Distinguished Alumni Award


Mary Seelman Mascher (75BA, 82MA)

2024 Service Award

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.


Related Content

The inaugural event showcased artistic collaboration happening on campus and beyond.

The UI student-founded nonprofit has launched endeavors like the 10,000 Hours Show, Mission Creek Festival, and Quire.

With the start of a new year upon us, it's time to look back at your favorite University of Iowa stories from 2018. Here are Iowa Magazine's top 10 most-read articles of the year: The Nomadic Life (spring 2018) Hawkeye football favorite Paki O'Meara (10BA) finds ultimate freedom in backpacking around the world, taking photos that inspire a sense of wonder. PHOTO COURTESY PAKI O'MEARA Kinnick at 100 (summer 2018) This past summer marked two historically significant dates for Hawkeye fans: the 100th anniversary of the birth of Nile Kinnick (40BA), and the 75th anniversary of his tragic death. In memory of Iowa's favorite son, scholar, and Ironman, we look back on his life and legacy. Ahead of the Game (spring 2018) The Iowa football team becomes the first in the nation to equip the majority of its players with a state-of-the-art new helmet designed to improve player safety. PHOTO: MARK STASTNY Hollywood U (fall 2018) Alumni success in TV and film shines the spotlight on Iowa's? flourishing screenwriting program. ILLUSTRATION: FABIEN GILBERT / ARTISTIQUE INTERNATIONAL Mountain Roots (spring 2018) Nearly 80 years ago, an unlikely UI mountain-climbing club emerged from the cornfields of Iowa to become one of the most active in the world. Now the next generation of outdoorsmen continue in their Hawkeye family's footsteps. PHOTO COURTESY EBERT FAMILY The Secrets of Sleep (fall 2018) UI doctors and researchers work to shine light on the third of our lives we spend in the dark. Illustration: John Emigh Fry's Dream Team (fall 2018) FRYFest honors Hayden Fry's legendary 1983 coaching tree. PHOTO: UI ATHLETICS Going the Distance (spring 2018) UI-trained dentist Deb Carneol (92DDS) completes seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. PHOTO: MARK CONLON/WORLDMARATHONCHALLENGE.COM At 105, Our Oldest Hawkeye? (spring 2018) Catherine Shaw Shors (35BSC), who earned her business degree from Iowa more than eight decades ago, celebrated a milestone birthday in May. 1936 HAWKEYE YEARBOOK A Heroic Homecoming (spring 2018) Avengers: Infinity War director Joe Russo (92BA) receives a superhero's welcome at his alma mater. PHOTOS: Justin Torner

The Graduates of the Last Decade ("GOLD") Leadership Group advocates for the interests of recent graduates of the University of Iowa (alumni who earned a UI degree within the past 10 years).

We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Statement unless you have disabled them in your browser.