Biography

Mary Louise Petersen graduated from the University of Iowa in 1951, Summa Cum Laude, with a BS degree. Mrs. Petersen spent her early years as a housewife and community volunteer. In 1969, she was appointed to the Iowa State Board of Regents (governing body for the public Universities of Iowa) where she served ten years as President of the board. She has served on the Boards of Directors of various boards involved with higher education: Association of Governing Boards of Colleges and Universities( 1974-81), Carnegie Corporation of New York (1978-82), Educational Testing Service(1982-86) , Council of Postsecondary Accreditation (1984-87), and Girl Scout of U.S.A. (1985-91). Mrs. Petersen has worked on various projects for Pew, Kellogg, and AGB as well as the University of Iowa Foundation. In the last few years, she has served the local Hospital and various church and community projects. Mrs. Petersen is married to H. Rand Petersen and they have four children - Margaret Lynn Kindem, Allen Rand Petersen, Katherine Ann Linder, and Steven Read Petersen, ten grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.