Fourth Estate/Allison Alberty

BY BRANDYN FRAGOSA, OPINION EDITOR

Greetings, fellow Patriots! We’re delighted to have you back with us for the revival of Pats for Patriots, a Mason Chooses Kindness initiative all about spreading positivity and expressing gratitude for others within the Mason community. Want to give a big shoutout to our incredible Mason faculty, staff, students and alumni who go above and beyond with their kindness, generosity and thoughtfulness? Visit https://bit.ly/3KHPJUe to nominate a Patriot!

This week…

Associate Director of Instructional and Classroom Technology Services, Carlos Sandoval of the Antonin Scalia Law School, received a Pat from Kristina Pietro, Director of Operations and Events of the Antonin Scalia Law School who said, “Carlos is not only a fantastic employee who works hard and efficiently, he’s so thoughtful to everyone he works with. He stops into our suite just to say hello and ask how we’re doing. He introduces colleagues who he thinks should know each other and would get along. He genuinely wants the Mason community to be kind and inspires us all to be better.”

Staff Members Amanda Davis, Anna Ondieki and Caroline Masakayan, all of whom work for the College of Education and Human Development, received a Pat from CEHD Assistant Dean Daniel Minot, who expressed that he was very thankful for them being so thoughtful and decorating his office. “It was so incredibly kind of you all and I was truly touched by the gesture. I am so grateful to have colleagues like you :).” Minot said.

Student and Staff Member Ryen Middleton of the College of Public Health and GMU Career Services received a Pat from Employer Engagement Consultant at GMU Career Services Philip Wilkerson who said, “Thank you for being my walking buddy and for being a friend in the office. I am glad I get to work with you!”

Student Dhyeya Padhya of the College of Engineering and Computing received a Pat from Student Kenzie Wright, wanting to share: “You are doing such a great job and I am so proud of you! Keep working hard and striving for your dreams!”

Associate Professor Andrew Wingfield received a Pat from his student Derrick Wallis, who said Wingfield “has been essential in helping me stay on track toward my degree and mentoring me in the sustainability field.”

This week, strive to be more compassionate towards others. Listen more and learn about the lives of those around you, as it will open the door to better understanding and empathy towards others. Through this, we can make our lives and the lives of those around us brighter and more beautiful, making our world a better place one act of kindness at a time.

Till next time Patriots, and be sure to check back in next week to read more Pats from the Mason community!