President Mason: Deep respect for education found at Iowa

	Sally Mason, University of Iowa president. Photo by Tom Jorgensen.

Sally Mason became The University of Iowa's 20th president on Aug. 1. She spent 21 years as a faculty member and administrator at the University of Kansas, then in 2001 became provost at Purdue University. There she won accolades for increasing diversity, recruiting top faculty, expanding research and public engagement, and helping develop Discovery Park, an interdisciplinary research incubator.

Mason has made it a top priority to meet as many people as she can—she plans to have conversations with faculty, staff, students, and administrators to learn more about the university she is leading. Mason sat down with fyi to discuss her impressions of Iowa, her goals as president, and issues facing higher education.

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Where should president's priorities lie? fyi readers respond

We sought your advice regarding President Mason's priorities, and your voices rang loud and clear. Suggestions ranged far and wide: recruiting and retaining a diverse UI population; balancing economic initiatives with academic goals; arming Public Safety officers; and increasing communication among UI colleges, for starters.

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News in brief

AROUND CAMPUS…

• UI professors receive Collegiate Teaching Awards
• Recipients announced for 2007 President’s Awards
• UI external support is a record $382.2 million for 2006-07
• Energy Expo gears up with electric car display
• Family Issues Charter Committee launches new web site
• Reap the benefits of recent HR changes
• UI Hospitals and Clinics specialties once again rank among the best
• It pays to apply for professional development awards
• Learning and Development schedule

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DISCOVERIES…

• UI researcher challenges explanations of children’s "word spurts"

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TRANSITIONS…

• Hogan named president of the University of Connecticut
• Atchison named director of University Hygienic Laboratory
• Engineering announces new departmental executive officers
• Recent deaths

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Photo feature: Touch the Earth

If you love the Great Outdoors, chances are Touch the Earth, the University's outdoor recreational equipment rental outlet, can provide you the gear for whatever sport you desire.

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