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Shout Outs, February 2026

Shout Outs, February 2026

Welcome to our monthly compilation of good news, gathered from the college's faculty and staff!

Mark Oppenheimer on Judy Blume

Mark Oppenheimer on Judy Blume

Mark Oppenheimer, 2022 Distinguished Lecturer in Judaic Studies, returns to George Mason University on March 30, 2026, to talk about his landmark biography of Judy Blume. He will speak at 6:30 in Fenwick Library Main Reading Room. This event is open to the public. Most Americans know the name Judy Blume because of her beloved classics: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret; Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing; Deenie; and Summer SistersBut little is known about the real woman behind the iconic persona, and the unlikely journey of her literary ascension, until now. In Judy Blume, journalist, historian, and longtime Blume aficionado Mark Oppenheimer pens a beautiful, multidimensional portrait of the acclaimed author through extensive interviews with Blume herself, invaluable access to her papers and correspondence, and thoughtful analysis of Blume’s beloved novels, including early, unpublished works that shed light on the pathbreaking writer she would become. Oppenheimer goes deep, exploring Blume’s middle-class 1950s upbringing, complicated childhood, varied relationships and marriages, unabashed sexual experiences, bouts of heartache and loss, and enduring legacy as a champion of free speech and contemporary literature. Oppenheimer peels back the curtain to reveal the woman behind the literary empire in all her complex, multifaceted glory—a true gift for anyone who grew up reading and loving these extraordinary books.

Action required: New SciENcv requirements & NIH submission delays

Action required: New SciENcv requirements & NIH submission delays

Universities nationwide are currently reporting technical hurdles with the new SciENcv biographical sketch requirement for federal applications. CHSS Pre-Award has provided some guidance to ensure your NIH application doesn't run into any issues!