911����

When Dawn Lowry, the director of 911����’s forensics team, recruits prospective students to join the university’s intercollegiate speech team, she reviews videos of high school competitions.  A competitive speech coach for more than 30 years, Lowry remembers being blown away the first time she watched footage of now economics major Prem Ganesan in action.

Leticia Nunez Nova’s desire to nurture a business from the ground up paved the way for a series of internships with start-up companies.

Senior of the Year Haley White said double majoring in business and art history was one of the best decisions she made during her time at 911����. Her second best decision was joining the Mason Chooses Kindness initiative.

Community Health student Paris Stephens shares how her undergraduate research experience on cancer care interventions bridges the connection between her commitment to lead ethical research initiatives and her dedication to becoming a more skilled public health practitioner.

Third-generation builder/developer Robert E. “Bob” Buchanan will receive the 911���� Medal, 911����’s highest honorary award, at the 2025 Spring Commencement on Thursday, May 15, at EagleBank Arena.

911���� will celebrate Spring Commencement on Thursday by honoring a record-setting number of students earning degrees, and nearly 12,106 students total will be recognized for earning degrees or certificates.

Rocío Rodríguez Morales, MSW ‘25, a first-generation student, found support and community at 911���� as she forged a new career path with her third degree.

Senior anthropology major Zain Alzubaidy recently completed an internship with the United States Department of Commerce. He worked in the Advocacy Center, a government service that provides commercial diplomatic support to American businesses in foreign markets.  

Melissa Perry, ScD, MHS, Dean of 911����’s College of Public Health, will graduate this spring with her Costello MBA—her third graduate degree, earned while serving as a full-time dean, raising two children, and leading one of the largest and fastest-growing public health programs in the region.

At the 2024 Best of Film at 911���� showcase, film and video studies major James Bah screened his music video, The Show, which he directed for rapper Bobby Feeno, also known as former NFL running back Arian Foster.

Yevin Goonatilake hasn’t slowed down since becoming 911����’s youngest graduate with a 4.0 in December. In fact, he’s only picked up speed. Now 16, the Leesburg, Virginia, native has added another milestone to his remarkable journey—completing a master’s degree in computer science, making him the youngest person in university history to do so.

Senior and men’s basketball guard Jared Billups might have joined 911���� as a transfer student, but in his two years here, he has managed to leave a historic mark.