Costello College of Business Alumni

Ever since her undergraduate years at the Costello College of Business at George Mason University—where she lived on campus for all four years—Ann Butler, BS Accounting ’94, MS Accounting ’23, has felt a strong connection to her alma mater.

Earning a master’s degree had been a lifelong goal for John Sommer, MS Real Estate Development ’24—he just wasn’t sure in which field. In exploring a range of graduate degrees, he searched for the program that would best accelerate his career forward. It was not until a social media post found its way into his feed that he began to research and discover how a master’s in real estate development could really benefit him.

On Saturday, May 16, 20 Fairfax County residents graduated from the Workforce Innovation Success through Entrepreneurship (WISE) Program. These emerging entrepreneurs dedicated the previous nine months to fine-tuning the skill sets and knowledge necessary to continue their entrepreneurial journeys.

The Donald G. Costello College of Business at George Mason University celebrated 1,119 undergraduate and graduate students at a degree celebration on Friday, May 15 at EagleBank Arena on the Fairfax Campus. Graduates join a Costello network of more than 44,000 alumni.

During his undergraduate studies, Brian Gaydos, MS Finance ’25, took several finance classes that piqued his interest and led him to consider beginning a finance graduate program immediately after graduating.

To learn through experience and gain a competitive edge, finance and accounting students from the Costello College of Business at George Mason University participated in the Costello Fellows on Wall Street program, connecting with major financial services firms and alumni in New York City. What has become an annual tradition continues to grow, with participation expanding significantly—from 10 students in previous years to approximately 30 this year.

On Thursday, April 9, 2026, students, faculty, alumni, and other stakeholders from across the George Mason University community gathered to cheer on the final teams of entrepreneurs competing in this year’s Patriot Pitch Competition, including those featured in the competition’s newly introduced Regional Showcase.

Hosted by the Costello College of Business Alumni Chapter and presented by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA), the 20th Annual Business Celebration was held on Thursday, March 26, at Fuse at Mason Square in Arlington, Virginia. An evening of networking, fundraising, and recognition of everything accomplished at the Costello College of Business at George Mason University over the past year, it culminated with the presentation of the 2026 Distinguished Patriot Awardees.

With more than 300 members and growing, the Women in Business at Mason student organization at the Costello College of Business, empowers women who are majoring, minoring, or interested in the world of business. Through networking and personal and professional development events, they aim to expand upon members’ skillsets as well as their networks inside and outside of George Mason University. 

Adopting the risk‑taking mentality of his immigrant parents, Jason Howell, BS Accounting ’97, has never put limitations on himself. As an Independent candidate, he ran for a seat in the United States Congress. He authored a book titled Joy of Financial Planning: 7 Strategies for Transforming Your Finances and Reclaiming Your American Dream and has been featured as a financial expert and political strategist on a wide array of major networks and publications. He also teaches personal finance at the Costello College of Business at George Mason University. Most recently, he celebrated ten years of Jason Howell Company.