Support for Mason Comes in Many Shapes and Sizes

By Denise St.Ours

When it comes to alumni supporting Mason, it’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Whether it be serving on a school volunteer advisory board, attending campus outreach events, or advocating on behalf of the university in the community or among state legislators, there is a virtual smorgasbord of ways to get involved and engaged. And, when it comes to support through monetary contributions, alumni are finding inventive, and sometimes surprising, ways to make a difference.

“The media tends to focus on large gifts when covering private support,” says Judy Jobbitt, vice president of university development and alumni affairs. “The compelling stories of other gifts often remain untold, yet collectively, they are vital to Mason’s long-term success.”

Take Craig Young, JD ’82, and Shirley Keisler, JD ’90, who met each other through a mutual law school acquaintance and were married in August. In lieu of wedding gifts, they asked their guests—who included many of their former law classmates, as well as faculty members—to support Mason through a contribution to the Young and Keisler Scholarship Fund at the law school. Why?

“Shirley and I have been blessed with success as lawyers thanks to our Mason education,” explains Young. “We didn’t really need another toaster and felt giving to the scholarship fund was a good way to help the law school continue to move forward.”

To date, nearly $5,000 has been contributed to the fund as a result of Young and Keisler’s inspired generosity.

Personally Compelled

Shelby Oros, BS Psychology ’06, has wasted no time giving back to the institution that gave her a degree and a career path. A former scholarship recipient, she decided to pay back her $1,000 award through payroll deductions, feeling personally compelled to replenish the scholarship fund that helped her attend Mason.

But, there’s more to Oros’s story. She is giving an additional $1,000 to fund an Oxford Honors Scholarship in Psychology in memory of her mother, who suffered most of her adult life from schizophrenia. Oros participated in Mason’s Oxford Honors Program and took a tutorial on the treatment of schizophrenia.

“I hope this scholarship money will assist other Oxford participants in their studies of abnormal psychology so that those who suffer with schizophrenia, like my mother, might have better opportunities for proper treatment.”

Group Efforts

In many instances, it takes a village when it comes to supporting Mason. For example, the College of Health and Human Services recently hosted a “shower” to celebrate the arrival of SimBaby (see Special Delivery), a $30,000 simulated patient that was purchased thanks to significant support from the college’s alumni. Guests were encouraged to bring baby gifts for distribution to a local women’s shelter. SimBaby joins three full-sized, computer-controlled human simulators in the Toups Nursing Clinical Simulation Laboratories.

And, in November, 65 students participated in a 12-hour dance-a-thon in Dewberry Hall on the Fairfax Campus following the men’s basketball game against Wichita State. More than $2,600 was raised for student scholarships through donations from 250 students, parents, alumni, and friends.

“These examples are just a sampling of how those closest to the university are giving back,” says Annual Giving Chair Tammy McBride, BSN ’99 and MS Health Systems Management ’06. “We applaud each of their efforts.”

For more information on ways to support Mason, visit www.gmu.edu/development/waysgive/index.html.