Drake University Blue Magazine Fall 2015 by Drake University

16 drakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next live mascot is coming! 24 alumni find success with art & soul 30 mixed doubles: unique major combos fall 2015

POLLING PLACE Drake as a Mecca of Politics

✓

take our online reader survey

FALL 2015

Help us provide the Drake Blue you want. www.drake.edu/magazine

Sophomore Pablo Valladares finds opportunity at Drake to connect his love of music with his passion for improving the lives of young people in his native Ecuador. Learn more about this remarkable pianist on page 8.

Features 20 polling place

59 clemencia spizzirri gr’09

Behind most local, Iowa, or national campaigns is a Drake student or alumnus. The University’s access to state government and location in caucus country fuel powerful engagement in politics. By Alyssa Young, gr’14

24 work of art

A fine arts education leads Drake alumni along undeniable paths toward lives of creative work and rich reward. By Tim Schmitt, gr’08, ’10

30 signature blend

The intersection of uncommon disciplines allows double majors to tap multiple passions, build versatile skill sets, and access diverse career opportunities. By Jill Brimeyer

Profiles

Preparing her students for success in an integrated world, the 2015 Iowa Teacher of the Year offers lessons in multicultural understanding.

62 greg ver steeg as’03

Black holes, parallel universes, invisible interactions. This alumnus is stretching the boundaries of our technology and our minds.

Departments 4 Welcome

From the Editor and Staff

5 Virtually Speaking

Drake’s Facebook Fans Share Their Thoughts

pablo valladares, class of 2018

6 Blue Notes The People and Stories of the Drake Experience

A Piano Performance major lives to play, and discovers the positive role music can play in the lives of others.

14 sarah mccoy

As a working designer, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design Sarah McCoy gives her students a firsthand look at the industry.

Closing with Success, Advancing with Possibility

56 Alumni Connections

Drake Notes and the Alumni Calendar

64 The Last Word

Campaign Update

Planes, Trains, and Epiphanies By Jill Brimeyer

Welcome Meet Sheri Koetting, as’97. The Graphic Design and Costume Design major decided to meet academic challenges with an internship at the Des Moines Playhouse and an exploratory tour with fellow Drake students of design firms in New York. “Leaving Drake, I felt strong and well-rounded,” says Koetting, who today owns and operates her own design firm in the Big Apple. (Read more about Bulldogs in the arts, page 24.) ILLUSTRATION BY DREW ALBINSON, AS’13

decisions, decisions. Over the course of a lifetime, we each must make innumerable choices. Many will be inconsequential, others will redirect our personal paths, some may even contribute to the fate of the species. Our awareness and actions are shaped by knowledge, experience, values, and preferences. Students arrive on our campus having already made one very significant choice. Over the next four years, the Drake experience is a remarkable opportunity for the kind of exploration and discovery that will stock each Bulldog’s decision-making toolbox. Case in point: Julianne Klampe, as’15, decided to take a semester off, clocking 80-hour workweeks to support an Iowa congressional candidate she believed in. The Politics major organized campus events, fielded inquiries, made phone calls, and communicated with media. “The long hours pushed me to my limit,” she says, “but I learned a lot about myself.” Klampe is now regional caucus director for the Iowa Democratic Party. (Read more about Bulldogs in politics, page 20).

Ask the Staff First and/or most memorable political experience? Danny Akright: Photographing President Obama’s visit to Sandy Hatfield Clubb’s backyard during the Obamacare tour. The President talked basketball with Bulldogs center Seth Van Deest like they were old friends. Jill Brimeyer: At age five, writing a fan letter to Richard Nixon upon his re-election (and receiving a response).

“Film and photography are at the crossroads of science and visual art,” explains sophomore Sam Fathallah, who arrived at Drake with pre-med ambitions but after a revelatory conversation with an SJMC professor decided he could best leverage his passion and talent for video production with academic pursuits in Advertising and Chemistry. He’s confident that science’s logical analysis and problem-solving will complement his future work with a progressive ad firm. (Read more about Bulldogs pursuing unique double majors, page 30.) And how about decisions made when Drake Blue arrives in your mailbox? Learning about your engagement with each issue will help the staff of your alumni magazine make good decisions about its future. Please take a few minutes to share your experience and thoughts in our online survey at www.drake.edu/magazine.

—Beth Wilson, Editor

president

editorial

Earl F. Martin

Danny Akright, jo’10, as’10, gr’14; Abbey Barrow, jo’15, as’15; Jill Brimeyer; Aaron Jaco, jo’07, as’07, gr’14; Elizabeth Ford Kozor, jo’07, as’07, gr’12; Tim Schmitt, gr’08, ’10; Niki Smith, jo’08; Alyssa Young, gr’14

vice president, university communications Debra Lukehart, jo’89

editorial director Beth Wilson

creative director Kristin Dunn, jo’92

project manager Brenda Kay Rodriguez

design Emma Akerly, as’09; Libby Burns; Micki Nelson

web communications Jeremy Sievers

Tim Schmitt: Being arrested at a Midwest superfund site while blocking a road to stop illegal disposal of toxic waste.

To submit news or update your alumni profile, contact Drake’s Office of Alumni Relations: t 1-800-44-drake, x3152 e alumni.update@drake.edu w www.alumni.drake.edu Views expressed in Drake Blue do not necessarily reflect opinions of the editors or the University. We welcome your comments and story ideas. Send correspondence to: Drake Blue University Communications Drake University 2507 University Ave. Des Moines, IA 50311-4505 e bluemag@drake.edu

Micki Nelson: An elementary school “election” during the Carter v. Ford campaign. It was Carter by a landside, and my 7–year-old self, who then shared the last name Ford, took it very personally.

online magazine:

rss feed:

facebook:

twitter:

www.drake.edu/magazine

www.facebook.com/drakeuniversity

www.twitter.com/drakeuniversity

DRAKE

BLUE

fall 2015

Inbox well done I really enjoyed the Spring 2015 issue. Lots of quality writing, good graphics, and subject content. Way to go, staff! —Larry Clayton, jo’68

From the Editor: You likely weren’t as surprised as Angeline Hartman, who became liaison to the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in July 2014. We also surprised Kathleen Richardson and others in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication when we failed to correctly identify her as the school’s dean. (Please find those updates and others in this issue’s Blue Sheet, beginning on page 44.)

rectified roster I was surprised to see Jackie Howard’s name associated with the Blue Sheet for the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. As I recall from working with her, she has been retired for almost one year. —Edward Monroe, ph’63

Drake Blue accepts all signed letters and reserves the right to edit those that are published. Please include your full name, address and Drake affiliation. Send correspondence to: Drake Blue, Office of Marketing and Communications Drake University 2507 University Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50311-4505 e bluemag@drake.edu

Virtually Speaking Describe a memorable moment—possibly as an artist, as a patron, as an onlooker—when fine art touched your world. Krista Lyn Meisel White, as’95: Dr. Aimee Beckmann-Collier took the choir [abroad] in 1992. We sang in a monastery chapel that had been closed for 50 years by the communist government of Czechoslovakia. There were elderly ladies sitting in the chapel listening with tears running down their faces. It was a beautiful moment, and one of the most memorable of my life.

“...it was then I realized that music would forever be part of my life.”

Matthew Hebda, Class of 2018 (currently performing with Drake University/Community Chorus and Fermata the Blue): In fourth grade I had the opportunity to sing at the Fox Theater in St. Louis. Several choirs and ensembles joined together to perform “All Creatures of Our God and King” as the finale. The performance was amazing, and it was then I realized that music would forever be part of my life.

Hannah Pink, as’13: Capturing this precious, candid moment between two of my good friends reflecting back on their senior year at my Senior BFA Thesis Art Show, Proximity, in 2013. I will never forget it!

Colleen Dermody, ed’11: When I saw Les Miserables in the second grade. I was in awe of the production and knew that one day I would be on stage doing shows too. Les Miserables remains one of my favorite shows, and I received a theatre endorsement from Drake.

visit www.facebook.com/drakeuniversity or follow www.twitter.com/drakeuniversity to join the current conversation.

fall 2015

DRAKE

BLUE

blue notes [ on the spot ]

Man of the Law

Anthony Gaughan, associate professor of law, is a favorite among Drake Law School students. He teaches a wide range of courses, including Civil Procedure and Evidence. He has published numerous journal articles on election law, national security law, and American history, and is author of the book The Last Battle of the Civil War: United States Versus Lee, 1861-1883. He is a 2005 graduate of Harvard Law School, a former U.S. Navy officer, and an Iraq War veteran. Louie Sloven, J.D. candidate: Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution is your favorite, and why? Gaughan: I have many favorite constitutional amendments, but two that stand out immediately are the First Amendment and the Thirteenth Amendment. The First Amendment is a cornerstone of our democracy, reflecting the Founding Fathers’ crucial insight that a free society depends on freedom of speech, no matter how unpopular a speaker’s ideas might be. The Thirteenth Amendment is critically important for a different reason. It abolished slavery and thus fundamentally improved upon the Constitution that the founders drafted in 1787. It was ratified in 1865 after the North’s victory in the Civil War. The abolition of slavery did not end racial injustice in America, but it did at least set us on a path toward creating a more just society.

DRAKE

BLUE

fall 2015

Matt Knipe, J.D., M.P.A. candidate: Veteran Treatment Courts are gradually becoming more prevalent throughout the nation. Is it fair to give veterans an entirely separate court? Should the same law apply to all persons in the same way? Gaughan: I think veterans courts are a good idea. Contrary to popular impression, they aren’t get-out-of-jail-free cards for veterans. If a veteran commits a major felony, like murder, the veteran faces the same punishment as anyone else would. The purpose of the veterans court is to help veterans retake control of their own lives before they reach the point of no return. Through early intervention, specialized probation programs, and a heavy emphasis on individual accountability, the courts help veterans whose lives are careening in the wrong direction get back on track before they commit the most serious crimes. Veterans courts are a smart and wise approach that should serve as a model for the creation of other specialized courts across the criminal justice system. Sunrita Sen, as’12: What sets Drake Law apart from other Midwestern law schools? Gaughan: Our students and alumni make Drake Law School special. Our alums are phenomenally successful and include Iowa Supreme Court justices, federal judges, governors, legislators, business leaders, and prominent trial lawyers, among many other professions. The key to Drake’s success is that the Law School focuses on providing practical, real-world legal training, and we attract the kind of students who make the most of the unique clinical and internship opportunities available at Drake.

[ making a difference ]

Fostering Change drake senior transforms her resiliency into advocacy Shortly after graduating high school, Eddye Vanderkwaak moved back to her hometown of Des Moines with a few bags containing everything she owned and no plans. She had recently turned 18, officially “aging out” of the foster care system she had been part of for the past four years. “I had never felt more on my own,” recalls Vanderkwaak. “I was also eager, I have to admit. My life felt like my life for the first time.” She was one of about 26,000 young adults who age out of the foster care system each year, becoming solely responsible for their own well-being. Of those, one in five will become homeless after age 18, and less than three percent will earn a college degree. Rather than become another statistic, Vanderkwaak discovered Iowa Aftercare Services Network, a support program for those who have aged out of foster care. Although she originally signed up only for the $600-a-month living stipend (she had been moving from place to place for more than a year), she says the program did so much more: It saved her life. “My advocate kept telling me I could do anything I put my mind to.” In December—after four years working full time while attending classes, and six years after she left foster care— Vanderkwaak will graduate with a Sociology degree from Drake, despite her initial assumption that “foster kids don’t go to Drake.”

“I want people to look at me and know that foster care kids can go to college, and they do go to college.” An exception to the sobering statistics for post-foster care adults, Vanderkwaak is working to raise awareness of the challenges this group faces. She and Brent Pattison, director of the Joan & Lyle Middleton Center for Children’s Rights at Drake, have co-facilitated forums concerning young people in foster care, transitioning to adulthood, and post-secondary education. “As an advocate myself, I have learned from Brent that those we advocate for deserve our very best and that their lives are not just a case file,” she says. Vanderkwaak does most of her advocacy work as a Young Fellow with the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative, a national nonprofit helping young people transition out of foster care. She researches how individuals are affected by foster care and serves as an expert on the system for organizations and policymakers in Iowa and across the country, speaking publicly on more than 70 occasions thus far. Vanderkwaak hopes to eventually make a career of helping juveniles in the criminal justice system, many of whom come from foster care. This summer, she took another step toward her dream, starting a job with juvenile court services. “The reason I speak so boldly about these issues is that the system needs to change, and it needs to change quickly. It’s not acceptable that we have young people living on the street. We are resilient and have just as much potential as anybody else.”

Eddye Vanderkwaak calls her mentor, Brent Pattison, “one of my greatest teachers.”

fall 2015

DRAKE

BLUE

blue notes

Profile

Music as Sustenance feeding transformation with song Since before he can remember, music has been a part of Pablo Valladares’ life. His mother was a choir director, his father a pianist. At the age of four, Valladares began playing the piano, learning first the major scales and making his way through simple songs composed of quarter and half notes. Today his pieces are far more complex, an intricate arrangement of flats and sharps, key changes, and numerous movements. His passion for the piano has taken him around the world—he is fluent in three languages—and now he is a Piano Performance major at Drake, more than 3,000 miles from his hometown of Quito, Ecuador. “Music is something I cannot live without,” says Valladares, who came to Drake thanks in part to Nicholas Roth, associate professor of piano and acquaintance of Valladares’ music theory instructor in Ecuador. “When I’m not playing, I feel bad. It’s a good way to relax, to get a better understanding of life and its beauty.” As Valladares’ skills continue to mature, so does the sophomore’s insight into the positive role music can play in the lives of others. His aspiration is twofold: to be a performer and to affect change in his homeland through music. Ecuador is one of the poorest countries in Latin America, with a quarter of the population living in poverty. Valladares has been using music as a tool to improve impoverished children’s lives as part of his father’s nonprofit organization, Ono-Zone Pro Música. The NGO works with about 300 students of all ages: Younger children can sing in a choir, while teenagers craft their own songs, providing an outlet for describing their lives. “When I started working as a music tutor, I quickly learned there was much more to it than just giving music lessons,” says Valladares. “You’re a musician, but you have to know the other part, too—the human part.” Pablo Valladares nourishes his passion on the Yamaha CFX piano—one of the world’s top concert grands—in the Patty and Fred Turner Jazz Center.

This past summer Valladares and Roth went on a rare student-professor tour, performing together in three Ecuadorian cities. It was an opportunity for Valladares to perform alongside his mentor and to bring awareness to the challenges his country faces, including deforestation of the Amazon rain forest. “Pablo is a person of rare character and integrity,” says Roth. “To hear a person of 19 years speaking of what he can do to improve a community seems unusual. I’m always impressed to hear of his selfless goals.” visit www.drake.edu/magazine to watch and listen as Valladares brings his sound to City Sounds, Des Moines’ outdoor, public piano installations. fall 2015

DRAKE

BLUE

blue notes

the media might feel comfortable in their satirical “Is there a bale of hay I can interview you next to?” T-shirts purchased from RAYGUN across the river. The venue’s ideal for being social—but not too social. “The acoustics are such that you know it’s unlikely your conversation will be overheard,” says Rachel Paine Caufield, associate professor of political science and assistant director of the Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement.

Television crews flock to coffee shops like Java Joe’s in downtown Des Moines for a brew—and a national news broadcast—during caucus season.

[ the best place ]

Hobnob with Politicos If you live in Des Moines and you don’t have the opportunity to meet every presidential hopeful during campaign season, then—as political analyst Charlie Cook recently told a crowd in Drake’s Sussman Theater—it’s your own fault. Iowa has long been known as the heart of presidential campaigning, especially leading into the state’s first-in-thenation caucuses. When they’re not delivering campaign speeches and participating in nationally televised debates (in formal locations like Drake’s own Sheslow Auditorium), candidates deal in retail politics that have them shaking hands at churches, community centers, and pizza shops. So where do the political insiders go when they really want to hobnob? The venues are as diverse as Iowans’ public policy perspectives. Many reporters and state campaign staffers prefer Smokey Row, a spacious wood-floored coffee shop at the west edge of downtown. It’s a relaxed atmosphere where members of

Fundraisers, advisers, and top news anchors brush elbows at 801 Steak and Chop House, a swanky eatery atop the tallest skyscraper between Omaha and Chicago. Immortalized in a 2004 New York Times article as Des Moines’ No. 1 place to be on caucus night, it stands in stark contrast to less ornate watering holes like the East Village’s Beechwood Lounge, where one often finds state legislators from both political parties. “At the Beechwood, there’s a feeling that you don’t have to be polished and professional. You can kind of let your hair down and relax,” says Caufield. “That casual atmosphere helps address what most people say is a major problem with Congress, that representatives are not meeting each other, getting to know one another. When you don’t like each other, that causes a real breakdown in bipartisanship and cooperation.” Newer downtown restaurants like Centro, a high-ceilinged ex-Masonic temple turned contemporary Italian eatery, and Django, a casual-but-trendy site advertising “All French—No Attitude,” offer a trendy vibe with menu items that won’t break the bank. Betsy Klein, an Iowa-based video producer for CNN, likes to cultivate her sources during Django’s happy hour. On a recent visit, she was seated at the bar with a Democrat when in walked Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, followed later by one Republican operative, and then another. “That’s what I love about Iowa,” says Klein. “You just never know who will turn up, and everyone always stops to say ‘Hello.’”

[ book club ]

Humor, Grace & Alternative Storytelling We asked Associate Professor of Journalism Jill Van Wyke to share picks from her summer reading list.

DRAKE

BLUE

Fun Home, by Alison Bechdel (Mariner Books, 2007) Van Wyke says this graphic memoir—delivered through Bechdel’s gothic drawings—is searingly honest, making you wince and laugh at the same time. Bechdel visited Drake this spring, prompting Van Wyke to add the book to her

fall 2015

reading list, and when its stage adaptation won the Tony for best musical in June, Van Wyke says she made it a priority. Unforgettable: A Son, a Mother, and the Lessons of a Lifetime, by Scott Simon (Flatiron Books, 2015) This memoir grew from NPR broadcaster Scott Simon’s

tweets during his mother’s last days. Van Wyke says she was fascinated then by his ability to capture such an experience on Twitter with grace, humor, and honesty, and by the shared experience of the millions of people who followed along.

[ where are they now ]

On Gossamer Wings retirement comes naturally for professor emeritus bob woodward

Milkweed and the monarch have a critical symbiotic relationship, one that Bob Woodward is counting on.

No matter the season, the temperature, or the landscape, Professor Emeritus Bob Woodward can be found connecting with nature. His favorite activity is counting monarch butterflies—and he finds serenity in doing so on a warm July day at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, 20 miles east of Des Moines. Woodward, 78, joined the School of Journalism and Mass Communication faculty in 1972, retired in 2005, and continued to teach honors courses for several years. He is famous for remembering the name of every student he ever met. He is the only Drake faculty member to receive all of the University’s top awards for teaching and mentoring, as well as the Drake Medal of Service. Before teaching at Drake, he was an editor at The Washington Star, where he covered the Vietnam War. A journalist at heart, Woodward now spends some of his time soaking up information on various topics, including Native Americans, Abraham Lincoln, and his own family heritage. “There’s so much that I’d like to know and do,” he says. “Since I’m retired, I am doing things of interest at my own speed.”

Come fall, Woodward and his wife, Georgia, will be at the Refuge counting monarchs every day. Their passion for the milkweed butterfly is deep. In 1997 Woodward, one of Drake’s earliest adopters of the Internet in the classroom, launched a website dedicated to the insect (www.drake.edu/monarch). He speaks to classrooms, gathers data for research, and provides his photos of the butterfly to various magazines and advertisers. He even tried, unsuccessfully, to make the monarch the state insect of Iowa. The continued decline of the butterfly worries Woodward. Numbers decrease each year as milkweed—the plant on which monarchs thrive—is being eradicated from roadways. The crisis fuels his efforts. Woodward enjoys talking about the monarch’s beauty, its critical role as bellwether for the environment, and how the butterfly species can be preserved. He is intrigued by efforts to plant milkweed along I-35 from Texas to Canada. “I’ll continue to count monarch butterflies and speak out in different ways when possible.”

fall 2015

DRAKE

BLUE

blue notes

Lost and Found

sudanese refugees make drake part of their lives in america At age 11, Samuel Alier began a 14-year journey, eventually leaving a region of the world racked by instability and violence and arriving in Des Moines. He trekked miles by foot in his homeland of Sudan and across international borders, always escaping conflict, always in search of education. “The idea was to get away and find a better life,” he says, describing schooling experiences in refugee camps in Ethiopia, Sudan, and Kenya, where thousands of other young boys sought sanctuary and second chances in the late 1980s and 1990s. Alier learned English and found vocational training in bricklaying, sheet metal work, agriculture, and business, but his greatest opportunity came in 2000, he explains, when his name appeared on a list posted in northern Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp. That winter and the following year, nearly 4,000 refugees were selected and resettled in the United States. Alier and two other young Sudanese men landed in Iowa’s capital city on February 14. “We were the first ‘Lost Boys’ to come to Des Moines,” he says, using the term that came to describe some 20,000 children separated from family and displaced by war. Sponsors helped the three secure housing in the Drake neighborhood and seek employment possibilities. Alier’s first job at a meat-processing plant just outside of Des Moines was brief after he connected with Drake Facility Services. In June, he celebrated his 14th year working in Drake’s Custodial Department. “It’s hard to leave a place when you know all the people,” he says of the University and his valued relationships with staff and students. “Drake became part of our lives. It became my

second home.” (In Alier’s first home, he and his wife just welcomed their sixth child.) The University is a place that feels safe and welcoming for Mayom Jok and Mary Acuoth. They, too, are from the Bor region of Sudan—part of what became an independent South Sudan in 2011—and their paths through conflict and displacement parallel Alier’s. The couple first met during their years spent in Kakuma. Acuoth was only 17 when she left the camp and relocated to Seattle in December 2000. There she began a new life with a foster family and attend public high school. Of the thousands of young Sudanese refugees who settled in the United States that year and next, only 89 were female—the less well-known “Lost Girls.” “I was afraid I was not going to see Mayom again,” recalls Acuoth, who had left behind a life with no phone communication, let alone air travel. Even electricity was a new experience for Jok when he left the camp for Des Moines in June 2001. But once someone introduced him to a computer, he navigated his way to a GED (while stocking shelves and sorting mail), to truck driving training (through Des Moines Area Community College), and eventually to Drake’s employment opportunities webpage. He joined the University’s custodial team in 2013. Acuoth, who moved to Des Moines in 2003 to marry Jok, took a similar position with Drake in 2014. The couple’s three young children have taken field trips to the University, and the family likes to watch the Bulldogs play basketball. They chime in together about the opportunities their children may have. “They already want to go to Drake!”

Samuel Alier (left) has visited Drake class-rooms to share his story of migration and endurance. Mary Acuoth and Mayom Jok say they have found campus to be an open and welcoming place.

DRAKE

BLUE

fall 2015

A Constellation of Scholars One of the most prestigious post-graduate fellowships available for study, research, or work abroad is the Fulbright Scholarship. And one of the nation’s top producers of Fulbright Scholars is none other than Drake University. Take a look at the mapped experiences of Drake’s most recent Fulbright scholars—these shining stars accomplished everything from teaching English in Asia to examining the impact of women politicians in the Moroccan Parliament to assessing fishing laws in Chile to documenting globalization’s effect on Russian farmers.

drake university fulbright scholars 2004–2015

fall 2015

DRAKE

BLUE

blue notes Sarah McCoy brings a deeper mindfulness of design to both her downtown studio (www.thepermanentcollection.net) and her Drake classroom.

DRAKE

BLUE

fall 2011

Profile

To the Letter for assistant professor sarah mccoy, design is a pressing matter “I’d find myself talking about why I used a letterform or why I did what I did. I started realizing I was interested in talking about design. I really enjoyed talking and thinking about it on a deeper level,” says McCoy. Contemplation soon morphed into passion, as McCoy left the corporate world to delve into learning about—and ultimately teaching—design, including letterpress technique. “It was at the first crank that I thought ‘I really like this,’ says McCoy, recalling her initial experience with letterpress in graduate school. “There are just different nuances of the press or the way the type’s inking. There are just certain things you can’t always control.” In contrast to the curated finesse of digital production, McCoy’s old-fashioned equipment produces fittingly vintage feeling products. Her oldest printing press dates from 1916, while others hail from the ‘20s, ‘40s, and ‘60s. Despite the antique nature of her process, she operates with a decidedly 21st-century mindset. “I have all this old wood type in here, but I can marry that with digital designs and technologies,” explains McCoy. “It’s bridging the old and the new together.”

First, the hearty clank and whine of hand-churned metal. Next, a delicate dab and pat of measured ink. Finally, the momentary hiss as paper meets stained wood. Out of the clamor emerges the finished work, a perfect blend of four simple ingredients first combined in 15th-century technology.

Arriving at Drake in 2006, McCoy brought her experience into the classroom, lending students perspective from her work in the field. When she launched The Permanent Collection in 2007, her Drake students—including those that interned with her—got a firsthand look at the design industry. “I’m a working designer, and here’s what that looks like. It helps show students one possible path.”

“Everything is hand-fed and inked, so I have to explain to clients that we’re not going to get something cookie cutter that looks laser printed,” says Sarah McCoy, assistant professor of graphic design and owner and operator of The Permanent Collection Letterpress + Design Studio. As evidence, McCoy picks up a stack of finished posters bound for the upcoming 80/35 Music Festival.

After eight years operating The Permanent Collection out of her home’s garage, McCoy hired forklifts in May to carefully move her thousand-pound-plus presses, setting up shop— permanently—in Des Moines’ East Village. Having a retail space has helped McCoy grow her business and take on new opportunities, including custom projects for clients, card and print sales, workshops, visiting artists, and events.

While there is one design, there are varying levels of ink and different degrees of impression.

Her own artistic development provides insight for emerging artists in her classroom.

“Each one is individual and unique,” says McCoy.

“My philosophy is really helping students to grow themselves in their design language and visual voice,” says McCoy. “I enjoy working with students to help them develop their skill sets and portfolio—to prepare them to show their work and what’s unique and authentic about their work.”

The Adel, Iowa, native developed a fascination with color by mixing up her brother’s carefully organized Play-Doh collection, and later a love of letterforms in a second-grade beginning calligraphy class. Despite an early start, it wasn’t until McCoy’s years working as a professional designer for a software corporation that she began to understand her deeper mindfulness of design.

visit www.drake.edu/magazine to experience the clank, whine, and hiss as McCoy operates a 1960s-era Vandercook SP-15. fall 2015

DRAKE

BLUE

blue notes

[ how to ]

Choosing Drake’s New Live Mascot Erin Bell, soon-to-be live mascot director, had a helpful model to guide the search for Drake’s next live mascot. Bell, caretaker of the legendary Porterhouse with her husband, Kevin, lw’11, knew well the qualities of a quintessential Drake Bulldog. Check out Erin’s tips on selecting a four-legged ambassador, then learn more about Drake’s plan for a new live mascot at www.drake.edu/livemascot. Temperament A Bulldog’s attitude is the number one priority. “Due to the social situations and exposure to all kinds of people in all kinds of settings, we absolutely needed to find a dog with a very specific temperament,” says Bell. “It needed to be calm, easy going,

[ top five ] The Drake University Archives and Harkin Archives at Cowles Library are home to tons (literally) of artifacts that reveal slices of our history.

tolerant, and to love people and attention.” Health While a bulldog’s day may consist mainly of sleeping and eating, Drake’s live mascot will have a much more active lifestyle. This Bulldog’s days will be filled with places to be, things to do, and people to lick. A healthy physique in great shape is a must. Appearance Looks aren’t everything, but as a mascot representing a premier academic institution, Drake’s Bulldog must look the part. “We wanted to find a beautiful bulldog,” says Bell. “One that would be photogenic and capture the classic look of the Drake Bulldog.”

General Francis Marion Drake’s sword Prior to becoming the University’s founding benefactor and namesake, Drake served as a brigadier general in the Union Army during the Civil War, sustaining severe wounds in battle in 1864. His ceremonial sword provides an imposing reminder of his service.

James Denton’s hand-written journals Ever wondered how Drake students from 1881 and 2015 compare? Find your answer in the journals of James Denton, one of Drake’s first students, penned for posterity.

Sen. Tom Harkin’s copy of the Americans with Disabilities Act The signature achievement of Senator Harkin, namesake of The Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement and the Harkin Archives, was his 1990 legislation empowering Americans with disabilities.

Tip O’Neill’s gavel The collections of Congressman Neal Smith, lw’50, who represented Iowa from 1959 through 1995, include Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill’s gavel, gifted in commemoration of a new era of televised House proceedings in 1977 (which led to the development of the C-SPAN network).

Photos of “Pregnant Acres” Drake experienced a flood of veterans returning from World War II. Pressed for space, the University placed rows and rows of trailer homes just southwest of Drake Stadium. The young veterans, many already creating families, dubbed the new neighborhood “Pregnant Acres.”

visit www.drake.edu/magazine to see these items up close and personal.

DRAKE

BLUE

fall 2015

Seven-Year Enrich

faculty pursue passions and sharpen skills on sabbatical

A spring sabbatical inspired James Romain to jazz up his saxophone lessons after more than 20 years in the classroom.

James Romain has been teaching Drake students to play the saxophone for 22 years. It’s no wonder he started to find himself hitting the same notes. “After 20-plus years of teaching, you hear yourself saying the same kind of things again and again,” says Romain, a professor and assistant director of jazz studies. “And they weren’t bad things—but you can tire of hearing yourself talk.” So in spring 2015, Romain took a semester-long sabbatical to refresh his teaching practice. He sat with renowned instructors at universities in Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Texas, watching and learning as they gave private lessons to their students. “It was an opportunity to collect new ideas, new approaches to learning, that I can bring back to my students,” he says. Sabbaticals take many forms. They may last a semester or a year. They may be taken at home or abroad. The result may be a book, recording, research project, new academic program, or something else entirely. The common denominator is providing faculty the opportunity to apply their knowledge, broaden their horizons, and develop as teachers.

“At Drake, teaching is valued above everything else,” says Associate Provost Art Sanders. “But you can’t have people teaching courses in constantly changing fields if they’re not involved with ongoing research and pursuing their passions.” For Maria Valdovinos, a yearlong sabbatical offered time to dig into research on the effects of psychotropic medication on problem behaviors such as aggression and self-injury in persons with developmental disabilities. “At one point I had 11 students working in my lab,” says Valdovinos, an associate professor of psychology. “It was great to have that time to invest in my research and to mentor the students and get to know them so well.” Faculty members are allowed to apply for a yearlong sabbatical every seven years, or they can split their time into two semesterlong sabbaticals over a seven-year period. Romain used his first semester to record a CD—a process that challenged him to sharpen his skills. Whatever the project, he says sabbaticals “benefit us as instructors, benefit our students, and are an integral part of the climate of inquiry and research that Drake is known for.”

fall 2015

DRAKE

BLUE

PIGSKIN PRIZE Brendan Daly, asâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;97, sports some rare bling: a 2014 Super Bowl championship ring. Daly joined the New England Patriots that year as an assistant defensive coach and immediately found success. After completing his playing career at Drake in 1997, Daly began a coaching career that leapt from high school to college to pro, working with the Minnesota Vikings and St. Louis Rams prior to joining the Patriots.

Many of Dalyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s teammates have also pursued careers in coaching. visit www.drake.edu/magazine to learn about other Bulldogs who have taken leadership roles on the gridiron.

POLLING PLACE Drake is a destination for students interested in meaningful politics. BY ALYSSA YOUNG, gr’14

Every four years, they descend. Coifed and suited (occasionally promoting their relatable selves in jeans and cowboy boots), presidential hopefuls storm the state for caucus season—shaking hands, kissing babies, eating fried food by the pound. Iowans have an unparalleled opportunity to rub elbows with politicians from diverse points along the political spectrum— one of them the future president of the United States. The epicenter of this frenzy is Des Moines, and Drake University the mecca. Attracting political junkies, future legislators, and passionate American citizens, the University has played host to several national debates and countless lawmakers, presidential hopefuls, and

DRAKE

BLUE

fall 2015

thought leaders. It’s a place students say is the place to pursue their future in politics. Their interests are varied— some prefer behind-the-scenes campaign work; others enjoy lobbying or fighting for an issue; a few dream of being at the forefront, an elected representative. Across the board, though, they are political animals. They live and breathe public affairs. They carefully consider their responses to questions (sometimes wary of straightforward answers, much like their idols) and often launch into monologues identifying what they admire about government or what they want to fix. They can’t imagine doing anything else. “I’ve been interested in politics ever since I can remember,” says Colin Timmerman, a sophomore Politics major and Data Analytics minor. “I remember watching the Bush-Kerry debates when I was seven, and I was just fascinated. I’m a political junkie.”

BASTION OF CIVILITY

ON THE FRONT LINES

Timmerman is one of those allegedly rare college specimens: a Republican. Following recent history, today’s young people gravitate toward the left end of the political spectrum at the polls—60 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds voted for President Obama in 2012, according to the Pew Research Center. Two years later, the College Republican National Committee started the trending topic #myliberalcampus on Twitter, which engaged a flurry of conservative students across the country airing grievances about the bias they perceived on their campuses.

Election night, 2008—many older Millenials remember it as a hopeful night, a potential turning point in American politics (51 percent of voters aged 18-29 turned out to vote, the highest turnout in 30 years). Jill Shesol, as’09, was in the thick of it, working the election desk for North Dakota and Maine at then-Senator Barack Obama’s Chicago campaign headquarters.

Timmerman insists that conservatism is alive and well at Drake. While he admits more of his peers lean left, Timmerman lauds Drake’s civil environment, one open to all political views. “We have a large number of committed students, and they’re pretty equally divided between Democrats and Republicans, which I think surprises most people,” says Rachel Paine Caufield, associate professor of politics and international relations and associate director for citizen engagement at The Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement. “We are trying to create a space at Drake where we can discuss politics and policy in a meaningful way, with insight from both sides.” Because of Drake’s location in the heart of caucus country—and in a purple state—candidates from all political parties target the University as a valuable campaign stop. In past years, Drake hosted both DNC and GOP presidential debates and has recently welcomed first lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, both paving the way for their party’s candidates, including Independent-running-as-Democrat presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders.

“Everything about that campaign was crazy,” recalls Shesol, now manager of hiring fairs for Hiring Our Heroes in Washington, D.C. “There was no space for anybody; I was sharing a table with five people. It was incredibly fast paced, and for me to leave before 10 p.m. was a treat.” From Des Moines (where she worked on the John Edwards presidential campaign and the Tom Harkin Senate race) to Chicago to D.C., Shesol says the connections and experiences she built at Drake and in Des Moines have gotten her where she is today.

“WE ARE TRYING TO CREATE A SPACE AT DRAKE WHERE WE CAN DISCUSS POLITICS AND POLICY IN A MEANINGFUL WAY”

—RACHEL PAINE CAUFIELD

fall 2015

DRAKE

BLUE

“I FEEL LIKE EVERYONE AT DRAKE IS VERY ENGAGED AND INFORMED ON EVERYDAY ISSUES.”

—SUSANNA HAYWARD

“We recognize that there is nobody in the country that has the strategic advantages we have,” says Paine Caufield, who was one of Shesol’s professors and champions. “We are in the capital city in a state where the caucuses matter, and we have incredible access to the state government, so students can get involved at any time, not just during presidential election cycles.” During the fall of her senior year, Julianne Klampe, as’15, took a semester off to work full-time for Staci Appel’s campaign to become Iowa’s first U.S. congresswoman, an experience she recalls as life changing. Klampe put in 80 hours a week, working phone banks, organizing campus events, handling press and donor inquiries, and attending events. Appel ultimately lost, but Klampe continues to gush over her experience. “I was really fortunate to work for a candidate who I loved, who I really believed in,” says Klampe, now regional caucus director for the Iowa Democratic Party. “Plus, there’s a sense of brotherhood in a campaign that you can’t find anywhere else. The long hours pushed me to my limit, but I learned a lot about myself.” Klampe’s is just one Bulldog story. Name a local, Iowa, or national campaign in the past 10 years, and there’s probably been a Drake student behind the scenes, knocking on doors, mobilizing friends, and making cold calls.

FOR THE GREATER GOOD The energy of the Iowa caucuses every four years has helped fuel political engagement across campus each semester. Susanna Hayward, a senior Magazines and Graphic Design double major, co-founded the Drake Political Review in 2014. The most recent issue featured articles by Religion, Pharmacy, and Marketing majors covering topics from Greece’s economy and potential exit from the Eurozone to legislative issues impacting the pharmacy industry.

DRAKE

BLUE

fall 2015

“It’s about time there is someplace for students to voice their opinions, to give any student a place where their voice can be heard, not just Politics majors,” says Hayward. “I feel like everyone at Drake is very engaged and informed on everyday issues.” In the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Jennifer Glover Konfrst, associate professor of journalism, is eager to use the caucuses as a real-life laboratory for the new Political Strategic Communications major. The interdisciplinary major will mesh journalism, public relations, and politics to prepare students for careers in ssues advocacy, campaign press, government relations, and related fields.

CAUCUS CONNECTIONS Ballot Tourism Drake University is partnering with the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau Community Foundation, Greater Des Moines Partnership, Iowa Economic Development Authority, Iowa Cultural Affairs, and The Des Moines Register to form the Caucus Consortium, dedicated to enhancing the caucus experience in Des Moines for both voters and visitors to the state.

Click for Caucus Undergraduates are telling the stories of Iowa voters on the student-run website, www.iowacaucusproject.org. The site also serves as a one-stop resource for campaign events and facts and history about the caucuses.

Dish & Dialog Intimate gatherings hosted throughout the year by The Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement bring about 10 students together with prominent legislators and thought leaders— such as Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley—for food and conversation.

Documenting Firsts in the Nation Everything from posters and candidate ads to buttons and campaign tchotchkes will soon fill the Caucus Collection in the Drake Archives, the only repository dedicated to preserving the history of the Iowa caucuses.

Point, Counterpoint On Nov. 14, Democratic presidential candidates will spar and work to convince the nation that they deserve the nomination. Live from Sheslow Auditorium, CBS News will air the Democratic National Committee’s only sanctioned debate before the caucuses.

“We want to create a destination at Drake for students who are interested in all areas of politics,” Glover Konfrst says. “We want to give them the tools to put their passion to work.” Many students are doing just that, advocating for causes close to their heart, including improved breast cancer screenings, enhancing mental health care, and encouraging more women to run for office. Raymond Starks, a senior Politics and Quantitative Economics double major who has worked for a number of campaigns and is a member of the Republican Party of Polk County Executive Committee (the youngest by about 20 years), started a student organization, Surge, focused on mental health advocacy. “Yes, this is a political issue, but it’s really a human issue,” Starks says. “The more we can get people talking about it and get more people in the legislature who care, that will lead to real change.” Starks and others could have the rare opportunity to talk with candidates about these issues in a way that few in the nation do. “The exposure you get at Drake helps you better understand the theater of the political process,” says Mark Micheli, as’10, jo’10, now head of content marketing for Bloomberg Government. “At Drake, you have the chance to see through these heavily cultivated images [of candidates], which I think is incredibly healthy for the democratic process. And in my line of work, it has made asking tough questions, probing or pushing back on government officials, much easier.” Questioning, independent thinking, and action comprise the backbone of a Drake education, and are perhaps the antidote to what critics say ails our government. You still find the cynics on campus and across the state, those who have no interest in politics or who have given up on them. Yet there is also a hint of hope, of deeper engagement. Visitors to Drake’s home state get the sense that we haven’t given up on the great experiment of American democracy. “The students I work with are incredibly energetic and excited about politics,” says Paine Caufield, pride evident in her voice. “Yes, there is a prominent storyline that the system is broken that we are doomed to polarized politics, but the students I work with are true to their values and beliefs and dedicated to their civic duty.”

fall 2015

DRAKE

BLUE

WORK OF ART Undeniable passions are colored by rewarding careers in the arts. BY TIM SCHMITT, gr ‘08, ‘10

DRAKE

BLUE

fall 2015

“

“art allows us to dream—to use the part of our brain that begins to merge with the ethereal” —justin montigne

ustin Montigne spends much of his day at a piano, fingers coaxing out chords and notes across the keyboard. Standing nearby, one of his vocal students focuses on proper form and technique while attempting to match the pitch, timbre, and spirit of the music filling the room. Montigne, who graduated from Drake in 1999 with a degree in Vocal Performance and today teaches privately in the San Francisco Bay Area, rarely sits for long, though. He jumps often from the bench and darts around the room, punctuating an important point or attempting to fully express the emotion and feeling the music inspires in him at any given moment.

fall 2015

DRAKE

BLUE

“Singing is such a physical and dynamic activity, that I need to shock and inspire my students into a new way of being as they make their own music,” he explains. When he’s not instructing and startling his students, Montigne is found composing and perfecting his own compositions, rehearsing alone or with an ensemble, or performing live. And then there’s the business side of his art—meeting with colleagues, scheduling lessons with students and families, organizing gigs and sessions, answering emails And practicing. Always practicing. In addition to teaching, Montigne directs voice studies for the San Francisco Girls Chorus; sings and serves on the board of Clerestory, a critically acclaimed nine-man vocal ensemble in the San Francisco Bay Area; combines yoga and vocal lessons for singers and other performers in SingAsana, a program he founded; performs as alto choirman with the Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys at Grace Cathedral; and works as the webmaster and communications secretary for the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of National Association of Teachers of Singing. He’s busy, happy, and successful. Montigne is willing and eager to discuss his work, the experiences that helped shape his successful career, and the role of education in the arts. But he bristles at the question so often asked of him and others who work in the arts: “Why is art important to society?” “I, like many artists, get so very tired of this question,” he explains. “No one asks why math or biology are important to society. They just are. It’s insulting to have to justify something that is universally practiced and craved by societies since the dawn of humanity.” Still, once again, he indulges the question. “Art allows us to dream—to use the part of our brain that begins to merge with the ethereal, intangible part that we call our heart or soul. Making products is great; providing excellent service is laudable; improving the length and material quality of human life is essential. Art is more than all of that, because it includes all of that and yet says still more. It is the best of us, the undiscovered part of us, and that which brings us closest to the universality of God, or that which connects all of us.”

ECONOMICS OF EXPRESSION Ethereal concepts of soul enrichment aside, art—in its many forms—is demonstrably important to our communities using economic measurements of success compiled by Americans for the Arts.

DRAKE

BLUE

fall 2015

• The arts and culture sector is a $699 billion industry, representing 4.3 percent of the nation’s GDP—a larger share of the economy than either transportation or agriculture, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. • The nonprofit arts industry alone generates $135 billion in economic activity, supports 4.1 million jobs, and generates $22.3 billion in tax revenue annually. • A 2015 analysis of Dun & Bradstreet data counts 702,771 businesses in the United States involved in the creation or distribution of the arts that employ 2.9 million people— representing 3.9 percent of all businesses and 1.9 percent of all employees. Despite these significant statistics, many Americans remain skeptical of the potential for career success with a fine arts education. In a 2012 article titled “The 10 Worst College Majors,” Forbes magazine named fine arts as among the worst degree options for college students. “While the arts may be good for the soul,” the article states, “artistic majors are terrible for the bank account.” Such one-dimensional scrutiny underestimates the worth of dogged aspirations, says Keith Summerville, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “I think there’s a real need across the world and a desire among young people to pursue passions that don’t have anything to do with denominational rewards attached to them. There is something very rewarding about creating something new and sharing it with the world.” Passion for the arts is apparent among the student body at Drake. Currently, 327 undergraduate students—nearly 10 percent of the student body—have declared a major in Studio Art, Music, Graphic Design, or Theatre. Are these students, as Forbes suggests, destined to choose between a life of financial destitution and one that forgoes passion in order to earn a living?

COMPOSITION AND CONFIDENCE Since earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Drake in 2008, Whitney Rhodes has been onstage and behind the scenes in a number of roles. She recently appeared in a production of the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas at the Old Log Theatre—the oldest professional theatre in Minnesota. She’s writing a new musical titled For Tonight, works full-time as the development manager at Mixed Blood Theatre in Minneapolis, consults for the SpotLight Musical Theatre Program at Hennepin Theatre Trust, and as is an artistic associate of the Catalysts Theatre Company. “It’s a misconception that you can’t make a living in this business,” she says. “It’s not easy, and you might make

“it’s a misconception that you can’t make a living in this business” —whitney rhodes

spring 2015

DRAKE

BLUE

tremendous sacrifices that a lot of people with a traditional 9-to-5 job never have to think about, but it is not impossible. There are artistic directors and executive directors of major institutions that make six figures, and many of my friends have homes, families, and very normal lives off the income of two artists.” It’s possible to not only survive but also thrive as a working artist. Those who’ve done so explain that one of the keys to success is understanding the business side of art and the myriad opportunities available to artists. “We try to teach our students that, yes, there is Broadway, but there are a lot of other ways to make a living in theatre,” says Karla Kash, associate professor of theatre and head of Drake’s Musical Theatre program. “What we do really well is prepare our students for the professional world.”

“this is what i loved and what i wanted to do. it was just in my blood” —sheri koetting

Drake Theatre students create résumés, obtain professional headshots, launch websites, and learn the nuances of tax write-offs to support their career. Before leaving campus, each creates a five-year plan that includes target roles to pursue as well as identified “filler jobs” that could help cover the cost of living while working toward professional goals. The result? Every Theatre student who graduated in 2014 received at least one paid, professional role while still studying at Drake. And again this year, every student who auditioned received at least one offer for a paid role. “They’re not just learning about technique and performance but how to do the day-to-day business so they can survive as artists,” says Kash. “I had great training as an undergraduate, but I never really learned how to go out and audition and hustle for work. I want to ensure my students are prepared and know how to do this.” This effort is echoed across fine arts programs at Drake. Technique and form and style are all taught alongside practical skills for making it in that world. Serious critique of student work ensures they leave campus performing at their peak. Sheri Koetting entered Drake as a young woman confident in her skills as a graphic designer and artist, convinced she would sail through an easy four years and then begin her career. “I spent my first two years at Drake learning I wasn’t as good as I thought I was,” she recalls. “It was tough. I got my first ever ‘C’ in a class. I was in tears many times. I received a lot of tough criticism, and it was very helpful.” She supplemented her classroom education with an internship at the Des Moines Playhouse, where she designed and crafted costumes, hair, and makeup for a play about Helen Keller. She worked closely with the head costume designer and networked with other artists on staff. She also

DRAKE

BLUE

fall 2015

went on a tour of graphic design firms in New York City with a small group of Drake students. These experiences, she says, bolstered her confidence and helped her realize success was a real possibility. “Leaving Drake, I felt strong and well rounded. I felt like I was really qualified.” Koetting graduated in 1997 with dual degrees in Graphic Design and Costume Design, and today owns MSLK, a design firm in New York specializing in brand repositioning. “I don’t think there was ever another path for me,” she says. “This is what I loved and what I wanted to do. It was just in my blood.”

LIVING ART This pursuit of passion, of what’s “in your blood”—whether it’s art, history, mathematics, or pharmacy—is the true calling of higher education says Aimee Beckmann-Collier, director of choral studies at Drake.

“I tell all of my students that they shouldn’t do music unless they can’t not do it,” she says. “Those who pursue it and stick with it are the people who believe that if they work hard enough, that if they pursue their passion, they will find a way to succeed and continue to create art.” Ben Gardner, who maintains a studio practice and exhibits his abstract paintings and sculpture while teaching Drake students and serving as chair of the Department of Art and Design, echoes this sentiment. “Art is the one thing that has always been undeniable in my life,” he says. “For me, it’s one of the few things I can do that is surprising. In general, we’re rational beings. There are so few things that are unexpected anymore. When I’m painting or creating work, I always surprise myself.” That element of surprise can come to students of the arts through the exploration of different media and techniques that may be unfamiliar. Gardner calls this the toolbox approach to teaching.

“We try to provide exposure to as many ways to solve a problem as possible,” he explains. “Graphic design students might find themselves casting metal here. We don’t want them sitting in front of a computer all the time but learning other solutions and techniques that they can use throughout their lives.” Riley Brady, a 2015 graduate, embraced this toolbox approach while working toward her degree in Graphic Design. It ultimately led her to receive minors in both Drawing and Studio Art and develop skills that enhanced her experiences as a student, her potential as a working artist, and her fulfillment as a human being. “Learning to think creatively is something you can bring into any career, and the professors I had all taught the importance of being prepared for what the real world has to throw at you,” says Brady, who works as a freelance graphic designer. “The things I learned at Drake were about not only how to continue your profession but how to live your life.

fall 2015

DRAKE

BLUE

SIGNATURE Out-of-the-ordinary discipline combinations brew full-bodied possibilities. BY JILL BRIMEYER

t age 11, armed with his parents’ Sony Camcorder and digital video editing software, Sam Fathallah created his first video. The storyline was simple, his sisters were the stars, and the fireworks transitions would have make Scorsese cringe. Still, a passion was ignited. In high school, he parlayed his talent into a freelance photography and video production career, creating award-winning promotional and documentary work for universities, businesses, and nonprofits. Yet when he arrived at Drake in 2014, Fathallah had checked the box for a pre-med career track. By the end of his first semester, though, he knew his heart was heading in a different direction. “My love for film really pushed me to look for a potential major where I could utilize that skill,” says Fathallah. “I met with Professor Sandy Henry and that same day declared an Advertising major and picked up a Chemistry minor.”

DRAKE

BLUE

fall 2015

While some may question the rationale for adding both advertising and chemistry to a resume, it makes perfect sense to Fathallah, Class of 2018. “When you think about it, film and photography are at the crossroads of science and visual art,” he says. “The camera works by exposing light to a sensor, and there is a lot of physics involved. I think my love for capturing the world correlates well with my academic interests.”

Double Shot In the United States, an estimated 25 percent of college students graduate with more than one major. For related fields in which content overlaps, double majoring is often natural. But when a student chooses to pursue two (or three, or four) unrelated fields, coursework can multiply fast. Out of those who double major, just 39 percent do so with intersecting disciplinary categories, according to recent data in the Economics of Education Review.

“My two majors give me an opportunity to explore two completely different types of creativity”

—Sam Fathallah

At Drake, more than 32 percent of students—including those in Pharmacy—double major (see charts on pages 32–33 for a breakdown). The University makes the choice easier thanks to liberal arts-focused Areas of Inquiry (AOIs) that also fulfill various major requirements, an array of interdisciplinary offerings, and faculty advisors who work closely with students to help them structure their schedules to graduate in four years. Still, earning two majors in vastly different disciplines requires more work, more coordination, and more tenacity. For Fathallah, scheduling has been challenging—when organic chemistry and advertising classes meet at the same time, he’s had to defer one for a semester.

hinges on artistic creativity to catch someone’s eye. This is where I get to use my filmmaking and photography skills to solve problems. Chemistry is all about using ingenuity and previous knowledge to anticipate reactions and to solve problems, and this requires scientific creativity. I get to engage the part of my brain that likes math and logical reasoning.”

Students and alumni say that in addition to being more competitive in the job market and having access to a broader range of careers, the extra academic effort enables them to pursue diverse interests and discover the world through different lenses.

“At Drake I started getting involved in many different things,” says Kinzler. “I discovered that I was more of a creative person than I thought, but I’d always treated it as a hobby.”

“My two majors give me an opportunity to explore two completely different types of creativity,” says Fathallah. “Advertising is all about engaging a consumer, and that

Science Infused with Art and Business Since she was young, Carly Kinzler, as’14, had pictured herself as a pediatric pulmonologist. But when she came to Drake as a Carpenter Scholar and started exploring a variety of interests, that dream began to morph.

The Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology major found herself taking Drawing I—her first art class since the fourth grade. “Tons of things were going through my head,” she recalls. “Is this unrealistic? Am I going to fail? Am I wasting

fall 2015

DRAKE

BLUE

“Drake prepared me for a future in which I can utilize all of my passions.” —Carly Kinzler

my time?” Reassured by her drawing professor, she picked up an Art minor. She also minored in Business, where professors helped her learn to apply her science and art knowledge in the business sector. With support and mentorship from professors across three disciplines, Kinzler also took on marketing internships, actively volunteered, was a student leader, and studied abroad in Mexico—and still graduated in four years. Today, she works with Allstate Insurance Company’s Talent Acquisition Department as an employment branding senior analyst, where she markets Allstate as a great place to work, conducts nationwide job advertising, helps execute branding campaigns, designs print materials and web pages, and manages analytics. Kinzler calls the role a perfect fit— an apt combination of creative development, analysis, and marketing. While she won’t be employing her research on nerve damage from medical tourniquets in this setting, Kinzler

says the skills gained from her BCMB major are eminently transferable. “My experiences measuring and analyzing data in chemistry helped me in this role, and the problem-solving skills from my science major in general have been very beneficial,” she explains. “Drake prepared me for a future in which I can utilize all of my passions.”

Words Steeped in Nature Laura Ippen, as’10, faced the inverse dilemma—majoring in a creative discipline, but wanting to add science to the mix. She was in her first semester as an aspiring journalist when she had a realization: all of the stories she was writing involved environmental issues. At the end of her first year she rearranged her majors to include Writing and Environmental Science, not yet knowing the endgame. “I wanted to focus on the environment, and it was important to me to learn the science,” says Ippen. “I also wanted to

Arts & Sciences

Business 24%

11%

Double Majors at Drake

66% 26%

double major within school

DRAKE

double major outside school

BLUE

fall 2015

single major

65%

keep my Writing major. I thought, ‘This is what matters to me in the world, so something will come of it.’”

with the logical analysis and problem-solving that his science background brings to bear.

Ippen, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Writing, says she enjoys using both sides of her brain. Switching between the two during her Drake studies provided a mental break of sorts.

Regardless of what the future holds, one thing is certain: Fathallah will have a wealth of different career paths open to him, opportunities that transcend the value of his individual majors. Just as with your favorite artisanal cuppa, disparate courses of study at Drake come together to create a blend that’s distinctive and satisfying.

“It was interesting,” she says. “I’d jump from a chemical equation to writing a story and back again. In odd ways, they fit together—especially in my environmental science classes. I had opportunities to bring communication skills into projects, like writing a scientific paper.”

“Above all else,” he says” I never want to stop working with creative people who challenge me to think differently every day.”

When she embarked on an internship in the communications department at UnityPoint Health in Des Moines, Ippen’s future became clearer. She went on to create her own position at UnityPoint as a sustainability coordinator, where she led sustainability efforts at four Des Moines hospitals. Ippen recently earned a Master of Business Administration in Sustainable Business from Pinchot University in Seattle, and today she works as a a sustainable business consultant in the area. The longer she’s been in the workforce, she says, the more valuable she realizes her Drake degrees are. “I think it’s made me more versatile and creative,” she says. “Working in sustainability, you often get people who are really more focused on the science side, and often people on the advocacy side are more focused on getting the word out. I feel comfortable in both spaces. And that has served me well.”

A Satisfying Blend After graduation, Fathallah dreams of leveraging his unique skills and knowledge as a director of advertising at a progressive ad firm. His work may not involve deducing the molarity of an unknown acid, but he’ll be balancing creative development

Education

Experience Sam Fathallah’s work online at www.samfathallah.com.

20%

Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Journalism 63%

77%

91%

1% 6%

30%

fall 2015

DRAKE

BLUE

now carpenter hall entryway, fall 2014

then hall ways The more things change, the more they stay the same. Sixty years after their construction, Drake’s Quad residence halls (Stalnaker, Crawford, Carpenter, and Herriott) have maintained both form and function. These architectural jewels, designed by Eliel and Eero Saarinen, are still home-away-fromhome for hundreds of Bulldogs. Renovations have brought the buildings into the 21st century—including air conditioning and universal wi-fi—but each hall maintains its midcentury modern charm.

DRAKE

BLUE

fall 2015

Update Update

$216,014,552 This changes everything. Together weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve reached an unprecedented moment in Drakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history. A moment when new resources unleash tremendous potential. When bold vision becomes reality.

fall 2015

DRAKE

BLUE

Update

$10 million for teaching and learning, enabling students to expand their knowledge and skills outside the classroom

igniting Seniors Joaquin Valdes and Aaron Hermsen launched their bicycle business, Frank’s Fixies, as 2014 participants in the Lorentzen New Venture Hatchery. The competitive summer program provides financial and logistical support to entrepreneurial students. The team says the hatchery helped evolve their business model and establish a valuable network in the community. “It is impossible to run a successful business if you try to do it all by yourself,” says Valdes. “The individuals we met through the hatchery were great resources.”

DRAKE

BLUE

fall 2015

$14 million to broaden minds and horizons through the creation of interdisciplinary centers and programming

passions To stand in Tahrir Square in Cairo a year and a half after the Egyptian revolution was a powerful moment for senior Emma Wilson. Coupled with conversations she had with Egyptian students during the Model Arab League competition, Wilson gained a greater insight into the country’s political and social turmoil. “It was amazing to see that kind of history firsthand,” she says of an experience made possible by The Roland and Mary Nelson Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs. “I was able to talk to Egyptian students about their experiences during the revolution and to learn where they want their country to go in the future.” fall 2015

DRAKE

BLUE

Update

$48 million

to create 208 new scholarship funds that open doors for bright minds

When asked about her Drake Law experience, Madelyn Smith, lw’15, ticks off an impressive resume: clerkships at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Hennepin County (Minn.) Attorney’s Office, an internship with an Iowa Supreme Court justice, and service on the editorial board of Drake Law Review, among other accomplishments. Smith says faculty mentorship made a difference. Scholarship support made it achievable. “The Elizabeth Hyde Brown Scholarship changed everything for me in terms of where I set my bar of possibility,” says Smith, who took a job with Kassius Benson Law, P.A. in Minneapolis. “There is no way I could have taken two unpaid clerkships if I hadn’t been financially stable, and those experiences are what helped me get a job in criminal defense.”

inspiring 40

DRAKE

BLUE

fall 2015

$33 million

to endow 11 new faculty positions and support faculty development Before joining the faculty at Drake, alumna Catherine Staub built a successful career in communications. She worked for Wells Fargo and Meredith Corporation before launching her own firm, Lexicon Content Marketing. Staub, the Peggy Fisher and Larry Stelter Chair of Magazine Journalism, draws upon her extensive experience as she prepares students for their careers and leads Drake’s nationally recognized magazine media program. Her experience exemplifies the possibilities available to professionals within the field. “The magazine industry is at an exciting time; it is quickly evolving,” says Staub. “I see now that there are more opportunities than ever before for Magazine Media majors.”

excellence fall 2015

DRAKE

BLUE

Update

Senior Cecilia Panella’s favorite finds include hand-copied pages from a 12th-century Quran, detailed journals from Drake’s first alumnus, James E. Denton, and ornate ceremonial Civil War swords wielded by Francis Marion Drake (and discovered tucked away in an old blanket). As an intern for the new University Archives and Special Collections Center, she has helped classify and make public historical gems previously stored but mostly hidden in Cowles Library.

building the $44 million to transform campus with:

DRAKE

BLUE

· Quad Creek Café · After Hours study area · Turner Jazz Center · Cline Atrium · Drake Archives · Updated classrooms/labs · Shivers Basketball Practice Facility

fall 2015

· Nobel—American Equity Center · Kraigie-Newell Journalism Lab · Harvey Ingham, Cartwright, and Field House renovations · School of Education, Math & Computer Science building (2016)

Hand-written notes plaster the walls of the Olmsted breezeway for a week every November. These expressions of students’ love for Drake University are both humorous (“Hubbell omelets!”) and heartfelt (“people who inspire me”). Their messages convey gratitude for meaningful friendships, influential professors, and exceptional learning experiences. The display—the emotional anchor of student-led Philanthropy Week since 2011—is a powerful testament to the opportunities made possible by donors at Drake.

future

$25 million for The Drake Fund, with a record-setting 983 President’s Circle members in fy15

Thank you. For your passion, your dedication, your enduring love for Drake—nearly 24,000 alumni and friends made distinctlyDrake an unparalleled success.

For our strengthened foundation, our empowered possibilities, our bright future—more than $216 million raised is opening doors and expanding opportunities, encouraging young minds and spurring innovation. distinctlyDrake’s legacy will endure for years to come. More than the sum of our parts—watch it all add up at www.distinctly.drake.edu.

fall 2015

DRAKE

BLUE

THE BLUE SHEET

College of Arts & Sciences The College of Arts and Sciences is poised for growth and change as we launch the 2015–2016 academic year. Evidence of change should be immediately apparent—Joseph Lenz, formerly dean of A&S, has assumed the role of interim provost of Drake University. Lenz will resume decanal duties next summer. In his stead, I will be serving as interim dean for the next academic year. I am entering my 14th year with Drake, having come to A&S in 2002 as a faculty member with the Environmental Science and Policy program. I served as associate dean for the last eight years, and I am excited (and, to be honest, slightly daunted) by prospects for transformation within the college.

growing stem in a&s A&S is rich with majors in the natural sciences, mathematics, and computer science. Beginning this fall, the number of STEM-related majors will increase by two: Kinesiology and Data Analytics. Kinesiology is the study of human movement and leverages Drake’s Exercise Science and Sports Medicine Lab to expose students to research experiences on topics ranging from exercise physiology to athletic performance. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that demand for professionals trained in kinesiology will grow at a rate that exceeds the national average through 2022. Student interest in the program is high as well, propelled in no small part by the efforts of David Senchina, associate professor of biology. The second new major, Data Analytics, is an interdisciplinary collaboration between A&S and the College of Business and Public Administration. Data Analytics will expose students to the mathematical, statistical, and computer science skills necessary to compile and make sense of massive data sets. Whether we realize it or not, we are all generating “big data.” Through credit card purchases, Internet searches, or visits to the doctor, we leave transactional traces of ourselves that organizations and businesses use to structure decisionmaking. Thus, the Data Analytics major will confront the ethical use of data, and students will develop the communication skills necessary to translate the results of complex analyses into a language business leaders can understand. A number of faculty contributed to the development of the new program. I offer a special thank you to the program’s co-directors, Dan Alexander, professor of math, and Bradley Meyer, associate professor of management and international business. The growth in STEM-related programs at Drake really is a collaborative effort. Partnerships with the other colleges and schools across Drake are crucial to providing an authentic academic experience that helps build meaningful personal and professional experiences for our students.

changing the ‘how’ and ‘where’ of stem teaching and learning

Students in Drake’s new Kinesiology program take on research experiences on topics ranging from exercise physiology to athletic performance.

THE BLUE SHEET

fall 2015

Even without the new majors in Kinesiology and Data Analytics, the college’s portfolio of science majors attracts large numbers of applicants each year. Projected growth in the number of science students at Drake presents A&S with some exciting challenges. First, we have to answer the question of how to ensure that our larger student populations are learning how to apply the scientific method within their disciplines. After all, becoming a successful scientist is critical to Drake’s mission promise of developing meaningful personal and

For alumni and friends of the Drake University College of Arts & Sciences

interim dean, college of arts and sciences

Keith Summerville keith.summerville@drake.edu

professional lives. Many of our science majors require research experiences as part of graduation requirements, and our faculty are very creative at developing small-group research projects to ensure that students are challenged to communicate with one another and integrate their individuals work outputs into a larger whole. Employers and graduate schools report that Drake’s science graduates are among their best hires as a result of such teaching practices. Faculty and students can only do so much within the confines of Harvey Ingham and Olin halls. Thus, Drake is embarking on a significant, multi-year effort to renovate existing sciences facilities and to construct two new buildings. The last stages of the Harvey Ingham renovation are being completed this summer. If you have a chance to walk through the building the next time you visit campus, I trust you’ll be impressed with the quality of our new chemistry and physics learning spaces. One of the new buildings will house the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science and the School of Education. A second new building will connect Fitch Hall with Olin Hall. This “connector” building will provide new space for neuroscience, kinesiology, molecular biology, and biochemistry. Classrooms will be designed to accommodate numerous student research projects, and our endeavor is to provide space that can be customized for collaborative faculty-student engagement. The project timeline is evolving even as I write this, but we imagine breaking ground on both buildings in spring 2016. Presuming construction proceeds without major delays, both projects should be completed by fall 2017. I am very appreciative of all the effort expended by the many faculty, staff, alumni, and trustees in order to make the STEM@DRAKE complex a reality!

development staff

Doug Lampe doug.lampe@drake.edu | 515-271-3055

ensuring the liberal arts connection With the promise of plenty associated with the new science majors and the new science facilities, the College of Arts and Sciences is mindful of the need to infuse the liberal arts within our science majors. Faculty across the arts, humanities, and the social sciences are eager to partner with their colleagues in the sciences to create interdisciplinary learning experiences. For example, a small working group funded by the Center for the Humanities is working to create courses that explore ways the scientific endeavor is shaped by humanistic constructs in order to create changes in things such as public policies, architectural designs, or consumer preferences. Relatedly, courses such as our January Term offering, Art and Chemistry, explore how chemistry can be a critical tool for art historians and how various methods of painting are enabled or restricted in their utility by the chemical reactions that occur when paints are mixed or applied to certain substrates. Creating coursework that integrates the sciences with the liberal arts is vital to preparing students for the challenges and opportunities they will encounter in the professional world. Science does not proceed in a vacuum, and a wealth of scientific knowledge is seldom enough to move the barometer of public opinion or political will. Exceptional scientists need to be reflective practitioners; they must understand the cultural lenses through which their work will be evaluated. Thus, despite the growth and change that the College of Arts and Sciences is committed to in the future, we remain equally committed to ensuring all students receive an exceptional liberal arts education.

fall 2015

THE BLUE SHEET

College of Business & Public Administration data analytics and strategic thinking “Big data” is a hot topic these days, whether you’re in finance, marketing, fundraising, or social media. More and more buinesses are determined to improve their competitive edge by mining ever-growing mountains of data in every facet of their business. That was certainly the message of a recent online article in which the chairman of a Fortune 500 insurance company talked about his plans to “weaponize” data. Committed to preparing our learners to succeed, the College of Business and Public Administration, in collaboration with the College of Arts and Sciences, has launched a new major in Data Analytics. Students will learn to collect and interpret large-scale data, to convert that data into useful information, and to develop the communication skills needed to optimize decision-making in a business context. While the new major is a response to the nearly exponential growth in job opportunities for people with data management skills, Brad Meyer, co-chair of the Data Analytics program, views it as a shiny new label on a package of skills that the CBPA has been teaching for years. “Using data to help make optimal business decisions is not a new area of study at Drake.” According to Meyer, Actuarial Science students have long worked with large volumes of data and complex business models. The Actuarial Science program has always focused on helping students use data to develop better decision-making skills. What’s different today, in Meyer’s view, is the sheer quantity of data that is available in almost every corner of the business world, along with the computer capacity and advanced software to analyze it. Dan Peterson, bn’83, global managing principal, operations, for ZS Associates (a global consulting firm based in Evanston, Illinois) agrees. “I’m a poster child for business analytics training.” Majoring in Accounting and Actuarial Science at Drake, Peterson developed a valuable set of data-modeling and problem-solving skills. In accounting courses, he examined the dynamic relationship of inflows and outflows of cash. In actuarial science courses, he used probabilities and statistics to build and calibrate models of business decisions relevant to the insurance industry. Looking back, Peterson is convinced it was at Drake that he learned how to “state a business problem clearly and identify the critical elements of a dynamic system in an environment of uncertainty. Both these skills are essential for effective management in almost every business context.”

THE BLUE SHEET

fall 2015

Peterson concurs with Meyer that Drake’s focus on using data for effective and strategic problem-solving was present 30-plus years ago. What has changed in the business world, he suggests, is the volume of data available to be analyzed, as well as the array of tools used to do so. He points to the use of innovative algorithms—complex rules for solving a clearly defined problem—which often depend on powerful computers and useful data of the sort we now routinely get from sources like the Internet. Peterson notes that all three were just appearing on the horizon when he joined ZS Associates in 1984. “I got lucky when I joined a new firm whose founders were interested in applying the emerging art and science of algorithms to sales and marketing. Thanks to Drake, I was able to bring top-notch problem-solving skills to bear on developing and applying algorithms to meet the needs of consulting clients in fields far removed from, though conceptually parallel to, actuarial science. I am thrilled to see Drake bringing this focus to the next level with the creation of the Data Analytics major.” Ryan Kirk, as’09, bn’09, principal data scientist at CenturyLink in Seattle is another alumnus that attributes much of his success to the problem solving skills he learned at Drake, although he took quite a different route than Peterson. Long fascinated by consumer behavior, Kirk majored in Psychology but also studied Marketing; he went on to get a Ph.D. in Human-Computer Interaction from Iowa State University. Today, Kirk is actively engaged in what he calls “machine learning.” It relies on a series of algorithms that can analyze massive amounts of data and adapt marketing strategies, in real time, to changes in consumer behavior. It’s what allows Google to show you ads for Caribbean vacations only moments after you’ve searched for a hotel in the Bahamas. It’s what led Target to send coupons for baby clothes to a teenager who had not yet revealed her pregnancy to her family; based on her purchases of things like unscented hand lotion and specific vitamins, she matched the typical profile of a newly pregnant woman. Analyzing data on this scale was certainly not part of Kirk’s undergraduate experience, but he argues that technical skills alone won’t get you very far. “What I learned at Drake was the importance of integrating marketing and psychology,” says Kirk. “You have to understand consumer behavior to make sense of the data. But you also have to be able to communicate—to contextualize the information—to influence decision-making in an effective way.”

For alumni and friends of the Drake University College of Business & Public Administration

development staff

dean, college of business & public administration

Michael Peterson

Terri Vaughan

michael.peterson@drake.edu | 515-271-2132

terri.vaughan@drake.edu

In collaboration with Drake’s College of Arts and Sciences, the CBPA has launched a new major in Data Analytics that builds on skills that have long been a focus of the Actuarial Science program.

Given the amount of data that is produced every second, those technical skills are in high demand, and the Data Analytics major will give students practical experience in managing and using big data. This is a “cool” move on Drake’s part, according to Paul Phifer, bn’08, SEO director at Clearlink, a provider of content and conversion services for consumer brands in Salt Lake City. Phifer’s role is twofold: to improve the ranking of his client’s websites on search engines like Google and Bing, and to increase the number of visitors who convert to users of the product or service. The former requires Phifer to understand and anticipate Google’s search algorithms while the latter requires him to determine what will stimulate a visitor’s engagement. Phifer relies heavily on what he calls the “organic

data” generated automatically by Internet users (e.g., how many more Internet users click on an ad located on the top of the page than one positioned on the side). These are “big data” tasks with which today’s students need to be familiar. “But no matter how sophisticated the models and algorithms are,” says Phifer, “we won’t get good results unless our data is both reliable and relevant to what our client is trying to do.” “We’re excited about the new Data Analytics major,” says Meyer. “But if you think about building a structure, the CBPA has always taught its students how to use the hammer of analytics. Now the business world is giving them a lot more nails—and we’re offering a lot more ways to use the hammer.” fall 2015

THE BLUE SHEET

College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences As a graduate of Drake University’s Pharmacy program, a faculty member, and now interim dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, I continue to be amazed by the passion and dedication that our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners contribute to our mission of preparing today’s learners to be tomorrow’s health care leaders. Our momentum is building as we enter into an era of planning for new programs that will begin in 2016, welcoming new faculty members, and celebrating recognition for our faculty and student achievements.

occupational therapy doctorate degree program faculty join cphs On July 1, another milestone for Drake’s Occupational Therapy doctorate program was set as the CPHS welcomed three faculty members who will prepare for the entering class, slated to begin in May 2016. Ann Burkhardt leads the program as its director. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Biology from Wheaton College, her Master of Arts in Occupational Therapy at New York University, and her doctorate in post-professional Occupational Therapy at Creighton University. Burkhardt has an extensive history in the field of occupational therapy education, practice, and research. Prior to joining Drake, she was a therapy resources management occupational therapist at Crestwood & Grace Barker Nursing and Rehabilitation facilities in Warren, Rhode Island. She has been the director for occupational therapy programs at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut (post-professional online master’s program), Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York, and New YorkPresbyterian/Columbia University. She has also been an associate clinical instructor at Columbia University. She has authored four books and contributed to dozens of industry publications. She is a fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association, and newly appointed to the Legacy and Leaders Society of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation.

Kathy Griner, occupational therapy fieldwork coordinator, was previously an occupational therapist with the Columbus Organization and the Glenwood Resource Center in Glenwood, Iowa. She received her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and her Doctor of Occupational Therapy from Creighton University. Jayna Fischbach, associate professor of occupational therapy, was previously a pediatric occupational therapist for Cox Healthcare in Springfield, Missouri, working to complete research involving intervention for Cortical Visual Impairment. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Spanish at Simpson College and her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Creighton University. The goal for the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program is to prepare students for careers that will add more qualified clinicians to a workforce that is currently experiencing vacancies and shortages. The CPHS looks forward to the opportunity for these individuals to help us further our College’s vision to be a “diverse community of learners leading the way to a healthy world.”

new faculty join the college In addition to the three occupational therapy faculty, seven additional professionals have begun their careers at Drake University. Cassity Gutierrez, Ph.D., pre-professional programs director and associate professor of health sciences,

New CPHS faculty who began their careers at Drake on July 1: (L–R) Jayna Fischbach, Lynn Kassel, Nihal Mulla, Kathleen Griner, Beth Diehl, Ann Burkhardt, Cassity Gutierrez

THE BLUE SHEET

fall 2015

For alumni and friends of the Drake University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

interim dean, college of pharmacy & health sciences

development staff

Renae Chesnut

Angeline Hartman

renae.chesnut@drake.edu

angeline.hartman@drake.edu | 515-271-4050

was previously an assistant professor of health sciences at the University of South Dakota, where she led the development of several public health courses. Previous experiences include stints at Stephan F. Austin State University, University of Texas at San Antonio, and the Education Service CenterRegion 20, where she served as a school health and related services educational specialist. Gutierrez completed her Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education at Iowa State University, a Master of Science in Secondary Education from Texas A&M, and her Ph.D. in Health Studies with an emphasis in Higher Education from Texas Woman’s University. Beth Diehl, Pharm.D., assistant professor of pharmacy practice, completed her Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. She was previously a pharmacist with Jefferson County Health Center in Fairfield, Iowa. Prior to that, she was an emergency department clinical pharmacist at Louis Stokes Cleveland V.A. Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, and an inpatient pharmacist at Edward Hines, Jr. V.A. Hospital, Hines, Illinois. Lynn Kassel, Pharm.D., assistant professor of pharmacy practice, acute care, was previously a clinical assistant professor at UMKC School of Pharmacy at the University of Missouri, and a clinical instructor for the department of clinical pharmacy at the University of Colorado School of Pharmacy. Kassel is a Drake Pharm.D. graduate and completed a pharmacy practice residency at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. Nihal Mulla, Ph.D., assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences, completed his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Mumbai University, India, a Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, and is completing his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mercer University, Atlanta.

next generation pharmacist award Natalie Roy, P4, has been named a finalist in the 2015 Next Generation Pharmacists Award Future Pharmacist category. This national award recognizes a student who demonstrates passion for the profession, primarily through academic achievement in conjunction with one or more of the following criteria: industry advocacy, patient advocacy, technology innovation, civic leadership and/or environmental stewardship with regard to pharmacy. Roy joins a lengthy list of distinguished Drake alumni who have also been named finalists. Drake students have now been nominated five times during six years. No other pharmacy

school has come close to having a top-three finalist—an indication of the quality of experiences that our students receive. Roy was recognized at the annual banquet on Aug. 6 in Orlando, Florida.

student and faculty accomplishments Roy has also been recognized with the Karbeling Leadership Award. In tribute to the leadership and service provided by the late Jerry Karbeling, the award recognizes two student pharmacists (one from Drake University and one from the University of Iowa) for their contributions to professional organizations and the political process. In addition to her varied internship experiences, Roy served as legislative intern for Iowa State Representative John Forbes, with whom she conducted research and assisted in developing health care legislation. She also co-founded an interprofessional group of Drake and Des Moines University students who seek collaboration through education and real-world problem solving. An active IPA member, Roy has participated in the Bill Burke Student Leadership Conference, served on IPA committees, and was the 2014 Max W. Eggleston Executive Intern. Roy’s nominator stated: “She is a hard-working student and understands the balance of academics along with professional and community outreach activities.” Associate Professor of Pharmacology Craige Wrenn has been named the Ronald Troyer Research Fellow for his investigation of the possible connections between soy consumption and the learning and memory deficits associated with Alzheimer’s. The fellowship was created in 2010 to recognize former Drake Provost and Professor of Sociology Ronald Troyer. Its $5,000 stipend, sponsored by the Drake University Board of Trustees, covers one year of researchrelated expenses. Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs and Director of Experiential Education Cheryl Clarke, ph’86, was recently selected as a Fellow of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). Her award was presented by Matt Osterhaus, president of the APhA and community pharmacist at Osterhaus Pharmacy in Makoqueta, Iowa. June Johnson, professor of pharmacy practice, is the primary author of a casebook that helps students and practitioners provide quality diabetes care. Diabetes Case Studies (with Interprofessional Perspectives) became available in the American Pharmacists Association’s online subscription platform on June 1.

fall 2015

THE BLUE SHEET

Drake Law As you likely know by now, 2015 marks the 150th anniversary of Drake Law School, and we have been celebrating this remarkable milestone all year. We welcomed our anniversary year and the spring semester with a student birthday party in Kern Commons. In February, both the Iowa Senate and House of Representatives honored us by passing a resolution congratulating Drake Law on our history of leadership in legal education and our unique relationship with the legislature. The 2015 Supreme Court Banquet in March served as our “official” kickoff—complete with commemorative anniversary publications for our guests and a birthday cake aglow with festive sparklers. As a special thank you to our alumni and friends, Drake faculty are offering a series of free, online webinars on a variety of important topics. (Visit our website at www.law.drake.edu/150 for topics and registration information.) On Oct. 2 we will host a grand finale celebration at the Law School. Please come. One of our favorite initiatives has been a less formal social media campaign; alumni, students, faculty, and friends are encouraged to post the reasons they love Drake Law School and include the hashtag “#150Reasons.” Responses thus far have ranged from “my law school family” to “accessible faculty” and “great new classrooms.” If I were to sit down and start listing the reasons I love Drake Law School, I wouldn’t be able to stop at 150! I might start my list with one of the following recent highlights.

students pave the way for food trucks in downtown des moines Food trucks can now operate more widely in downtown Des Moines thanks to the work of Drake Law students. In Professor Jonathan Rosenbloom’s Sustainability and Law course, students were asked to identify and research issues related to entrepreneurship, energy efficiency, waste management, and water management. Second-year law students Kelly Ramsey and Dusty Clements (now in their third year), along with undergraduate student Alex Case, a senior Environmental Science major, latched onto the idea of food trucks, realizing it was something missing from an up-and-coming city like Des Moines. Working closely with food truck operators and city leaders, the trio developed a plan and presented it to the Des Moines City Council. Their presentation included a proposed city ordinance and pilot program that would allow food trucks to operate downtown.

THE BLUE SHEET

fall 2015

Kelly Ramsey (left) and Dusty Clements (right)—with David Nelmark, as’99, jo’99—helped draft and lobby for an ordinance permitting food trucks to expand their reach in Des Moines as part of Professor Jonathan Rosenbloom’s Sustainability and Law course.

“We had to face old-school mentality that the food trucks will be competition to businesses downtown,” says Ramsey. “But we believe these businesses will actually benefit because the trucks will draw people out and increase traffic. We see food trucks as a big cultural attraction Des Moines needs.” The students continued to work on the project long after the class ended in December. In March, their work came to fruition as the City Council unanimously passed the ordinance approving the pilot program allowing food trucks to hit the streets in July. “It’s exciting to feel like you are part of a movement and to hear people on the streets talking about it and to know that we did that,” says Clements.

sease named interim director of intellectual property law center Ed Sease, lw’67, partner at McKee, Voorhees, & Sease, PLC, has been named interim director of the Intellectual Property Law Center, effective July 1. He has more than 35 years of experience as a patent attorney, trademark attorney, intellectual property litigator, and professor. “As interim director, Ed brings an ideal mix of talents to his leadership of the Intellectual Property Law Center at Drake,” says Ben Ullem, dean of Drake Law School. “He is an experienced teacher of the law, has many years of representing clients and solving their legal needs, and he truly cares about the profession and for our students.”

For alumni and friends of Drake Law

dean, law school

Ben Ullem ben.ullem@drake.edu

Sease received his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Drake University in 1964 and his Juris Doctor, graduating Order of the Coif, from Drake in 1967. Before joining his current law firm, Sease worked for the Patent Department of Proctor & Gamble. He is an active member in many professional organizations including the American Chemical Society, Phi Beta Kappa Fraternity, and others. In fall 2007, the Intellectual Property Law Center at Drake University Law School was launched to promote global, interdisciplinary understanding of intellectual property law and policy. The Center was established with the generous support of a $1.5 million gift from Wayne, lw’72, and Donna Kern, which endowed the Kern Family Chair in Intellectual Property Law, and a $750,000 leadership commitment from DuPont Pioneer.

legal studies can devise a curriculum tailored to their needs, or study concentrations in Business Law, Criminal Law, Estate Planning, Legislative Practice and Government Relations, or Sustainable Development. Some of these courses will be offered online as well, furthering flexibility for students. For additional details, visit www.law.drake.edu/admissions. Contact the Drake Law Admission Office at lawadmit@drake. edu or 1-800-44-drake, x2782 or 515-271-2782.

For seven years running, peer surveys conducted by U.S. News & World Report have ranked the Center among the top 25 intellectual property law programs in the United States. “As a well-known and respected lawyer, Ed will continue to enhance the interest in and growth of Drake Law School’s Intellectual Property Center,” says Ullem.

part-time/evening courses offered fall 2015 Drake Law School is now offering evening and summer courses for the Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Master of Jurisprudence (M.J.) programs. The addition of evening and summer courses allows greater flexibility for individuals who wish to pursue a law degree while continuing to work or juggling multiple priorities. Dean Ben Ullem says the evening courses are a response to public interest and a reflection of Drake Law’s commitment to providing an exceptional educational experience that is affordable and convenient. “We want to do everything we can to make it possible for individuals to earn a law degree,” he says. “We fully understand that the typical, full-time, J.D. schedule is not ideal for every student. The enhanced evening and summer schedule just makes sense.” Drake Law’s M.J. program is designed for students who wish to gain knowledge of the law in order to enhance their professional career, but who do not want a J.D. Most candidates attend classes on a part-time basis, but an M.J. degree can be taken full-time and completed in one year. Students can receive an M.J. in Health Law, as well as individualized legal studies. M.J. candidates in individualized

To provide greater flexibility for working students, Drake Law began offering a part-time evening program for J.D. and M.J. students this fall.

fall 2015

THE BLUE SHEET

School of Education Greetings from the faculty and staff of the School of Education. It’s always a pleasure to share good news with loyal alumni and friends.

of education at Drake University. “These grants are very competitive and we appreciate Drake’s support in securing this nearly million-dollar award.”

This was a record year for grant acquisitions and fundraising for a new building. During the last year, the University received $10.3 million in grant funds for research, program development, and community outreach. Of that total, nearly 88 percent—just over $9 million—was School of Education funding. This is enabling the SOE to accomplish some pretty incredible things.

Drake will use the grant for long-term training funds to provide a Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling with an emphasis in employer development. Of the total amount, Drake will use $150,000 each year to fund student stipends. This amount will allow the SOE to assist an average of 15–16 students per year. Stensrud will serve as project director, administering the grant and teaching courses that are part of the required curriculum.

head start: expansion and enhancement Drake University Head Start continues to provide exceptional education and comprehensive services to 926 at-risk children from birth to age 5 in a six-county service area. Drake Head Start serves 384 3- and 4-year-old children throughout the service area and 88 children (through Early Head Start) from birth to age 3 in Polk County. Des Moines Public Schools, as the delegate agency for Drake, provides Head Start programming for 454 preschool children in the Des Moines Public Schools attendance area. This ongoing program was funded at the level of $6.7 million for the next fiscal year! In addition, Drake received $1.1 million to form Early Head Start Child Care Partnerships, improve the quality of existing childcare programs, and expand access to high-quality care for low-income, at-risk infants and toddlers. Eight childcare centers in Des Moines’ urban core will boost teacher pay, increase professional development and coaching for teachers, and more. “In addition, we’ll reduce class sizes in these centers—some classes that currently have 12 children, for example, will decrease to have no more than eight,” says Judy Russell, director of Drake University Head Start. “We’ll also provide a family engagement specialist, because we believe families will always be the child’s primary and best teacher. This is a huge and much-needed step forward.”

rehabilitation counseling: new m.s. program The U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Long-Term Training program awarded Drake University a major grant to increase the number of individuals trained to provide rehabilitation services to people with disabilities. The grant will provide funding of $199,999 per year for five years. “We are delighted to receive this grant because it will provide scholarships to students seeking a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling,” says Robert Stensrud, professor

THE BLUE SHEET

fall 2015

The Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation will be a partner on this project, helping match students with internships, providing them access to jobs after graduation, connecting rehabilitation scholars with mentors, and bringing national speakers into classrooms via distance education technology.

math/science teacher grant Jerrid Kruse, assistant professor of education, and Tonia Land, assistant professor of mathematics and technology education, partnered with the Des Moines Public Schools and Grand View University to deliver yearlong professional development to elementary teachers targeting math and science instruction. The effort was made possible through a $525,000 Math Science Partnership grant funded by No Child Left Behind Title IIA funds. The program, in its first of three years, provides participating teachers with a stipend for their efforts. “We’re really trying to put the research on effective instruction into practice,” says Kruse. “The program’s focus on application will help teachers develop strong skills to better meet the needs of their students.”

adult literacy Since 1976, the Adult Literacy Center at Drake, part of the Office of Community Engagement and Service-Learning and housed within the School of Education, has enlisted the help of volunteer tutors. Low literacy skills in adults is a hidden issue that affects all aspects of community life including health, employment, social services, mental health, and children’s education. “For 38 years, volunteers from Drake and the surrounding area have reached out to invest in the community, one life at a time,” says Anne Murr, director of Adult Literacy. “We are successful because of the volunteers who have tirelessly

For alumni and friends of the Drake University School of Education

dean, school of education

development staff

Jan McMahill

Meaghan Tigges

janet.mcmahill@drake.edu

meaghan.tigges@drake.edu | 515-271-4843

helped develop the program. “We appreciate that Des Moines Public Schools is willing to embrace an innovative idea like this—it’s something that I believe you won’t see many places in the country.” Participants are required to work for the district for three years before beginning courses, and agree to remain employed by the district for eight years. The first cohort of 47 teachers will begin in January 2016; overall, more than 170 teachers selected the degree option. As space is available, other full-time DMPS teachers who are not in the Alternative Teaching Contract program may be eligible to enroll.

new doctoral degree strands

dedicated their time as tutors, and the generous funding we’ve received through grants. We are so grateful we can help adult learners who are determined to improve their lives through literacy.” A recent $43,000 grant from United Way for a Workplace Literacy Program was especially critical for the continued operation of the ALC at Drake. Adding the current grants to those received in the last five years brings our SOE total to $38.9 million. Each of these grants represents opportunity for Drake undergraduate and graduate students to be a part of a “living laboratory” to research with, learn from, and contribute to education and support services for learners of all ages and stages.

powerful partnership On July 1 the SOE began an innovative partnership with Des Moines Public Schools that will allow some teachers to pursue a master’s degree during the last phase of a five-year induction period. Under the terms of the new partnership, the district is funding the cost of a Drake master’s degree for newly hired teachers signing an alternative teaching contract. Participants will complete a curriculum that Drake and DMPS are developing to meet the district’s most pressing educational needs. These include emphases on urban education, cultural competency, and instruction to English language learners. “The curriculum combines the strengths that Drake brings to the table, and those strengths the school district possesses,” said Associate Professor of Education Jill Caton Johnson, who

The Drake School of Education is on a forward trajectory of excellence in undergraduate and graduate education. The success of the distinctlyDrake capital campaign and the promise of new classroom facilities adds to the interest and enrollment growth we are experiencing at the graduate level. At the June meeting of the Drake University Board of Trustees, the SOE received approval to offer two new doctoral degree tracks that provide prospective students with additional options to the current Doctor of Education (Ed.D.). The new offerings—a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Education and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) with Superintendent Licensure—will meet the needs of students seeking a researchintensive focus or an administrative leadership role. Having this selection puts the SOE in an excellent position for strong future enrollment in doctoral programs.

momentum is “building” We are indeed in the final phase of the fundraising and planning for a new education building in the heart of campus. The architectural renderings are complete, and 27th Street, adjacent to the building, now belongs to Drake. A construction project manager has been hired by Drake to manage construction of the education building and all other structures related to the larger STEM@DRAKE project. It is possible that by the time you read this, we will be ready to announce the date for groundbreaking! Until then, please consider what you can do to assist with the additional costs for instructional materials, technology, and furnishings needed for occupancy. For those of you who have given generously to this part of the distinctlyDrake Campaign, I am truly grateful. Other gifts are of course welcome as we run the final lap of this marathon! This is a wonderful time to be in the School of Education at Drake University.

fall 2015

THE BLUE SHEET

School of Journalism & Mass Communication Teaching requires a leap of faith, planting seeds in our world today in the hopes they will blossom in the future. But occasionally educators receive the gift of seeing the fruit of their handiwork in real time. The SJMC faculty and staff received an email this summer from Associate Professor of Advertising Dorothy Pisarski, who led a group of SJMC students on a two-week trip to study marketing in Eastern Europe: “Our travel seminar is nearing its conclusion, so today . . . I met with each group to begin coaching them for final presentations. While trying to get students to understand values for consumer decision-making, we asked each group what they think SJMC values above all else. They all said ‘ethics’ without hesitation. Well done, SJMC faculty!” It’s this sort of feedback that makes our hard work worthwhile. We spend an extraordinary amount of time tinkering with our curriculum to make sure that our students are learning the latest technologies and social media techniques to succeed in a very competitive environment. But we all know that integrity, professionalism, authenticity, and humanity are the qualities that truly distinguish a “servant leader,” and it is heartening to know that our students are getting the message. We really are changing the world, one SJMC student at a time.

politics are us SJMC hosted a three-day Poynter Institute workshop this summer that drew journalists from around the country to learn how to cover the Iowa Caucuses and the presidential campaign. The participants represented such diverse organizations as The Dallas Morning News, CNN, and PolitiFact. The presenters included nationally known political consultants, reporters, and editors from The New York Times, Vox.com, ABC-TV, NPR—and our own Matt Vasilogambros, jo’11, who covers politics for The National Journal. This specialized reporting institute was supported by a grant from the McCormick Foundation of Chicago, where Clark Bell, jo’73, is director of journalism programs. We are deeply grateful to Clark for his longtime, loyal support of the SJMC. The Iowa Caucuses always provide wonderful opportunities for our faculty and students, and this year has provided exceptional experiences. We first began fielding phone calls from documentary filmmakers looking for interns in summer 2014, and interest has rocketed since then. Students have worked for presidential campaigns and have covered the contests as interns for local, national, and international news organizations. The Caucuses are also providing a great kickoff

THE BLUE SHEET

fall 2015

for our Strategic Political Communication major, which enrolled its first students this fall. And in early 2016, we will help host several groups of international students who are coming to Drake to see participatory democracy first-hand.

we rock! For the first time last spring, magazine and electronic media seniors collaborated to produce a multimedia website, Urban Plains (urban-plains.com). This summer, that senior capstone project nabbed top honors in the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication awards.

Urban Plains was named the best online magazine; Kayli Kunkel, jo’15, won first place for first-person article, and Molly Longman won second for feature writing. The online magazines were judged by Benjamin Pauker, executive editor of Foreign Policy magazine, who said of Urban Plains: “Very nicely done. Ambitious journalism, multimedia rich with graphics and video, nice range of topics.” Student interest in international experience is high, with 21 SJMC students studying abroad this fall. Drake has been recognized as a top producer of Fulbright scholars (see “A Constellation of Scholars,” page 13), and SJMC alumna Brianna Shawhan, jo’13, who has been teaching in the Czech Republic, received a Fulbright to teach in Bulgaria. Cole Norum, a News major from Des Moines, won a national Society of Professional Journalists award last spring for his photo illustration for Drake Magazine. Student publications and websites were finalists in four categories in the contest. Electronic Media senior Annelise Tarnowski, jo’15, was chosen as the outstanding Drake graduate and gave the graduates’ address at spring commencement. The Public Relations Student Society of America was chosen outstanding Drake student organization of the 2014–2015 academic year, and Magazine major Linley Sanders was named outstanding student president for her role as editor of Drake Magazine. Senior Laura Plumb was one of five national finalists for PR Week’s “Student of the Year” in the spring. Laura was previously named “Student of the Year” by PR News. Senior

For alumni and friends of the Drake University School of Journalism & Mass Communication

dean, school of journalism & mass communication

development staff

Kathleen Richardson

Elizabeth Kozor

kathleen.richardson@drake.edu

elizabeth.kozor@drake.edu | 515-271-2132

Rachel Collins was nominated for a college Emmy for a public service announcement she created for the University. SJMC students Melanie Buck, April Tan, Hannah Erickson, and Amanda Seiberlich won silver awards at the local American Advertising Federation awards contest in February. That same month, the Times-Delphic won 12 awards, including seven first-place honors, in the Iowa College Media Association contest.

we really rock SJMC is teaming up with Tobi Parks, director of copyright for Sony Music Entertainment, to launch a nonprofit record label based in Des Moines to nurture and promote regional bands. The label, Station 1 Records, is an evolving collaboration of the Des Moines Social Club, a downtown incubator for the creative arts; the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines; Iowa Public Radio, and Drake Journalism, Public Relations, Business, and Music faculty and students. SJMC students have worked at Station 1 Records as interns this year, and Parks will team-teach a January Term class with Drake faculty.

carla mccrea to retire SJMC Assistant to the Dean Carla McCrea will retire in February 2016 after being at Drake part- and full-time since 1987. She has been in the SJMC since 2003. Join us in wishing Carla the best in retirement! We’ll miss her much.

remembering ronda menke Retired Associate Professor of Public Relations Ronda Menke Haas died on Aug. 4 after a sudden and brief illness. She was 64 years old. Ronda retired in 2013 after teaching in the SJMC for 23 years. She was a mentor, a friend, and an inspiration for generations of public relations students and for her fellow SJMC faculty members. Ronda had the warmest heart and the highest standards. Her focus on ethics had a profound impact on her students and on the public relations community nationwide.

We offer our sympathies to Ronda’s husband, Marty Haas; her son, Jason Menke, jo’94; daughter-in-law Tamara; and grandchildren Andrew, Kennedy, and Carter. Donations in Ronda’s memory can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund or to the Drake PR Professional Preparation Fund (www.alumni.drake.edu/publicrelationsfund) in honor of Ronda Menke Haas. The fund was set up to help pay for public relations graduates’ PR certification exam.

welcome to the family The SJMC welcomed three new faculty members to Meredith Hall this fall: Grace Provenzano, previously at San Francisco State University, has joined Drake’s electronic media faculty. Grace has worked as a news anchor, reporter, and producer for local, national, and international broadcast organizations. She is interested in political reporting and documentary production. Catherine M. Staub, Ed.D., is our new Peggy Fisher and Larry Stelter Chair of Magazine Journalism. Catherine is founder and owner of Lexicon Content Marketing of Des Moines, and she also has worked at Meredith Corp. and Wells Fargo. Matthew Thornton, Ph.D., has joined the public relations faculty. Matt taught at Louisiana College after a career in government-oriented PR, and his research focuses on political communication, especially campaign strategies, and media law.

save the date: party with us at relays SJMC faculty members enjoyed meeting alumni at “road show” receptions in Chicago, Minneapolis, and Kansas City this year. Our annual Drake Relays open house in Meredith Hall was especially lively, with about 100 alumni sharing food, drink, and memories. Rally some of your SJMC friends and join us on the evening of April 30, 2016, after the races for next year’s shindig!

fall 2015

THE BLUE SHEET

alumniconnections

✓

take our online reader survey Help us provide the Drake Blue you want. www.drake.edu/magazine

achievements

1970s

1950s

Steven Laughlin, bn’70, Theinsville, Wis., was presented the 2015 BizTimes Bravo! Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors local business leaders who have made substantial contributions to their community.

Frank Gondela, bn’50, Norridge, Ill., was recognized by the Hines VA Hospital for serving more than 2,335 volunteer hours over 11 years. William Johnson, ed’52, and Betty Johnson, Chicago, received awards for their philanthropy throughout the Chicago area from LaRabida Children’s Hospital, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Daughters of Divine Love, South Shore Hospital, Black Ensemble Theater, and Women in Support. William is also an active member of the Chicago chapter of Tuskegee Airmen.

Michael Vavrus, la’70, Olympia, Wash., has been a professor at the Evergreen State College in Olympia for 20 years.

Donald Impey, fa’58, Syracuse, Ind., has been married 43 years to his wife, Rowena. He cycles 1,500–2,000 miles a year, mostly for charity; he also spends time each year alpine skiing. He turns 80 this August and is completely free of prescription medications. He is very grateful to the Lord for perfect health—every day!

David D. Nelson, gr’71, lw’79, Ankeny, Iowa, was recognized by Chambers and Partners in its 2015 attorney rankings in the area of real estate in Iowa.

1960s Robert Clemensson, bn’64, Morro Bay, Calif., was honored by Bear Boosters for winning the most league championships as coach in the school’s 64-year history. Bette Gae (Dobson) Dart, la’67, South Bend, Ind., retired in 2011 and has been fostering dogs for Pet Refuge and Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue. She has five rescued yorkies of her own. David Phipps, la’67, lw’69, Des Moines, was recognized for his 45 years of service to Whitfield & Eddy. He is an of counsel attorney and is also chair of the firm’s Associate Professional Development Committee in 2015.

Frank H. Mackaman, la’71, Pekin, Ill., was elected to the board of trustees at Illinois Central College. He recently completed his term as president of the Association of Centers for the Study of Congress.

Larry Knecht, la’72, lw’75, Kansas City, Mo., retired after a 30-year career with UMB Financial Corporation, where he served as senior vice president and legal counsel for the past 20 years. Kraig Emick, fa’73, Jesup, Iowa, retired in June 2014 after teaching for 41 years at Jesup Community Schools. He also recently retired from 35 years of high school football officiating and 22 years of college football officiating. Timothy Franson, ph’74, Zionsville, Ind., was appointed to Critical Path Institute’s board of directors. Chris Hodges, la’75, Kansas City, Mo., was named chief executive officer of the National Pork Board. William Mahler, lw’75, Byron, Minn., was selected as Attorney of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer for his work on behalf of dairy farmers. Julie (Fidler) Dixon, gr’76, Cambridge, Iowa, was elected

DRAKE

BLUE

fall 2015

to the Brain Injury Association of America board of directors. Michael Pierce, bn’76, Houston, was selected for the 2015 Chambers USA “Leaders in Their Field.” Ken Grady, la’78, Ada, Mich., has been named adjunct professor at the Michigan State University College of Law and will teach a course in legal services delivery. He is also the lean law evangelist for Seyfarth Shaw LLP.

1980s BT Huntley, jo’80, Fort Collins, CO, quit a 14 year gig as chair of the Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences and returned to faculty status, where she was nominated by several of her history students as Online Master Teacher of the Year. She also just bought a historic farm and is now happily herding chickens, with the help of a guard goose. Peggy (Rausch) Huppert, jo’80, West Des Moines, Iowa, will be the Iowa state director for No Labels. Miki McGovern, lw’80, Woodward, Iowa, is now the deputy workers’ compensation commissioner with the Iowa Division of Workers’ Compensation. Peter Barber, jo’81, Oak Park, Ill., was made partner at Lipman Hearne. Eric Burmeister, lw’81, Des Moines, was honored by the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute, receiving the Community Vision Award— Challenging. Carol Moser, lw’83, Des Moines, was honored by the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute, receiving the Community Vision Award— Developing. BG David Elwell, fa’85, Des Moines, was promoted to brigadier general and made commander of the 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary).

Thomas Olive, bn’85, Grand Rapids, Mich., was selected to become the new president and CEO of Crystal Flash. Michael Eason, la’86, Prairie Village, Kan., joined Husch Blackwell as senior counsel in the firm’s Kansas City, Mo., office. He joins the firm’s Energy & Natural Resources industry team. Rose (Johnson) McKinney, jo’87, Brooklyn Park, Minn., was designated as a member of the President’s Circle of Engagement by Metropolitan State University for the seventh consecutive year. Chris Bruns, as’88, lw’91, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was appointed to serve on the NAS as a district court judge for Iowa’s 6th Judicial District. Melissa (Murer) Corrigan, ph’89, Iowa City, Iowa, was named fellow of American Society of Health- System Pharmacists in recognition of the excellence she has achieved in pharmacy. Lee Johannsen, gr’89, Austin, Texas, was named chief medical officer at Central Texas Medical Center.

1990s Timothy Burke, gr’90, Bellevue, Neb., became Omaha Public Power Department’s 12th chief executive officer in May 2015. Jennifer Gregg, jo’90, Louisville, Ky., was appointed chair of the communication department at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, in January 2015. David VanDyke, lw’90, Chicago, was named to Illinois Super Lawyers and Illinois Rising Stars 2015. Beth Cohen, ed’91, Omaha, Neb., was selected to be head of school at Friedel Jewish Academy, a private elementary school in Omaha. Laura Fritz, fa’93, Portland, Ore., released the second installment of her work, Sum of its Parts - 2, at Jeffrey Thomas Fine Art this March.

The Office of Alumni Relations biannually compiles updates on Drake alumni and makes efforts to confirm the accuracy of published information. This issue of Drake Blue includes entries received as of July 2015.

Cracking the Class Code Below is the “code” for identifying your fellow Drake alumni. The College of Arts and Sciences evolved during the reorganization of Drake’s colleges and schools in 1987, when “Liberal Arts” and “Fine Arts” were combined. Those pre-1987 alumni carry the acronym “la” or “fa,” while those post-1987 alumni are labeled “as.”

as Arts and Sciences bn Business and

Public Administration

dv Divinity fa Fine Arts

gr Graduate Studies jo Journalism and Mass Communication

la Liberal Arts lw Law

ph Pharmacy and

Jennifer Fah, jo’95, Van Nuys, Calif., won an Emmy for Outstanding Live and Direct to Tape Sound Mixing for her work on The Price is Right.

2000s

Chris Myers, lw’95, gr’95, Fargo, N.D., is now North Dakota’s acting U.S. attorney.

Kevin Biggins, jo’01, Los Angeles, was promoted to co-executive producer of Fox’s Family Guy, is talking to people about maybe joining a bowling league, and is thinking of buying a bike.

Rita Heimes, lw’93, Portland, Maine, is a member of Verrill Dana’s Intellectual Property & Technology Group and leads the firm’s information security and cybersecurity practice. In April 2015, her panel presented “Big Tech’s Burden to Develop Predictive Indicators to Combat Cyber-Attacks,” at the RSA Conference, the world’s largest information security conference. She also coordinated the Information Privacy Summer Institute in collaboration with the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

Brian Benson, ph’96, West Des Moines, Iowa, was named fellow of American Society of Health-System Pharmacists in recognition of the excellence he has achieved in pharmacy.

Chris Stombaugh, lw’93, Platteville, Wis., launched a research-based legal alliance named Stombaugh, Smith & Co. Drew Gentsch, as’94, lw’00, Des Moines, was recognized for his 15 years of service to Whitfield & Eddy. Derrick Sleezer, bn’94, Cherokee, Iowa, was elected president of the National Pork Board.

ed Education

Rinky Parwani, bn’92, gr’93, Tampa, Fla., was recognized by the Supreme Court of Florida, the Young Lawyers Division of The Florida Bar, and the Florida Pro Bono Coordinators Association; selected as a fellow of the American Bar Foundation; joined the Family Law Committee and the GPSolo magazine board for the 2016 term; and became one of the 2015 Tampa Bay’s Dancing with the Stars celebrity dancers, helping raise money for charity.

Health Sciences

JJ Thakkar, as’94, London, was appointed vice president, people & organization for Statoil’s Global Strategy & Business (GSB) Development business, based in London. He is also head of Statoil’s UK human resources and is a member of the management committee for GSB business area. He has lived and worked all over the world and specializes in working at the intersection of human behavior, business strategy, and large scale organizational change.

Holly Streeter-Schaefer, lw’00, Overland Park, Kan., joined the legal team at Burns & McDonnell.

John Agliata, jo’96, Spring Hill, Fla., recently became the senior communications specialist at Seminole Electric Cooperative in Tampa, Fla.

Lynn (Gruber) Stover, ph’96, gr’97, Denver, has been promoted to regional healthcare director with Walgreens, overseeing pharmacy operations and all healthcare assets in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Heidi Finnes, ph’98, Kasson, Minn., was elected by the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) to be a board member at large for the 2015–2016 term. She has been a HOPA member since 2004 and has previously served as the program committee chair and the session proposal work group chair. Gretchen Wolf, as’98, Chicago, was named partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Douglas Bend, as’99, San Francisco, co-founded AgentFound, a site that connects buyers and sellers with their ideal real estate agent. Dr. DeeAnn (Wedemeyer) Oleson, ph’99, Adair, Iowa, was promoted to administrator of clinical services at Guthrie County Hospital. Her new position will provide administrative oversight to ancillary clinical departments, clinical safety and quality, and regulatory compliance.

Cdr. Aaron P. Middlekauff, ph’01, Potomac, Md., is now the USPHS U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters coast guard pharmacy program chief/consultant/force manager, quality and performance improvement division. Ann (Peper) Havelka, bn’02, Parkville, Mo., was named partner at Shook, Hardy & Bacon. She is a member of the firm’s pharmaceutical and medical device litigation group and the agribusiness and food safety team. In addition to defending pharmaceutical and agribusiness clients in product liability and consumer labeling class action lawsuits across the country, she regularly counsels companies on matters governed by the FDA and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Kara (Schuldt) Sinnard, lw’02, Urbandale, Iowa, was recognized by Chambers and Partners in its 2015 attorney rankings in the area of real estate in Iowa. Lucas Kraut, bn’03, gr’05, Memphis, Tenn., is the new general manager for Tiger Sports Properties at the University of Memphis. Gregory Swan, jo’03, Chaska, Minn., joined space150 as vice president, PR, and emerging media. Heather Hall-Dahl, as’04, Rutland, Iowa, started her own business in October 2014. Erica (Aronsen) Axiotis, gr’06, Des Moines, received the Community Service Award from Junior League of Iowa.

fall 2015

DRAKE

BLUE

alumniconnections

Michele Warnock, as’06, lw’09, Des Moines, was elected shareholder at Davis Brown Law Firm. Maggie White, as’06, lw’13, Des Moines, joined Babich Goldman, P.C., in the area of employment law. Jane (Fiegen) Green, as’07, Arlington, Va., took the position of marketing and public relations manager for the American Historical Association in Washington, D.C. Aliou Keita, bn’07, Des Moines, joined LSB’s wealth management and trust services team as a business development officer. He has worked the last few years as a licensed insurance professional in Greater Des Moines. He has a passion and skill for helping others to understand and pursue their insurance and financial goals. Deborah Ann (Schoelerman) Turner, lw’07, Des Moines, was appointed vice president of international programs for Outreach, Inc. Christen Bain, as’08, gr’13, Des Moines, joined Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C., as marketing assistant in January 2015. John Brown, gr’08, Sauk Rapids, Minn., is now associate director, alumni relations at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minn. Rachel (Manuel) Bruns, as’08, jo’08, gr’10, Des Moines, received the Outstanding Active Member Award from Junior League of Iowa. Andrew Lemens, bn’08, Arlington, Va., has been named editor-in-chief of the Virginia Law Review. Niki (Jobst) Smith, jo’08, Grimes, Iowa, was selected as a 2015 Simpson Scarborough Scholar. Michael Bousselot, lw’09, Davenport, Iowa, was appointed by Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and

DRAKE

BLUE

Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds as their legal counsel. Thomas Cavanagh, gr’09, Des Moines, was named a director and shareholder of M&A for BCC Advisers. Van Everett, as’09, Des Moines, was recognized for his 10 years of service to Whitfield & Eddy. Crystal (Torres) Garza, gr’09, New Braunfels, Texas, was awarded Best New Female Artist at the Tejano Music Awards in September 2014. Elizabeth (Robinson) Meyer, lw’09, Urbandale, Iowa, was elected shareholder at Davis Brown Law Firm. Miriam (Epstein) Van Heukelem, lw’09, Des Moines, was elected shareholder at Ahlers & Cooney, Law Firm. She is a member of the k-12 education practice area.

2010s Kenneth Kass, gr’10, Bondurant, Iowa, was selected as the new associate vice president for information technology by Verrill Dana’s Intellectual Property and Technology Group, leading the firm’s information security and cybersecurity practice. Angela Bys, as’11, ed’11, Ankeny, Iowa, was inducted into the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Volleyball Hall of Fame. Tyler Coe, as’11, Stuart, Iowa, joined Babich Goldman, P.C., in the area of family law. Anthony Rodari, gr’11, Menlo Park, Calif., is now the diversity recruiter at Facebook. Danielle Cristal, as’12, jo’12, Des Moines, was promoted to account executive at Pineapple RM. Rebecca Reif, lw’13, Des Moines, joined Ahlers & Cooney, P.C., as a member of the firm’s employment & labor law, higher education, and k-12 education practice areas.

fall 2015

Devin van Holsteijn, as’13, bn’13, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is now assistant director of development, Hancher Auditorium at The University of Iowa Foundation. Meron Gartner, ph’14, Des Moines, has been promoted to senior associate of network performance for Outcomes MTM. Tristan Lynn, gr’14, Des Moines, is now working for Iowa College Aid as an executive officer I.

advanced degrees Jennifer Ban, ed’99, Oak Park, Ill., earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Roosevelt University in Chicago on May 9, 2015. Her dissertation was titled, “Parents Seeking Partnerships: A Narrative Study of the Impact of Social Class on Parent Engagement.” Amy La Tendresse, as’01, Fort Collins, Co., completed her North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy Fellowship. Lynn Palmgren, lw’05, Chicago, graduated from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine with a master’s in traditional Chinese medicine and passed board exams to become an acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist. Lynn also opened Palmgren Acupuncture Center in Oak Park, Ill., specializing in pain management. Ryan Kirk, as’09, Seattle, received his Ph.D. in Human Computer Interaction. Angela Bys, as’11, ed’11, Ankeny, Iowa, completed her master’s in education. Colleen Dermody, ed’11, Carroll, Iowa, graduated with a master’s of Education—Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in literacy from Iowa State University in May 2015.

authors Michael Vavrus, la’70, Olympia, Wash., wrote Diversity and Education: A Critical Multicultural Approach. Diane DePhillips, ed’71, Clive, Iowa, recently published a romantic mystery novel with AuthorHouse called Good Girls Blush. Teresa Holmgren, ed’72, gr’97, Johnston, Iowa, published a memoir of her early teaching experiences in special education in the 1970s. In the spotlight are the stories of 25 incredible students and the lessons learned from each. Never A Dull Moment is available on Amazon and Kindle with a 5-star review. Deborah Sweaney, la’74, Carlisle, Pa., wrote Up in the Air, her second book based on her Missouri experiences. Kris Milligan, jo’77, San Ramon, Calif., wrote Gardiner’s Tennis Ranch: The Summer of ‘73. Milligan is the first Drake alumnus to write a story centered around Drake University. John Agliata, jo’96, Spring Hill, Fla., published his second book, The Envelope, which is available at www.JohnAgliata. com and www.amazon.com. Elizabeth Saunders, jo’04, Farmington, Mich., wrote How to Invest Your Time Like Money, published by Harvard Business Review Press in February 2015. Chad Brown, as’05, Ankeny, Iowa, has authored a new action/adventure book, Young Queen. It is an exciting journey through medieval Scandinavia.

births Sarah Kramer, jo’98, gr’01, and Jassen Johnson, St. Louis, a daughter, Windsor Juleanne Korie (Broas) Wilson, ed’99, and Carl, Coweta, Okla., a daughter, Zoey RuthAnn

Profile

Young Gladiators alumna and teacher of the year arms kids with multicultural understanding and a passion for language—and some flamenco dance skills

Nominated by her students, Clemencia Spizirri is the first Latina to be recognized as Iowa’s Teacher of the Year. She plans to use the award to further multicultural understanding.

Standing in front of 30 middle schoolers, Clemencia Spizzirri does something unusual: She tells her students to leave their desks, to not only stand up but also talk, move, and even dance. As a Flamenco rhythm begins to play, she leads the students through some basic steps, explaining the cultural impact of the dance, and chatting in Spanish as they go. “They are powerhouses of energy, but you have to know how to channel their energy into positive things,” says Spizzirri, gr’09, who has discovered during her six years teaching Spanish that she’s best able to engage her students by working with their natural temperaments. Spizzirri, the 2015 Iowa Teacher of the Year, is being recognized not only for her work with her 6th, 7th, and 8th graders at Merrill Middle School in Des Moines but also for her advocacy for language acquisition and cultural competency, as well as her support for students who are English Language Learners (ELL). “We talk a lot in class about ‘How does culture impact education?’ I’m always trying to bring different cultures into learning language,” says Spizzirri. Her class explores Mayan numerals, the Day of the Dead, and even elements from her students’ own unique cultures. A recent project, close to Spizzirri’s heart, examined ways to address climate change in Ecuador.

A Quito, Ecuador, native, Spizzirri came to the United States in 2003 and began the Master of Arts in Teaching program at Drake. After working as a Spanish instructor in Drake undergraduate classes, she began her practicum at Merrill Middle School—and never left. Spizzirri became an integral part in Merrill’s transition to an International Baccalaureate (IB) school, where foreign language education is mandatory for students. “For kids in other countries that are not as developed as the U.S.—for example, in my country, Ecuador—it’s a simple thing to speak two languages,” explains Spizzirri. “Why can’t we do that, too—in the most powerful country in the world?” With global mindsets the goal, Spizzirri introduces her classroom to new language and cultural influences. She aims to prepare students to succeed in an increasingly international workforce—one that values language skills and multicultural understanding. “Compared to Europe or South America, the U.S. is geographically isolated, so we have to make an effort to learn language. We cannot let our country down,” she says. “I tell my students, ‘You guys are the gladiators of these times, because you may not be fighting in arenas, but you are fighting to bring the country back up, and fighting to bring education back.’” fall 2015

DRAKE

BLUE

Alumni Calendar october 2015

february 2016

distinctlyDrake Gala October 3 Knapp Center

Naples Alumni Event February 18 Location TBD

Let’s DU Lunch October 7 Des Moines Embassy Club

Choir Reunion February 20 Drake University

Golden Reunion October 22–24 Drake University

march 2016

African-American Reunion October 30¬November 1 Drake University

november 2015 Student Alumni Association On-Campus Networking November 2 Drake University Let’s DU Lunch November 4 Des Moines Embassy Club Women’s Connection Event November 7 Twin Cities Women’s Connection Event November 12 Chicago Scholarship Luncheon November 13 Cowles Library Reading Room

december 2015 Hy-Vee Big Four Classic Men’s Basketball vs. Iowa December 19 Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines

january 2016 Phoenix Alumni Event January 15 Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West

MVC Men’s Basketball Tournament March 3–6 St. Louis MVC Women’s Basketball Tournament March 10–13 Moline, Illinois Supreme Court Celebration March 31¬April 2 Drake University

april 2016 Drake Relays April 27–May 1 Drake Stadium Inauguration of President Earl F. Martin April 28 Drake University Distinguished Alumni Awards April 28 Drake University All-Alumni Tent Party April 29 Drake University All Pharmacy Reunion April 29¬30 Drake University Young Alumni Brunch April 30 Drake University

may 2016 Commencement Weekend May 14–15 Drake University

Visit www.alumni.drake.edu for event descriptions and the most up-to-date details.

DRAKE

BLUE

fall 2015

Celeste (Price-Polson) Akers, as’01, and James, Omaha, Neb., a son, Lucas Elliot Katy (Pinske) Beckman, jo’01, gr’03, and Nathan, ph’04, Red Wing, Minn., a son, Finnegan Roy

Lindsay Eickstaedt, bn’09, to Peter Erickson, May 30, 2015 Crystal Torres, gr’09, to Robert Garza, Jan. 9, 2015 Jayme Shelby, ed’14, to Daniel Carruthers, May 16, 2014

Holly Blunck, as’02, and Josh, as’01, Polk City, Iowa, a daughter, Brenna Eve

in memoriam

Melissa (Fischer) Spencer, as’01, and Chris, bn’03, lw’06, Des Moines, a daughter, Elise Joyann

Maurine (Tesdell) Diehl, ‘34, Des Moines

Zachary Nunn, as’02, and Kelly, Bondurant, Iowa, a daughter, Olympia Lu Christy (Minkalis) Feldman, bn’03, and Ryan, Des Moines, a son, Russell Wayne Rita Fredericks, jo’03, gr’08, and Nathan, Grimes, Iowa, a son, Miles Allen Heather Hall-Dahl, as’04, and Matthew, Rutland, Iowa, a son, Aidan Albert. Nicole (Cooper) Merrill, as’04, lw’08, and Benjamin, lw’08, Ankeny, Iowa, a daughter, Elanor Delane Amanda (Wacha) Olson, as’05, jo’05, gr’09, and Kevin, ph’08, Clive, Iowa, a son, Hudson Kristin (Tausend) Jolliff, ph’06, and Matt, Brookfield, Wis., a daughter Emma Nicole Jennifer Tran-Johnson, as’06, and Matt, bn’08, Des Moines, a son, Charles Dennis Brittany (Hopkins) Bungert, as’07, jo’07, and Timothy, Des Moines, a son, Benjamin James Liz (Glockhoff) Tesar, bn’07, gr’14, and Tim, jo’06, gr’14, Des Moines, a son, Theodore James Crystal Torres Garza, gr’09, and Robert, New Braunfels, Texas, a daughter, Isela Sol

marriages Donna Dubuisson, as’09, to Matthew Dzievit, as’09, June 7, 2014

1930s

1940s Alfred Lipsey, fa’40, Tucson, Ariz. Edith Ahern-Ritchey-Mathews, jo’42, Des Moines Sue (Robb) Fulton, ‘42, Springfield, Mo. Helen Schott, ed’42, gr’47, Des Moines Frederick Stewart, la’42, Des Moines Jack Watson, jo’42, Des Moines Berniel (Maxey) Drake, la’43, Phoenix Jay Langford, ph’44, Sheffield, Ill. Phyllis (Flick) Sanders, ‘44, Strongville, Ohio Darlene (Ornce) Barrett, ‘46, St. Cloud, Minn. Rosemary (Kean) Beckman, ‘46, Urbandale, Iowa James Bennett, bn’47, lw’49, Des Moines George Burmeister, jo’47, Carlsbad, Calif. Jeanne (Brubaker) Carr, ed’47, Des Moines Paul Grodt, bn’47, lw’50, Urbandale, Iowa Myrle Nielsen, ed’47, Battle Creek, Iowa Richard Ryden, bn’48, Des Moines Maxine (Watson) Wilbur, la’48, Pleasant Hill, Iowa Robert Davenport, bn’49, Des Moines

Reid Fell, bn’49, Crofton, Md. George Kochheiser, la’49, Cincinnati Harold Olsen, la’49, Fayetteville, Ark. James Ward Jr., bn’49, Moscow, Idaho

1950s Raymond Gun, fa’50, gr’56, Independence, Mo. Albert Knight, bn’50, Rock Island, Ill. Alvin Meyer, bn’50, Des Moines Leo Morman, gr’50, West Des Moines, Iowa Kathleen (Granter) Rubner, ed’50, Arlington Heights, Ill. George Battina, bn’51, Minnetonka, Minn. Mary Helen (Cavanaugh) Bertrand, ed’51, gr’60, Johnston, Iowa Bardell Bowman, gr’51, Loves Park, Ill. James Cervantes, fa’51, Sandwhich, Mass. William Gates, lw’51, Sioux City, Iowa Cecil Gaylord, lw’51, River Falls, Wis. Thorvald Hansen, la’51, Des Moines Jean (Smith) Hantz, fa’51, Urbandale, Iowa Richard Morton, ‘51, Paradise Valley, Ariz.

Robert LaBlanc, ed’52, Des Moines

Margery (Sengbusch) Duncan, bn’57, Des Moines

Thomas Killion, la’64, lw’65, Santa Fe, N.M.

Irma (Kirchner) Polhemus, fa’52, Englewood, Colo.

Mina Lurae (Vanvoorhis) Fischer, la’57, gr’81, West Des Moines, Iowa

Bertha (Trunnell) McNeer, ed’64, Indianola, Iowa

Marilyn (Davis) Young, ed’52, West Des Moines, Iowa J.Y. “Jack” Foster, ‘53, Clive, Iowa Richard Hollingsworth, bn’53, Des Moines Dorothy (Miner) Crase, la’54, West Des Moines, Iowa Barbara (Rygh) Crawford, la’54, West Des Moines, Iowa WIlliam Dilsaver, la’54, dv’58, Iowa Falls, Iowa Patricia (Meier) Francisco, ed’54, ed’61, Des Moines Phyllis (Pollard) Trites, la’54, Boone, Iowa Bernie Irwin, bn’55, West Des Moines, Iowa Thomas Scott, ed’55, Wichita, Kan. Rosemary (Jackson) Cavanaugh, fa’56, Ankeny, Iowa Canon Arthur D’Arcy Kephart, fa’56, Appleton, Wis. Emil Roman, ph’56, Lisle, Ill. Max Taylor, bn’56, Bossier City, La.

Patricia (Shay) Pester, ‘57, Des Moines

Armand Oetken, ed’64, gr’67, Mason City, Iowa Wayne Simmer, bn’64, Fort Myers, Fla.

William Thompson, bn’57, Mesquite, Nev.

Virgil Carlson, fa’65, Portland, Ore.

John Demarco, la’58, Des Moines

Raymond Doherty, gr’65, ‘71, Spencer, Iowa

Harland Hayek, gr’58, ‘67, Des Moines

Jack Mastrofski, fa’65, West Des Moines, Iowa

1960s Paul Chapin, la’60, Tucson, Ariz. Margaret ‘Diane’ (Dusenberg) Long, la’60, Mesa, Ariz.

Joseph Riepe, la’65, Preston, Iowa James Craig, la’66, Pembroke, Va.

Ed Skinner, la’60, lw’63, Altoona, Iowa

Marjorie (Heaton) Lynn, gr’66, Boaz, Ala.

Dorothy (Grothaus) Dennis, ed’61, Des Moines

Lois (Pettis) Terzis, ed’66, gr’72, Bay Village, Ohio

Janet (Gooch) Long, ‘61, Riverside, Calif.

Dorothy (Olthoff) Appelgate, ed’67, Castlerock, Colo.

Alan Braga, bn’62, Casper, Wyo.

Judy (Jones) Freeman, bn’67, Johnston, Iowa

Stanley Hong, lw’62, Honolulu

Stanley Thomas Kordinak, gr’67, Huntsville, Texas

Ronald Linn, fa’62, Windsor Heights, Iowa

Cheryl (Delmege) Marckmann, ed’67, gr’74, West Des Moines, Iowa

Minerva (Thompson) Millard, ed’63, Castle Pines, Colo.

Robert Van Pelt, la’56, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Mitzie (Bester) Schroeder, ed’63, Ballwin, Mo.

Gerald Anderson, bn’57, Windsor Heights, Iowa

John Batty, bn’64, Charles City, Iowa

Herbert Bohlman, bn’57, Chandler, Ariz.

Jerry Crosser, gr’64, Green Valley, Ariz.

Mary (Parsons) Olivera, ed’68, Colfax, Iowa Marjorie Wharff-White, ed’68, gr’73, Urbandale, Iowa James Bishop, gr’69, Mount Pleasant, Iowa

Raymond Nicklas, ‘51, Gibsonia, Pa.

Michael Ferrari

Theodore Poston, la’51, lw’52, Corydon, Iowa

Michael “Mick” Ferrari, who served as president of Drake University from 1985 to 1998, died on May 15. He was 75 years old.

Gilbert Proudfit, ‘51, Des Moines

Friends and colleagues remember Ferrari as a visionary leader who led Drake into an era of major philanthropy and capital project investment. The Campaign for Drake transformed campus with The Knapp Center, the Roger Knapp Tennis Center, Dwight D. Opperman Hall and Law Library, Cline Hall, Wifvat Plaza, and significant renovations.

Richard Quackenbush, la’51, Winnetka, Ill. Elizabeth (Batten) Rue, ‘51, Tucson, Ariz. Robert Fridlington, la’52, gr’55, Cranford, N.J. Vera Kendall, ed’52, gr’61, West Des Moines, Iowa

In the early 1990s, Ferrari partnered with Apple to launch a Macin-the-Room program that guaranteed every student access to a Macintosh computer in their residence hall room, and secured Drake a spotlight on the national higher education stage.

fall 2015

DRAKE

BLUE

alumniconnections

Profile

To Infinity—And Beyond greg ver steeg studies interactions so small they can’t be seen, with implications so broad they may reach beyond our universe. What happens to information when it’s sucked into a black hole? How do you determine whether subatomic particles are interacting in new ways? Greg Ver Steeg uses physics and math to unlock secrets beyond human perception.

Somewhere on the campus of the University of Southern California, nestled inside a 9x9-foot black box surrounded by refrigeration units and technology that shields it from the magnetism of the Earth, is a tiny computer chip that some fear could usher in the end of global cyber-security. The chip’s manufacturer, a Canadian technology company, calls it is the world’s first quantum computer—a device that uses complex relationships between tiny particles to process information much more quickly than a traditional computer. Greg Ver Steeg, as’03, is among a small team of USC researchers tasked with assessing the computer’s performance. He says it’s a long way from being able to dismantle worldwide security infrastructure, but he’s testing the machine’s muscles and exploring whether it is, in fact, a quantum machine. “We can’t physically access or investigate the chip, and quantum interactions are invisible to humans,” says Ver Steeg. “So our experiments involve programming complex formulae, feeding them into the computer, and determining whether it gets answers a normal computer couldn’t achieve.” It’s serious work—and as a Drake alumnus who majored in Philosophy alongside Mathematics and Physics, he approaches it with a degree of humor and existential thought. One of his first experiments involved the quantum computer generating a random lottery number, something that could 62

DRAKE

BLUE

fall 2015

only truly be achieved through a quantum process. Based on one theory of quantum physics, the generation of a random number would create an infinite set of parallel universes, where the number in each universe would be different. “If the theory is true, then I am guaranteed to have won the lottery in one universe,” says Ver Steeg. “Unfortunately it was not this one.” Although his work hasn’t won him a jackpot, he considers himself to be rich in other ways. While at Drake, he forged lasting relationships with students from myriad areas of study. He performed extensive research and co-published numerous journal articles alongside Professor of Physics Klaus Bartschat. He even had the chance to present a paper at a conference in Australia during his senior year. “He was one of the smartest students I’ve ever taught,” says Bartschat. “After Australia, he had all sorts of fancy schools and companies who wanted to recruit him.” Ver Steeg earned his graduate degree at the California Institute of Technology, and his professional career has been as broad as his studies at Drake. Projects have ranged from groundbreaking research on the fate of information that gets sucked into black holes to a study of whether a person with overweight friends is more likely to gain weight. “Drake was really the perfect preparation for the work I do now,” says Ver Steeg. “It’s such a small school. You know all your professors. And if you want to do something interesting and different, they’re always open to that.”

Helen (Welton) Degroote, gr’69, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Pamella (Allred) Bilancia, gr’72, Tamarac, Fla.

Connie (Graflund) Trebisovsky, bn’74, Bloomington, Minn.

Carolyn (Johnson) Battrick, la’85, Urbandale, Iowa

Dale Gast, gr’69, West Des Moines, Iowa

Timothy Burroughs, ph’72, Chillicothe, Ill.

James Krist, gr’85, West Des Moines, Iowa

Jane Harlan, la’69, Arlington, Va.

Mary (Wilson) Dessauer, fa’72, Waukee, Iowa

Daisy (Wannamaker) VanValkenburg Bergstad, la’74, Bismarck, N.D.

Clark Miller, bn’69, Des Moines Patricia Traster, ed’69, Indian Lake, Ohio Ronald Van Rees, bn’69, Des Moines

William Hunter, bn’72, Brookline, Mass. Mary Anne Leto, gr’72, Johnston, Iowa

Mary Walbridge, ph’74, St. Louis, Mo. John “Rick” DeBonis, la’76, Des Moines Doris (Guess) Graham, ed’76, gr’85, West Des Moines, Iowa

1970s

Katheryn Lewellen, ed’72, Ankeny, Iowa

John Barker, gr’70, Fort Myers, Fla.

Janice (Hines) Oakes, gr’72, ‘92, Winchester, Ky.

David Bennett, gr’70, Des Moines

Steven Flood, jo’73, Fulshear, Texas

Beulah (Smithson) Dygert, ed’77, Yale, Iowa

Linda (Blankenship) Hills, ed’70, Altoona, Iowa

Dale Hagen, lw’73, Indianola, Iowa

Samuel Redshaw, la’77, jo’85, Lakewood, Colo.

Barbara (Brown) James, gr’70, Des Moines

Brent Hege, lw’73, Loysville, Pa.

William Barnes, gr’79, Madrid, Iowa

James McCaughey, la’70, Des Moines Janis (Williams) Dunn, ed’71, gr’84, West Des Moines, Iowa Margaret (Hanson) Mitchell, gr’71, Osceola, Iowa James Barnett, la’72, Des Moines

Winona (Hammons) Sill, ed’73, Newton, Iowa Marilyn Brinker CHM, gr’74, Johnston, Iowa Gerald Ernst, gr’74, Des Moines Shiela (Willoughby) Hainlin, la’74, gr’80, Sartell, Minn.

Craig Roberts, la’85, Downers Grove, Ill. Evelyn (Sommerdorf) Knudsen, gr’86, Des Moines Roger Jacobson, gr’88, Ames, Iowa

1990s

Robert Whiteman, lw’76, Rye, N.Y. John Cain, gr’77, Spencer, Iowa

Lisa (Wycoff) Hulsing, ph’90, West Des Moines, Iowa Barbara Byas, ph’91, Urbandale, Iowa Barbara (Foreman) Driscoll, gr’93, Des Moines Cheryl (Knight) McCloskey, gr’93, Aurora, Ill.

2000s

1980s Violet (Scott) Thompson, la’80, Des Moines Donald Driscoll, bn’81, Des Moines,

Julie (Vice) Hagel, ph’00, Kirkland, Wash. Cheryl McNulty, gr’00, Clinton, Iowa

2010s

Joseph Reitmaier, ed’83, Iron River, Mich.

Brian Booher, ph’11, gr’11, Stilwell, Kan.

YOU’VE CHANGED Have a professional accomplishment, family news, or updated address to share? Tell us so we can stay connected and current. Update your information online at www.alumni.drake.edu (log in to My Drake), or complete the form below and mail to: Drake University, Office of Alumni Relations, 2507 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311.

q Check here if your current address differs from the magazine mailing label; please attach the mailing label so we can correct our records—and stay connected with you!

Name (Mr./Ms.) College/school and year

Email address

Address City Phone (home) Employer

State

(work)

ZIP

(cell) Title

What’s new with you? fall 2015

DRAKE

BLUE

[ last word ]

Planes, Trains, and Epiphanies

J-Term students sort bags of staples for guests at a Brooklyn food pantry. Pictured, left to right: Brandi Jansen (Class of 2016, Actuarial Science), Sarah Fulton (Class of 2016, Journalism and History), Nate Zimmerman (Class of 2017, Doctor of Pharmacy candidate), and Bridget Banks (Class of 2016, Health Sciences).

I lie still and try to distract myself, defying the urge to stretch my sore, middle-aged back. The drab green, military-style camp cots squeal with every movement, and I don’t wish to disturb my companions. But I am freezing beneath my lightweight travel sleeping bag, and as quietly as possible I reach for my puffy, down-filled Calvin Klein coat and pull it atop me for warmth. In this place—a timeworn Spanish church on the upper west side of New York City—the excess of my stylish outerwear strikes me as absurd, even shameful. My feet throb from the 10-plus miles they trekked today. Yet, come dawn, I’ll rise with the others. We’ll again climb the narrow staircase to makeshift showers, rationing the precious little warm water. We’ll again prep brown-bagged PB&Js for lunch. We’ll again don a double layer of warm socks beneath our boots and tennis shoes and brace for winter chill. And we’ll relish every moment. For this eight-day January Term class exploring urban poverty, we are not just 10 students, one instructor (Renee Sedlacek, interim director of community engagement and service-learning), and one co-leader (me). We are a blended family of 12 living on a public assistance budget (albeit one that allows museum visits, shopping in Chinatown, and a couple of Broadway shows). Our primary mission in the Big Apple is to serve and to learn. visit www.drake.edu/magazine for a compilation of photos, video, and student reflections from Drake’s 2015 J-Term trip to New York.

DRAKE

BLUE

fall 2015

What causes poverty? How do personal responsibility, privilege, social structure, culture, and public policy play a role? And what can be done? We grapple with such big questions in the food pantries and shelters as we cook for and serve our fellow human beings, in the grocery aisles as we argue over how best to spend our $2.68-per-person USDA Thrifty Food Plan funds, and in our own souls as we ponder our fortune to be able to return to warm houses, bountiful food, Netflix, and higher education at week’s end. The students step up. Brandi, who had never set foot on public transportation, now guides us fluidly from the 1 Train to the Q Train. Evelyn, whose lens on poverty before this week came from her home in Tanzania, discovers relative poverty in action as she serves guests in an elegant, restaurant-style soup kitchen. Jake, who had never before flown on an airplane, connects deeply with the people he helps feed, shelter, and clothe, and leaves with a desire to influence legislation on poverty. (He also leaves with a crocheted chicken hat, but that’s another story.) No textbooks necessary. The lessons surround us. So, what can we do? We don’t end our week in New York with bold, new answers. But we now know the right questions, and have experienced firsthand how one individual really can make an impact. Or, in our case, 12 double-sock-wearing, PB&J-noshing, serviceminded Bulldogs on a mission. —Jill Brimeyer, Senior Writer, University Communications

[ just for fun ]

Bulldog Jumble Unscramble a few jumbled names from Drake fame (hint: all of them can be found in the Spring 2015 issue’s Web extra, “The People Behind the Buildings,” online at www.drake.edu/magazine/pbbuildings). Next, unscramble the circled letters to answer a question about the newest name to be added to the Bulldog lexicon, President Earl F. “Marty” Martin.

rangyhamhive ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

A 1947 science building, recently renovated, named for a newspaper editor and Drake trustee.

heromouse ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ Residence hall named after the only Drake president to have discovered a comet. So far.

realconchsmell ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

____ ____ ____

The fabled tree that Drake founder George Carpenter climbed to site a spot for the University.

nasaltrek ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ One of three dormitories built in 1953, named for a beloved liberal arts dean.

wetjet ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ One of the earliest residence halls on campus, named for a lifelong learner and entrepreneur whose dad fled to chase the California gold rush.

meltsod ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ Now home base for students, this building was named for a WWII general and businessman who helped free Americans from Japanese POW camps.

nectarrep ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ A residence hall named for the daughter and wife of Drake chancellors (hint: not the same guy)

airmansardinefrock ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

____ ____ ____ ____ ____

Our esteemed University namesake. (This one’s a gimme, we hope!) Unscramble the circled letters from above to answer the question: “Where did President Martin grow up?” ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____

visit www.drake.edu/magazine for complete answers.

2507 University Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50311-4505 2217

drakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission is to provide an exceptional learning environment that prepares

students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments, and responsible

global citizenship. The Drake experience is distinguished by collaborative learning among students, faculty, and staff and by the integration of the liberal arts and sciences with professional preparation.

The 35th Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture An Evening with Peter Neufeld

Tuesday, October 27, 7 p.m. The Knapp Center Peter Neufeld co-founded and co-directs the Innocence Project, a national nonprofit organization that represents hundreds of inmates seeking post-conviction release through DNA testing. The organization also pursues institutional reform to identify and address the systemic causes of wrongful convictions. Neufeld is a partner in the New York civil rights law firm of Neufeld Scheck & Brustin, LLP. His focus is constitutional law and police misconduct. www.drake.edu/bucksbaum #bucksbaum