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OLLI Mason welcomes lifelong learners at inaugural Ideas Festival

Susan Martonik — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:25:30 +0000

OLLI Mason welcomes lifelong learners at inaugural Ideas Festival Susan Martonik Thu, 07/02/2026 - 10:25

Learning doesn’t end at graduation—it continues to evolve at every stage of life. That spirit was on full display in early May as nearly 500 participants aged 50 and older gathered for the first-ever Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at 91�� (OLLI Mason) Ideas Festival to explore new interests, exchange ideas, and learn more about the program.

The Ideas Festival was created to introduce more people across the area to the many experiences and benefits OLLI Mason offers. “OLLI Mason is truly a standout resource for older adults, providing enriching educational, social, and cultural experiences in a warm, welcoming environment,” said Steve Rose, president of the OLLI Mason Board of Directors.

Held at George Mason’s Fairfax Campus, the free, open house-style Ideas Festival included educational classes, demonstrations, activities, and a panel discussion. Courses were taught by George Mason faculty, community members, and even OLLI Mason members themselves.

Musical performers at the OLLI Ideas Festival stand alongside Linda A. Monson, director of George Mason's Dewberry School of Music. Photo by OLLI staff.

To kick off the event, Linda A. Monson, director of George Mason’s Dewberry Family School of Music, organized a music performance to highlight the extraordinary talents of the school’s students. The presentation attracted a large audience and drew positive feedback from attendees.

“OLLI is so lucky to be affiliated with a wonderful George Mason music program,” said OLLI Mason member Bob Heyer. “We often listen to a number of very talented local and international students performing their amazing talents in OLLI classes and party events.”

Among the most popular offerings at the Ideas Festival was the class “Yeah, There’s a Pill for That” taught by OLLI member Michele Romano, a retired physician. The interactive session taught attendees how to safely navigate prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, supplements, and herbals, and how to keep everything organized for themselves and their healthcare providers.

Other well-received classes included “Watercolor is Playful,” in which award-winning local artist Marni Maree led participants as they experimented with various painting techniques, and “Meet the Restauranteur” featuring Dina Daniel, founder and chef at Fava Pot, the first Egyptian restaurant in the DMV. Poet and George Mason alumna Danielle Badra, who was Fairfax County poet laureate from 2022-24, led a "Nature Poetry Writing” class in which attendees ventured outdoors to listen to poetry, write their own, and then read their works aloud.

The OLLI Mason Walk and Talk Club learns about outdoor art installations at George Mason's Fairfax Campus. Photo by Bob Heyer.

In addition to classes, the Ideas Festival also offered attendees the opportunities to learn about the different clubs and special interest groups that are a part of OLLI Mason. Meetings were held by the Investment Forum, a long-running, retiree-focused group; the Walk and Talk Club, which led a tour of the campus’ outdoor art installations; the Board Game Club; and others.

“I came to OLLI to learn about things other than airplanes and engineering that I spent a career in. I have found great classes in history, music, philosophy, religion, science, and most important, many friendships in classes, clubs, and activities,” said Bob Heyer, coordinator of the Walk and Talk Club.

Based on the strong turnout, OLLI Mason plans to hold another Ideas Festival in 2027. “It’s clear from both the number of attendees and the overwhelming positive feedback from the event that older adults want to continue their learning journey,” said Debbie Engleson, OLLI Mason treasurer. “OLLI Mason is the perfect place for them to do just that.”

Through its partnership with OLLI, George Mason welcomes lifelong learners to campus for courses, lectures, and other educational opportunities. The program connects participants with university faculty and programs while creating additional opportunities for engagement between the university and the broader Northern Virginia community.

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From Vietnam to Virginia: Duy Vu’s Remarkable Journey to the Commencement Stage

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 15:38:56 +0000

From Vietnam to Virginia: Duy Vu’s Remarkable Journey to the Commencement Stage Andrew J Schappert Mon, 04/28/2025 - 11:38

As the rows of soon-to-be graduates fill EagleBank Arena in a sea of green and gold at the May 15 Commencement ceremony, all eyes will turn to senior Duy Vu, who will take the podium as the student commencement speaker. For Duy, the honor to represent the graduating 91�� student body is the culmination of a seven-year journey that began half a world away.

Student Commencement speaker Duy Vu: ‘During my studies I learned about looking at things from different perspectives, how to think about decision-making, beliefs, and ideologies.’ Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

His story—and his advice to his graduating classmates—is worth listening to.

Duy came to the United States as a 15-year-old high school student, following his father, a deputy defense attaché for the Vietnamese government, to Washington, D.C. The transition, Duy admitted, wasn’t easy and his command of English was rudimentary.

“My grammar was strong,” Duy said of his language training in Vietnam, “but I could barely communicate when I first got here.”

He resolved to come to George Mason with a new attitude and develop the confidence to make the most of his time as a college student.

“I told myself I would make college a worthwhile experience,” he said. “I’d try everything. I’d step out of my comfort zone.”

The start was slow—Duy and his undergraduate classmates are likely the last cohort to have endured the COVID-19 campus shutdown—and by his junior year, Duy realized time was running short.

“That’s when it hit me: I have two years left. If I don’t do something now, I might not get another chance,” he said.

Duy transformed his campus experience. He dove into extracurricular student life by joining campus organizations, including serving as treasurer of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) and vice president of finance for Beta Theta Pi, before starting his own Registered Student Organization (RSO), George Mason’s first-ever Pool Club. Pool, as in billiards.

“I just started enjoying the game,” he said. “There wasn’t a club, so I made one.”

The Pool Club quickly evolved into more than a casual hangout, with the team meeting at the tables at the Hub’s Corner Pocket game room, hosting tournaments, and traveling to other schools for competitions.

Joining organizations, besides being fun, expanded Duy’s world view. As treasurer for ALPFA, he learned the ropes of networking and professionalism. “It helped me understand the etiquette and skills needed in the business world,” he said. “And I got to learn from peers who were already finding success.”

Duy Vu majored in two bachelor of science programs, public administration and finance. Photo by Julia Conway/Schar School of Policy and Government

On top of his nonclassroom activities, Duy is a double major graduating from two bachelor of science degree programs: The Schar School of Policy and Government’s comprehensive public administration program and the Costello College of Business’s robust finance program.

He signed on to public administration thanks to his father’s suggestion.

“I wasn’t sure about it at first,” he said of the public administration major. “But during my studies I learned about looking at things from different perspectives, how to think about the way beliefs and ideologies play into a government’s decision-making.”

The Schar School professors also revealed to him a new-found fascination with “the financial and economic side of things,” he said, which is vital to creating successful public policy. “And that’s when I declared a second major in finance.”

Throughout his time at George Mason, Duy balanced a double-major’s-worth of classes—and all the reading, writing, and exams that go along with two majors—with organizational leadership activities with classmates and a part-time job at the Schar School’s Aquia headquarters on George Mason’s Fairfax Campus, where he supported students for nearly four years as an office assistant.

“I’ve worked with Ms. Colette since my sophomore year,” he said of K. Collette Lawson, the longtime Schar School administrative and technical coordinator. “It was my first ‘real’ experience outside of school. It’s going to be hard to leave.”

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Live Discussion with David French: What Do Evangelical Christians Want, Liberty or Authority?

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 19:12:50 +0000

Live Discussion with David French: What Do Evangelical Christians Want, Liberty or Authority? Andrew J Schappert Mon, 10/14/2024 - 15:12

In the 1970s and ’80s, David French said, the idea of the separation between church and state began to fray due to “some of the constitutional overreach that occurred. Governments became way too vigorous in suppressing religious expression in public places, up to and including private religious expression.

“Now we’ve moved into a world where a number of Christians are saying, ‘liberty isn’t enough—we also want authority.’”

New York Times columnist David French. Photo provided.

That apparent evolution in contemporary religious thinking is the theme of French’s talk on Monday, October 21, at 7 p.m., when the New York Times columnist addresses “Liberty or Authority? Christian Political Engagement at the Crossroads” in Merten Hall, Room 1201, on 91��’s Fairfax Campus. The event is free, and no registration is required.

The appearance is cosponsored by the Schar School of Policy and Government and the Department of Religious Studies at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

The talk will appeal to “members of the George Mason community who want to understand the vicissitudes of contemporary evangelical Christianity,” said Professor John Turner, who is the chair of the Department of Religious Studies and will introduce French. “David French understands the fervency and anguish that characterize contemporary Christian engagement with politics.”

A Times conservative columnist who has been critical of Donald Trump, French is a former Harvard Law School-trained constitutional lawyer and an Army Reserve veteran of the Iraq War. His military service and legal expertise often inform his perspectives on issues related to national security, military ethics, and foreign policy.

“French has been a fearless advocate for free speech, religious liberty, and a principled politics in which character and virtue matter more than partisan victories,” Turner said. “Almost all Americans admit that we need to make more of an effort to talk with people across partisan and ideological boundaries. Few journalists and activists do that better than David French.”

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Retro Mason: George Mason College opens in Fairfax, 1964

ckearney — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 21:09:43 +0000

Retro Mason: George Mason College opens in Fairfax, 1964 ckearney Thu, 09/12/2024 - 17:09

George Mason College officially opened in Fairfax, Virginia, on Sept. 14, 1964. Then a branch campus of the University of Virginia, the college welcomed 356 registered students and had a faculty that included seven full-time and 18 part-time instructors. The campus consisted of four buildings, then named North, South, East, and West.

At the time, it was the only college in the capital region with buildings that were fully air-conditioned. Though the temperatures were comfortable inside, some amenities still needed to be added. Food service was not available at first, but efforts were quickly made to address that. During the first week of classes, vending machines were hastily set up in a study hall.

George Mason would later set up a dining hall, the Ordinary, in the South Building (now called Krug Hall). The Ordinary was open until the University Union, now known as Student Union Building I, was built in 1974.

Photo credit: George Mason College, fall 1964. 91�� photograph collection, #R0120, Special Collections Research Center, 91�� Libraries

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Mason named a Bicycle Friendly University

lclarkg — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 16:52:38 +0000

Mason named a Bicycle Friendly University lclarkg Thu, 11/02/2023 - 12:52

91�� has been recognized as a Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists for promoting safe, accessible bicycling on campus.

The League of American Bicyclists is a grassroots advocacy organization encouraging better bicycling and protecting the rights of people who bike.

Mason’s Fairfax Campus received the silver-level Bicycle Friendly University award for the second time, and Mason Square received the bronze-level award for the second time. The Fairfax Campus was recognized with a bronze-level award in 2011 and 2015.

91�� has been named a Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“Being recognized as a Bicycle Friendly University, going back to 2011, is a sign of Mason’s support of bicycling as a great commuting option,” said Josh Cantor, director of Parking and Transportation at Mason. “Support for bicycling is an important component of the overall transportation program, which aims to provide many options for the large and diverse Mason community.”

Mason encourages bicycling as a transportation option and provides amenities such as the Patriot Bike Checkout program and a Capital Bikeshare discount for students. A Capital Bikeshare station is located at Mason Square. Employees are eligible for incentives such as the Biking Commuter Choice program.

All Mason Shuttles and public buses that serve the campuses are outfitted with bike racks. Getting around campus on a bike is safer and easier with the availability of bike lanes and bike fix-it stations. Those interested in biking to campus, but need help finding a route, can contact bike volunteers for advice.

Bicycling programs also have a positive environmental impact. “An array of transit options, including cycling, is an important part of the university’s commitment to sustainability,” said Janet Walker, Mason’s transportation programs manager. “Mason strives to reduce carbon emissions by reducing the number of faculty, staff, and students who drive or drive alone to our campuses.”

The Bicycle Friendly University program includes 220 colleges and universities in 46 states and the District of Columbia. “It is inspiring to see so many universities committing to the vision of a Bicycle Friendly America,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists.

“These institutions, including Mason, are leading by example and helping to set the standard for better bicycling. Each Bicycle Friendly University acts as a trailblazer to develop and promote safer, more accessible transportation infrastructure and supportive programming for new bicyclists in their communities,” Nesper said.

Bicycle Friendly University^SM is a service mark of the League of American Bicyclists.

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