University of Iowa president speaks on diversity and progress = West Liberty Index Article
University of Iowa president speaks on diversity and progress
by Sara Sedlacek • April 02, 2008
Last Tuesday, March 25, more than 90 West Liberty residents attended an event sponsored by the West Liberty Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of West Liberty. The event boasted a very notable keynote speaker.
The University of Iowa's 20th President Sally Mason spoke to West Liberty residents about, among other things, the Hawkeye wrestling team and diversity.
Mason, who has always been a champion of diversity, noted West Liberty's long history of diversity. She applauded West Liberty for living in a diverse community with a Hispanic presence for more than a century.
Mason became the president of the University of Iowa Aug. 1, 2007. She holds a full professorship with tenure in the Department of Biological Sciences of the College of Liberal Arts. Before coming to Iowa, Mason was the provost at Purdue University beginning in 2001. While at Purdue, she formed a diversity leadership group, among other things.
Mason is the daughter of immigrant parents and is the first in her family to attend college. She received her B.A. in zoology from the University of Kentucky, her M.S. from Purdue and her Ph.D. in cellular, molecular and developmental biology from the University of Arizona.
The Rotary Club of West Liberty and the West Liberty Chamber of Commerce thanked President Mason, commending the relationship West Liberty has with the University of Iowa through the long-standing Upward Bound presence in the community. It was also suggested that if the University of Iowa ever begins considering a partnership with a nearby community, perhaps West Liberty should be considered. Recent Leadership Summits have shown a need and a desire for such a relationship and additional educational resources through the University of Iowa within the West Liberty community.
Mason joins past presidents David Skorton and Willard “Sandy” Boyd in visiting West Liberty.