On Friday, December 8th, Student Media hosted Happy Birthday, George! in Patriot’s Lounge (SUB I) and welcomed over 200 faculty, staff, students, and community members to celebrate #292YearsofGeorge. The party included birthday cake, music, activities, some amazing raffle prizes, a giant birthday card, and special guests the Green Machine, the G-Men, the Mason Patriot, and George Mason himself!
This annual event provides a chance for the Mason community to honor our university namesake’s legacy and ideas, including the drafting of the Virginia Declaration of Rights — one of the documents upon which the U.S. Constitution was based. George Mason is known to history as the Father of the Bill of Rights, and his contributions to democracy helped secure the five freedoms guaranteed to all Americans under the First Amendment. The very freedoms that George Mason fought for so passionately are critical to the work of Student Media today, including the freedom of speech and of the press.
Of George Mason’s vital contributions to democracy, fellow Virginian and founding father Thomas Jefferson had this to say: “The fact is unquestionable, that the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution of Virginia, were drawn originally by George Mason, one of our greatest men, and of the first order of greatness.” (1825)
This year’s celebration was a great success, and Student Media would like to thank everyone who attended and supported our event. A big thank you to Student Media students and staff, Don McAndrews, Janis Harless, Bobby Lacy, the G-Men, the Mason Patriot, Willy Frasier, and Aaron Grossman.
Sponsors who donated prizes include: Buffalo Wild Wings, Tyson’s Biergarten, Room Escape Fairfax, Muse Paintbar, CorePower Yoga, Yard House, Shear Madness, Gunston Hall, Wing Zone, Parking Services, Mason Recreation, University Mall Theatres, Dave & Buster’s, Alexandria Waterfront, Housing & Residence Life, and University Life.
