DRAKE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI INSIDER FALL 2019
Transformations for Tomorrow What’s Next for Drake’s Campus
Fellow Bulldogs, I recently attended a sales training session that was built around the premise of the six basic human needs. If you understand them and fill your clients’ needs, you will have sales success. I learned my top need is “connection—the need to feel togetherness, passion, unity, warmth, and desire.” I was social chair at the Kappa Kappa Gamma house when I was at Drake University. I started the 10-year tradition of gathering with a dozen college girlfriends for a long weekend of friendship and hilarity. I plan family reunions. It’s who I am and why I believe in the Drake inspiration statement: “Together we transform lives and strengthen communities.” And it’s why I have stayed connected and built on my connection to Drake. I’m honored to further expand my involvement with Drake as I step into the role of National Alumni Board president. Maybe your top human need isn’t connection. But, I think we’ll all agree, human connection is important. Meeting people of different backgrounds, of different ages, and with different aspirations helps us grow. I loved my time at Drake, but I love continuing my connection with Drake, too. The Drake mission isn’t just about students. It’s about the Drake family and our desire to improve ourselves and the community around us. Learning doesn’t stop in school. Stay engaged with Drake and continue your own growth. Use your strengths to build your community. I would love to hear how Drake has helped you transform lives and strengthen communities and how we can help you reconnect with Drake.
Go Bulldogs!
Martha Capps, JO’78
President, National Alumni Board martha.capps@gmail.com
1
BLUE | FALL 2019 | FELLOW BULLDOGS
Martha Capps, JO’78, NAB president, and Andy Verlengia, JO’02, director of Alumni Relations, give a quick glimpse of their Drake experiences:
Favorite spot on campus: Martha: My first year residence hall, Goodwin-Kirk. The rooms were small, but the memories are huge.
Andy: While a student, it was the basement of Meredith Hall. A lot of hours were spent down there, whether working a shift at the radio station or editing video and audio for an assignment. As an alum, it is the Alumni House. There is no better spot for a meeting on a beautiful spring day than the front porch.
Most unique place Drake has taken you:
When I think of Drake, the first person who comes to mind is:
Drake took me to the vineyards of Tuscany to visit our daughter, Ellen O’Byrne Brinn, BN’11, while she was a Drake student studying in Florence.
My parents. They believed strongly in the power of education. Our family now has 13 degrees from Drake. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for solid values and your love and support.
While not exotic, Drake led me to the Disney College program the fall of my sophomore year which in turn led to nearly 10 years working for the company.
Wanda Everage. Wanda (LA’72; retired, vice provost for student affairs and academic excellence) was such a wonderful part of my Drake experience. Her passion for education and compassion for students embodied all that the Drake experience stands for.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK Send us your comments or thoughts about the Alumni Insider to insider@drake.edu—we love hearing your feedback and connecting with alums! Connect with us @drakealumni
FELLOW BULLDOGS | FALL 2019 | BLUE
2
From the moment of its founding to present day, the Drake University campus has evolved, expanded, and reinvented itself. Every milestone has shaped Drake into what it is today and where it will be tomorrow.
UNIVERSITY AVENU
URBAN DESIGN REVIEW BOA NOVEMBER 27. 2018
Transformations for Tomorrow As the story goes, Drake University founder and first chancellor George Carpenter climbed an elm tree in 1881 to inspect the countryside surrounding Des Moines, then only 30 years into its incorporation as a city, to select a site for the new institution.
Drake established its footprint around that storied elm tree, three miles due northwest of Des Moines’ cornerstone at the confluence of the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers. As time progressed, the city morphed its way around campus and eventually stretched beyond into miles of neighborhoods and suburbs. Today, Drake sits at the heart of Des Moines. As the University changed, so has the surrounding neighborhood, and in some instances the two evolved as a singular unit.
A CONTINUATION OF GROWTH Several key University and neighborhood developments mark recent history and the others lay on the precipice, positioning Drake and the neighborhood to launch into a new era of growth, collaboration, and a strengthened community positioned for the future.
Pictured, pages 3-4, left to right: Home2 Suites Hotel Project; University Avenue Streetscape; Gregory & Suzie Glazer Burt Boys & Girls Club.
3
BLUE | FALL 2019 | TRANSFORMATIONS FOR TOMORROW
UE STREETSCAPE
ARD
On campus, the new While the 1980s and 1990s saw the Drake Legal Clinic, Holiday Inn Express, and Old Main Apartments take shape and the Drake Diner open its doors, today’s campus and neighborhood are seeing yet another round of growth. Nelson Development is progressing on construction of a five-story, 124-room Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel on University Ave., south of Cole Hall and Old Main. There will also be room for at least one major restaurant and retail space on the first floor, according to Ryan Arnold, Drake’s director of community engagement. Streetscaping is also in progress on University Ave. between 25th and 31st Streets. The completed project will make the corridor more pedestrian-friendly with wider sidewalks, bike-lanes, enhanced bus shelters, and trees.
TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE More construction is on the horizon in the neighborhood, too. This July, Drake announced a major development project on the east side of campus. Drake intends to sell and lease parcels totaling more than four acres in Dogtown, to Merge Urban Development Group (Merge) of Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Gregory & Suzie Glazer Burt Boys & Girls Club opened its doors to Des Moines Public Schools students in August. The Burt Club is an expansion location for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa and Drake is just the second private university in the U.S. to house a Boys & Girls Club. Merge is proposing to develop the tract of land with an investment exceeding $63 million and construct 300 new apartments units for more than 400 new residents, as well as townhomes, commercial space, and parking to serve residents, campus commuters, and the public. The plan includes reopening the Varsity Theater as well. A mixture of housing unit sizes that will be accessible to a wide range of incomes are part of the plan. Ryan indicated that a majority of incomes in this market will be able to attain housing in the new development. “I think we’re going to see this really be a tool that’s going to curb displacement and retain neighborhood diversity,” he said. continued on page 5... TRANSFORMATIONS FOR TOMORROW | FALL 2019 | BLUE
4
Additional retail and commercial space will realize the potential of the University Avenue corridor and the Dogtown arts and cultural district. “The density is really going to take [the neighborhood] to new heights in terms of stability and has the potential to lift everyone up,” said Steve Vilmain, owner of the Drake Diner. Steve serves on numerous boards, including the Des Moines Parks Board and Golf Advisory Committee, and was on the committee that consulted on the hotel development. Additional residential and commercial spaces open new possibilities for the University and neighborhood while strengthening intrinsic characteristics of the neighborhood.
5
“One of the strengths of the Drake neighborhood is its diversity and we need to ensure that a variety of housing options remain available to all the people who make this a great place to live,” said Jason Stuyvesant, BN’03. Jason is on the Drake Neighborhood Association board and is a second-generation Bulldog (his dad, Robert, BN’69, LW’74, ran track at Drake). A few years after graduation, Jason returned to the Drake neighborhood when he and his wife, Heather, bought a house near campus for their growing family. “I think these projects will make Drake the ‘it’ neighborhood in Des Moines,” Jason said. “There has already been a resurgence in the area due to the younger generation’s desire to fix up older homes rather than purchase new. Being close to the city core is beneficial already and having all of these projects happening only improves on the amenities and walkability.”
BLUE | FALL 2019 | TRANSFORMATIONS FOR TOMORROW
Future Potential Visit campus or the surrounding neighborhood today and you may encounter construction sites, closed sidewalks, and orange cone after orange cone along University Ave. Yet, growth that expands the potential of the University and neighborhood lies on the other side of these temporary inconveniences. “We are deliberate in working closely with our neighbors to pursue projects that strengthen the community we call home,” University President Marty Martin said. “New community resources like the Gregory and Suzie Glazer Burt Club, a new home for The Harkin Institute, and the new private investment projects are positive indicators of a vibrant neighborhood.”
The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement began construction on a 16,000-square-foot, $8.7 milion building this fall. The new building will serve as the Institute’s headquarters and is a model of universal design.
Pictured, pages 5-6, left to right: Renderings of The Harkin Institute building, which will be located at University Ave. and 28th St.
TRANSFORMATIONS FOR TOMORROW | FALL 2019 | BLUE
6
WHERE HAS DRAKE TAKEN YOU? How one common starting point led to four impressive life paths
Rebecca (RJ) Bishop,
and business backgrounds, the company often tapped RJ for big and complex projects like the company’s venture into Canada.
ORGANIZATION/TITLE: Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day, National Sales Manager
Yet, after nearly a decade in retail, she once again felt compelled to make a change. At this point, she was ready to use her skills to do good. And that brought her to Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day in Racine, Wis., a naturals brand that offers garden-inspired home and personal care products that grace the shelves of big-box retailers, grocery stores, and independent outlets.
JO’96, LW’99, JO’99
LOCATION: Racine, Wis. FINDING COURAGE TO PIVOT Rebecca (RJ) Bishop landed at Drake because of the 3+3 Program where students can earn an undergraduate and a law degree in just six years. For RJ, that meant knocking out a year of tuition, but more importantly, fostering an interest in life-long learning. “Because of the innovative programing, I was able to study multiple disciplines together in unique and different ways,” said RJ. “It’s really what unlocked my way of thinking and willingness to step off a predictable path and out of my comfort zone.” She started her career in Minneapolis at a large general practice law firm, but soon moved to a boutique intellectual property firm, and spent the next decade becoming an expert in the field. During the long nights and weekends that come with being a litigation attorney, she also realized it might not be the lifestyle she wanted for the years to come. Inspired by her dad who changed careers later in life, Rebecca decided to take a chance. Leaning on her love for learning, she decided to go back to school and earn an MBA degree. Without a business degree, she feared the world would see her only as a lawyer. The rest quickly fell into place when Target Corp. offered her a job as a buyer. Because of her legal
7
BLUE | FALL 2019 | WHERE HAS DRAKE TAKEN YOU?
She spent three years leading the brand for North America and works today as the national sales manager for the company’s natural channels, including Whole Foods Market. And yes, Mrs. Meyer is a real person. Mrs. Meyer, an Iowan, is the mother of the company’s founder and its inspiration. The company started when the founder was struck with an idea: “Let’s make cleaners that smell nice, like my mom’s garden, but still work like the dickens on daily dirt and grime.” “I’ve never cared more about what I’m doing,” said RJ. “It’s a brand you really want to grow and protect.” Since she started with the company, the brand has experienced significant growth. Her current responsibilities allow her to continue moving the brand forward among customers who care about it most.
ON CHARTING YOUR OWN PATH
“If you’re willing to put in the time and be so humble as to start over, you can pivot and achieve things you may have never imagined possible.”
ON HOW DRAKE SHAPED MY PATH “Without a doubt, I could not do this job today without the experiences and connections I gained from my time at Drake.”
Ken-Matt Martin,
AS’12, JO’12
ORGANIZATION/TITLE: Williamstown Theatre Festival, Producing Director, and Pyramid Theatre, Co-Founder LOCATION: New York, NY FROM DES MOINES TO BROADWAY This past summer, Ken-Matt Martin packed up and temporarily left his New York home for Williamstown, Mass. where he produced an astounding seven plays in three months as part of the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Think of it like the Sundance Film Festival, but for theatre. A typical day for Ken-Matt might include talking with playwrights, staffing the production office, and overseeing a media interview with Uma Thurman. It doesn’t stop once the season wraps up either. Since many of the shows end up on Broadway, he continues to negotiate contracts, ensuring the festival gets its deserved recognition. It may seem like a big job for someone early in their career, but it’s actually just the latest in a long list of acting, directing, and producing credits. One of his biggest accomplishments to date began during his time at Drake. It all started when the Des Moines Social Club hired Ken-Matt to produce and direct August Wilson’s Fences. The following year the Social Club once again asked him to produce. This time it was Charles Fuller’s A Soldier’s Play. After overwhelming success of both productions, it
became clear the Des Moines community needed a theatre company committed to bringing this kind of work to the area. On Aug. 24, 2015 Pyramid Theatre Company was formed under the leadership of Ken-Matt and artistic director, Jiréh Breon Holder. (Drake alumni Freddie Fulton, AS’13, Alexis Davis, JO’13, JO’17, and Nana Colman, BN’13 were also part of the founding team.) The company gives voice to Black artists and tells the stories of Black people in a way that had not been done before in Des Moines. Today, the professional summer repertory theatre is entering its fifth year. “Having true and genuine access to faculty and staff allowed me to explore my interests and shaped my ability to connect with different kinds of people,” said Ken-Matt. “I really believe this is the beauty of Drake and part of what allowed us to create Pyramid.” Although Ken-Matt transitioned out of his official role with Pyramid earlier this year, he stays involved. Recently, he had a chance to bring these two worlds together, using his Broadway connections to bring stars to Des Moines for a fundraiser.
continued on page 9...
WHERE HAS DRAKE TAKEN YOU? | FALL 2019 | BLUE
8
WHERE HAS DRAKE TAKEN YOU? continued from page 8
Nanabayin (Nana) Coleman, BN’13 ORGANIZATION/TITLE: Principal Financial Group, financial analyst, and Pyramid Theatre Company, founding managing director and current board member LOCATION: Des Moines UNCOVERING HIDDEN TALENTS
9
ON STRETCHING YOUR VISION “Drake was a real turning point my life. It’s where I learned I don’t need to be defined by what I study or how I make a living. Faculty, staff, and mentors helped me realize I had more skills to share with the world than just a decent mind for mathematics.”
Staying in touch after graduation, led to Ken-Matt seeking out Nana for a role in the production of A Soldier’s Play. It was an instant hit and the group involved decided it was time to put an organization in place to create an impact on the community. Nana currently serves on Pyramid Theatre’s board, ensuring the organization thinks and runs like a business. “Pyramid has developed a reputation for producing high-quality art, making it a bit of a launching pad and also an artistic home for Black artists,” notes Nana. “The work we’re doing creates and encourages conversation and has become something people around town really look forward to.”
During the day, Nanabayin (Nana) Coleman works with complex financial models. By night, he’s often near the stage as a founding member of the Pyramid Theatre Company. But it didn’t start that way. Nana came to Drake for one thing—to become an actuary.
Given the intensity of his day job as a financial analyst for Principal, one might assume there’s little time for much else. But not for Nana. He’s been involved in projects focused on education, youth development, community building, art and financial inclusion, and looks forward to taking on more in the future.
While at Drake, Nana made connections with a variety of students who had talents in many different disciplines. One of those individuals, Ken-Matt Martin, played a pivotal role in making sure Black students were connected to each other and the larger community.
“Much of my time and energy is spent doing work where I can make a significant impact in people’s lives,” said Nana. “For me it goes beyond a passion project or something cool to get into. It’s who I am and part of my life’s work.”
BLUE | FALL 2019 | WHERE HAS DRAKE TAKEN YOU?
Martha Chaput, JO’04 ORGANIZATION/TITLE: Red Table Talk, Executive in Charge LOCATION: Los Angeles, Calif. MAKING AN IMPACT THROUGH CONVERSATION Shortly after graduation, Martha Chaput moved to Los Angeles to start her first job at a talent management company she found through Craigslist. Her first two years at the company inspired her to take on more responsibility until she eventually found her way into production management. Fast forward 15 years and Martha now holds the title of managing producer (or, executive in charge) for Red Table Talk, a show featuring actress Jada Pinkett Smith along with her daughter, Willow, and mother, Adrienne. Spanning three generations, these women open their home for a series of candid conversations with family and friends. The show, with 6.4 million followers, airs on Facebook. In her role, Martha oversees logistics and budget, but also spends time getting to know the audience in a fairly new medium. Because the show airs online only on Facebook Watch, Martha has the chance to monitor viewers and their comments in real-time. It takes producing in a new direction, making it much more interactive.
“When we hear from audience members, we get to see just how much Red Table Talk encourages hard conversations among generations and loved ones,” said Martha. “It makes me realize we can all learn so much and make a true impact on society when we take the time to communicate.” Her passion for making connections may stem from her experience as a player on the Drake women’s basketball team. She credits her time on the court as one of her greatest life experiences because bonding with teammates led to life-long friendships. Campus life off the court had a lasting impact, too. “All of my professors at Drake were very knowledgeable about the industry and that really prepared me for what I might find in the real world,” said Martha. “My career has given me the chance to meet so many interesting people and travel to places I never would have otherwise.”
ON TAKING CHANCES “Dive right in! Move to Los Angeles or New York or any other city that has a lot of [media] opportunities. Don’t give up—work hard and it will pay off.”
WHERE HAS DRAKE TAKEN YOU? Connect with our Alumni team and share your story by emailing alumni@drake.edu and go to alumni.drake.edu/update to tell us about a new job, your accolades, new baby, or marriage!
WHERE HAS DRAKE TAKEN YOU? | FALL 2019 | BLUE
10
Deans’ Updates What’s new? SJMC: We will launch a
completely online bachelor’s degree completion program in 2020. The online Bachelor of Arts in journalism and mass communication will feature a new communication major that will meet the needs of prospective students who have already earned an associate degree but wish to complete a bachelor’s degree to improve their lives and careers. It will be based on many of the classes currently in the SJMC curriculum, and will take the same professional, hands-on approach that has historically distinguished Drake communications education.
CPHS: Our first class of
OTD students graduated in the spring with a 100% on-time graduation rate. Our PharmD graduates were number one in the Midwest and number three nationwide for residency placement rate. CPHS is also starting a master’s level certificate in evidence-based healthcare—a 10 credit, 100% online program comprised of three courses and a practicum.
CBPA: We are excited
to welcome the LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) program into the Department of Management and Organizational Leadership. We expanded our graduate programs portfolio to include the new Master of Data Analytics Leadership degree program. The program is available online and can be completed in 12 months.
11
The College also launched a new Data Analytics Leadership Certificate Program that focuses on analyzing and using data to solve operational, tactical, and strategic level organizational problems.
A&S: Due to great demand, this fall we welcomed our first students with a major in Spanish in the Department of World Languages and Culture, our first foreign language major in over 10 years. A&S will also house a new master’s of applied behavioral analysis (ABA). We are working on an online option for a certificate in ABA that will offer new and unique opportunities for non-resident and non-traditional students. Cybersecurity is another new program in the design stage and we will be hiring new faculty for this track in the coming year. Law: Did you know that the second floor of Cartwright Hall is home to an interactive display highlighting alumni from across the country? It received a refresh over the summer, so make sure to stop by and check it out when you’re on campus. SOE: Continuing Education and Professional Development is now partnering with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to offer an online graduate course for PreK-12 educators entitled “Inspiring Investigations through Citizen Science”. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a member-supported unit of Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. and houses 250 scientists, professors, staff, and students working in a variety of programs devoted to the Lab’s mission: interpreting and conserving the Earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. This exciting partnership has the potential to grow and provide additional science-based offerings to educators everywhere.
BLUE | FALL 2019 | DEANS’ UPDATES
Gesine Gerhard College of Arts & Sciences
Who or what is making you proud lately? Law: I’m proud to share that Drake Law School has been named to the 2019 Honor Roll for Employment at Law Firms by preLaw Magazine. Within 10 months of graduation, 86.3% of our 2018 graduates were employed in a position requiring or preferring a JD. SJMC: Associate dean
Kelly Bruhn and associate professor Chris Snider helped organize the fourth Media Now at Drake summer camp for middle school and high school students this July, drawing more than 90 students and their advisers and teachers from around the country to campus for three engaging and high-energy days of exploring writing, photography, videography, design, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
Dan Connolly
Jan McMahill
Kathleen Richardson
Jerry Anderson
Renae Chesnut
College of Business & Public Administration
School of Education
School of Journalism & Mass Communication
Law School
College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
A&S: Our high A&S accomplishment rate is something to celebrate: 98.2% of our students report that they are employed, enrolled in graduate school, or involved in an activity related to professional goals within six months after graduating. We love to see how skilled, prepared, versatile, and ready our students are to engage with the real world and their careers!
What has garnered a lot of buzz recently?
In conjunction with the SciLine workshop, a public panel discussion on climate change was held at the Science Center of Iowa.
SJMC: We co-hosted two
SOE: Wanda Everage
is leading the third student success symposium with support from faculty in the School of Education. Over 40 underserved and underrepresented high school students were nominated and selected from Des Moines area schools. This initiative is fully funded by Nationwide.
GO
A&S: It’s a big year in American politics, and of course especially in Iowa. Our American politics classes are in high demand, our faculty’s expertise is sought after, and students are engaged in community and local politics. It’s the place to be and study politics!
“boot camps” related to the Iowa Caucuses that brought journalists from around the country to campus. In August, we partnered with SciLine, an initiative of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, on a three-day workshop on how to cover science-related issues in the presidential campaign. In September, we co-hosted a political reporting workshop with the Poynter Institute.
Dean McMahill (also a Drake alum!) will retire at the end of the fall semester. Go to drake.edu/deanmcmahill to see highlights and reflections from Dean McMahill’s career.
ONLINE
DEANS’ UPDATES | FALL 2019 | BLUE
12
What has been a highlight of the semester so far? SJMC: The SJMC is
celebrating the centennial of journalism and mass communication education at Drake in 2019-20. We are planning a series of professional events, including alumni events in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Des Moines. The celebration will culminate with an alumni reunion in Meredith Hall during Drake Relays 2020.
CPHS: Our first class of
athletic training students began this fall. We have developed a curriculum that prepares students for the future of the AT profession—it will meet the 2020 standards and provides education and training in areas that AT programs have not taught previously. Our AT students will also be able to add distinction to their degrees with the completion of concentrations like MTBI—mild traumatic brain injury (concussions), pharmacology, and nutrition.
CBPA: The College
welcomed the largest and one of the most diverse first-year classes (216 students) we have had in five years.
Professor Heidi Mannetter received a teaching innovation grant from the Essman Family Innovation Fund. Her proposal implements a program called LEGO® Serious Play® (LSP), a facilitated meeting, communication, and problemsolving process. Students then build a 3D LEGO® model, which serves as a basis for group discussion, knowledge sharing, problem solving, and decision making. We are excited to pioneer new approaches to learning that will position our students to be on the cutting edge.
Law: The Drake
Constitutional Law Center, created by Congress in 1987, hosted its annual symposium in September. The symposium was based on Democracy and Dysfunction (University of Chicago Press) by Professors Sandy Levinson and Jack Balkin, who were joined by several other outstanding scholars during the symposium. I was especially excited that our alumni and friends were able to attend by joining the event online. 13
BLUE | FALL 2019 | DEANS’ UPDATES
Meredith Hall received a little facelift to recognize caucus and election season.
SOE: A Fulbright Scholar from Kosovo and two students from Chile provided students with global perspectives that will benefit their future classrooms. Heading into the caucus season, we’ve connected future educators to presidential candidates. We are also celebrating a multi-million dollar grant for early childhood mental health with the Iowa Department of Health and Drake Head Start. A&S: We welcomed a new large cohort of first-year students (about 380)! I love the energy and excitement of those first weeks of the fall semester, the hallways filled with voices and sounds from students, and faculty refreshed from weeks engaged in research and travel. It’s the honeymoon period before any major assignments are due and exams need grading!
The Drake Constitutional Law Center symposium drew 162 guests to campus and an additional off-site audience through a live webcast.
Tell us what you’re celebrating. CPHS & A&S: Associate professor of pharmacology Brian Gentry and Marc Busch, associate professor and chair of the biology department received a $390,000 research grant from Merck to study letermovir, an antiviral drug. Leading up to the grant application and award, Brian published an article with ideas on how terminase inhibitor drugs work in the journal Antiviral Research and Kylie Markovich, PH’19, presented a research poster at 31st Annual International Conference on Antiviral Research (ICAR) in Porto, Portugal in June 2018 where she met Cam Douglas, a researcher for Merck. These bodies of research led to an eventual successful grant application in collaboration with Marc. The funding will be applied to a three-year project that will involve several student researchers and allow for the hire of a full-time researcher to carry out the work. Go to drake. edu/bluegrant to read more.
The winning team of actuarial science students, Marina Bireley, Phil Copeland, Xinyi Liu, Amanda Shelton, and Scott St. Onge.
CBPA: The School of
Accounting helped to host a three-day intensive AICPA Accounting Program for Building the Profession (APBP) accounting workshop in July for high school and community college accounting instructors. After completing the program, instructors can teach an advanced accounting course, which students can apply towards college credit after passing a qualifying exam. Drake was one of only eight site locations nationwide to hold this APBP Training in 2019. Drake Actuarial Science students earned first place out of 63 international teams and a $5,000 grant in the Society of Actuaries (SOA) 2019 SOA Student Research Case Study Challenge. The Drake team applied their actuarial skills with the design of an autonomous vehicle insurance policy and actuarial projections of loss costs. Their entry highlighted a variety of new policyholder behaviors, cybersecurity risks, and changes in vehicle-miles exposures that would emerge with the implementation of autonomous vehicles.
CPHS: In addition to
high accomplishment rates, residency match rates, and board pass rates for graduates in all of our programs, we will also be opening a new flexible, state-of-the art simulation laboratory teaching space that has multiple small rooms outfitted with cameras, high fidelity manikins, and more. The laboratory can be set up as a patient care space simulating hospital rooms or medical office examination rooms.
SOE: The doctoral program in the School of Education is seeing record enrollment and equally impressive accomplishment rates. The breadth of the program expands beyond students seeking a career in education with doctoral candidates having backgrounds in health care, social services, counseling, and the business community. The program offers a new dimension of skills acquisition through apprenticeship credits allowing students to hone skills that align with their career aspirations.
NAMES & ACCOLADES:
Go to drake.edu/fall19blue and read up on new faces and accomplishments in the colleges and schools. Plus, our Deans answer questions like what class they’d be taking this semester from the Drake catalog. DEANS’ DEANS’ UPDATES UPDATES | | FALL 2019 | BLUE
12 14
Achievements 1950s
Penny R. Furgerson, PH’59, Des Moines, has been named a Sage Over 70 by DSM Magazine.
1960s Dave Hansen, BN’65, GR’73, Urbandale, Iowa, was named Fan of the Year by Coaches vs. Cancer Iowa. Roger Schulz, BA’66, Freeport, Ill., has published his second novel, Taken to Nowhere. Frank Orlando, ED’67, Beverly Hills, Mich., was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Morgan Wootten Award by the Basketball Hall of Fame. He just retired after 52 years of teaching and coaching and has 13 state championships in the state of Michigan for women’s basketball and a baseball team state championship, which was the first one in the history of Detroit Country Day School. Frank stopped coaching baseball in 2015.
1970s Thomas M. Zurek, BN’70, LW’74, Long Beach, Ind., has joined Schiff Hardin LLP in its insurance and reinsurance and litigation and dispute resolution practice groups in Chicago. Larry S. Lazarus, LW’71, Phoenix, Ariz., has been named president of Lazarus, Silvyn & Bangs, P.C. James C. Carroll, LA’72, Milton, Del., was recently granted two patents for a system that works to remove snow and ice from the roofs of trucks, trains, and other vehicles. Stephen R. Stelter, JO’72, Fort Worth, Texas, received the “Pride of the Plaid” award from Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth and the PGA tournament they host yearly for being an outstanding volunteer after 35 years. He was also nominated by the club for the PGA Tour volunteer of the year award and was one of four finalists out of 75,000 nominations from across the country. Timothy J. Ley, LA’74, Owensville, Mo., has been inducted into the National
@melissa.porter1122 Gary Porter, BN’72, and Melissa Porter made an appearance at the Beautiful Bulldog Contest with Gary’s book, Duffy The Tale of a Terrier. One hundred percent of the proceeds from sales that day went to the Contest and the Live Mascot Program!
15
BLUE | FALL 2019 | CLASS NOTES
Academy of Sciences and is a professor of medicine and genetics at Washington University. Stephen L. Thompson, LA’75, Park Ridge, Ill., is an associate professor at National Louis University. Joseph LeValley, JO’76, Waukee, Iowa, wrote the book, Burying the Lede. Thomas I. Henderson, LA’77, LW’80, Alexandria, Va., was presented the 2019 Begie Hefner Award at the Salvation Army’s annual award banquet, entitled “Service Over Self”. Henderson has served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board since 1985, including as board chair for over 10 years. He has also worked on the Canteen Feeding Program and been a Red Kettle Bell Ringer and Christmas Store volunteer during the Christmas season. Patricia Avery, LA’78, GR’81, Houston, Texas, has stepped out of retirement to lead the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce. Douglas J. Scheidt, LW’78, Alexandria, Va., has been hired by Howard University School of Law as an adjunct professor. Joel Tonda, FA’79, GR’83, Knoxville, Iowa, had a new community tennis complex in Knoxville named in his honor.
1980s
Jeffrey A. Hearn, LW’81, Carmel, Ind., a partner with Katz Korin Cunningham who focuses on real estate and business law, was named to the 2020 Best Lawyers® in America for his work in real estate law Diahann (Bush) Daniels, JO’82, has a new job as the vice president commercial card officer at MUFG Union Bank. Erin P. (Pat) Pence, LA’82, Lynnwood, Wash., has been named as a business development development associate-Western Region of Intertek-PSI and was part of the high-powered Seattle Business Development team that secured roughly $5 million in revenue in 2018 while helping grow the Seattle office to 35 members. Erin also assisted in over $9 million in proposals and quotations in 2018.
Eugene Salganik, BN’85, Skokie, Ill., received over 20 awards for his film Requiem for Greed at numerous international film festivals including Dublin, St. Petersburg, Milan, Los Angeles, and many others. The film is about the Great Recession. Mark J. Antieau, BN’86, is now employed as a data scientist with U.S. Bank. Deborah (Falbo) Russo, JO’86, Winfield, Ill., is now the owner of Brookside Partners/ NEXT yoga/Wild Abundant Life.
Joy E. Riggs, JO’90, Northfield, Minn., wrote the book Crackerjack Bands and Hometown Boosters about the career of her great-grandfather, G. Oliver Riggs, a real-life Minnesota music man. This book is about civic pride and the power of music to transform lives and connect people across generations. Craig K. Higgins, LW’91, St. Louis, Mo., has been appointed associate circuit judge for the 22nd Judicial Circuit.
Tracy (Lister) Rosenberg, ED’87, GR’89, Des Moines, was featured in Successful Farming. She has won awards for prairie restoration and habitat management of the Abbey Grasslands of the Prairie Coteau.
@spencercady
Trying to keep up with this one at the Relays. Spencer Cady, BN’09, LW’13 Leigh Splitt, JO’82, Appleton, Wis., wrote the book, Wandering Girl, which is about two nine-year-old girls who become friends and have adventures in Wisconsin during the summer of 1970. Sue A. Avitt, ED’84, Ankeny, Iowa, is employed as a special education teacher with the Des Moines Public Schools. Andrea E. (Bogard) LeBlanc, JO’84, Sarasota, Fla., is now the president of Bogati Urn Company. Kathleen Becker, JO’85, Ft. Myers, Fla., was hired as the senior content strategist for Priority Marketing, a fullservice marketing, advertising, public relations, and digital marketing agency.
Melissa (Murer) Corrigan, PH’89, Iowa City, Iowa, was appointed to the board of directors for the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy.
1990s Steven W. Brewer, JO’90, Waukesha, Wis., started a new position an assistant professor of marketing in the School of Business at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wis. Kathy J. Moore, JO’90, GR’96, Lake Shore, Minn., has been named the executive director of Northern Waters Land Trust, a conservation non-profit working on land conservation and water protection.
Jeremy Glenn, BN’94, Chicago, Ill., was elected a fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, which recognizes attorneys with sustained outstanding performance in their profession. He was also recently named one of 2019’s “Gen X Leaders in Law” by Crain’s Chicago Business. Kristina K. Kantor, LW’94, Hammond, Ind., has been appointed to the Lake County Superior Court.
CLASS NOTES | FALL 2019 | BLUE
16
@seejov
With the 2019 Beautiful Bulldog winner, Beau. Seejo K. Valacheril, BN’12, and Andrew Deterding, BN’15 #relays #liveitcolorfully #rushpegs #drakealumni
...1990s Sara (Taylor) Fagen, BN’97, Arlington, Va., has been named CEO of Deep Root Analytics. Geoffrey C. Cooper, JO’98, Ballwin, Mo., was promoted to president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) in October 2018. The RFA is the leading trade association for the U.S. ethanol industry and works to advance development, production, and use of renewable fuels. In May 2019, President Donald Trump approved the use of year-round E15, and Geoffrey had the opportunity to lead President Trump on a tour of an ethanol plant in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in June 2019. David Nelmark, AS’99, JO’99, Urbandale, Iowa, was appointed district judge in Judicial Election District 5C, which includes Polk County. He is a lawyer with the firm of Gislason & Hunter LLP in Des Moines. He previously was with Belin McCormick PC in Des Moines and served as a judicial law clerk for Judge Michael J. Melloy on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit. He received his undergraduate degree from Drake University and his law degree from Stanford Law School.
17
BLUE | FALL 2019 | CLASS NOTES
Lindsay Vaughan, AS’99, flew off to China as part of a teaching program in 2016 and hasn’t left. Besides loving her job (finally!) she gets to travel and cultivate her happy. Lindsay remains unable to learn Mandarin and can only translate things into Spanish.
2000s Tanya D. MacGumerait, AS’00, Indianapolis, Ind., is now the director of operations at the Global Village School. Kristin D. Klug, AS’01, Mequon, Wis., has been named director of cheese procurement for Saputo Cheese USA, Inc., the world’s eighth largest cheese company and the third largest in the U.S. She is responsible for sourcing all cheeses made outside Saputo, which is more than 150,000 lbs. per year. Tiffany (Abell) Tauscheck, JO’01, Clive, Iowa, has been selected as a winner in the economic development profession’s 40 Under 40 Awards. Jenna McMullin, JO’02, Alexandria, Va., is the vice president of communications at Boeing Defense, Space, and Security.
Nicholas Podsiadly, LW’04, Alexandria, Va., was appointed as general counsel for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation chairman. William J. Even, LW’05, Adel, Iowa, became the CEO of the National Pork Board. Ricki King, JO’02, AS’05, Windsor Heights, Iowa, retired after 31 years of service from John Deere and now owns Roots to Branches Genealogy. Polina L. Lipnik, PH’05, Eden Prairie, Minn., is the CVICU primary clinical pharmacist at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. Kim Whiteside, ED’05, Omaha, Neb., became the director of corporate online learning at Metropolitan Community College. Katie Stull, JO’06, GR’10, Waukee, Iowa, was named to the Des Moines Business Record’s Forty Under 40 class for 2019. Christopher Verlengia, JO’06, GR’13, Johnston, Iowa, was named to the Des Moines Business Record’s Forty Under 40 class for 2019.
... 2000s Shannon (Mason) Bielski, LW’07, West Des Moines, Iowa, was named to the Des Moines Business Record’s Forty Under 40 class for 2019. Carla (Olson) Hughes, LW’07, Des Moines, became the vice president of administration, compliance and trust at First American Bank. Jeffrey S. Waldron, LW’07, Eden Prairie, Minn., was elected shareholder of the firm of Moss & Barnett, a professional association, effective January 1, 2019. Katherine A. Peterson, BN’08, Denver, Colo., graduated with an MBA from Northwestern University—Kellogg School of Management in June 2019 and joined Clovis Oncology in Boulder, Colo., in August. DanielIe Rogers, AS’08, JO’08, Newton, Iowa, received the 2018 Young Professional of the Year—Ashley Oakland Community Service award. The YP of the Year awards recognize game changers, company makers, and industry shakers who’ve spent the last year shaping the Greater Des Moines community for the better through their business, civic, and community leadership.
Matthew J. Dzievit, AS’09, Ames, Iowa, graduated with a PhD in plant breeding from Iowa State University. Charles S. Hartig, PH’09, Dubuque, Iowa, has been named CEO of his family business, Hartig Drug. Elizabeth (Johnson) Thomas, AS’09, BN’09, Ankeny, Iowa, wrote The Haven, Volume 2 and The Hunt in the Division 53 Series.
2010s Donna R. Miller, GR’10, Des Moines, recently became the president of the Polk County Bar Association, an organization with over 1,400 attorney members. She also started her own firm in December, Miller, Zimmerman & Evans, PLC, focusing on family and workers’ compensation law. Robert Palmer, AS’10, LW’14, West Des Moines, Iowa, was named to the Des Moines Business Record’s Forty Under 40 class for 2019. Johanna A. (Langille) Turner, GR’11, West Des Moines, Iowa, was selected to represent her company, Voya Financial Advisors, in the third annual volunteer sabbatical where she traveled to Arizona to partner with Soles4Souls to serve the Navajo community.
Caroline Bettis, LW’12, Des Moines, was named to the Des Moines Business Record’s Forty Under 40 class for 2019. Joseph Murphy, GR’13, West Des Moines, Iowa, was named to the Des Moines Business Record’s Forty Under 40 class for 2019. Travis S. Futas, LW’14, Caldwell, Idaho, transitioned from an in-house attorney at Percona, LLC, to a member of management, overseeing global information security, data privacy, and regulatory compliance efforts. Michael B. Mahon, AS’14, Silver Lake, Minn., earned a PhD in ecology, evolution, and environmental biology from Miami University. April Palma Roberts, LW’14, Clive, Iowa, became a staff attorney for the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. Erin Romar, AS’14, LW’17, West Des Moines, Iowa, became a staff attorney at The Youth Law Center in Des Moines. Laura C. Wasson, BN’14, LW’16, Des Moines, recently joined the Davis Brown Law Firm as an associate attorney in the business division.
@drakealumni
Janet Johnson, LW’72
and former professor stopped by the Alumni House to see the grandfather clock she had donated in its new home. She donated it in honor of her late husband, Burton M. Leiser, LW’81, who was also a professor at Drake.
CLASS NOTES | FALL 2019 | BLUE
18
...2010s
Matt Blake, LW’15, Urbandale, Iowa, was named to the Des Moines Business Record’s Forty Under 40 class for 2019.
Bryan F. Myers, LW’17, West Des Moines, Iowa, has been named senior vice president in charge of office operations staff, including project managers and project engineers, at Neumann Bros., Inc.
Emma C. (Wilson) Boreay, JO’16, West Hartford, Conn., is a producer for NBC News, Connecticut.
Susan (Stecki) O’Brien, GR’17, Des Moines, became a senior account executive at Diversified Management Services.
Brooke A. Vance, GR’16, Pacifica, Calif., works in the division of student affairs at San Francisco State University.
Thomas C. Scearce, JO’17, Denver, Colo., is employed by Regis University as the residence director. It is his first full-time role after
graduating with his master’s degree from the University of Tennessee in May 2019. Kyle Roeder, AS’18, Jefferson, Iowa, is opening Bett and Bev’s BBQ in Perry. Meghan Walters, JO’18 has joined the staff of The World Food Prize Foundation as special assistant to the president. Emily M. Tinsman, AS’19, Bettendorf, Iowa, was named Miss Iowa 2019.
@plefort69
Circa 1990; Paul LeFort, JO’91, Christine LeFort, ED’92 #drakealumni #drakealumnihouse #drakeuniversity #drakeugriff #drakesjmc #tbsaturday
@maddie_j_wilcox
2010s 19
BLUE | FALL 2019 | CLASS NOTES
Last fall, we featured Alex Wilcox BN’18, AS’18, and Maddie Miller Wilcox, AS’18, who got engaged on Painted Street. They married on Jul. 27, 2019 and, of course, came back to Drake for a wedding photo.
@drakealumni
THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered for
#dugoodday and for representing Drake while making a difference in your communities! #drakeserves
In Memoriam 1940s
Charlotte (Hill) Stickler, ‘42, Des Moines
1950s
Joseph Chomyn, FA’50, Isle of Palms, S.C.
Jerry Pike, LA’61, Salisbury, Md. Donald Sherinian, LW’61, Urbandale, Iowa James Vincent, BN’61, LW’65, Ocala, Fla. Ronald Buel, BN’62, Edmond, Okla. Arlo Hall, BN’62, Waukee, Iowa
Robert Walters, JO’50, LW’55, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Vincent Tomlonovic, BN’65, Mankato, Minn.
Gloria (Cortese) Boyt, ED’51, Des Moines
Quinton Ellis Jr., BN’68, GR’71, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Barbara L. (Housh) Kersbergen, LA’51, Asheville, N.C.
Rosemary (Anderson) Holland, LA’68, Des Moines.
Ned Brenizer, ‘52, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Mary (Canady) Laughlin, ED’68, Des Moines
Ross Engel, GR’52, Des Moines
Janet (Cartwright) McClure, ED’68, Cresco, Iowa
Mevern Anderson, LW’53, Phoenix, Ariz.
Berva (Doolittle) Mills, ED’69, Boone, Iowa
Patricia (Giese) Deaton, FA’53, Des Moines
Judith (Hamilton) Studer, LA’69, Oak Island, Ill.
Edna (Garrett) Marriott, ED’55, ED’68, Polk City, Iowa
Marjorie (Tuttle) Sutton, ED’69, St. Charles, Ill.
George Lewis Funk, ED’56, GR’67, Marshalltown, Iowa
1970s
Ron Riekena, ED’56, Osceola, Iowa Fred Graef, ‘57, Glendale, Ariz. Cecil Mease, BN’57, Waukee, Iowa
1960s
David Burt, BN’70, Des Moines Miriam (Halbert) Armintrout, PH’71, Des Moines George Sypniewski, ED’72, GR’78, Granger, Iowa Dodd Postma, LA’74, JO’79, Pleasant Hill, Iowa
John Crivaro, BN’60, Des Moines
Karen Egesdal, BN’75, Des Moines
Barbara F. Hess, LA’60, GR’66, Honolulu, Hawaii
Mark Wampler, LA’75, Slater, Iowa
Robert Corey, LW’76, St. Paul, Minn. James A. Piper, PH’78, Carlisle, Pa.
1980s
Lyn (Rose) Shiffler, GR’81, Des Moines Chris (Mudge) Monroe, JO’82, Crosslake, Minn. Jay Putzier, BN’82, Southport, N.C. Linda Dean, LA’84, GR’88, Des Moines Joseph Kranovich Jr., BN’84, West Des Moines, Iowa Patrick Scholl, GR’85, State College, Pa. Beatrice (Blong) Clupper, GR’87, Urbandale, Iowa Yvonne (Marcotte) Bengfort, GR’88, Altoona, Iowa Catherine (Smedes) White, AS’88, West Des Moines, Iowa
1990s
Christopher Clinton, JO’90, Joliet, Ill. Ronald Larson, GR’90, Mallard, Iowa Loren Lodge, GR’91, Glidden, Iowa Stephanie (Stegman) Miller, GR’99, Ankeny, Iowa
2000s
Shawn Prakash, AS’07, Forest Park, Ill.
CLASS NOTES | FALL 2019 | BLUE
20
Weddings 2000s
Heather M. Simplot, AS’02, and Joe Harness, Jun. 8, 2019 Victoria Arias, JO’09, and Michael Kepler, Jan. 11, 2019 Emily (Green) Schley, BN’09, and Jack Schley, Aug. 25, 2018 Brittany P. (Weiss) Shingleton, JO’09, AS’09, and Michael Shingleton, Oct. 27, 2018
2010s
Thomas Burkhead, BN’10, and Chelsey Techout, JO’13, Sept. 30, 2018 Erin K. Smith, BN’10, and Jerod A. Dahl, Jul. 5, 2019
Births
Angela L. Defenbaugh, AS’11, and Michael Derrick, May 25, 2019
Lisa D. Sozio, PH’02, a son, Matthew Andrew Sozio
Stephanie (Bruner) Hohn, AS’11, JO’11, and Jesse Honn, Jun. 8, 2018
Amy (Stubblefield) Scroggins, ED’05, and Derek Scroggins, ED’04, California, Mo., a son, Barrett Cole Scroggins
Mary A. HoneymanSpeichinger, BN’13, and Jaren Speichinger, Jun. 8, 2019
Erin E. (Blasi) Bzdawka, ED’07, AS’07, and William F. Bzdawka, PH’09, Madison, Wis., a daughter, Charlotte Mae Bzdawka
Jennifer Bailey, BN’14, and Taylor Hickey, Sept. 13, 2018
Donna (Dubuisson) Dzievit, AS’09, and Matthew J. Dzievit, AS’09, a daughter, Elizabeth Josephine Dzievit
Andrew W. Sowatzke, AS’15, and Tina Yin, PH’16, LW’18, Aug. 18, 2018 Carl Budenski, BN’16, and Meghann Cooper, ED’16, Jun. 15, 2019 Samuel Behrens, ED’17, and Salena Brickey, BN’15, Jul. 6, 2019 Emily M. Merton, AS’17, and Robert Hunter Airhart, Jun. 12, 2019 Alex Wilcox BN’18, AS’18, and Maddie Miller Wilcox, AS’18, Jul. 27, 2019
Charles Hartig, PH’09, and Katie Harting, a son, Albert Logan, and a daughter, Mathilda Rae Stacie (Garmon) Leinen, GR’12, and Kyle M. Leinen, Urbandale, Iowa, a daughter, Sylvia Danae Leinen Elizabeth (Sommers) Van Ginkel, AS’12, and James C. Van Ginkel, BN’12, a daughter, Erin Marvel Van Ginkel Andrew Ewing, LW’15, and Jordan (Stahlecker) Ewing, GR’15, a daughter, Matilda Everlyn Ewing Peter Zemansky, BN’12, JO’12, and Taylor (Crow) Zemansky, BN’14, Des Moines, a daughter, Cora Myra Zemansky
@hpink5
Hannah Sperry, AS’13 I’m so happy I can finally share my latest (surprise) project: a memorial drawing of the beloved Drake bulldog brothers, Magoo and Porterhouse. (Magoo and Porterhouse are brothers to Griff the Live Mascot. Magoo passed away this spring, six years after Porterhouse. Hannah painted this picture in their honor.) 21
BLUE | FALL 2019 | CLASS NOTES
In Conversation With...
Donald V. Adams To speak with Don Adams is to open a book into half a century of the University’s history. To speak with Don Adams is to open a book into the Drake experience and understand how it has been formed by campus leadership, students, faculty, and staff over time. This academic year marks Don’s 50th year at Drake. He came to fill the newly created role of vice president of student life in 1969, at a time when college campuses, like other parts of the nation, were boiling with unrest and violence. Don’s steady hand led the University through that time and beyond. He connected with students and empowered them to be leaders and advocated for the student voice in shaping Drake University.
Bio
Four Takeaways Be confident. In his interview for
the vice president job, the Board of Trustees asked Don what he would do in a certain situation. Don’s first deferential answer was to work with the University president and his staff. The Board countered, no, what would you do? In what would become a defining moment, Don made up his mind to lay out what he would do, which gained him a vote of confidence. (And the job.)
Surround yourself with supporters. When Don considered
leaving his doctoral program and not finishing his dissertation, his wife, Carol, said, “Don, you are going to finish this and I am going to help you.” Don and Carol continue to be a team and Don would go on to hire people who he learned from, collaborate with students, and lead with a team of committed administrators, faculty, and staff.
Be a good listener. Then respond and respond authentically. Apologize. You will make
mistakes and you don’t have to be right 100% of the time.
Donald V. Adams served as vice president of student life at Drake University from 1969 to 2007. In 1985 the title vice president for enrollment management was added, and in 1995, Don became the executive assistant to the President. Don retired in 2007 after 37 years at Drake and continues to be involved with the University in his retirement. The Donald V. Adams Leadership Institute that bears his name was formed in 2000. It is supported by alumni who are passionate about continuing Don’s legacy of leadership for students into the future. Have a memory to share or want to wish Don congratulations on his 50 years of service to Drake? Send an email to dvali@drake.edu.
IN CONVERSATION WITH... | FALL 2019 | BLUE
22
2507 University Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50311
Mark Your Calendar Football Tailgate, Drake at University of San Diego WHEN November 2 WHERE San Diego, Calif.
Gulf Coast Showcase Basketball Tournament (Mens and Womens)
WHEN November 25–December 1 WHERE Estero, Fla.
Basketball Watch Parties WHEN & WHERE Watch for more info this winter.
All In, Drake’s Day of Giving WHEN April 2–3 WHERE Everywhere!
2020 Relays Alumni Events WHEN April 23–25 WHERE Drake University Events include the Black Alumni Reunion, 50/60 Reunion, Alumni Awards, and the beloved Tent Party.
PLUS, MORE TO COME
Events are being added all the time and in all pockets of the country. Watch your inbox for invitations to happy hours, alumni outings, and more happening near you.
Find all upcoming events: alumni.drake.edu/events