Faculty and Staff Announcements
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Campus Updates
2006 Men’s Basketball Final Four Anniversary Autograph Signing
In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Men’s Basketball 2006 Final Four run, stop by the George Mason Bookstore in the Johnson Center on Friday, Oct. 17, from 3–5 p.m. for an autograph signing event with Head Coach Tony Skinn and Lamar Butler, former Final Four players.
Check out commemorative merchandise available for purchase and receive a complimentary rally towel for the autograph signing. Capture a new memory from this historic Cinderella story.
Calling All Brand Builders and Promotional Product Buyers
To better understand how George Mason’s Internal Licensed Vendors are servicing campus units with the university’s new brand, please take a few minutes to complete the Licensed Vendor Experience Survey and share feedback. At the end of survey, you will have an opportunity to enter into a drawing for a special George Mason swag bag. The survey closes on Friday, Oct. 10.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2025
Information Technology Services is hosting events for Cybersecurity Awareness Month throughout October. Follow ITS on X and Instagram for daily online safety and security tips throughout the month. Events include:
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Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Join IT Security Office staff for cybersecurity trivia on the Fairfax Campus in the Johnson Center, Kiosk C.
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Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Join the IT Security Office staff on Reddit for an Ask Me Anything thread.
October Is Campus Sustainability Month
George Mason celebrates Campus Sustainability Month every October. Join Facilities and Campus Operations' University Sustainability team, along with campus partners, for a month of engaging activities and events.
Grow food sustainably on campus, opt for reuse rather than single use to support the Zero Waste George Mason program, donate items you don’t want at a Patriot Packout Swap and Hop, apply for a grant from the Patriot Green Fund, and more. Make a sustainable impact, celebrate success, and learn how you can get more involved. Learn more.
Flu Vaccine Clinics
Protect yourself and your community from seasonal flu. Get your 2025-26 influenza vaccine at George Mason. Remaining clinics will be hosted on the following dates:
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Fairfax Campus: Thursday, Oct. 9
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Mason Square: Wednesday, Oct. 15
Get more details and register for an appointment.
Training and Professional Development
Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day
Faculty-Staff Enrichment Day is happening on Thursday, Oct. 16, from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus, Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall. This year’s theme is “The Future We Choose: Courage. Community. Commitment.” The day includes interactive workshops, networking opportunities, a vendor fair, and thoughtful moments to reflect, recharge, and grow alongside colleagues.
All George Mason employees are invited to participate, and supervisors are encouraged to provide flexibility during work hours so teams can attend. View the agenda and session details. Register in MasonLEAPS.
Intro to Mindfulness Online Cohort
Learn how to manage stress and enhance well-being through the Intro to Mindfulness program from the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. The evidence-based curriculum of this mindfulness meditation program fits well into your busy life and can lead to better concentration, improved sleep, and increased self-compassion.
George Mason faculty and staff are invited to join the cohort online on Tuesdays from 4:30–5:45 p.m. on Oct. 21, Oct. 28, Nov. 4, and Nov. 11. Learn more and register.
AI in Autumn: Training Sessions
Learn about integrating AI into your work through the AI in Autumn event series on the Fairfax Campus in the Johnson Center. For full lineup and more information, see the Powering Artificial Intelligence website.
Mental Health First Aid
George Mason students, faculty, and staff, are invited to complete Mental Health First Aid training to learn how to help someone suffering from a mental health crisis, increase mental health literacy, and dismantle the stigma associated with mental health and substance use challenges. Register now for the next sessions, either Nov. 10–13 from 7:30–9:30 p.m., or Nov. 24–25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fenwick Fellowship: Request for Applications
The Fenwick Fellowship is awarded annually to a George Mason faculty member to pursue a research project that uses and enhances the University Libraries' resources while advancing knowledge in their field. The fellowship provides one award of $5,000 to be used for the acquisition of library research materials for the fellow's research project, as well as associated research costs, and an office in Fenwick Library for the term of the Fellowship (Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2026).
The application deadline is Friday, Oct. 10. The 2026 Fenwick Fellow will be announced at the end of the fall academic term. Visit the website for more information. Contact library@gmu.edu with questions.
October Manager Meetup: Understanding Work Culture
Join the University Life Supervision Collective for an interactive session focusing on workplace culture as an ongoing process that begins at hiring and continues throughout an employee's time with the organization. Participants will reflect on work culture experiences and the impact on work performance, productivity, and retention, and collaborate by sharing strategies to foster a positive workplace culture. This virtual session will take place on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 2 p.m. RSVP.
Workplace Stress Management with Sophrology
Learn how to manage stress well, reduce anxiety, and increase your morale at work with “Workplace Stress Management with Sophrology” sessions for George Mason faculty and staff. Register to join the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being for these online sessions, which will all take place from 9–10 a.m. on the following dates: Oct. 9, Oct. 16, and Oct. 23. Learn more and register.
Upcoming ASPIRE Workshops
ASPIRE workshops build on the core concepts of teamwork, belonging, and effective leadership that help create strong, connected, and resilient communities. Visit MasonLEAPS to search for each course and register. Upcoming workshops include:
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Building Community through Compassionate Conversation: Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 1–2:30 p.m.
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Story of Me, Story of Us: Monday, Oct. 20, from 1–2:30 p.m.
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Cultivating Empathy: Friday, Nov. 7, from 11–12:30 p.m.
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Compassionate Conversation: Monday, Nov. 10, from 3:30–5 p.m.
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Creating Communities Belonging, Part I: Wednesday, Dec. 3, 10:30 to noon
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Creating Communities Belonging, Part 2: Monday, Dec. 4, from 11–12:30 p.m.
Resources for You
Trunk or Treat: Registration Now Open
The Mason Trunk or Treat—the spookiest, cutest, and fastest-growing George Mason tradition—is back for its fourth year on Saturday, Oct. 25, in Parking Lot L on the Fairfax Campus.
George Mason offices and departments are invited to decorate a trunk and hand out candy to all of the adorable, costumed kids. The event is open to families in the George Mason and local communities. The event runs from 4 to 6 p.m., and the best decorated trunks win frightfully spectacular prizes. Sign up today.
George Mason Night with Cirque du Soleil
Celebrate George Mason Night with Cirque du Soleil in Tysons as the Patriots gather under the big top to experience the exhilarating debut of LUZIA. With thrilling acrobatics and artistry, the show chronicles the encounters of a parachuted traveler with the culture, nature, and mythology of a dreamlike land inhabited by a mystifying menagerie of characters. The show is Thursday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m.
Cirque du Soleil is offering special ticket pricing options. Prices include discounted seats and an exclusive experience only available to George Mason ticket purchasers. Included with your Cirque du Soleil ticket, the Mason Nation is invited to stay after the show for an exclusive meet and greet with select performers.
Ombuds Open House
Learn about the George Mason University Ombuds Office at an open house on Thursday, Oct. 9, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Stop by their office on the Fairfax Campus, Buchanan Hall, Room D170. Additional programming will be offered throughout October. Get the details.
Nanotechnology Day
Join Nanotechnology Day on the Science and Technology Campus on Monday, Oct. 13. This family-friendly event invites students of all ages to explore the fascinating world of nanotechnology through hands-on activities, engaging demonstrations, and enlightening talks with real researchers. Discover big ideas on a miniature scale and experience the wonders of this cutting-edge field. This event is free and open to the public and will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Katherine Johnson Hall, first floor atrium. RSVP.
Working Moms Support Group: Fall Meeting Schedule
George Mason’s Working Moms Support Group has been active at the university for more than 20 years. Faculty, staff, and students are invited to come together, discuss the issues confronting working mothers, and advocate for change on campus. Learn more and view the full meeting schedule.
Mason Publishing Group Author Event
Mason Publishing Group will host an event marking the publication of Walking for Me: Life Reflections by Daniel Walsch, educator and professional communicator. The discussion will take place on Monday, Oct. 13, from 3:30–5:30 p.m. on the Fairfax Campus, Fenwick Library, Main Reading Room. Walsch will read passages, discuss context, and take questions about the book. Light refreshments will be served. Contact Hannah McLaughlin with questions.
Upcoming Performances and Arts Events at George Mason
Visual Voices with Carolyn Drake
Thursday, Oct. 9, from 4:45–6:30 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Harris Theatre
Carolyn Drake works on long-term, photo-based projects seeking to interrogate dominant historical narratives and creatively reimagine them. Her practice embraces collaboration and has in recent years melded photography with sewing, collage, and sculpture. This event will be hosted in-person and also via Zoom. RSVP to receive Zoom link.
Interdisciplinary Talk on Kurdish History and Identity
Mason Exhibitions
Friday, Oct. 17, 6–8 p.m.
Mason Exhibitions Arlington (3601 North Fairfax Dr, Arlington, Virginia)
Join an interdisciplinary discussion about Kurdish history and identity. Three Kurdish scholars across George Mason will talk about their research, making connections to the artwork in the exhibit, Kî me Ez? - Who Am I?: Contemporary Kurdish Art in Diaspora. Join moderator Holly Mason Badra and panelists Arash Saleh, Golzar Salih, and Omer Pacal for a chance to think more about Kurdish experiences across disciplines. RSVP.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra: ‘The Lark and the Seasons with William Hagen’
Saturday, Oct. 11, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Featuring William Hagen, violin. Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending is a lyrical evocation of the English countryside, where a solo violin soars like a birdsong over a shimmering orchestral backdrop. Then, immerse yourself in the spiritual depth and quiet strength of his Symphony No. 5, a deeply moving work born out of wartime darkness and infused with hope and transcendence. Ground-breaking composer Max Richter’s innovative and bold reimagining of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons topped the classical charts and continues to captivate audiences in soundtracks, such as Bridgerton and The Crown.
Prince William Little Theatre: ‘The Woman in Black’
Oct. 10–19, multiple performances
Science and Technology Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Gregory Family Theater
A lawyer is obsessed with a curse that he believes has been cast over his family by the specter of a woman in black, so he engages a skeptical young actor to help him tell his terrifying story and exorcise the fear that grips his soul. What begins innocently reaches deeper into his darkest memories, leading to a world of eerie marshes and moaning winds.
Manassas Chorale: ‘From Broadway with Love’
Saturday, Oct. 11, at 7:30 p.m.
Science and Technology Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
Join the Manassas Chorale, its instrumentalists, and high school musicians from local schools as they perform Broadway's best from both classic and new Broadway shows.
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: ‘Chopin—The Romantic’
Sunday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Experience some of the most stirringly melodious music ever composed in this Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel. The program Chopin—The Romantic features exhilarating polonaises, dreamy nocturnes, charming waltzes, poignant mazurkas, and the Ballade in G Minor, Op. 23. The program will conclude with a short Q&A with the audience.
Eva Ayllon with Special Guest Daniela Darcourt
Sunday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m.
Science and Technology Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
Living legend Eva Ayllon is celebrating 55 years of spreading the joy of Peruvian music around the world. She is accompanied by the young, exuberant talent of Daniela Darcourt; together they will transform the stage into a pure musical explosion.
Virginia Opera: ‘A Taste of Opera’
Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 1:30 p.m.
Science and Technology Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Jacquemin Family Foundation Rehearsal Hall
Experience big talent in an intimate setting with Virginia Opera. Their talented artists will impress you with delightful performances of opera's greatest hits, famous Broadway show tunes, and other diverse and lively selections.
Mason Choirs Concert – ‘Timeless: Choral Voices Across the Centuries’
Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music
Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
From Renaissance devotion to contemporary reflection, Timeless honors the musical legacies of composers whose anniversaries we mark in 2025. Join the University Chamber Singers and the University Chorale for a program featuring the Renaissance gems of Palestrina (b. 1525), the luminous spirituality of Arvo Pärt (b. 1935), and the heartfelt American storytelling of Kirke Mechem (b. 1925).
Mason Symphony Orchestra Concert Fall 2025
Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music
Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 8 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Join the Mason Symphony Orchestra for its opening concert of the season, directed by Soo Han.
Manassas Ballet Theatre: ‘Frankenstein’
Oct. 17–19, multiple performances
Science and Technology Campus, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Merchant Hall
Manassas Ballet Theatre opens its season with the frightful tale of Frankenstein. Set to an original, evocative score by Kim Reynolds and performed by the Kim Reynolds Band, the ballet brings this legendary classic to life in a thrilling blend of drama, emotion, and artistry. Experience the tragic story of creation and destruction through stunning new choreography and captivating live music that reimagine this frightful masterpiece.
Laurie Berkner Band
Saturday, Oct. 18, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Fairfax Campus, Center for the Arts
Back by popular demand, “the undisputed queen of kindie rock” (USA Today) Laurie Berkner and her band perform a concert event for the whole family. Trick or treat yourself by wearing your costume for this performance of Halloween songs, as well as classics from the Laurie Berkner Greatest Hits album.