Sally Mason a strong fundraiser, despite controversies

IOWA CITY - Controversies at the University of Iowa during President Sally Mason's tenure made fundraising harder, an adviser said, but the school still is ahead of goals in a $1.7 billion campaign.

'I do think it was distracting and demanding for the president,” said Martin Grenzebach, chairman of Chicago-based Grenzebach Glier and Associates.

Student-athletes convicted of assault in the dorms, controversial statements about sexual assault and the firing of a popular female coach were events that grabbed headlines in Mason's eight years leading the UI. She will retire July 31. University leaders must explain these situations to donors, which takes time from discussing the school's progress and mission, said Grenzebach, who has advised the UI for 30 years.

Still, the UI has raised more than $1.4 billion toward its $1.7 billion campaign - the biggest drive in school history and one of the most aggressive campaigns across the country for the size of the UI's alumni base. Mason won't see the end of the 'For Iowa. Forever More” campaign in December 2016, but UI supporters say she has been critical in securing gifts big and small.

'She's been a tremendous leader for the university,” said Dale Baker, of Golden, Colo. 'She's helped strengthen our philanthropy in a lot of ways.”

Baker and his wife, Linda, both 1968 UI grads, gave $1.25 million in 2012 to support the Alumni Association and recently donated $86,000 to buy iPads for the College of Education. Altogether, they support 165 UI scholarships, Dale Baker said.

The priorities for the UI drive are educating students, boosting discoveries in medicine, health and environmental science and enriching commerce, culture and community for Iowans.

Mason helped close the deal on several major gifts, Marshall said. One of those was a $25 million donation in August 2013 from resort mogul Stephen W. Wynn to pay for research on inherited eye diseases.

'President Mason has been so important to that group,” Marshall said about Wynn's advisory group. 'She hosted them in her home and has flown all over the country to meet with them.”

Mason launched the Golden Pledge program, in which the UI will match the annual income from all donations of $100,000 or more for new endowed scholarships through 2017.

The Floods of 2008 caused more than $1 billion damage to 20 UI buildings. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state have provided money to replace Hancher Auditorium, the School of Art and Art History and the School of Music, but the UI has to raise part of the local match.

Hancher and the School of Music building are under construction.

Mason has a unique ability to connect with donors on a personal level, Marshall said.

'She's honest and candid and clear about who she is,” Marshall said. 'She likes meeting with people and finding commonality.”

Baker has enjoyed getting to know Mason and her husband, Ken. 'They aren't from the Midwest, but they fit the mold of Iowans,” he said. 'They're thoughtful, cheerful leaders.”