Two-time FSU alumna gives back through Noles In Action
The period students spend at 糖心vlog can make a lasting impression on their lives. For Danielle Mason, a two-time FSU alumna and committee chair for the Noles In Action volunteer group, her Seminole start set her up for a life of service of aimed at making life better for others.
Today, in her job as an engineer for Johnson & Johnson Vision in Jacksonville, Fla., Mason works alongside other members of the advanced engineering organization in the manufacture of billions of ACUVUE庐 Brand Contact Lenses worldwide each year.
鈥淗aving an impact on a patient who wears our contact lenses is a huge deal. In my position, I might design a new manufacturing line or process. Knowing my company directly influences someone鈥檚 quality of life through improved vision is truly rewarding,鈥 Mason said. 鈥淚鈥檓 so thankful I get to solve complex problems to enhance our patients鈥 lives. The saying 鈥榗hoose a career that you love, and you鈥檒l never work a day in your life鈥 rings true for me.鈥
Mason鈥檚 path to service started in the early 2000s, during her time as an FSU undergrad. She graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences in 2008 with a and went on to earn an additional bachelor鈥檚 in chemical engineering from the .
While pursuing her biology degree, Mason sequenced DNA under former Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Institute director Tim Moerland and assistant in research Carl Whittington in Moerland鈥檚 laboratory and developed an understanding of how she might apply what she was learning to help others enjoy a better quality of life. She was working as an office assistant at Coloney Bell Engineering after graduation when answering the company owner鈥檚 question about her future plans steered her toward the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering for further education.
After her 2013 graduation and some time spent settling into her role at Johnson & Johnson Vision, Mason joined the Jacksonville Seminole Club, part of the 鈥檚 nation-wide network that unites alumni and friends of FSU in certain geographic areas and helps foster a continued bond of fellowship and supporting ties with Florida State.
Mason鈥檚 husband, Adam, is similarly dedicated to service and FSU: He graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science degree from the and earned his master鈥檚 degree in instructional design from the .
In keeping with their joint passion to serve, Adam, with Danielle鈥檚 full support, soon proposed the idea of a service volunteer group to the Seminole Clubs governing board. The board granted the Masons approval to form the Noles In Action Committee.
Before Noles In Action, the club only participated in two service events a year, but word soon spread and other Noles who shared the same passion for service joined to start planning monthly events and identify other Noles who wanted to help as well.
鈥淪ince our founding by Adam in 2013, we have helped nearly 50 organizations, with over 250 volunteers, amounting to more than 36,000 hours of service given to our community,鈥 Mason said.
The committee has donated its time to more than 40 different organizations in Jacksonville so far.
鈥淚鈥檓 so proud to be involved in this group because not only do I get to give back to the greater Jacksonville community, but I鈥檓 able to give back with other Noles. We are all giving from our hearts,鈥 Mason said. 鈥淏eing a Seminole is something I鈥檓 extremely proud of, so my position in this committee is truly all-encompassing of my love for FSU and its community.鈥
In addition to its own monthly events, the Noles in Action Committee participates in dedicated nationwide service days each year, including Seminole Service Day. Noles In Action had planned to help the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary, a non-profit ranch dedicated to the rescue and care of big cats, in March 2020 for , but events are currently on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
鈥淓very March, the 50-plus Seminole Clubs nationwide that operate under the FSU Alumni Association engage and serve in their local communities. Giving back while wearing our garnet and gold not only brings Seminoles together, but shows the public the fantastic folks that make up the Florida State family,鈥 said FSU Alumni Association director of Seminole Clubs Keith Cottrell. 鈥淭he Jacksonville Seminole Club takes this great work one step further with its Noles In Action team. Danielle and the Noles In Action serve year-round, impacting the Duval County area in amazing ways. We are thankful and extremely proud of how they embody the Seminole Spirit.鈥