At the 2017 Commencement, George Mason University awarded its inaugural medals for faculty excellence, presented to faculty who represent the ideals of higher education and embody Mason’s vision. Each medal is named in honor of an outstanding supporter whose generosity has also made its mark at Mason. Learn more below about these outstanding faculty members and their commitment to teaching, research and social impact in the classroom and beyond.
Jill Nelson: The John Toups Medal for Excellence in Teaching
Nelson strives to teach her students how the things they are learning can be applied not only in electrical engineering but also in other disciplines such as finance and social networking.
Lance Liotta: The Beck Family Medal for Excellence in Research and Scholarship
“If you discover something in a lab and we use it to prevent cancer, then that is the best way to inspire students in the sciences,” Liotta said.
Kevin Clark: The Karen and Hector Alcalde Medal for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion
A simple request from his 5-year-old put a George Mason University professor on a mission to explore questions of diversity in media.
Wendi Manuel-Scott: The Karen and Hector Alcalde Medal for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion
It takes many different tools and strategies to promote diversity, said Wendi Manuel-Scott, director of African and African American Studies at Mason.
Cynthia Lum: The Earle C. Williams Medal for Excellence in Social Impact
Cynthia Lum is motivated not by her past experiences as a Baltimore police officer, but by what she sees as a future for policing.
Michael W. Nickens: The Earle C. Williams Medal for Excellence in Social Impact
Northern Virginia, his home, is a place of cultural convergence, and Nickens says there’s a way to express that cultural influence through music.