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The Donald G. Costello College of Business at George Mason University celebrated 1,204 graduates, including 833 undergraduate students, 239 graduate students, and 132 certificate students, at a special ceremony on Friday, May 16 at EagleBank Arena. These new graduates join a Costello College of Business network of nearly 40,000 alumni, 70% of whom live in the Northern Virginia region.
Dean Ajay Vinzé welcomed graduates from the Costello College of Business and their families, acknowledging the village of supporters who encouraged and supported the students. “Our goal is to make sure you are ready to tackle the challenges ahead, with the grit and audacity that will enable you to drive solutions for a peaceful, healthy, and prosperous future,” said Vinzé. “These can seem like difficult times but, looking out at you today, I can say you are ready to take on these challenges and succeed.”
“You’re about to become Costello Business alumni and with that, comes the grit and audacity to ask, “What if we can [change the world]?”, said Vinzé, “and then answer your question by asserting “This is how we will!”
“As you look to the future, know that the path to success will look different for each of you, and you should forge your own way based on your unique passions, goals, and talents, said Vinzé. “No matter where you go, or what you do, remember you will have a degree from George Mason in hand and all of us in the Costello College of Business—faculty and staff—will be cheering you on.”
Following Vinzé, nationally recognized business leader, Guylaine Saint Juste, president and CEO of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), took the podium to offer graduates advice for the future. “There is no such thing as a self-made person. It is one of the greatest fallacies in the world. We are all a part of something beautiful,” said Saint Juste, as she brought the graduates to their feet to chant, “Thank you very much” to those there to support them.
Saint Juste shared the three core values that have guided her: Truth, love, and harmony. “Truth is light…Being committed to telling the truth requires a spirit of curiosity. Stay curious. Demand and stay committed to observing data, observing people, and most importantly to get to know yourself deeply,” said Saint Juste. “Love is a discipline. It is a choice that we make every day to loathe unkindness… Love says that we must be kind…Love says that together, not only we will solve big problems, but we will leave the world better than we found it,” Saint Juste said. She spoke of the importance of having harmony with nature. “As business leaders, I charge you to create worlds that resemble our nature and our environment, build it, cultivate it, curate it.”
Graduate student, Sarah Oulton, who received her undergraduate degree in criminology, law and society from George Mason in 2021, served as this year’s student speaker. Oulton, graduating with a Master of Science in accounting with a concentration in forensic accounting, maintained a 4.0 GPA while working full-time at the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), plans to pursue a career in forensic accounting and risk assurance following graduation.
“George Mason spent years renovating, transforming old spaces into something bigger, something better,” said Oulton. “I used to see the construction as a nuisance—something in the way. But now, I’m grateful for it. I look around and see a campus that’s not just finished—it’s thoughtful. A place with a memorial to the past, groundbreaking research for the future, and—somewhere in between—a stronger version of myself. All of us.”
“So, as we walk out those doors—ready to build something of our own—let’s carry more than a diploma. Let’s carry the resilience we built, the lessons we learned, and the understanding that we are—always—under construction. Always evolving. Always striving. Always in progress,” said Oulton.
Kevin Connor, director of graduate enrollment at Costello and president of the Costello College of Business Alumni Chapter welcomed the new alumni reminding them the importance of connections. “Real connections happen beyond LinkedIn,” said Connor. “Whether you’re starting a business, looking for a promotion, or dealing with a challenge at work, don’t hesitate to tap into this community.”
“Your network is only as strong as the effort you put into it. So, take the time to build it, reach out, and make the most of these connections.,” said Connor.
Also honored during the ceremony were the Outstanding Student Award recipients.
Graduate Student Academic Awards were acknowledged to the graduates who, in the judgment of the faculty, have demonstrated overall excellence in academic performance in their degree program. Recipients included: Anastasia Anderson, Outstanding Student for in-person MBA; Ethan Anderson, Outstanding Student for online MBA; Dylan Hawley, Outstanding Student in Master of Science in Accounting; Daniel O’Connor, Outstanding Student in Master of Science in Business Analytics; Eray Tulun, Outstanding Student in Master of Science in Finance; Keyshon Wills, Outstanding Student in Master of Science in Management; and Bradley Nicolais, 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: Lydia Samuel, Outstanding Student in Accounting and Finance; Chau Mong Huyen Phan, Outstanding Student in Business Analytics; Kalina Radeva, Outstanding Student in Financial Planning and Wealth Management; Haley G. White, Outstanding Student in Management; Hanh T. Nguyen, Outstanding Student in Management Information Systems; Shannon Macmillan Judge, Outstanding Student in Marketing; and Yodae Thomas Muleta, Outstanding Student in Operations and Supply Chain Management.
Haley White 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.
This year’s faculty members who were designated as Outstanding Professor in their area were also acknowledged. Faculty included David Koo (Accounting), Christine Landoll (Business Foundations), Ashok Margam (Finance), Cindy Parker (Management), Belal Abdelfattah (Information Systems and Operations Management), and Niki Vlastara (Marketing).
Prior to the Costello College of Business Degree Celebration, George Mason University celebrated its 59th University Commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 15, graduating a class of 12,106 degree and certificate earners from 117 countries and 49 states—the largest class to date, with approximately 25 percent of patriots being first generation graduates in their families.
Congratulations to all graduates! Once a patriot, always a patriot.
Watch Costello College of Business Degree Celebration Ceremony 2025