President Loeschke Meets President Obama

MANSFIELD, PA— Mansfield University President Maravene Loeschke met President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama last Saturday, and had the chance to talk with the President about a variety of topics.
Loeschke, who announced in September that she would be leaving MU to become president of Towson University in Baltimore, was at Towson’s basketball game against Oregon State Saturday, as was President Obama, who was there to watch his brother-in-law Craig Robinson, who coaches Oregon State.
“I wanted to meet him, and that would have been enough,” Loeschke said. “But we talked for about five minutes in the arena hallway until the Secret Service gave the go ahead to enter. It was an amazing experience. He and Mrs. Obama could not have been more down to earth.”
Loeschke said Obama asked her about returning to her alma mater to become president “which I thought was incredibly gracious.” She laughed when recounting how President Obama said, “after you Madame President” as they entered the arena and how humbling and exhilarating it was to hear the band play Hail to the Chief as he walked in.
“It was also incredible to watch this man who carries the weight of the world on his shoulders, spend time with family and with others, relax a little and just watch his brother-in-law coach a basketball game and enjoy it,” she said.
Loeschke assumes the Towson presidency on January 1. Her last day at Mansfield will be Fall Commencement on December 17.