Mason: ‘It’s been such a blessing’

IOWA CITY - When University of Iowa President Sally Mason formally announced her retirement in January, she vowed to keep pushing toward the $1.7 billion goal of a historic eight-year fundraising campaign.

'Let me be clear,” Mason said at the time. 'I don't think I can raise $300 million in six months, but I'm sure going to give it my best.”

With about one month before Mason officially retires July 31, UI Foundation President Lynette Marshall on Wednesday announced the university has raised $100 million since Mason announced her retirement. The $1.5 billion raised to date represents 88 percent of the goal within 82 percent of the time allotted for the campaign, set to end in December 2016.

'You said you were going to push forward,” Board of Regents President Pro Tem Katie Mulholland said Wednesday during a farewell event for Mason and her husband, Ken. 'You did it. Thank you, Sally.”

University leaders, community officials, lawmakers, and past and present regents attended Wednesday's event to thank Mason and commemorate her time on campus. Former Regent Bob Downer of Iowa City said Mason's tenure was marked by the best of times and the worst of times.

He mentioned the university's record enrollment on her watch, along with the unprecedented fundraising campaign, improving academic rankings nationally and explosive construction across campus, including a new UI Children's Hospital nearing completion.

'All of this and more has occurred, without question, under the worst of times,” Downer said, referencing the devastating flood of 2008. 'It was one of the most costly natural disasters in American history, followed by the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.”

Through it all, Downer said, Mason exhibited courage and exemplary leadership that turned adversity into an unprecedented business boom that is transforming the campus.

'Thank you,” Mason said, when it was her time to talk. 'It's been such a blessing to be a part of an institution that has such breadth of expertise. ... And please understand we are not leaving the University of Iowa forever. We will come back, and I will enjoy my status as president emerita.”

The university is undergoing a search for Mason's replacement, and a search committee is collecting nominations. Board of Regents President Bruce Rastetter has said the board could choose the next UI president in September.