On Saturday, February 23, 2019, George Mason University welcomed around 1000 prospective Honors College students and their famillymembers to the annual Honors College Celebration of Excellence. What began as rainy morning turned into a day filled with excitement and hope for the future.
Throughout the day, prospective students and their families enjoyed tours of campus, academic and student life browsing, and lunch. The event is designed to offer admitted students an opportunity to talk with faculty, staff and current students with someone ready to answer a question at every possible turn.
Honors College Dean Zofia Burr and EIP Director Khaseem Davis
The day began with a welcome reception, where future Honors College students were encouraged to mingle with each other, with their faculty, and with current students. During this event, those admitted Honors College students who have participated in Mason’s college access program for first generation students, the Early Identification Program, participated in an early-morning breakfast encouraging them to enroll now.
The formal programming began with welcomes from the Dean of Admissions, Amy Takayama-Perez, the Dean of the Honors College, Zofia Burr, and two current students, Sean Diment and Madison Gaines.
Dean of Admissions Amy Takayama-Perez welcomed the eager crowd seated in the Center for the Arts Concert Hall that morning. The dean provided students an overview of the university, stating, “Mason is a dynamic and diverse institution dedicated to student success, ground-breaking research, innovation, and, quite literally, changing the world.” Dean Takayama-Perez emphasized how George Mason being a tier one research university, a leader in diversity on college campuses, and a source of a valuable education means little if prospective students do not see the impact in action. “This is what we hope today is about for you: to experience Mason firsthand,” said Dean Takayama-Perez.
Honors College Dean Zofia Burr encouraged the prospective students to ask the current Honors College students present at the event about the experiences and opportunities they have had during their college career. “The Honors College community is made up of students who are, by design, not like-minded: students, such as yourselves, with every interest—or combination of interests—coming from every background and circumstance,” said Dean Burr, adding that this type of community encourages a collaborative environment that broadens perspectives. Dean Burr closed her speech with a lasting message, stating, “Participating in a truly dynamic community such as the Honors College, a community that in an ongoing way reflects the contributions of its diverse and changing membership, will prepare you to be extraordinarily effective in whatever you choose to do.”
Honors College students Madison Gaines and Sean Diment, who spoke at Celebration of Excellence
The support system built into the character of the Honors College influenced current students Sean Diment and Madison Gaines into pursuing those opportunities that seemed unimaginable even a year ago.
Diment spoke of how the classes he has taken so far in the Honors College have already introduced him to new cultures, perspectives, and understandings of the world. The freshman health administration major also enjoyed the opportunity to pursue his own research from the view of his field in Honors 110: Principles of Research and Inquiry.
Gaines discussed her experience with research through the Honors College, as well. The sophomore creative writing major combined social science and the arts to explore the bi- and multiracial identity through poetry and will be presenting this research at a conference in New Orleans, Louisiana this May.
“This experience, this research never would have happened without the Honors College to push me to ask the tough questions in and out of the classroom,” said Gaines, highlighting the support she has received from the Honors College faculty.
While scholarship and research are important factors to what the Honors College is, they are not the only traits that make the College a valuable experience.
“A big part of [the Honors College] is building relationships with your professors and mentors, and, of course, with the people who will become your friends and your home away from home,” said Gaines.
Diment, a busy student both in and out of the classroom, also mentioned the importance of community within the Honors College.
“What I’ve learned since coming to Mason is that family is not just your biological family; it’s also those around you,” said Diment. “Sometimes I get stressed out, but I have a great family to fall back on: my Mason family and my biological family.”
Gaines credited her freshman year resident advisor for being one of the reasons that she enjoyed her first year as a student. The support and community that the resident advisor provided for Gaines stuck with her, even influencing her into being a current resident advisor herself. Through this role, Gaines hopes to create a positive environment for her own residents, like the one she had for her last year.
“Finding your people and your home away from home is the most important thing, because you’re more likely to take chances and do something new when you’re somewhere you feel comfortable and supported,” said Gaines.
“You’re sitting here this morning because you earned it,” Diment told the prospective students, adding, “The great thing about Mason and being part of the Honors College community is that even on days that you don’t believe in yourself, your whole Honors College staff believes in you.”
Some prospective students enjoy lunch with current students and faculty
Gaines closed her speech by encouraging students to remember how the reality of attending George Mason makes them feel, emphasizing the importance of finding comfort on campus. “My experience [here] has been worthwhile, yeah,” Gaines said, “Only because when I’m at Mason, I’m at home.”