The Jeff Mascott Commons - Inspired by Shared Values

Jenn recalls that it was her husband who discovered Landon during the pandemic when they were seeking a school with more in-person instruction for their oldest son, Everett ’28, then a fifth grader. He joined Landon midyear, and everyone ran with his interests, from his teachers to his advisor, Grade 5 Dean Steven Micciche. The couple’s younger sons soon followed Everett to Landon, with Eli ’30 starting in fourth grade and Auggie ’32 in third grade. Their sister, Avery, is at National Cathedral School.

Jenn remarks, “We were thrilled with the amount of care and devotion Landon demonstrated to each of our boys, and their interest in growing each one’s unique gifts, intellect, character, and relationships with others. While Landon has a longstanding reputation for athletics, our sons have also found so much support in the arts. Both were important to Jeff, and he always actively encouraged our children to pursue both areas.” 

The Mascotts discovered the particular depth of strength within the Landon community when Jeff was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the fall of 2022. “On every level, Landon embraced our family,” explains Jenn. Teachers and counselors looked out for the brothers’ changing needs and made sure Eli and Auggie had time together throughout the day and at recess. Classmates encouraged the boys. Families reached out in ways large and small; one family drove the boys to school every day. 

As Jenn and their children were seeking a way to keep Jeff’s memory alive at Landon and support the campus transformation and development that Jeff had highly valued, the family concluded that a naming gift associated with the Middle School Commons area would be most meaningful to Jeff’s ongoing legacy through his sons and the broader community.  “Jeff valued family involvement, character, service, and the growth of interpersonal relationships.  All three of our boys will routinely occupy this space, which is a bright and welcoming area for students to enter school life and congregate. The commons area along with the new campus buildings more broadly reflect a strong emphasis on community and growth.”

Jenn and Jeff met as undergraduates at the University of Maryland and then worked on Capitol Hill at the same time. She is now a law professor at George Mason’s Antonin Scalia Law School, and he was CEO of Adfero, an award-winning public affairs firm that he founded in 2004. 

“Jeff was a very creative, entrepreneurial person, always engaged in new endeavors along with community service,” Jenn explains. “This same spirit is embodied in Landon’s ambitious building project. It exemplifies the School’s desire to keep its foundational values front and center while adapting to growth and new technology.”

She adds, “Jeff really wanted our boys at a place that would respect our focus on faith and family, a place that would help them develop selflessness and live out a belief in the dignity of every person. He had a generous spirit, and the use of our family’s resources to help another generation at Landon grow up with a solid education and solid character is a perfect way to further that spirit.”

Landon School is grateful to Jenn Mascott for supporting The Campaign for Landon in a way that created a lasting legacy to Jeff Mascott. If you are interested in supporting The Campaign for Landon, please contact Director of Development Peter J. Gallo Ph.D., at peter_gallo@landon.net or 301-320-1004.