Mary Seereiter, 2011 Distinguished Alumna
Mary Seereiter graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude, and was on the Dean’s List in 1978. In 1979, she earned her master's from the UO Department of Dance. She became the director of the Lane Community College dance program in 1980 until 2003.
Along with other grads and dancers from the UO—Margo Van Ummersen, Kym Fleming, and Cheryl Lemmer—Seereiter created curriculum in dance, dance education, and somatics, which transformed the existing collection of dance classes into a cohesive program.
Seereiter continued to pursue her education in the field of dance, embodying anatomy and somatics. She was on sabbatical in New York City for six months in 1984, dancing in the most notable studios in jazz, modern and ballet. In 1986–87, she became a Certified Laban Movement Analyst. In 1990, she began her studies in Body-Mind Centering and received her practitioner certification in 1995 and her teacher’s certification in 1998.
In 1998, Seereiter was on sabbatical as a visiting scholar at Ohio State University in the somatics program, where she was also a guest teacher in the dance department. In 1999, she received her certification from The Institute of Authentic Movement in Berkeley, California. Seereiter retired in 2003, but continues to teach part-time.
In 2004, she taught in the certification program for the School for Body-Mind Centering. Since 2005, Seereiter co-teaches in the Somatic Movement Education Program with the program director, Mark Taylor, in the Center for Bodymind Movement. And whenever possible, she assists Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen in her Embodied Anatomy and Yoga Program in California.
| DISTINGUISHED ALUM AWARDS Given annually and presented at commencement. The award is given in honor of continued service to the school, honor to the school, and service to the community. |
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| 2011 | Mira Frohnmayer Mary Seereiter, Dance |
| 2010 | Doree Jarboe Timothy Ryan, Dance |
| 2009 | Richard Benedum Ann Rodiger , MS Dance |
| 2008 | Larry Gookin Barbara Sellers-Young, Dance |
| 2007 | Ray Miller, Dance Edgardo Simone |
| 2006 | Terry Kuhn Dianne Markham, Dance |
| 2005 | Julie Anne McCornack Sadie Tiffany Mills, Dance |
| 2004 | Barry McNabb, Dance Richard M. Smith |
| 2003 | Allan Eugene Aitken |
| 2002 | Richard Fuller |
| 2001 | Charlotte Plummer Owen |
| 2000 | Janet Towner, Dance |
| 1999 | David Schrader |
| 1998 | Jon Appleton |
| 1997 | Lynn Sjolund |
| 1996 | Doug Orme |
| 1995 | Jerold Ottley |
| 1994 | Gene Slayter |
| 1993 | MarAbel Frohnmayer |
