The Donald G. Costello College of Business at George Mason University celebrated 1,119 undergraduate and graduate students at a degree celebration on Friday, May 15 at EagleBank Arena on the Fairfax Campus. Graduates join a Costello network of more than 44,000 alumni.
Costello College of Business graduate. Photo by Hannah Patterson/Costello College of Business.
Cheryl Druehl, interim dean of the Costello College of Business told graduates, “While it may be easy to think of today as an ending, I want you to know it’s really a new beginning.”
Cheryl Druehl, interim dean of the Costello College of Business. Photo by Hannah Patterson/Costello College of Business.
“We know from our collaborations with business and industry leaders that employers want graduates who are career ready on Day One – graduates who not only have technical knowledge, but the right mix of hard and soft skills to navigate complexity and uncertainty, collaborate in teams and across sectors, and adapt as industries evolve. You are those prepared graduates.”
“Our world is an interconnected business ecosystem, where your success demands adaptability, continued learning, and communication on a global and multicultural stage,” said Druehl. “Our graduates…understand the value of building global connections and nurturing cross-cultural competencies in navigating global markets and economic challenges.”
"This will always be your college. Your success – even when you’re Costello alumni – is our business, and I hope you’ll take advantage of the many resources we offer to you in the days and years ahead,” said Druehl .
Bruce Caswell, president and CEO of Maximus. Photo by Hannah Patterson/Costello College of Business.
Following Druehl, Bruce Caswell, president and CEO of Maximus delivered the degree celebration address. Caswell, a four-time winner of the Wash100 award recognizing the most influential leaders in the GovCon sector, was also selected as CEO of the Year in 2022 by Washington Executive, offered graduates three observations from his experiences.
“First, be open-minded about your future and don’t be too hard on yourself…Second, you’ve got great skills and resources available to you - use them! ...Third, and finally, know your values and stay true to them,” said Caswell.
“Being open to the unexpected but remaining true to what brings you meaning and purpose, can make for a fulfilling journey,” said Caswell.
“It may be a simple point, but so much of success can be attributable to relationships, trust, and human connection,” said Caswell. “These are your superpowers in the face of a rapidly changing technology-driven world.”
Vidhi Pathak, BS Business '26, speaking to Costello graduates at their degree celebration. Photo by Hannah Patterson/Costello College of Business.
Undergraduate student Vidhi Pathak, earning her BS in Business with a double concentration in Finance and Management Information Systems, served as this year’s student speaker. During her time at George Mason, Pathak served as the undersecretary of University Sustainability, an officer for the Honors College, an Impact Fellow, a first-place winner of the Alpha Stock Pitch Competition, a participant in the President’s Leadership Program, and a founder of the university’s Hindu Student Association.
“The Costello College of Business taught me that business isn’t just about numbers. It’s about people. It’s about communities. And it’s about the future we’re building together.” During her speech, Pathak implored her fellow graduates to face the world with courage. Quoting her favorite childhood book, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, she said “Courage, dear heart,” became her mantra during her time at George Mason. “Whenever I felt intimidated walking into a classroom discussion, presenting an idea, or applying for an opportunity I wasn’t sure I deserved, I reminded myself: courage, dear heart. And slowly, that courage opened doors I never imagined possible.”
“Each of us arrived here with our own doubts, our own fears, and our own questions about where we belonged. But today, we leave with something powerful: the knowledge that courage can take us farther than we ever thought possible,” said Pathak. “Sometimes, the only thing standing between who we are and who we could become is the courage to take the next step.”
Kevin Connor, director of graduate enrollment at Costello and president of the Costello College of Business Alumni Chapter, welcomed the new alumni to the Alumni Chapter.
Kevin Connor, director of graduate enrollment at Costello and president of the Costello College of Business Alumni Chapter, welcomed the new alumni to the Alumni Chapter. Photo by Hannah Patterson/Costello College of Business.
“Now, alumni-to-alumni, here is some advice: real connections happen beyond LinkedIn and your network is only as strong as the effort you put into it. So build it, invest in it, and use it not only to advance yourselves, but to help others as well.”
“Your education matters not only because it opens doors to opportunity, but because it gives access to beauty, friendship, and thought. It teaches us to see more clearly, ask better questions, and understand the world and one another with greater depth,” said Connor. “Education is not just professional preparation. It is one of the ways we stay thoughtful, humane, and capable of building kind communities.”
Following the degree celebration, academic awardees were honored during a special ceremony.
Graduate Student Academic Awards were acknowledged for the graduates who, in the judgment of the faculty, have demonstrated overall excellence in academic performance in their degree program. Recipients included: Will Sogegian, Outstanding Student for in-person MBA; James Jung, Outstanding Student for online MBA; Madeline Ryan, Outstanding Student in Master of Science in Accounting; Siwanat Temudom, Outstanding Student in Master of Science in Business Analytics; Greg Awad, Outstanding Student in Master of Science in Finance; Fatimah Sultan, Outstanding Student in Master of Science in Management; and David Huaman, Outstanding Student in Master of Science in Real Estate Development.
Undergraduate Student Academic Awards were presented to graduating seniors, nominated by the faculty and selected for outstanding scholastic achievement, maturity, and excellence in pursuit of their academic and professional career for each concentration. Recipients included: Caroline Elizabeth Castagna, Outstanding Student in Accounting; Nina Tiffany Stacy, Outstanding Student in Business Analytics; Abigia Yohannes Abebe, Outstanding Student in Finance; Marissa Stone, Outstanding Student in Financial Planning and Wealth Management; Elizabeth Parolek, Outstanding Student in Management; Huzaifah Shafique, Outstanding Student in Management Information Systems; Jiselle Daniela Floyd, Outstanding Student in Marketing; and Dayton J. Crowley, Outstanding Student in Operations and Supply Chain Management.
Rakibul Allum was also named this year's George Mason University Alumni Association Senior of the Year. This award recognizes a graduating senior for outstanding contributions in the areas of academic excellence, participation in student life, special honors and recognition, service to the University and community, and leadership.
Prior to the Costello College of Business Degree Celebration, George Mason University celebrated its University Commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 14, graduating 12,000 degree and certificate earners from 105 countries and 49 states.
Costello College of Business graduate holding their diploma. Photo by Hannah Patterson/Costello College of Business.
Congratulations to all graduates! Once a Patriot, always a Patriot.
Watch Costello College of Business Degree Celebration Ceremony 2026