The George Mason University Foundation says farewell to six members of its Board of Trustees as their terms end.
“Words can’t express our gratitude for their outstanding service and support of the foundation,” said Trishana Bowden, president of the George Mason University Foundation and vice president for Advancement and Alumni Relations at George Mason University. “While the leadership of these members will be dearly missed, we know they will continue to be part of the Mason community, supporting our students and the goals of the institution.”
The following departing board members were instrumental in Mason’s success over the last few years, including helping the university thrive despite the pandemic, welcoming Mason’s eighth president and first African American president, and celebrating the institution’s 50th anniversary.
Terri Cofer Beirne, BA ’88, served on the Board of Trustees for 11 years and was chair of the Board of Trustees for the last three years. Ms. Beirne has been an active Mason alumna, serving on the Board of Visitors from 2007 to 2011. She was honored at the 2019 George Mason University Alumni Association Celebration of Distinction with the Alumna of the Year award. She received the 2012 Distinguished Alumna Award from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Ms. Beirne is Eastern counsel for the Wine Institute. Ms. Beirne received a Bachelor of Arts in Government and International Politics from George Mason University in 1988.
Dennis Cotter, BS ’80, served on the Board of Trustees for 12 years and chaired the Real Estate Committee for the last three years. Mr. Cotter is also a member of the Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship Advisory Board and the School of Business Building Campaign Board at George Mason University. Mr. Cotter is the senior executive vice president at James G. Davis Construction.
Tim Gillis served on the Board of Trustees for six years and served on the Audit Committee. Mr. Gillis is the Greater Washington Area managing partner at KPMG. Mr. Gillis hosted several events and meetings for Mason and its more than 400 alumni at KPMG.
Jay O’Brien served on the Board of Trustees for 13 years and served as chair of the Board of Trustees from 2017 to 2019. Mr. O’Brien is the executive vice president and chief banking officer of Sandy Spring Bank. Sandy Spring Bank has been a lead corporate sponsor for the University Life Golf Classic, which benefits Mason’s Early Identification Program; Sandy Spring Bank also supports Mason athletics, the arts, and many other Mason initiatives. Mr. O’Brien, and his wife Sally O’Brien, have three daughters, two of whom are thriving Mason graduates.
Nancy Rose Senich served on the Board of Trustees for five years and was the chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee for the last three years. Ms. Senich will continue to serve on the board of the George Mason Research Foundation. Ms. Senich is the owner and principal of Nancy Rose & Associates.
Zofia Burr served on the Board of Trustees for the last two years as a Dean Representative. Dean Burr was a member of the Investment Committee and was instrumental in the foundation’s recent Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) search process. Dean Burr is the current and founding dean of the George Mason University Honors College and is among the winners of the George Mason University’s Teaching Excellence Award.
– Taylor Howell, June 30, 2022
