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Hitting the Hard Notes LAW PROFESSOR TACKLES EMOTIONAL SUBJECT MATTER, MOUNTS SUCCESSFUL OPERA
WHEN DRAKE LAW PROFESSOR Cathy Lesser Mansfield was a child, she had a nightmare in which German soldiers were chasing her through alleys. Fast-forward to Nov. 8, 2008 — the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht. Mansfield sits nervously in the back row of a sold-out theater where the curtain is about to rise on the world premier of her Holocaust opera The Sparks Fly Upward. AN ACTIVIST AND COMPOSER, Mansfield began working on the opera nearly
30 years ago. She studied at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music before shifting to pursue her interests in social justice and law. After a successful law career, Mansfield brought her consumer advocacy expertise to Drake in 1996. Taking a sabbatical from classes recently, Mansfield planted herself at the piano bench and began fine-tuning the stories and score for Sparks. “Perhaps because I view myself as a helper and a healer,” says Mansfield of her choice to bring such ominous subject matter to the stage. “I tell my students that lawyers are very powerful people and that, with that power, they have a responsibility to help people.” A METICULOUS RESEARCHER, Mansfield conducted interviews and gathered source material in Europe. She spent many long days at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. and the Leo Baeck Institute in New York stooped over reading and photocopying manuscripts. The result: a powerful story following the lives of two Jewish families in Berlin who go into hiding with the help of a Christian family. Through their struggles, the families turn to the biblical story of Job for reassurance and enlightenment. As the story progresses the parallels between their lives and Job’s become apparent. “I decided that it was very important to create a historically accurate piece that had the power to both educate and inspire. When you think about it, the opera’s themes are very relevant today,” says Mansfield, citing the conflicts of Bosnia and Darfur. Mansfield’s labor of love premiered before a full house that included Holocaust survivors and theatrical producers. The production’s cast featured Drake music professors along with several Drake students and alumni. “Sparks disrupted my entire life and changed me in ways that only experiences like giving birth can,” says Mansfield. “Now there’s both theatrical and educational interest in the opera, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.” — Casey L. Gradischnig
Editor’s note: For more information or to order a recording of The Sparks Fly Upward visit www.TheSparksFlyUpward.org.
The Magazine of Drake University
DRAKE
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On your mark, get set . . . THE RACE TO RENOVATE DRAKE STADIUM IS UNDERWAY
Drake University President David Maxwell with Assistant Athletic Director for Drake Relays Mark Kostek
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omething must be done before the spring Drake Relays or there is going to be a big pull to take the Relays to Chicago, Madison or Minneapolis. These other college centers have a stadium capable of holding the crowds and caring for athletes. The stadium is the single most important thing before Des Moines this spring,” said philanthropist and cosmetic mogul Carl Weeks to The Des Moines Tribune in 1925. Weeks’ words did not fall on deaf ears. On October 10, 1925, the Greater Des Moines Committee presented the new Drake Stadium to the University. Holding 18,000 fans, Drake Stadium — the venerable red brick venue that Jesse Owens called “so uniquely right for track” —has been the home to the Relays, Drake football and countless other events since. Ninety-three years later, Iowa’s signature sporting event attracts 9,100 competitors, with 39 consecutive years of sell-out crowds for its Saturday events—the longest sell-out streak in U.S. track and field history. It is the only sporting event in Iowa where fans can see Olympic gold medallists compete annually. PRESERVING SACRED GROUND While the stadium has been maintained as responsibly as resources have allowed, the years have taken their toll. Extensive repairs are needed to ensure its future structural stability and to make the stadium a viable venue for future events —thus the University has embarked upon a fund-raising campaign to not only preserve brick and mortar, but enhance a venue which allows for national exposure and economic growth to the entire community. “We believe in preserving the history of the stadium,” said Mark Kostek, assistant athletic director for Drake Relays. “There was talk about just knocking the whole thing down and rebuilding it because it would be cheaper, but we decided not to because the stadium is sacred. There are going to be changes, but we are approaching it as if we are renovating a historical religious site. It will always have the same look and feel, just better.” Plans for renovating the stadium call for two phases totaling $22 million. Phase I ($11 million) focuses on reconfiguring and resurfacing the track to meet international standards, and installing an artificial field surface lined for football and soccer. It also
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THE DRAKE UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE
includes repairing the stadium’s structure; addressing code issues; making improvements to the seating, restrooms and concessions; renovation of the press box; and adding lighting to make the stadium usable for high school football and other community events in the evenings. While the stadium could be repaired and the track reconfigured to conform to standards for less money, it cannot be transformed into the kind of facility needed for hosting national and international events without making the enhancements outlined in the $22 million plan. “We have very strong interest from the NCAA for us to put in a bid to host the 2007 track and field regionals as well as the 2008, 2009, 2010 national competitions,” said Drake University President David Maxwell. “We also have strong interests from U.S. Track and Field to bring in various events that they control, including the U.S. Olympic trials. It is an exciting opportunity to make Drake — and Des Moines — the track and field capital of the Midwest.” A new press box, meeting rooms, additional restroom and concession enhancements, and a Relays Hall of Fame Plaza will be added in Phase II of the project.
Stadium renovation plans call for two phases with Phase I focusing on reconfiguring and resurfacing the track, installing an artificial field and repairing the stadium’s structure. A new press box, meeting rooms, additional restroom and concession enhancements, and a Relays Hall of Fame Plaza will be added in Phase II of the project.
from the Principal Financial Group Foundation Inc., Prairie Meadows and Polk County; $250,000 from both McAnich Corporation and MidAmerican Energy; and $100,000 from both the Iowa Boys High School Athletic Association and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. “Revitalization of Drake Stadium represents great economic opportunity not only
Hosting events such as the U.S. Olympic Trials and Junior Olympics in track and field and the AAU Junior Olympic Games means an economic impact of more than $300 OFF AND RUNNING With a project volunteer leadership team cochaired by Jack Taylor, CEO of Des Moinesbased Taylor Construction Group, and consisting of Iowa business leaders Jim Cownie, Bill Knapp, Bill Knapp II, Maddie Levitt and Gerry Neugent along with honorary cochair/Olympians Suzy Favor-Hamilton, Frank Shorter and Natasha Kaiser-Brown, fund-raising efforts for the stadium are moving swiftly. The stadium fund is currently more than $8 million strong with individual leadership commitments from Franklin “Pitch” Johnson, Jack Taylor, Bill Knapp, Maddie Levitt, Jim and Patty Cownie, and Don Lamberti. Organizational support for the project thus far includes $1 million commitments
THE DRAKE UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE
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million over 10 years. for Drake, but the entire Greater Des Moines area,” said J. Barry Griswell, chairman, president and CEO of the Principal Financial Group. “The Principal is proud to be part of this important investment in the growth of our community.” “This project is not just about Drake University — it has tremendous potential to enhance the economic vitality and the visibility of Des Moines by making the city the track and field capital of the Midwest,” said Maxwell. In fact, hosting events such as the U.S. Olympic Trials and Junior Olympics in track and field and the AAU Junior Olympic Games means an economic impact of more than $300 million over 10 years.
If all goes as planned, Drake hopes to secure the $11 million needed for Phase I and begin renovation immediately following the 2005 Relays. A WIN FOR ATHLETES AND FANS Many U.S. track and field athletes are attracted to European competitions because of the attention and pay they received overseas. “They have rock star status over there. They get paid quite well. They don’t get paid quite that well over here,” said Maxwell. “But, we can give them rock star status. And they love it. They love the way that the fans interact. So there is a very special bond if you come to the Drake Relays for the first time. You leave with a very special feeling of what Drake is all about.” In fact, adds Maxwell, “What we hear most consistently from the inductees of the Drake Relays Hall of Fame are three things: One is how amazing the fan support and the intimate connection with the crowd are. Number two is the mystique. Athletes realize that they are on the hallowed ground of track and field events. And the third is how incredibly well run the Relays are—from the way that athletes are treated around campus to how well the meet itself is run. They really appreciate their interaction with the officials and the way they’re treated.” “The new stadium will not only provide an awesome atmosphere for the athletes, but for the fans as well,” said Natasha KaiserBrown, a two-time Olympian who competed
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in 16 Drake Relays and serves as head men’s and women’s track coach at Drake. “New bleachers, concessions and modern rest rooms will definitely enhance the Drake Relays experience.” BEYOUND THE FINISHING LINE While playing host to hundreds of world-class athletes including Bruce Jenner, Carl Lewis, Gwen Torrence and Michael Johnson is nothing to shake a baton at, Drake Stadium is home to more than the Drake Relays. Enhancing Drake Stadium will provide Drake’s student-athletes in football, soccer and other sports with new competitive opportunities, enhance Drake’s athletic camps and expand fan base—and Des Moines will gain an outstanding venue for high school and youth sports and an entertainment venue for hosting concerts, festivals, marching band and drill team competition. “This is going to be a great venue for our football and men and women’s soccer programs and for the community. Right now, our football team can’t practice on the field they play on because they will chew the grass up — the new artificial surface will change all of that. And, with the new lights, theoretically the stadium could be used 24 hours a day seven days a week. This project is clearly in the interest of Des Moines’ future economic vitality,” said Maxwell.
Conceptual renderings illustrate various upgrades to Drake Stadium.
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BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME “The national buzz out there is Drake is on the horizon and that something big is about to happen. It brings great responsibility to make sure it’s done right. I envision myself wearing a hardhat until the red ribbon is cut,” said Kostek. “We’re already on the international map for Relays,” added Maxwell. “I think we have an opportunity to turn Drake and Des Moines into a major international track and field capital — the Eugene, Oregon of the Midwest. We have the opportunity to have the only world-class track and field facility in the upper-Midwest. It would go beyond Relays, beyond Drake to put Des Moines on the map as a major track and field center. That is exciting in terms of our responsibility and for the community.” — Casey L. Gradischnig
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THE DRAKE UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE
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Pharmacy’s Experiential Educat
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irst-year pharmacy major Greta Anderson started her semester in uncharted territory by working one-on-one to provide care to an elderly client. Tim Karley, a third-year student pursuing his doctorate in pharmacy, recently completed a stint of community outreach at La Cliniqua De Esperanza, a free clinic with a predominately Hispanic population. Fifth-year pharmacy student Amanda Sass helped coordinate a group of Drake students who visited Des Moines area grade and middle schools educating kids about methamphetamine. Lisa Izzo, DP3, was one of more than 100 Drake pharmacy students and faculty who administered diabetes screening tests in the Des Moines area.
Projects like these are just a few the many meaningful ways Drake students are contributing to the community while gaining valuable hands-on experience — all part of the College of Pharmacy’s commitment to exploratory learning.
THE IMPACT OF ACTIVE LEARNING
“I feel that experiences like this are invaluable,” says Anderson of her first-year immersion. “My experience with the geriatrics IPPE course [Integrative Pharmacy Practice Experience — an introductory component of the College’s Experiential Education Program] this semester helped me to see what the elderly actually deal with at home and the complications that may arise with aging. I was able to interact with those that are mentally retarded and to see what their level of communication can be. It made me aware that not every patient of mine will be independent or even aware of their health conditions or medications they are on. I also saw how precious each individual really is inside, though they may not be able to communicate well.” The College’s Experiential Education Program consists of a series of introductory pharmacy practice experiTim Karley ences in which “Participating in this type students particiof hands-on experience is pate throughout their first three years of the professional curriculum. The goal is a wonderful opportunity to introduce students to various pharmacy to apply what I’m learning practice settings and active learning strategies that help them develop communication, in the classroom to actual problem solving and decision making skills.
patients.” – Lisa Izzo
PHARMAKON SUMMER 2001 • DRAKE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH SCIENCES
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ation Program BRIDGING THE EXPERIENCES
“It made me aware that not every patient of mine will be autonomous or is even aware of their health conditions or medications they are on. I also saw how precious each individual really is inside.” – Greta Anderson
“It was fulfilling to provide medical support to those who would not otherwise be able to obtain it,” says Karley, who volunteered at La Cliniqua De Esperanza. Karley’s fluency in Spanish allowed him to establish himself as a bridge between the English- and Spanish-speaking communities at the clinic. Experiences like this are also important bridges between the classroom and the professional world, says Raylene Rospond, associate dean of pharmacy and director of the free clinic project. Rospond believes early exposure to service work helps the students understand the barriers to health care that people face every day. “These experiences are causing the students to grow. It’s not always comfortable and easy. It’s my tenet that you never know when these experiences are going to be important. And these experiences impact students throughout their cycle of learning here.”
HANDS-ON LEARNING One recent IPPE program allowed more than 100 Drake students to participate in a community initiative that improved the recognition of diabetes in a Amanda Sass local high-risk population. The students performed diabetes screenings in both traditional locations such as senior centers and pharmacies, and nontraditional locations including public schools, work sites, fire stations, and a local casino. More than 5,000 participants were screened during the project. “Participating in this type of hands-on experience is a wonderful opportunity to apply what I’m learning in the classroom to actual patients,” says Lisa Izzo, DP2. “The diabetes screening experience has helped me feel more confident in my patient care skills.” IPPE components such as volunteering in free clinics, working one-on-one with the elderly, or conducting diabetes screenings are not only active learning exercises; they can be powerful character-
building opportunities for the students as well. Amanda Sass, a Drake student who participated in methamphetamine presentations for grade school and junior high school students, says the experience gave her a deep sense of purpose. “As a pharmacy student, it made me feel like what I was doing had a significant impact on these kids’ lives,” says Sass, describing one of the many of the personal interactions she had with participants. “I had one little girl who was 7 years old come to me after a talk and she was shaking. She proceeded to tell me that her high school sister does meth. She told me she always wanted to try it too, but her sister said she had to grow up a bit. Then the girl looked at me and said that because of what I told her during the presentation, she didn’t want to try it anymore. And she wanted to know how to make her sister stop. If I changed her mind, and possibly helped her sister, I feel like I accomplished a lot.”
DRAKE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH SCIENCES • PHARMAKON SUMMER 2001
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Go Global
International Business Flies High at Drake IT’S A BIG WORLD OUT THERE AND DOING BUSINESS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GLOBE HAS NOT ONLY BECOME EASIER, IT’S BECOME NECESSARY. FUELED BY MULTI-NATIONAL CORPORATIONS AND THE EMERGENCE AND EASE OF THE INTERNET, E-MAIL AND AIRLINE TICKETS ARE QUICKLY BECOMING THE TOOLS OF TRADE IN AN INCREASINGLY GLOBAL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT.
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n the past, a business could choose not to do business internationally,” says CBPA Assistant Professor of Management Vinitia Mathews. “Now, smart businesses don’t have much choice because whether a business participates in international business or not, that business will be impacted by international business issues and influencers. Traditional job descriptions have not changed, however, how one executes his or her job . . . interacting with diverse people, dealing with rapidly changing technology, and the increased amount of travel all have changed remarkably in recent years.”
A FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS
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One way Drake prepares business students for the increasingly diverse workplace and the influx of global business practices is the international business major. This major equips Drake students for the challenging tasks of leading and coordinating people, activities and
systems for global operations. The curriculum provides a broad-based program of language and culture, history, geography and political science with a solid foundation of business and economics to enhance students’ abilities to be valuable and contributing members of a global society.
GLOBE-TROTTING STUDENTS AND GRADUATES “My daily tasks are affected directly each day by economic, environmental and political events,” says CBPA graduate Carla Rajkowski, who travels the world as an international trade analyst and pricing authority for Maersk Sealand. “Recently I attended a training seminar where employees representing more than 40 countries prepared economic presentations. Seven days before the presentation, many revised their forecasts due to the news regarding the U.S. economic outlook and possible recession. In order for businesses to survive through theses fluctuations, businesses must be aware and react to the international events in a manner that is appropriate and timely.” Rajkowski graduated from Drake in 2000 with international business, economics and finance majors and a Spanish minor, and she
biggest project, managing a $2.5 million point-ofsale design roll-out, was honored in an international competition in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Student Profile Minna Hamalainen Major: Master of Business Administration, anticipated completion in December 2001. Hometown: Helsinki, Finland Notable Achievement: Before attending Drake, Hamalainen worked for Finland's largest cosmetic brand, where she planned and executed product launches and marketing strategies for both domestic and international markets. Her
Off-campus Interests: Hamalainen embraces international education and loves traveling and getting to know different cultures and people. After graduating from high school in Helsinki, she was an exchange student in the U.S. for a year. Through business, vacation, or academic enrichment, Hamalainen has visited approximately 20 countries so far and has learned six languages along the way. She also enjoys concerts, art exhibitions, design, movies, hiking and skiing. Career Aspirations: "A position where I can use my international professional experience in strategic marketing along with interpersonal and
linguistics skills. My dream job would include a fair amount of responsibility and lots of traveling, meeting new people and brainstorming. Marketing management, consulting and competitive market analysis would be interesting fields to work in."
“The Drake MBA and the offered electives create a great foundation for future business positions, and what I have learned will enable me to successfully further my career ambitions. Team performance is vital no matter what activities you engage in, and at Drake I've learned a lot about American group dynamics in particular. I feel that this will be a valuable asset in my future business interactions.”
NEXUS SPRING 2001 • DRAKE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
credits Drake for preparing her for the fast-paced global marketplace where she now works. “My international business classes gave me the tools I needed to evaluate international business opportunities while increasing my understanding of cultural issues and customs. Secondly, my study abroad experience in Spain taught me a lot about myself. I realized how truly open to other cultures a person must be in order to actually live or work abroad for long periods of time.”
(Right) Sophomore finance major Hannah Zbornik is studying in Prague for the spring semester.
DRAKE IS INCREASINGLY INTERNATIONAL According to Mathews, the number of CBPA students traveling abroad has risen dramatically in recent years. Even prospective students are asking about travel abroad opportunities as they shop – for colleges. From 1997-98 to 1998-99, the number of students from the United States studying abroad increased by 13.9 percent. The increase among Drake students was 15.5 percent. From 1993-94 to 1998-99, the increase in the U.S. was 70 percent, while the increase in study-abroad participation at Drake was 88.7 percent. While international students have long contributed important perspectives to the Drake community, there are more of them to do so these days. From 1998-99 to 1999-2000, the number of international students studying in the United States increased by 4.8 percent; the comparable increase at Drake was 6.2 percent. If you compare 1994-95 and 1999-2000, the increase for the U.S. was 13.7 percent while the growth at Drake was 48.3 percent. “Oh my word! I have learned so much,” says sophomore finance major Hannah Zbornik, who is spending the spring semester in Prague. Zbornik is participating in a program at the University of Economics, called CESP – Central and East European Studies
Digital Drake Great global business resources for international businesses can be found at the Center for International Business & Travel @
(Left) CBPA graduate Carla Rajkowski, on a recent business-related trip to Copenhagen, is an international trade analyst and pricing authority for Maersk Sealand.
Program. “Even though I am not in a classroom all the time, I think I am learning much more than I would in a semester.”
WORLDWIDE RESULTS Opportunities like studying abroad, visiting with one of the international business experts frequently speaking on campus, and the development of Drake’s International Business Society by Mathews and CBPA students two years ago, are paying off in measurable ways for Drake graduates. “We continue to see phenomenal growth in the area of international business, and our students are doing very well in placement,” says Mathews. “I hear raves from employers about how wonderful our students are. Huge international companies like Pioneer Hi-Bred constantly comment on how knowledgeable and how professional Drake students and graduates are.”
www.internationalist.com
DRAKE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION • NEXUS SPRING 2001
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