Drake Blue spring 2007

Spring 2007

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D R A K E blue The Magazine of Drake University22

IN THE PAST YEAR, THE AFFORDABILITY OF A COLLEGEEDUCATION (an issue I raised in these pages ayear ago) has taken center stage as a nationalissue, thanks in part to the Commission onthe Future of Higher Education, created inSeptember 2005 by U.S. Secretary of EducationMargaret Spellings.

Noting that “average tuition and fees atprivate four-year colleges and universitiesrose 36 percent (adjusted for inflation)”from 1995 to 2005, the Commission stated:“Public concern about rising costs may ultimately contribute to the erosion of public confidence in higher education.” InSeptember 2006, Secretary Spellings herselfsaid, “There is little to no information onwhy costs are so high and what we are gettingin return.”

There is no question that the Commission’semphasis on affordability reflects a genuine—and very justifiable — public concern aboutwhy college costs so much, what institutions do withthe money and what efforts are being made to keepcosts down. I want you to know that we takethese questions very seriously, and I think thatDrake has some very good answers to them.

The primary driver for the cost of opera-tion in a private university of our quality issalaries—the Drake learning model of smallgroup interaction with faculty (and staff)members (not graduate teaching assistants) is not only educationally powerful, but expensive. We obviously believe it’s well worthit, given the results. Employee benefits andutility costs also have a major impact, as do

the dramatic increases in costs for librarybooks, periodicals, and equipment necessaryfor teaching and research. It is important tonote in this context that tuition income coversonly about 60 percent of the cost of providinga Drake education.

We have a very direct response to the ques-tion of where the money goes (and where itcomes from): the University’s audited financialstatements are posted on Drake’s Web site,and Vice President Victoria Payseur and herstaff are always happy to respond to questionson this issue.

Finally, I would like share with you just afew of the ways in which Drake strives notonly to keep costs down but also to facilitateaffordability and to maximize the effectivenessof our resources in supporting excellence inteaching and learning:

Program Review, an intensive 18-monthprocess begun in 2000, eliminated $4 millionin annual expenses and reallocated resourcesto match institutional priorities and goals;

Strategic Budgeting, a 3-year budget cycle,connects financial and programmatic decision-making and prioritizing to the University’sstrategic goals and emphasizes reallocation ofresources rather than assuming additions tothe budget;• Drake has outsourced some operational

and administrative functions to improve services and reduce costs;

• We made an $11 million investment inHVAC infrastructure to increase efficiency,

lower energy costs and reduce our environ-mental impact;

• We are making considerable efforts toincrease the University’s endowment andannual contributions to the Drake Fund, aswell as to increase non-tuition revenues, allof which relieve pressure on tuition;

• We have made a strong commitment tokeep our tuition increases as low as possible— the average annual tuition increase atDrake in the past eight years has been 4.1percent (the national average in this timeperiod was close to 6 percent annually);

• This year, we have committed $37 millionin University resources for financial aid;roughly 98 percent of our students receiveaid from the University, and the averagetotal award is in excess of $15,000/year;

• Drake benchmarks a range of key financialindicators against other institutions to providea context for measuring our own performance;

• One of the goals of the University’s new 3-year planning cycle is continuousimprovement in the effectiveness and efficiency of operations.As a result of these and other efforts, Drake

University is listed as a “Best Buy” by severalmajor college/university ranking publications.In the group of 12 private universities withwhom we compete most for students, we areranked at the top for academic quality, but10th in cost.

As we go forward, we will continue tointensify our efforts to minimize costs andincrease effectiveness. We will also continueto operate with the greatest transparency

possible, providing our students and theirparents, our faculty, staff, alumni and friendswith the easily accessible information theyneed to address their concerns, and to fullyunderstand and support Drake University’smission, goals and operations.

From thePresident. . .

Dr. David E. Maxwell, president

“Drake’s learning model of small group interactionwith faculty members (not teaching assistants) is notonly educationally powerful but also expensive.”

DepartmentsCAMPUS 4New Science Classrooms Foster Active Learning • Pharmacy School Receives $1.5 MillionFor Endowed Faculty Chair • Hubbell Elected Chair of Drake Governing Board • CBPAand Law School Partners With Chinese University • Law School Moot Court TeamPlaces First in Regional Competition • CEO of Citizens Financial Group BestowsScholarship • Drake Art Students Bend Creativity for Works Displayed at Art Center

8 FACULTYAdams Receives Crystal Apple Award at Michigan State • Dodd Receives FulbrightAward to Teach in Iceland • Strentz Honored for Promoting Open Government,Freedom of Information • Craig’s Sculpture to be Featured at Michigan Exhibition• Stensrud Awarded State’s Highest Honor

SPORTS 16Men’s Basketball Team Rules Iowa • Ehrhart, Former Relays Director, Dies • A-Plus forAthletes • Going for Gold • Hardcourt Faithful

18 ALUMNIPioneering Pharmacist Honored • SOE Honors Three Outstanding Alums • AlumniAward Winners Announced • Alumni Portal to Launch • Reunions Scheduled for Relaysand Commencement Weekends

The Magazine of Drake University D R A K E blue 33

contents

PresidentDr. David E. Maxwell

Director of Marketing & Communications

Brooke A. Benschoter

Director of Alumni & Parent Programs

Barbara Dietrich Boose, JO’83, GR’90

EDITORIAL STAFF

Editor Casey L. Gradischnig

Art DirectorTravis J. Ludwig

Graphic DesignersAmber Baker • Courtney Hartman

Contributing WritersKatie Knorovsky, JO’06 • Tim Schmitt

Abbie Hansen, JO’01 • Lisa Lacher

Drake Notes EditorAbbie Hansen, JO’01

InternsAaron Jaco • Jeremy Holtan • Katie Shaw

Publication SupportJaquie Summers • Andrea McDonough

Drake blue is published as a service to Drake alumni, parentsand friends by the Drake University Office of Marketing andCommunications. Views expressed in Drake blue do not necessarily reflect opinions of the editors or the University. Wewelcome articles by and story ideas from and about Drakealumni. Send correspondence to Editor Casey L. Gradischnig,Drake University, 2507 University Ave., Des Moines, IA50311-4505. E-mail: [email protected].

Copyright Drake University 2007

To submit news or update your alumni file, contactDrake’s Office of Alumni and Parent Programs.

Call: 1-800-44-DRAKE, x3152E-mail: [email protected]: www.drake.edu/alumni

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Features

9 FISHING FOR ANSWERSPharmacy Professor and His SiblingsPursue Answers to ScientificQuandaries in Some Unusual Places

VISION 2025 An Interview with Drake PresidentDavid Maxwell

19 SINGING FOR HER SUPPERJournalism Graduate Puts Her Degree toWork...as a Jazz Singer

13

DRAKE’S MISSION is to provide an exceptionallearning environment that prepares students formeaningful personal lives, professional accomplish-ments, and responsible global citizenship.

The Drake experience is distinguished by collabora-tive learning among students, faculty, and staff andby the integration of the liberal arts and scienceswith professional preparation.


When Ellis graduated nearly50 years ago, Drake’s pharmacyprogram boasted an enrollmentof 185 students. Since then, theprogram has grown to morethan 800 students.

HUBBELL ELECTED CHAIR OFDRAKE GOVERNING BOARDThe distinguished Hubbellname invokes all the hallmarksof a generous family deeplycommitted to the growth of thecommunity. James W. HubbellIII, chairman of Hubbell RealtyCo., continues his family’s lega-cy as the newly elected chair of the Drake University Boardof Trustees.

Hubbell, who was first electedto the Board of Trustees in 1984,is serving a three-year term aschair. He is joined by newly elect-ed members Roger K. Brooks,Peggy Fisher and William C.Knapp II.

As chair, Hubbell’s goalsinclude building a strongerendowment with a focus on the funds available for studentfinancial assistance and increas-ing salaries for faculty and staff.

“I don’t think the campus hasever looked better,” Hubbell said.“Drake has many challenges

ahead, but we have a supportgroup ready, willing and ableto help us meet those chal-lenges. Our students, facultyand staff, alumni, trustees, aswell as the entire Des Moinesand Iowa communities arebehind us.”

Drake University’s Boardof Trustees meets four timesyearly and serves as theUniversity’s policymakingand governing body.

CBPA AND LAW SCHOOL FORGE PARTNERSHIP WITHCHINESE UNIVERSITYDrake has further cementedits budding partnership withthe Southwest University ofPolitical Science and Law(SWUPL) in Chongqing,China, with a new agreementthat will make it possible forSouthwest University studentsto earn a master of financialmanagement or a master ofaccounting from Drake’sCollege of Business andPublic Administration.

The agreement marksDrake’s first collaborationwith a Chinese university thatallows students to earn a

NEW SCIENCE CLASSROOMS FOSTER ACTIVE LEARNING

Drake science students willlearn as scientists practice theirdisciplines — through theprocess of experimentationand discovery, thanks to a newset of classrooms in Olin Halldedicated this fall.

The classrooms eliminate theoutdated model of a lecturecourse supported by a once week-ly lab and bring more active andparticipatory learning to biologyand psychology students.

The $4 million project includesnew labs for biology and psychol-ogy classes, new classrooms andoffices and the renovation of thelarge lecture hall on the secondfloor, entrance and plaza.

Lead gifts came from theMary Wheatley estate and theVictoria Pewick estate while sup-porting gifts were received fromthe Roy G. Carver CharitableTrust and William Smith, LA’70.

PHARMACY SCHOOL RECEIVES$1.5 MILLION FOR ENDOWEDFACULTY CHAIR

John R. “Jack” Ellis, PH’57, andhis wife Audrey, presented a$1.5 million gift to DrakeUniversity to fund an endowedfaculty chair in the College ofPharmacy and Health Sciences.

The title of John R. EllisDistinguished Chair will bebestowed upon a new facultymember. The position will carrya salary bonus and additionalfinancial support for lecturecosts, research and work-relatedtravel expenses.

“I received a tremendous edu-cation at Drake and the facultyhelped me form my professionalwork ethic,” Ellis said. “We want-ed to make a gift to enhance theeducation of pharmacy studentsso they can make a difference inthe profession. An endowedchair is a stable, lasting gift thatwill keep on giving.”

TONY AWARD-WINNING ACTRESS CHERRY JONES (CENTER)visited the Drake campus Dec. 14 to discuss her career andanswer questions from Drake theatre students, faculty andfriends. Jones, who won a 2005 Tony Award for portrayingSister Aloysius in Doubt, was in town reprising the role at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines.

campusbuzzThe Anderson Gallery hosted“Cuba: Women Artists in the

Revolution,” a rare exhibition featuring 50 works by majorCuban artists. Artist Jeremy

Drummond presented a lectureon his exhibit titled “Everybody

Knows This Is Nowhere,” whichwas on display in the AndersonGallery. The gallery also featured“Text and Subtext: Works by New

Faculty,” which showcased worksby Alexandra Lakin and SarahMcCoy. University of Texas profes-sor and author Robert W. Jensen

presented “The Problem of

Diversity: The Politics of Race,

Class and Gender” on Nov. 1 asthe fourth annual Community inDiversity Lecture. Drake theatrebrought the musical The

Boyfriend to the stage, followedby the plays Sunday on the Rocks

and On the Verge. CharlieWittmack, the first Iowan to reachthe summit of Mount Everest,spoke as part of the “Let’s DULunch” series, and Judith Roof performed Samuel Beckett’s Not I

for the Drake Writers and CriticsSeries. Susan Schmidt Bies, amember of the Board of Governorsof the Federal Reserve System,gave a presentation titled “The

Economic Outlook” at the 20thannual Drake FEI lecture. Drake’sCenter for Global Citizenship

hosted a panel discussion titled“The Globalization Game: Who

Wins? Who Loses?” and JaneElliott, an internationally renownedteacher and lecturer, gave aspeech about power, perceptionand prejudice. God’s Dad, a localband featuring three Drake facultymembers, brought its jazz- androck-influenced beats to theOlmsted Center. Pink Flamingo,

a 30-minute film produced by twoDrake students, premiered at theBulldog Theater, and Des MoinesRegister editorial cartoonist Brian Duffy spoke at the Live! at Cowles Library event.

theHOT list

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spotlight


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Kelsey Rahn, JO’05, could be the posterchild for Drake’s School of Journalism andMass Communication New York City trip.When she entered the CondeNast buildingat 4 Times Square she was in awe. Afterspending time visiting about the industrywith Wendy Naugle, an editor for Glamourand Drake 1996 journalism grad, Rahn wasdetermined to work there someday.

“Lucky for me, someday came soonerrather than later,” she says. “After graduatingin May, I moved to New York in July. Twomonths later a Drake alum forwarded me ajob opportunity at CondeNet.” Rahn is nowa junior Web designer for the online divisionof CondeNast.

TAKING A BITE OUT OF THE BIG APPLE:“Our goal was to connect students to NewYork publishing — to show them how thingswere done at Glamour or Real Simple or Time,”says Patricia Prijatel, the E.T. Meredith distin-

guished professor of journalism, whodesigned the trip for junior magazinemajors and took the first group in 2003.

“It’s important for our students to seehow many possibilities there are and tolearn what people in New York are lookingfor,” adds Angela Renkoski, assistant profes-sor of magazines, who took over as advisorfor the trip two years ago. “This experienceteaches students how to position themselvesto get jobs.”

SACRIFICING FOR SUCCESS: When magazinemajor Katie Stuhler first heard about thetrip, she knew she was willing to make a sacrifice to pay the cost of airfare, food and a hotel stay. “By directly observing edi-tors and learning what they expect out ofpotential employees, the experience helpedme enhance my professional presence,” shesays. “Every session I attended showed methe importance of staying updated on maga-

zine industry trends and development andalso proved to me how ever-changing theindustry really is.”

“This trip gave me confidence as I gradu-ated and started my job search,” adds Rahn.“It also made me realize that Drake has pre-pared me for the real world, and I trusted allthe experience I had there would get me ajob.” And it did.

— Abbie Hansen, JO’01

Trade SecretsNETWORKING TRIPS TO NEW YORK CITY GIVE

MAGAZINE MAJORS AN INDUSTRY “IN.”


degree from Drake and signifiesyet another expansion of theUniversity’s growing efforts toreach out to China.

“The new agreements withSouthwest University of Politicsand Law are an important nextstep in our growing relationshipwith Southwest, providing neweducational options for their stu-dents and exciting and enrich-ing opportunities for Drake fac-ulty and students,” PresidentMaxwell said. “As someone whohas been active in internationaleducation my entire career, Iplace tremendous importanceon educational and culturalexchange as a vital force in glob-al relations. It is very rewardingto see Drake’s emergence as amajor factor in U.S.-China edu-cational collaboration.”

In addition to the businessprogram, the Law School is con-tinuing its efforts to developexchange programs withSouthwestern and enhance

international initiatives alreadyin place. Two students fromSouthwestern University ofPolitics and Law are enrolled in the Drake University LawSchool this year and Law Schoolfaculty have visited China andparticipated in exchanges withChinese universities.

LAW SCHOOL MOOT COURT TEAM PLACES FIRST IN REGIONAL COMPETITIONThe Drake University LawSchool National Moot Courtteam continued to prove itself aforce to be reckoned with as itfinished first in a field of 14teams at the regional rounds ofthe National Moot CourtCompetition. Drake and thesecond-place team from theUniversity of South Dakotaadvanced, along with 26 otherteams, to the national finals inNew York City.

The Drake team, which alsowon the Best Respondent’s Brief

Award, consists of third-year stu-dent Emily Peebler, second-yearstudent Jill Link and second-yearstudent Christian Walk. Peeblerwas named the Best Oralist in theFinal Round. Walk placed fifthamong the individual oralistawards and Peebler finished sixth.

“It’s a great recognition of thetremendous time and effort theteams have put into preparingfor the competition,” said LaurieDore, professor of law and coach.“I expect they will do as wellwhen we go to New York City.”

This success marks the 15thtime in 17 years that one ofDrake’s teams has earned a placein the national tournament inNew York City and the 13th timein 17 years that Drake has placedfirst in the regional competition.

PHARMACY STUDENTS RECOGNIZED FOR RESEARCH,COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTIn a competition against bothundergraduate and graduate stu-dents from more than 100 institu-tions, three Drake Pharmacy stu-dents received first-place awardsfor outstanding scientific researchpresentations at the 2006 SigmaXi Student Research Conferencein November.

Additionally, the Drake chap-ter of the Student NationalPharmaceutical Associationreceived the OutstandingCommunity Service Award at theSNPhA National Convention.

The award is given to anSNPhA student chapter thatdemonstrates a strong commit-ment to its local communitythrough an emphasis on serv-ice and local involvementbased on the ideals of thenational association.

The Drake chapter coordinatedseveral events during the 2005-06academic year including theDrake Diabetes Clinic, clothingand food drives, and a fundraiserfor the Xavier University College

of Pharmacy Hurricane Katrinarelief effort. Drake’s SNPhAmembers also held a brown bagsession to help senior citizenssort their prescriptions and learnabout possible drug interactionsat the Des Moines UniversitySenior Health Fair.

NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATIONARCHIVES TRANSFERRED TO DRAKE LAW SCHOOL LIBRARYDrake Law School dedicated thetransfer of the National BarAssociation (NBA) archives fromthe Des Moines Public Library tothe Drake Law School Librarywith a program, ribbon cuttingand reception in February.Linnes Finney Jr., president ofthe NBA, spoke at the dedica-tion, which commemorates thepioneering civil rights work ofCharles Howard, a 1920 gradu-ate of Drake Law School, and 11other lawyers who co-foundedthe NBA in 1925 in Des Moines.The NBA was establishedbecause the American BarAssociation did not acceptAfrican-American lawyers asmembers at that time. Today, theNBA network encompasses morethan 40,000 African-Americanjudges, lawyers, educators andlaw students.

DRAKE ART STUDENTS BEND THEIRCREATIVITY FOR WORKS DISPLAYEDAT THE ART CENTER“I never knew how much youcan learn from just takingthings apart and rewiring themto make something unique andbeautiful,” said first-year art student Ashley Machacek.

Machacek was referring to theexperience she shared with nineother Drake students in theweek-long “Organic Bending”workshop, instructed by interna-tionally acclaimed artist Shih-Chieh “CJ” Huang. In Huang’shands, mundane items such ashousehold electronic devices

ACTOR MICHAEL J. FOX came to Drake on Oct. 30 at the invitationof Drake Democrats. Fox spoke to a packed crowd in Parents Hallon behalf of then-gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver and to pro-mote embryonic stem cell research. Fox, who has been battlingParkinson’s disease since 1991, has campaigned for political candidates in several states and appeared in advertisements inMissouri and Maryland.

campusbuzzcontinued from page 4

nation’s eighth largest commer-cial bank-holding company.

To celebrate his Drake experi-ence as well as commemorate his15-year anniversary at CitizensFinancial Group, Fish announcedan agreement with Drake earlierthis fall to offer the Lawrence K.Fish Scholarship, a $550,000 com-mitment to fund a full, four-yearscholarship that he plans to offerevery year.

The scholarship includesDrake tuition, room and boardand a $2,000 annual stipend.The award is designated for a child of an employee ofCitizens Financial Group who is pursuing a degree injournalism or business.

“The time I spent at Drake prepared me to move forward inlife with confidence,” Fish said. “Iam doing this in order to providea young person with an opportu-nity to attend this wonderful col-lege with the luxury of being ableto dedicate themselves fully totheir education and time away atschool, without financial worry.”


and childhood toys are trans-formed into dynamic, kineticworks of art.

“I don’t think our studentshave experienced working withan artist like CJ previously,” saidPhillip Chen, associate professorof art and design. “They’re quitesensational, what he makes outof these ordinary things.”

Huang and the students started the week by going on ashopping spree armed with $50stipends each for purchasingsupplies at area discount storessuch as Dollar Tree, Big Lotsand Home Depot.

The final creations featuredpop cans, toy soldiers, pom-pomsand various other odds andends. Huang encouraged thestudents to explore electronicsas an artistic medium, challeng-ing them to incorporate at leastone electronic component intotheir work. Each of the students’final works spins, moves or lightsup in some fashion.

The students’ sculptures andinstallations were on display inthe Adrienne and Charles

Herbert Galleries of the DesMoines Art Center in November.

DRAKE LIBRARY NOMINATED FORNATIONAL AWARD FOR INNOVATIONThe innovative and cutting edgeuse of technology has earnedDrake University’s CowlesLibrary recognition and a nomi-nation for the fourth annualWebFeat President’s Awards forInnovation. Cowles Library isamong 30 libraries nominatednationwide for the award, whichrecognizes innovation in designand function in state-of-the-artinformation systems.

“This is great recognition forthe development of access toour digital holdings and our tal-ented library staff, but thenwe’ve already been recognizedin the most important way —unprecedented growth in stu-dent use of library resources,”said Rod Henshaw, CowlesLibrary dean.

CEO OF CITIZENS FINANCIALGROUP BESTOWS SCHOLARSHIPLawrence K. Fish, JO’66, attrib-

utes his alma mater with instillingin him a strong sense of convic-tion that helped launch his enor-mously successful career in busi-ness. Fish is chairman and CEOof Citizens Financial Group, the

admissionupdateSTUDENT BLOGGERS SHARETHEIR DRAKE EXPERIENCES Rita Alvarez, a junior journal-ism exchange student, hasbeen keeping an almost dailyjournal of her life at Drakesince her arrival from Asturias,Spain last September. Thechronicle of Alvarez’s Drakeexperience is being shared inblog form on the admissionWeb site, www.choose.drake.edu,along with the adventures ofeight other students fromdiverse backgrounds and several areas of study.

The blogs, uncensored and

created individually by each participating student, includephotos, videos, links to favoriteWeb sites and profiles, as wellas personal running commen-tary and unique insight intowhat life is like not only atDrake but also as a student in Central Iowa.

Potential students, their fami-lies and others can access thesefirst-hand accounts of studentlife simply by clicking on linksprovided on the admissionhome page.

The concept of encourag-ing students to relate their

experiences directly with visi-tors through such technologyis fairly new, but the practiceis becoming more wide-spread. Universities such asDrake now recognize thatallowing potential students tolearn about campus life andopportunities directly fromtheir peers is a more mean-ingful way of communicatingto a younger, more tech-savvyaudience. Look for moretechnological enhancementssuch as podcasts and virtualtours on the admission Website in the near future.

CAMPUS LECTURES ADDRESS LAW, SCIENCE AND LEADERSHIPRecent speakers on the Drake campus included Penelope E.Andrews, professor of law at the City University of New York Schoolof Law, who lectured on the South African Constitution; PhilippeBuhlmann (above), chemistry professor at the University ofMinnesota, who discussed his research as part of the ScienceColloquium Series; and former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack who gave thekeynote address at Drake’s Innovation and Leadership conferencein November.


ADAMS RECEIVES CRYSTAL APPLE AWARD ATMICHIGAN STATE

Longtime Drake Universityadministrator Donald V. Adamsreceived the Crystal Apple Awardfor his accomplishments and ded-ication to education during anawards ceremony at MichiganState University in October.

The Crystal Apple Award rec-ognizes members of the educa-tion community — from kinder-garten through the universitylevel — who display excellenceand commitment to the practice.

In his 37 years at Drake,Adams has served as vice presi-dent of student life, vice presi-dent of enrollment, executiveassistant to the president, secre-tary of the University and direc-tor of government relations. Heis now senior counsel and 125thanniversary fellow.

Drake created the Donald V.Adams Spirit of Drake Award inhis honor. It is presented annual-ly to a faculty or staff memberwho exemplifies the spirit ofDrake. In 2000 Adams rein-forced his commitment to Drakeby helping alumni create theDonald V. Adams LeadershipInstitute, a program based onAdams’ values and ideals thathelps students develop leader-ship skills and a strong commit-ment to community service.

DODD RECEIVES FULBRIGHTAWARD TO TEACH IN ICELANDWhat would compel a southernerresiding in Iowa to pack his bagsfor the even colder climate ofIceland? For James L. Dodd, pro-fessor of accounting, the answeris a second Fulbright Scholargrant, which has enabled him tolecture at the University ofIceland in Reykjavik during thespring semester.

Dodd is one of approximately800 U.S. citizens, selected on thebasis of academic or professional

achievement, as well as demon-strated leadership potential intheir fields, who will travelabroad this year through theFulbright Scholar program. Theprogram was established to buildmutual understanding betweenthe people of the United Statesand the rest of the world.

Dodd’s first Fulbright grantenabled him to guest lectureand conduct research during the1999-2000 academic year inTrondheim, Norway.

“I feel very fortunate toreceive the support that aFulbright award provides,” Doddsaid. “I am once again lookingforward to the opportunity tolearn from another culture andshare my experiences in mycourses at Drake.”

STRENTZ HONORED FOR PRO-MOTING OPEN GOVERNMENT,FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

Herb Strentz, professor emeritusof journalism, received the 2006Central Iowa Activist Award inthe First Amendment categoryfor his commitment to opennessin government and his leader-ship role at the Freedom ofInformation Council. The DesMoines Business Record honoredStrentz for his relentless dedica-tion to the council and his con-tinued promotion of opennessin government.

After the Freedom ofInformation Council’s formalincorporation in 1977, Strentzserved as the organization’sexecutive secretary until hisretirement in 2000. For almost25 years Strentz organized andconducted training for journal-ists, attorneys and librarians; pro-duced educational materials;and manned an FOI hotline.

Strentz was inducted into theOpen Government Hall of Famein 2003 and is also the only per-son to have received theDistinguished Service Award from

the Iowa Newspaper Associationand recognition from the IowaBroadcasters Hall of Fame.

CRAIG’S SCULPTURE TO BE FEATURED AT MICHIGAN EXHIBITION

Robert Craig, associate professorof art and design, has been chosen to participate in an exhibition that features worksof art from prominent sculptorsfrom around the world. Craig’suntitled steel sculpture currentlysits along the banks of the St. Joseph River in St. Joseph,MI, as part of the Krasl SculptureInvitational organized at theKrasl Art Center.

The Center, devoted exclusive-ly to sculpture, focuses on out-door works by prominent sculp-tors. The biennial exhibition inwhich Craig is participatingattracts artists from around theworld and celebrates the talentsand creativity of contemporarysculptors and their innovativethree-dimensional works.

The current exhibitionincludes the works of 30 nationaland international artists, whichare on display inside and on thegrounds of the Krasl Art Centeras well as at 16 sites along the St. Joseph River. The exhibitionopened in September and willcontinue through August 2007.

ROBERT STENSRUD, professor of education, (right) was awardedthe state’s highest honor in recognition of his dedication toenhancing the empowerment and employment of persons with disabilities. Master of ceremonies Dave Mills and Joe Mowersfrom then-Governor Vilsack’s office presented Strensrud with theaward in an October ceremony in the rotunda of the state capitol.

Mills noted that Stensrud’s former students describe him as achampion who works quietly and diligently behind the scenes tochange the system.

“They caution that Dr. Stensrud is the kind of man who will notbe thrilled to receive this award,” Mills said. “Since he came toDrake University in 1988, he has written and received grants totrain professionals to work with people with disabilities. He bringsmillions of dollars into the state of Iowa and he mentors stu-dents, but not for his own glory. Dr. Stensrud needs to receivethis award for exactly that reason. He has, quite literally, beenthe ‘wind beneath the wings’ of many of us working in the disabil-ity field in Iowa as well as across the country.”

faculty focus

DRAKE PROFESSOR OF PHARMACOLOGY RON TORRY sits in afishing boat on a quiet lake in Alexandria, MN, with hisbrother Michael and his twin Don. But the storybook pic-ture of the trio’s annual gathering ends there. Rather thanpeacefully discussing walleye bait, the Torry brothers aremore likely to spend a day on the lake vociferously dis-cussing the latest research in medicine and science.

Torry, who holds a PhD in cardiac physiology, has hishands full when debating his brothers. Don is a professorof medical microbiology, immunology and cell biology, aswell as obstetrics and gynecology at Southern IllinoisUniversity School of Medicine, and Michael is the directorof research at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic forOrthopedics and Sports Medicine in Vail, CO.

The collective intellect and shared interests make forsome lively family get-togethers.

Given that his parents were not scientists — dad was ahigh school superintendent and mom worked atCaterpiller — Torry is unsure why he and his siblings sharesuch interest in science and medicine. His best theory isthe biology teacher all three boys shared in high school.“His passion for biology made it appealing to us,” he says.That early inspiration is evident in Torry’s own enthusiasmfor lab work and research.

“Lab work involves lots of serendipity — you just needluck and chance,” he says. “There is no way to prepare forevery possibility in the world of research but you do have tobe prepared to learn from your mistakes.”

WONDER TWINS: Currently, Torry is examining the communi-cation between heart cells and the vascular system and col-laborating with his twin brother in a study of pre-eclampsia.The pair has already published a paper on the subject —one of the first devoted to the specific subject matter theyare exploring.

CHANGE IS GOOD: Given the opportunities to teach andconduct research at Drake, Torry considers his currentposition a “dream job.” The balance between these twoareas keeps him engaged with students and on top of cur-rent advances in the field.

When meeting with students who are unsure whichpath to take, he stresses the importance of diversity in acareer. “Try bunches of things, like shadowing people,because there are lots of opportunities available,” headvises his students. “The field changes so quickly. That’s what keeps it interesting.”

— Emily Kruse

Fishing for AnswersPHARMACY PROFESSOR AND HIS SIBLINGS PURSUE ANSWERS

TO SCIENTIFIC QUANDARIES IN SOME UNUSUAL PLACES.

spotlight


by Abbie Hansen, JO’01


Jenna Bormann Accounting

Richard Golfin III

Marketing & Management

Timothy Greeno

Actuarial Science & Finance

JJavier Hernandez started climbing thecorporate ladder the first day of hisfreshman year at Drake. And whenthe senior majoring in marketing andinternational business graduates inMay, he’ll have already worked for two FORTUNE 500 companies.

He won’t be starting out on the bot-tom rung. Neither will Tim Greeno orJessie Shepherd. Greeno, a juniormajoring in actuarial science andfinance, has been employed bynational insurance companies such as AmerUs Group, AEGON and ThePrincipal Financial Group. AndShepherd, a senior marketing major,spent last summer at Starcom

Worldwide, a media buying giant, and has worked with clients such asMacy*s, Best Buy, Kellogg, Kashi,Nintendo and Showtime.

CHANGING TIMESWhile employers continue to seek individuals with academic degrees who have proven themselves in theclassroom, companies also demandcandidates with real-world, professionalexperience; they look for solid creden-tials and strong personal references.

The College of Business and PublicAdministration ensures that its stu-dents possess these qualities and thatthey are far beyond their peers at othercolleges and universities in terms of

experience at the end of their fouryears at Drake.

“We want to catch students early onto get them engaged,” says Amy JoReimer-Myers, career developmentmanager at the CBPA. “We want students to understand it’s a verycompetitive world.”

The message is being heard. TakeHernandez, for example, who has been a part of Institutional AdvisoryServices for the Third Party Distributionteam at Principal Global Investors sinceMay 2006. For Hernandez, morningmeetings have become commonplace.And concern for keeping current on all

financial information in the market-place is as imperative to him as hiswork inside the classroom.

Hernandez analyzes data as it pertainsto the company’s various strategies,reviews performances, works on effi-ciency projects and cultivates the relationships that PGI has establishedwith some of its best-known clients.

“So far, to a certain degree, I havelearned more things about myselfthan I have about the businessworld. I was able to really gauge mystrengths and weaknesses, and cometo realize the importance of coordi-nation, collaboration and communi-cation,” says Hernandez. “As far as

the business, I have learned morefinance than the average personcares to know. I also learned that Iactually like finance. I have seenhow both of my majors work togetherand feel confident, not cocky, in myown capabilities.”

Likewise, Shepherd was ready tosucceed and excel professionally atStarcom. “For one of our clients,Best Buy, I monitored the televisiontraffic on a weekly basis in order toensure that schedules were being followed correctly by the networks.And when there were errors, I was in charge of alerting the reps at thenetworks and this required me to

negotiate with individuals in thebusiness world,” she says. “The CBPA helped me develop thosenegotiating skills and has given me theconfidence to effectively use them.”

THE PERSONAL TOUCHThe CBPA has a strategic program that begins with personalized careerplanning and training. Students areadmitted to the business school immediately and start learning frombusiness professionals their first day ofclasses. Training opportunities offeredthrough the program include careerassessments that identify professionaltalents and aptitudes; profession inven-tories, which include salary ranges,requirements and future growth

continued on page 12


1122 D R A K E blue The Magazine of Drake University

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opportunities; personalized career coun-seling that features a strategic careerplan tailored to each student; profes-sional resume development; mock interviews; career and job fairs designedspecifically for business majors; andcareer workshops on various topics suchas etiquette and salary negotiation.

On a more basic level, professorswork with students inside and outside of the classroom. Such anexperience provides four years of in-depth preparation that is adaptedto each student’s personal goals andcareer aspirations.

The associate dean of the collegeworks one-on-one with first-year students to assist them in puttingtogether a resume. From their firstday on campus, they’re thinkingabout preparing for and getting theirfirst internship.

“I have found that the leadership with-in the CBPA is its strongest feature,”says Hernandez. “The professors andfaculty are very supportive and have apassion to teach — this can be exhib-ited in a simple conversation with anyprofessor or faculty member.”

Greeno agrees. “My experience atDrake has been extremely positive. I have enjoyed close personal relation-ships with several of my professors andgreatly appreciate their commitment tomy future,” he says. “The seminars the CBPA sponsors are an incredibleresource, and I have used much ofwhat has been taught in these pro-grams in the workplace.”

Reimer-Myers also works alongsidestudents to help them in any way possible. “Throughout their time here,we continue working with [students]and acting as a liaison, pushing themahead and helping them land an inter-view,” says Reimer-Myers.

TOOLS OF THE TRADEThe CBPA knows how important first impressions are to a potentialemployer. Students need to look likeand present themselves as profession-als. To get them started, the CBPA pro-

fessional portfolio is given to studentsas soon as they set foot on campus asa business major. A tool for organizingall their materials, the portfolio helpsstudents track important businessappointments in a professional planner,serves as a place to carry personalizedbusiness cards, compile samples of thestudent’s professional work on interac-tive CDs, stores important businessdocuments and serves as a device forbuild a professional network. Studentsare also able to access the The WallStreet Journal throughout their fouryears at Drake. Utilized on a day-to-daybasis, these materials are instrumentalin assisting students in organizing,implementing and achieving theircareer goals.

Another asset the CBPA shares withits students is Career bluePrint. Thecustomizable, proprietary databaseallows students to track their careerexperiences. Through this programthey’re able to match their interestswith a large network of employers,alumni and other business profes-sionals. The database includes asearch engine known for its ability to link recruiters with Drake businesscandidates who fit specific employ-ment needs.

“The CBPA has done an excellent jobpreparing me to not only land entrylevel jobs, but also to excel in thosepositions and rise through to the topof a company,” Greeno says. “We areequipped with the necessary tools tosee our dreams become reality.”

“THE CBPA HELPED ME DEVELOP THOSE NEGOTIATING SKILLS AND HAS GIVEN ME THE CONFIDENCE TO EFFECTIVELY USE THEM.”

Javier Hernandez Marketing & International Business


Q. How does it differ from the five-year Strategic Plan?

A. The most important difference is that it is not a plan— it’s a vision. That may sound like splitting hairs, but itis not by any means. We need a vision for the future,something toward which we can strive, reach for, thatgives us a broad-brush sense of where we want to go andwhy we want to go there. The vision is, in essence, a pic-ture of our desired and expected future — a picture thatwe hope will come true and that we will work hard torealize. That long-term vision is meant to reflect back onour immediate future, and our shorter-term (five-year)planning in ways that provide context, guidance andgoals for the planning process. In essence, our strategicplan must point in the direction of Vision 2025, andidentify the concrete actions that we must take to makethe vision a reality, step-by-step.

Q. What audience is Drake tryingto reach with these concepts?

A. Vision 2025 is meant for everyone who cares aboutDrake University and its future — students, faculty, staff,alumni, Board members, parents, friends and colleagues.We hope that people will engage in the vision, thinkabout it, give us their input as we go forward, and dowhatever they can to help us make it happen. One ofour most immediate tasks is to think about how we tellthe story of Vision 2025 to others in a meaningful andcompelling way. Now it has a fair amount of academicjargon and references to things we talk about in highereducation all the time, which may not make completesense to those who don’t live in it every day.

Q. Why should we focus so farahead when there are things weneed to be doing right now and inthe immediate future?

A. They’re not mutually exclusive — they’re actuallymutually reinforcing. There is tremendous danger whenyou focus only on the present or on the immediatefuture without a long-term vision. It is all too easy tomake decisions that appear to make sense in the short-term, but that have disastrous long-term consequences.In addition, large organizations don’t change very quickly,

Q. What is Drake University: Vision2025, and what is its purpose?

A. Vision 2025 is a collaborative attempt to portray whatDrake University can (and should) be in the year 2025.It has several purposes — all of them important — asnoted in the document itself:

• It is intended to be aspirational, identifying goalsthat will stretch us as an institution, but that are atthe same time necessary and feasible;

• It is intended to be inspirational, encouraging allthose who care about Drake University to help makethe vision come true;

• It is intended to provoke and challenge — to makeus ask, and answer, the difficult questions about thepresent and about the future. What new things dowe need to do? What things do we need to do differ-ently? What parts of our heritage do we need tocherish and protect so that the University will con-tinue to thrive in a world that we know will be very,very different?

Q. How was Vision 2025 developed?

A. In recent years, as we completed successive iterationsof the Drake University Strategic Plan (which is a rollingfive-year plan), we have had frequent conversationsabout the challenges facing the University in the long-term future, and about the ways in which we will need tomanage those challenges to ensure that Drake continues

to fulfill its mission in a vital and vig-orous manner. About 18 monthsago, I sat down at the computer andwrote a draft that incorporated whatI was hearing on these topics fromfaculty, students, staff, Board ofTrustees, alumni and friends of theUniversity. My goal was to take all ofthese conversations and ideas andintegrate them into a cohesive narra-tive that would serve as a useful basisfor continuing conversations. It has

served that purpose well; we have had many useful andimportant discussions based on Vision 2025 (includingthe Board of Trustees, the Faculty Senate, the Student Senate and the All-Staff Council), and I’ve revised the document periodically to reflect that ongoing input.

Vision 2025 is a

collaborative attempt to

portray what Drake

University can (and should)

be in the year 2025.


and if we are going to manage future challenges success-fully, we need to be thinking long-term. In a sense, asErik Peterson of the Seven Revolutions Initiative said oncampus a few weeks ago, it’s the difference betweenmanagement and leadership. If you’re only focused onwhere you are and on the very next steps, you quicklylose sight of where you’re going. Peterson also notedDarwin’s observation that organisms that do not adapt tochange do not survive. That concept is critical to the suc-cess of a university. It’s not just anticipating and respond-ing to change. We must anticipate and manage change,but we also need to exploit the opportunities inherent inchange, and ultimately make change happen. The goal isnot just to survive, but to thrive in fulfilling our missionand keeping our promises.

Q. Is a 20-year vision realistic? It’s a long period of time, but it isalso very ambitious.

A. We recognize, of course, that in a 20-year period oftime the world can change in dramatic ways that willrequire us to rethink some (or all) of our assumptions.As Vision 2025 states, if we’d undertaken this exercise 20years ago, we would not have anticipated the impact ofthe Web and other technologies on virtually every aspectof our lives. So while we will do everything that we can tomake this vision come true, we have to acknowledge thatit is somewhat speculative, and that not all the variablesare under our control. We also have to acknowledge thatit is by no means complete, that the details are meant inmost cases to be representative — to be illustrations ofwhat we’re talking about, and that it will continue to beinfused with new thinking and new approaches as werevisit it periodically.

Q. How does Drake move from thebroad strokes that constitute thisplan, to the fine details that willmake it a reality?

A. At the initiative of one of our campus committeesworking on our institutional self-study for reaccreditationby the Higher Learning Commission (the review willtake place in 2008), we have developed a three-year plan-ning cycle that will “institutionalize” an ongoing plan-ning and implementation process. Next June, we will

have our first all-University Futures Conference, in whichall campus units will present “white papers” on theirrespective challenges, opportunities, and aspirations forcampus discussion (the Conference will coincide with ourJune Board of Trustees meeting aswell.) This spring, the campus willalso elect a Planning Council, to bechaired by the President. TheCouncil will take the ideas present-ed at the Futures Conference, aswell as other relevant information,and over the fall create a draft ofthe next Drake University StrategicPlan for review by all relevant con-stituencies. The Strategic Plan willidentify all of the concrete stepsthat need to be taken to move usanother five years in the directionof Vision 2025 — and it will identi-fy the resources that we will need toget there.

One of the most important ideasthat derives from the development of Drake University:Vision 2025, and that will feed into the strategic planning discussion, is the fact that we firmly believethat Drake University has the potential to be nationallyrecognized, in the next five to six years, for what we allalready know it to be — one of the very best universitiesin the country. We have already begun a discussion ofwhat that means with a number of on- and off-campusgroups, and I look forward to exploring that excitingaspiration with the Drake family in the coming months.

Drake University has the

potential to be nationally

recognized, in the next five

to six years, for what we all

already know it to be —

one of the very best

universities in the country.

Vision 2025 in its entirety can be foundonline at www.drake.edu/president

by clicking on “Drake University: Vision 2025”


EHRHART, FORMER RELAYSDIRECTOR, DIES

Former Drake Relays directorBob Ehrhart, 75, died from cancer at his West Des Moineshome Jan. 7.

Ehrhart retired in September2000 after serving 31 years asDrake Relays director — thelongest tenure of any of the 11Relays directors in school history.

Ehrhart came to Drake in thesummer of 1969, succeedingBob Karnes as Drake Relaysdirector and head track andfield coach.

Under Ehrhart’s direction,Drake’s track and cross-countryteams won nine Missouri ValleyConference championships,including six in indoor track,two in cross-country and one inoutdoor track. He filled the posi-tion with distinction, watchingthe Drake Relays begin its stringof 41 consecutive sellout crowdsfor the Saturday session — thelongest string of any track meetin the world.

The number of events at theDrake Relays expanded from 49in Ehrhart’s first year, to morethan 100. The number of collegeteams and participants almosttripled from 2,763 athletes in1970 to a record 9,185 entries in2000. In addition to countlessmeet records, 14 national colle-

giate marks, 13 Americanrecords and one world recordwere set during Ehrhart’s tenure.

In 1992 Ehrhart was namedthe first full-time director of theDrake Relays, stepping down asDrake’s head track coach.

A-PLUS FOR ATHLETES

The Drake softball team hasbeen honored by the NationalFastpitch Coaches Associationfor holding the second highestcumulative grade point averageamong the NCAA Division Iprograms during the 2005-06academic year.

The Bulldog team combinedto post a cumulative 3.51 gradepoint average during the 2005-06season. Ninety-five schools wererecognized for owning cumula-tive grade point averages of 2.5or better.

“We are extremely pleasedwith being recognized as one ofthe top academic teams in thecountry,” said Rich Calvert,Drake softball coach. “Our teamtakes great pride in trying to rep-resent Drake both on the fieldand in the classroom.”

GOING FOR GOLD

With an 11th-place finish in the December CaliforniaInternational Marathon, ZacSchendel, ED’00, has become

the third former Drake cross-country standout to qualify forthe 2008 U.S. OlympicMarathon Trials.

Schendel, who resides inMinneapolis, was clocked in2:20:34 in the CaliforniaInternational Marathon held inSacramento, CA, Dec. 3.

Schendel joins former Draketeammates Jason Lehmkuhle,FA’00, and Matt Gabrielson,ED’00, for the 2008 U.S.Olympic Trials, which will beheld in conjunction with theNew York City Marathon inNovember 2007.

Schendel won the 10,000-meter run for Drake at the 2000Missouri Valley ConferenceOutdoor Track and FieldChampionships. Lehmkuhlewon the 1999 MVC individualcross-country title and set theMVC 10,000-meter record of28:44.91 in 2000.

Gabrielson owns the Drakeschool indoor record in the3,000-meter run of 8:06.44 in2000. The trio was instrumentalin leading Drake to a team title in the 1999 MVC Cross-Country Championships.

RUNNING MAN

Drake junior running backScott Phaydavong was a repeatselection as the co-offensiveplayer of the year for the Drakefootball team during the 109thannual Channing Smith Awardsbanquet this fall.

Phaydavong, a three-timefirst-team Sports Network Mid-Major 1-A All-American choice,shared the honor with seniorfullback Matt Goodwin and jun-ior offensive tackle Matt Haas.Haas and Phaydavong alsoearned first-team All-PioneerFootball League honors.

Senior linebacker BrianConway, Waukee, IA; sophomoresafety Jacob Craig, MountVernon, IA; and senior defensiveend Kevin Jennings, Lockport,IL, shared defensive player of theyear honors. Craig and Jenningswere first-team All-PFL selections.

The Bulldogs, under coachRob Ash, posted a 9-2 recordthis fall, including a 6-1 second-place finish in the PioneerFootball League.

FOOTE (BALL)

The Drake women’s soccer teamearned its first berth in theNCAA Tournament this fall with

MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM RULES IOWA

With a Feb. 8 victory at the University of NorthernIowa (67-59) the Drake men’s basketball teamsecured its position as the top Division I team in thestate. Led by coach Tom Davis, pictured right withBillie, ED’50, and Robert, BN’52, LW’54, Ray, theBulldogs swept all four games played against Iowa’sthree Division I programs for the first time in schoolhistory and took possession of the state title for thefirst time since the 1978-79 season. Drake earned an80-78 victory at Iowa State Dec. 3 and then whippedIowa, 75-59 before a record crowd at the KnappCenter on Dec. 16. The Bulldogs also claimed a 74-61home victory against Northern Iowa on Jan. 27.

DRAKE ATHLETICS HAS ABRAND NEW WEB SITE thatfeatures a new Bulldogstore and includes optionsthat allow users to watchgames online, receivescores on their mobilephones, sign up for electronic newsletters andmore. Check it out atwww.GoDrakeBulldogs.com.

sports sideline


a 1-0 overtime win over Evansvillein the MVC ConferenceTournament in Omaha.

While the Bulldogs bowed toSt. Louis University 2-0, the tour-nament appearance capped alandmark season for the youngprogram. Drake went 12-6-2, ledby junior Sarah Foote, who set asingle-season scoring record with12 goals.

Foote was named to SoccerBuzz magazine’s All-Great Lakeswomen’s soccer region thirdteam. Foote was the onlyMissouri Valley Conference play-er to be named to a regionalsquad. She ranked as high as23rd in the NCAA in points-per-game and was named the MVCMost Valuable Player.

Stars in the classroom as well,three players — Danielle Oswald,Melissa Nelson and MalloryMcGannon — were named tothe Missouri Valley ConferenceScholar-Athlete Team.

MVC Defensive Player of theYear Danielle Oswald, who holdsa 3.33 grade point average insociology, leads the trio. SeniorMelissa Nelson was also named tothe first team for the thirdstraight year, holding a 3.85 GPAin pharmacy. Senior MalloryMcGannon received honorablemention laurels with a 3.57 gradepoint average in accounting.

SIX PACK

Drake senior Blake Siberz wasnamed to the National SoccerCoaches Association of America(NSCAA) College Men’s SoccerScholar All-American Third Team.

Siberz helped lead the Bulldogsto a 6-7-6 record and an appear-ance in the semifinals of the StateFarm MVC Championship. Heanchored a Drake defense thatheld eight opponents scoreless.

Siberz holds a 3.31 gradepoint average in sociology andwas one of six Drake men’s soccer players named to the

MVC Scholar-Athlete team. Theother top student athletes fromthe program were AlexBollinger and Luke Frieberg onthe first team, and PhillipBreuer, Keith Gorczyca andKurt Larson who earned honor-able mention honors.

Bollinger sports a 3.77 gradepoint average in biochemistry andmicrobiology while Siberz main-tains a 3.31 GPA in sociology.Frieberg earns a 3.68 GPA infinance. Breuer owns a 3.65 GPAmajoring in English. Gorczycamaintains a 3.21 grade pointaverage in finance while Larsonhas a 3.46 GPA majoring inradio/television.

MORE THAN THE SCORE

New lights and a scoreboardbrightened the Drake KnappCenter this winter. Fans weretreated to a new Daktronicsscoreboard with video capabili-ties that was unveiled in lateJanuary. In addition, a newMusco Lighting system wasinstalled and the sound systemwas upgraded.

“We are excited about theenhancements for our fans,”said Sandy Hatfield Clubb,Drake athletic director. “Theunparalleled commitment ofour Champions Club donorshas allowed us to make theseimportant improvements to theKnapp Center. The upgradeswill improve the quality of thein-game experience for student-athletes and fans.”

Drake, the only private schoolin the Missouri Valley Conferencethat has an on-campus facility inwhich to play its home games,averaged nearly 5,200 fans permen’s basketball game which isthe third highest single-seasonattendance mark since the facilityopened in 1992.

The 2006-07 Drake women’s basketball season has requiredperseverance like the program has seldom needed.

The Bulldogs started the season as the favorite to winthe Missouri Valley Conference title. That, however, wasbefore star senior forward Jill Martin lost her entire sea-son to a back injury and surgery, and point guard JordannPlummer was sidelined with a nagging foot injury.

Without their top ball handler and leading scorer,Drake lost its way, going winless in the conference untillate January.

“This season has been very hard on us as a team,” saysLindsay Whorton, a junior forward from Independence,MO. “We know we’re not living up to expectations, butwe can see improvement every game. We have to con-stantly refocus on our goals and not give in to feelingsorry for ourselves.”

Whorton’s never-surrender attitude is a matter of faith. Before every game, Whorton pulls on a pair of knee

pads with Bible verses from Isaiah and Deuteronomystitched in dark lettering at the top. The verses come fromchapters that detail the journey of the Israelites throughthe desert and battles for freedom from the Egyptians.

Whorton’s favorite Deuteronomy passage says, in part,“God has led you … in the wilderness that he might hum-ble you, testing you to know what is in your heart.” It’s amessage that helped Whorton keep perspective duringrough patches throughout the season.

“You have to realize that sometimes the best things youlearn in life come from the hardest times,” she says.“Struggle is good for you. The thing is you have to havefaith that better days are ahead.”

— Daniel P. Finney, JO’97

Hardcourt Faithful

Hardcourt Faithful

DESPAIR NOT, THE STRUGGLES OF DRAKE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM ARE A SIGN OF BETTER THINGS TO COME.

champions


PIONEERING PHARMACIST HONORED

Wendell Talbot Hill Jr., PH’50,will be posthumously awardedthe Lawrence C. and Delores M. Weaver Medal of Honor onApril 25.

Following his academic trainingat Drake University and theUniversity of Southern California,Hill was instrumental in advancinghospital pharmacy practicebetween 1954 and 1976.

In 1977, Hill was appointeddean of the College of Pharmacyat Howard University. He earnedrecognition from his peers forsuperior leadership as a memberof several professional organiza-tions, including his place on theboard of trustees at DrakeUniversity. Hill was also awardedthe Alumni Distinguished ServiceAward from Drake in 1975. Hemet his wife, Marcella Washington,GR’49, at the University andtogether the couple raised two sons.

The Weaver Medal of Honoris the College of Pharmacy andHealth Science’s highest honor.

SOE HONORS THREE OUTSTANDING ALUMNI

School of Education graduatesTom Andersen, ConstanceCohen and James Heslop were

named the 2007 OutstandingAlumni at the school’s annualevent on March 8. Andersen,GR’72, GR’88, has served as ateacher and consultant for theIowa Department of PublicInstruction for 34 years on topicssuch as equity, civil rights andschool improvement issues. Hehas been involved in the devel-opment and implementation ofschool integration programs, the multicultural-gender fair curriculum, diversity training foreducators, affirmative employ-ment programs and equity monitoring systems.

Cohen, ED’72, GR’77, JD’87,is a member of the JuvenileCourt bench in Iowa where sheoversees cases involving depend-ency, delinquency, terminationof parental rights, involuntary

juvenile commitments and adop-tions. She started her career asan elementary teacher and schooladministrator before obtainingher law degree.

Heslop, ED’54, served in thePeace Corps as a teacher in thePhillippines before moving toBanning, CA, to take a positionas a history teacher where hebecame assistant principal andprincipal. Later Heslop was pro-moted to assistant superintendent.Since his retirement in 1989 hehas been asked by the BanningSchool District to return as aconsultant. He has remainedactive by establishing a branch ofHabitat for Humanity in hiscommunity. In 2005, he receivedthe city of Banning’s highesthonor and was inducted into theRiverside Education Hall of Fame.

ALUMNI AWARD WINNERSANNOUNCED

Drake University will honor fivealumni at the annual AlumniAwards Dinner, Saturday, May 12on the Drake campus.

JONATHAN AZUJonathan Azu, BN’99, will receivethe Young Alumni AchievementAward. Azu, vice president,strategic music partnerships,CBS Radio, Infinity Broadcasting,New York, develops integratedmultimedia programs that linkadvertisers, labels and artists withCBS Radio’s music brands. Azuremains actively involved in theDrake community; he has helpedorganize the annual BulldogBash in his area and, when helived in St. Louis, the MissouriValley Conference men’s basket-ball tournament alumni event.Azu also served on the alumnihost committee for Drake’s 125thbirthday party last October.

CHARLA LAWHONCharla Lawhon, JO’78, will receivethe Alumni Achievement Award.Lawhon is managing editor ofInStyle, a celebrity lifestyle maga-zine with 1.6 million monthlyreaders. Since graduating,Lawhon has shared her expertisewith Drake students, meetingwith magazine majors and speaking as part of the School ofManagement and Communication’sExecutive in Residence series,which is designed to expose stu-dents to real-world situations inthe workplace.

WILLIAM “BILL” BUCHANANThe Alumni Loyalty Award willbe presented to William “Bill”Buchanan, BN’57. A member ofthe College of Business andPublic Administration NationalAdvisory Council, Buchanan andhis wife Jean have hosted alumnireceptions at their Kansas Cityhome for prospective studentsand their families. The couple

has also made leadership gifts tothe University to endow a schol-arship fund in their name and tosupport new and continuing pro-grams in the College of Businessand Public Administration.Buchanan, an innovator in theinsurance industry and Fellow inthe Society of Actuaries, servedon a committee to create andsupport the Adams/BowersActuarial Education Center at Drake.

BETTY GRANDQUISTBetty Grandquist, LA’74, will bepresented with the DistinguishedService Award. As executive directorof the Iowa Association of AreaAgencies on Aging, Grandquisthas received numerous honorsfor her service to Iowa, state gov-ernment and the chronically illand aged. At Drake, Grandquistis secretary and program chair ofthe RaySociety, which providesuniversity-level noncredit educa-tional opportunities to citizens

of retirement age in centralIowa. She was a member of theNational Commission II, whichengaged alumni and friends in acomprehensive planning effortfor the University and which laidthe foundation for Drake’s mostrecent major fundraising cam-paigns. Grandquist is also amember of the Friends of DrakeArts and past member of theDrake College of Arts andSciences National Advisory Board.

VINAYA SHARMAThe Young Alumni LoyaltyAward will be presented toVinaya Sharma, BN’93. Sharmais a credit analyst and actuarywith Quantitative Risk Manage-ment in Chicago. Sharma hasserved on his five-year reunioncommittee, helped organizelocal Bulldog Bashes and supported numerous otherregional alumni activities.

Call the alumni office at 1-800-44-DRAKE, x3147 for info.

Wendell Talbot Hill Jr., PH’50

alumniupdate

spotlight


AT LEAST ONE CRITIC HAS CALLED LESLEY PICCHIETTI BYERS,JO’78, one of the “most promising young jazz singers of our era.”

Yet the career that has taken Byers on several cross-country tours and resulted in several critically acclaimedalbums was not intentional.

“After graduating I got an advertising job in Chicago,”Byers recalls. “I thought I could take the business world bystorm, but reality hit me hard.”

While working full-time for a wage barely above povertylevel, Byers began singing at a dinner theater to helpmake ends meet. Before long, this side job was payingmore than her “career.”

In 1996, she joined a jump blues band, just one yearbefore a swing music craze hit the country.

“We were easily working six nights a week,” she says. “I would sleep in my car for about an hour between a gigand work. It was fun, but I felt like I was doing both jobsmediocre. I thought, ‘I can always get another job but Ihave to try this music thing.’”

She quit her day job a decade ago and hasn’t lookedback. Byers formed Lesley Byers and the Jazz Cats in 2000and in January embarked on her first-ever world tour.

MORE THAN LUCKY: “We’re just having an amazing ride.I’ve been extremely lucky.”

But Byers knows it’s more than luck — and talent —that is responsible for her successful music career.“I am a working musician because of my business back-ground, not because I can sing,” she says. “There are a lot of great singers out there who are sitting at home.”And she realizes now that her journalism education hasbeen beneficial in ways she never imagined.

“Doing press releases, layout for a press kit, mailinglists, and my own sound engineering — in all of thosethings I have enough background to know what I’m doing,”says Byers. “I am certain that has been the driving forcekeeping me from having to go back and get a day job.”

— Tim Schmitt

Singing for her supper

JOURNALISM GRADUATE PUTS HER DEGREE TO WORK...AS A JAZZ SINGER

NOT “LOST”Michael Emerson, FA’76, picturedhere in character on the “LOST” set,took the long road to find success.And while on his way, he nearly gaveup on his acting career altogether.

It wasn’t until 1995 when a glowingNew York Times Broadway reviewhelped him find his way. He’s sinceguest starred on “Law and Order:Special Victims Unit” and “Without aTrace” and landed a big screen rolein Saw. Emerson has recently foundfame on the ABC hit series “LOST.”Initially signing on for a mere threeepisodes, he’s now one of the lead-ing cast members in season three.

calendar

* For more information and a full listing of all Drake events — including athletics and fine arts events — visit:

www.drake.edu/newsevents/calendar


Drake will induct the class of1957 into the 50-Year Club duringcommencement weekend May11–13. Members of the classes of1937 and 1947 will be honoredas well. The College of Pharmacyand Health Sciences class of1952 reunites the same weekend.

In addition, Law School gradu-ates of 1957, 1967, 1977, 1987,1997 and 2002 will come togetheron campus June 8 – 10.

Interested in helping planthese events? Contact the Officeof Alumni and Parent Programsat 1-800-44-DRAKE, x2500.

IT’S ALL ABOUT CONNECTIONS

In order to enhance the Drakeexperience and its connectionwith alumni, parents andfriends, it’s important that theUniversity conduct surveys.Through constructive feedbackDrake is better able to evaluatewhat it has done well and identifyareas in which the University can improve. Please take a minuteand respond to a few brief ques-tions by logging on towww.drake.edu/alumni betweenApril 1 and May 1, 2007.

AprilWEDNESDAY, APRIL 25Weaver Medal of HonorLecture and ReceptionDes Moines

FRIDAY, APRIL 27 – SATURDAY,APRIL 28Drake RelaysDes Moines

SATURDAY, APRIL 2820-year Cluster ReunionClasses of 1986, 1987, 1988Des Moines

5-year Cluster ReunionClasses of 2001, 2002, 2003Des Moines

Reunion of the Drake Chapterof Phi Delta Theta FraternityDes Moines

MayFRIDAY, MAY 11Drake 50-Year Club DinnerDes Moines

Law School CommencementDes Moines

FRIDAY, MAY 11 – SATURDAY, MAY 12Class of 1957 Reunion andPharmacy Class of 1952 ReunionDes Moines

SATURDAY, MAY 12Drake UniversityCommencementDrake Annual Alumni Awards DinnerDes Moines

ALUMNI PORTAL TO LAUNCH

Drake alumni will have access toDrake’s password-protected onlinealumni community this summer.The central repository of infor-mation lets alums reconnect withclassmates, update information,learn about and register forupcoming events, see news fromaround campus and learn moreabout the services offered by theAlumni Association, all in a secureenvironment. In short, alumshave access to informationunavailable to the general publicand it’s all in one place. It’s agreat way to stay connected.Watch for additional communi-cation in the mail.

REUNIONS SCHEDULED FOR RELAYS AND COMMENCEMENT WEEKENDS

The classes of 2001, 2002 and2003 will gather for their firstcluster reunion this spring.Committee members are coordi-nating events for the five-yearreunion as well as plans for a 20-year cluster for the classes of 1986,1987 and 1988. Festivities for bothreunions will take place duringRelays weekend, April 27–29.

May – JuneBulldog BashesVarious cities worldwide; visitwww.drake.edu/alumni for details

FRIDAY, JUNE 8 – SUNDAY, JUNE 10Law Alumni ReunionsClasses of 2002, 1997, 1987,1977, 1967 and 1957Des Moines

THURSDAY, JUNE 14Chicago Golf OutingChicago

FRIDAY, JUNE 29 – SUNDAY, JULY 1 Des Moines Arts FestivalDes Moines

JulySATURDAY, JULY 14Schaumburg Flyers baseballgame and pre-game picnicSchaumburg, IL

SeptemberSATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22Parents and Family Weekend

OctoberFRIDAY, OCTOBER 5 – SATURDAY,OCTOBER 6Homecoming Weekend

Visit www.drake.edu/alumni fordetails regarding alumni eventsand services, to update yourcontact information, to sharenews and more.

alumniupdate

The Basics of Husbandry

AMONG STACKS OF LEGAL PAPERS and docu-ments on attorney George LaMarca’s desk isthe 2007 Seeds from Italy catalog. “Don’t makeme out to be too much of a vegetable grower,”says the 1970 Drake Law School grad. Butwhether LaMarca admits it or not, his care-ful attention to detail and the way he nurtures relationships with his clients arereflected in his passion for gardening.

A FAMILY TRAIT LaMarca inherited his greenthumb from his grandfathers, both Italianimmigrants. His passion is in his herb andvegetable gardens, but his backyard is alsolush with extensive perennial and annualbeds. For herbs alone he grows four varietiesof thyme, eight of basil and 10 types of rose-mary. Given his personality, it comes as no

surprise that peppers and eggplant are hisfavorite vegetables. “Because they’re chal-lenging to grow,” he says.

FROM GARDEN TO COURTROOM That sense ofdedication is apparent in the way he prac-tices law as well. LaMarca is known for beingan aggressive litigator who leaves no stoneunturned. “I constantly strive to do the bestthat can be done for the cases I’ve under-taken,” he says. “I can’t guarantee that myclients will win every case. But they will knowI have done my all. If I’ve done that, even ifI lose, I keep my clients’ respect.”

His real fervor for law took root whileworking as a clerk for former Chief JusticeLouis Lavarato, LW’62, when LaMarca wasstill a law student. “I was fortunate in that

very formative first decade in my law practiceto have such a great mentor,” LaMarca says.“[Lavarato] set an excellent example of hardwork, the importance of caring for clientsand maintaining high ethical standards.”LaMarca had plenty of time to learn fromhim; he joined Lavarato after graduationand practiced law with him for nine yearsbefore Lavarato went to the bench.

Such training served LaMarca well. Hispractice, LaMarca & Landry P.C., was foundedin 1988. Composed of Drake Law Schoolgraduates, his firm includes 11 attorneys anda support staff of 23 and represents regional,national and international clients.

— Abbie Hansen, JO’01

A GREEN THUMB PROVES TO BE USEFUL OUTSIDE OF THE GARDEN

spotlight



Picture 1: Tim Nied, BN’02, and Casandra Sims have much to cele-brate during the Drake alumni event held in Washington, D.C.; thecouple was recently engaged. Picture 2: LouAnn Burney, Drake Boardof Trustees member Rudy Trebels, BN’73, and Lee Trebels enjoy analumni event in Chicago. Picture 3: Drake first lady MadeleineMaxwell along with President David Maxwell (center) share theevening with (from left) Priyanandini Menon, BN’04, Drew Gulley,AS’05, and Irina Kovaleva, BN’05, in New York. Picture 4: (From left)Thomas O’Brien, LW’96, David Hanus, LW’96, Mike Sinnen, LW’06,Jennifer Allamby Hansen, senior advancement officer, SamanthaSteinle, LW’02, and Curran Burns, LW’04, gather for a Law Schoolevent in Milwaukee. Picture 5: Charlie Wittmack, the first Iowan toclimb Mount Everest, speaks at a Let’s DU Lunch event. Picture 6:Pete Helgesen, ED’98, Mary Adams and Drake Board of Trusteesmember Don Fletcher, BN’67, visit at the Kansas City alumni event.

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alumniupdate

For more information or to make a contribution, contact Director of Annual Fund ProgramsPam Pepper at 1-800-44-Drake, x4558 or go to www.drake.edu/alumni and click “Support Drake.”

•Scholarships to 98 percent of Drake undergraduates.

•Ongoing operations.

•State-of-the-art classrooms withtechnological enhancements.

•Retaining and recruiting top-notch faculty.

• The arts, athletics, leadershipopportunities and the overall betterment of campus life.

•Making the Drake experience inand out of the classroom uniqueand transformational.

YOU CAN BE TRUE BLUE BY CONTRIBUTING TO THE DRAKE FUND.

YOUR GIFT SUPPORTS:

The Drake Fund

Make your gift online —

www.drake.edu/alumni— and click on “Support Drake”!

“CONTEMPLATING THE PAST, UNDERSTANDINGRESISTANCE IN THE PRESENT AND TRANSFORMINGTHE FUTURE” was the theme of Drake’sMartin Luther King Day celebration. Theevent featured the Drake Gospel Choir andSt. Paul A.M.E. Gospel Choir; a discussion ofKing’s work and legacy by Jennifer Harvey,assistant professor of religion; historicalvignettes by The Langston Hughes Players; apraise dance by Drake junior Erica Austin;and spoken word presentations by Drake students Maryn Bass, James Bridgeford,Reggie Lee and Sterling Shadd.

CELEBRATING KING’S WORK AND LIFE THROUGH SONG,

SPOKEN WORD AND DANCE

pictorial

MLK Day

DRAKE’S MISSION is to provide an exceptionallearning environment thatprepares students formeaningful personal lives,professional accomplish-ments, and responsibleglobal citizenship.

The Drake experience is distinguished by collaborative learningamong students, faculty,and staff and by the integration of the liberalarts and sciences with professional preparation.

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Nonprofit Organization

U.S.POSTAGE PAIDDes Moines, Iowa

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Drake Blue spring 2007

Documents

Transcript of Drake Blue spring 2007