Gaurav Sehgal

A Journey Through Time: Honors College Students Explore the Library of Congress

Wasiq Muhammad Muhammad Ali — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 17:37:27 +0000

A Journey Through Time: Honors College Students Explore the Library of Congress Wasiq Muhammad… Wed, 03/13/2024 - 13:37

The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, its collections encompassing more than 175 million items. And it sits less than 30 minutes from George Mason’s campus. On February 17, Honors College students were given the opportunity to discover for themselves this bastion of American culture.

During the visit, the students were able to see some of the Library of Congress’ most significant exhibitions and collection pieces – including a replica of Thomas Jefferson’s personal library, whose books are part of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division. Jefferson’s library comprised over six thousand volumes on politics, history and science. A selection of these books is encased in the display. As the group walked around, they admired the wide variety of literature Jefferson exposed himself to as well as the authors and titles that shaped his thinking.

“Seeing what topics Thomas Jefferson had read and the influential authors he was inspired by was intriguing. His books about botany also surprised me.”

Matthew (Matt) Nguyen

Among the special collection pieces on display is a Guttenberg Bible, one of the earliest books to be printed using mass-produced movable metal type. The Library of Congress’s copy is printed on vellum – thin parchment made from animal skin – and is one of only three complete vellum copies that survive today. This artifact's historical significance and its contribution to the dissemination of knowledge continue to remind the Honors College students, and all visitors, of the transformative power of information that the library represents.

As the students’ tour continued, the group climbed the stairs to the observation deck to view the Main Reading Room below. While floor access is restricted to researchers, the panoramic view from the balcony gave them a glimpse of the gravitas of the space. The mission of a library and its contents can be seen in the building's architecture. According to the Library of Congress, the eight large statues that circle the reading room each represent a category of knowledge understood to symbolize aspects of civilized life and thought: philosophy, art, history, commerce, religion, science, law and poetry.

The Library of Congress began as a small resource for the use of Congress. Lost in a fire during the War of 1812, Thomas Jefferson offered to sell his personal library to replace the library’s collections, from which its contents have only grown. The main building, with its recognizable façade, officially opened to the public in 1897. Since then, the Library of Congress has been on the forefront of modernization, pioneering digital library catalogues in partnership with UNESCO, among other innovations.

The Honors College strives to offer a well-rounded education to its students, promoting their intellectual and cultural development though various thoughtfully selected events. Keep an eye on the weekly newsletter for new opportunities to join Honors College trips.

Topics

George Mason Honors College

Honors College

HCC’s Third Annual Nonprofit Hackathon: Fostering Creativity

gsehgal2 — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 19:44:42 +0000

HCC’s Third Annual Nonprofit Hackathon: Fostering Creativity gsehgal2 Fri, 11/10/2023 - 14:44

On Saturday, October 21, Honors College Connects (HCC) proudly hosted its third annual Nonprofit Hackathon. The day was filled with enthusiasm, creativity, and a desire to make a difference. Honors College students formed dynamic teams to brainstorm and provide innovative solutions to challenges faced around the community every day.

Every fall Honors College Connects hosts the HCC Hackathon in partnership with local nonprofits. Students divide themselves into groups based on their interests to tackle a challenge posed by the nonprofit partners. Each group is tasked with creating a unique solution as a team, utilizing feedback from other groups throughout the day.

While the event focused on giving back to the community, it also fostered connections among Honors College students. Amidst the fast-paced brainstorming and problem-solving sessions, participants took a break to enjoy lunch, and took photos to remember the day.

Chandresh, an HCC mentor, initially planned on playing the role of mentor but found himself actively participating and leading a team. Immersed in the Hackathon's ethos, he reflected on his connection to the human-centered design approach: “Being both a former HCC attendee and a current mentor, I've always valued this method."

Throughout the day, several ideas emerged, and one that stood out for Chandresh's team was the potential of Facebook Messenger, especially given its resonance with older audiences. Drawing from his background as a project manager, he steered his team through the brainstorming sessions and discussions. He noted, "Engaging with the varied challenges that nonprofits face always offers a fresh perspective. It's both meaningful and intriguing."

Cy J Pabis, with memories of the previous year's Hackathon and their role as an HCC Peer Mentor, eagerly dived into this year's event. "I was keen on assisting those newer to the HCC format," he shared. With a deep-rooted familiarity with the human-centered design, Cy's team was agile, adapting their approach based on feedback. One of the highlights for Cy was the chance to interact with and offer insights to another team, underlining the Hackathon's collaborative essence. Reflecting on the experience, he said, "The Hackathon brings to light the diverse aims and scopes of our local nonprofit sector. For instance, I was deeply moved by a nonprofit's mission to provide tutoring to children in disadvantaged communities."

The nonprofits that participated this year were:

Computer CORE
Formed Families Forward
KEEN Greater DC
Reading Partners
Shepherd's Center of Northern Virginia

Topics

Honors College

Hackathon

Honors College Connects

Peaceful Postures

gsehgal2 — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 15:34:40 +0000

Peaceful Postures gsehgal2 Sat, 09/30/2023 - 11:34

On Friday, September 22, the Honors College organized a refreshing outdoor yoga session at Finley Quad, led by alumna Jamie Argento Rodriguez. Open to all, attendees enjoyed a peaceful yoga practice under Rodriguez’s guidance, fully embracing its benefits. Participants arrived carrying yoga mats or towels and moved in harmony, with each pose reflecting the serenity of the surroundings. Laughter resonated throughout the session, creating a tight-knit sense of community among everyone present. The event was a relaxing and communal experience for all.

Topics

Yoga

Sweet Insights

gsehgal2 — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 16:06:10 +0000

Sweet Insights gsehgal2 Wed, 09/20/2023 - 12:06

In This Story

Kathleen Wage

Together with the College of Engineering and Computing, the Honors College hosted Doughnuts and Discussions on Friday, September 15 to explore how we excel in STEM disciplines. CEC Peer Mentors highlighted the value of peer support, emphasizing their role in guiding fellow students through academic challenges and directing them to appropriate resources. The conversation explored the intricacies of effective teaching and the pursuit of academic excellence. Participants exchanged experiences, challenges, and strategies.

Engineering and Computing faculty shared their perspectives on the continuous learning process, calling attention to the moments when student interactions led to deeper understanding and the significance of asking the right questions. The event served as a platform for sharing resources and experiences, equipping attendees with tools and insights to thrive in STEM fields.

Topics

Peer mentors

College of Engineering and Computing

Honors College

Academic Advising

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Honors College Thanks Ms. Riley for Her Service

gsehgal2 — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 21:59:02 +0000

The Honors College Thanks Ms. Riley for Her Service gsehgal2 Thu, 06/15/2023 - 17:59

The Honors College expresses its gratitude to Ms. Catherine Riley for her service on the Honors College Dean’s Advisory Board and for helping shape our university into what it is today. The Honors College would like to celebrate Ms. Catherine Riley’s journey and the impact she has had over the years.

Ms. Riley is the Vice President of Business Investment at the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, one of the most successful local development programs in the US. She oversees strategic planning and project management for the agency’s three investment divisions: National Business Investment; International Business Investment; and Diversity Investment and Entrepreneurship Division programs.

Ms. Riley has had an impactful career, managing a team that generated over 90,000 new jobs in Fairfax County over the last decade. This includes headquarters relocations for companies such as Hilton Worldwide, CSC, SAIC, and Volkswagen Group of America. She also managed successful bids to win headquarters relocations for Intelsat and Northrop Grumman, as well as the Global Operations Center of Bechtel.

Before being promoted to Vice President in 2002, Ms. Riley was the Director for the International Division at the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority. She initiated the agency’s overseas investment program and opened its first foreign office in Tokyo, Japan. During her tenure as Director, she opened five more overseas offices and her team announced over 12,000 new jobs for Fairfax County.

Ms. Riley has also been active in various organizations. She was the President of the British American Business Association (BABA) from 2010-2012 and served on its Board of Directors for six years and its Executive Committee for three years. She also chaired the BABA Strategic Planning Committee. Additionally, she served on the Executive Committee of the British American Business Council and was its representative for the South East regional chapters.

Ms. Riley has also been involved with the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, serving on its Board of Directors for six years and its Executive Committee for three years. She has also served on its Transition Team and Nominating Committees.

Ms. Riley is a graduate of Leadership Fairfax and a member of both the Northern Virginia Technology Council and the International Economic Development Council. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University and has completed additional training in real estate, management, and economic development.

As she departs from the board, we thank her for her time and commitment and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

Topics

Dean's Advisory Board

Honors College