Art and Polly Mason's relationship with the University of Denver could have been fleeting.
Art served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and after receiving his Master's degree from the University of Nebraska he and his wife, Polly, moved to Denver in 1948 when Art became Chair of the Insurance Department at the DU Business School.
However, the stay was short. Art wanted to get more involved in the teaching aspect of his position, so he and Polly moved to Philadelphia when Art began doctoral work at The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
"Art was sad to leave, but we always had a feeling we would come back to Denver," said Polly, the face of the Art and Polly Mason Scholarship Fund in Business and Polly and Art Mason Endowed Scholarship Funds for Women's Athletics since her husband passed away at the age of 89 last July.
After earning his Ph.D. from Wharton, Art and Polly moved to St. Louis, Mo., when Art became Chair of the Graduate School at Washington University. His position lasted until the mid-1960s when Denver came calling yet again. The Mason's jumped at the chance to return to the University of Denver and in 1966 Art became the Dean of the Business School.
The Masons have been a huge part of the DU community ever since.
"The people are so great here," Polly added. "The University of Denver meant everything to Art and it has been like family to us for so long."
Soon after Art took the dean position at Denver, he and Polly became season ticket holders for Pioneer hockey. Knowing Art's stance on making his students better community members and not just business people, head hockey coach Murray Armstrong asked Art to mentor some of the younger hockey players during their early quarters at Denver. That guidance grew into the Masons taking in baseball players from head coach Jack Rose's team. Since then the Masons have been integral parts of Denver athletics.
"Getting to know the people when we first came back and seeing how important athletics are to the DU community is what first got us involved," Polly said. "For the past 50 years Denver has been our home away from home and the Pioneer spirit continues to amaze me."
In 1986, after 20 years of service to the university and the athletic program, Mason was recognized when the Dr. Art Mason Award was established to honor DU's top hockey scholar-athlete.
"He was so honored with that award," Polly says. "He was so happy here and the University of Denver meant so much to him."
Then in 2008, Art and Polly endowed scholarships to the gymnastics and women's basketball programs.
"Art saw what was being done for all the men's sports, but he thought more should be done for the women," Polly added.
Polly continues to be a mainstay at numerous Pioneer athletic events. She attends most of the home women's basketball games and rarely misses a gymnastics meet. Polly even attends an occasional gathering at the Daniels College of Business.
"Whenever I come to campus it feels like home," Polly said. "It is great to reunite with old friends and see folks who I have not seen for a while. It always feels like you are wanted and accepted here."
