Skip to main content
Employee homeMason News home
Story
1 of 10

George Mason's 2024 winter graduation in pictures

George Mason's 2024 winter graduation in pictures Lauren Reuscher Thu, 12/19/2024 - 14:27 Body Winter Commencement at George Mason University on Dec. 19 at EagleBank Arena celebrated more than 5,200 graduates and certificate recipients. Graduates hailed from 89 countries, 45 states, and 27% of bachelor's degree recipients identified as first-generation graduates.  The graduates celebrated their achievements in the company of proud family and friends. George Mason photographers captured the excitement of Commencement and Degree Celebrations. Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding As the graduates entered the arena, the Green Machine filled the air with musical energy. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding Ross Calvin, a student in the School of Music’s vocal performance program, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Ross Calvin, George Mason student, sings the national anthem at Commencement. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding George Mason President Gregory Washington welcomed the graduates and their loved ones to the ceremony and congratulated them on their achievements. An honorary degree was presented to Maureen McCarthy Scalia in recognition of her dedication to education and decades of volunteer work in the Washington, D.C., region. Maureen McCarthy Scalia and George Mason President Gregory Washington. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding Commencement speaker George D. Schindler advised the graduates that their ability to continuously learn, adapt, and thrive can determine their success. Schindler also stressed the importance of mentorship and kindness. Commencement Speaker George D. Schindler. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding“Our companies need more kindness, our governments, and our society could use some more kindness,” Schindler said. “It starts with each of us.”   Student Commencement Speaker Caroline Little. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding Student Commencement speaker Caroline Little, graduating with her bachelor’s in psychology, spoke about her experiences as a student parent. She expressed gratitude for the support she felt from her family, as well as from faculty and staff at George Mason, as she juggled the demands of parenthood and her studies. “George Mason isn’t just meant for the cookie-cutter student,” Little said. “It’s meant for people like me, for people like you, and anybody who has the determination to finish their degree and succeed, no matter what their life looks like outside of the classroom.”  Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding As usual, the graduates let their creativity shine by decorating their graduation caps. Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding President Gregory Washington, Rector Charles "Cully" Stimson, Student Speaker Caroline Little, and Provost James Antony. Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding And then it was time to celebrate! Read more about the ceremony. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University BrandingWatch the winter commencement recording Related News George Mason's 2024 winter graduation in pictures December 20, 2024 Winter graduates encouraged to be kind, courageous and never stop learning December 19, 2024 Commencement Speaker George Schindler’s remarks to George Mason’s winter 2024 graduates December 19, 2024 At 15, Yevin Nikhel Goonatilake set to make history as George Mason’s youngest graduate with a 4.0 GPA December 17, 2024 George Mason prepares to recognize more than 5,200 winter graduates December 16, 2024Read more graduation stories Topics Topics Campus News Graduation Commencement Winter Commencement Student news

Body

Winter Commencement at George Mason University on Dec. 19 at EagleBank Arena celebrated more than 5,200 graduates and certificate recipients. Graduates hailed from 89 countries, 45 states, and 27% of bachelor's degree recipients identified as first-generation graduates. 

The graduates celebrated their achievements in the company of proud family and friends. George Mason photographers captured the excitement of Commencement and Degree Celebrations.


Graduate smiles holding her scroll after walking across the stage

Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

As the graduates entered the arena, the Green Machine filled the air with musical energy. 

The Green Machine pep band sings and plays their instruments at the Commencement ceremony

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Ross Calvin, a student in the School of Music’s vocal performance program, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”  

Ross Calvin, music student, performs the national anthem at Commencement

Ross Calvin, George Mason student, sings the national anthem at Commencement. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

George Mason President Gregory Washington welcomed the graduates and their loved ones to the ceremony and congratulated them on their achievements. 

An honorary degree was presented to Maureen McCarthy Scalia in recognition of her dedication to education and decades of volunteer work in the Washington, D.C., region. 

Maureen McCarthy Scalia and George Mason President Gregory Washington hold her honorary degree on stage at Commencement

Maureen McCarthy Scalia and George Mason President Gregory Washington. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Commencement speaker George D. Schindler advised the graduates that their ability to continuously learn, adapt, and thrive can determine their success. Schindler also stressed the importance of mentorship and kindness.  

Commencement Speaker George D. Schindler delivers his remarks on stage at Commencement

Commencement Speaker George D. Schindler. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding
“Our companies need more kindness, our governments, and our society could use some more kindness,” Schindler said. “It starts with each of us.”  

Student Commencement Speaker Caroline Little at the podium, giving her remarks to her classmates and their families

Student Commencement Speaker Caroline Little. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Student Commencement speaker Caroline Little, graduating with her bachelor’s in psychology, spoke about her experiences as a student parent. She expressed gratitude for the support she felt from her family, as well as from faculty and staff at George Mason, as she juggled the demands of parenthood and her studies.  

“George Mason isn’t just meant for the cookie-cutter student,” Little said. “It’s meant for people like me, for people like you, and anybody who has the determination to finish their degree and succeed, no matter what their life looks like outside of the classroom.” 

A graduating student raises his hands in the air and points at his family and friends in the crowd

Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

As usual, the graduates let their creativity shine by decorating their graduation caps. 

A graduate wears a decorated cap with faux butterflies and the words "time to spread my wings"

Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

A decorated graduation cap has a picture of Kermit the Frog and says "Life's like a movie, write your own ending"

Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

A decorated graduation cap in the crowd has a green tinsel tree and says "Future bright like Christmas lights"

Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

President Gregory Washington, Rector Charles "Cully" Stimson, Student Speaker Caroline Little, and Provost James Antony gather for a photo in front of a George Mason branded backdrop

President Gregory Washington, Rector Charles "Cully" Stimson, Student Speaker Caroline Little, and Provost James Antony. Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

And then it was time to celebrate! Read more about the ceremony.  

A graduate wearing regalia poses in celebration at the George Mason statue on Wilkins Plaza

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

A student meets up with her family member in EagleBank Arena after Commencement

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

A graduate in regalia smiles with a loved one outside EagleBank Arena

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

A graduate smiles while embracing a loved one outside the arena after Commencement

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Latest The George