Author Archives: dananickel

About dananickel

Dana is a junior at Mason double majoring in Communications with a concentration in Journalism and Global Affairs with a concentration in International Development. She is the current Co Editor-in-Chief of Fourth Estate and has worked on stories ranging from in-depth coverage of donor influence at Mason to the arrival of Brett Kavanaugh as a visiting professor at Mason's law school.

Letter from the Editor

Hey Patriots,  As the semester picks up, so does flu season. So I want to remind everyone that self-care and health comes first. As I read this first sentence out to the room, Jack, the assistant opinion editor rolled his…

Hidden Hangouts: Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe

Serving lattes to the literati since 1976 BY DANA NICKEL, CO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF The Dupont neighborhood in Washington, D.C. is home to many colorful works of art, historic buildings and other attractions that are perfect for a fun outing for college…

Letter From the Editor

Hey Patriots,  So we have reached the end of our time together for this semester. I can honestly say that, despite some ups and downs, this has been a relatively smooth ride. My Co Editor Hailey and I haven’t fought…

Letter from the Editor

Hey Patriots,  Another Halloween has come and gone. And honestly, as soon as the clock said “12:00 a.m.” on Nov. 1. I saw people already posting photos of people wrapped in Christmas lights. Several posts all over social media declared…

Hidden Hangouts: The Old Firestation #3

This Firestation Bar Is Pretty Lit BY DANA NICKEL, CO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Disclaimer: I was a cocktail waitress at the Old Firestation last summer. It’s one of my few work experiences where I genuinely enjoyed the relationship I had with my…

Letter from the Editor

Dear Patriots,  In life, you can’t please everyone. And in this job, we hardly please anyone sometimes.  In the two years I have worked as a reporter, I have seldom written something that made me feel all warm and fuzzy….

Judy Movie Review

The incredibly raw biopic delves into the life of the late “Wizard of Oz” actor BY DANA NICKEL, CO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF I remember the first time I learned who Judy Garland was. My mother was obsessed with her iconic role in “The…

Mason Activist Gets Candid On Climate Change

Ethan Wright discusses the importance of the divestment movement By DANA NICKEL, CO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Equipped with a white poster that read “School Strike 4 Climate” and a petition with 84 signatures so far that afternoon, freshman Ethan Wright sat in…

Letter from the Editor

Dear Patriots, “When will we be at the point [in the semester] where I can say that my big achievement for the week is putting a section together?” asked our Sports Editor, Natalie, earlier this weekend.  I think that’s a…

“Historic” Case Heard By The Supreme Court Of Virginia

GMU Foundation gift disclosure case argued in Richmond BY DANA NICKEL, CO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF; JACK HARVEY, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR; ALLY MCALPINE, ART DIRECTOR Transparent GMU and Augustus Thompson’s case against Mason and the George Mason University Foundation (GMU Foundation) was brought…