Remembering Mary Rait: CMU Unveils New Statue and Leadership Award

On Friday, April 10, 2026, CMU faculty, staff and community members gathered for the unveiling of a new statue on campus. The statue — a life-size figure of Mary Rait — sits on a bench outside the newly renovated Moss Performing Arts Center. Rait was as an impactful figure in CMU’s history. In 1933, Rait became a full-time college instructor and was named dean of women. In 1937, she became of the first, if not the first, female college vice presidents in Colorado.

The statue was created by Scott Shaffer, a local artist who concentrates on bronze moldings. He is the same artist who created CMU’s “Gus” statue of a large Maverick that stands in front of Brownson Arena.

During the statue unveiling, President John Marshall introduced President Emeritus Tim Foster to the attendees, thanking him for his dedication to the CMU Century project, his co-chair efforts on the committee and his presentation of a three-part series highlighting the history of CMU.  President Emeritus Tim Foster led the unveiling of the statue with former CMU Board of Trustees Chair Lena Elliott acknowledging that CMU wouldn’t be the institution it is today without Mary Rait’s stewardship, intelligence and guidance as an educator. 

In addition to the unveiling of the statue on Friday, the inaugural Mary Rait Leadership Award was presented at the culmination of CMU’s 100^th anniversary celebration — The Through the Decades Party presented by Shaw Construction.

The Mary Rait Leadership Award was created to honor exceptional people who have demonstrated transformational leadership, mentorship and advocacy in higher education, public service and the broader community. Recipients embody Mary Rait's Maverick spirit by advancing educational opportunities, championing gender equality and promoting excellence. 

CMU Board of Trustees member Kasia Iwaniczko-MacLeod was presented with the award in recognition of her exceptional dedication to Colorado Mesa University, its students and the community it serves. Her leadership and service have made a lasting impact both on campus and beyond. 

“Serving with Kasia on the board, I have consistently witnessed a leader who brings both heart and rigor to her work. She approaches governance with a rare combination of strategic discipline, moral clarity and genuine care for students, faculty and the institution as a whole,” said CMU Trustee Charles Dukes in his letter of support for Iwaniczko-MacLeod’s nomination.

Born in communist Poland and raised in Colorado, she became the first in her family to graduate from college. Education has been at the center of her story, and it’s the reason why she has devoted her career to widening pathways for others — especially women, immigrants, first-generation students and community members who benefit most when institutions are strong, accessible and values-driven.

Her commitment to education and civic leadership began at Mesa State College (now Colorado Mesa University), where she served as the first elected female Student Body President and advocated on behalf of the State Colleges of Colorado. This experience led to her appointment with the Colorado Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in 1997.

“Kasia understands the transformative power of education and never loses sight of the fact that for many students and families, a CMU degree represents opportunity, dignity, and generational change,” said Troy Nesheim, project manager for FCI Constructors, Inc, who also supported Iwaniczko-MacLeod’s nomination.

That formative experience shaped her leadership approach: listening to stakeholders, elevating overlooked voices and translating advocacy into durable systems and measurable outcomes. Her embodiment of Maverick spirit and stewardship — reflecting the legacy of Mary Rait — is an exemplary reason for her nomination and selection as the inaugural recipient of the Mary Rait Leadership Award.