“Photography is a way of collecting. It is the ultimate ideal of nostalgia.” That’s exactly how California-based photographer Gregg Segal sums up the focus of his work  Segal’s set of photographs titled “State of the Union” contrasts two distinct eras of an “idealized Civil War embodied by Civil War reenactors versus the commercialism of contemporary life,” as detailed on his website.

Last week’s Republican National Convention was marked by a diverse array of speakers, many of whom have broken glass ceilings. The speakers included the first Indian-American Governor Bobby Jindal, the first female Indian-American Governor Nikki Haley, the first African-American Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and the first Latina Governor Susana Martinez, as well as diverse rising stars like Governor Brian Sandoval, Senator Marco Rubio and congressional candidate Mia Love. Last week’s lineup was a reflection of the cultural mosaic that is America.

This fall, construction will begin on the West Campus Connector, a road that will provide easier access between George Mason University’s central Fairfax location and the facilities just west of campus.

“The construction timeline is still being developed. Tentatively we think some part of the construction will start in November this year,” said Erik Backus, an engineering planner for the university.

George Mason University held its first student government meeting of the semester on Thursday. President Cabrera was in attendance to share his plans for the school.

Cabrera provided the attendees with a speech in which he emphasized the importance of leadership and defined his “new vision” for Mason. Cabrera explained how his goal is “one that we will all remember” in years to follow. He plans to develop a set of aspirations and to highlight achievements of Mason graduates.