Commencement 2005 Will See 100,000th Alumnus Graduate

May 16, 2005

By Colleen Kearney Rich

With the Class of 2005, George Mason University will have graduated its 100,000th alumnus. While the university has awarded many more than 100,000 degrees because a large number of alumni have earned more than one degree from Mason, this graduating class marks the university’s official move into the six digits.

Sen. John Warner

A total of 6,354 students will graduate at Mason's 38th annual Commencement on Saturday, May 21, at 10 a.m. in the Patriot Center. U.S. Senator John Warner will deliver the commencement address. Christyn Wallace of Richmond, Va., who is receiving a bachelor's degree in integrative studies, is the student speaker.

Of the graduating class of 2005—the largest in Mason history—3,494 students will receive undergraduate degrees and 2,611 will receive graduate degrees. The School of Law will graduate 249 students. The most popular undergraduate majors were communication, psychology, government and international politics, nursing, and accounting. The Class of 2005’s oldest graduate is 77; its youngest is 18.

During the ceremony, Mason’s first lady Sally Merten and Earle C. Williams, retired president and CEO of BDM International Inc., will be recognized for their public service with George Mason Medals, the university’s highest honor. Given by the Board of Visitors, the medal is designed to honor George Mason, the man. Those receiving the award have shown service to their community, state, or nation consistent with the level and quality of George Mason's public service in his own time.

In addition, two honorary degrees, both doctoral degrees in humane letters, will be awarded. The first will be awarded to Warner and the second to Mark Morris, founder and artistic director of the Mark Morris Group and honorary chair of Mason’s Friends of Dance Advisory Board.

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