Becker Graduate Research Assistantship is established with generous alumni gift | Environmental Science and Policy | George Mason University

Becker Graduate Research Assistantship is established with generous alumni gift

Cathy Becker (’96 MS ESP) and her husband have generously established the Catherine Z. and Richard J. Becker Environmental Science and Policy Graduate Research Assistantship for students pursuing a graduate degree in the College of Science. This “Becker Research Assistantship” provides financial support to select graduate students while they learn, teach, and conduct research. To date, the Beckers’ $500,000 gift for this innovative program is the largest alumni contribution to the College of Science.

Dick and Cathy Becker pose with College of Science Dean Peggy Agouris. Dick and Cathy Becker ('96 MS ESP) have generously created the Richard and Cathy Becker Environmental Science and Policy Graduate Research Assistantship to support students during their pursuit of a holistic approach to a graduate ESP degree: learning, teaching, researching (with a specific area of interest in population impact on the environment). To date, the $510,000 gift is the largest alumni contribution to Science at Mason. Photo by: Ron Aira/Creative Services/George Mason University

Dick and Cathy Becker pose with College of Science Dean Peggy Agouris. Photo by: Ron Aira/Creative Services/George Mason University.

Important Dates for Students

SPRING 2020 Semester (modified due to COVID-19)

MLK Day (university closed): Jan 20

First day of classes: Jan 21

Spring Break (extended): Mar 9-20

Dissertation/Thesis Deadline: May 8

Last day of classes: May 11

Reading Day(s): May 12

Final Exam Period: May 13-20

University Commencement: May 22 (tentative)

COVID-19 DATE CHANGES – For the complete modified spring calendar, see https://registrar.gmu.edu/calendars/spring-2020/ and for latest COVID-19 updates, see: https://www2.gmu.edu/coronavirus

Research

Rapid Assessment and Discovery of a Missing Hawksbill Turtle Population

The first official survey of the highly protected Tres Marias islands to conduct a rapid assessment of sea turtle presence.

Bridging Science and Policy: Notes from the field

How can scientists engage with and work to influence policy? Examining legal changes that affect national parks and protected areas in Ecuador and Peru.

Reintroducing lost frogs back into the Panamanian rainforest

Amphibian populations in Panama vanished seemingly overnight. Conservation scientists are reintroducing lost frogs back into the wild.