Mason organizations connect to the student body through George Mason statue
|
For groups such as Mason's Collegiate Distributive Education Clubs of America, a business networking club, there's also a communal aspect to dressing up the George statue.
Student organizations dress up their school's namesake to creatively promote events around campus (photo by John Irwin).
The George Mason statue has, over the years, become an advertisement platform for many student organizations.
On Monday morning, George Mason University's Open Access organization took up the task of decorating the George Mason statue during their "Dress Up George!" event.
Members and students gathered at 10 a.m. to adorn George in balloons, banners, a T-shirt and cape. Each October, for the past five years, Open Access has decorated George to kick start their International Open Access Week: a week dedicated to promoting free access to scholarly and creative material for universities. For them, the Mason statue serves as the perfect advertising platform.
"We decorate George because he's a visible centerpiece," said Caroline Strunk, a graduate student working with Open Access through Mason's University Libraries. "He's the first thing that people see when they come up the stairs. Everyone knows who he is and where he is. And so, when we decorate him, it's just a great chance to get the word out."
The mindset is common. Numerous student-run and university-funded organizations take advantage of the statue's location to raise awareness for their functions. It gives students the opportunity to put their creative energies together and draw attention. The process is as simple as putting in a decoration request at the Office of University Life. Any organization or department can request to promote special events or achievements.
"It's a bonding experience for the club,” said Angelica Michael, a senior at Mason and member of DECA.
Since 1995, when the statue was first brought to campus, Mason students continue to share their knowledge, school spirit and pride with one another by decorating George's statue, and it is a tradition that will hopefully keep strong in the years to come.
Student Media Group: