Capital One employees who are Mason alumni join with the Patriot, Mason interim president Anne Holton, alumni host Barry Mark, and other VIPs at Capital One headquarters on January 13. / Photos by Christopher Bobo
Capital One’s impressive new headquarters building at Capital One Center, a 470-foot landmark standing tall over Tysons, was the setting for the January 13 “Mason@Capital One Center” event.
About 200 George Mason alumni and Capital One employees gathered for the event, planned to connect Mason alumni at the company with their alma mater, while also showcasing the men’s basketball team.
Inside, on the building’s full-size basketball court, Coach Dave Paulsen and the men’s basketball team ran through a 45-minute practice beneath a mural commemorating Mason’s 2006 Final Four run. As the players shot, dunked, and dribbled, alumni and fans watched from the sidelines.
After practice ended, attendees had a chance to meet the coach and players, network with deans and Mason staff, and connect with fellow Mason grads at their own company, while enjoying refreshments and the chance to win raffle prizes of Mason swag.
Barry Mark, BA American Studies ’83, an enthusiastic supporter of Mason athletics and the vice president of design and construction at Capital One, hosted the event. Mark recalled the last time he spoke in front of a group of fellow Patriots—at Mason Day in 1983, when he introduced the musical entertainment for the on-campus event.
“I am proud to see Mason’s strong outreach to the business community in places like Capital One Center, as we work towards a shared goal of contributing to our local community,” said Mark, describing the ongoing development that is transforming Tysons.
“This is a great opportunity for our guys and our team, for our program, and for Mason to connect with Capital One,” said Coach Paulsen. “When people ask me how you can help our program, the first thing I would tell you is hire our graduates.”
“The partnerships we have with the Northern Virginia business community have been synergistic. We’ve grown together as we have helped grow this region,” said Interim President Anne Holton. “We really are the talent pipeline for Northern Virginia.”
As the evening came to an end, Vice President of Advancement and Alumni Relations Trishana Bowden invited everyone to return to campus for Homecoming, the week of February 20-23. She stressed the importance of that connection between alumni and alma mater, and the difference it can make.
“Your engagement and support of George Mason matters. It has an impact on the students that are here and the students who will be joining us in the future,” said Bowden.
January 24, 2020 / by Christopher Bobo