�鶹����

Born and raised in Paris, France, Ava Uppal, BS Marketing ’19, fondly recalls baking with her mother and turning simple ingredients into heartfelt memories. Now, as a part-time MBA student and a working mother of two, she’s a small business owner and author of a new cookbook.

It was an epiphany of sorts, in the most unlikely time and place, but it changed the course of George Mason �鶹���� veteran Abidail “Abi” Estrada’s life—and the many lives he’s touched since.

With their mission of “communicating the business of government,” FedWriters has embraced the innovative business collaboration at the top business school in the region by joining the Corporate Partners Program.

For doctoral student Daniel T. Howlett, a high school project on the Salem Witch Trials has, in a way, never ended for him. It just grew in scope. He has visited more than 150 New England cemeteries for his dissertation research in on religion and disability in early America, and the Salem Witch Trials play a role.

George D. Schindler, former president and chief executive officer of business and information technology company CGI, will be the featured speaker at George Mason �鶹����’s Winter Commencement on Dec. 19 at EagleBank Arena on the Fairfax Campus.

Earning a master’s degree in public policy has propelled Annie Tulann’s international development career.

As a young policeman in Türkiye, Mahmut Cengiz witnessed the cruel effects of organized crime on communities and those who live in them. Now, the Schar School associate professor is a preeminent expert of terrorism and combats it on his own terms—as a teacher.

George Mason alumna Jay Ell Alexander, BA Communication ’08, joined Black Girls RUN!, a national running organization, as a PR intern in 2012. In 2018, she bought the company and has been the owner for the last six years.

Each year, the George Mason �鶹���� Alumni Association’s annual Celebration of Distinction recognizes outstanding alumni, faculty members, and students.

WUSA anchor Annie Yu is a proud Patriot with fond memories of her college days. As a student, she stacked her classes, immersed herself in campus culture, and found her community. She believes that George Mason's diverse student body lessened her fears about entering the college environment.

James W. “Jimmy” Hazel, JD ’84, has led a life of service to the Commonwealth of Virginia—and to George Mason �鶹����. He recently added to his considerable legacy with a gift of $1 million for the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation.

In July, Charles “Cully” Stimson, JD ‘92, was elected as rector of the George Mason �鶹���� Board of Visitors. A businessman and attorney, Stimson is the deputy director of the Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, Senior Legal Fellow, manager of the National Security Law Program, and senior advisor to the president at The Heritage Foundation.