October 2-4 was our first ever Alumni Weekend at George Mason University. With your help and participation, we had an incredibly successful and fun weekend. I know many of you were amazed at the enormous growth that has occurred on the Fairfax campus since your last visit and at the numerous construction projects still underway. I heard over and over again how impressive the campus has become and how proud alumni are to be connected to George Mason.
Beyond seeing the awe on the faces of alumni, I enjoyed meeting with you and witnessing the interaction among alumni, spouses, families, faculty, staff, and students throughout the weekend. Mason camaraderie was evident everywhere and the fun of the weekend was found both in reconnecting with each other and with Mason. The variety of events (social, intellectual, family oriented, artistic, athletic, and recreational) meant there was something for everyone and plenty of opportunities to catch up and revel in being back at Mason.
As the events of the weekend came to a close, I was encouraged by the large numbers of alumni wanting to know how to become more involved with their alma mater. George Mason is a vibrant community with opportunities for involvement at all levels. The basic level of involvement I ask of all Mason alumni is to constantly serve as ambassadors of George Mason. Wear your Mason gear with pride, talk about the university and its accomplishments with friends, colleagues, and neighbors, and stay up to date with Mason news. The easiest way to do that is with – the Mason Spirit Magazine. Share it with people you know and make sure your e-mail is up to date in the Office of Alumni Affairs so you receive the MasonWire monthly e-newsletter.
If you want to be active at the university, visit our website and sign up for our volunteer listserv to be notified of opportunities to interact with students and share your own life experience. We call on volunteers to help out at basketball games, serve on professional panels, instruct certain classes, host special events, mentor students, and help us reach out to other alumni.
As George Mason grows, our alumni support for the university is vital. I often talk about the need for alumni to share their time, treasure, and talents with Mason. If you can share one or all of these things with George Mason, you will have a real impact on the future and we will continue to be one of the most innovative, respected, and watched universities in the country.
The Alumni Association always has a good time and having such strong connections to a worldclass university and cultural center is always rewarding. Come join the fun!
Ted Arnn
President, George Mason University Alumni Associatio
BS Law Enforcement ’93
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