George Mason University is one of 153 universities and colleges recognized by Exercise is Medicine for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus.
The inaugural Mason Nation Virtual 5K, held from Oct. 15-17, and educational seminars helped Mason earn silver level designation from the Exercise Is Medicine® On Campus (EIM-OC) program—an initiative supported by both the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Association. The silver designation recognizes Mason for engaging students, faculty and staff in education initiatives and making movement part of the daily campus culture.
“Even with the pandemic and shutdown, we were able to increase awareness of the program,” said School of Kinesiology Assistant Professor Debra Stroiney, who serves as the Mason campus advisor for Exercise Is Medicine On Campus. “We still have so much more we can do with this initiative, and I am looking forward to continuing to improve this program.”
Mason’s virtual 5K was organized by multiple offices across campus and raised almost $20,000 for the Student Emergency Assistance Fund and the Student Food and Housing Insecurity Fund.
Student-, faculty-, and staff-focused virtual events held in October for Exercise Is Medicine On Campus Month focused on improving well-being during the pandemic.
Mason also participated in the mascot challenge contest. Each participating school submitted a 90-second video showing its mascot participating in EIM-specific activities. The theme of the challenge was Sweating off the Stress. Watch Mason’s Patriot in action.
Mason also earned the COVID Conqueror badge, a new honor given to campuses that demonstrated creative adaptations to physical activity programming during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are thrilled to recognize these campuses’ commitment to make movement a part of daily campus culture and equip students with tools to cultivate lifelong physical activity habits, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Robyn Stuhr, vice president of Exercise Is Medicine.”
Of the 153 campuses recognized, 73 received gold, 59 silver and 21 bronze. All gold, silver and bronze universities and colleges will be officially recognized in June as part of the 2021 virtual Exercise Is Medicine World Congress, held in conjunction with the American College of Sports Medicine’s Annual Meeting.
EIM-OC launched its recognition program in 2014 to honor campuses for their efforts to create a culture of wellness. View a complete list of recognized schools and learn more about the EIM-OC program at www.exerciseismedicine.org.