Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Written by: Office of Strategic Communication

It was a historic day for the University of Iowa when four past presidents took the stage with President Bruce Harreld to discuss the future of higher education as part of the 2019 Homecoming festivities.

The Presidential Panel: “The Future of Public Higher Education at America’s Leading Research Universities” took place Friday, Oct. 18, in the Voxman Music Building Concert Hall. 

Former Iowa presidents Hunter Rawlings (1988–1995), Mary Sue Coleman (1995–2002), David Skorton (2003–2006), and Sally Mason (2007–2015) joined Harreld to share reflections on their time at the university and thoughts about what’s ahead for higher education.

The presidents were on campus to celebrate the dedication of the Presidential Portrait Gallery. The three new portraits of Coleman, Skorton, and Mason were on display at the event and are now on permanent display in the gallery on the fifth floor of the Main Library.

Former president Willard “Sandy” Boyd (1969-1981) did not join the panel discussion, but attended the dedication of the portrait gallery with the group.

former presidents boyd, skorton, rawlings, mason, coleman and current president harreld
The five living past University of Iowa presidents joined current President Bruce Harreld on campus last weekend to celebrate the addition of new portraits to the Presidential Portrait Gallery and to enjoy UI Homecoming activities. Pictured from left to right are Mary Sue Coleman, David Skorton, Hunter Rawlings, Bruce Harreld, Sally Mason. Seated is Willard