Members of the George Mason University community can celebrate their colleagues in person or virtually during this year’s University Day Service Awards.
The service awards ceremonies will be held Nov. 2-3 in Dewberry Hall, honoring faculty and staff who have been at George Mason five years or more. There are 693 awardees this year, which is an increase of 100 honorees compared with the 2016 ceremony.
“The University Day Service Awards ceremony is an opportunity for Mason to recognize our faculty and staff for their years of service and contribution to the institution,” said Lester L. Arnold Sr., vice president for Human Resources and Payroll. “The past 20 months have been very challenging for all of us, and our Patriots have provided dedicated service and commitment to this university more than ever before.
He added, “I am so glad that we will be back in Dewberry Hall to celebrate our awardees in person for our annual Green and Gold University Day tradition.”
Those with 20 to 50 years of service will be honored first at Mason Gold Day on Nov. 2, 9:30 – 11 a.m. Mason Green Day honors those with 5, 10 and 15 years of service from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 3.
Both events will be livestreamed from gmutv.gmu.edu, and participants will be able to post congratulatory comments to the awardees, which will appear during the livestream program. Both programs will include a pre-recorded video performance by Rick Davis, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, and Linda Monson, director of the School of Music.
“We take the time at the University Day Service awards to shine the spotlight on those who make a difference at Mason every day—the employees,” said Beth Baroody, the faculty and staff engagement consultant in Human Resources. “These events are for them and about them, and we try to make these events special by offering a buffet meal, music and a full program honoring their service.”
Each recipient receives a certificate signed by President Gregory Washington and a pin, which is mailed to them after the ceremony. Those with 20 or more years of service also can choose a gift to commemorate their years at Mason.
James S. Trefil, Robinson Professor of Physics, will be honored with the 50-year service award. Learn more about him here. He is the third person to reach this milestone, joining Don Gallehr, Department of English, and Jane Flinn, Department of Psychology.
Throughout his career, Trefil has bridged the gap between science and society. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS) and a former Guggenheim Fellow. A physicist and author, Trefil is known for his writing and his interest in teaching science to nonscientists, and he has 231 works in 978 publications in 10 languages and 41,805 library holdings.
Faculty and staff recognized for 40 or more years of service include:
- 50 years – James S. Trefil (Robinson Professors/Physics)
- 45 Years - James Bennet (Economics)
- 45 Years – Stuart Malawer (Schar School)
- 40 Years – R. Chris Jones (Environmental Science and Policy)
- 40 Years – Linda Miller (School of Dance)
See the program and get more details on the Celebration page.
“We really want to encourage people to say thanks to their colleagues for their time at Mason, since the people, all the people here, are what make Mason so great,” said Baroody.