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Metro’s Art in Transit Program showcases George Mason students' work

Colleen Rich — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 19:33:02 +0000

Metro’s Art in Transit Program showcases George Mason students' work Colleen Rich Wed, 12/04/2024 - 14:33

Four students in ��AV’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) will have original animations displayed on screens in six Metro stations as part of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Art in Transit Program, beginning the first week of December 2024.

These George Mason student animations will be on rotation in the Metro stations for a full year. Photo by the Art in Transit Program

These animations will be on rotation in the stations for a full year. Additionally, through a new five-year partnership with Metro, CVPA students from the School of Art and Film and Video Studies and Computer Game Design Programs, will have ongoing opportunities to participate in this innovative learning experience.

The process began in fall 2023, when School of Art Professor Gail Scott White, Film and Video Studies Adjunct Rebekah Wingert-Jabi, and Film and Video Studies Program Director Cynthia Fuchs met with Metro’s Art in Transit team to discuss how George Mason students could participate in the WMATA’s digital art initiative.

“From the very first meeting, I was drawn to the Art in Transit Program’s evolving nexus of art, culture, and community,” said White. “It seemed like the perfect experiential learning opportunity for CVPA students to work through the processes of idea generation and concept development, receive individual mentorship, and to create frame-by-frame animations of their own design that would be publicly displayed, reaching Metro viewers from all walks of life.”

In spring 2024, White reached out to current CVPA students—computer game design major Valeria Hunt and art and visual technology majors Taka Hunter, Joseph Cameron Rhodes Murdock, and Jennifer Perez—about joining a pilot program, in which each would create a 20-second animation to be displayed on screens in the Crystal City, Farragut North, NoMa–Gallaudet U, Gallery Place–Chinatown, L'Enfant Plaza, and Metro Center stations. The students began working in earnest on their projects in the summer and early fall of 2024.

Here the CVPA students talk about their work:

Valeria Hunt, Man with the Suitcase

“My stop-motion cut-out animation, Man with the Suitcase, portrays moments from everyday life that many people can relate to. I used watercolors and ink, scissors and glue, found materials, facial expressions, and physical gestures to visually engage and emotionally connect with the viewer. Inspired by personal experiences and observations of social interactions, this short film encourages viewers to reflect on their own experiences of human nonverbal communications. Man with the Suitcase is about daily struggles, with a touch of humor to help us get through the day.”

Taka Hunter, Ichi Nichi

“Ichi Nichi (One Day) is a short piece made up of day-to-day moments. Animated in Clip Studio Paint, the work features a set of characters inspired by treasured experiences and people in my life. Through my art I aim to appreciate every person’s pursuit of happiness and the inherent beauty of our mundane lives. I hope that viewers can connect with elements of the work in whatever small way. If there’s anything I want to achieve with Ichi Nichi, it’s to make someone feel seen.”

Joseph Cameron Rhodes Murdock, The Magnificent Pixie Titans and the Workshop Varmint

“In this animation, the Wessel, a small creature who loves shiny objects and getting into mischief, breaks into a magic workshop and wreaks havoc. The Magnificent Pixie Titans use their magic to outfox the Wessel and restore order. My greatest joy is to create inhabitants of worlds, not just creatures that look cool but ones that have purpose. I love weird and kooky creatures, from mythology, fantasy, sci-fi, or just reality. Encouraged by my sci-fi loving mother, I grew up reading global folklore and myths. Every creature in those tales had a narrative purpose and a natural place in the worlds they inhabited—just like the Wessel and the Pixie Titans.”

Jennifer Perez, Stardust Playground

“Stardust Playground is a fantastical, loose reimagining of a childhood memory of a family trip to a swimming pool. In this animation, the pool is outer space while the characters are animals. I am played by a penguin. I chose the other three animals—the acrobatic ferret, a high energy dog, and a cat who is cool and calm—for their exquisite movements and behavioral traits. These free-spirited animal characters joyfully play in zero gravity among the stars.”

The Art in Transit Program enhances the experience of customers, communities, and the Capital region by incorporating visual and performing arts experiences into the Metrorail system and Metro facilities. With Metrorail serving nearly half a million commuters every weekday, on average, the talents of these four CVPA students will reach an exponentially increasing number of people in the region while contributing to the program’s enriching mission.

This new partnership with Metro exemplifies the kinds of connections and opportunities uniquely offered to students as part of their educational experience within CVPA. Other examples include the Murals at Mason program by Mason Exhibitions, which develops and manages contracts for local artists—often CVPA students and alumni—with public art opportunities in the Washington, D.C., area; the Film and Video Studies Program’s traveling showcase of student films each fall—Best of Film at Mason—with free public screenings at various locations, including a recurring fall showcase during the Washington West Film Festival; and the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music’s Mason Music Productions, which manages opportunities for student musicians to be hired for private and public events. Faculty and staff throughout CVPA actively explore and create hand-on experiences for students, from supporting research and scholarly activities to curating showcases of student work in local galleries and museums and hiring students as members of production teams that travel the world.

The Art in Transit Program’s Digital Art Initiative was launched in 2018 to develop partnerships with local arts organizations and institutions to facilitate the presentation of original digital artworks for Metro's digital displays at the following stations—Crystal City, Farragut North, NoMa-Gallaudet U, Gallery Place-Chinatown, L'Enfant Plaza, and Metro Center.

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George Mason expands partnership with GDIT to build a skilled and diverse technology workforce

Colleen Rich — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 17:02:19 +0000

George Mason expands partnership with GDIT to build a skilled and diverse technology workforce Colleen Rich Wed, 10/30/2024 - 13:02

��AV announced this week an expanded partnership with General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), a business unit of General Dynamics, to enhance career development opportunities for university students and GDIT’s workforce. The focus areas include cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and government contracting.

The partnership strengthens George Mason’s role as a key economic driver in Northern Virginia and a critical source of tech talent, while broadening GDIT’s efforts to cultivate a skilled and diversified talent pipeline.

“George Mason has been recognized over the years in numerous college rankings as Virginia’s top public university for diversity, innovation, cybersecurity, homeland security, service to military veterans, and service to students outside the traditional college ages," said George Mason President Gregory Washington. “We are committed to partnering in the region to meet the pace of change in the today’s workforce, providing opportunities for students of all ages and backgrounds to pursue a rigorous education and lead successful careers, and attracting and keeping talent in Virginia.”

This collaboration also aligns with GDIT’s technology investment strategy, which emphasizes employee growth and upskilling. It also enhances government contracting capabilities by leveraging George Mason’s Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting, located within the Costello College of Business. The center is the nation’s first dedicated to addressing business, policy, and regulatory issues in government contracting.

“Expanding our partnership with George Mason demonstrates our commitment to investing in the future workforce,” said Amy Gilliland, GDIT’s president. “As the largest and most diverse educational institution in Northern Virginia, George Mason has played a pivotal role in shaping our talent pipeline for more than a decade. We look forward to further strengthening our relationship so GDIT will continue to be a top employer of choice for George Mason students.”

U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal, and Washington Monthly all rank George Mason as a top public university for the upward mobility of its graduates.

As part of the expanded partnership, GDIT will collaborate with George Mason on several programs, including:

Partnering with the College of Engineering and Computing, as well as Costello College of Business, to expand recruitment opportunities, career mentorship programs, networking sessions, technology open houses, and capstone projects.
Offering students, faculty, and staff opportunities to participate in various GDIT events and initiatives, such as cyber hackathons, career development seminars, and technology showcases at the GDIT Emerge Innovation Center.
Providing industry expertise for George Mason’s Clearance Readiness Program to prepare students interested in a career in the cleared space.
Hosting leadership insight sessions focused on mental health, career pathways, work-based communication skills, and resiliency.

This partnership is part of GDIT’s workforce initiative, which collaborates with high schools, colleges, and universities across the country. GDIT has formed similar partnerships with institutions in Louisiana, Colorado, Texas, and Missouri to foster the next generation of technology innovators and make a positive impact in these communities.

George Mason, one of the largest universities to receive state funding through the Tech Talent Investment Program, has committed to increasing its computing graduates, in both undergraduate and graduate computing programs, to almost 16,000 students over the next two decades. With flourishing partnerships with leading companies like General Dynamics and initiatives supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship across the state, George Mason is building on the more than 15,000 paid or stipend-supported internships available to students annually.

��AV has committed to increasing graduates in both undergraduate and graduate computing programs to almost 16,000 students as part of the state's Tech Talent Investment Program.

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Dean hosts fireside chat with president and CEO of EagleBank Susan Riel

Greg Johnson — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 14:51:19 +0000

Dean hosts fireside chat with president and CEO of EagleBank Susan Riel Greg Johnson Mon, 06/24/2024 - 10:51

In This Story

Ajay Vinzé

Ajay Vinzé, dean of the Donald G. Costello College of Business at ��AV, sat down with Susan Riel, president and CEO of EagleBank, for a fireside chat on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 10.

Susan Riel, president and CEO of EagleBank

In front of faculty, students, and community guests gathered on George Mason’s Fairfax Campus, their discussion covered a range of topics, from EagleBank’s evolution as a startup to a community bank, to how regional banks support the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Having been at EagleBank since 1998, Riel has held several different positions, experiencing and driving the decades-long evolution of the bank and its impact on clients.

EagleBank’s mission is to be the most trusted, experienced, and client-centric bank across the Washington, D.C., region and beyond. With clients over the years including MOM’s Organic Market and Honest Tea, EagleBank was founded on the belief that every person and business deserves individualized financial guidance from experts who care. The bank’s "Relationships FIRST" policy was echoed throughout Riel’s remarks. FIRST is an acronym, standing for flexible, involved, responsive, strong, and trusted.

Susan Riel speaks with Dean Ajay Vinzé

“Entrepreneurs depend on banks,” said Riel. Despite the current challenges for commercial real estate, resulting from many employees not returning to the office following the pandemic, she explained how the banking system is as important as ever and has continued to evolve. Fewer consumers are making banking transactions in person at the brick-and-mortar buildings, leading to a reduction of bank branches. However, with nearly everyone completing their banking needs via mobile devices, digital products are more important than ever before.

“Thinking strategically is an important part of any business,” she said. When considering a bank for employment opportunities, many job seekers think there are limited opportunities. However, Riel assured the audience that there are many professions within a bank, and especially at EagleBank. Many of the new jobs are results of this shift to a more digital banking experience.

Leadership, and especially leading as a woman, was another major theme of the discussion. When addressing how women can get ahead in the workplace, Riel said, “Speak up and share your ideas when you have them. Be open and outspoken.” But it is also advice that she would give to anyone looking to make their mark. “Don’t limit yourself,” she said. “Be open to opportunities.”

After asking his questions, Dean Vinzé opened it to the audience.

Riel spoke of the name recognition that came from naming George Mason’s EagleBank Arena and explained how EagleBank hires diverse thinkers by always attempting to hire the best person for the position.

This is the third fireside chat hosted by Dean Vinzé. The fireside chats are instrumental in providing knowledge and insights to the Costello College of Business community and forging partnerships with leaders in business.

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George Mason signs MOU with Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority

Colleen Rich — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 17:14:05 +0000

George Mason signs MOU with Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority Colleen Rich Thu, 06/20/2024 - 13:14

George Mason and the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZA) also solidified their partnership with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). President Gregory Washington and IFEZA Commissioner Wonsok Yun led the signing ceremony, paving the way for expanded collaboration on industry–academia projects between Mason Korea, located in the Songdo International Business District of IFEZ, and the IFEZA.

President Gregory Washington and IFEZA Commissioner Wonsok Yun led the signing ceremony. Photo provided

The agreement focuses on fostering joint educational and research initiatives in critical areas like bioengineering, biomanufacturing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, information and communication technologies, and startup incubation. This collaboration has the potential to create exciting new opportunities for students and researchers in both regions.

“This MOU marks a significant step forward for Mason Korea,” said Washington. “By expanding our cooperation with IFEZA, we aim to equip students with valuable educational experiences and further support the development of the Incheon region.”

"We are thrilled to solidify our existing partnership with Mason Korea and extend it to encompass George Mason’s U.S. campus," said Commissioner Yun. "This MOU has the potential to propel both ��AV and the Incheon region toward a brighter future."

Mason Korea Dean Robert Matz and Associate Dean Kelley Chung joined the ceremony alongside Megan Healy, special advisor to the president. IFEZA’s senior officials also attended the ceremony.

Celebrate Mason Korea's 10th Anniversary

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Annual Mason Korea competition brings digital art to the forefront

Colleen Rich — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 18:03:45 +0000

Annual Mason Korea competition brings digital art to the forefront Colleen Rich Mon, 06/10/2024 - 14:03

In its fourth year, Mason Korea's Progress@Play Digital Art Competition continues to grow with more than 300 teams from eight countries competing.

The digital art competition aims to raise awareness of social issues and encourage creative solutions through the power of digital media and computer games. Photo provided

Since its inception in 2021, Progress@Play has been a collaborative effort between Mason Korea and NCSoft, a leading video game developer. The competition aims to raise awareness of social issues and encourage creative solutions through the power of digital media and computer games.

“The fourth Progress@Play Digital Art Competition was a resounding success, thanks to the generous sponsorship of NCSoft,” said Dean Robert Matz. “We are consistently impressed by the passion and creativity displayed by the participating students. We remain committed to supporting students who are actively engaged with global social issues and who use the Progress@Play competition as a platform to develop solutions through digital art.”

This year's competition saw a significant increase in participation with 363 teams from eight countries submitting entries—a quadrupling of entries compared to the previous year. The submissions spanned a wide range of digital art formats, including animations, web comics, computer games, videos, and illustrations. The artwork tackled diverse social issues, from climate change and gender inequality to the Dokdo territorial dispute.

Winners were selected in both the university and middle/high school divisions. Photo provided

Following a rigorous two-stage judging process involving Mason Korea's computer game design faculty and external experts, winners were selected in both the university and middle/high school divisions.

In the university division, the first prize went to Ye-bin Kim of Pai Chai University for her artwork titled "Put yourself in other people’s shoes." The second prize went to Woojin Cho of Yewon Arts University for his artwork titled "Still tomorrow." The third prize went to Mason Korea's very own Chaeyeon Lee for her artwork titled "37°131°."

In the middle and high school division, the first prize went to "Rusted" by Seo Yeon Shin from Korea Animation High School, the second prize was awarded to "That Boy" by Minha Kang from Korea Animation High School, and the third prize was given to "Trauma" by Eun Mi Kim from Suwan High School.

"NCSoft is proud to continue sponsoring this meaningful competition, which provides a platform for young artists to explore social issues and propose solutions through digital art," Jae Goon Lee, a representative of NCSoft. “We are constantly inspired by the innovative ideas submitted each year. As a company, we are committed to exploring the positive impact of games, such as digital therapeutics, and will continue to invest in and sponsor initiatives like Progress@Play."