Scott Hine, BS Decision Science ’85, exemplifies the spirit of a true George Mason Patriot. As the current president of the George Mason University Alumni Association and former president of the Costello Alumni Chapter, Hine’s connection to the university runs deep.
Scott Hine, BS Decision Science ’85, current president of the George Mason University Alumni Association and former president of the Costello Alumni Chapter. Photo by George Mason University.
He and his wife (then girlfriend), Helen, BS Finance ‘85, MEd Special Education ‘99, went to George Mason together, and their twin daughters would later graduate with their undergraduate and graduate degrees from the university. Their son also contributed to campus life through active volunteerism.
Some of Hine’s earliest memories as an alum include handing out pins at commencement and grilling hot dogs and burgers for students during move-in weekend. These small but meaningful gestures were the beginning of his enduring commitment to the George Mason community. Decades later, his dedication to the missions of George Mason University and the Costello College of Business remains as strong as ever.
Hine recognizes the unique advantages Costello students enjoy due to the university’s proximity to Washington, D.C., and the vibrant business landscape of Northern Virginia. This strategic location offers students exceptional access to internships, career opportunities, and adjunct faculty who are actively involved in the industries they teach. “Having someone that can come in and speak from a technical standpoint, with real-world experience as well as an academic standpoint, to really put into practice what it is the students are learning, I think it’s truly informative and transformative,” he says.
“Having someone that can come in and speak from a technical standpoint, with real-world experience as well as an academic standpoint, to really put into practice what it is the students are learning, I think it’s truly informative and transformative,” he says.
— Scott Hine, BS Decision Science ’85, current president of the George Mason University Alumni Association and former president of the Costello Alumni Chapter
Hine himself has served as an adjunct professor in George Mason’s College of Engineering and Computing for seven years and recently started teaching again at Costello. The opportunity came through his strong alumni network. Hine recalls, “I had already been thinking about teaching, and that alumni connection gave me the push I needed.” Leveraging his Costello network has also proven highly effective when inviting subject-matter experts to speak to his class on current topics.
As a former scholarship recipient, Hine knows firsthand the impact financial support can have on a student’s life. That’s why he and Helen established the Hine Family Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship supports a full-time undergraduate student who actively fosters connections between students and alumni—continuing the legacy of engagement that defines the Hine family’s relationship with George Mason. To date, two students have received the fully endowed scholarship, which incentivizes recipients to build relationships with alumni so that they will continue to be engaged after they graduate.
The Hines are now exploring ways to expand the scholarship to support even more students. Scott, who sat on the Alumni Association scholarship committee for several years, recalls reviewing the applications. “You just hear some of these gut-wrenching stories about how impactful a scholarship would be for them to continue on their academic journeys and not having it would be somewhat devastating to them, in terms of where they are and what they’re trying to get done,” he says.
That spirit of giving has been passed down to their children. “We wanted to have a foundation, a Hine Family Foundation, that we would leave for our three children to manage,” he says. After discussing with experts and doing their own research, they decided that a donor-advised fund (DAF) was the route for them. Through the DAF, they have given to causes and organizations that matter to them—many of them George Mason-related.
From student to alum, educator to philanthropist, Scott Hine has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the Costello community. Through his leadership, teaching, and the Hine Family Endowed Scholarship, he continues to shape the future of George Mason students, fostering a culture of connection and generosity. “We need to recognize our nearly 40,000 alumni and then also recognize all the future business alumni or those who are studying in a different academic unit but that are aligned with business,” he says, emphasizing that many George Mason alumni who pursue careers in business come from diverse academic backgrounds. After all, the success of these Patriots is Costello’s business.