CHSS honors alumni at Community and Catalysts celebration

CHSS honors alumni at Community and Catalysts celebration
The annual CHSS Community and Catalysts event.

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences recently recognized more than 30 alumni at the college's annual Community and Catalysts event at Horizon Hall. 

The celebration honored those who have made significant contributions to their communities, industries, and university through their leadership, research, and service. Current psychology PhD student Lance Hinagpis, BS Psychology '20, MA '23, and integrative studies major Lexi Martinez emceed the event.

Several George Mason alumni who now serve as faculty and staff were recognized, including School of Integrative Studies Associate Professor Cher Weixia Chen receiving the CHSS Faculty Civic Excellence Award. Two current CHSS students were also honored. Creative writing and foreign languages double major Grace Wood received the Senior of the Year award. Human development and family science and psychology double major Aisun Abedinzadeh received the CHSS Alumni Chapter Scholar award.

"When I talk about the college, I share how our college plays a critical and central role in preparing Mason students to excel in any industry and to contribute in meaningful ways to their communities," CHSS Dean Ann Ardis said. "It is the individuals we are honoring tonight that makes this statement ring true. Additionally, our college's faculty and staff believe that helping students have real-world work experiences and the opportunity to learn how to think critically through research ensures their education will help them enter and advance in their careers productively and successfully."

Award recipients Video interviews 

From left to right: English professor Laura Scott, alumni Steve Gladis and Mary Jo Duckwitz, alum and university archivist Robert Vay, School of Integrative Studies chair Cher Weixia Chen, and alumnus Karin Orvis. Photo by John Boal.

 

CHSS Distinguished Alumni recipients. Photo by John Boal.
Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) winner Karol Escalante. Photo by John Boal.