While my heart remains firmly with the Costello College of Business—and I fully intend to return once a permanent provost is named—this interim role offers an important opportunity to support the broader university community that has championed our college’s growth and success over the past three years,” Vinzé said.

Cheryl Druehl, Costello’s senior associate dean for faculty affairs and research, will serve as interim dean during this time. 

James Anthony. Photo by Office of University Branding

Washington also offered appreciation for Antony’s work as provost, noting that he moved quickly to advance significant initiatives from the Provost’s Office, including implementing the new academic budget model, improving communication across senior teams, and establishing task forces and working groups focusing on several key university initiatives. He also hired Cody Edwards as dean for the College of Science and has put into motion the search for a new Scalia Law School dean, and worked with the Board of Visitors to advance important academic matters.

“I want to thank Jim for serving with such distinction in his time here. While I will miss Jim’s thought partnership, I know his appointment as provost of USD is the fulfillment of a significant life and career aspiration, and I am thrilled for him,” Washington said.

The process to conduct a national search for a permanent provost will be announced after the winter break.

“Please join me in congratulating Jim, Ajay, and Cheryl in their respective leadership roles,” Washington said.

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Are there any lessons or experiences from your time at George Mason that inform your life (work or otherwise) today?

Can you share a favorite George Mason memory?

MetroStar’s partnership with George Mason offers some incredible opportunities for our students. Please speak about your inspiration to enter into the partnership, and what you look forward to most in working with the College of Engineering and Computing and the Costello College of Business.

What do graduates need to know about harnessing the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) regardless of their field, and how do you see AI impacting the job market?

You’ve stayed involved at the university in various capacities. How is it mutually beneficial for George Mason alumni to stay engaged with their alma mater?

Finally, if you could offer any advice to a George Mason student, what would it be?

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Commencement Speaker Ali Reza Manouchehri’s remarks to George Mason’s winter 2025 graduates

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Driving community spirit: Kathy McKay's impact on George Mason

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Q&A with Ali Reza Manouchehri, Winter Commencement 2025 Speaker

Are there any lessons or experiences from your time at George Mason that inform your life (work or otherwise) today?

Can you share a favorite George Mason memory?

MetroStar’s partnership with George Mason offers some incredible opportunities for our students. Please speak about your inspiration to enter into the partnership, and what you look forward to most in working with the College of Engineering and Computing and the Costello College of Business.

What do graduates need to know about harnessing the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) regardless of their field, and how do you see AI impacting the job market?

You’ve stayed involved at the university in various capacities. How is it mutually beneficial for George Mason alumni to stay engaged with their alma mater?

Finally, if you could offer any advice to a George Mason student, what would it be?

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What do graduates need to know about harnessing the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) regardless of their field, and how do you see AI impacting the job market? 

You’ve stayed involved at the university in various capacities. How is it mutually beneficial for George Mason alumni to stay engaged with their alma mater? 