For over 30 years, the Alumni Association has celebrated the achievements of Mason alumni at the annual Celebration of Distinction awards program. Originally held in 1975, this program has evolved from a reception honoring four alumni, to become one of the premiere Alumni Association functions each year.
The Celebration of Distinction is the longest-running university-wide celebration of alumni achievements. We invite all Mason alumni to watch and celebrate our distinguished alumni. For more information about the celebration please visit here.
2022 Senior of the Year Award - Dominique Dowling, BA in Integrative Studies
Dominique Dowling is a senior at George Mason University
pursuing a bachelor of arts in integrative studies with a
concentration in liberal arts for the teaching profession, minoring
in social justice. She is also enrolled in the Bachelor’s/Accelerated
Master’s Program, where she is pursuing a master’s in early
childhood education for diverse learners. She has a passion to
advocate for young minds both inside and outside the classroom
by creating equitable environments for children to thrive.
During her four years at Mason, Dowling has demonstrated
exceptional leadership skills and has been involved in numerous organizations on and off campus. She has served as a student senator within Student Government, the president and vice president of the George Mason University Chapter of the NAACP, a student
representative on former president Ángel Cabrera’s Community Policy Council and on President Gregory Washington’s Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Task Force. She currently serves as the president of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Ambassadors, secretary of Educators Rising Collegiate, and the education committee lead for the Virginia State Conference Youth and College Division of the NAACP. Dowling also had the honor of representing George Mason University on a larger scale by being one of the 25 students across the Commonwealth of Virginia selected to be part of the 2021 Virginia
Governor’s Fellows Program, working directly under the former secretary of education, Atif Qarni.
Faculty Member of the Year Award - Dr. Wendi Manuel-Scott
Wendi Manuel-Scott is a professor of integrative studies and
history and an affiliate faculty member of the Women and Gender Studies Program, African and African American Studies Program, and the John Mitchell Jr. Program for History, Justice, and Race at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. She was integrally involved in the Enslaved People of George Mason project, whose team helped develop the memorials that are newly installed on Wilkins Plaza, and she serves as the cochair of President Gregory Washington’s Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Task Force. She is a Teaching Excellence Award winner and has been recognized with the Alcalde Family Medal for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion.
September 08, 2022
