Masonat50

George Mason Athletics marks 50 years of women’s volleyball

Colleen Rich — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 18:46:18 +0000

George Mason Athletics marks 50 years of women’s volleyball Colleen Rich Wed, 09/25/2024 - 14:46

George Mason �鶹�� Athletics is recognizing and celebrating 50 years of women’s volleyball during the 2024-25 season. Over the course of the next few weeks, leading up to the 50th-anniversary celebration on Oct. 19, a series of Q&As, stories, and social media posts will reflect and celebrate the players and coaches who have built the Patriots women's volleyball program into what it is today.

Alumni who are interested in attending the 50th-anniversary event should RSVP in advance.

Photos and graphic provided

Holly (Weber) Neimark was a member of the inaugural women's volleyball team in 1974, and though she was only a part of the Patriots volleyball program for a year, it has left her with memories that will last a lifetime.

How did you get involved with volleyball at Mason?

Well, I just loved volleyball. I always did. I was involved in all the sports. I was a physical education major at the time, so I went out for everything. But I always loved volleyball. I played it in high school. And I did all the intermural stuff when I was a freshman at Mason.

What do you remember about your coaching staff?

I felt like [Kevin Colgate and Mark Osmun] taught us to be fearless. They would set up these mats and they would hit us really difficult balls, and they taught us to dive for those balls. We were diving across the floor to reach out and get these balls that were really hard to get. And I was really impressed with that. I felt like they really trained us to be fearless and to just go for it.

And one thing I always remember about Kevin was his enthusiasm and he's got the greatest smile. And he was just such a good coach. He was very supportive and enthusiastic. He just made it really fun.

What was a memorable game for you?

One match that stood out was when we played Gallaudet �鶹��. What I remember is how they moved around the court together as a team with such grace and awareness. I don't know if we won that game or not, but I was just in awe of how they played as a team.

What do you remember about your travel accommodations?

I do remember being in vans. I don't think we went anywhere far. There were no overnighters.

Can you catch us up on what you're doing now?

I transferred to San Diego State �鶹�� after that first season. I ended up not playing [volleyball] and got involved in other things. I became involved in theater. So, I took a whole other path, and I've been involved in theater most of my life. I was an actor for many years and ended up at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Then I went into stage management, and then into education. And now I'm retired. It has been a fun, interesting life!

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Alumni

Mason Athletics

Masonat50

Retro Mason: George Mason College opens in Fairfax, 1964

Colleen Rich — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 21:09:43 +0000

Retro Mason: George Mason College opens in Fairfax, 1964 Colleen Rich Thu, 09/12/2024 - 17:09

George Mason College officially opened in Fairfax, Virginia, on Sept. 14, 1964. Then a branch campus of the �鶹�� of Virginia, the college welcomed 356 registered students and had a faculty that included seven full-time and 18 part-time instructors. The campus consisted of four buildings, then named North, South, East, and West.

At the time, it was the only college in the capital region with buildings that were fully air-conditioned. Though the temperatures were comfortable inside, some amenities still needed to be added. Food service was not available at first, but efforts were quickly made to address that. During the first week of classes, vending machines were hastily set up in a study hall.

George Mason would later set up a dining hall, the Ordinary, in the South Building (now called Krug Hall). The Ordinary was open until the �鶹�� Union, now known as Student Union Building I, was built in 1974.

Photo credit: George Mason College, fall 1964. George Mason �鶹�� photograph collection, #R0120, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason �鶹�� Libraries

Topics

Retro Mason

Masonat50

Fairfax Campus

A relentless pursuit of excellence: 50 years of George Mason’s Forensics Team

Colleen Rich — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 16:34:19 +0000

A relentless pursuit of excellence: 50 years of George Mason’s Forensics Team Colleen Rich Tue, 08/27/2024 - 12:34

George Mason �鶹�� aims to provide students with a transformational learning experience that helps them grow as individuals, scholars, and professionals. George Mason’s Forensics Team has been dedicated to this priority and providing opportunities for students for more than 50 years.

More than 140 team alumni gathered at Horizon Hall, traveling from 16 states and overseas, to celebrate five decades of excellence alongside current Forensics Team members. Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of �鶹�� Branding

On Aug. 17, more than 140 team alumni gathered, traveling from 16 states and overseas, to celebrate five decades of excellence alongside current Forensics Team members.

George Mason’s intercollegiate speech team has represented the university at regional and national speech competitions since the early 1970s. They compete in a wide range of events designed to persuade or move an audience through public speaking or oral interpretation of literature.

For decades, George Mason has been regarded as one of the top forensics teams in the country. In 1979, the team won the American Forensic Association’s national championship. The team has placed among the top 10 programs at nationals 25 times in the past 33 years, and they have ranked second in the country for the past three years.

“Fifty years ago, a group of visionary individuals, Margaret Duffner, Bruce Manchester, and Sheryl Friedley, laid the foundation for what would become a powerhouse of talent and intellect,” said Dawn Lowry, current director of the team. “We honor their legacy and the countless contributions of students, coaches, and supporters who have carried the torch forward.”

Alumni and team members in attendance shared stories from their experience on the team: commitment to hard work, discipline, friendship, and above all—an enduring community.

At the reunion, Professor Emeritus Bruce Manchester announced a landmark gift to the Forensics Team. Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of �鶹�� Branding.

“Looking back at my time as part of the Forensics Team, the experience prepared me for my career as a peacebuilder and conflict negotiator. I will never forget the lessons I learned, and I continue to learn every day,” said Manal Omar, BA International Studies ’96.

“Being part of the Forensics Team provided incredible formation for my personal and professional life,” said Victoria McDermott, BA Speech Communication ’90, JD ’93.

At the reunion, George Mason junior Freya Hutton treated alumni and guests to a performance in Impromptu Speaking. Hutton was given a quote and 90 seconds to craft his performance, which he did while on stage with nothing more than a pencil and small note card.

The quote Hutton received—“We are stronger together as a team than any one of us has to be as an individual”—was provided by Professor Emerita Sheryl Friedley, known to the team as “Docette,” who served as assistant director for 16 years.

He tackled the assignment with ease, which is a testament to his experience and skill. Hutton, a philosophy major, is a tournament champion in Impromptu Speaking and was a national finalist in Rhetorical Criticism at the 2024 National Forensic Association’s National Tournament.

This message was repeated by both alumni and students throughout the event. “The community behind our team is strong and palpable,” said Prem Ganesan, a George Mason senior studying economics. “I always have the opportunity to keep learning and to keep working toward improvement with our team.”

Ganesan exemplifies the team’s dedication to continued learning and a shared pursuit of excellence. They earned the prestigious title of National Champion in Poetry at the 2024 National Forensics Association National Tournament and secured five national titles across a variety of categories, in addition to placing as a finalist in several events.

Ganesan presented a poetry interpretation, an exploration of gender through the lens of reincarnation. Their performance was a powerful tribute to the strength of the team, the quality of their work, and dedication to this craft.

The Forensics Team celebration was accentuated by the announcement of a landmark gift to the team from Professor Emeritus Bruce Manchester and his partner of 46 years, James “Fred” Emory. This planned gift from Manchester and Emory is the largest commitment to date pledged by a George Mason faculty member. Their gift will establish endowments to support the director and assistant director of forensics positions and provide lasting support to the program.

Manchester reinforced how this team has, for decades, provided strength and community to countless George Mason students.

“The team was a place for people to be their authentic self and this created a positive experience that made a difference for so many,” said Nicolette Stearns, BA Speech Communication ’85, MEd Curriculum and Instruction ’92.

“In addition to learning public speaking and how to craft persuasive arguments, I learned how to be a supportive team member,” Stearns added. “I brought these skills to my work in training and consulting, and I was able to teach others.”

Stearns shared that George Mason Forensics became the foundation for her life, both personal and professional. Her teammates became her closest friends—they have shared life together for the past 40 years—raising kids, holding monthly dinners, and have even officiated each other’s weddings.

The outcome is clear. George Mason Forensics has achieved excellence in preparing our students to thrive, cultivating their sense of curiosity, and building lasting community for generations.

Topics

Alumni

Masonat50

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Forensics Team

Retro Mason: North Campus, 1972–1983

Colleen Rich — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 18:25:58 +0000

Retro Mason: North Campus, 1972–1983 Colleen Rich Thu, 07/25/2024 - 14:25

Façade of the North Campus building in 1975.

George Mason �鶹�� once occupied the former Fairfax High School building, located on Fairfax Boulevard between Fairfax Circle and the intersection of Routes 50 and 29. From 1972 to 1983, George Mason operated a satellite campus, known as North Campus, at the location.

The original Fairfax High School building opened in 1935. In 1972, the growing student population moved into a new building, the current Fairfax High School, located in the City of Fairfax on Lion Run.

George Mason was looking for additional facilities to host new programs in nursing, education, and business. Space on campus was limited, and enrollment was doubling every two years. The university purchased the former high school from Fairfax County Schools for $1.8 million. The property consisted of approximately 100,000 square feet of space (including classrooms, a cafeteria, library, and theater), and 16 acres of land, which included athletic fields.

In 1983, George Mason sold the property to the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, which used the space for Pope Paul VI High School. Today, the historic building is part of the Boulevard VI housing development.

Photo credit: �鶹�� Libraries' Special Collections Research Center, Broadside photographs collection (#R0135)

Topics

Retro Mason

Masonat50

Celebrating 20 years of Mason’s Black Alumni Chapter

Colleen Rich — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 18:15:32 +0000

Celebrating 20 years of Mason’s Black Alumni Chapter Colleen Rich Wed, 02/28/2024 - 13:15

In December, George Mason �鶹��’s Black Alumni Chapter saluted its history while looking to the future at “A Toast to 20,” a gala celebration of the chapter’s 20th anniversary.

Mason's Black Alumni Chapter members gathered in December 2023 to celebrate 20 years. Photo by Tracey Waters-Taylor

The gathering included seven of the founding members: David C. Atkins, BS ’90; Ailsa Burnett, BS ’93, MA ’96, MPA ’08; Conaway Haskins III, BA ’99; Cynthia Porter Johnson, BA ’93, MS ’02; Jerod Parker, BS ’97; Tennille Smith Parker, BA ’97; and Uche Onwudiwe, BS ’95, MA ‘97, who traveled from Africa to celebrate the event.

“Acknowledging the dedication of past leadership is crucial,” said Chapter President Deion Maith, BA ’20. “Giving them their flowers while we can serves as a powerful motivator to elevate the chapter's growth and impact.”

The evening also included 10 past chapter presidents: in addition to Atkins, Johnson ,and Smith Parker, past presidents Deidra Bailey, BA ’09, MEd ’11; Chantée Christian, BA ’05; Timothy Cotman, BA ’06, MEd ’99; Janae Johnson, BS ’11, MAIS ’15; Melissa Bradby Lewis, BA ’04, MA ’09; Ryan Lowry, BS ’06; and Issac W. K. Thweatt, BM ’05, were also in attendance.

“Having been an extremely involved student at Mason, I was surprised how disconnected I felt from the university as a result of my primary collegiate community being almost invisible as it related to their involvement at Mason,” said Atkins. “So, it became important to me to help bring this community back together to begin creating pride and tradition that would strengthen the connection of Black alumni to the university, but also to each other.”

President Washington, Deion Maith, and David Atkins at the Toast to 20 event, which raised almost $40,000 to support the chapter's endowment. Photo by Tracey Waters-Taylor

Mason President Gregory Washington was on hand to recognize the success of the chapter and commend the gathering.

“Consider this, from 2010 to 2019, enrollment of Black undergraduates declined by 20% nationally. Declined by 20%. In comparison, Mason’s Black first-time undergraduate enrollment increased 73% during that period, placing Mason fourth nationally,” Washington said. “This group, for the support it provides and the supportive environment it helps foster, shares in that success.”

Founded in 2003, the chapter has established the Commitment to Diversity Book Award, championed the first Black Graduation Ceremony, and launched the Forty Under 40 celebration, held every three years to highlight the achievements and contributions of its members. In 2011, they became the first Mason alumni chapter to establish their own chapter-driven endowment.

Through the generosity of sponsors, donors, and pledge gifts, the chapter’s Toast to 20 raised nearly $40,000, making it the most successful fundraising event in chapter history.

Top sponsors and donors included Martin A. Taylor, Thweatt, Lowry, and Sodexo U.S., the company that handles dining and catering on Mason’s Fairfax Campus.

Maith credited Atkins’ leadership for the success of the event. “David has played a major role in the development of the chapter—as a founding member, the longest serving president of the chapter, champion of the chapter’s endowment, and 2017 Black Distinguished Alumni,” said Maith. “I approached David early in my presidency to ask him how we should celebrate the 20th anniversary of the chapter. He immediately saw the vision before we could even put pen to paper.”

“The 20th anniversary celebration allowed for this community to pause and reflect on the impact it has made since its founding and express public gratitude to those who have led this chapter over the years and often worked behind the scenes to ensure our Black alumni find reasons to stay involved with Mason,” Atkins said. “ It was personally rewarding to experience the joy and pride that exuded from alumni at this celebration.”

The loyalty and drive of the entire board contributed to the night’s strong success, Maith added. Because they believe in the vision of the Black Alumni chapter, they have set a firm foundation for the future.

The musical talents of DJ K.E.V. (aka Kevin Holmes, BA ’02, MA ’07) rounded out the evening, as the attendees danced into the chapter’s next 20 years. “I look forward to continuing the very first mission statement of the chapter,” said Maith. “We're everywhere you want to be—connecting, communicating, and educating!’”

The chapter’s next big event is the Black Alumni Weekend, coming on June 7–9, 2024, featuring a happy hour and cookout and offering members a time to reunite, reflect, and celebrate the community post-graduation.

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Patriot Pop Quiz: Mascots of the 1990s

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 18:39:39 +0000

Patriot Pop Quiz: Mascots of the 1990s Lauren Reuscher Wed, 07/19/2023 - 14:39

Question:

One person has portrayed three different Mason mascots over the years, including the tricorn-hat Gunston (1993), the brief Gorilla period (1994), and the fuzzy Gunston (1996).

He is still a Mason employee. Who is it?

Gunston, 1996. Photo provided by Mason Athletics

Gunston, 1993. Photo provided by Mason Athletics

Answer:

George Malenich, plumber, Facilities. Photo provided

George Malenich, Mason Square plumber, Facilities Management

“I loved being the mascot at Mason. The exposure opened doors for me. I did the play-by-play for Mason women’s basketball and hosted a sports talk show at WGMU radio with several students. We had great guests, including legends like Dick Vitale, Arnold Palmer, and Gus Johnson. [Former Mason Men’s Basketball Coach] Jim Larrañaga was a frequent guest, too," said Malenich, also a Mason alum.

"Being the mascot helped me land the job as a plumber here 26 years ago, which is a position I love," he said. "I was courtside for the Final Four run in 2006. One of my greatest thrills was being in the second row of the press section for the UConn upset—in regular clothes, not dressed as a mascot."

Topics

Faculty and Staff News

Around Mason (E-Files)

These pathbreaking teams give a new look and feel to Mason’s public spaces

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 16:13:35 +0000

These pathbreaking teams give a new look and feel to Mason’s public spaces Lauren Reuscher Thu, 04/20/2023 - 12:13

The Patriot Pathbreakers Award, established by Human Resources and the Staff Senate, honors high-performing staff teams that embody the George Mason �鶹�� value of “Thriving Together.” These innovative teams use individual talents to overcome obstacles and make progress toward their goals. They have adapted their services and processes when necessary to meet the changing needs of the Mason community. Their work makes Mason All Together Different.

The Patriot Pathbreakers Award recipients will be recognized with other faculty and staff honorees at Mason’s Outstanding Achievement Awards ceremony on Tuesday, April 25, from 10–11:30 a.m. in the Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall. The ceremony will also be live streamed on GMU-TV; the link to watch the ceremony is posted on the Outstanding Achievement Awards website.

Creative Services, Office of �鶹�� Branding

Creative Services designed the signage and banners displayed at Mason's 50th anniversary celebration in the Johnson Center. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

Team members: Ron Aira, Claire Brandt, Melissa Cannarozzi, Evan Cantwell, Priyanka Champaneri, Joan Dall’Acqua, Brian Edlinski, Sierra Guard, Rebecca Kobayashi, Jeeun Namgoong, Kerianne Plunkett, Michaela Reilly, DeRon Rockingham, Corey Schaut, Rebecca Siddon, Azriel Towner

The Creative Services team provides creative support, brand stewardship, resources, and consulting to departments, schools, and colleges across Mason. This team of graphic designers, writers, editors, photographers, videographers, and production staff creates materials that capture and convey the university’s brand to internal and external audiences.

Mason’s 50th anniversary celebration was one of the team's biggest projects to date.

“The 50th anniversary was a momentous occasion in Mason’s history, and Creative Services was tasked with creating materials that both celebrated Mason’s past while also generating excitement in our community toward the future,” wrote a nominator. “The production staff researched new and innovative media and delivery methods to mark the anniversary in ways that Mason had never showcased before, including large-scale environmental advertising.”

Creative Services helped set the scene for the anniversary celebration with window clings on Mason buildings, new light pole banners, sidewalk stickers, column wraps in EagleBank Arena, staircase decals, and more.

Through a cohesive campaign of print, digital, and large-scale environmental collateral, Creative Services succeeded in creating an environment that celebrated Mason’s 50th anniversary and generated excitement and energy about the university’s next 50 years—and beyond.

“The 50th anniversary celebration was an all-in effort for every team in the Office of �鶹�� Branding, and the work of the Creative Services team was absolutely pivotal to our success,” said Paul Allvin, vice president and chief brand officer. “From designing the now-familiar event graphics to giving the celebration both graphics and audiovisual excitement, the work of this team helped to make this university-wide celebration an unqualified success.”

Mason Square Plaza Activation Initiative

Mason students, faculty, staff, and community members gathered for a concert on the plaza at Mason Square. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services

Team members: Toni Andrews, Kenneth Darby, Margaret Duke, Sophie Gorshenin, Sara Hawes, Cathy Pinskey, Colin Stucki, Melissa Thierry

The Mason Square plaza activation initiative focused on the outdoor programming space at George Mason �鶹��’s campus in Arlington, Virginia. With the construction of Fuse at Mason Square underway—which will add more than 345,000 square feet of space to the campus—vibrant new programming has already arrived on the plaza, making it a lively gathering place for the campus and nearby community.

The launch and continued success of new public programming on the plaza is due to the work of a collaborative team of staff from �鶹�� Life, Mason Square Administration, Facilities, and the Office of Community and Local Government Relations.

The activation project was modeled after a similar project at Bryant Park in New York City, with a goal of turning Mason Square’s plaza into a gathering place that would revitalize its neighborhood, offering free events and activities for the community.

Chess game on the plaza at Mason Square. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services

The schedule includes exercise classes, musical performances, a farmers’ market, informal speakers, and more. The team did not have a manual or a guidebook when building this initiative, a nominator wrote. They learned as they went along. They visited Bryant Park to see ideas in action. They followed their instincts and tested ideas to discover what would work best for Mason and the local neighborhood.

By turning the plaza into a lively gathering place, they are helping establish Mason as an anchor for the local community.

“Mason is always looking for innovative pathways to engage our community partners,” said Paul Liberty, vice president for government and community relations. “With the plaza activation and the development of Fuse at Mason Square, Mason students and staff and the Arlington community are coming together for a unique experience due to the efforts and creativity of this partnership. The Mason Square plaza activation team has brought Mason to the community and the community to Mason.”

Topics

Faculty and Staff News

Outstanding Achievement Awards

Patriot Pathbreakers Award

Human Resources

Mason Square

Office of �鶹�� Branding

Office of Community and Local Government Relations

Facilities

�鶹�� Life

Masonat50

SciTech’s ‘social butterfly’ retires after 30 years of service

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 17:11:34 +0000

SciTech’s ‘social butterfly’ retires after 30 years of service Lauren Reuscher Wed, 04/05/2023 - 13:11

Molly Grove, SciTech Campus. Photo by Ron Aira

After more than 30 years of service, Molly Grove, the associate director for Community and Local Government Relations at George Mason �鶹��’s Science and Technology Campus, is retiring.

Grove’s Mason journey began in 1992 as a part-time coordinator, planning the university’s Commencement and convocation ceremonies. Over the years, she has earned a reputation as a “social butterfly” and the “face of the SciTech Campus.”

“Molly has been the SciTech Campus’ lifeline to the community, working with business, government, and education leaders since its beginning. She’s left an indelible fingerprint on SciTech,” said Ron Carmichael, the campus’ director of administration and operations.

In addition to relationship-building, Grove leads event planning at SciTech. She was especially busy in the past year, coordinating the triple groundbreaking of the Life Sciences and Engineering Building, Innovation Town Center, and �鶹�� Village in honor of Mason’s 50th anniversary.

“There have been so many wonderful memories during my time at Mason,” Grove said. “I will always look back at representing the university in the community with great affection.”

Grove served on many business and civic boards on Mason’s behalf. She was involved in the launch of Leadership Prince William, a nonprofit organization focused on training individuals and organizations to enrich the community through collaborative leadership. In 2008, she was a member of Leadership Prince William’s introductory class. She went on to serve as co-chair of its Board of Regents.

Mason’s rewarding relationship with the Prince William Chamber of Commerce is due largely to Grove’s efforts. As chair of the Prince William–Greater Manassas Chamber of Commerce, she co-managed the 2010 merger of that chamber with the Prince William Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“The Prince William Chamber has been a great partner for Mason,” Grove said. “Many of our efforts at SciTech were supported by the chamber including Mason’s 50th Anniversary Celebration that was held last fall.”

One of Grove’s chief accomplishments was the conceptualizing of a statue to honor former senator Charles J. Colgan for his 40 years of service in the Virginia Senate. Colgan was a staunch supporter of higher education and played a pivotal role in securing land for the establishment of the SciTech Campus.

The statue’s unveiling in 2016 coincided with Colgan’s 90th birthday. Seven former Virginia governors, two former lieutenant governors, and a congressman were among the distinguished guests in attendance at the dedication ceremony.

“Seeing the smile on the senator’s face when he stood next to his life-size statue at the installation was an unforgettable moment,” Grove said.

With retirement ahead, Grove plans to spend more time in her garden, crafting, and improving her golf game. She’s especially looking forward to doing some landscaping.

“I love getting on my John Deere to mow my three acres,” she said.

“Molly has provided me with advice and guidance every step of the way,” Carmichael said. “I wish her all the best in this new phase of her life. She will definitely be missed.”

Topics

Faculty and Staff News

Retirement

SciTech Campus

Prince William County

Masonat50

In the Pink: Mason’s Cherry Tree Grove turns 30

Colleen Rich — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 17:09:47 +0000

In the Pink: Mason’s Cherry Tree Grove turns 30 Colleen Rich Wed, 03/29/2023 - 13:09

Photo by Cristian Torres/Strategic Communications

George Mason �鶹��’s iconic cherry tree grove by Mason Pond turns 30 this year.

Officially known as the Memorial Cherry Grove, the first trees were donated in 1993 by the members of Club Nippon, a student organization for those who shared an interest in Japanese language and culture. The students, who wanted to do something different for Mason’s annual International Week, decided to make an enduring contribution to the Fairfax Campus by giving living symbols of Eastern Asia—cherry trees.

More than 30 trees were purchased from Merrifield Garden Center, according to a 1993 news report. Other international student organizations and several campus offices contributed to the purchase. The students planted one of these trees by the pond and Cross Cottage during International Week, while the Facilities Planning Office integrated the others into long-range plans for the area.

The Memorial Cherry Grove has grown from the original 30 trees to now 61. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

The collection has grown from the original 30 to now 61 specimens. Dogwood and other hardwood trees indigenous to Virginia were added to the grove later, as well as several trees donated in memory of loved ones.

Mason certified arborist Erich Miller, the grounds program manager for Mason’s Facilities Management department, identifies the trees in the grove as Yoshino (Prunus x yedoensis) cherry trees, and says the grove gets a lot of interest this time of year.

“It has been cultivated and expanded to mirror the fantastic floral show that's currently happening at the Tidal Basin downtown,” said Miller, who has worked at Mason for 17 years. “We are fortunate enough to be here in Fairfax and enjoying the same type of show.”

Miller also welcomes the cherry blossom attention because it helps raise awareness about Mason’s Arboretum. In 2021, the university earned Level II accreditation from the international accreditation program ArbNet.

While many universities set aside a certain number of acres to dedicate to an arboretum, Mason did things differently and chose to make all of its campuses and locations, including the Point of View International Retreat and Conference Center and the Potomac Science Center in Woodbridge, Virginia, part of its collection.

The cherry trees are part of Mason's accredited Arboretum. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

Being a Level II Arboretum means the university is identifying and showcasing a collection of more than 100 native and non-native trees and shrubs in these spaces. Visitors can enjoy the Arboretum in person or online using the interactive Arboretum map, which showcases each specimen.

As the university’s arborist, Miller is responsible for the continued health and vitality of Mason’s trees. And when one goes away—whether because of illness or construction, it is replaced. In many instances, it is replaced with the same type of tree or another Virginia native species. If the new tree isn’t planted in the same spot, know that it lives in another spot in the Arboretum.

“It’s my responsibility to make sure that the current footprint stays in place or is improved,” he said.

Fun fact: There is a master tree list where Miller said they document as best they can every tree within the university canopy. That’s a lot of acres and a lot of trees.

Although areas like the Memorial Cherry Grove provide a beautiful spot for a picnic, a marriage proposal, or just a relaxing place to study, the true purpose of an arboretum is education. Mason’s Memorial Cherry Grove has also come to be used as one of the Institute for a Sustainable Earth’s Living Labs.

Not only have faculty members in Mason’s Department of Statistics been holding a yearly international Cherry Blossom Prediction Competition, Mason statistics students have been collecting and analyzing data on the bloom date of the cherry trees at Mason Pond and integrating this information with Mason’s local meteorological data, tracking variations over time to build a more accurate model for the bloom date.

“Part of the decision-making process for categorizing the entire university as the Arboretum is that we're a public university. People are welcome to come here and visit any time,” said Miller. “It's a learning opportunity for not only the students, but for anybody who visits here.”

Learn more about Mason's Arboretum

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Working Moms Support Group Celebrates its 20th Anniversary

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 14:47:05 +0000

Working Moms Support Group Celebrates its 20th Anniversary Lauren Reuscher Wed, 03/22/2023 - 10:47

Heather Aleknavage at the Working Moms Support Group 20th anniversary celebration. Photo by DeRon Rockingham

They say it takes a village to raise a child. But sometimes, parents are left wondering when that village is going to show up.

In 2003, Heather Aleknavage was a new mom doing her best to manage parenting and the demands of her job as an administrative professional at George Mason �鶹��. It wasn’t easy.

“My son, Jeb, was born with a congenital heart defect and had to have surgery when he was 10 days old,” said Aleknavage. “When I returned from maternity leave, sleep deprived with a still-recovering infant, I was really struggling to keep it together.”

These challenges drove Aleknavage to seek support from others who could relate to her experiences. But most local support groups at that time were geared toward stay-at-home moms. No such group existed on campus, either—so Aleknavage decided to change that.

With support from others at Mason, Aleknavage founded the Working Moms Support Group, which celebrated its 20th anniversary on February 23. The group supports Mason faculty and staff through all stages of their parenthood journeys. Membership has ebbed and flowed over the years, and meetings usually include about a dozen attendees. The network is large, though—the group’s contact list includes nearly 200 employees. Aleknavage, now the office manager and human resources coordinator in the Office of Sponsored Programs, still leads the group today.

Working Moms Support Group 20th Anniversary event. Photo by DeRon Rockingham

It takes courage to seek out that “village”

Before starting the group, Aleknavage presented her idea to other employees at a Staff Senate meeting. Stacey Remick-Simkins, program coordinator in the English Department, was chair of the Staff Senate at the time.

"Heather was on the forefront of advocacy for mothers who were working [on campus] full-time and juggling the challenges of work,” said Remick-Simkins. “Her leadership on behalf of working moms continues to be as relevant and important as it was many years ago.”

Others on campus rallied behind the idea. Nancy Hanrahan, associate professor of sociology, was director of the Women’s Center and the Women’s Studies Program at the time (now the Women and Gender Studies Program and Center). Hanrahan was thrilled when Aleknavage approached her with the idea of starting a support group for working moms.

The group needed a place to hold its meetings, which the Women and Gender Studies Center provided—and still does today. The center offered a visible space for the group to convene, which Hanrahan said was important in drawing attention to a constituency that was often overlooked.

"There's often a culture of 'leaving motherhood at the door' when you arrive at work, and that isn't how life really works," said Hanrahan. She hoped that the group would help people build bridges between their working lives and home lives.

Progress for working parents

Benefits and support structures for working parents continue to evolve. The Working Moms Support Group has played a vital role in these efforts at Mason. The group has advocated for telework/flextime options, parental leave, lactation spaces, the expansion of child care options on campus, and more.

“They were instrumental in getting a standardized parental leave policy—with an accompanying work relief plan—approved for instructional faculty,” said Adrianne Jones, faculty/staff engagement coordinator in Human Resources. “Before the policy was introduced, nine-month faculty had to individually negotiate with their deans and the amount of leave allowed varied greatly across the schools. I think it’s fair to say the group has created a supportive community for working mothers and has led the way to make Mason a more family-friendly institution.”

The group has also partnered with the Working Dads Group and advocated for student parents at Mason. "The number of student parents who have indicated an interest in joining [us] has grown tremendously since our group was founded in 2003,” Aleknavage said. “Their needs mirror those of faculty and staff, and they are driven to continue their education while raising their children."

Celebrating 20 years of support

The group recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. Jaime Lester, one of the group’s long-time members, served as guest speaker. Lester most recently was associate dean of faculty affairs and strategic initiatives in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and a professor in the Higher Education Program.

The group does far more than providing direct support for its members, Lester said. It has served as a grassroots advocacy group for working parents at Mason.

"The Working Moms Group continues to play an essential role in making the needs of parents at Mason more visible,” Lester said. “From catalyzing the creation of additional leave for faculty and staff to advocating for more lactation rooms in new buildings, the group is an exemplar of bottom-up change for Mason and beyond."

Helping parents during the pandemic and beyond

The COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges to parenting. Julia Tungli, instructional technologist with Information Technology Services, arrived at Mason in December 2019, shortly before the pandemic began. She was returning to work after spending a few years as a stay-at-home parent.

Tungli found out about the Working Moms Support Group before she arrived. “I was nervous about the new job, but I was more nervous about juggling work life with parenthood,” said Tungli. “Just knowing there was a group gave me comfort.”

In 2020, the Working Moms Support Group shifted to virtual meetings while many faculty and staff worked from home. “Working Moms has always been time I’ve taken for myself,” Tungli said. “My kids were there for a couple of meetings, but I tried to set aside the time to decompress and [engage] with my fellow working moms.”

Tungli’s children are four and six years old now, and she predicts that she will remain an active member of the Working Moms Group for years to come, “until parenthood isn’t at the front of my mind in everything I do,” said Tungli. “So maybe another couple of decades?”

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Faculty and Staff News

Working Moms Support Group

Masonat50

student parents

Working Dads Support Group

Human Resources

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