Scholarships

Scholarship will help creative writing student further her career

Colleen Rich — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 15:20:09 +0000

Scholarship will help creative writing student further her career Colleen Rich Fri, 11/01/2024 - 11:20

��AV undergraduate Jasmine Haskins is the first recipient of the Bill Miller BFA Scholarship in Creative Writing, established in 2023 to support undergraduate creative writing students who are part of an under-represented group at George Mason or who are involved in an organization that works on issues or causes related to under-represented groups. The scholarship provides $2,500 in support.

Jasmine Haskins talks with George Mason alum Bill Miller, who endowed the scholarship she received. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Miller, MFA Creative Writing ’87, taught at George Mason for 33 years and directed Creative Writing Program in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences from 1992 to 2018. He also helped start the bachelor of fine arts (BFA) in creative writing during this time. It is one of only a handful of BFA programs for undergraduates in the country.

“Jasmine is so clearly a worthy recipient to inaugurate this scholarship,” said Miller. “She is a talented writer, and I hope that this support and her having been selected will encourage her to develop her talent to its fullest potential. I think we will be seeing her by-line accompanying a lot of written words before long, and I wish her well as she works toward that goal.”

A Virginia native, Haskins grew up reading fantasy and supernatural fiction with her father, which led to her writing fiction throughout her childhood. Today she primarily writes poetry, a passion she discovered during a high school project.

Jasmine Haskins. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“I’ve always had an interest in reading and writing that has only strengthened over time thanks to my family’s influence,” Haskins said. “Their storytelling and passions still influence me to this day.”

Haskins said that her experience in the Creative Writing Program at George Mason has given her the space to grow and change as a writer. Her favorite class was an advanced poetry workshop she took with Professor Eric Pankey in the spring semester.

“It was such an insightful session,” Haskins said. “I enjoyed the poets, Professor Pankey’s feedback, and the amazing people I got the chance to workshop with. I felt so happy that I got to be in Professor Pankey’s last class before his retirement, and a poem I workshopped in that class was actually published in Volition’s spring issue.”

Haskins said this scholarship will help her pursue a career as a writer. “I had so many doubts about myself, my writing, and my career choices, so after hearing that I was selected for something because of my writing, I cried. After supporting myself through school for so long, to have this help as I finish my time at Mason feels like a blessing and a push forward to my career as a writer.”

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Strategic Direction

Jimmy Hazel, steadfast George Mason alum and friend, looks to the future with a foundational gift

Colleen Rich — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 15:05:24 +0000

Jimmy Hazel, steadfast George Mason alum and friend, looks to the future with a foundational gift Colleen Rich Mon, 10/07/2024 - 11:05

James W. “Jimmy” Hazel, JD ’84, has led a life of service to the Commonwealth of Virginia—and to ��AV. In July 2024, as his term on the university’s Board of Visitors concluded, Hazel added to his considerable legacy with a gift of $1 million for the Smithsonian–Mason School of Conservation (SMSC).

James Hazel speaking at the university's 50th anniversary event. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The gift, reflecting Hazel’s wishes to advance the important work of the school, creates two funds. The first will provide support for graduate or undergraduate students enrolled at SMSC, and the second will support the operations of the school’s programs.

“This gift represents my personal passion for conservation and my hope is that it will allow George Mason to draw in a diverse group of new PhD students to the program,” Hazel said.

Hazel is a cochair on the Advisory Board for SMSC, a research and academic facility in Front Royal, Virginia, that operates under a partnership between the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and George Mason. The facility covers more than 3,000 acres of forest, grassland, and pasture, and houses a range of endangered mammals, birds, and amphibians.

SMSC conducts research and offers proactive methodologies of conservation biology education and training, providing hands-on interdisciplinary programs to undergraduates, graduate students, professionals, and high school students. It draws from the educational innovation of George Mason faculty and the established work of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute to create a transdisciplinary approach to conservation leadership that is research-based, forward-looking, and ethical.

Students conducting field work at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Cody Edwards, SMSC executive director and interim dean, College of Science, understands the immediate impact of Hazel’s generosity.

“With this gift, he opens doors for students passionate about conservation and sustainability,” Edwards said. “Jimmy’s continued support helps ensure SMSC can continue to bring together internationally renowned experts who can offer those students an educational experience that will enhance their futures and ultimately, help preserve the world’s biodiversity.”

SMSC’s graduate programs include practical training in the tools necessary to conduct and report research, and allow students to work directly with experts and practitioners from all over the world. Students become part of a community of conservation scientists and leaders, developing relationships with these mentors and with each other, forming networks to help them launch into a wide variety of careers.

“My family has, and will always have, deep ties to George Mason and the Fairfax Campus,” Hazel said, “but I think one of the best university programs sits in Front Royal at the Smithsonian Mason School of Conservation. With the groundbreaking research being conducted at the facility, we have the potential to put this initiative on the map in a big way. I would like to think that this gift will help increase that momentum.”

“Jimmy’s impact on SMSC and its students goes well beyond this single thoughtful gift,” added Edwards. “His continued support has helped transform this program and placed it on a trajectory not envisioned when it was originally conceived.”

Hazel has been a dedicated, engaged member of the George Mason community. He served twice on the Board of Visitors: from 1994 to 2002, and his most recent appointment, from 2016 to 2024, included chairmanship of the Development Committee, a term as vice rector, and service as rector from 2020-22. He is a past president of the ��AV Alumni Association and the Law Alumni Association, and he served for 18 years on the ��AV Foundation Board of Trustees.

Hazel chaired George Mason’s successful Faster Farther Campaign, which closed at nearly $700 million—$200 million more than its original goal. He cochaired the presidential search committee that brought George Mason’s president Gregory Washington to campus in 2020. In recognition of his more than three decades of service to the university, Hazel was awarded the George Mason Medal in 2017.

Hazel, a lifelong outdoorsman who has served on the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (chairing the agency for three years), and on the boards of the Wildlife Foundation of Virginia and George Mason’s Potomac Science Center, is determined to make a lasting difference through SMSC.

Power the Possible

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Annual benefit ARTS by George! raises more than $250,000 in support of Mason Arts

Kirstin Franko — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 22:26:37 +0000

Annual benefit ARTS by George! raises more than $250,000 in support of Mason Arts Kirstin Franko Wed, 10/02/2024 - 18:26

CVPA Dean Rick Davis raises a toast with Lea Salonga following her performance. Credit: Risdon Photography

��AV’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) celebrated another joy-filled and well-attended ARTS by George! benefit event on September 28. Headlined by Tony and Olivier Award-winning singer and actress Lea Salonga, the evening’s festivities raised more than $250,000 to support student scholarships in visual arts, dance, music, theater, game design, film, and arts management, as well as for the Mason Community Arts Academy, Green Machine Ensembles, and the Great Performances at Mason season at the Center for the Arts. This year’s generous donations and sponsorships bring the total of funds raised through ARTS by George! since its inception in 2006 to nearly $4.4 million.

Gregory Washington, President of ��AV, was in attendance at the benefit event. “We’re proud that George Mason is the cultural hub of our region. The arts is one of the front doors to attract visitors of all ages and backgrounds to our campuses. We’re pleased that so many of you have found your way through our door to become involved with CVPA, and to be here with us this evening,” he said.

Students from ��AV’s School of Dance performed rotating showcases in front of audiences. Credit: Risdon Photography

ARTS by George! began at 5 p.m. on September 28 with more than 225 CVPA students and faculty joining to present 18 performances and exhibits for guests to enjoy. The entire freshman class of George Mason’s School of Dance launched the dance showcases, while an immersive screening room drew guests in to watch student films from the Film and Video Studies program. The School of Theater gave guests a preview of its upcoming fall musical production, the School of Art created an interactive photo booth installation, and Computer Game Design students and faculty brought guests into a new world with virtual reality demonstrations. Alumni from the Arts Management program joyfully reconnected with friends and faculty alike, posing for photos throughout the event, while vocalists and musicians from the Dewberry School of Music delighted guests with a variety of performances ranging from opera to jazz.

“ARTS by George! kicked off with dozens of showcases featuring gifted visual and performing arts students. For those of you lucky enough to experience it, I hope you were impressed not only with their immense talent, but also with the breadth and depth of what Mason Arts has to offer,” remarked Rick Davis, Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Ashlyn Rock, a graduate of ��AV’s Dewberry School of Music, sings for the Center for the Arts audience prior to Lea Salonga's performance. Credit: Risdon Photography

At 8 p.m., guests transitioned to the Center for the Arts for a live Fund-A-Student appeal that contributed more than $28,000 towards the total amount raised at the event. In a beloved annual tradition, a distinguished Mason Arts graduate returned to the stage to perform before the evening’s headlining concert. This year, Dewberry School of Music alumna Ashlyn Rock offered a soaring rendition of “Sempre libera” from Verdi's La Traviata, receiving a standing ovation.

An Evening with Lea Salonga followed at 8:30 p.m., where the celebrated performer presented a concert of popular songs from her roles on Broadway and in animated films. The evening’s program concluded with an onstage champagne toast, during which Salonga and Davis mingled with CVPA students and faculty as well as ARTS by George! guests and supporters.

For complete information about ARTS by George!, including scholarship stories, a schedule of student showcases, previous ARTS by George! images, and more visit the event website. The Premier Sponsor for ARTS by George! was Dominion Energy and the Presenting Sponsor was Sandy Spring Bank. The event chair was Annie Bolger.

Lea Salonga (center) with ��AV President Gregory Washington (right) and his wife Nicole Washington (left), following the performance backstage. Credit: Risdon Photography

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ARTS by George! 2024 Celebrates Mason Arts, Culminating in Concert by Tony Award Winner Lea Salonga

Laura Mertens — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 18:26:26 +0000

ARTS by George! 2024 Celebrates Mason Arts, Culminating in Concert by Tony Award Winner Lea Salonga Laura Mertens Wed, 08/28/2024 - 14:26

��AV's College of Visual and Performing Arts Presents ARTS by George!, an Evening Celebrating Mason Arts

ARTS by George! makes its return to ��AV’s Fairfax Campus on September 28, 2024. Headlined by Tony and Olivier Award-winning singer and actress Lea Salonga, the annual benefit event raises funds for student scholarships at the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), as well as for the Mason Community Arts Academy, Green Machine Ensembles, and the Great Performances at Mason season at the Center for the Arts. Since its launch in 2006, ARTS by George! has raised more than $4.1 million for Mason Arts.

“‘Something for everyone’ might be an overworked phrase, but it fits ARTS by George! perfectly,” notes Rick Davis, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. “From art and music to dance and theater, virtual reality to documentary film, the student showcases offer an unparalleled opportunity to experience the breadth and depth of what we do every day in Mason Arts. I learn something new every year and become an even prouder Dean.”

ARTS by George! begins at 5 p.m. by bringing hundreds of CVPA students and faculty together to showcase performances and exhibits, as well as to offer a behind-the-scenes look at their collaborative process. The seven CVPA academic units will be featured in showcases, which are a highlight of the annual event.

The School of Art will host an antique photobooth and give demonstrations of 3D art and letterpress printing, while Arts Management will host a display of the Free Little Art Gallery created by a graduate from the program. School of Dance will offer two presentations by faculty members—Christopher d’Amboise on dancing to the music of Stravinsky and Karen Reedy on Robert Battle’s “The Hunt”—which also include live dancing by students. Film and Video Studies will screen a selection of films by students, and Computer Game Design will offer a presentation titled “Unlocking the Future: Game Design with A.I. and Mixed Reality.” Students in the areas of jazz, opera, classical piano, and percussion will perform, representing the Dewberry School of Music; and students from the School of Theater will stage selections from 110 in the Shade, this fall’s musical, and student-written plays to be premiered in The Originals! 2024. In addition, two Mason Arts programs—the Green Machine Ensembles and Mason Community Arts Academy—will also offer performances throughout the event. These showcases will be held in the Harris Theatre, de Laski Performing Arts Building, and Horizon Hall. Guests will enjoy a buffet dinner and drinks over the course of the evening.

At 8 p.m., attendees will move into the Center for the Arts’ Concert Hall for a live Fund-a-Student appeal. The event culminates with a performance from Lea Salonga, starting at 8:30 p.m. Salonga will treat audience members to famous songs from her roles on Broadway and in animated films, and join them onstage for a champagne toast following the show. Beforehand, she will welcome George Mason students for an open soundcheck and Q&A.

ARTS by George! Chair and Mason Arts Board member Annie Bolger shared, “I’m thrilled to return as chair of this awe-inspiring event, which features George Mason’s impactful arts programs and highlights the talents of its amazing students. I invite our community to join us for what promises to be a very special evening, and to support us in raising critical funds for student scholarships and community arts programs so that the exploration and creativity continues for years to come.”

For high-resolution images, press tickets, and interview requests, please email kfranko@gmu.edu and pr@camillecdevlin.com.

**2024 ARTS by George! Schedule:**

5 p.m., Harris Theatre, de Laski Performing Arts Building, and Horizon Hall

Showcases by the talented students from George Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, complemented by a buffet dinner and drink stations throughout the event.

8 p.m., Center for the Arts

Alumni performance and Fund-a-Student appeal.

8:30 p.m., Center for the Arts

An Evening with Lea Salonga, followed by an onstage champagne toast

Ticket and Sponsorship Information for 2024 ARTS by George!:

Individual benefit tickets are $350 per person and include entry to the student showcases, dinner, An Evening with Lea Salonga, champagne reception, and free garage parking. Each ticket includes a charitable donation portion directly supporting student scholarships and community arts programs.

Sponsorship packages begin at $2,000. To reserve tickets, become a sponsor, or for more information, please contact Susan Graziano at cvpagive@gmu.edu, 703-993-4188, or visit the ARTS by George! website.

Standalone tickets to only the 8:30 p.m. performance of An Evening with Lea Salonga are $50–$100 and are available for purchase through the Center for the Arts website.

The Premier Sponsor for ARTS by George! is Dominion Energy.

The Presenting Sponsor for ARTS by George! is Sandy Spring Bank.

Learn more about ARTS by George!

Purchase tickets for culminating concert, An Evening with Lea Salonga

“‘Something for everyone’ might be an overworked phrase, but it fits ARTS by George! perfectly.”

~ Rick Davis

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Behrmanns add to legacy with creation of undergraduate scholarship for special education program

Colleen Rich — Fri, 26 Jul 2024 14:52:21 +0000

Behrmanns add to legacy with creation of undergraduate scholarship for special education program Colleen Rich Fri, 07/26/2024 - 10:52

Year in and year out, ��AV’s special education graduate program ranks as one of the best in the nation.

June and Mike Behrmann. Photo provided

In the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings of online master’s degree programs, George Mason’s special education program ranked eighth in the country. In 2023, the special education graduate program ranked 17th in the country among public institutions and 19th overall.

Pamela Baker, the Special Education Division Director, points to one man for laying the foundation for a program that consistently produces quality teachers—Michael Behrmann.

“He is kind of a legend here,” Baker said. “He built the special education program.”

Seven years after retiring from a nearly 40-year career in the special education program that included serving as division director prior to Baker's tenure in that role, Behrmann, now professor emeritus of special education, continues to add to his legacy.

Behrmann, along with his wife, June, has generously created an undergraduate scholarship for George Mason students in the special education program. The undergraduate special education program, which was created in 2019 along with bachelor’s degrees in elementary education and early childhood education for diverse learners, aims to tighten the nationwide teacher shortage gap.

Students who plan to teach may focus their program on a specific area in the special education field by adding a licensure concentration—K-12 adaptive curriculum, K-12 general curriculum licensure or PK-12 blindness and visual impairments licensure—or pursue a nonlicensure concentration.

“Children with special needs are our most vulnerable students. We need more teachers working with this population of students,” Behrmann said. “Undergraduate programs are one way that can be really addressed and start to bite into that shortage of qualified teachers.”

Behrmann arrived at Mason in 1979 as the coordinator of the special education graduate program, which had just three faculty members and a small handful of graduate students.

Over the next four decades, the program grew as Behrmann secured more than $90 million in external grants and contracts, $30 million in revenue-based projects, and $4.5 million in gifts for special education to the university. In the mid 1980s, he also designed and implemented a master’s and a doctoral program in assistive/special education technology.

The special education program now enrolls more than 1,000 students annually and employs more than 150, which includes faculty, staff, graduate assistants, and student workers.

“I consider the faculty who are at George Mason now as my legacy,” Behrmann said. “Master’s and doctoral students who are now faculty members. They are such great researchers and trainers. Pam and that whole crew of special educators are just tremendous.”

Behrmann wants the scholarship to support special education undergraduate students who are working with the Mason LIFE Program, a four-year postsecondary comprehensive transition program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who desire a university experience in a supportive academic environment.

When Behrmann founded the Mason LIFE program in 2005, his vision was twofold. He wanted to provide an educational, on-campus experience for students with disabilities. But he also wanted to offer Mason graduate and doctoral students—and now undergraduate students—working in the Mason LIFE program an opportunity to attain hands-on special education experience while also pursuing their degree.

The Mason LIFE program, currently led by director Linn Jorgenson, enrolls around 50 students every year, with 18 freshmen admitted for the 2024-25 school year.

“At the time, it was one of only one or two programs in the whole United States,” Behrmann said. “They have spun off, with federal support, and are much more common across the country. Seeing that program continue to be supported, within the diversity of the university, really makes me proud. All the university presidents from Alan Merten to current president Gregory Washington have been great supporters of the Mason LIFE Program.”

“It is a program that affirms our mission,” Baker said. “We are here to make a positive impact on the lives of people who have disabilities. These young adults are integrated into the fabric of the university. They come back as alumni. Our Mason LIFE students have been in the Green Machine band. They have been cheerleaders. They are all over the campus. Mike had the vision.”

The Behrmanns met when they were both teaching in Cincinnati. June then spent more than 20 years as a writer specializing in special education issues before returning to the classroom as a special education teacher for Fairfax County Public Schools. Now they want to help ensure that George Mason’s undergraduate program shapes the next generation of special education teachers.

“If we can give this [undergraduate] program the kind of marketing it needs, support more students, it has real potential to grow into a large scholarship program,” Behrmann said. “The special education program is one of the strongest programs in the university, and I’m excited to see it continue to grow.”

The Behrmanns encourage graduates of the special education programs and certificate programs to get involved personally and give back to the scholarship fund. To make a gift, click here.

“[Behrmann] is kind of a legend here,” Baker said. “He built the special education program.”

Learn more about George Mason's Special Education Graduate Program

Four future Patriots receive scholarships from David M. Rubenstein

Colleen Rich — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 18:05:42 +0000

Four future Patriots receive scholarships from David M. Rubenstein Colleen Rich Wed, 06/26/2024 - 14:05

Photo by Joyce Boghasian/The Economic Club of Washington, D.C.

��AV President Gregory Washington was the featured speaker at the Economic Club of Washington, D.C., Scholarship Ceremony on June 20. Washington is on the Economic Club’s board of directors.

Each year, Economic Club Chairman David M. Rubenstein awards college scholarships to students from D.C. public schools. Fifty honorees this year each received $20,000 scholarships, and four of those students are headed to George Mason, including China Jones-Burgess (left) and Morgan Shirley (right). Not pictured are Melissa Ivy and Ayrrika James who also will be attending Mason this fall.

In 16 years, Rubenstein has awarded 761 scholarships, totaling nearly $12 million. Rubenstein spoke at George Mason’s Spring Commencement in 2014.

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Golf classic has been supporting student success for almost 30 years

Colleen Rich — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 17:44:28 +0000

Golf classic has been supporting student success for almost 30 years Colleen Rich Tue, 06/25/2024 - 13:44

On June 10, 2024, more than 110 golfers came together at Westfields Golf Club to support first-generation students through ��AV’s Diversity Scholarship Golf Classic.

From left, Richard McGruder, Ron Bagga, Chris DiLiberto and Sandy Spring Bank's Marcus Perry at the Diversity Golf Classic. Photo by Warren Spears

A summer highlight for nearly 30 years, the annual tournament, which is presented by George Mason’s University Life division, has raised more than $850,000 in scholarship funds for students in the Early Identification Program (EIP) and the Student Transition Empowerment Program (STEP).

“It’s a longstanding tradition,” said Lewis E. Forrest II, BA ’96, MA ’05, associate dean of University Life. “A lot of good folks put their arms around it, helping out in a lot of different ways to get people out here for EIP and STEP.”

EIP welcomes rising eighth-grade students from seven school districts in Northern Virginia, who participate throughout high school in year-round, multi-year mentoring, tutoring, STEM enrichment, and other support designed to aid in their academic and personal success, preparation for college, and career readiness. Students who graduate from EIP following 12th grade receive automatic acceptance to George Mason (provided they meet the requirements for enrollment); in the 2024 EIP class, 97% of the students enrolled in higher education. George Mason currently has 170 EIP graduates among its students.

George Mason alum Enrique Carrero shared his experiences with EIP at the event. Photo by Warren Spears

STEP, a multi-year bridge program within George Mason’s First-Gen+ Center, was created to enhance the recruitment, engagement, and retention of first-generation college students accepted to George Mason. Incoming university students spend six weeks on campus prior to their first fall semester, where they earn three college credits and build a network of peers, faculty, and staff. As they move into the academic year, students receive continuous support to help them transition to college: academic preparation, leadership, access to resources, mentoring, time management, and community service.

The golfers enjoying the classic included many returning participants. Jim Green, a co-chair of the golf classic and one of the creators of the event, was on hand to compete, along with his wife, Gigi Green, BIS ’00, MA ’09. Green said he appreciates the longevity of this summer tradition.

"A number of people have been coming since the beginning,” said Jim Green, “which speaks to the legacy and also speaks to what the program’s about: We’re concerned about kids and helping them get their education.”

Green’s sentiment was echoed by the enthusiastic philanthropic supporters of the classic.

Annie Bolger is the corporate and client service manager of Sandy Spring Bank and a member of the University Life Advisory Board. “Sandy Spring is very involved in the community in many different ways, and we are very involved with George Mason,” Bolger said.

Sandy Spring Bank has served as the title sponsor of the classic for 14 years—and is a longtime friend to George Mason. This year, it led a group of 56 sponsors, donors, and contributors who helped make the event a success.

“It’s at the heart of who we are as an organization,” said Marcus Perry, Sandy Spring Bank’s senior vice president and regional group sales manager for Virginia and Washington, D.C. “Our mission since the beginning has been to not only serve the financial needs of our communities but also the general needs of our community that we’re in. Our involvement with George Mason is just a natural.”

Jim Green said he looked forward to a beautiful day of golf as well as to next year’s event, the 30th annual outing. “It’s already in our minds,” he said. “We’re recruiting people, talking to folks. Here’s hoping that, by our 30th, we will raise over a million dollars!”

Learn more about the Early Identification Program (EIP)

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Machour’s gift expands support for student scholarships in Mason Korea

Colleen Rich — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 18:10:27 +0000

Machour’s gift expands support for student scholarships in Mason Korea Colleen Rich Thu, 06/20/2024 - 14:10

Building on his ongoing commitment to Mason Korea, advisory board member Sam Machour recently announced a new $60,000 pledge for student scholarships. The announcement was made during the Friends of Mason Korea 10th Anniversary Celebration.

These funds will further strengthen the Sam Machour Scholarship Endowment, which provides financial aid to undergraduate students facing financial hardship. Since 2022, Machour's total contributions to Mason Korea have reached $120,000, reflecting his dedication to educational advancement.

Photo provided

"I am excited to contribute to Mason Korea and its mission," said Sam Machour, CEO of Bio Investments Group AG. “I believe that education is the most powerful tool we have to break the cycle of poverty and create lasting change for students, for communities, and for entire nations—Korea is the best case example. I believe as well that, for those of us who can afford to give back to society, can do great by doing good. I don’t know of any better way to give back than by investing in the education of younger generations.”

Mason Korea Dean Robert Matz expressed his gratitude: "We are incredibly thankful for Sam Machour's continued generosity. This new donation will allow us to support even more students and contribute meaningfully to our community. Mr. Machour serves as a true inspiration to our students, not only through his business achievements but also through his belief in the power of education and the importance of helping others."

Learn more about Mason Korea's 10th Anniversary

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Annual Scholarship Dinner recognizes donors and students in an evening of gratitude

Colleen Rich — Thu, 16 May 2024 12:55:10 +0000

Annual Scholarship Dinner recognizes donors and students in an evening of gratitude Colleen Rich Thu, 05/16/2024 - 08:55

“If I was able to meet the people who had given me the scholarship I received? For starters, I would give them a big hug!”

The enthusiasm of ��AV student Dean Johnson, integrative studies major and recipient of the Howard Book Fund Scholarship, brought smiles to faces throughout the dining room of the International Country Club in Fairfax. Johnson’s and two other George Mason scholarship recipients’ experiences were featured as a video finale for an evening where many scholarship recipients were able offer thanks—in person—to the individuals who had made their scholarships possible.

George Mason’s Scholarship Dinner brings together the generous individuals who have given to student scholarships with some of the amazing students who have received scholarship support.

“You can tell an event is important based on who shows up,” said George Mason President Gregory Washington. “I’ve counted seven deans here!”

Students, donors, and Mason staff enjoyed an evening of gratitude, with 200 guests in attendance to hear students’ stories of impact.

More than 1,100 scholarships have been awarded in FY 24, totaling more than $3.5 million.

Business Rakibul Alam spoke about his George Mason experience at the event. Photo by Sean Kelley Photography

"This evening represents the power of philanthropy coming to life,” said Trishana E. Bowden, ��AV Foundation president and George Mason’s vice president for advancement and alumni relations. “Your generosity gives students a chance—a chance to learn, a chance to challenge themselves academically, a chance to lead, and an opportunity to immerse themselves in the multitude of perspectives that they see in their peers. Through scholarship support, you bring promising students to the arena, allowing them to grow and advance beyond their own perceived limits.”

Several students spoke to the group about the impact that scholarships had had in their lives. “Receiving scholarship support has not only eased the financial burden of pursuing my degree, but has inspired me to strive for academic excellence and allowed me to actively contribute to student life,” said Rakibul Alam, a business major who is a recipient of the Shrivastava Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship. Alam is an Honors College professional development fellow, part of George Mason’s Student Government, and is a Costello College of Business student ambassador. “I take on these extracurricular opportunities because I believe that I have a responsibility to give back to a place that has already given me so much.”

Several students spoke to the group about the impact that the scholarships had had in their lives. Photo by Sean Kelly Photography

Sumeet Shrivastava, MBA ‘94, hosted the evening’s events. Shrivastava is a leader in the government IT industry and a committed alum, board member, donor, and volunteer for the Costello College of Business and ��AV. His family’s generosity to Mason has made it possible for many students to realize their academic goals.

Shrivastava related the circumstances of his father’s engineering education, which began in India and continued with his master’s degree at the University of North Carolina—a step that was catalyzed through a scholarship. “That scholarship didn’t just fund his education,” said Shrivastava, “it forged connections that would shape the course of his life. Through his studies, he met mentors who believed in his potential, peers who shared his ambitions, and a network of support that pushed him forward.”

Describing his own philanthropy as “an opportunity to be the bridge for someone else’s journey,” Shrivastava encouraged the attendees to forge connections and be the architects of change.

Bowden, too, confirmed the impact of the scholarship she had received during college. “The message behind this act was truly compelling: to realize that someone I had never met believed in what I could achieve. It gave me confidence in my own abilities and potential. You could even say that it inspired my life’s work: bringing such opportunities to other students.”

And she shared a special message with the George Mason students gathered. “Please know how proud we are of you,” she said. “We know how hard you are working and are delighted to be part of your story.”

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New Hazel–Peterson Scholarship will support undergraduate students in the Costello College of Business

Colleen Rich — Mon, 13 May 2024 18:41:34 +0000

New Hazel–Peterson Scholarship will support undergraduate students in the Costello College of Business Colleen Rich Mon, 05/13/2024 - 14:41

A new Hazel–Peterson Scholarship fund has been established in the name of the Hazel and Peterson families to support undergraduate students pursuing a minor in real estate development at the Costello College of Business of ��AV.

Jimmy Hazel, John T. "Til" Hazel Jr. and Milt Peterson at the ground-breaking in 2015 for an academic building that would be named Peterson Family Health Sciences Hall. Photo by Office of University Branding

“The best institutions in the future will be those that are well positioned to make education available to as many people as possible,” said George Mason President Gregory Washington. “Nicole and I want to help make this life-changing opportunity available to more young people. To do so not only benefits George Mason but the entire metropolitan region and the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

Washington and Presidential Partner Nicole Washington have donated $25,000 to seed the scholarship, which was matched 2 to 1 by S&P Global, the New York City-based capital market company, bringing the total of the scholarship fund to $75,000 by January 2024.

The ��AV Foundation manages the fund and hopes to grow it to at least $200,000 to provide lasting and perpetual support for scholarships in the Costello College of Business.

Three Hazel–Peterson Scholarships for $2,500 each are expected to be available this fall.

Recipients must be full- or part-time undergraduate students who graduated from a Northern Virginia high school located within 50 miles of the university’s Fairfax Campus and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Funds will be awarded by a selection committee appointed by the dean of the Costello College of Business in coordination with the Office of Student Financial Aid. This scholarship is renewable.

This Hazel–Peterson Scholarship recognizes the longstanding dedication and commitment to the university and region by these two families.

Business partners for 20 years, late family patriarchs Milt Peterson and John “Til” Hazel Jr. set the stage for George Mason’s rise to prominence with a shared affinity for the university and a vision that has been passed on to their offspring.

“What Dad and Milt did over the years was something, and seeing the second generation carrying it to new levels has been kind of fun,” said Jimmy Hazel, a local businessman who grew up close to George Mason’s Fairfax Campus and has served on George Mason’s Board of Visitors for 16 years.

Jon Peterson said that his father and Til Hazel would be proud of George Mason’s upward trajectory.

“George Mason has always been such a big part of Northern Virginia,” Jon Peterson said. “As Northern Virginia has grown, so has Mason. It’s been great to see.”

A prominent Virginia lawyer and later developer, Til Hazel is considered one of the university’s founding fathers after acquiring land and lobbying for a school of law in Arlington. He was the recipient of the first Mason Medal in 1987, the university’s highest honorary award for those with a record of service to their community or nation. His brother William A. Hazel was one of Northern Virginia’s most influential builders and was also instrumental in the development and growth of the university, establishing the Eleanor and Bill Hazel Endowed Chair in Civil Infrastructure Engineering in the Volgenau School of Engineering in 2014.

Jimmy Hazel is a proud Scalia Law School graduate with decades of service to the university including the Board of Visitors, 12 years on the ��AV Foundation Board, and a stint as the Alumni Association president. Also a recipient of the Mason Medal in 2017, the former George Mason Alumnus of the Year chaired the successful Faster Farther comprehensive campaign that closed with more than $690 million. He and his wife, Sally, established the Hazel Scholars Endowment Fund in 2011, which is now valued at roughly $1.2 million.

The Peterson Family has also given generously to the university and the Northern Virginia community through the Peterson Family Foundation, which was established by Milt and Carolyn in 1997. Through the foundation, the family has supported multiple causes, including health care, education, youth development, and the United Methodist Church, contributing more than $100 million to charity.

In June 2016, the Peterson Family provided $10 million to support the new academic building for what is now the College of Public Health, as well as funding for the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Now a CEO of Peterson Companies and chairman of the company’s executive committee, Jon Peterson first served on George Mason’s Board of Visitors from 2014 to 2018, and will conclude his second four-year term this year.

“If you’re fortunate enough to be able to give back, you do,” Jon Peterson said.

The scholarship is now accepting applications in the Blackbaud Award Management scholarship portal.

The Hazel and Peterson families hope to see the scholarship grow so that it might provide more opportunities for students.

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