Mason Medal

George Mason’s Class of 2026 is prepared for success

ckearney — Thu, 14 May 2026 18:36:23 +0000

George Mason’s Class of 2026 is prepared for success ckearney Thu, 05/14/2026 - 14:36

91�� honored its graduates at Spring Commencement with a trio of well-received speakers who delivered messages of resilience, preparation, and celebrating differences.

Spring Commencement on Thursday, May 14, in EagleBank Arena. Photo by Andani Munkaila/Office of University Branding

The ceremony, livestreamed on George Mason’s YouTube channel Thursday morning from EagleBank Arena, honored more than 12,000 degree and certificate earners, including more than 5,200 from summer and winter 2025, from 105 countries and 49 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and military installations domestic and abroad.

The graduates filed into the arena sporting caps with personalized messages such as “My Future Is Calling,” “Mom’s Favorite,” and “Fueled by Haribo” and remained enthusiastic throughout the feel-good festivities.

The guest speaker, Gen. David W. Allvin, the 23rd Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force and a recently retired four-star general, encouraged the graduates—addressing them throughout as “team”—to be curious instead of judgmental, and to pursue service in ways they feel they can make a difference.

Allvin also shared several “almosts” from his life, including early struggles that could have derailed his Air Force career, a fortuitous change in travel plans that saved his life, and an unrealized bid to become an astronaut.

“Your future will be littered with crises averted. Things that almost happened. Things that didn't happen,” Allvin said. “Pick them up, look at them, take the lessons from them, set them aside, and move on. Because the world doesn’t revolve around what almost happens. It revolves around what is happening…Focus on the things that are. Not the things that might have been.”

University Marshal Star Muir leads the platform party to the stage at the 2026 Spring Commencement at EagleBank Arena for the last time. Muir is retiring after 38 years of service and teaching. Photo by Andani Munkaila/Office of University Branding

Board of Visitors Rector Michael Meese, himself a retired U.S. Army Brigadier General, presented Allvin with an honorary doctor of humane letters degree. Meese and Allvin were one-time classmates at the National War College and later served concurrently in Afghanistan.

George Mason President Gregory Washington encouraged the graduates to be patient and persistent in a challenging job market and reminded them that The Wall Street Journal ranks George Mason as the top public university in Virginia for value, salary outcomes, and the upward mobility of its graduates.

Washington assured graduates they had acquired the ultimate skill they will need to be successful—“you’ve learned how to learn.” And George Mason graduates have done that by attending a top-tier research university and working with students and faculty from varied backgrounds at the most diverse public university in Virginia.

“Technology will change,” Washington said. "Job titles will change. But the need for adaptable people and resilient people will not. You might feel like you're behind. But I’m here to tell you, not only are you ahead, but you've actually lapped some of your peers.”

As he does at each Commencement ceremony to underscore a few of the many pathways to George Mason, Washington asked three different groups to stand and be recognized—first-generation graduates (which accounted for 26% of the class), students who came to George Mason via community college, and students who are current or former military members, or military dependents. All received warm ovations.

Student speaker Saniya Darediya, a neuroscience major from India, recalled how she arrived in the United States at age 17 and the fear she felt as an outsider in a strange country. She eventually realized that hers was one of many such experiences at George Mason.

“Everyone here carries their own version of difference,” Darediya said. “Some of us traveled across the world to get here. Some of us were the first in our families to attend college. Some of us were still discovering who we wanted to become. Differences were not separating us. They were connecting us.

“The differences that once made many of us wonder whether we belonged…are the very things that make us valuable.”

Washington briefly cited another singular story that drew hearty applause. Irma Garcia, a 72-year-old grandmother of eight, decades ago earned a two-year degree from Northern Virginia Community College before family and work obligations as a single parent took priority over her education. She later enrolled at George Mason through the Senior Citizen Waiver Program and this spring graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public administration.

Meese presented the George Mason Medal, the university’s highest honorary award, to Jay and Carolyn Marsh, a husband and wife who worked in George Mason Athletics administration for a combined 91 years before their retirement in 2021. The Mason Medal was a posthumous honor for Carolyn Marsh, who served as the executive assistant for eight George Mason men’s basketball coaches and as a positive influence on the lives of hundreds of the university’s athletes.

Alumnus Jay Marsh, Business Administration ’73, served in many senior athletic administrative capacities, including in operations, facilities, event management, and fundraising. It was fitting that he received the university’s ultimate recognition in EagleBank Arena, the building that had been a home away from home ever since it opened in 1985.

Scott Hine, BS Decision Science ’85, president of the 91�� Alumni Association, welcomed the new graduates to the organization, a network of about 260,000 alumni that can aid the new graduates in their career advancement.

“There is likely an alum in any industry you are joining, and there is likely an alum in any location in which you’re settling,” Hine said. “This is an incredible network that you should leverage.”

Indicative of George Mason serving as a talent pipeline in high-demand fields, 41% of undergraduate degree earners in the Class of 2026 are in STEM and health sciences fields, as are 44% of advanced degree earners.

Along with the graduates, a Commencement fixture also is moving on. Star Muir led Commencement for the last time as Head University Marshal, his role since 2015. Muir is retiring after 38 years of service and teaching in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

“He conducted the ceremony with the appropriate level of dignity and respect for this auspicious occasion,” Washington said at the outset of his remarks. “Thank you, Star, for your dedication and devotion to your students and to the university.”

Watch the ceremony recording

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Jay and Carolyn Marsh honored with George Mason Medals

ckearney — Thu, 14 May 2026 16:17:00 +0000

Jay and Carolyn Marsh honored with George Mason Medals ckearney Thu, 05/14/2026 - 12:17

The George Mason Medal, the highest honorary award bestowed by the 91�� Board of Visitors, recognizes individuals whose service reflects the character and commitment of George Mason himself. A Northern Virginia native and influential voice for liberty during the Revolutionary War, Mason never held elected office, yet his leadership and dedication to the public good left a lasting mark on the nation. The medal, presented at Commencement with special distinction, honors those whose lives embody that same spirit of service.

Few exemplify that legacy more fully than Jay and Carolyn Marsh.

Jay and Carolyn Marsh in 2021 the men’s basketball film room named for her. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Office of University Branding

Together, the Marshes devoted a combined 90 years to George Mason Athletics before retiring in 2021. Their careers shaped generations of student-athletes, coaches, and staff, leaving an enduring imprint on the university community. Carolyn passed away in 2025, but her warmth and influence remain woven into the fabric of the program she helped nurture for nearly half a century.

Carolyn Marsh began her career at George Mason in December 1975 as a sports information assistant. She soon became executive assistant to the men’s basketball program, serving eight head coaches over the decades. From John Linn to Dave Paulsen, she was a steady and trusted presence. Known for her compassion and personal touch, Carolyn built lifelong relationships with student-athletes, many of whom stayed in contact long after graduation. She often described her role simply: caring for the players like a mother.

Jay Marsh’s journey began as a student-athlete. After serving in the U.S. Army, he enrolled at George Mason, earning a degree in business administration in 1973 while playing two seasons of men’s basketball. After graduation, he briefly worked in construction and coached part-time before returning full-time in 1976. Over nearly five decades, he became synonymous with athletics operations, overseeing facilities, events, and fundraising while ensuring a first-class experience for athletes and fans alike.

Mason Medal awardee Jay Marsh (right) with the student speaker Saniya Darediya before the ceremony. Photo by John Boal Photography

From leading the Patriot Club to serving as senior associate athletic director for events and facilities, Jay earned a reputation for steady leadership and deep institutional knowledge. His expertise extended beyond campus, particularly in managing the Colonial Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament for many years. He also played pivotal roles in historic moments, including the 1985 women’s soccer national championship and the Patriots’ 2006 Final Four run.

The Marshes’ generosity includes an endowed scholarship for basketball student-athletes and support for locker room renovations. The men’s basketball film room now bears Carolyn’s name, honoring her quiet but profound impact. Married since 1967, they built a life intertwined with George Mason. Their legacy—rooted in loyalty, service, and love for the university—continues to inspire the Mason community today.

George Mason Athletics

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Buchanan to receive the George Mason Medal

ckearney — Mon, 12 May 2025 18:40:16 +0000

Buchanan to receive the George Mason Medal ckearney Mon, 05/12/2025 - 14:40

Third-generation builder/developer Robert E. “Bob” Buchanan will receive the George Mason Medal, 91��’s highest honorary award, at the 2025 Spring Commencement on Thursday, May 15, at EagleBank Arena.

Robert E. “Bob” Buchanan. Photo provided

Those who receive the George Mason Medal are characterized by a record of service to their community, state, or nation consistent with the level and quality of George Mason’s public service in his own time.

Buchanan founded Buchanan Partners’ predecessor company almost 50 years ago and launched Buchanan Partners in 1998. Under his guidance, the Bethesda, Maryland-based company has become one of the leading full-service real estate firms in the Greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. His company has become a trusted business partner for investors worldwide.

In 2009, Buchanan founded the 2030 Group, an association of Washington area business leaders focused on regional long-term decision-making. Later, his Roadmap Project brought together leaders from across the Washington, D.C., metro area, including 91��, to discuss economy diversification and to create a plan for sustainable economic growth.

Buchanan and his wife, Sharon, have been active supporters of George Mason for years. Bob served on the Board of Trustees of the 91�� Foundation, was a member of the National Leadership Council, and served on the advisory boards of the Schar School of Policy and Government, the School of Art, and Science and Technology Campus. Sharon is also a member of the National Leadership Council and served on the Arts at Mason Board and the School of Art Advisory Council. In 2018, they established the Bob and Sharon Buchanan Fund for Marketing Mason to support the university’s promotional efforts across various media.

For several years, the Washington Business Journal included Buchanan in its “Power 100” list of the region’s most influential business leaders. He was selected as the 2017 Regional Leader Honoree by Leadership Fairfax Northern Virginia Leadership Awards. Buchanan received the Urban Land Institute’s Lifetime Achievement award in 2018. In 2022, he received the Williams Trophy Award from the Washington Airports Taskforce. In 2024, the Community Foundation of Montgomery County named Buchanan Philanthropist of the Year.

Spring 2025 Commencement Information

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Tech entrepreneur Kimmy Duong to receive the Mason Medal

ckearney — Tue, 16 May 2023 19:55:52 +0000

Tech entrepreneur Kimmy Duong to receive the Mason Medal ckearney Tue, 05/16/2023 - 15:55

Kimmy Duong, an accomplished tech entrepreneur, philanthropist, and a refugee who has overcome countless obstacles to achieve success in life, will receive the Mason Medal, 91��’s highest honorary award, at the 2023 Spring Commencement on Thursday, May 18, at EagleBank Arena.

Kimmy Duong. Photo provided

Born in Nha Trang, Vietnam, in 1945, Duong earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Law from the University of Saigon in 1966. She started her career working for the Ministry of Social Welfare before joining IBM in 1968, where she worked until she escaped from the communist government in 1975. She came to the United States with just $30 in her pocket.

Despite the challenges she faced as a refugee, Duong's belief in education, hard work, and family guided her. While still in a refugee camp, she secured employment with IBM through a representative at the camp. She moved to Northern Virginia and continued her work with IBM while raising seven nephews and nieces and pursuing multiple side jobs to make ends meet.

In 1994, Duong joined Pragmatics, where she currently serves as vice chairwoman and CFO. Over the past 30 years, she has overseen finance, legal, facilities management, and human resources departments, playing an instrumental role in the significant growth of the company.

In addition to her professional success, Duong has been active in philanthropy for over a decade. In 2011, she and her husband, Long Nguyen, donated $5 million to 91�� for what is now known as the Long and Kimmy Nguyen Building, and in 2015, she established the Kimmy Duong Foundation (KDF). The KDF supports a range of health, education, and welfare initiatives in the United States and Vietnam, and has established multiple scholarship programs with endowments of more than $4 million that administered by local universities.

Duong's commitment to philanthropy is evident through the KDF's scholarship program centered in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The program has awarded 218 scholarships to date and plans to award 150 more in 2023. During the pandemic, the KDF started a program to support families dealing with economic hardship, which has benefited 160 families since 2020.

Through her philanthropic work, Duong aims to give back to the United States and Vietnam and to spread a message of service and gratitude to everyone she impacts. She believes that the investment of the United States in a refugee like her has been rewarded with a lasting legacy of good works, and she hopes to inspire others to pay it forward.

At a scholarship breakfast on campus this spring, Duong shared her story.

“Education is the cornerstone of life,” Duong told those in attendance, saying many in her generation worked multiple jobs to send their children to college. “Now, we are giving back.”

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