New Student Convocation

��AV welcomes the largest new undergraduate class in its history

Colleen Rich — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 20:12:26 +0000

��AV welcomes the largest new undergraduate class in its history Colleen Rich Mon, 08/26/2024 - 16:12

��AV leadership, faculty, and staff officially welcomed the largest and most diverse incoming freshman class in the university’s history. The incoming undergraduate class—combined freshmen and transfers—also reached an all-time high for George Mason.

Professor Michael "Doc Nix" Nickens takes a selfie during Friday's Convocation in EagleBank Arena. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Photo by Office of University Branding

“You’ll learn how to talk to people who see the world differently,” said George Mason President Gregory Washington, whose remarks kicked off New Student Convocation at EagleBank Arena on Friday. “You learn more by engaging with those who disagree…. Listening doesn't commit you to agreeing.”

This incoming class is notable for several reasons:

Largest incoming undergraduate class at more than 7,600 students
Largest freshman class, with more than 4,600 new first-year students
Most diverse freshman class—driven by growth in Hispanic and African American students
Most academically talented first-year class, with 1.5% more students with GPAs greater than 3.5 compared with fall of 2023
A three-year high for new transfer students—an increase of 4% over last fall
Almost 400 students enter from the high schools the university has targeted for direct admissions
Students in the university’s ADVANCE Program partnership with Northern Virginia Community College make up 16% of all new transfer students, up 2% from last year

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Student body president Maria Alejandra Romero Cuesta, an international and first-generation student from Colombia, acknowledged the hard work required to earn a George Mason degree but told the newcomers at convocation that it will be a “euphoric, transformative, and deeply enlightening” experience.

“We start by jumping in the deep end by putting yourself in rooms that spark constructive discomfort, that challenge you and enable you to challenge others by speaking up in classes,” Cuesta said. “We collectively enrich our understanding and strengthen our ability to thrive in a world made by difference. Everywhere you go together, we create a more empathetic community.”

Incoming students are encouraged to engage faculty, academic advisors and success coaches, and also to use career services supports and mental health resources for when they feel like they need assistance.

“Talk with any staff member or faculty member. Talk with each other, whomever you're comfortable with,” Vice President Rose Pascarell of University Life said. “We'll get you to the right place, the right person, the right website, the right conversation. Patriots thrive together, and this is your community now.”

To close out the event, Doc Nix and the Green Machine gave new students a crash course on the university fight song, with an assist from a few of the university’s basketball coaches.

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2023 New Student Convocation in pictures

Damian Cristodero — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 18:49:27 +0000

2023 New Student Convocation in pictures Damian Cristodero Mon, 08/21/2023 - 14:49

There will be plenty of time for studying, tests, and papers for ��AV's largest and most diverse incoming class. But on Friday, it was all smiles as the students were welcomed to campus at the New Student Convocation.

"The world is here," President Gregory Washington said to the students. "You'll have the opportunity to engage it like nowhere else in the country. Mason is a place where the only limits are the limits you place on yourself."

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

At more than 4,400 students, this incoming freshman class is the largest and most diverse freshman class in Mason history.

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Mason’s newest students learn ‘we’re in this together’ at Convocation, Welcome Week events

Colleen Rich — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 18:28:43 +0000

Mason’s newest students learn ‘we’re in this together’ at Convocation, Welcome Week events Colleen Rich Mon, 08/21/2023 - 14:28

In welcoming the largest incoming class in ��AV history Friday at convocation, Mason President Gregory Washington congratulated students for choosing a university with extensive undergraduate research opportunities, nation-leading diversity, world-class faculty, proximity to a dynamic job and internship market, and career outcomes that validate the value of their Mason degree.

“What we have given you is a tremendous opportunity for success,” Washington said, clad in academic regalia like the other Mason leaders onstage. “And what we want to do here at Mason is position you to grab that success like no other institution.

“The world is here,” he added. “You’ll have the opportunity to engage it like nowhere else in the country. Mason is a place where the only limits are the limits you place on yourself.”

Mason’s incoming freshman class is not only its largest, at more than 4,400 students, but also the most diverse freshman class in Mason history, and the most academically prepared, with 71% of freshmen having a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

With the Green Machine providing a boisterous soundtrack at EagleBank Arena, the new students heard from a host of speakers as part of this year’s theme: “We’re in This Together.”

Keynote speaker Keith Renshaw, a psychology professor and associate provost of undergraduate education, acknowledged the “swirl of emotions” the newest Patriots might be experiencing.

“One of the most incredible things about us is our diversity,” Renshaw said. “And our diversity stretches across any way you want to slice it. Race, ethnicity, sexual identity, gender identity, military and veteran status, age, life circumstance, single, married, divorced, parent, political persuasion, religion, nationality. But across all of it, you have at least one thing that binds you. You are all part of Mason Nation now.”

Listening to others and sharing vulnerability are the keys to deep interpersonal connections, Renshaw said, adding that the more intently you listen to try to understand someone’s dissenting point of view, the better chance you have of changing their mind—or your own.

“Somewhere in this crowd is someone you don't yet know, but who you disagree with,” Renshaw said, pacing the stage. “So fundamentally, you cannot imagine being in a conversation with them. I am here to tell you they are your people, too. Because we are Mason. We define ourselves by including people, not excluding people.”

Sharnnia Artis, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, noted how Mason is one of the nation’s top universities for ethnic diversity, freedom of expression, providing an LGBTQ-friendly learning environment and excelling at serving military veterans and nontraditional students. These qualities “cultivate an environment where every individual finds their place and their purpose…. Belonging is at the heart of our community. I encourage you to venture out with open hearts and open minds.”

Provost Mark Ginsberg and Janette Muir, vice provost for academic affairs, welcomed the incoming class and acknowledged the faculty and deans on hand. Rose Pascarell, vice president for University Life, told students that an active social life—Mason offers more than 460 student organizations—can enhance their academic performance. Students can participate in a variety of Welcome2Mason events through Sept. 22.

Student Body President Paul Wyche, a rising junior in the Honors College majoring in cybersecurity engineering, recalled how convocation inspired him to become active in Student Government. He encouraged his new classmates to make their mark on Mason’s campuses.

“Being a student leader here at Mason isn't something that you have to be elected to do,” Wyche said. “All you need to do is find something you're passionate about and work toward that passion.”

On Friday, it was all smiles as the students were welcomed to campus at the New Student Convocation.

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Mason welcomes its largest, most diverse freshman class to date at New Student Convocation

Colleen Rich — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 20:30:51 +0000

Mason welcomes its largest, most diverse freshman class to date at New Student Convocation Colleen Rich Fri, 08/19/2022 - 16:30

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President Gregory Washington at the 2022 New Student Convocation at EagleBank Arena. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services

��AV President Gregory Washington welcomed thousands of new students Friday by informing them they had already made two of the most important decisions of their lives—whether and where to go to college.

“I contend to you, these are great choices!” Washington told the newest Patriots at a spirited New Student Convocation at EagleBank Arena. Mason this fall welcomes the largest (about 4,200) and most diverse freshman class in its history.

Washington rattled off several points to support his contention—the opportunity to work alongside world-class faculty at a top research university, diverse student demographics that resemble what the country will soon look like, bountiful internship and job opportunities in the Washington, D.C., region, and a host of others.

“They’re all keys to your success,” Washington said, with special shout-outs to first-generation students and community college transfers. “Just take a key and open a door…. Mason is a place where the only limits are the limits you place on yourself.”

Students learn the Fight Song at New Student Convocation. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services

Provost Mark Ginsberg posed a question to the students, asking, “Do you know what time it is? It’s Mason’s Time,” he said to cheers. “It’s also another time. It’s your time. It’s your time to explore. It’s your time to meet new friends. It’s your time to learn new things. And it’s your time to push yourself to new heights.”

Faculty keynote speaker Karen Akerlof, assistant professor in the College of Science, encouraged the students to engage in “good trouble” by determining what social changes they would like to see on campus, in their hometowns, or even nationally or internationally, and what actions they can take to help achieve them.

To spur opportunities for student impact, Akerlof said the Office of Community Engagement and Civic Learning (CECIL) will host monthly hour-long “community conversation circles” throughout the fall semester.

Mason student body president Sophia Nguyen told students to be open to new experiences. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services

“You don’t have to wait until you come back here for graduation in your robes to start thinking about and acting on the ways in which you want to make an impact on the world,” Akerlof said. “Both in and outside of the classroom, this university is a place where you can explore these questions, work with others, and make your voices heard.”

Doc Nix and the Green Machine surely got the students to make their voices heard in a different context—by teaching them the university fight song and making a date to meet back up at EagleBank Arena on October 14 to kick off basketball season with Mason Madness.

Mason student body president Sophia Nguyen recalled feeling confused and overwhelmed, yet eager, as a first-year Mason student, but said she soon busied herself in various campus activities.

Students show off their new Mason hoodies. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services

“You’ll find that there’s always something every day for everyone here at Mason,” said Nguyen, who held a White House internship this summer. “You just have to be open to finding it.”

Washington emphasized to the incoming students to be mindful of their mental health and to take advantage of the many resources available to help them.

“Remember one thing,” he said. “You are not alone. You are never alone—even if you might feel that way sometimes. This is indeed a family, and you are a part of that family.

“Our faculty, staff, students and alumni—we all take care of each other. And we’re going to take care of you, too.”

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Mason’s new—and returning—Patriots welcomed at two in-person convocation ceremonies

Colleen Rich — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 22:16:26 +0000

Mason’s new—and returning—Patriots welcomed at two in-person convocation ceremonies Colleen Rich Fri, 08/20/2021 - 18:16

Mason President Gregory Washington and a host of Mason student, faculty and staff representatives welcomed the largest incoming class in the university’s history at two convocations Friday, Aug. 20. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

��AV President Gregory Washington and a host of Mason student, faculty and staff representatives welcomed the largest incoming class in the university’s history at two convocations Friday, challenging the newest Patriots to push themselves academically, get involved on campus and prepare to tackle the grand challenges of our time.

“Don’t be afraid to lead,” Washington said in the second ceremony to a socially distanced audience in EagleBank Arena. “Your generation has been called. No other generation in recent memory has had to go through what you’ve had to go through to be here today.

“You are Patriots. The challenges, the change, and the competition that’s in front of you, I know, is not going to deter you. Patriots don’t run from challenges. We run into them. And that’s why you are here.”

Mason is the largest and most diverse public university in Virginia, and the freshman class bears that out, with more than 4,000 students, 56% of whom are non-white, both all-time highs. This is also the largest group of new students, counting undergraduate, graduate and law students, to ever enroll at Mason.

Convocation attendees were taught the Mason Fight Song by Doc Nix and the Green Machine. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

The convocation attendees—taught the university fight song by Doc Nix and the Green Machine—also included some second-year students who did not have an in-person convocation of their own last year.

“This is your time,” Mason Provost Mark Ginsberg told the students. “It’s your time to explore. It’s your time to make new friends. It’s your time to learn new things. But it’s also your time to push yourself to new heights. Most of all, it is your time to thrive.”

Bethany Usher, associate provost for undergraduate education, referred to the incoming class as “the best prepared set of students that we’ve ever had,” not only because of their academic credentials, but because of the resilience, grit and flexibility they developed during the past 18 months as they adapted to online learning and, in many cases, self-directed their education.

The Class of 2020 and 2021 attended convocation in two socially distanced sessions in EagleBank Arena. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

“I think you’re really set up for success in that way,” Usher said, encouraging the students to fight through frustration and doubt in hot pursuit of “Aha!” discoveries. “You know that you learn when things get hard. Those are the moments that are going to make your academic career.”

Keynote speaker Jennifer Victor, associate professor of political science in Mason’s Schar School of Policy and Government, spoke about how simple acts of everyday kindness can bolster democracy by strengthening the bonds of community. To help prove her point, she turned around and gave a Schar School cap to Washington, who promptly put it on.

“Imagine if just a few dozen of the people in this room engage in civic acts of kindness with one another in the next week,” Victor said. “And imagine that some of those are paid forward and multiplied by others.... If that happens, then by the time we get to fall break, we’re going to be looking at a veritable epidemic of civic kindness on our campus.”

The most relatable advice of all might have come from Student Government President Natalia Kanos, a double major in government and international politics and conflict analysis and resolution, who recalled her rocky start at Mason, including getting lost on her way to convocation and starting various activities and courses only to drop them.

Student Government President Natalia Kanos shared her Mason experiences during the program. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

“You will have trials and tribulations,” said Kanos, who went on to get involved in Student Government and compete on the women’s rowing team. “You will have good days and bad days, ups and downs. But something you will never have is a lack of opportunity. Mason will give you the opportunity and the tools to become the person that you want to be…to rise to the occasion and surprise yourself.”

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Mason gears up to welcome the newest Patriots to campus

Colleen Rich — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 18:31:29 +0000

Mason gears up to welcome the newest Patriots to campus Colleen Rich Mon, 08/16/2021 - 14:31

Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services

��AV will welcome new and returning students to the Fairfax Campus during New Student Convocation on Friday, Aug. 20.

This year, two classes will be acknowledged at EagleBank Arena: the incoming Class of 2021 and the returning Class of 2020, whose official on-campus welcome was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I encourage all our students, those who live on and off campus to participate in events, make new connections, get involved, and find out what it means to be part of Mason Nation,” said Rose Pascarell, vice president, University Life.

The Convocation will occur twice, first at 12:30 p.m. and again at 2:15 p.m., and will include both residential and commuter students. Mason President Gregory Washington will officially welcome the incoming classes at Convocation.

Jennifer Victor. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services

Jennifer Nicoll Victor, associate professor of political science at the Schar School of Policy and Government, said she is “excited and flattered” to be the featured faculty speaker.

Victor said her speech will discuss the meaning and value of democracy and what it means to be an engaged citizen, topics she teaches in many of her classes.

“When we talk about democracy, we often describe it on a national government level. I want to encourage students to think of democracy as an individual level trait,” she said.

One of the ways to do that, Victor said, is to make it about the community at Mason.

“As individual participants in a campus community, we can engage in connections with one another that enhance our individual democracy, sense of democratic community, and mutual respect,” she said.

Victor said she will encourage students to engage in small acts of kindness or start a pay-it-forward thread in which students help each other, for instance, by helping others move into their dorms or find a classroom.

“Those little acts of kindness, we can think of as democracy re-enforcing,” Victor said.

New Student Convocation will not be livestreamed but will be recorded for viewing after the event.

Throughout the day, new students will also attend the Self, Others and Community Program that will include an original performance by the port.man.teau Theatre Company, comprising Mason students and recent graduates. Written specifically for this event, their performance of vignettes, poems, and songs will look closely at the qualities that makes each person unique, said Theresa Marie Ohanian, an adjunct faculty member in Mason’s School of Theater and the director of the Welcome Week Diversity and Inclusion Project at Mason.

On Saturday, students will participate in a program by Speak About It, a consent education and sexual assault prevention nonprofit. Speak About It will use true storytelling and live performance to engage students and capture what healthy relationships can and should look like, according Mason’s Student Support and Advocacy Center website. The show will provide practical tools for communicating about boundaries and desires, while prompting important dialogue about consent culture on campus.

In preparation for a full reopening for the Fall 2021 semester, COVID-19 vaccinations are required on all Mason campuses, except for those with valid medical or religious exemptions. Face coverings are also required indoors on campus, regardless of vaccination status, and outdoors for those who are unvaccinated if physical distancing cannot be maintained. Mason has been a leader in holding back the spread of the virus on campus, with no reported classroom transmissions.