College of Education and Human Development

Mason Alum and Instructor is Honored Posthumously

Tony DeGregorio, affectionately known to the George Mason University community as Mr. D, passed away in November 2019 but his memory, spirit, and love for Mason—a place that was such an integral part of his life—live on. The family of Mr. D designated Mason’s Health and Physical Education program within the School of Education, where he was an instructor for nearly thirty years, to receive the memorial gifts made in his memory. In addition to his career as an educator at Mason, Mr. D was a teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools for 26 years and brought that experience to the university’s Health and Physical Education program.

A portion of the money from the memorial gifts has been used to purchase a beautiful teakwood bench that now sits outside a classroom in Mason’s Recreation Athletic Complex in his honor. The bench bears a plaque that reads “In Memory of Mr. D” as an enduring testament to his passion for teaching and the commitment he had to helping his students. Displayed on the wall above the bench is another plaque with some of Mr. D’s favorite sayings that inspired his students and colleagues alike and which earned him a permanent place in their hearts.

Mr. D’s affiliation with Mason began before he started teaching at the university. He was a two-time alum who received his bachelor's and master's in physical education at Mason in 1984 and 1987, respectively. Mr. D was known for his talents as a teacher and for his mentorship that led many of his students to pursue a career in health and physical education. Please join us in thanking the DeGregorio family for designating Mason’s Health and Physical Education program as the recipient of the memorial gifts made in his honor.

Pictured is the bench dedicated in memory of Tony DeGregorio who taught and mentored so many Health and Physical Education students at Mason.