When Mary Kosobucki (MA ’95, MBA ’13) came to the University of Iowa in 1993 to pursue a master’s degree in communication studies, she believed it would be a short-lived experience here in Iowa City.

“My dad was in the Air Force, so I was used to moving around as a kid,” says Mary, who completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan and spent the following six years in the Air Force. “We lived primarily in Japan, Florida, and Maryland, so when I came to Iowa, my plan was to get my degree and move on.”

While it was a challenge for Mary to transition from college and the military to life as a graduate student, something unexpected happened. “I fell in love with Iowa,” she says. “I fell in love so much that I’ve been here for the past 27 years.”

Mary went on to work for two decades in marketing, human resources, test development, and training at ACT in Iowa City while teaching a human relations management course for Kirkwood Community College. A few years after finishing her MBA degree at the UI Henry B. Tippie College of Business in 2013, Mary went to work for the UI College of Nursing—most recently for the college’s PhD program.

Whether it’s her master’s degree from the Department of Communication Studies, her MBA from the Tippie College of Business, or her professional experience with the College of Nursing, Mary has been incredibly grateful for every opportunity. She believes that she’s lucky to have received so much support along the way.

While Mary had to pay out-of-state tuition at Michigan for two years, she received a fellowship during her master’s degree studies at Iowa to cover tuition and books. Her employer also paid for a large portion of her MBA courses.

“I’ve been so fortunate, which is why I’ve wanted to pay it forward,” says Mary, who has established the Mary Kosobucki Scholarship Fund through a bequest in her estate plans. This fund will support students in three areas at Iowa—the Tippie College of Business, the Department of Communication Studies, and the College of Nursing.

Mary credits these three areas with having a big influence on her life. She enjoys providing help, and she strongly believes the College of Nursing plays a critical role in helping people.

“I’ve always loved learning, and for me, education is so important,” says Mary. “To not be able to go to school because you do not have the money—it just shouldn’t be that way. If I can help in any way, I’m happy to do my part.”

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Learn how you can make a difference by going to our planned giving website or by contacting Dayna Ballantyne, director of development, at dayna.ballantyne@foriowa.org or 319-467-3727.