News aggregator

Valentina Fala/ Fourth Estate

BY VALENTINA FALA, STAFF WRITER

Marijana Grbeša-Zenzerović, a Fulbright Scholar from Croatia, has traveled the world pursuing academic excellence in communication. From earning her master’s degree in the United Kingdom to completing a Ph.D. in Slovenia and teaching at Penn State University, Grbeša-Zenzerović’s journey is nothing short of remarkable.

At Mason, Grbeša-Zenzerović engages with students in digital advertising and strategic communication courses while conducting  research on the current U.S. presidential elections and its disinformation. She plans to compare these findings with her previous research in Europe.

Grbeša-Zenzerović’s interest in Mason transpired from her recent studies in celebrity culture and the Lab for Character Assassination and Reputation Politics. Directed by Mason professor Sergei Samoilenko, CARP studies “character assassination and reputation management” and focuses efforts on researching, teaching and assessing character assassinations to understand and help others understand this phenomenon, according to CARP’s official website. Grbeša-Zenzerović will be participating in CARP’s annual conference in March 2025.

“I first came [to Mason] in August. I haven’t been here for long but I have this feeling that I have been here for a very long time which, basically, that’s how I feel at home here,” Grbeša-Zenzerović said.

Back in Croatia, Grbeša-Zenzerović teaches political marketing, political communication, mass media and strategic communication at the University of Zagreb. Her research includes European elections and their media coverage.

Grbeša-Zenzerović was inspired to pursue a career in communications in the 90s after watching war journalists, whom she saw as heroes, during the Croatian War of Independence. Now, she is also part of the Council of Europe Committee of Experts on online safety and empowerment of content creators and users (MSI-eSEC) where she serves as one of their experts.

Grbeša-Zenzerović has visited the U.S. many times and notes the difference between European and American studies. In her view, European students focus on theories, a rigorous curriculum, and memorization; whereas, American students are typically more inquisitive, excelling in critical thinking and in seeking answers. 

“They dare to ask, they dare to debate, they date to say their opinion,” Grbeša-Zenzerović said.

Grbeša-Zenzerović serves as an inspiration for those who aspire to travel the world while pursuing their passions. 

“What strikes me about George Mason is this impression on campus that students are kind of the ones leading the game, they are like people in charge of everything,” Grbeša-Zenzerović said. Her journey at Mason has just started, yet students and the faculty have been a main factor in her personal and professional growth.

Grbeša-Zenzerović will deliver a special lecture titled “The fun factor: How pop culture wins elections in the age of social media entertainment” on Wednesday, November 13 at 12:15 pm at the Communication Department’s Main Conference Room in Horizon Hall and via Zoom.

Madalyn Godfrey/ Fourth Estate

BY GABRIEL KING, CO-EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

After a breakout 2023-24 season that saw multiple records shattered, Mason women’s basketball will look to continue building under head coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis. The Patriots have improved every season under Blair-Lewis, including reaching the inaugural Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament last year.

Per the Atlantic 10’s annual preseason poll, Mason is projected to finish third in the conference this year. If the A-10 is as strong as it was last year, a third-place finish could be enough to send the Patriots to their first ever NCAA Tournament. To do that, Mason will need to pick up marquee wins and avoid resume-damaging losses. Here are five games to monitor as the Patriots look to make more history:

1. Vs. No. 18 Maryland (in Annapolis, Md.) – Nov. 30, 3:30 p.m., ESPN+

The Patriots and Terrapins will face off for the third straight season, this time at a neutral site in Annapolis as part of the Navy Challenge. Last year, Mason held a lead in the third quarter before falling to Maryland in College Park. Even if the Patriots lose this game, another strong showing against one of women’s basketball’s power programs could be enough to boost their resume.

2. At Georgetown – Dec. 9, 7:00 p.m., FloSports

After their surprise run to the Big East championship game in March, the Hoyas have suddenly become a formidable opponent. While the Patriots will be likely favored in this game, they cannot overlook Georgetown. Grabbing a win against a power conference opponent on this quick trip to Washington could give the Patriots a marquee win in the non-conference.

3. At Richmond – Jan. 8, 6:00 p.m., ESPN+

While Mason defeated Richmond last season, the Spiders got the last laugh when they won the A-10 Tournament and clinched a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The defending champion Spiders are projected to repeat as champions but the Patriots are one of the top contenders to take the crown. A win in Richmond would be a great start to 2025 and give Mason an edge over one of their top competitors in the A-10.

4. At Saint Joseph’s – Feb. 23, 4:00 p.m., ESPNU

In one of their biggest conference games of the season, the Patriots will travel to Philadelphia to face Saint Joseph’s. The Hawks beat the Patriots at EagleBank Arena in February so Mason will be certainly looking to return the favor. Saint Joseph’s was picked to finish second in the A-10 so this game is bound to have seeding implications heading into March. Plus, the national spotlight will give both teams the media recognition they deserve.

5. Vs. Duquesne – Mar. 1, 3:00 p.m., ESPN+

Despite Duquesne being picked to finish in the middle of the pack in the A-10, this game has plenty of intrigue. The Dukes eliminated the Patriots from last year’s A-10 Tournament after a controversial call that prevented Mason from reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time. With the game being the final game of the regular season, the Patriots will be looking to avenge their March heartbreak and enter the postseason with momentum.

Mason’s season kicked off against Johnson C. Smith on Nov. 4 at 2:00 p.m. at EagleBank Arena where the Patriots won 106-51.

Nawaal Nackerdien/ Fourth Estate

BY MARY DEMARCO, OPINION EDITOR

Over the past few weeks, purple pop-up tables occupied by women with matching purple shirts have appeared throughout campus during the height of the election season. 

These women are a part of a non-profit group called the League of Women Voters (LWV), a non-partisan organization consisting of more than one million American women who aim to educate and aid voters. 

For the 2024 election season, LWV aimed to register as many Mason students to vote as possible. From Wilkins plaza to random booths throughout campus, members of LWV have provided voting information and voter registration paperwork to students.

Founded in response to the 19th amendment, the league was created to inform women on the voting process and their rights as American citizens. While the right to vote is no longer questioned, LWV continues to identify populations that are underrepresented in casting their ballots.  

“One of the populations [of people who struggle to vote] is college students,” Arina van Breda, Fairfax area LWV Director of Voter Registration, said.  “Which is one of the reasons that I’ve been very active on campus at Mason.” 

Van Breda mentioned that undergrad college students struggle to make it to the polls due to the unclear guidelines on where and how to vote. 

“We know that most people going off to college are often going to be first time voters,” van Breda said. “[They] have a lot of decisions to make about voting; simple things like, do you vote using your parents address as your home address or do you vote using your campus address as your home address? If you’re going to use your parents address, how are you going to get to vote there if you’re living on campus?”

Mason students have proven to be proactive when it comes to voting. In the 2020 presidential election, Mason students had a 77.8% voting rate according to the National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement.

However, this study does not account for Virginia general elections. Zach Lincoln, a student of Mason Schar School of Policy and Government, has observed that outside of presidential elections, his peers do not get involved in politics.

“Politics isn’t something you think about until right when we’re about to have a [presidential] election,” Lincoln said. 

Van Breda also emphasized that showing up to vote is not just for presidential elections but for local government elections as well. She says that voting for all levels of government is important for citizens to have their interests and needs reflected. 

“It’s the wrong approach to say ‘my vote doesn’t matter’ because… it can completely change the short-term course of Virginia politics,” van Breda said. “I always say to young people, the reason you feel the government doesn’t reflect your interests or doesn’t reflect your age cohort is because you’re not voting in the same percentage that older people are.”

Mason students have the opportunity to register to vote in Virginia using their current residence hall’s physical building address. Additionally, students may use same-day registration and vote at Merten Hall using a provisional ballot. The Merten Hall poll is opened until 7 p.m. and students may use their Mason ID.

For more information on voting as a Mason student, visit Mason Votes. 

Nylah Mitchell/Fourth Estate

BY NYLAH MITCHELL, STAFF WRITER

The 2024 presidential election outcome is right around the corner and voters are ready to decide who will hold the White House for the next four years.  As polls begin to close, voters will be tuning in to all news outlets to find out election results. Watching the results either with their friends, at a casual watch party, a formal gathering or solo at home. Whatever bucket you may fall under, if you haven’t decided on what to wear, here are some helpful tips and ideas. 

Formal

On election night, if you’re going to a dinner or a business-affair party, you may want to wear something a little more formal unless stated otherwise. To keep it simple and chic, try a mini black dress (or a midi-length) paired with black kitten heels, ballet flats or wedges. The outfit can be accessorized with dainty earrings to add in a pop of color. 

Not a fan of dresses? Try a bow-wrapped silk blouse loosely tucked into black trousers paired with pointed-toe heels or loafers. 

If wearing a dress or a blouse is not your style, perhaps an all-black suit is within your wheelhouse. I recommend a black dress shirt with the top buttons undone. 

Casual

What if the scene is a bit more relaxed and you don’t need to wear fancy clothes? A white t-shirt semi-tucked into jeans coupled with canvas sneakers or ballet flats is the way to go. To take it another step, add a denim jacket or a colorful cardigan. 

Or wear a baggy-knitted sweater with a white tee peeking through the neckline of the sweater with jeans and boots, Mary Jane flats or sneakers. You could also swap out the jeans for a mini skirt and colored (or black) tights for a fun twist. 

Color

Feeling patriotic? Go for blue jeans and a button-down shirt with a red, white or blue cardigan thrown over the shoulder. The button-down can be tucked in, with the top few buttons undone and rolled-up sleeves. I recommend cool sneakers like Adidas Sambas, Vejas, Gola’s or Dolce Vita’s.

For a more casual yet formal look, try blue jeans and a knitted American flag sweater with an Oxford shirt collar peeking through to give a more refined look. Don’t have a flag sweater? Any patriotic color sweater works fine and you can pair the outfit with any flat shoes. 

Candidate merch 

It’s election night! You’re feeling excited and hopeful for your candidate and want to show your support. Here’s what I recommend: wear your candidate pick’s slogan baseball cap and pair it with a long-sleeved tee and black trousers or jeans. Then finish off the look with trendy sneakers like Adidas Sambas, New Balance 550s or Nike Air Force Ones. 

Or better yet, you’re feeling more enthusiastic and prideful and want to go all out. I’d go for a graphic tee with your candidate’s slogan, imagery or motivational phrases and style it with black jeans. You can’t go wrong with your favorite sneakers and a few personal touches.

Impersonators

Still have Halloween on your mind? Thinking about dressing up again? Look no further than dressing as your favorite or least favorite presidential candidate. Go all out with a wig, a suit and maybe a good pair of Chuck Taylors, if that’s your vibe. 

Perhaps you dream of running for president and want to dress the part, I say do it. Go for a traditional suit and colored tie paired with either loafers or low heels. Also try a knee-length dress with a blazer on top and ballet flats or low heels. 

To know your Virginia polling site, visit the Department of Elections site. Haven’t registered yet? Virginia offers same-day voter registration. And if you are a Mason student living and voting on campus, visit Mason Votes or Department of Elections: College Student Info.

Photo Courtesy of Justus Johnson

BY CHRISTIAN SEGOVIA, ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Editor note: The use of the word “server” is referring to the practicing and playing of the game Counter-Strike.

Grayson ”dr1ver” Wood has been the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) manager for Mason Esports since the fall of 2022. From always enjoying the competition, putting in long hours, becoming well-known in its community and having a love for the game, it was no surprise for Wood to take on the manager role for CSGO when the opportunity opened.

One of the people inspiring Wood to take on the opportunity was Connor “Conman” Southwick, the former manager of the CSGO team that bonded with Wood through hanging out to play CSGO and going out to eat food.

From the friendship between Wood and the former manager, Wood acknowledges it to be one of the biggest success factors for the team.

“You’re not going to play as good as you think in the server if people aren’t friends with each other outside the server,” Wood said. 

In the last two seasons, Wood would get the team together before games to play pool and have fun. This season, Wood contributed to breaking barriers within the team by buying dinner for his players. Wood says this brought the team together over a shared meal to get to know one another.

While team bonding is one of the biggest success factors for the team, it is also one of the challenges Wood faces.

“Everybody is their own different person, expecting five people who know nothing about each other to get along and play in and out of the server [is challenging],” Wood said. “Everyone has their goals and interests and getting all those five people to work together on the same server.”

Throughout Wood’s experience, he has had to remove several unruly players from the team mid-season who were negatively impacting the team or disrespectful to other players. Part of Wood’s job is keeping his players in line.

Photo Courtesy of Justus Johnson

One of Wood’s favorite memories of managing the CSGO team is making it to the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) Finals in fall 2023. Despite not winning, the team had a good trip bonding over flying out to Idaho and having an entire weekend of CSGO, hanging out, playing on the Nintendo Switch and eating food.

Outside of managing the CSGO team, Wood works out at the gym and hosts his own server for friends and family, spending up to six hours a day in a computer’s terminal setting up and breaking down servers. 

Wood’s best advice as manager is taking the opportunity and always being willing to try something new.

“Luck is the meeting of preparedness and opportunity… do something you didn’t think you were going to do,” Wood said.