Growing up in nearby Manassas, Cathy Lemmon, BA ’86, MA ’93, says George Mason was on her radar early. “It offered a communications major as well as proximity to a strong job market,” she says. “My successful career is a direct result of my George Mason education, specifically the communications internship I had during my junior and senior years.”
To ensure her future support for George Mason, Cathy has named the university as beneficiary of a charitable rollover gift. “When I decided to make a gift to the university through my estate plan, it was an opportunity for me to think about what I wanted my philanthropic legacy to be,” she says.
A former member of the GMU Alumni Association Board member (including president from 2004 to 2006), Cathy knows how important it is to support scholarships. “I served on the GMUAA Scholarship Committee several times, and each year I was moved by the number and quality of applicants,” she says. “First and foremost, I want to contribute to the number of scholarships available to students. A scholarship can make a difference between a student staying in college or needing to drop out due to lack of financial support.”
Cathy encourages others to consider leaving a legacy to support future Patriots. “My support is not just about writing a check or attending an event – it is about being part of something bigger than myself,” she concludes. “It is about giving back to an institution that gave much to me by helping George Mason’s vision for empowering future students, driving innovation, and making a difference in the world.”