Chapter News

What started as an informal group of several George Mason University Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) graduates who work for the Fairfax County Government has blossomed into the rebirth

President and Mrs. Merten visit with a parent as the association welcomed new students during Welcome Week.

of the M.P.A. Alumni Chapter. The chapter was reinstated after the Alumni Affairs Office received the October 1, 1997, request from the group of alumni who met for the first time on September 30, 1997. The initial chapter activities consist primarily of starting a newsletter and organizing some programs. In addition, a survey will be sent to M.P.A. graduates, the results of which will guide future activities.

One program activity will be the continuation of the original Fairfax County group who collaborated with faculty of the Department of Public and International Affairs to help build a bridge between the county and the university. On March 18, and then again on October 21, 1997, these alumni shared their knowledge and experience with students by teaching the intergovernmental relations session in the introductory course for the M.P.A. program (PUAD 502).

The approximately 17 Fairfax County employees involved in this effort came from many different agencies and included one elected official, T. Dana Kauffman, who is the county supervisor of the Lee District. The county employees divided into teams, making detailed presentations incorporating firsthand experiences. The teams included planning and development, personnel, management and budget, public safety, and human services. The program was further enhanced by the active participation of Michael Frey, supervisor of the Sully District, and Kate Hanley, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, who was able to participate in the March session.

If you are an M.P.A. alumnus and you would like more information on this endeavor, you may contact the acting president, Cathy Spage, by telephone at (703) 324-1159 or by e-mail at cspage@co.fairfax.va.us.

Graduate Creative Writing Alumni Chapter

The Graduate Creative Writing Chapter would like to congratulate recent graduate Wendi Kaufman, M.F.A. '97, on the publication of her short story, "Helen of 82nd Street," in the November 24 issue of The New Yorker.

The chapter plans on highlighting alumni writers again this year at the annual Celebration of George Mason Writers this April. The date and details will be announced in early March.

Some alums have expressed an interest in meeting with others to workshop their creative work. Colleen Kearney has offered to maintain a list to help these alums contact each other. If you are in the Washington metropolitan area and would like to start or join a group, contact Colleen at (703) 993-8805 or e-mail her at cthornbe@gmu.edu.