Meet the Alumni Affairs Staff

E. Michael Eastman, Director
Michael came to George Mason in November 1996 from Indiana, where he had been the director of alumni relations at Anderson University and a doctoral fellow with Ball State University's Alumni Association. He recently received his Ph.D. in adult and continuing education from Ball State. Michael also has a master's degree in educational administration from Ohio State and a bachelor's in elementary education from Anderson University.

As director of Alumni Affairs at Mason, Michael's foremost responsibility is to assist the Alumni Association in its endeavors to serve and support the university and its alumni. He wants alumni to feel a strong sense of belonging to the George Mason community, and to understand that they are a valuable resource for the university¬and vice versa.

Michael resides in the historic City of Fairfax with his wife and two children.

Chris Clark-Talley, Associate Director
Chris came to Alumni Affairs early this year from California, where she worked for seven years as assistant director of the career center at San Jose State University. She is responsible for the development of regional alumni groups and is the contact person for alumni groups within the School of Information Technology and Engineering, New Century College, The Institute of Public Policy, and Institute of the Arts. In addition, she organizes special events for Alumni Affairs, including the Virginia Gold Cup, the Celebration of Distinction awards and scholarships banquet, and annual events for George Mason students. Chris, a bluegrass music fan plays mandolin, received her bachelor's degree from James Madison University and her master's from the University of South Carolina at Columbia. She resides in Ashburn, Virginia, with her husband and two small children.

Andy Ackley, Assistant Director
Andy has worked in Alumni Affairs for six years and has been employed at George Mason since 1987. She is responsible for the alumni news magazine, the Mason Spirit, as well as all Alumni Association affinity and merchandise programs. Andy also serves as the staff contact person for alumni groups within the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Nursing and Health Science, and the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution.

Andy was chosen as this year's winner of the Alumni Association's Exemplary Service Award, which was presented to her at the annual Celebration of Distinction in April. She and her husband reside in Fairfax and enjoy traveling. They have two grown children.

Carole A. Richardson, Office Manager
Carole has been working at George Mason since 1989. In September 1997, she became the first full-time office manager for Alumni Affairs. Prior to that, she served as administrative assistant in the Office of the President.

When Carole isn't keeping the office running smoothly, she spends much of her time painting with watercolor. She participates in area juried art shows and has her own line of hand-painted greeting and note cards. Carole resides in Springfield. She has two grown children.