Mary Shuman loves Missouri Western and loves the arts, so it should come as no surprise to anyone that she is a charter member of the Arts Society and serves as its membership chair.
Mary said she attends as many theatre events on campus as possible and she has participated in all the Arts Society trips to Kansas City, as well, including “Phantom of the Opera” and “Book of Mormon.”
She promotes the University every chance she gets, telling parents of high school students who are involved in theatre to check out the University.
“We love Missouri Western, and the productions are top notch,” Mary said.
When she lived in Ireland, she helped with props and sets at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. She also wrote a play, “Blue Moon,” that was given a reading on stage.
Mary, Ross, and their son moved to St. Joseph more than 20 years ago, and Mary has been an avid community volunteer ever since. She is currently the vice president of the Performing Arts Association and serves on the Allied Arts Council Board. She is the St. Joseph Museums archivist for the Buchanan County Medical Society and Alliance and a member of the St. Joseph Women’s Press Club. Mary has been a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer for more than 20 years and is also an advisor to the CASA Board of Directors. She is currently serving as the World Affairs Chairman for the Runcie Club.
In addition to the Arts Society, Mary serves the University as a member of the MWSU Ambassadors Executive Board. She served as president for three years, and has been chair of the Scholarship Committee since 2007.
She recently traveled with a People to People International delegation to Cuba that was led by People to People’s president and CEO, Mary Jean Eisenhower.
“Mary Shuman is a true asset of the Arts Society Council, and we appreciate her willingness to serve,” said Rachel Graves ’03, University liaison to the Arts Society.
