George Mason University's College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) is excited to announce Brian van de Graaff, BA Speech Communication ’97 and CHSS Distinguished Alum '24 (Communication Award), will address graduates and their guests as the alumni speaker of the upcoming degree celebration on May 16 at EagleBank Arena.
A co-host and travel correspondent for ABC7’s Good Morning Washington, van de Graaff recently transitioned from his role as a senior meteorologist, where he delivered weekday morning forecasts for WJLA-TV and WTOP-FM radio. He spent more than 25 years with the ABC7 First Alert Weather team.
Over the course of his career, he has covered nearly every shift at the station, beginning with his first assignment on 7News Morning. His on-air journey took him from Salisbury, Maryland, to Richmond, Virginia, to New York City, and ultimately back home to Washington, D.C.
A CHSS Distinguished Alumni recipient in 2024, he remains involved with his alma mater as a member of the Department of Communication’s Insight Committee, as a guest speaker in journalism classes, and as an emcee of the Center for Community Mental Health’s annual Food for Thought fundraiser.
Born in Arlington and raised in the rural Virginia communities of Culpeper and Madison, van de Graaff's fascination with weather began at an early age. After graduating from George Mason, he jumped straight into the business, where he was mentored by local broadcasting legend Doug Hill. This experience helped shape his forecasting approach and on-air style.
Living out his passion for travel, he takes viewers along for the ride, from uncovering hidden gems right here in the DMV to unforgettable adventures in far-off corners of the world. A lifelong weather geek, he loves experiencing different climates firsthand while soaking up the culture, food, and stories that make each destination unique. No two days are ever the same, and that is exactly how he likes it.
One of his most memorable professional experiences came in New Orleans just days before Hurricane Katrina made landfall, when the phrase “the calm before the storm” took on profound meaning.
An Eagle Scout, van de Graaff remains an avid outdoorsman and has hiked and backpacked across the United States, from sections of the Appalachian Trail to the depths of the Grand Canyon and many places in between. He lives in Fairfax, with his wife, Kristen, and their two teenage children.
Follow him on Facebook, X, and Instagram: @Brian7NewsDC