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During the week of October 28 to November 1, the Costello College of Business celebrated its first naming anniversary and began an annual tradition of providing service to the local community.
Since the naming of the Donald G. Costello College of Business on November 1, 2023, the business college at the most diverse public university in Virginia has shown that it means business. Prospective students have taken notice, with fall 2024 applications and enrollment deposits up 11% year over year. Corporations are also jumping at the chance to get involved, with ten partner companies already joining the recently launched Corporate Partners Program to provide financial support and other opportunities for its students.
Through the participation of students, faculty, alumni, and friends of the college, a “Spirit of Service” has taken hold in the college and its impact is being felt right here in the George Mason community. “Charity begins at home,” says Costello College of Business Dean Ajay Vinzé. “The contributions of so many during our one-year naming anniversary celebration, and the events leading up to it, have set the stage for a new Costello tradition—a spirit of service that will define our future celebrations.”
To celebrate the naming anniversary, which included the planned gift of $50 million focused on student scholarships, the Costello College of Business held a series of events that showcased the vision and legacy of its namesake, the late Donald G. Costello. Volunteer leaders gathered on Tuesday for the Dean’s Advisory Council, and later in the day, donors and scholarship recipients networked at the annual Scholarship Luncheon. Then on Thursday, in a show of pride and unity, members of the Costello College of Business community donned the university’s colors for Costello Spirit Day. These events led up to an impactful service event that many George Mason students will benefit from.
In the days leading up to its Day of Service, the college partnered with Patriot Pantry to collect non-perishable food and personal hygiene items for currently enrolled George Mason University students facing food insecurity, and on Friday, volunteers packed the pantry orders and restocked shelves. “Over one-third of college students experience food insecurity, and the Costello College of Business has cemented its dedication to promoting food security on George Mason’s campus,” says Dwayne Hamilton Jr., assistant director for basic needs services at George Mason. “Through fulfilling over three hundred orders totaling 3,000 lbs. and directly donating 212 lbs. of food, the Costello College of Business is the first academic unit to demonstrate this level of service to the Patriot Pantry.” Of the 75 volunteers that arrived to help at the pantry, 55% were students, 32% were faculty and staff, and 13% were alumni.
Remote members of the Costello community also pitched in, through volunteer activities in their local communities. Among the causes they supported were strengthening voter turnout in Northern Virginia and providing compassionate support to people of all ages who have been impacted by domestic and sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking.
Two weeks earlier, others from Costello walked or ran in George Mason’s Thriving Together 5K in support of student mental health and well-being initiatives on campus. Funds raised by this year’s participants are being used to provide George Mason students with private spaces that can be used for telehealth appointments or to relax, practice self-care, and improve their overall wellbeing. Funding is also being used toward scholarships for students who serve in the Peer Empowerment Program and work to spread mental health awareness at George Mason.
One of the aspects that makes the Costello College of Business unique is its emphasis on giving back to the local community, so it was fitting that the college celebrated its naming anniversary by starting a new “Spirit of Service” tradition. Every tradition has a beginning and George Mason’s business college is well on its way to building a legacy of service whose impact will be felt by many for years to come.