Spring Commencement

Commencement Speaker Gen. David W. Allvin’s remarks to George Mason’s spring 2026 graduates

ckearney — Thu, 14 May 2026 20:51:00 +0000

Commencement Speaker Gen. David W. Allvin’s remarks to George Mason’s spring 2026 graduates ckearney Thu, 05/14/2026 - 16:51

Rector Meese – Mike. Members of the Board of Visitors. President Washington. Provost Vinzé. Faculty, specifically Star Muir—marshal, thank you so very much.

Distinguished guests, friends and family, and most importantly, graduates of 91��. Welcome. And I'm so honored to be with you here this morning.

So I know this is going to be a day that you long remember, and a speech that you likely quickly forget. Because I was there 40 years ago this month.

Gen. David W. Allvin, the 23rd Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force and a recently retired four-star general, was this year's Commencement speaker. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

I was sitting in an audience in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in the United States Air Force Academy, ready to get my bachelor's degree from the Air Force Academy. And while I don't remember what our commencement speaker said—and by the way, that commencement speaker was then-vice president of the United States, George Herbert Walker Bush. That’s a good get.

I have no idea what he said. But I remember the day. I remember the emotion. I remember that feeling of collective accomplishment, of individual accomplishment, of climbing a mountain that sometimes seemed pretty doggone steep. It was particularly special for me because that day almost didn't happen for me.

You see, my challenge at the academy was not so much academic. I was able to muddle through the courses okay. Mine was what they referred to as a “conduct and aptitude challenge.” So much so—now think about this, graduates—that the Commandant of Cadets wrote a letter to my parents saying he was gravely concerned and was sort of bracing them because he wasn't sure that I had what it took to be an officer in the United States Air Force.

Forty years later, at my retirement ceremony, I read that letter to some amusement. But the fact of the matter was, I almost didn't make it. Now, a year later, pursuing my dreams of becoming a pilot, I was at pilot training, and I was doing pretty well. But there was one particular phase of that program that I stumbled, and team, I stumbled hard.

And in that program, when you fall behind, it is difficult to catch up. So much so that one day I was making my way out to the jet with my helmet in one hand, wearing my G-suit and saying to myself, if I do not pass this ride, I will never don this again. I will not be a pilot, and I'm gonna have to figure out what else to do with my career.

But I became a pilot and eventually became a test pilot and had a lot of successes, but I almost wasn't. My first operational assignment was in Germany, and in the winter of 1988, I decided that I was going to surprise my parents and fly home for Christmas. So I went and I bought a ticket, and that ticket was for Pan Am Flight 103.

Some of you remember, many of you don't. That was the flight that was blown up over the skies of Lockerbie, Scotland, in December of 1988. Now, luckily for me, a few days ahead of that, I looked at my ticket, and I saw that I would have a pretty tight turn to be able to clear customs in New York. So I thought maybe I should just go ahead and change my ticket. I contemplated. I went back and forth. In the end, I changed the ticket, obviously. But I almost didn't.

Years later, as a test pilot, I was pursuing my dream and I applied to the astronaut program, and I made it through the Air Force Board, and I was moved on to the NASA Board. And I made it through the first couple of steps. But you know, team, obviously I didn't. I wasn't an astronaut. I could say I almost was an astronaut, but I wasn't. And that changed the arc of my career.

My point in all of these is that your futures will be littered with crises averted. Things that almost happened. Things that didn't happen. I almost got that internship. This almost happened to me. I almost didn't make it. I didn't get into that school. I don’t have the job that I thought I was going to have.

All of those things that are almost and could have been and would have been, pick them up, look at them, take the lessons from them, set them aside, and move on.

The world doesn't revolve around what almost happens. It revolves around what is happening. That's why we're here today, team. What is happening is we're celebrating what you have done. You now have a 91�� education. You. Yes.

Because of the work that you've done, because of the help of your friends, because of the support of your family, because of the wisdom of the faculty and your hard work, you have accomplished this. And some of you, as Dr. Washington pointed out, are first-generation college graduates like myself. And for that now, you will forever be the torchbearer for the rest of the family that follows you, that torchbearer of progress through advanced education. And we're all exceptionally proud of you.

So, now you've done it. Now what do you do? What does that journey look like for you? Where do you go now? I know I could look and I could talk to several of you. And you already have it mapped out. You already know. I know what's next. I know the next 17 steps that I'm going to take. I know where I'm going to go on. I know what I'm going to do. And to you, I would say congratulations on the planning. But don't be so sure. Be flexible. Be flexible.

And there are others of you who maybe, maybe it hasn't come together like you thought it was going to. Maybe the picture is a little bit more opaque than you imagined. Maybe there's a little angst because you don't really have it all figured out. And to you, as Dr. Washington said, don't sweat it would be my advice. Because at this time, when we have unprecedented change and a world that is multiplying in its complexity, frankly, we're all still figuring it out. We all still have this uncertainty.

Now, that collective uncertainty can also be collective opportunity that can unite us in this quest for a better future. And on that quest, I would offer that you have a little bit of an advantage. You see, many of us who have been on this planet quite a long time have a lot of lived experience, and therefore some of us suffer from the malady of the paradox of the present.

Try as we might, it's very difficult to imagine a future that isn't some departure, but a recognizable departure from what we already know. And we measure in how much that departure might be from what we're used to. And in doing so, sometimes we limit ourselves in our imagination of just how far we can go, just how deep we can look.

And I believe with the tools that you've gained and the lack of what I will call the baggage of experience. Now there's good baggage. Don't get me wrong. There's a lot to be learned from wisdom and experience. But where we used to say, like Ronald Reagan said, maybe rather than trust your gut, maybe trust but verify because things are changing fast and you are not as encumbered by that. So you have the opportunity to look farther, to see a broader universe of possibilities than maybe others who have gone before you.

But in order to do that, you've got to be curious. You've got to stay curious. There's a great phrase that was attributed to the poet, author, and essayist Walt Whitman. And there's some controversy as to whether he actually wrote it or he actually said it. But I love this phrase. It says “Be curious, not judgmental.” Now, before those of you in the humanities and social sciences department, you know, develop some misplaced admiration of my literary chops, I actually did not get that from divining the readings of Walt Whitman. I actually heard it from Ted Lasso. I see a lot of you did too. But it doesn't matter if the phrase works, it works.

I love it because think of the contrast: Being judgmental. That's the ultimate act of laziness. Sitting back without giving the grace or the respect of understanding the context and judging. Putting you in a box. Putting a label on you. Quickly assessing something. That doesn't get anywhere. There's enough of that going around.

Curiosity, though. Curiosity is the engine for growth. Curiosity about what don't I know? What if? Can I do this? And sometimes if you need guardrails, should I do this? But it's always looking around that next corner and understanding the art of the possible and pursuing it with energy. That's where the discovery happens, and that's where progress happens.

That's where the innovations or real changes happen, when people who are curious and act on that curiosity. So stay curious. And as you take the next steps of your journey, I have one great hope for you, and that hope is whatever path you pursue, you pursue it in service of something good, in service of something consequential, in service of something great.

I've been lucky, absolutely fortunate. I've spent my entire adult life in the service of our nation through the United States Air Force. And while that hasn't made me millions of dollars, it has enriched me in ways I could have never imagined.

In short, rather than just living in historic times, I've been able to participate in history. I mentioned that I was in Germany in my first assignment. Well, that happened to be during the time when the Cold War was ending. I was there on 9 November 1989 when the Berlin Wall fell. I was there in Germany, and it was a palpable feeling that there was a seismic shift happening that we didn't totally understand. But it was big. It was good. T

here was this overwhelming feel of positivity, of confidence, of knowing that the days ahead were going to be better. I will remember that for the rest of my life. Some of these images stay with me. One in particular I'll share with you. And believe it or not, it has to do with the German highway system.

You see, the German roads and highways are very, very well taken care of by the German government. And they have to be when you're driving around 120 miles an hour. But they are always very well kept. In the days that followed the fall of the wall, I had noticed occasionally that there were abandoned vehicles on the side of the road going west, and these vehicles were very distinctive that they were small, not very well built. You could tell they were from the Warsaw Pact manufacturing. Those who manufacture in East Germany or some of the other Warsaw Pact countries.

But that was unusual because you didn't really see that. And so I asked a German friend of mine, what's the deal with this? And he said, you know what? When some of the people found out that the borders were opening, that there was this openness and this ability to move freely, they took everything they had, took all the money they had, they jumped in their cars, they started driving west. Fill up with gas. And when the gas ran out and the money went out, they put the cars on the side of the road and they started walking and they started hitchhiking because they weren't sure if this decision was going to be reversed. Is this a fleeting opportunity for us to get out from this yoke of oppression?

And as a young man that struck me. I woke up here every day not even thinking of that as a possibility, that I wouldn't be able to pursue my dreams, that I wouldn't have the freedoms and liberties that I have. It was at that moment I really understood my why, why I was doing what I was going to do in the service of others, in the service of the country.

And in the years that followed, I had opportunities to fly around the world and deliver humanitarian aid and disaster relief to people who are having their worst circumstances you could imagine. And to show them there is a hand to reach out and help you. There is an opportunity for better days ahead.

And when the planes hit the towers on 9-11, I was in command and I saw a squadron, a community, a nation find unsteady footing, totally shocked, and I had the honor to be able to be part of teams who would lead us out of this, who would bring back reassurance to our airmen, to their families, to the communities, to the country that we would find a way out.

And in the years that followed in the deployments overseas, I always knew I was serving with those who had a common cause. I could look to my left and look to my right and know the airmen, soldiers, sailors, Marines, Coast Guard were all pursuing the same thing. They could trust me and I could trust them.

And yes, when I was in command and some of the airmen under me pay the ultimate sacrifice to recognition that while that was their last day of service, their families were about to embark on another chapter that they hadn't anticipated and they didn't raise their right hand for. And that was one of sacrifice, of heartache, of scars that never really heal.

And recognizing that and knowing that that is something to be honored and to renew your commitment to service, to honor that. Team, that's what a purpose-filled life is. The highest of highs and the lowest of lows provided me a richness of texture and a sharpness of contrast that no money, no money could ever give me, no other material wealth could ever provide for me. That was the act of service.

Now, don't get me wrong. Military service isn't the only service. You hear it a lot, though, right? You hear it. Thank you for your service. And when you hear “thank you for your service,” you often think about maybe someone saying it to a man or woman in uniform.

But there are so many ways to serve. You can serve your country as a diplomat. You can serve your country protecting the airports. You can serve your community in many ways. You can serve humanity. You can serve, you know, for better life span, health span. You can solve the engineering problems to look at not only what's on the globe, but in outer space and where we're going in the future.

All of these things, it doesn't matter the specific thing you serve, but make sure it's your aim point. It's your North Star. The accolades, the accomplishments, the riches—they’ll come along as they will. But if you do that and you pursue that purpose-filled life, you'll be enriched beyond your wildest dreams.

Now, that purpose-filled life is not going to come knocking on your door. You got to go get it. You got to go out there and get it. And now we have too many people who are influencers without credentials, who are experts without expertise, who are judges who haven't developed judgment, and who are critics without accountability.

And at this time, what we need is less of that. And we need people of action. Team, we got critics. We need doers.

There's a great quote by Teddy Roosevelt that I was thinking about maybe peeling a sentence out of, but I think I got to give you the whole quote. And it was a speech that he gave in Paris on the 23rd of April, 1910, called Citizens in a Republic. And this particular excerpt is known as The Man in the Arena.

And he says, it's not the critic that counts, not the man who points out how the stronger man stumbles, or how the doer of each could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, who strives valiantly, whose face is marred with dust and sweat and blood, who errs, who comes short again and again because there is no effort without error and shortcoming.

But he does actually strive to do the deeds. Who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions. Who spends himself in a worthy cause, who in the end knows at best the triumph of high achievement, and at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

Acts of achievement. Moving forward. Real progress. The things you aspire to. They only happen if you step into the arena. As I said, I've been fortunate to watch history change and watch that arena evolve over the past 40 years. But I will tell you, I believe those past 40 years will pale in comparison to the next 40 years.

The world will come rushing at us.

The world will come rushing at you faster than ever. The consequences will be longer-lasting. The stakes will be higher. The challenges will be things that perhaps you can't even conceive of right now. But you've got the tools. You have the tools. And I'll repeat Dr. Washington: You are ready. So as you go forward from this day, I'm a little bit envious, but I would ask that you focus on the things that are, not the things that might have been.

Stay curious. That's where the growth is. Pursue something of service, of something great. That's where your purpose can be found. And above all, have the courage to step into the arena. The world needs you.

So, graduates 2026 for 91��. Congratulations, and go get ’em.

Watch the ceremony livestream

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Spring Commencement

Spring 2026 Commencement in pictures

lclarkg — Thu, 14 May 2026 20:27:52 +0000

Spring 2026 Commencement in pictures lclarkg Thu, 05/14/2026 - 16:27

Spring 2026 Commencement at 91�� on May 14 at EagleBank Arena honored more than 12,000 graduates and certificate recipients. Read more about the graduates. George Mason photographers captured the excitement and spirit of the day.

President Gregory Washington welcomed the graduates and their families and friends to Commencement. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The George Mason Medal was presented to Jay Marsh (center), BS Business Administration '73, and Carolyn Marsh (awarded posthumously). The Marshes retired together in 2021 after a combined 90 years of dedicated service to George Mason Athletics. Read more about them. The Mason Medal was presented by Michael Meese, rector of the Board of Visitors (left). Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Spring Commencement speaker General David W. Allvin, the 23rd Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force and a recently retired four-star general, urged graduates to be curious instead of judgmental, and to pursue service in ways they feel they can make a difference. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Student speaker Saniya Darediya, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, spoke about how differences can help connect, rather than separate, students on their academic journeys. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Photo by Andani Munkaila/Office of University Branding

91�� President Gregory Washington, Student speaker Saniya Darediya, Interim Provost Ajay Vinzé, Board of Visitors Rector Michael Meese, Alumni Association President Scott Hine, BS Decision Sciences '85. Photo by John Boal Photography

The Golden Patriots, alumni who graduated from 91�� 50 years ago or more, received a special recognition in President Washington’s opening remarks. Before the ceremony, they had the chance to enjoy breakfast in EagleBank Arena’s Hospitality Room and reminisce about their years on campus. Photo by John Boal Photography

Photo by Andani Munkaila/Office of University Branding

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Graduation at George Mason

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Student speaker Saniya Darediya's remarks

ckearney — Thu, 14 May 2026 20:17:26 +0000

Student speaker Saniya Darediya's remarks ckearney Thu, 05/14/2026 - 16:17

As prepared for delivery

Good morning, President Washington, university leadership, esteemed faculty, families, friends, and most importantly, fellow Patriots.

When I first arrived in the United States, I was 17 years old, sitting alone in my room the night before my university orientation… crying.

Neuroscience major Saniya Darediya was this year's student Commencement speaker. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Not because I was unhappy, but because I was afraid. Afraid that I might not belong here.

I had just left my home in India: my family, my language, my culture. Suddenly I was in a place where everything felt unfamiliar.

My accent sounded different. My upbringing was different. My way of seeing the world was different. And quietly I wondered: Will people notice how different I am?

A few weeks ago, while writing this speech, I remembered 91��’s tagline: All Together Different.

And it made sense. Because the very first thing I noticed when I arrived here was how different I felt.

But Mason slowly taught me something deeper. Everyone here carries their own version of difference.

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.

One of the first places I understood this was not in a classroom… but on the Metro. During my first year I spent almost six hours every day commuting. At first, it felt exhausting.

But those Metro rides slowly became part of my Mason education. I would see students reviewing notes, finishing assignments, or sprinting through the station like their lives depended on catching that train. And in those moments, you realize something simple.

Everyone on that train is chasing a future.

Different dreams. Different paths. But the same determination.

Another moment that shaped my Mason journey came through friendship.

Before enrolling at Mason, I never imagined my closest friendship would cross continents. We celebrated our cultures together. She came to EidNavratri, I went to Christmas. And I realized something powerful.

Differences do not have to divide people. By celebrating our differences together, we get closer.

This year, I had the privilege of being the emcee for the International Week dance competition. Standing there, surrounded by students from dozens of countries, I had a moment of reflection The same girl who arrived here feeling uncertain was now helping celebrate the diversity of this university.

That is the kind of transformation Mason creates.

I saw that same idea come to life again through my work as a mentor. Through the Mason Autism Support Initiative, I mentored more than 20 students. Each student experiences the world in their own way.

Working with them reminded me that differences should never become a wall between people. They should become a place of curiosity. A place where we listen more carefully, understand more deeply, and support one another with empathy.

Mason also taught me something else. Sometimes, when you cannot find the place where you belong… you build one.

So, I created the Neuroscience Club. Under Dr. Ren Guerriero ’s guidance, what began with no members has grown into a community of more than 200 students today.

I know many student leaders here today understand this feeling. You helped build the communities that make Mason feel alive.

Along this journey, Mason also gave me the opportunity to explore research. My research journey also began with difference. In science, progress often begins when something appears different. A pattern that does not quite fit. A question that challenges what we know.

I worked on a biochemistry project with the American Chemical Society, and I learned that science advances because someone is willing to think differently.

Which brings me to the world our generation is stepping into.

We are the generation that grew up alongside artificial intelligence. We learned how to use it. We adapted to it. And now, in many ways, we compete with it.

Artificial intelligence can analyze information faster than we can. And sometimes it can even do our homework better than we can, which has definitely kept faculty on their toes.

But if you ask it the same question again and again, it often gives the same answer. Because machines search for the correct answer.

Humans do something different. We think about people. We think about experiences. We think about consequences.

Sometimes the correct answer is not the best one. The best answer might require empathy,
or compassion, or understanding someone’s story.

If our generation wants to thrive in a world shaped by artificial intelligence, we do not need to become more robotic. We need to become more human. More creative. More compassionate. More curious. More different.

And that reminds me of a poem I wrote years ago:

Would the world be as intriguing
If everyone looked the same?
Everybody is beautiful in their own way.
Every person’s idea of perfection
Is valid in its own.

Maybe that is the lesson Mason has been teaching us all along. The differences that once made many of us wonder whether we belonged are the very things that make us valuable.

Before I close, I want to thank the people who made this journey possible.

To my parents, thank you for being my backbone and my safety net.
To my sister, thank you for always being there.
To my aunt and uncles, thank you for making this country feel like home.
And to my friends, thank you for becoming my home.

Class of 2026, every one of us arrived here with a different story. Different cultures. Different struggles. Different dreams.

Yet those differences led us to the same place today.

We are different, but today we stand here together. And that is exactly what Mason taught us.

We are All Together Different. And we are Mason Nation.

Congratulations Class of 2026!

Thank you.

Watch the ceremony recording

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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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George Mason biosciences doctoral student turns setbacks into NIH research opportunity

Katarina Benson — Thu, 14 May 2026 17:13:58 +0000

George Mason biosciences doctoral student turns setbacks into NIH research opportunity Katarina Benson Thu, 05/14/2026 - 13:13

Beginning a PhD is rarely straightforward. Beginning one just as the world shuts down adds an entirely new dimension to adaptability. For 91�� biosciences PhD student Matthew Lefkowitz, that quality would come to define his doctoral journey.

Lefkowitz at the National Institutes of Health. Photo provided

He entered the program in fall 2019 and had only just begun settling into graduate life when the COVID-19 pandemic brought research across the world to a halt. Laboratories closed, projects paused indefinitely, and traditional academic timelines dissolved almost overnight.

Rather than waiting for things to return to normal, he adapted.

With laboratory access limited, Lefkowitz shifted his focus to coursework. Over the next two years, he completed 52 graduate credit hours. As the pandemic continued to disrupt traditional research pathways, George Mason supported him in pursuing external research opportunities.

After months of persistence, he secured a position at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), becoming a pre-doctoral Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) Fellow. There, he worked across two institutes: the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS).

The experience placed him in a highly interdisciplinary environment that brought together biology, computational science, and translational research—an ideal fit for his background.

“It combined problem-solving with the opportunity to work on challenges where there isn’t already a clear answer. That made it feel like a natural fit for my interests in math and science,” he said.

At the core of his doctoral work is the study of rare neuromuscular disorders, particularly congenital muscular dystrophy. Using artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning, Lefkowitz’s research aims to better understand disease mechanisms and improve predictions of clinical outcomes, which is an especially complex challenge in the context of rare disease research.

While his interest in neuromuscular disease is informed, in part, by his own experience living with a rare neuromuscular disorder, he is equally motivated by the broader impact this work could have on improving diagnosis and care for patients facing similar conditions.

“The biggest challenge in the field right now is making sense of very small patient populations, which is often the case with rare diseases. When you’re working with such limited data, it becomes much harder to predict outcomes or draw reliable conclusions from what clinicians are observing.”

Before beginning his doctoral studies at George Mason, Lefkowitz applied to PhD programs nationwide. Despite strong academic credentials and a biomedical engineering degree from Virginia Tech, he faced widespread rejection.

The challenge, he said, stemmed from his training emphasis in mathematics, systems thinking, and problem-solving rather than extended wet-lab experience—skills that are highly valuable in interdisciplinary research.

George Mason saw potential others overlooked.

“Mason didn’t just look at what I hadn’t done,” he said. “They saw the potential of what I could do.”

Since joining George Mason and later gaining experience at the NIH, Lefkowitz said he has grown significantly as both a researcher and an independent scientist.

“I grew in ways I couldn’t have imagined, especially in learning how to advocate for myself,” he said. “You have to take initiative and make those resources work for you. That meant learning to speak up, to position myself in the spaces where science is happening. That experience gave me a level of confidence I didn’t have before.”

Throughout his doctoral journey, mentorship has played a critical role. Lefkowitz credits School of Systems Biology faculty, including Ancha Baranova and Alessandra Luchini, as well as members of his doctoral committee, for providing guidance during pivotal moments.

“The difference was trust. Mason trusted me to figure things out and supported me while I did,” he said. “A PhD doesn’t teach you how to avoid challenges. It teaches you how to respond to them.”

Lefkowitz would like to thank the members of his dissertation committee, including his director and co-chair, Carsten G. Bönnemann, Chief of Neuromuscular and Neurogenetic Diseases of Childhood Section at NINDS; chair, Ancha Baranova; and committee members, Donald Lo, Director of the Therapeutic Development Branch at NCATS; and George Mason’s Alessandra Luchini and Lance Liotta.

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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.

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One quarter of George Mason's Class of 2026 identify as first generation

Katarina Benson — Mon, 11 May 2026 17:02:26 +0000

One quarter of George Mason's Class of 2026 identify as first generation Katarina Benson Mon, 05/11/2026 - 13:02

91�� will honor more than 12,000 students graduating or earning certificates at Spring Commencement at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at EagleBank Arena on the Fairfax Campus.

The event will be livestreamed on George Mason’s YouTube channel. Doors open at 8:15 a.m.

The graduates hail from 105 countries and 49 states, and 26% of bachelor’s degree recipients identify as first-generation graduates.  

The guest speaker will be General David W. Allvin, the 23rd Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. The student speaker is Saniya Darediya, who is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience.

Degree celebrations for 10 George Mason schools and colleges also will take place this week at EagleBank Arena and the Concert Hall and those too will be livestreamed.

Tickets are required for all guests at Commencement and degree celebration ceremonies.

The top five majors among the 7,127 undergraduates in the Class of 2026 are business; information technology; computer science; psychology; and criminology, law and society.

Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) majors account for 34% of students earning bachelor’s degrees and 37% of students earning advanced degrees, an indication of George Mason’s leading role as a producer of tech talent.

For the 3,524 students earning master’s degrees, the top five majors are computer science, data analytics engineering, special education, curriculum and instruction, and business administration.

The top majors for the 384 students earning doctoral degrees are education, psychology, computer science, economics, and biosciences.

The 2026 graduating class also includes 304 law school graduates.  

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Spring 2026 Degree Celebration speakers

Katarina Benson — Mon, 11 May 2026 16:11:05 +0000

Spring 2026 Degree Celebration speakers Katarina Benson Mon, 05/11/2026 - 12:11

In addition to the Spring 2026 Commencement on Thursday, May 14, graduates may also choose to attend their college’s degree celebration. Here’s a look at the keynote speakers for each event.

Thursday, May 14, 2026 

2 p.m. College of Public Health

Keynote: J. Stephen Jones, President and CEO of Inova. A board-certified practicing urological surgeon and professor of surgery at the University of Virginia, he has served as leader of Inova since 2018.

6:30 p.m. College of Science

Keynote: Fairfax Mayor Catherine Read. Read, currently in her second term, was elected as the first woman and the first George Mason graduate to lead the university’s hometown in 2022.

Friday, May 15, 2026 

9:30 a.m. Donald G. Costello College of Business

Keynote: Bruce Caswell, President and CEO of the Tyson-based government contractor Maximus.

11 a.m. Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution

Keynote: Bridget Moix, a passionate Quaker peace activist, advocate, scholar, practitioner, and mother. She serves as the fifth general secretary of the Friends Committee on National Legislation.

2 p.m. College of Engineering and Computing I: Volgenau School of Engineering

Keynote: Dora Smith, senior director of Future Workforce Strategy at Siemens Digital Industries Software.

6:30 p.m. College of Engineering and Computing II: Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong School of Computing

Keynote: Gary Pan, former commissioner of the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.

Saturday, May 16, 2026 

9:30 a.m. College of Education and Human Development

Keynote: Edward (Ted) Kwartler, managing director of Americas Practice Lead for Advanced AI at Accenture.

1:30 p.m. Antonin Scalia Law School

Keynote: Luke Nichols, criminal defense attorney and founder of the popular YouTube channel Outdoor Boys, JD ’09.

2 p.m. College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Keynote: Brian van de Graaff, co-host and travel correspondent for ABC7’s Good Morning Washington, BA Communication ’97.

6:30 p.m. Schar School of Policy and Government

Keynote: Saddam Salim, Virginia Senator for Fairfax City, parts of Fairfax County, and Falls Church City, MPA ’15

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This neuroscience student found her calling and her community at George Mason

Katarina Benson — Thu, 07 May 2026 15:07:19 +0000

This neuroscience student found her calling and her community at George Mason Katarina Benson Thu, 05/07/2026 - 11:07

When Saniya Darediya stepped onto 91��’s Fairfax Campus for Orientation four years ago, she was fresh off the plane from Gujarat, India, and had never been to the United States. She chose George Mason sight-unseen—and then carved out a place for herself.

“I did a ton of research on universities all over the world before I came here,” she said. “George Mason felt like a university that draws a lot of opportunity outside of class. They had a lot of research programs, and I really wanted that hands-on experience.”

Saniya Darediya is this year's student commencement speaker. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Now graduating with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, Darediya, who calls herself a “professional brain nerd,” is this year’s student commencement speaker. The aspiring neurosurgeon and Honors College student will address her fellow graduates and their family members at Spring Commencement in EagleBank Arena.

Darediya views neurosurgery as an extension of her creative passions, which include painting and dance. She credits her artistic pursuits as giving her the skills required to go far in medicine. When working as a medical assistant at a cosmetic and laser dermatology practice, for example, a doctor complimented her on her steady hands.

“I realized that is because when you’re painting, your hand has to be so steady. One wrong stroke of the brush and your painting is ruined. In surgery, one wrong cut of the knife can cost someone their life,” she said. “And with dance, I learned patience and that everything comes with practice. You can't expect to learn a new dance right away. It's the same with medicine.”

During her time at George Mason, Darediya participated in the Research and Interdisciplinary STEM Experiences (RISE) Scholars Program through the College of Science, which gave her an introduction to the research world. She is the recipient of the college’s Outstanding Neuroscience Senior Award (2025-26) and the inaugural Community Leadership Award, which recognizes her impact on the George Mason community and beyond.

Darediya is also a mentor with the Mason Autism Support Initiative (MASI), where she supports fellow George Mason students with autism in navigating the academic, social, and structural transitions of college life. She was honored as Student Mentor of the Year for the academic year 2024-25 for her dedication to supporting and guiding fellow students.

She also interned with the American Chemical Society.

Darediya has many ways of balancing the hard hours of study and work. She reads novels and paints to rest her brain, and dances to release stress. She also threw herself into George Mason’s social scene, joining the Lambda chapter of the Kappa Phi Gamma sorority.

“Some days, if my exams are over and I just want to have fun, I go out with my friends,” she said. “There is so much going on at Mason. We just look at Mason 360 and there’s a new event every day.”

She noted that, when she came to George Mason, there were nearly 400 student organizations—now there are 500. And she helped create one of them. As a first-year student, Darediya was looking for community support for those interested in neuroscience, and all the groups were focused on graduate students. So she created her own, along with two friends. “We wanted a community of people where we can just talk about our journey and our plans, or if we're tired, just come and vent.”

The Neuroscience Club now has 200 students and welcomes anyone curious about the field. They host gatherings that include intellectual seminars about the brain, learning about journals and research, and sometimes just game nights to blow off steam.

After graduation, Darediya plans to continue her journey in medicine, with a focus on integrating research, clinical care, and advocacy to improve patient outcomes and expand access to care.

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Public health PhD focuses on how everyday environmental exposures affect metabolic and reproductive health

ckearney — Wed, 06 May 2026 19:35:40 +0000

Public health PhD focuses on how everyday environmental exposures affect metabolic and reproductive health ckearney Wed, 05/06/2026 - 15:35

When doctoral student Rooshna Mohsin arrived at 91�� from New Jersey, she came with a clear purpose: to deepen her research in environmental and reproductive health and work alongside faculty whose scholarship aligned with her own ambitions. What she found at George Mason was more than an academic opportunity—it was a community that helped shape her into the researcher she is today.

Before coming to George Mason, Mohsin completed a master of public health in epidemiology from Rutgers University and a bachelor of science in biology from the College of New Jersey.

Graduating with her PhD in public health with a concentration in epidemiology this May, Mohsin has spent her time at George Mason exploring how everyday environmental exposures affect metabolic and reproductive health. Her dissertation, Dietary and Social Predictors of PFAS Exposure and Metabolic Health in Hispanic Children, focused on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of widely used synthetic chemicals linked to health concerns. She has also examined trace element exposures in IVF populations.

Rooshna Mohsin. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Across her work, Mohsin has focused on a pressing public health question: How do common environmental chemicals influence health outcomes across the lifespan, from early childhood through the reproductive years?

That work required both scientific rigor and persistence. Designing a dissertation meant identifying research gaps, asking novel questions, and building studies that could contribute something new to the field. “The most challenging experience I had at George Mason was throughout my dissertation process,” she said. “It was academically demanding, but it was also incredibly rewarding in terms of the outcomes and the skills I gained.”

She credits much of that growth to the mentorship and support she found at the College of Public Health, especially from her advisor, epidemiologist Michael Bloom.

“He really helped shape me and make sure that I excel as a student here and as a future professional and academic,” she said.

Under his mentorship, Mohsin pursued opportunities she had never imagined for herself—including presenting her research at a conference in China, an experience she calls one of the highlights of her doctoral journey.

Mohsin also found strength in the community around her. While her concentration was in epidemiology, many members of her cohort studied social and behavioral health. That interdisciplinary environment became one of the most meaningful parts of her experience.

Rooshna Mohsin at the Three Minute Thesis. Photo provided

“My cohort was the rock of my whole degree,” she said. “They kept me sane and stable.”

Their different research backgrounds pushed Mohsin to think beyond disciplinary boundaries and sharpen one of public health’s most important skills: communication. Explaining research to peers outside her specialty helped her become a more effective scholar—one better equipped to translate complex findings for broader audiences.

“I think that’s such an important part of research,” she said. “We need to communicate our work in a way that people without this background can understand it.”

In fact, Mohsin competed in George Mason’s annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, a research communication competition for PhD candidates across the university, and took home third place. Competitors are judged on their ability to present the significance of their dissertation or thesis research using a single slide and within a strict three-minute time limit.

That ability to communicate across audiences became one of the accomplishments she is most proud of. Over the course of her doctoral studies, Mohsin presented at conferences, shared her research with more experienced scholars, and grew more confident in her ability to contribute meaningfully to conversations in her field.

Outside the classroom and lab, Mohsin also built connections across the region, including through her role as a public health ambassador for Association of Schools and Programs in Public Health (ASPPH) in Washington, D.C. Those experiences expanded her professional network and reinforced one of the advantages of studying public health in Northern Virginia: access to a dynamic, deeply connected health and policy community.

By the end of her first semester in Virginia, Mohsin said George Mason had already begun to feel like home. What started as a move for academic opportunity became something more lasting—a place defined by mentorship, collaboration, and belonging. “My faculty were very welcoming, and the people in my cohort were just family for me,” she said.

As she graduates, Mohsin said becoming a George Mason alum still feels a little surreal. But she leaves with pride in what she has accomplished and gratitude for the people who helped her get there.

“I’m excited to see how I put together these skills and experiences that I’ve built during my time at Mason,” she said, “and be able to bring that into whatever field I go into next.”

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Thursday, May 14, 2026

2 p.m. College of Public Health

6:30 p.m. College of Science

Friday, May 15, 2026

9:30 a.m. Donald G. Costello College of Business

11 a.m. Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution

2 p.m. College of Engineering and Computing I: Volgenau School of Engineering

6:30 p.m. College of Engineering and Computing II: Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong School of Computing

Saturday, May 16, 2026

9:30 a.m. College of Education and Human Development

1:30 p.m. Antonin Scalia Law School

2 p.m. College of Humanities and Social Sciences

6:30 p.m. Schar School of Policy and Government

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Thursday, May 14, 2026 

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Saturday, May 16, 2026 