Preston Williams

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

Topics

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.

Learn more

Manouchehri is this year’s Winter Commencement speaker

Katarina Benson — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 14:28:06 +0000

Manouchehri is this year’s Winter Commencement speaker Katarina Benson Fri, 10/17/2025 - 10:28

Ali Reza Manouchehri, BA Philosophy ‘99, co-founder and chief executive officer of MetroStar, a company he started as a �� student, will be the featured speaker at Winter Commencement on December 18 at EagleBank Arena on the Fairfax ��.

Manouchehri will be the Winter Commencement speaker.

Manouchehri launched MetroStar, a digital transformation company serving government agencies and the private sector, in 1999 from his residence hall room. The company now has a team of more than 500 engineers, designers, and innovators who assist clients in staying abreast of the latest technologies to modernize operations.

The Iranian-born Manouchehri also is co-founder and chairperson, and former CEO, at software company Zoomph. Both MetroStar and Zoomph are based in Reston, Virginia.

In 2023, Manouchehri was named Executive of the Year in the $75 Million-$300 Million category at the Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards. In 2022, he received WashingtonExec's 2022 Chief Executive Officer Award in the Private Company, Annual Revenue less than $150M category. In 2024 he was appointed director of MainStreet Bank. 

Named a College of Humanities and Social Sciences Distinguished Alumnus in 2012, Manouchehri has been active in several capacities at George Mason, including as philanthropist, a judge at the Accelerator Investor Conference, and currently as an advisory board member for the Costello College of Business Baroni Center for Government Contracting.

Manouchehri spoke at the CHSS degree celebration in 2016.

Winter Commencement details

Topics

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Fuse at Mason Square powers research and innovation through collaboration

Colleen Rich — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 20:16:02 +0000

Fuse at Mason Square powers research and innovation through collaboration Colleen Rich Mon, 09/29/2025 - 16:16

�� celebrated Fuse at Mason Square with the same collaborative spirit that will fuel decades of innovation at the state-of-the-art facility in Arlington, Virginia. Hundreds of representatives from industry, academia, government, and the community came together for the grand celebration at Fuse on Thursday, which included Governor Glenn Youngkin speaking at the ribbon cutting for the Energy Exploration (E2) Center.

“Igniting a fuse signifies the moment where possibility transforms into inevitability,” George Mason President Gregory Washington said during the main program celebration that culminated the grand opening event. “It's that razor-thin instant where preparation meets decision and hesitation gives way to action. What we have done today is strike that initial flame. And that initial flame is a declaration that the future will no longer be passive. It will unfold because you dare to set it in motion.”

Fuse, which anchors the Arlington Innovation Corridor that runs from Rosslyn to Ballston, is a “a factory of dreams, factory of ideas,” said Takis Karantonis, chair of the Arlington County Board. Fuse will house research and economic opportunities in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, power/energy, Next G communications, nuclear small reactor control systems, and data center engineering.

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Much of that work will support the university’s Grand Challenge Initiative. In addition, Mason Enterprise will support thousands of entrepreneurs in tech and other fields on their path to commercialization and adoption of their ideas and inventions.

Washington singled out several key figures in the completion of the Fuse project, including College of Engineering and Computing dean Ken Ball; Liza Wilson Durant, associate provost for strategic initiatives and community engagement; and Mason Innovation Partners, a development consortium led by Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate. The event also included acknowledgment of the key role philanthropy plays at George Mason, giving thanks to Kimmy Duong and Long Nguyen, whose names grace Virginia’s first School of Computing.

“We are celebrating more than a building,” said Trishana E. Bowden, vice president of advancement and alumni relations and president of the �� Foundation. “We are celebrating a bold vision come to life, a place where ideas, partnerships, opportunities will shape our future. So consider this an open invitation. Partner with us, invest with us. Help us ensure that the energy we celebrate today continues to inspire generations of thinkers, doers, and leaders.”

Ball said that 44 engineering and computing faculty have moved into their offices at Fuse and are setting up their labs, and 120 PhD students are there as well. Hundreds of students are already enrolled in classes at Fuse, where there are labs for robotics and autonomous systems, virtual reality, power engineering, networking, cybersecurity, and other innovative pursuits. With Fuse fully open, every school and college at Mason now has a presence at Mason Square.

From left, Vice President Trishana E. Bowden, Long Nguyen, Kimmy Duong, President Gregory Washington, and Dean Ken Ball at the Grand Celebration for Fuse at Mason Square. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“You'll see the best minds in higher education and private industry together tackling some of society's toughest ethical and technical challenges,” George Mason Board of Visitors Rector Charles “Cully” Stimson said. “And most importantly, you'll see our students gaining the kinds of hands-on experience that will carry them into the workforce ready to lead.”

Ball was one of multiple speakers to thank the university’s philanthropists, including Kimmy Duong and Long Nguyen, who gave a $20 million gift to establish the state’s first School of Computing in their name. Duong and Nguyen also provide scholarships to students at George Mason and other colleges and universities in the Washington, D.C., region through the Kimmy Duong Foundation.

One scholarship recipient is Rakibul Alam, an Honors College student in the Costello College of Business. Alam has served in Student Government and as a student ambassador at the business school, launched a startup called Project Hope to improve the availability of menstrual health products in Bangladesh, and studied abroad in Morocco and India. Alam also is president of Mason Consulting Group and interned with the Department of the Navy and KPMG.

“The generosity of our donors, including the Kimmy Duong Foundation, has not only helped me with the financial challenges of tuition, books, and living expenses, but has also help me accomplish my dream of a global education,” Alam said in thanking Duong and Nguyen, telling them, “You are changing lives and creating a generation of students who will be giving back. You are making this world a better place. And I hope that I can be part of that change and to represent you well.”

The Fuse celebration included the dedication and ribbon cutting of the Energy Exploration (E2) Center, the largest small modular reactor (SMR) control room simulator of its kind in the country, and one of 11 in the world.

E2, in partnership with NuScale Power Corporation, will provide students with opportunities to learn on the latest technology to become leaders and innovators in the sustainable energy workforce, a shared vision among higher education, government and industry.

Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank funded E2 as part of the Virginia Department of Energy’s investments in the state’s nuclear energy workforce development.

“You all are about to engage in a step function change in your ability to understand the power of nuclear power,” Youngkin said, singling out the students and faculty in attendance at the dedication on the seventh floor of Fuse. “Because you're no longer going to be reading about SMRs. You're no longer going to wish that you could work on one. You are going to be able to walk into that room….and do something incredible, which is prepare yourself for an extraordinary career.

“We have a collective moment to celebrate, a collective moment to say this is a step that we will all remember that the workforce of the future in order to drive the power of the future was right here at ��.”

Glenn Davis, BA Economics ’93, is the state’s energy director. He joined Youngkin, Washington, and NuScale Chief Commercial Officer Clayton Scott at the dedication.

“�� has been an exceptional partner building curriculum, recruiting talent, and opening this space to educators, local leaders, and the public. It’s the right capacity and capability in the right place at the right time,” Davis said.

At a VIP reception that preceded the E2 event, Washington thanked several groups for their involvement in Fuse, including the President’s Innovation Advisory Council, which includes representatives from industry, community, and government.

Washington specifically cited Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, for the extensive role he has played in championing Fuse and lifting technological innovation in Northern Virginia, including attracting Amazon HQ2 to the region.

“His efforts to drive economic growth, jobs, and investment across Northern Virginia has been recognized and championed all throughout the country,” Washington said. “He has been a huge supporter of us, putting George Mason literally at the center of that development, and has been incredibly helpful in helping to move it forward.

“He has provided leadership and vision in shaping Fuse at Mason Square as a model for collaboration among business, government, and academia.”

George Mason faculty and students presented interactive demonstrations involving drones, robots, and other tools of technological advancement.

“When the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Northern Virginia community, and �� work together, there is absolutely no limit to what we can achieve and achieve together,” Washington said.

Learn more about Fuse at Mason Square

George Mason highlighted for creating workforce partnerships

Colleen Rich — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 14:50:59 +0000

George Mason highlighted for creating workforce partnerships Colleen Rich Mon, 09/15/2025 - 10:50

�� President Gregory Washington was a panelist at an American Council on Education (ACE) briefing on Capitol Hill that focused on universities partnering with industry to address shortages in the health care workforce.

From left, George Mason President Gregory Washington, Inova Health System's John Moynihan, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Labouré College of Healthcare President Lily Hsu, Ascentria Care Alliance President and CEO Angela Bovill. Photo by ACE

The event also highlighted George Mason as one of the Carnegie Foundation and ACE “Opportunity Colleges and Universities: Higher Access, Higher Earnings.”

Among the other panelists at the Sept. 9 briefing was Inova Health System President and Chief of Clinical Enterprise John Moynihan. George Mason partners with Inova and others in the industry to provide pathways to careers for George Mason graduates. The Mason Center for Health Workforce serves as a catalyst and facilitator of community action for health workforce development across Virginia.

“This is ultimately about creating opportunity for the next generation,” Washington said. “Opportunity should be at the heart of every partnership we build.”

Topics

�� News

George Mason president

workforce

George Mason welcomes record number of incoming students for fall 2025

Colleen Rich — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 19:28:59 +0000

George Mason welcomes record number of incoming students for fall 2025 Colleen Rich Mon, 08/25/2025 - 15:28

�� welcomed the largest incoming class in university history at New Student Convocation on Friday, with administrative, faculty and student speakers encouraging the newcomers to take full advantage of their academic and social opportunities, including robust campus involvement.

Students gathered in EagleBank Arena for the New Student Convocation. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“Students like you come to George Mason to receive a world-class education, graduate with little or no debt, and land a fantastic job on the back end,” President Gregory Washington told the enthusiastic throng at EagleBank Arena. “That is the reason why George Mason is No. 1 in the state…for upward mobility. It does not matter where your Point A is. We get you to a spectacular Point B.”

Washington reminded students that they now attend the largest and most diverse public university in Virginia, a top-tier research institution that has leapt 110 spots in the Wall Street Journal rankings since 2020 and is one of only two universities in the nation to be both top 20 in free speech and a five-star �� Pride Index university.

“We don’t just look different,” Washington said. “We think different. We act different. And you know what? We figure out a way to make it all work together, and we do that better than anyone else in the country.”

Isaiah Grays, student body president, shared his experiences as an out-of-state student. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Washington advised students to use PatriotAI as a strategic tool and not a shortcut, and to find ways to get involved with the Grand Challenge Initiative by studying the six areas of focus and working alongside faculty members who are tackling these issues.

Keith Renshaw, senior associate provost for undergraduate education, told the incoming students that the communication, problem-solving and other skills they learn will enable them to adapt and switch jobs and careers—including occupations that do not yet exist.

“It’s not your major that’s going to dictate where you will or will not go,” Renshaw said. “It’s what you do with your major, and what you do with the opportunities you can take advantage of here. At George Mason, we don’t want you to just gain knowledge. We want you to use knowledge.”

Keynote speaker Randy Lioz, founder and consultant for Depolarizing Organizational Cultures, encouraged students to move beyond the isolation of a “phone-based life” to engage with others, particularly fellow students of different backgrounds, to promote greater understanding and spur new connections.

“The research is unmistakable,” said Lioz, who is pursuing a master’s degree in conflict analysis and resolution at the university. “The more we avoid each other, the more we misunderstand each other. That avoidance is taking a very personal toll, especially on our relationships. What I want you to realize about being at a place like George Mason is it’s about the people who surround you and the opportunities they bring to broaden your view of the world.”

Undergraduate student body president Isaiah Grays echoed that theme. Grays recalled coming to the university last year as an out-of-state freshman full of uncertainty about what life might be like in his new environment. All students, he said, should realize they have at least one thing in common—George Mason as a “shared destination.”

“Many of you may feel a sense of apprehension from the unknown,” Grays said. “But your college experience is shaped by your willingness to branch beyond what you are familiar with.”

Students learned about the many physical and mental health resources available to them, as well as the university’s more than 500 registered student organizations, from Vice President for University Life Rose Pascarell.

“You are going to thrive here, and we’re going to do everything we can to support you in that,” she said.

They also got a crash course from Doc Nix and the Green Machine on learning the university fight song,

“You’re in a family now,” Washington said. “We affectionately call it ‘the Mason Nation.’ And you’re a big part of that.”

Topics

Students

New Student Convocation

Welcome2Mason

�� News

George Mason BOV meeting on university’s five-year success story, new law school foundation, president’s annual review, and merit-based resolution eliminating DEI

Colleen Rich — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 16:46:58 +0000

George Mason BOV meeting on university’s five-year success story, new law school foundation, president’s annual review, and merit-based resolution eliminating DEI Colleen Rich Wed, 08/06/2025 - 12:46

At the �� Board of Visitors meeting August 1, President Gregory Washington highlighted the university’s successes during the past five years, including being named one of Carnegie’s new “opportunity colleges” and dramatic recent jumps in national rankings, as well as steady enrollment increases, more students entering with a 3.5 GPA or higher, graduates who have some of the highest earning power among state peers, an expansive research portfolio, doubling the university’s state appropriation, and securing ahead of schedule $572 million toward the $1 billion goal in the Mason Now: Power the Possible campaign.

With six members attending their first BOV meeting, the board unanimously passed resolutions that awarded a 1.5% pay raise to Washington as part of his annual performance review and established a foundation for the Antonin Scalia Law School.

The BOV also passed a resolution prohibiting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at the university in favor of “a merit-based approach to advancing the success of all students before and after the attainment of their degrees and to a merit-based excellence approach to the hiring, promotion, and compensation of its faculty and staff.”

The resolution directed the Office of Access, Compliance, and Community to “eliminate all programs, trainings, processes not specifically required for federal or state law or university policy compliance, and if necessary, eliminate staff positions, within 30 days.”

George Mason rector Charles “Cully” Stimson noted that the board’s action on diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and practices followed 23 months of work with university leadership and soliciting campus feedback. George Mason is the largest and most diverse public university in Virginia and accepts 90% of applicants.

“Your board has spent more time with our students and stakeholders to discuss issues surrounding DEI than all of the other boards in Virginia combined,” Stimson said. “That's the Mason way…Everyone’s voice was heard. We look forward to continuing that conversation as a team and a community.”

Stimson also shared his support for the establishment of a law school foundation, following other state law schools, for increased efficiencies and donor interests to align directly with the second-ranked law school in the state.

Citing a strong Moody’s Rating from cash flow and reduced debt, Washington shared the university’s 2050 vision and priorities on university-wide artificial intelligence implementation, the Grand Challenge Initiative that streamlines the university’s research strengths and impacts, meeting the higher education needs and career goals for today’s families and students, and the continued development of the Fairfax, Arlington and Manassas campuses through public-private partnerships for economic regional and statewide vitality. Washington also touted George Mason’s role building the largest workforce talent pool across the commonwealth’s critical fields and efforts to upskill students and the region through the Mason Career Academy.

“Despite the commentary that you might hear, this institution is doing extraordinarily well,” Washington said. “That is a testament to the leaders that are here in the room. That is a testament to our students who have performed admirably. And that is a testament to the staff and faculty who literally make it happen every day. I want to make sure you all know that I am with you, and I commend you for your hard work.”

Faculty, staff, and community supporters, including past BOV members and local and state elected officials, packed the Fairfax �� board room, as well as two overflow rooms, and joined together outside the building to show support for Washington amid concerns about his job status. The meeting drew significant media coverage from many high-profile outlets, including Forbes, Fox News, CNN, Washington Post, Washington Examiner, New York Times, NPR, and the Chronicle of Higher Education.

The meeting Friday followed the previous day’s annual planning conference, where university officials delivered updates and future plans on George Mason’s financial stability, philanthropic efforts, and growing enrollment. Four breakout sessions focused on the student experience and growth plans for each Virginia campus.

At the annual meeting on Friday, Stimson welcomed six new board members recently announced by Governor Glenn Youngkin:

Preston Cooper, PhD Economics ’23, is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, specializing in higher ed return on investment and higher ed reform.
Jeffrey T. Dinwoodie, BS Marketing ‘05, is a partner in the law firm of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP. He previously held senior positions at the Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Treasury Department.
Bobbi Kilberg is president and CEO emeritus of the Northern Virginia Technology Council. She served in various capacities in four presidential administrations.
Will Moschella, JD ‘95, is co-chair of the Government Relations Department at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2003 to serve as the assistant attorney general for legislative affairs at the U.S. Justice Department. He later served as the chief legal policy adviser to the deputy attorney general.
Sarah Parshall Perry is vice president and legal fellow at Defending Education. She previously served as a senior legal fellow for the Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, part of the Institute for Constitutional Government at the Heritage Foundation.
Harold Pyon had a 33-year career at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and was later appointed by Governor Youngkin to be deputy director of the Office of Diversity, Opportunity, and Inclusion and later served as deputy commissioner of the Department of Labor and Industry.

Moschella and Pyon will fill the remainder of the terms of former Visitors Reginald Brown and Lindsey Burke, who each resigned in May. Their terms expire in June 2026. You can find more extensive BOV member bios on the BOV website.

The BOV executive committee for the 2025-26 academic year is made up of Stimson, vice rector Michael J. Meese, secretary Armand Alacbay, and members-at-large Jeffrey A. Rosen and Robert Pence.

Each of the BOV members will serve on at least three committees. The board also formed an Athletics Committee, chaired by Pence, and changed the name of the Academic Programs, Diversity and University Community (APDUC) Committee to the Academic Affairs Committee.

Joshua K. Park, Mason Korea dean, provided an update on that campus, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year. Mason Korea has grown to about 1,000 students from more than 20 countries. “We were established as a global footprint, representing the best of American education in Asia,” Park said. “So, we are delivering education to not only students in Korea but all across Asia and we are expanding partnerships to expand that global footprint.”

The next full board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 25 at Fuse at Mason Square. The meeting date coincides with Fuse’s grand opening.

The full BOV meeting recorded stream is available at bov.gmu.edu.

Topics

�� News

Board of Visitors

George Mason’s record-breaking Class of 2025 packed the house at Spring Commencement

Colleen Rich — Thu, 15 May 2025 19:10:24 +0000

George Mason’s record-breaking Class of 2025 packed the house at Spring Commencement Colleen Rich Thu, 05/15/2025 - 15:10

�� honored its largest ever graduating class at Spring Commencement, turning the event’s “This Is Your Moment” theme into a tassel-turning time to remember for a record-breaking class of more than 12,000 degree and certificate earners.

The ceremony, livestreamed on George Mason’s YouTube channel Thursday morning from EagleBank Arena, honored graduates from 117 countries and 49 states as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and military installations.

�� President Gregory Washington told graduates they are stepping into a time of “profound challenge and change” and urged each to determine their core values to help them make decisions, particularly the difficult ones.

“Your core values are your roots,” Washington said. “In ways large and small, they provide a foundation of support that will enable you to tackle challenges with a clear mind, a clear heart, and a clear conscience.

“When you know who you are, when you know what you stand for, you can proceed with purpose and dignity. Your values are your path. And your path will lead you to strategies and solutions.”

The Class of Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

During the ceremony, Washington asked three different groups to stand and be recognized—first-generation graduates (which accounted for 25% of the class), students who came to George Mason via a community college, and students who are current or former military members, or military dependents. Each sizable group received a warm ovation and underscored the individual paths each graduate took to earning their degree.

One of the most noteworthy singular paths that Washington shared was the one taken by Yevin Goonatilake, who in December became the university’s youngest graduate to earn a 4.0 GPA, at 15 years old. This spring, at 16, he became the youngest person in university history to earn a master’s degree (computer science), a feat that elicited astonishment from graduates and attendees alike. His path will continue at George Mason as he pursues his PhD.

The guest speaker, Martina Cheung, president and CEO of S&P Global, advised the graduates to not think of their career arc as a ladder, because sometimes the wisest decision is to move laterally, not vertically. That has been her experience within S&P. She left the position as president of the market intelligence division to become president of the company’s credit rating agency, exposing her to other aspects of the business and to new colleagues inside and outside the organization.

Double major Duy Ha Vu. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“Looking back now, I realize leading two divisions instead of one actually better prepared me for becoming CEO,” Cheung said. “So the lesson here is: Don’t collect promotions. Collect experiences. That’s going to make you smarter, better prepared for what comes next, and it’ll give you a more reliable gut sense of what you ought to do when the answer isn’t especially clear.”

Board of Visitors Rector Charles “Cully” Stimson, JD ’92, presented Cheung with an honorary doctor of humane letters degree.

Student speaker Duy Ha Vu, a double major in public administration and business who moved to the United States from Vietnam, recalled personal triumphs, such as working at the Schar School of Policy and Government, founding a billiards club, and spending a semester at Mason Korea.

But Vu also recalled times of struggle and loneliness, particularly during the pandemic when he first arrived at George Mason.

“I stand before you not because I am the perfect student,” Vu said. “It’s because I never let those mistakes define me. And today, as I look at all of you in your caps and gowns, I see a room full of people who did that just that [too]. If you have made it this far, you have what it takes to go even further.”

Vu’s supporters included his mother, who had flown in from London to attend the ceremony.

Rector Stimson presents the George Mason Medal to Robert E. Buchanan. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Spring Commencement also provided an opportunity for the university to honor some of its most enduring champions. Stimson awarded the George Mason Medal, the university’s highest honorary award, to Robert E. Buchanan, a leading real estate developer who has served the university and Washington, D.C., civic causes for decades while also working with other business leaders to shape the region’s economic direction.

Receiving honorary degrees were civic and business leader Albert Dwoskin, another long-time university partner and advocate who has supported George Mason priorities across access, innovation, and inclusive excellence, and Carolyn Peterson, a passionate advocate for education and the arts whose steadfast support for George Mason also spans decades. Peterson accepted her honor at the Board of Visitors meeting earlier this month.

Scott Hine, BS Decision Science ’85, president of the �� Alumni Association, welcomed the new graduates to a network of nearly 250,000 alumni and encouraged them to stay connected to the university by attending events, guest-speaking in classes, mentoring students, and supporting George Mason through philanthropy.

“There is likely an alum in any industry you are joining, and there is likely an alum in any location in which you’re settling,” Hine said. “This is an incredible network that you should leverage.”

Some 41% of undergraduate degree earners in the Class of 2025 are in STEM and health sciences fields, as are 48% of advanced degree earners, an indication of the university supplying workplace-ready talent in high-demand fields.

Connect with the Alumni Association

Topics

�� News

Graduation

Spring Commencement

George Mason honors a record number of graduates at Spring Commencement

Katarina Benson — Mon, 12 May 2025 13:11:46 +0000

George Mason honors a record number of graduates at Spring Commencement Katarina Benson Mon, 05/12/2025 - 09:11

�� will celebrate Spring Commencement on Thursday by honoring a record-setting number of students earning degrees, and 12,106 students total will be recognized for earning degrees or certificates.

Class of 2025 graduates represent 117 countries, 49 states, and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and military installations.

The ceremony is set for 9:30 a.m. Thursday at EagleBank Arena on the Fairfax ��. Doors open at 8:30 a.m.

Tickets are required for guests to enter the arena. Graduates may access tickets here. For questions email gmuevent@gmu.edu. The event also will be livestreamed.

George Mason, the largest and most diverse public university in Virginia, will award 11,415 degrees for graduates who have filed an intent to graduate from Summer 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025 as of May 1. The university also will award 531 certificates.

Martina Cheung, president and CEO of S&P Global, is the featured speaker. Duy Ha Vu, graduating with degrees in public administration and business, is the student speaker.

The Class of 2025 is prepared to fill critical positions in the region and state’s workforce—41% of undergraduates are in STEM fields and the health sciences, as are 48% of those earning graduate degrees.

Commencement also will highlight George Mason’s mission of access and opportunity. About 1 in 4 graduates reports that they will be first-generation degree earners.

George Mason graduates have been successful in landing jobs. According to a Mason Career Plans Survey and supplemental data, 85% of Class of 2024 George Mason graduates had a positive career outcome at or within six months of graduation, with a median salary of $70,000.

The top five majors among the 6,875 undergraduates in the Class of 2025 are business; information technology; computer science; psychology; and criminology, law and society.

For the 3,975 students earning master’s degrees, the top five majors are data analytics engineering, computer science, special education, curriculum and instruction, and business administration.

The top majors for the 400 students earning doctoral degrees are education, psychology, computer science, economics, and conflict analysis and resolution. There will be 170 doctoral candidates individually recognized at Commencement. Graduates receiving bachelor’s and master’s degrees will be recognized as a group at their seats.

There are 165 Scalia Law School graduates. The law school will hold degree celebration ceremonies Saturday, May 17, at 1:30 pm at the Concert Hall.

Spring 2025 Commencement Information

Topics

Graduation

Spring Commencement

�� News

George Mason BOV keeps tuition flat for in-state students, learns about Grand Challenge Initiative, celebrates Jack Wood awardees and EIP graduates

Colleen Rich — Thu, 08 May 2025 21:20:15 +0000

George Mason BOV keeps tuition flat for in-state students, learns about Grand Challenge Initiative, celebrates Jack Wood awardees and EIP graduates Colleen Rich Thu, 05/08/2025 - 17:20

At its May 1 meeting, the �� Board of Visitors (BOV) voted 10-4 to keep in-state tuition flat for the 2025-26 academic year, citing the university’s standing as an affordable option for students and families across the commonwealth, and approved a tuition increase for out-of-state students as well as an increase in mandatory student fees for all students.

EIP graduate Meeha Bhuiyan is graduating this May with a BS in biology. She shared her George Mason experience with the BOV at its May 1 meeting. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The out-of-state tuition increases are $528 for undergraduates, $720 for graduate students, and $1,022 for law students. The student fee increase will be $96 for all in-state and out-of-state undergraduate and graduate students and $72 for law students. Those fees support student infrastructure and services. Tuition and fees for in-state students next year will be $14,316 for undergraduates, $18,060 for graduate students, and $27,834 for law students. Tuition and fees for out-of-state students next year will be $39,313 for undergraduates, $41,124 for graduate students, and $44,970 for law students.

During the May 1 meeting, George Mason officials and BOV members discussed an environment of almost unprecedented financial uncertainty, including research cost recovery limitations, reduced or withdrawn federal appropriations, the drop in federal funding for external partners, declining international enrollment, and other factors.

The state budget includes additional one-time and recurring funding for George Mason, which helps support this year’s 3% salary increase for employees and funding for the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program as well as long-term planning and campus investments.

BOV members who voted against raising in-state tuition encouraged the university to identify cost savings in curriculum programs and other student supports, as well as continuing to attract increased philanthropic support. President Gregory Washington noted that five of the university’s six most successful fundraising efforts have occurred in the last five years.

The board also approved a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy for compensating student-athletes. Marvin Lewis, assistant vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics, said the policy aligns George Mason with the Commonwealth of Virginia's legal framework, the NCAA's pending legislation, and peer institutions.

“At its core, the policy is designed to provide George Mason with the flexibility to offer enhanced benefits to our student-athletes while positioning the university to proactively navigate the structured settlement provisions” stemming from NCAA litigation, Lewis said.

President Washington and Andre Marshall, vice president for research, innovation and economic impact, shared details on the launch of the Grand Challenge Initiative, focusing research on six long-term strategies aligned to the university’s strengths.

“It puts us in a really strong strategic, intentional position and engages the entire university and our partners,” Marshall said. “This is something to rally around as a community.”

As of May 1, White House executive orders have led 38 federally funded research projects at George Mason to be formally terminated, totaling more than $50 million. That is about 9% of the university’s nearly $600 million research portfolio. The university has submitted eight appeals on those 38 terminations, which include a combined 25 from the U.S. Department of State, the National Science Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The other 13 terminated projects are from eight other federal agencies.

Marshall said that the university will host a “Research Resilience Workshop” for faculty, students, administrators and deans to discuss the effects of the executive orders on George Mason’s research enterprise and a vision for the future. The workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20; RSVP by Thursday, May 15.

Sharnnia Artis, vice president for access, compliance, and community, shared the steps George Mason has taken to comply with federal orders regarding elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion measures.

This calendar year, the university has dissolved or eliminated the following: Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; the promotion of third-party opportunities that use race-conscious criteria; the institutional partnership with The PhD Project; use of affirmative action plans for women and minorities; use of diversity statements in hiring and promotion; and the director of supplier diversity role. There also has been a series of staff positions reviews and realignments that began prior to the issue of the executive orders.

“We anticipate having to continuously be reviewing programs to ensure that we have an environment that is free from unfair and illegal preferences and is open to all. Our goal is to be in compliance with state and federal laws, executive orders, and mandates and for our students to also have the tools that they need to be successful at George Mason and when they graduate.”

Board members encouraged Artis to enlist a third party to review the university’s changes to ensure compliance with the executive orders and to not risk a loss of federal funding.

Also at the meeting:

Fourteen Early Identification Program (EIP) graduates were recognized. More than 2,300 students have graduated from the program for 8th through 12th graders who would be the first in their families to attend college.
Carolyn Peterson was presented with an honorary doctorate of humane letters in recognition of her support of the arts at George Mason.
Jack Wood Award for Town-Gown Relations recipients were recognized, learn more about them.
With the seating of BOV member Caren Merrick, the board is now back to 16 members.

The recordings of the committee meetings and full board meetings are available here.

Topics

�� News

Board of Visitors

Strategic Direction

Preston Williams

Winter Commencement speaker encourages graduates to keep exploring and questioning

More Graduation Stories

Topics

George Mason honoring almost 5,300 graduates at Winter Commencement

More Graduation Stories

Manouchehri is this year’s Winter Commencement speaker

Related Stories

Topics

Fuse at Mason Square powers research and innovation through collaboration

Related Stories

George Mason highlighted for creating workforce partnerships

Related Stories

Topics

George Mason welcomes record number of incoming students for fall 2025

Topics

George Mason BOV meeting on university’s five-year success story, new law school foundation, president’s annual review, and merit-based resolution eliminating DEI

Topics

George Mason’s record-breaking Class of 2025 packed the house at Spring Commencement

Related News

Topics

George Mason honors a record number of graduates at Spring Commencement

Related Stories

Topics

George Mason BOV keeps tuition flat for in-state students, learns about Grand Challenge Initiative, celebrates Jack Wood awardees and EIP graduates

Topics