Distinguished Alumni Award
Mary Seelman Mascher (75BA, 82MA)
Throughout the past four decades as an educator and Iowa legislator, Mary Mascher has aspired to make her community and state a better place. She has left an indelible legacy of advocacy for education, mental health, family housing, and other issues important to her constituents.
Mascher attained bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the UI College of Education and taught in the Iowa City Community School District for 33 years. She influenced the lives of thousands of students and families as a teacher and counselor before retiring from teaching in 2009.
Midway through her career as an elementary educator, Mascher felt compelled to run for office. In 1994, she was elected to represent Iowa House District 46, a position she retained until 2023. Mascher was a compassionate advocate for education, mental health, youth, and families. In this role, she connected the founders of Iowa Mental Health Advocacy to key stakeholders in the early days of their organization.
Mascher has been recognized as an outstanding legislator by diverse organizations, including the Girl Scouts of Mississippi Valley, Heritage Area Agency of Aging, and the Iowa Counseling Association. She was named an influential woman by the Cedar Rapids Gazette and Corridor Business Journal.
Mascher has volunteered for the Iowa City Education Association, community theatre, local parks commissions, and other causes. To honor her support for affordable family housing, Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity dedicated a 2023 project as the Mary Mascher Women Build home. From the classroom to the community, Mascher’s breadth of accomplishments exemplify a life of service.
About Distinguished Alumni Awards
Since 1963, the University of Iowa has annually recognized accomplished alumni and friends with Distinguished Alumni Awards. Awards are presented in seven categories: Achievement, Service, Hickerson Recognition, Faculty, Staff, Recent Graduate, and Friend of the University.