Mason Memories

A Foundation for Friendship

Looking back, my friends and I realize we had a special thing at Mason. A group of us found each other in 1984. We met through the halls of Dominion and Commonwealth, and others became part of our circle of friends through the dingy old apartment buildings behind SUB I. We came from different high schools, cities, states, and even countries.

We all had a touch of the misfit feeling when we arrived at Mason—a little insecurity combined with the hope and freedom that come with being a freshman, living on campus away from home for the first time. That is what probably drew us all together. We had a blast back in our college days and formed close bonds through life-changing experiences. Those bonds formed a foundation that has held, and we all remain friends to this day.

We decided to get together at this past year's Mason Homecoming, and it was a huge success. A few of us have acquired a bit of gray hair and smile lines, but the voices and personalities are still the same. Together, we strolled through campus to look at all the new buildings and reminisce about good times we had on campus. There seemed to be another half of campus that had sprung up where there used to be trees. We laughed—how did we ever get by with just one lecture hall, a cramped little radio station in Thompson, and no ATMs at the Student Union Building?

The Alumni Office helped us reserve a room in the Johnson Center, which turned out to be very necessary because it grew cold outside and most of us had come with kids in tow. Smiling, we all realized our true tailgating days were way over, but we had our own tailgate inside, complete with juice boxes for the kids. We went to the men's basketball game later that afternoon and stayed through till the fireworks.

Most everyone showed—some with new husbands, new babies—and all brought stories to share on topics ranging from Little League games and soccer matches to the recent loss of parents. Many of us had gone through big life events since graduation—marriage, children, illnesses, grad school, and international job relocations that took us far away from our comfort zone on campus. And although some couldn't join us, they were with us in spirit.

Although we were pretty responsible people back then, it was both strange and awesome to picture that our old tailgating, beer-drinking buddies now hold down real jobs, do important things, raise children and guide their lives, pay mortgages, and do all these things well. After 20 years, our group of friends could get together, feel comfortable with each other, and laugh as though it were yesterday. We still have a lot in common, and we still genuinely care about each other. Back then, we thought we were just kids in college, but looking back, we realize how lucky we were and what truly great times we had.

Thanks, Mason for bringing us together. To our friends who could not attend—hang in there, we wish you well!

Josie Ogaitis Webster graduated with a BSN in 1988. The director of health policy and planning for the Maryland State Health Department, she and her husband reside in Kensington, Maryland.

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Do you fondly remember certain places within the George Mason community that exemplified the “college experience”? Were you befriended by a mentor or professor at George Mason who influenced your life? If so, tell us about it. Send your submission to Alumni Affairs, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, MS 3B3, Fairfax, VA 22030. Please keep submissions to a maximum of 500 words.