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Patriot Profile: Jackson Herbert

Katarina Benson — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:17:12 +0000

Patriot Profile: Jackson Herbert Katarina Benson Thu, 08/14/2025 - 10:17

Spending another summer in Southern California playing beach volleyball isn’t just fun in the sun for �� student athlete Jackson Herbert. The nuances and physical demands of the faster-paced beach game are considerably different from indoor volleyball, but he said playing has significantly elevated his indoor game. Now Herbert, a junior and men’s volleyball opposite from Ashburn, Virginia, feels he may be primed for a breakout season with the Patriots this year.

“When I’m playing indoors, I feel like I’m flying because there’s nothing holding me down,” he said.

Herbert playing beach volleyball in California. Photo provided

Training Is a Beach: This summer, Herbert trained in the Los Angeles area, where his daily regime involved two to three hours of practice in the sand, followed by a dip in the ocean before grabbing a bite to eat, weightlifting, and recuperative time in the hot tub. Before finishing the day, he might have another dip in the ocean. Rinse and repeat.

Doing It All: Opposites, also known as the right-side hitter, are versatile players who rotate through both the front and back row, with key responsibilities that include hitting, blocking, and occasionally setting. The two-person beach game requires all that, and then some. “You have to be able to pass, set, and serve well,” said Herbert. “You have to be able to do it all.”

All in the Family: As a kid, Herbert would tag along with his parents who played in a co-ed league for Dulles Beach Volleyball. His mother soon enrolled him in volleyball clinics, and by age 10, he was competing in indoor volleyball. “My love for the sport grew from there,” he said.

Home Away from Home: When it came time to choose a college, Herbert considered two things: location and brotherhood. As the oldest of three, he wanted to stay close to home so he could be involved in his siblings’ lives, supporting them at their tournaments and games whenever possible. He also values the tight-knit, open-door culture of George Mason’s men’s volleyball team. “I knew some of the guys before committing, and every interaction pulled me closer to George Mason,” he said. “It made the decision really easy.”

Balancing Passions: A member of the Honors College, Herbert’s interest in technology comes naturally—his dad is a software developer, which inspired him to take cybersecurity and software development classes in high school. Enjoying what he learned, he decided to pursue computer science as a major.

Jackson Herbert (right) with Team USA teammate Kai Rodriguez. Photo provided

All the Way with Team USA: In October, Herbert, who previously played for the U.S. Beach Volleyball U19 and U21 teams, will join the U21 squad to compete in the 2025 FIVB U21 Beach World Championships in Puebla, Mexico. “It was an amazing experience,” he said of his previous opportunity with the national teams. “I’m excited to do this again.”

Setting His Sights: Herbert hopes to earn spots with the U.S. Collegiate and U23 Beach Volleyball National teams next summer. Beyond college, he would like to play professionally on the Association of Volleyball Professionals tour—the premier professional beach volleyball league in the United States. “I’d like to continue doing this at the highest level.”

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George Mason grads making a difference with the NFL’s Washington Commanders

Katarina Benson — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 21:02:44 +0000

George Mason grads making a difference with the NFL’s Washington Commanders Katarina Benson Wed, 08/06/2025 - 17:02

They’re proud �� graduates doing impactful work for the National Football League’s (NFL) Washington Commanders and helping to change the face of professional football.

The irony? Neither Gayatri Nambiar nor Bridget O’Donnell had ever watched a football game before stepping into their current respective roles with the team—Nambiar as football solutions developer and O’Donnell as senior manager for premium client services.

The journey has been both challenging and empowering.

Gayatri Nambiar: From Mumbai to the gridiron

Gayatri Nambiar. Photo provided

A native of Mumbai, India, Nambiar earned her MS in applied information technology from the College of Engineering and Computing in 2018. With no sports background, she was surprised when the Commanders reached out to her in 2021 about joining their football technology team, but she was immediately curious.

“The sport wasn’t part of the culture I grew up in,” she said. “Everything—from the rules to the strategy—was completely new. Once I started working in football, I immersed myself in learning the game. The strategic side has been fascinating, and it’s given me a whole new appreciation for how much data, planning, and detail go into every decision.”

Based at the team’s training facility in Ashburn, Virginia, Nambiar works at the intersection of technology and football operations. Her team partners with scouts, coaches, analysts, and front-office staff to build tools that support player evaluation, draft strategy, contract planning, and performance analysis.

“No two days are ever the same,” she said. “And that’s what makes it so engaging.”

Nambiar credits her time at George Mason as foundational to her career. She worked as a research assistant, gaining valuable hands-on experience, and learned from professors who were deeply supportive. Working at Ike’s dining hall was key to developing time management and interpersonal skills, and she landed her first U.S. job through a university career fair.

Bridget O’Donnell: From the court to the front office

Bridget O’Donnell. Photo provided

O’Donnell, who graduated in 2016 with a BA in communication with a concentration in journalism from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, was a Patriots women’s basketball player before playing professionally in the Czech Republic with SBS Ostrava. She grew up in a basketball-focused family in New Jersey—her aunt was the late Hall of Famer and Olympic gold medalist women’s basketball legend Anne Donovan—so football wasn’t in the forefront.

“Luckily, I’m not out there coaching the team,” she joked. “But we’ve certainly learned a ton about the sport over the last three years.”

Now based at the Commanders’ corporate office, just 20 minutes away from Northwest Stadium in College Park, Maryland, O’Donnell oversees premium client services. She’s responsible for delivering top-tier service to annual suite clients, generating additional revenue with new business targets, renewing and negotiating multi-year suite lease agreements, and strategizing and executing year-round client engagements through partner events, away-game travel, and more.

“Being in sales is incredibly empowering,” she said. “Navigating tough conversations with influential business leaders, negotiating high-value deals, commanding rooms, and earning your own success. It’s not always easy, but I’m lucky to have many extraordinary, trailblazing women to look up to at the Commanders and across the industry.”

O’Donnell said her experience as a George Mason—as a student-athlete and Athletics communications intern—deepened her connection her to the university and continues to shape her approach to leadership and teamwork.

Advice for the next generation

Both women take their roles as trailblazers in a traditionally male-dominated industry seriously. They hope to inspire others who may not see themselves represented in such fields.

“What’s encouraging is how things are starting to shift,” Nambiar said. “More women are moving into roles across coaching, analytics, operations, and tech. Being part of that change—helping to redefine what the industry looks like—is both humbling and motivating.”

“When you find ways to connect your skills and passions to the business side, you open the door to making a real impact,” O’Donnell said, “and becoming an invaluable part of any team or organization.”

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Former Patriots star Tayler Cook brings winning touch to coaching

Katarina Benson — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:38:22 +0000

Former Patriots star Tayler Cook brings winning touch to coaching Katarina Benson Tue, 07/15/2025 - 15:38

Tayler Cook knows a thing or two about winning, and the former �� women’s basketball standout hasn’t wasted any time imparting what she knows.

Coach Tayler Cook with her Heritage team. Photo by Maya Lopez/LoCoSports

In her first year as head coach at Heritage High School in Leesburg, Cook took over a girls’ basketball team that had finished 12-12 the year before, leading the Pride to a remarkable 25-3 record and the program’s first Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 4 state championship.

“It was definitely a good year and an exciting flip,” said Cook, who earned a BS in physical education from George Mason’s College of Education and Human Development in 2018 before returning for a master’s degree in special education. “I told them before the start of the season that they could win a state title, but they had to believe it.”

Cook’s impact was almost immediate. Heritage, a Loudoun County school that had never advanced that far since opening in 2002, also claimed Dulles District and Region 4C titles while holding opponents to fewer than 33 points per game, making them one of the toughest defensive teams in Northern Virginia.

Cook was named Class 4 State Coach of the Year for her efforts.

“We’re so excited to have her,” said Pride Athletics Director and fellow George Mason alum J. J. Totaro, BS Public Administration ’03. “It takes a real special coach to get players to use their talents selflessly, use them with a team mentality, and rise to the moment when situations get tough. We look forward to seeing what they can do this coming season as well.”

Coach Cook on the sidelines. Photo provided

Cook, who is a special education teacher in addition to coaching basketball, is a former VHSL Player of the Year and daughter of longtime Spotswood High School Coach Chris Dodson, whose career ledger includes 12 district titles, 10 regional crowns, and six state championships. She played a key role in Spotswood’s back-to-back state championships in 2013 and 2014.

It seems that winning is in her DNA.

Cook was a four-year player at George Mason, where she still ranks 14th all-time in assists with 251 and 25th in rebounds with 495. She helped lead the Patriots to a 24-win season and a berth in the 2018 Women’s National Invitational Tournament (NIT) after three consecutive losing seasons.

Cook took over at Heritage following a successful run guiding Tuscarora High School to back-to-back state tournament appearances. She brought with her a dynamic five-out, spread offense, and a passion for player development.

“It feels different as a player than as a coach,” Cook said. “As a player, you’re definitely having fun and doing it with your best friends. I just wanted it so bad for them as a coach because I had done it.”

While Heritage graduated six seniors from this year’s title-winning team, including two starters, Cook likes her team’s chances for next year with the return of several top prospects.

“It’s a lot of fun, and I truly enjoy coaching them,” she said.

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�� recognized as a top Military Friendly University

Katarina Benson — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 21:27:58 +0000

�� recognized as a top Military Friendly University Katarina Benson Mon, 06/30/2025 - 17:27

�� has once again been recognized for its longstanding commitment to military-connected students and their families, earning a Silver ranking in the Military Friendly® School designation for the upcoming 2025-26 academic year.

The annual recognition honors colleges and universities that demonstrate excellence in serving military communities. The full list of designees will be featured in the October issue of G.I. Jobs Magazine and can also be found at militaryfriendly.com.

“At George Mason, we are a mission-driven community,” said Jennifer Connors, director of the Office of Military Services. “I am proud of the work our team and our colleagues across campus do every day to ensure our military-affiliated students and families feel supported.”

More than 10% of George Mason’s more than 40,000 students are current or former military members or military dependents. This past academic year, approximately 20% of incoming freshmen, transfer, and graduate students had military ties, reinforcing George Mason’s reputation as a top destination for military-affiliated students.

Many of these students receive education benefits to support their academic goals. More than 2,000 use Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits, approximately 1,000 benefit from the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program, and more than 100 receive Department of Defense Federal Tuition Assistance.

George Mason’s commitment to military-connected students is also reflected in national rankings. U.S. News & World Report named George Mason one of Virginia’s best colleges for veterans. Its master of business administration (MBA) program for veterans ranked first among public universities both in Virginia and nationwide, and the master’s in nursing for veterans placed first in Virginia and the Washington, D.C. metro region.

The university’s Military, Veterans, and Families Initiative (MVFI) focuses specifically on leveraging George Mason’s strengths as the commonwealth’s largest and most diverse research university by empowering servicemembers, veterans, and their families through connections to a wide range of campus and regional resources.

“It speaks to our ability to not only serve those who have served us, but to create an environment where our service members, our veterans, and their families can thrive,” said Keith Renshaw, MVFI director, senior associate provost for undergraduate education, and a professor of psychology.

Additional information on the ranking’s methodology can be found here.

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“Patriots United. Together We Thrive.” is Athletics’ vision to strengthen George Mason’s competitive future

Katarina Benson — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 19:31:48 +0000

“Patriots United. Together We Thrive.” is Athletics’ vision to strengthen George Mason’s competitive future Katarina Benson Wed, 06/18/2025 - 15:31

It’s less about wins and losses for Marvin Lewis, and more about building enduring bridges for the long term.

The �� assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics recently unveiled his vision with an ambitious five-year strategic plan called “Patriots United. Together We Thrive.” The plan aims to enhance student-athlete experiences, strengthen resources, raise competitiveness, curate storytelling and engagement opportunities, and cultivate a championship culture.

The plan is designed to keep George Mason competitive in the fast-changing college sports landscape with improved facilities, expanded resources, and robust support for student-athletes.

“I believe athletics is the front porch of this university, but our job is to unite the community,” Lewis said. “In this evolving landscape, our university needs athletics at the forefront, with our basketball programs gaining strong visibility—locally, regionally, and nationally. These pillars will guide our efforts as we continue to elevate George Mason Athletics and deliver on our mission to inspire and transform lives through the power of sports.”

Marvin Lewis. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Lewis presented his plan, as well as the fundraising priorities, to the university’s Board of Visitors (BOV) in February, where his call for support in building a winning program to unite the Northern Virginia community resonated.

“If we look around the country at the elite universities, I think you’ll find the combination of great athletics and great academics,” BOV board member Jon M. Peterson said at the meeting. “I think we’ve got the academics; I just think we need to bring the other side up to match.”

Key Highlights of the Plan

There is a $35 million fundraising goal within the Mason Now: Power the Possible comprehensive campaign, to elevate George Mason Athletics, enhance student-athlete experiences, and strengthen the university’s competitive position.

Basketball Greatness:

The university’s signature men’s and women’s basketball programs are central to the plan, with $22.5 million allocated to position George Mason as the unofficial college team of Northern Virginia.
Focused on attracting, recruiting, and retaining top-tier talent, providing championship-level support, and developing student-athletes to their full potential.
A significant portion will fund the construction of a new Basketball and Academic Performance Center, a 30,000-square-foot facility with practice courts, coaches’ offices, locker rooms, a weight room, and an academic support center for all student-athletes.

Sports Performance Ecosystem:

$8 million will be allocated to enhance mental health and wellness services, as well as nutrition and fueling programs, based on student-athlete feedback identifying these as the top requested resources.

Patriot Pathways: Champion to Career:

$3 million will go toward this program, which provides holistic development opportunities for student-athletes beyond sports, including financial education, career readiness, leadership development, and civic engagement.

Athletic Director Opportunity Fund:

Aimed at supporting emerging opportunities, this $1.5 million fund will invest in innovative technology pilots, one-time campus and local business collaborations, and special projects to strengthen recruitment and retention efforts.

Lewis predicts the addition of the Basketball and Academic Performance Center would be a “game-changer” for George Mason. This plan also highlights the need to upgrade the 40-year-old, 10,000-seat EagleBank Arena, which will require spending up to $10 million.

“Men’s and women’s basketball are our flagship programs,” said Lewis, a former four-year starting shooting guard and team captain at Georgia Tech, who led the Yellow Jackets to the 2004 national championship game. “They’re the most visible programs for our university, so making sure they have the resources they need is imperative.”

Lewis emphasized the broader benefits of a successful, high-profile comprehensive athletics program, noting the increased visibility can lead to increased student enrollment and attract more academically talented students who might not have otherwise considered George Mason.

While most current George Mason students weren’t around for the Patriots’ Cinderella run to the 2006 Final Four, Lewis believes winning can revive that same spirit. Signs of renewed excitement are already evident after both the men’s and women’s basketball teams had successful seasons this winter.

This season marked a historic year for George Mason Athletics, as the Patriots added to their proud legacy by capturing a combined five regular season titles and conference championships—marking the most successful year in the university’s Atlantic 10 era and the highest single-season total since 1994–95.

“Everybody loves winners,” Peterson said. “We need more winners, and we’ll attract more students.”

The magic starting to take hold at George Mason hasn’t gone unnoticed in the sports world, as Lewis was named to the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee in May.

But building a championship culture doesn’t come easily, and it will require an all-hands-on-deck approach from the entire campus and local community.

The university’s BOV recognized its role in this effort, using the May meeting to formally approve a name, image, likeness (NIL) policy that compensates student-athletes through personal branding opportunities. Lewis said the policy aligns George Mason with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s legal framework, pending NCAA legislation, and peer institutions.

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A historic year for George Mason Athletics

Katarina Benson — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 19:28:07 +0000

A historic year for George Mason Athletics Katarina Benson Wed, 06/18/2025 - 15:28

The 2024-25 school year was one for the record books for �� Athletics, delivering five Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) titles and the most successful run since joining the league 11 years ago.

The Patriots captured A-10 titles or championships in:

Men’s soccer—first regular season title in program history marking the team’s first title since winning the 2013 tournament championship
Men’s basketball—first regular season title in program history
Women’s basketball—first tournament championship in program history
Women’s indoor track and field—first championship since 2014
Men’s outdoor track and field—first championship since 2019

Women's basketball A-10 champions. Photo by Art Pittman/Athletics

“This year’s success is a reflection of the passion, resilience, and drive our coaches and student-athletes bring every day,” said Marvin Lewis, assistant vice president and director of athletics. “We’re proud to make history together and a strong sign of what’s possible for George Mason Athletics moving forward.”

This marked the highest single-school year total in program history, surpassing the previous record of four titles set during George Mason’s inaugural A-10 campaign in 2013–14. It also marked the first time since 1994–95, during the university’s tenure in the Colonial Athletic Association, that the Patriots won five combined regular season and conference championships in one academic year.

Men's outdoor track and field. Photo by Rafael Suanes/Athletics

Additional highlights from a banner year:

Men’s soccer Head Coach Rich Costanzo was named A-10 Coach of the Year after guiding the Patriots to their first regular season title, finishing 13-4-1 overall and 6-1-1 in A-10 play—their best conference finish—and earning them a top seed in the A-10 Championship.

Men’s basketball Head Coach Tony Skinn was named A-10 Coach of the Year after leading the team to a share of its first-ever regular season A-10 conference title, a program-tying 27 wins, and its first National Invitation Tournament (NIT) appearance since 2009.
The women’s basketball team recorded a program-best 27 victories, won its first A-10 Tournament title, and secured its first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament appearance.
Student-athletes earned a collective 3.32 grade point average (GPA), with a record 78 named Provost Scholars earning a 3.75 GPA or higher, and nearly half securing Dean's List honors. In total, 18 student-athletes earned all-conference honors or individual titles, and 75 earned weekly conference awards.

With historic wins, academic excellence, and rising national visibility, George Mason is building momentum, positioning the university as a competitive force in the A-10 and across the collegiate athletics landscape.

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George Mason researchers look at low-cost solutions to increase solved cases and boost public trust in police

Katarina Benson — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 19:04:38 +0000

George Mason researchers look at low-cost solutions to increase solved cases and boost public trust in police Katarina Benson Thu, 06/05/2025 - 15:04

It’s a sought-after “sweet spot,” where effective police response to combatting nonviolent crimes earns public approval and builds community goodwill—all within tight budget constraints.

Cynthia Lum. Photo by Office of University Branding

Reaching that intersection is no easy task. That’s why �� researchers Cynthia Lum and Christopher Koper are testing solutions to help local police departments balance limited resources while strengthening public trust.

Lum, director of the Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy (CEBCP) within the Department of Criminology, Law and Society in George Mason’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Koper, a nationally recognized expert on firearms policy and policing and CEBCP’s Principal Fellow, are leading a new initiative supported by an $839,000 grant from Arnold Ventures. The Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit supports evidence-based policy, research, and advocacy to address systemic challenges where traditional approaches have fallen short, funding initiatives that aim to drive long-term, bipartisan reform.

The project emphasizes practical scalable steps police departments can take, especially when it comes to serious property crime cases, such as burglaries and auto thefts, which sometimes get low priority due to lack of investigative leads, high caseloads, and limited police resources.

“We are testing whether low-cost actions will help victim satisfaction and will possibly help police solve more crimes,” said Lum, a former Baltimore police officer. “If this works, then I think many police agencies across the country, especially those who don’t have a lot of resources, but who want to try to do something, will have an accessible approach that can lead to real improvements.”

Most crimes in the United States go unsolved. Violent crimes have higher rates of clearance, with homicide cases ranking highest at 58%. Nonviolent crimes—which are much greater in number—are solved at much lower rates, frustrating many victims and eroding trust in law enforcement.

Christopher Koper. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

To address that, the agencies participating in the George Mason three-year pilot will send officers to personally follow-up on stalled, low-priority cases that would not normally receive extensive investigation. If this uncovers potential new leads, it may increase the likelihood of solving these cases. Further, by demonstrating continued engagement, it is hoped that the follow-ups will improve victim satisfaction with police services and boost community views of the police. Lum and Koper will be measuring both outcomes.

“At the minimum, it gets officers back into the community, visibly showing their commitment to solving crimes and positively engaging with people,” Lum said, adding that this project will provide graduate students on the research team opportunity to learn how to carry out program evaluations and field experiments.

Lum and Koper are currently partnering with two police departments, one in Northern Virginia and the other in Maryland. While setting up logistics, such as data sharing and officer training, they are both optimistic about the possibilities.

“We’re trying to move the needle with a modest, low-cost change to investigative procedures,” Koper said. “That additional follow-up by an officer could make a difference.”

Should their research prove effective, they plan to disseminate the model and findings to law enforcement agencies nationwide.

“I think of it as helping police agencies balance the realities they face,” Koper said. “They want to solve more cases and earn a higher level of public confidence and trust. But they also face limits on how intensively they can investigate all cases.”

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Quinn-Irons led George Mason’s charge into the baseball postseason

Katarina Benson — Mon, 19 May 2025 19:12:06 +0000

Quinn-Irons led George Mason’s charge into the baseball postseason Katarina Benson Mon, 05/19/2025 - 15:12

A subtle shift in mindset turned James Quinn-Irons into a force at the plate—and it made all the difference in George Mason’s baseball postseason run.

Quinn-Irons at bat. Photo by George Mason Athletics

Rather than fixating on results, the junior first baseman embraced a process-driven approach, focusing on what he can control at each at-bat. This mindset allowed him to explode offensively, leading the Patriots in nearly every major offensive category, propelling the team into the Atlantic 10 Conference Baseball Tournament at Capital One Park in Tysons, Virginia. George Mason made it to the championship game but lost 4-1 to Rhode Island.

“I don’t care as much about the results of the at-bat,” Quinn-Irons said. “I used to get wrapped up in stats, but now it’s more about the process—whether I’ve been patient, worked the count, and done the little things. You can’t always control getting a hit or driving someone in, but you can control your approach. It’s just a mindset.”

It worked.

The computer science major in the College of Engineering and Computing played and started in all 55 regular-season games this spring, leading the Patriots with a .419 batting average, 16 home runs, 85 runs batted in (RBIs), 101 hits, 24 doubles, a .734 slugging percentage, and a 0.523 on base percentage. He also ranks second on the team with 36 stolen bases in 43 attempts. In the A-10 standings, he ranks third in stolen bases, second in slugging percentage, and leads the conference in batting average, on base percentage, hits, RBIs, doubles, and OPS (on base + slugging percentage) with 1.257.

At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Quinn-Irons has played his way into professional prospect, with his name expected to be called during next month’s Major League Baseball (MLB) draft. He recently participated in the 2025 MLB Draft Combine, held June 17-21 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. The invitation-only event features top collegiate and high school players selected by a committee of MLB and scouting executives, giving prospects the opportunity to showcase their abilities in advance of the draft.

Quinn-Irons was a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award. Photo by George Mason Athletics

Accolades are piling up. He was named a semifinalist for the prestigious Golden Spikes Award, bestowed annually to the nation’s top amateur baseball player. He is the first player in George Mason baseball history to earn the honor and just the third from the A-10 conference to be named a semifinalist. Previous winners include former MLB stars Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper, and Buster Posey. In addition, Quinn-Irons received numerous conference and national honors, including:

A-10 Player of the Year
Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Player of the Year
Three All-America honors:
- American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings NCAA Division I All-America First Team
- National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Division I All-America First Team
- Perfect Game College Baseball Second Team All-American
Three-time A-10 Player of the Week, the most of any player in the league

Not too bad for a player out of South Lakes High School in Reston, Virginia whose lone scholarship offer came from George Mason.

Patriots Head Coach and former MLB pitcher Shawn Camp lauded Quinn-Irons for the leadership he brings on and off the field, and for his ability to inspire others around him.

“His leadership is contagious,” Camp said. “He shows up every day with the same attitude. He is one of the most coachable players I’ve ever had, and is always working to improve.”

Last season, Quinn-Irons batted .302 with 13 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases. His tireless dedication to his craft has elevated every part of his game this spring.

A highlight from earlier in the season came on May 15, when he blasted a walk-off, three-run homer, with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to seal a thrilling 8-6 win over Fordham, keeping George Mason’s A-10 regular season title and top tournament seed hopes alive.

“I’m just playing ball,” Quinn-Irons said.

With numbers like his, the game clearly played back.

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At 16, Yevin Goonatilake becomes George Mason’s youngest master’s graduate

Katarina Benson — Wed, 07 May 2025 17:21:14 +0000

At 16, Yevin Goonatilake becomes George Mason’s youngest master’s graduate Katarina Benson Wed, 05/07/2025 - 13:21

Yevin Goonatilake hasn’t slowed down since becoming ��’s youngest graduate with a 4.0 in December. In fact, he’s only picked up speed.

Now 16, the Leesburg, Virginia, native has added another milestone to his remarkable journey—completing a master’s degree in computer science, making him the youngest person in university history to do so.

Along the way, Goonatilake landed a job, earned his learner’s permit, and continued playing professional cricket—all while finishing graduate classwork that would challenge even seasoned scholars.

“Graduate life has definitely been a lot busier and more challenging,” he said. “These last few months have been the most demanding yet.”

Enrolled in the Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s (BAM) program through the College of Engineering and Computing, Goonatilake appears on track to finish his master’s with the same 4.0 GPA he held as an undergraduate.

Yevin Goonatilake. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“I’m proud to hold onto the record for the time being,” he said. “I’m sure it will be broken in the future, but it’s nice to be George Mason’s youngest ever master’s graduate for now.”

Taking four graduate courses this semester—including three advanced-level classes—meant longer hours and greater expectations. But Goonatilake has proven he’s up for the challenge of graduate study.

“One of the biggest differences I noticed in the graduate program is that it requires more independence,” he said. “The specific implementation details are often left to you. The focus shifts from following set instructions to producing meaningful results.”

His academic interests have sharpened, too. He’s especially drawn to cryptography, which involves applying encryption and decryption schemes to messages in order to conceal them.

As a master’s student research assistant, Goonatilake is working with Computer Science Professor and Eminent Scholar Giuseppe Ateniese on cutting-edge research at the intersection of cryptography and large language models (LLMs). His current focus: cryptographic watermarking—embedding hidden signals in artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content to identify its source.

Ateniese said he was “quite astonished” upon learning Goonatilake’s age.

“But age aside, I’m impressed by his maturity, diligence, and ability to grasp extremely complex topics,” he said. “I’m delighted to have him on my team, and I have no doubt that he will continue to achieve remarkable success.”

Despite a demanding schedule, Goonatilake remains committed to cricket, playing for the Baltimore Royals Sunny Sohail (BRSS) Cricket Academy, part of Minor League Cricket. He trains several times per week and played in winter tournaments this past year in both Tampa and Miami.

“Balancing academics and cricket has kept me a little busier than I would prefer,” he said. “But I need both. Cricket keeps me grounded and gives me the outlet to clear my mind, giving me something to look forward to outside of academics.”

Celebrating his 16th birthday earlier this year has made that balancing act a little easier: with a learner’s permit in hand, Goonatilake is beginning to practice driving. “Now that I have my permit, I have been trying to drive whenever I can,” he said with a smile.

As for what’s next? Goonatilake hopes to remain at George Mason in the fall to pursue a PhD in computer science.

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Graduate student uses the healing power of art to help other veterans

Katarina Benson — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 15:59:31 +0000

Graduate student uses the healing power of art to help other veterans Katarina Benson Mon, 04/28/2025 - 11:59

Death has been the constant companion in Steven Luu’s life—from war-torn Vietnam to the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. But through art, Luu, now a master of fine arts (MFA) student at ��’s School of Art, within the College of Visual and Performing Arts, has discovered peace, purpose, and a path to healing.

“All of my artwork is about revisiting,” said Luu. “Art is not to forget, but to express.”

Luu wasn’t yet born when his unlikely odyssey began 50 years ago this month, following the fall of Saigon to the North Vietnamese Army in April 1975. Nearly a year later, he came into the world as his family’s life was upended by war and political upheaval. His father, a South Vietnamese government official, along with his grandfather and uncle, were lost in the war, and the family home was confiscated. When Luu was just a year old, he and his family were sent to a re-education camp, where they endured harsh poverty and uncertainty.

When he was 7, Luu and his family managed to escape Vietnam by sea, in search of freedom in a small boat packed with refugees. Their harrowing journey lasted more than two months; by the time of their rescue by the British Royal Navy, nearly half of the passengers perished from starvation. Luu was just shy of his 8th birthday when he was forced to help push lifeless bodies overboard—a memory that has haunted him since.

After years of adversity in trying conditions in refugee camps in Hong Kong, Luu and his family made their way to the United States in 1991. Following his high school graduation in 1995, he enlisted with the U.S. Air Force and became a medic, driven by a desire to save lives after witnessing so much suffering, and determined to do everything he could to prevent others from enduring the same fate. His 20-year career in the U.S. military included deployments to the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan, often alongside special operations units.

Luu with one of his works. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“I have seen the worst part of humanity,” said Luu, who will turn 48 later this year. “And it stays with you.”

In 2012, while serving in Afghanistan, Luu was severely wounded. His lengthy convalescence at Walter Reed Medical Center, then located in Washington, D.C., marked a turning point. There, a hospital official introduced him to the healing power of art by providing him a canvas and drawing utensils.

“In that moment, I saw art as a way to let something inside me out, without having to say it,” said Luu, who while working on his degree also serves as documentarian for Mason Exhibitions.

He found making art incredibly therapeutic. Sculpture, especially using raw and rigid materials like concrete and epoxy resin, has become a personal healing ritual.

Although he had no formal art background, Luu knew he had found his voice. After earning a BA in theology from Catholic Distance University in 2010, he applied to George Mason’s School of Art, earning his BFA in sculpture in 2022. He recognized that art was more than a way to help himself, it also allowed him reach other veterans grappling with the same guilt and isolation he felt after leaving the military. He’s on track to complete his MFA in 2026.

All of his sculptures are made with recycled materials. “Like me, these materials have been given a second chance at life,” Luu said.

Artist Peter Winant was the director of George Mason’s School of Art when he first saw Luu’s early drawings in 2017.

“There was something really deep in them,” Winant said. “Some form of truth that few of us could approach.”

That truth now fuels Luu’s mission to help other veterans navigate their own trauma—a mission he pursues with deep purpose and gratitude for the opportunity. He creates art with a focus on mental health and uses his story to encourage others to find their own form of expression.

In 2024, the U.S. Air Force invited Luu to work with Wounded Warriors, teaching recovering airmen about the healing power of art, and how to channel their experiences into creative expression. He’ll do the same this November, during a weeklong George Mason conference for 400 recovering veterans spanning all military branches. The week will conclude with a public art exhibit featuring the veterans’ creations.

His solo exhibition Steven Luu: A Path to Healing & Transformation is on display through May at the National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago. It is a powerful testament to one man’s journey through unimaginable pain and his unwavering pursuit of peace.

“Art is the one universal language—it’s always been the language of humanity,” said Luu. “I cannot physically fix what happened in the past, but at least I have closure. Like life as a whole, you adapt in art to survive.”

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