Tennille Parker with Ted Arnn

A new term for the Alumni Association Board of Directors began on July 1 and will run through June 30, 2011. The newly elected officers are:

President- Tennille Parker, BA Government & Politics `97

Past-President- Ted Arnn, BS Law Enforcement `93

President-Elect- Rodney Turner, JD `93

Vice-President for Member Involvement- Dennis Pereira, BS Computer Science `01

Treasurer- Christopher Preston, BS Business Management `96

Secretary- Ted Burnes, BA Government & Politics `96

At-Large Directors-

John Butler, BA Integrative studies `99

George Cabalu, BA Economics `92

Charles Chrosniak, BS Geology `91 and MS Biology `00

James Ogletree, BA History `97 and MS ECE`04

Tia Wade, BS Finance `03

Bhupesh Wadhawan, BS Accounting`02

A Message for May 2010 Graduates
Welcome to the Alumni Association! Please update your email address so you will continue to receive the MasonWire and stay connected to Mason through alumni activities. 

Alumni Weekend Survey

Thank you for completing the Alumni Weekend survey sent out in the June Mason Wire.  We received a strong response, with many ideas and suggestions that we are currently incorporating into the planning process.  You will be able to see the results of your input when you review the Alumni Weekend schedule.  

During the weekend, you will discover the many wonderful things that Mason has to offer alumni, students, and the community—from an introduction to the Mason Inn and Conference Center, to a campus tour by foot or via the Mason trolley at no additional cost. 

This year we will offer a la carte pricing for the weekend’s events, so you can choose the activities that interest you the most and plan your visit to campus in advance.  While you are here, don’t forget to cheer on Mason’s football team on Saturday, October 2, at 1 p.m.

The Alumni Association welcomes and encourages you to bring your family and to join us for the PatriotFest BBQ, featuring entertainment for Patriots of all ages. 

Registration for the weekend will open on August 2. 

Become a fan of the Alumni Association to get up to date information on Alumni Weekend and all things Mason for alumni.

Alumni Profile: Erica Porter '10

When Erica Porter was in the second grade, her teacher asked the class to write about what they wanted to be when they grew up. It was an easy question for Porter to answer: She wanted to help sick people. She may not have had the words as a child, but Porter knew she wanted to be a physician-scientist, studying diseases and their potential cures. 

“I combined my love of science with my desire to help sick people,” Porter says, speaking of her choice to major in chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry at Mason, where she received scholarship support and was in the Honors College.

Porter’s early years translated into a successful academic career that culminated with graduation in May and her next step — heading to Paris on a Fulbright Scholarship this October where she will study tuberculosis at the Institut Pasteur.

“It’s an experience I never imagined for myself,” Porter enthuses.

She is well prepared to take on such high-level research. During her last two years at Mason, Porter participated in an undergraduate research apprenticeship in molecular microbiology and biochemistry through the College of Science’s National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases.

Watch Erica's inspiring story.

July 12-19- To mark the milestone of hitting 30,000 facebook fans, we held a contest to celebrate Mason's top fans. We’ve selected our favorites but need your help to choose who should be crowned Mason's No. 1 fan. Throughout this week, we will be posting the top fan on the Mason Spirit blog.  Check them out and then, on Monday, July 19, vote for your favorite. The person deemed Mason's top fan wins an awesome Patriot-themed prize package.

Oct 1-3- Second Annual Alumni Weekend! Reserve your room at the Mason Inn.  Use code Alumni Weekend Oct 2010 for $89 rate.

Mason Offers Six New Degree Programs This Fall FULL STORY>