Mason Family
  • NSFP
  • Orientation
  • Off-Campus Students
  • Out-of-State Students
Navigation
  • Home
  • Events
    • Family Orientation
    • Family Kick-Off
    • Mason Meet-Ups
    • Family Weekend
  • Resources
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Newsletter Articles
    • Calendar
    • Virtual Family Initiatives
    • A-Z Resources
    • Family FAQs
    • New Student Resources
    • Safety
    • Where To Stay
  • Involvement
    • Parent & Family Council
      • Council Membership
    • Parents Fund
    • Family of the Year
  • My Family
    • First-Generation Families
    • Out-of-State Families
    • Parenting and Expecting Students
      • Campus Resources
      • Community Resources
      • Financial Assistance
      • Parenting Resources
      • Laws, Policies, & Rights
      • Faculty & Staff Resources
      • Frequently Asked Questions
  • New Student and Family Programs
    • Professional Staff

2019 Family of the Year – The Butler-Cefalo Family!

November 26, 2019 | Filed under: Mason Family Flash

This year, New Student and Family Programs awarded one family the 9th annual Alan and Sally Merten Family of the Year award. This award was established to recognize the critical role families play in their student’s experience at Mason and to remind us that families are an essential part of the support network for our students.

During Family Weekend, Rose Pascarell, Vice President of University Life, presented the 2019 Family of the Year award to the Butler-Cefalo family. Abby Butler-Cefelo, a junior, Integrative Studies major with a concentration in Social Justice and Human Rights from Virginia Beach, VA, nominated her parents to receive the award. In her essay, Abby expressed the unconditional support that her parents have provided her during her journey at Mason even through the hard times. Abby also expressed how happy her parents are for her in being part of the Mason community. Below is an excerpt from Abby’s essay about her family:

“My family couldn’t be more enthusiastic that I am a part of the Mason Nation. I am a first-generation student (neither of my biological parents attended college, and none of my siblings attended college) and my parents are constantly talking about how I am in college and how great Mason is. The bookstore doesn’t actually have any “GMU Parent” themed things, only “mom” or “dad,” so for Christmas this past year I custom made them car decals that said “Proud Mason Parent,” and within hours they had it on their cars, ecstatic that our non-traditional family could finally be represented.”

Nearly 2,300 students and families participated in this year’s Family Weekend events. The weekend was comprised of more than 50 events, and highlights included the George Mason men’s basketball game, bus tours across the D.C. metro area, Mason’s Got Talent featuring student performances, 5K run/walk around the beautiful Fairfax campus, and Breakfast & Bingo with the Patriot. Mason students and families also collected food for the Patriot Pantry. Subscribe to youtube.com/user/OfpsGMU to receive a notification once the Family Weekend recap video is uploaded and visit the George Mason Family Programs Facebook page to view photos from the weekend.

We hope your Mason family will join us for next year’s Family Weekend, which will be held November 13-15, 2020!

Amie Mbye
Graduate Student for Family Programs
New Student and Family Programs

*To receive more articles like this straight to your inbox, sign up for the Mason Family Association at masonfamily.gmu.edu/mason-family-association.

Did you like this article? Share it with your friends!

Tweet
← Housing communities: Off campus, on campus, and living learning communities
Supporting your student during final exams →

Upcoming Events

Check Back Soon!

Family Flash

  • Spring Reopening Updates

    Parking & Transportation Parking Permits 2021 Spring semester parking permits are on sale at parking.gmu.edu. Permits will be sold only Read more ..

  • Recreation prioritizes Health & Well-being in 2021

    Mason Recreation is here to start the new year right and help our Patriots prioritize their health and well-being! We Read more ..

  • Spring Family Kick-Off is a week away!

    Back in August, we held a virtual Fall Family Kick-Off event to replace our Family Farewell event that we traditionally Read more ..

  • Financial Aid
  • Career Services
  • Student Accounts

Connect with Us!

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
Mason M

  • Visitors & Maps
  • Mason A-Z
  • Accessibility
Live Chat


Live Chat

© 2021 Mason Family | The HUB Suite 2500 | 703.993.2475 | families@gmu.edu