The city of Fairfax issued a proclamation Tuesday evening (Jan. 22) announcing that the month of February is George Mason University Month.
 
University Provost and Executive VP David Wu, Assistant VP and Director of Athletics Brad Edwards and more than 50 Mason student-athletes from softball, rowing, wrestling, lacrosse, and men's volleyball, along with members of the spirit squads joined Mayor David Meyer in a ceremony at the Fairfax County Government center on Tuesday night.
 
Mayor Meyer opened the ceremony on the importance of the enriching relationship between the university and the city and read the proclamation.
 
"We appreciate the Mason student-athletes in joining us tonight for this very special proclamation," said Meyer. "We look forward to watching each one of you progress through school and graduate and make contributions to our community, to our nation and to our world."
 
University Provost Wu and Director of Athletics Brad Edwards graciously accepted the proclamation and spoke to a packed room of representatives from the university, city council, community business leaders and city residents.
 
"We are truly honored to receive this special proclamation," said Edwards.  "This is a great partnership and a very meaningful relationship with the city of Fairfax.  We share with our students how Fairfax is a wonderful city to live, grow and prosper.  We're looking forward to Homecoming Weekend, centered around our men's basketball game, and the kickoff of the many exciting festivities, which includes the Chocolate Lover's Festival in the heart of Fairfax on February 1."
 
The University's Homecoming Week 'Brave and Bold' begins February 18, and is a week-long celebration with university events, athletic contests, and Mason basketball games. Men's Volleyball, ranked nationally in the Top 15, will host EIVA rival Penn State on Friday, February 22 at the RAC to kick of Homecoming Weekend for Mason. The Patriots' men's basketball team is off to their best start in A-10 Conference play at 5-1 and will host Duquesne on Saturday, February 23 at 4 p.m. Mason Track and Field is hosting the Atlantic 10 Indoor Championship at the Mason Field House on Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 23-24). The women's basketball team caps off the Homecoming festivities with a 2 p.m. matinee against Dayton on Sunday, February 24 at EagleBank Arena.