Drake Blue fall 2004

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DRAKE

Fall 2004

BLUE On your mark, get set . . .

THE RACE TO RENOVATE DRAKE STADIUM IS UNDERWAY

Presidential perspective WELCOME TO THE PREMIER EDITION OF DRAKE UNIVERSITY’S NEW MAGAZINE for alumni and

friends! Drake Blue is an innovative example of a fundamental institutional belief at Drake — that constant, deliberate and careful change is essential to the health of the University, particularly in the rapidly changing world in which we live.

The fast-paced and sometimes unpredictable changes in student learning goals, professional aspirations and demographics, the economy; the philanthropic environment; and competition from new types of institutions will have an impact on our success. If we are to continue to preserve and enhance Drake University — consistent with our core values of Excellence, Learning, Integrity, Citizenship and Fiscal Responsibility — and if we are to maintain our status as a premier master’s university, we must embrace change as necessary not only to respond to, but to manage and exploit the challenges that confront us.

As we think about change, it is also important to look at relationships as a defining characteristic of the University — relationships among students, faculty and staff; between the University and its alumni; between the University and the community.

Various indicators, from our recent survey research data to our less-than-stellar alumni participation in Drake’s annual fund program, suggest that there is much room for improvement in the ways that we at Drake connect with our alumni. It is critically important that our alumni are fully

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informed about the University’s present, and that you have an opportunity to share in the ongoing discussion — and the excitement — about the University’s future. It is equally important to ensure that we are listening to you about your aspirations for Drake and that the University continues to serve you in appropriate ways long after you’ve graduated. As you’ll see in coming months, Blue is but one part — a very prominent part — of a group of integrated strategies to ensure that you are hearing everything that you want and need to know about Drake and that we are hearing from you in ways that inform our thinking and decision-making.

But, as you’ll see from the cover story, we have been able to turn challenge into opportunity — for Drake, for Des Moines, for Central Iowa and for the global track and field community. A revitalized Drake Stadium that preserves the essence of a beloved national icon will serve as an internationally recognized venue for not only the Drake Relays, but for regional and national NCAA, USA Track & Field and AAU events, bringing visibility and prestige to the University and hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact to the local community. It will also serve as a wonderful venue for Drake football and soccer, as well as for community events.

We are laying the groundwork for vibrant initiatives that address the learning needs of our students and of the community in new and creative ways, while at the same time preserving and cherishing the integrity and value of what we already have.

If we are to continue to preserve and enhance Drake University and if we are to maintain our status as a premier master’s university, we must embrace change as necessary not only to respond to, but to manage and exploit the challenges that confront us.

The subject of the cover story of this inaugural issue of Blue, the revitalization of Drake Stadium, is a powerful emblem of the ways in which we can not only embrace change, but turn the challenges that we face into opportunities that move the University forward. Drake Stadium is 78 years old, and it is showing its age— it is in urgent need of significant structural repair, and the track does not meet international standards. As a result, most events at the world-famous Drake Relays are not eligible as national and world records.

Unless the track is reconfigured to meet contemporary standards, the position of the Drake Relays as one of the world’s preeminent track and field events is in jeopardy.

As you’ll see, there’s a lot going on at Drake — a lot to be excited about and a lot to be proud of. We will always have challenges ahead of us, but we will always do our best to turn those challenges into opportunities. I hope that we’ll have your guidance, encouragement and support as we do so.

DRAKE

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The Magazine of Drake University

contents President Dr. David E. Maxwell

Features

Vice President of Institutional Advancement John H. Willey

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Interim Director of Alumni & Parent Programs

ALL ACCESS

How a pharmacy college, a Drake grad and a community coalition brought relief to an uninsured population

Heidi Slinker

Director of Marketing & Communications Brooke Benschoter

EDITORIAL STAFF

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Editor Casey L. Gradischnig

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET . . .

The race to renovate Drake Stadium is underway

Art Director Eric Flynn, AS’93

Assistant Editor Michelle Rubin

Blue blue blue Graphic Designer Matt Kuhns

Contributing Writers Kris Fettkether Lisa Lacher

Interns

THE SKY IS THE LIMIT

DRAKE

Kristi Bockman Valerie Hoven

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

Call: 1-800-44-DRAKE, x3152 E-mail: recordsinfo@drake.edu Surf: www.drakealumni.net

Copyright Drake University 2004

DRAKE

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Departments CAMPUS

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School of Education navigates the urban classroom • Pharmacy team wins national competition • Drake creates platform for science research presentations • Recent grads receive Fulbright scholarships • Law students successfully lobby for passage of Iowa bill

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FACULTY

McMahill named interim dean of SOE • Rozycki, Adams honored with Levitt Awards • Strentz named to National Open Government Hall of Fame • Edrington honored for exemplifying the spirit of Drake

Drake Blue is published as a service to Drake alumni, parents and friends by the Drake University Office of Marketing and Communications. Views expressed in Drake Blue do not necessarily reflect opinions of the editors or the University. We welcome articles by and story ideas from and about Drake alumni.

Send correspondence to Editor Casey L. Gradischnig, Drake University, 2507 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311-4505. E-mail: casey.gradischnig@drake.edu.

The Magazine of Drake University

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Former Drake basketball player is a modern-day Renaissance woman

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SPORTS

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Drake golfer takes a swing at the big time • Reagan’s Relays connection

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ALUMNI

Spring yields a bevy of alumni honors • City outreach events in full swing • Drake honors best at 2004 Alumni Awards Dinner • SJMC grads honor Woodward

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campus buzz RECENT GRADS RECEIVE FULBRIGHT SCHOLARSHIPS Two December graduates have been awarded Fulbright Scholarships. Shalene Breci of Sioux City received a scholarship to fund a 13-month English teaching assistantship for 200405 in South Korea. Mira Yusef of Des Moines received a scholarship to support her research on Muslim women in the Philippines during 2004-05.

“The award of a Fulbright Scholarship is a powerful indicator of the excellence of the applicant’s educational preparation, as well — of course — as the excellence of the applicant’s proposal for study and research,” said Drake President David Maxwell.

Breci, who earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and sociology, will travel to South Korea, where she will receive six weeks of intensive training before being assigned to a school.

“I’m looking forward to living in and learning about a new culture. I feel prepared through my courses and am confident that I have a good understanding of what to expect,” Breci said.

Yusef, who earned her bachelor’s degree in history, is a native of the Philippines who came to the United States as a teenager and worked as a legal assistant before pursuing a college education. A mother of two, she has been working as the Asian community outreach coordinator for the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

She plans to travel to Manila to begin interviewing Muslim Filipinas who work in domestic positions in the Middle East and return to their native land whenever possible. Yusef said she has wanted to research this subject ever since she heard about the 1995 case of Sarah Balabagan, a 16-year-old Muslim Filipina who was tried in the United Arab

WORLD-RENOWNED AUTHOR SALMAN RUSHDIE presented “Step Across This Line” to a crowd of 2,000 as part of the Mar tin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture. Rushdie is perhaps best known for his 1989 book The Satanic Verses. The book caused an international controversy and prompted Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini to issue a fatwa calling for his death, which was subsequently lifted. Rushdie discussed fear and free speech during his lecture and met with students while on campus.

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the HOT list Emirates for stabbing her employer for raping her. The court found her guilty and pronounced a death sentence, but because of protests by human rights organizations, the court subsequently reduced the punishment to a fine of $41,000, a year in prison and 100 lashes.

DRAKE STUDENT RECEIVES $10,000 SCHOLARSHIP TO STUDY IN JORDAN Drake junior Brittany Buchholz recently won a $10,000 scholarship from the National Security Education Program. Buchholz, who worked on public health issues in her hometown of Cedar Falls, IA, over the summer, will use her National Security Education Programs David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarship to study Middle Eastern culture and the Arabic language in Amman, Jordan, during the fall 2004 semester. Then she’ll spend the spring 2005 semester at American University in Washington, DC. She also will travel to South Africa for three weeks during her semester at American.

“Over the past few years, I have become increasingly fascinated with Arab culture — specifically Islamic traditions and Middle Eastern political processes,” she said. “For that reason, I chose to study Modern Standard Arabic through DULAP (Drake University Language Acquisition Program), and I entered the School for International Training program, which is how I ended up being able to go to Jordan.” SIT is Drake University’s study-abroad affiliate. Buchholz will study modernization and social

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Musical highlights on campus included performances by The Tokyo String Quartet, Van Cliburn Competition Gold Medallist pianist Jon Nakamatsu,

and the Drake University Opera Theatre production of Aaron Copland’s “The Tender Land.”

Drake theatre students took to the stage in productions of “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress,” “Quilters,” “Veronica’s Room” and “The American Dream.” Visiting art exhibitions included “Newspapers” by South African artist Siemon Allen and “Fallout” by Chuck Nanney. The Writers and Critics Series brought authors Roy R. Behrens, John Murray, Pulitzer Prize-winner Robert Olen Butler and acclaimed novelist Carole Maso to campus.

“In Celebration of Womyn Week”

was held in March and included a lecture on “Feminism, Racial Justice and Child Welfare Policy”

by Northwestern University law professor Dorothy Roberts.

The Coalition of Black Students celebrated Black History Month with a variety of events including films and sessions featuring writer/activist Sandra Sanchez, internationally recognized leader Victor Lewis and spoken-word artist Mums, a regular on HBO’s “Oz.” Campus forums included “Democracy and Human Rights Lessons from U.S.-Russia Relations” and “Freedom Sings,” a concert celebrating the First Amendment by Grammy-winning artists. Dennis Banks, co-founder of the American Indian Movement, which organized actions including the occupation of Wounded Knee, visited.

change in Jordan. She plans to graduate in 2006 and join the Peace Corps before finding a job dealing with international relations and public health issues.

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spotlight

And the degree goes to…

MORE THAN 1,150 STUDENTS REPRESENTING 28 COUNTRIES WERE HONORED DURING DRAKE’S 2004 COMMENCEMENT WEEKEND

“A TIRELESS VOICE” IS HOW HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENT CUSHING DOLBEARE HAS BEEN DESCRIBED. Dolbeare, an advocate for

progressive housing policy, was presented with an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree and spoke during Drake’s 123rd Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony.

As a leader for nearly 50 years, Dolbeare has created a legacy of commitment to protecting and improving federal housing resources. Dolbeare is now chair emeritus of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, which is recognized by Congress as the leader in affordable housing education and advocacy.

Graduating Radio/TV and English double major Martha Chaput addressed her classmates during the ceremony as well. Chaput, a member of the Drake women’s basketball team who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease in 2000, received the Oreon E. Scott Award — Drake’s top honor for seniors.

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During the ceremony, the Madelyn M. Levitt Outstanding Teacher of the Year and Outstanding Mentor of the Year Awards were presented to Dr. Frederick Adams, professor of history, and John Rozycki, associate professor of finance. John McCaw, professor emeritus of religion and former dean of Drake’s Divinity School, was the featured speaker at the Graduate Commencement Ceremony.

“The Power of the Lawyer” was examined

by Dennis W. Archer during his Law School commencement speech. The first African American to be elected president of the American Bar Association, Archer served as national president of the National Bar Association 20 years ago. Des Moines is the birthplace of the National Bar Association, the nation’s oldest and largest national association of predominantly African American lawyers and judges.

Honorary degree recipient Cushing Dolbeare

Oreon E. Scott Award winner Martha Chaput

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campus buzz SCHOOL OF EDUCATION NAVIGATES THE URBAN CLASSROOM The Drake School of Education and Wallace Accelerated Elementary School in Des Moines have joined forces to greatly expand the learning opportunities for students at both schools.

As part of the SOE’s new urban education program, the Wallace/Drake Professional Development School partnership will send 30 Drake education students into the inner-city school to begin a six-week practicum experience under the supervision of three Drake faculty members.

Drake faculty members, in turn, will share their expertise and resources while collaborating with school district faculty and staff to help teachers develop improved strategies for learning while preparing education students to be better teachers.

The urban education program, which will officially kick off this fall, is designed to improve the education of at-risk children, prepare future teachers for the chal-

lenges they may face in urban school districts and establish cooperative teacher education practicum experiences in the Des Moines Public Schools.

“Drake is doing an outstanding job of preparing teachers for 21st century classrooms,” said Des Moines Superintendent Eric Witherspoon.

“The Professional Development School STUDENTS INTERACT DURING THE FOURTH ANNUAL DONALD V. ADAMS will provide pre-service STUDENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE. The conference is part of the Donald V. teachers with the trainAdams Student Leadership Institute, which was established by Drake alumni ing and experiences to and friends to reinforce Adams’ values and ideals and to help students best prepare them to develop new abilities and a strong commitment to community service. meet the needs of all students. Drake deserves great praise spent 18 days in Europe studytext and included a series of for leading the way in preparing ing how public policy affects the meetings with several high-rankfuture teachers.” welfare of children. ing European business and govEUROPEAN TRIP EXPLORES The March trip, led by Drake ernmental officials.

CHILD WELFARE Professor C. Kenneth Meyer, was “This course enables us to comMore than 50 students, profespart of a graduate course on pare programs at the state and sors and other members of the comparative management and local level that deal with major Drake University community policy analysis in a global conproblems facing children with premier programs in seven countries in Europe,” said Meyer, the Thomas F. Sheehan distinguished professor of public administration DRAKE CLASS OF 2007 ACADEMIC PROFILE THE BABY BOOMERS’ BABIES HAVE COME OF AGE and have at Drake. “The problems we face been applying to colleges in record number. In here are also faced in other parts 815 entering first-year students (fall 2003) response to the swelling applicant pool of recent of the world, and they deal with years, many colleges have become more selective — them in different ways. This trip 67% graduated in the top 25% of their class focusing effor ts on the recruitment of academically helps develop experience, civic stronger students to populate the student body. enhancement and intercultural 94% graduated in the top half of their class Drake is a consistent winner in this arena as the awareness, which increases our academic characteristics of Drake’s entering firstability to understand, interact and Average GPA (on a 4.0 scale): 3.6 year students continue to be stronger than national lead in the world community.”

Average ACT Score: 26; averages. For example, Drake’s National Alumni The group discussed tobacco Mid 50% range: 23-28 Scholarship program — a competition offering six use and prevention in Prague, full-ride scholarships and 10 full-tuition scholarships Czech Republic and Hungary; National Average: 20.8 to the best and the brightest — has experienced a received an overview of a major surge. This past spring, 311 talented high school worldwide conference on chilAverage SAT Score: 1174; students visited Drake to write essays and par ticipate dren’s health issues in Budapest; Mid 50% range: 1020-1280 in inter views in hopes of being awarded one of the studied environmental health National Average: 1026 16 NAS slots. Last year 256 students par ticipated in issues and a United Nations prothe competition — nearly 50 percent of whom are now gram on drugs in Vienna, Drake students.

Austria; visited the World Health Organization, International

admission update

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Labor Organization and UNICEF in Geneva, Switzerland; and investigated childhood obesity research in Nice, France.

DRAKE CREATES PLATFORM FOR SCIENCE RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS Drake University hosted the first Conference on Undergraduate Research in the Sciences last April. The conference serves as an opportunity for undergraduates to present their research to faculty, students and the general public.

The day-long conference featured oral presentations, poster sessions and opening remarks by John Burney, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Participating departments included Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science and Policy, Psychology, Mathematics and Computer Science, Biochemistry, Cell, Molecular Biology and BSPS (BS in Pharmaceutical Science).

DRAKE LAW STUDENTS SUCCESSFULLY LOBBY FOR PASSAGE OF IOWA BILL A Drake University Law School Middleton Children’s Rights Center lobbying team successfully lobbied for the passage of House File 2528. This bill affects the jurisdiction of the juvenile and district cour ts regarding child suppor t payments by allowing district cour t to consider a juvenile cour t order that changes child custody placement when the district court determines whether to change child support orders. The ultimate goal is to eliminate an

Drake law students were honored by Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack at a bill signing ceremony the Iowa State Capitol. Pictured are: lobbyist Leann Brunette, law student Marcy Lundberg, Drake Law Dean David Walker, law student Angela Doss, law student Sam El-Ayazra, Gov. Tom Vilsack, Professor Suzanne Levitt, Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson, law student Jessica Miskimins and law student Steve White.

extra hearing that is par t of the process currently, which will save the state money.

The lobbying team of third-year students Angela Doss, Sam ElAyazra, Marcy Lundberg, Jessica Miskimins and Steve White, along with lobbyist Leann Brunette, garnered bipar tisan suppor t in the Iowa House and also received support from the Depar tment of

Human Ser vices, the Child Support Recover y Unit and judicial branch lobbyists. The bill will allow the court system, child advocates such as the Middleton Children’s Rights Center and legislators to come together during the interim to develop more constructive steps to remedy this problem, which has been a concern for several years.

tial in a successful pharmacy practice.

Drake pharmacy students Emily Rogers (P4), Abby Butler (P3), Phil Grgurich (P2) and Nichole Schliemann (P1) showed why they are the best in the nation after winning a national competition sponsored by the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy.

“The competition involved writing a summary that included all the pharmacological, clinical, therapeutic and economic factors of a drug that medical institutions such as HMOs or hospitals must consider when choosing which medications are best Faculty advisor Lon Larson with pharmacy majors Emily Rogers, Nichole Schliemann, Phil Grgurich and Abby Butler — winners of the National Pharmacy and Therapeutics Competition. at treating disease and saving

money,” said Dr. Lon Larson, professor of pharmacy administration, the team’s adviser.

The competition, AMCP’s National Pharmacy and Therapeutics Competition (P&T Competition), challenges students from the Academy’s Student Chapter ranks to think in terms of real world experience when implementing AMCP’s Format for Formulary Submissions. The competition gives students an opportunity to hone and test their evaluation skills. More importantly, the competition allows students to view different styles and processes that can be used in effective formulary management.

DRAKE PHARMACY TEAM WINS NATIONAL COMPETITION Analyzing drug products and determining which ones are

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most medically appropriate and cost effective for treating disease and promoting health is essen-

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faculty focus McMAHILL NAMED INTERIM DEAN OF DRAKE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION Jan McMahill, FA’71, GR’76, associate dean of the School of Education and director of Extension Services, has been named interim dean of the School of Education, effective June 1. She succeeds Dean Salina Shrofel, who has assumed responsibility for developing student and faculty exchanges with universities in China.

McMahill began her education career as an English teacher in the Des Moines Public Schools. She then served as director of special projects at Iowa Central Community College and director of language arts for Fort Dodge Community Schools. In 1989 she joined Drake as associate dean of the School of Education and director of Extension Education — the school’s distance learning division, which serves more than 10,000 students a year across the United States and in Canada.

McMahill has been active in distance learning since 1992.

She is the founder of the Iowa Distance Learning Association and former president and board chair of the United States Distance Learning Association, which honored her with its Distinguished Service Award in 1998.

STRENTZ NAMED TO NATIONAL OPEN GOVERNMENT HALL OF FAME Dr. Herb Strentz, who recently retired after 30 years as an administrator and professor in the Drake School of Journalism and Mass Communication, has been named to the national Open Government Hall of Fame for his efforts to ensure that public meetings and records remain accessible to Iowans.

Strentz was selected by the

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National Freedom of Information Coalition and the Society of Professional Journalists for their “Heroes of the 50 States: The Open Government Hall of Fame” for “long and steady effort to preserve and protect the free flow of information about state and local government that is vital to the public in a democracy,” according to the Hall’s creators.

Strentz was the longtime executive secretary of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, based in the Drake’s SJMC. He is an international consultant on freedom of information and information policy issues.

ROZYCKI, ADAMS HONORED WITH LEVITT AWARDS Drake University recently presented its most prestigious awards for faculty and staff to John Rozycki, associate professor of finance, and Frederick Adams, the Ellis and Nelle Levitt professor of history.

Rozycki was honored with the Madelyn M. Levitt Mentor of the Year Award, which recognizes the faculty or staff member who best demonstrates excellence in advising and offers outstanding commitment to student success and integrity in personal relationships. Adams received the Madelyn M. Levitt Teacher of the Year Award, which recognizes the faculty member who best demonstrates excellence in teaching, inspirational leadership and intellectual rigor.

Rozycki, who joined the Drake faculty 12 years ago, teaches corporate finance, equity valuation and analysis, financial management, strategic financial processes, investments, international finance, investment analysis and portfolio management. In addition, Rozycki has become chairperson of a newly created department consisting of actuari-

MARY EDRINGTON, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF MARKETING, RECENTLY RECEIVED THE DONALD V. ADAMS SPIRIT OF DRAKE AWARD. The award is presented annually by the Athletics Department to a faculty or staff member who best exemplifies Edrington the spirit of Drake.

Edrington was honored at the Feb. 28 men’s basketball game.

“Through mentoring, role modeling, advising and teaching,” the announcer said, “Mary fosters an environment of lifelong learning and an appreciation for humankind, which has helped Drake students to fulfill their goals for professional growth, career aspirations and citizenship responsibilities.”

al science, finance, economics, insurance and statistics.

“The professor takes an interest in his students’ lives outside of the classroom,” wrote a student who nominated Rozycki. “After finishing a session in his office, one can always expect him to say, ‘So, what else is going on?’ When I have discussed difficult decisions with him regarding my career choices, he has always been supportive and frank. He desires success for his students and creates opportunities for them to pursue.”

Adams joined the Drake faculty in 1969 as an assistant professor of history. In 1989, he was named the Ellis and Nelle Levitt professor of history. During his time at Drake, he has received the Honor Teaching Award in the Social Services Division in 1973-74, the Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award in 1973-74 and Teacher of the Year in the College of Arts and Sciences in 1992-93.

In a nomination letter, a former student said Adams is “a teacher of unparalleled excellence, at once a brilliant, mesmerizing lecturer and an inspired seminar leader. He maintained the highest academic standards, yet his broad sympathies, commit-

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ment and passion earned him the respect of a range of students.”

BEGLEITER TO CO-AUTHOR CASEBOOK Writing letters can, and does, pay off. Just ask law professor Martin Begleiter. Begleiter will co-author one of the most respected wills and trusts casebooks used in academics and practice. Scoles, Halbach, Roberts and Begleiter, Problems and Materials on Decedents’ Estates and Trusts (7th edition) will be published in 2006.

Begleiter was offered the opportunity to co-author the casebook based on his relationships with the authors and his feedback on previous editions.

“I had sent letters to professors Scoles and Halbach, the authors of the casebook, giving my observations on certain matters in the book as a teacher of the book,” he said. “It was helpful that I had used the book since I began teaching wills and trusts in 1978 and had found certain matters which could be changed and added over the course of my teaching. The authors must have valued my suggestions as they made reference to the suggestions as helpful in the prefaces to later editions of the casebook.”

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spotlight

Their favorite teacher

RODNEY ROGERS ALL BUT CREDITS HIS MOST RECENT TEACHING AWARD TO A PARASITE KIRK BRILL, ED’63, GR’69 , the former student

who nominated Drake Biology Professor Rogers, LA’49, LA’51, for a local television station’s “My Favorite Teacher” award, and his wife once returned home from Hawaii with a mysterious illness that made them miserable for eight years. It was Rogers who finally helped identify the culprit as a parasite called giardia.

As a result, Rogers says in a characteristically humble manner, “I think Kirk has always appreciated me.”

It’s more likely, however, that Rogers’ legendary rapport with students and uncanny ability to make even the most scientifically

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challenged first-years understand biology resulted in the latest in a string of teaching awards garnered by the professor.

“I want them to remember the things we talk about. They may not recall all the facts, but they remember ideas,” Rogers says.

IDEA MAN: In his nearly 50 years teaching at

PORK FINDS: His research focuses on a micro-

Drake, Rogers has worked with all levels of students, but he enjoys first-year students the most. “They’re being exposed to ideas that they have never been exposed to before,” he says.

So he uses that new world view to help them understand biology by putting the facts in the context of current events, such as bioterrorism and the war in Iraq, and practical information.

scopic worm humans can get from eating pork that’s not cooked well enough, so he often warns his first-year students to ensure they’re eating well-cooked pork. “I really enjoy taking the research I do with advanced students and translating it for first-years,” he says.

But these days, the question he most often fields is: When is he going to retire?

“I’m too busy to think about it.”

— Michelle Rubin

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All HOW A PHARMACY COLLEGE, A DRAKE GRAD AND A COMMUNITY COALITION BROUGHT RELIEF TO AN UNINSURED POPULATION

by Michelle Rubin

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uring her retail pharmacy days, Lorrie Jagiello, PH’97, was yelled at, cursed and even spit on by customers who couldn’t afford to pay for their prescriptions.

“Sometimes you felt really beat up on,” Jagiello recalls. “To them, you were the root of their problems. They couldn’t afford their meds, and you were taking their money — even though you were powerless.”

These days, however, Jagiello is no longer powerless, and her customers thank her, praise her and sometimes even bring her food and handmade gifts. As director of Des Moines’ new Community Access Pharmacy, she is finally able to help the underinsured and uninsured.

‘A HUGE NEED’ The Community Access Pharmacy opened in April through the efforts of the Health Access Partnership, a local coalition of about a dozen groups, including Drake’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, that recognized a need for the uninsured and underinsured in the area to be able to afford their medications.

The pharmacy has been funded as part of a $2 million, three-year federal grant awarded to the Health Access Partnership to improve health services for uninsured Iowans. One of

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the coalition’s original grant initiatives was to establish a comprehensive pharmacy program, and Jagiello, who had previously run a free diabetes clinic with her husband, William Jagiello, LA’73, suggested that the partnership start a full-fledged pharmacy.

“I saw that there was a huge need in this area and the right environment,” she says.

“We had the right players in place, as well as the funds.”

Jagiello worked with Drake Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice June Johnson to present a business plan to the partnership in May 2003, and on April 1, 2004, the Community Access Pharmacy opened in a former gas station-cum-doctor’s office near Des Moines’ Broadlawns Hospital.

On opening day, Jagiello and her staff expected to see about 30 people in the pharmacy. Instead, 160 patients sought affordable prescriptions at the pharmacy.

These days, the pharmacy fills 1,600 prescriptions a month.

Behind the statistics are the stories Jagiello hears every day. There’s the woman with who broke down in tears when she transferred her prescriptions to the pharmacy and saw her $800 monthly prescription bill drop to $140 — with some of her diabetes and asthma prescriptions filled for 90 days. Or the

people who no longer have to make repeated trips to the emergency room because they haven’t been able to afford their blood pressure medicine on a regular basis.

“This is so much more fulfilling than retail and really something I never thought I’d be good at or would be so gratifying,” Jagiello says. “But we do a tremendous amount of good.”

THE RIGHT TO GOOD HEALTH CARE Primary Health Care holds the license of the pharmacy, which acquires its medications through grants, by buying low-cost generic drugs and by helping patients fill out forms to get free or low-cost drugs from pharmaceutical manufacturers. For instance, the pharmacy participates in a government program known as 340B pricing, through which the pharmacy receives some drugs at a cost 15 percent lower than the lowest price sold to anyone else.

As an example, Jagiello pulls a bottle from the shelf of the 340B inventory (which must be kept separate from the regularly priced inventory) that would normally cost $600 but cost the Community Access Pharmacy only a penny.

Patients who use the pharmacy must be referred by a physician at one of the partici-

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Access pating clinics, known as safety-net clinics, that treat the uninsured and underinsured.

But Johnson says that local pharmacies needn’t be concerned that they’ll be competing for customers with the Community Access Pharmacy.

“These patients are coming from a free clinic system,” she explains. “These are not patients who are normally covered with any insurance that these other pharmacies would normally see at their stores.”

Another misconception is that patients can get their prescriptions at the clinic free of charge. While it is affordable, there is often a cost associated.

“The reality is that we were trying to make a service that can be sustained and available to this community beyond the grant, and if it’s all free and the money is gone from the grant, it stops existing,” Johnson says.

“It’s important for folks to realize that there is a cost to health care and everybody has some responsibility in that,” adds the Center for Healthy Community’s Chris McCarthy, who oversees the grant. “And while it’s not going to be free, it’s definitely within reach of most folks.”

But as part of the overall effort to improve access to health care in the area, the pharmacy is more than just a place to get affordable prescriptions.

“Not only are the uninsured and underinsured disadvantaged socio-economically, but they’re sort of shuffled through the system in a very fragmented way,” says Johnson. “Sometimes they’re looked at as problematic, and the Health Access Partnership doesn’t want people to feel that they are being treated as second-class citizens because they are uninsured or underinsured. Everybody has a right to good health care in our Lorrie Jagiello, PH’97, director of Des Moines’ new Community country, and the partnership is Access Pharmacy. committed to that.”

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STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES “The pharmacy is one of those things that just kind of took off and rode a wave of great collaboration and support. This is a pretty unique model,” McCarthy says, adding that his peers are sometimes envious of the area’s resources. “Not everyone has the resources that we’ve had — a community heath center partnering with a college of pharmacy — to pull something like this off.”

“Drake wanted to help this community improve its health, improve access to services and improve the quality of those services — ultimately improving health outcomes in the community,” says Johnson. “It’s a great example of how the community has come together to meet the needs of the uninsured and the underinsured.”

Drake’s involvement also allows CPHS students to experience the pharmacy through rotations and other learning opportunities.

The Drake chapter of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Students of Pharmacy recently received a $2,000 grant to work with the pharmacy’s 340B program, and this fall the College plans to hire a faculty member committed to teaching at the pharmacy.

“We want our students to see the needs of a population like this and how they can make a difference with the skills and knowledge that they have,” Johnson says.

Because the pharmacy serves a number of Des Moines’ diverse populations, primarily the Hispanic community, it’s an ideal place to expose students to cultural diversity.

“If we want to put out students who are citizens of the world, who are globally educated,” Johnson says, “they’ve got to be culturally sensitive so this environment is perfect for that.”

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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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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

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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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spotlight

The sky is the limit FORMER DRAKE BASKETBALL PLAYER IS A MODERN-DAY RENAISSANCE WOMAN “IF MY LIFE COULD BE JUST LIKE IT IS TODAY 10 YEARS FROM NOW, I’D BE HAPPY,” says Drake grad-

uate Julie Fitzpatrick, AS’89. That sense of contentment and enthusiasm comes across whether this Renaissance woman is discussing her career, her art, her personal life or her alma mater.

BIG-PICTURE THINKER: A biology major whose

favorite class was anatomy and physiology, Fitzpatrick became a physical therapist after graduation. A decade later, she’s leading the game as chief operating officer for Premier Health Associates, where she splits her days between seeing patients and running company operations. “I learn so much from my patients, but I definitely like variety,” says Fitzpatrick, who is also working on her doctorate.

AN ARTIST OF ALL TRADES: Once simply a hobby,

art has become a second career for Fitzpatrick.

In addition to showing and selling her contemporary acrylic paintings, she has launched an interior design business, Indigo Interiors. “I was designing friends’ homes and friends of friends started calling,” Fitzpatrick says. “It’s my creative outlet.”

As secretary and president elect of Drake’s National Alumni Association, Fitzpatrick still finds time to contribute to Drake in meaningful ways. “Because of basketball, I had the great fortune of having a full scholarship at Drake,” says Fitzpatrick, who has Drake’s fourth-highest career scoring average, seventh-highest rebounding average and eighth-highest point total. “I’m glad to be able to give back.”

NO REGRETS: “With so many opportunities com-

ing my way, it’s been a challenge to maintain a balance,” Fitzpatrick says. “But I’m proud that I haven’t shied away from taking those opportunities. My Drake coach, Carole Baumgarten, taught us to play with no regrets. That’s a great life lesson, too.”— Missy Peterson, JO’92, is a freelance writer from Des Moines.

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sports sideline SOFTBALL In high school in Perry, IA, Katie Shimon starred in track, volleyball and softball, as well as earning a membership in the National Honor Society. So no one was surprised when she decided to stay on at Drake to earn an MBA after graduating in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing — or when she pounded the record books into submission en route to being named Academic All-America by the College Sports Information Directors of America and selected for the Missouri Valley Conference scholar-athlete team.

Shimon wasn’t alone as a softball scholar-athlete. Senior outfielder Kara DeShaw and sophomore pitcher Julia Nurse were selected to the Verizon Academic All-District VII Team

by CoSIDA. Nurse and junior third baseman Katie Wappler were honorable mention MVC scholar-athletes.

Shimon and Wappler were named first-team all-MVC. Freshman shortstop Lindsay Larry, who set a Drake record with 26 stolen bases, was a second-team selection, and freshman outfielder Jenna Wilkin was honorable mention.

Shimon batted .409 — 23rd among all Division One players — to lead the conference, while setting Bulldog single-season marks with 10 home runs (three at Northern Iowa on May 9) and 37 walks. More important, she led the Bulldogs to the MVC postseason tournament for the first time since 1998.

In finishing 30-24 (14-11 in the league), Drake amassed a winning record for the first time since 1997. After opening the season with a seven-game conference losing streak, the Bulldogs won 12 of their last 16 MVC contests.

Shimon’s four-hitter and two hits of her own weren’t enough

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to win the conference tournament opener in May. Stephanie De La Riva’s tworun double in the sixth inning propelled Wichita State to a 2-0 decision, sending the Bulldogs to the elimination round.

The bottom bracket of the tournament was rained out.

Drake’s 2-0 win over the Shockers on May 1 was the 50th victory for head coach Rich Calvert, who finished his second season in command.

MEN’S TRACK Red-shirted senior Brent Wilberts, who starred for the Bulldogs in cross country last fall, was named to the firstteam CoSIDA Academic AllAmerican Men’s Track and Field/Cross Country Team.

Wilberts won the individual title in the 2003 MVC cross country championships, becoming the first Drake runner to win the league’s individual crown since Jason Lehmkuhle in 1999.

Juniors Ben Kaufman, third in the 400 meters at the conference outdoor championships in May, and Joel Lelacheur, a five-time all-MVC performer in the pole vault, were named to the league’s scholar-athlete team for the third consecutive year. They were joined by juniors Bobby Anderson, Toby Franks and Bryan Hoge, and sophomores Nick Cooper and Matt Sanderson.

Sanderson finished 15th in the triple jump at the NCAA Midwest Track and Field Regional in College Station, TX, while sophomore Theotto Lillard posted a personal best in the 400 hurdles of 52.10 seconds en route to finishing 10th overall. Lelacheur competed in the meet as well, but no-heighted, partially owing to having to use

REAGAN’S RELAYS CONNECTION: One of late President Ronald Reagan’s early show business breaks came in 1933 when Des Moines’ WHO radio needed an announcer for the Drake Relays. The 22-year-old Reagan got the assignment and “overnight, WHO became one of the most powerful NBC stations in the country,” wrote Reagan.

“And because I’d gotten good marks for my reporting on the Drake Relays, I was offered the post of sports announcer.” Seen here at the 1974 Relays with then Iowa Gov. Robert Ray, BN’52, LW’54, and Relays queen Gloria Watson of Wichita State, Reagan, who was governor of California at the time, served as Relays parade marshal.

substitute poles after his own broke on the flight to Texas.

Lehmkuhle and fellow former Drake track standout Matt Gabrielson qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team trials in the 5,000-meter run. Lehmkuhle, who won the invitational 5,000 at the 95th Drake Relays in April, finished 11th in 13 minutes 38.73 seconds, well above the cut for July’s Olympic trials. He also placed 10th in the Olympic marathon trials. Gabrielson ran a personal best 13:34.61 in finishing sixth.

WOMEN’S TRACK For the third straight season, pole vaulter Jessica Hetcko was named to the MVC scholar-athlete team, leading a list of seven Bulldogs so honored. The senior

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set school indoor and outdoor records, including 11 feet 7 3/4 inches at the Drake Relays. She also owns the school indoor mark of 11-3 3/4.

Joining Hetcko as MVC Scholar-Athletes were juniors Dolly Butz, Regina Hill, Tiffany Kennedy and Shannon Patterson, plus sophomores Kelly Malarkey and Ayden Olivier.

At the conference outdoor championships, Drake finished sixth in the 4x100 relay in 49.19 seconds, led by the anchor-running Olivier, along with firstyears Kasey McDaniel and Jenny Whitman, plus junior Kalen Summers. McDaniel came back to place eighth in the finals of the 100 hurdles in 15.34.

Olivier, freshman Jenny Reff, Malarkey and Summers came

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back to help Drake post a season best 3:58.08 in the 4x400 relay.

The women set three school records at the Drake Relays.

Besides Hetcko’s feat, freshman Ashley Anklam sliced 17 seconds off the Bulldog mark in the invitational 3,000 steeplechase, finishing in 11:20.34. The 1:01.73 in the 4x100 shuttle hurdle relay run by Summers, McDaniel, freshman Jennifer Whitman and sophomore Lisa Lane bettered the school record of 1:04.06.

GOLF Juniors Matt Brooks and Mike Foster received honorable mention honors on the MVC men’s golf scholar-athlete team.

Brooks, who’d tied for 10th at the MVC Championships, carried a 76.5 stroke average this past spring. Foster averaged 77.6.

Junior Kane Hanson finished in the top 25 at the 51st annual Sunnehanna Amateur Tournament for Champions in June in Johnston, PA, inviting the amateur champions from all 50 states, along with amateurs from 22 other countries. In posting a 72-72-75—219, nine over par, Hanson, who won the 2003 Minnesota State Amateur Tournament, tied with a trio that included last year’s Division I champion, Alejandro Canizares, who won the title at Arizona State. Competitors in the Sunnehanna have included Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.

Hanson tied for fourth at the MVC championships, carding a 75-74-75—224 for the Bulldogs, who finished third, eight strokes behind winner Wichita State.

Hanson and sophomore Jeff Berkshire were named to the All-MVC team.

MEN’S TENNIS Senior Felipe Montenegro and juniors Jack Frankowicz and Matt

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McClure were named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete first team.

Montenegro, the No. 2 singles player for the top-seeded men’s tennis team, owned a record of 14-10, and 17-6 in doubles.

Frankowicz, Drake’s No. 3 singles player, was 18-3 in singles and 18-5 in doubles. McClure, the No. 4 singles player, was 12-9 in singles, 14-10 in doubles.

Sophomore Jonathan Tishler finished the spring season with a 21-3 mark, playing at No. 6 singles. Freshman Sergi Vila also reached the 20-win plateau, with a 21-5 record at No. 4 singles in being named the MVC Freshman of the Year. The doubles combination of Tishler and Frankowicz recorded a team-best 20-6.

Drake advanced to the MVC tournament championship, but lost 4-1 to No. 2 seed Wichita State. The Bulldogs defeated No. 8 seed Creighton 4-1 in the quarterfinals. The Bulldogs, whose 11-match win streak stopped in the final, ended the season 17-6.

First-year head coach Jay Udwadia was named the MVC Coach of the Year.

WOMEN’S TENNIS Senior Annali de Bruyn was named honorable mention MVC scholar-athlete. De Bruyn, Drake’s No. 1 singles and doubles player, compiled an 11-8 mark, as well as a 10-9 doubles ledger with junior Zorana Stefanovic of Belgrade, Serbia.

In her first year as a Bulldog, Stefanovic, who was named to the MVC all-conference team, recorded a Drake-best 15-6 singles mark, playing mostly at No. 2, including a 9-0 league record.

The fourth-seeded Bulldogs (10-13) bowed out of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament with a 2-1 loss to top-seeded and defending champion Illinois State.

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champions

Par for the course DRAKE GOLFER TAKES A SWING AT THE BIG TIME

DRAKE’S LATEST MILLIONAIRE ALUMNUS makes his living with a club. With a $23,325 check for his top-50 finish at the U.S. Open, Zach Johnson, BN’98, climbed to 21st on the 2004 PGA Tour earnings list ($1,454,697), plus a No. 19 ranking among Tour players and 41st in the world. The odds on the 28-year-old’s being named bigtime golf’s rookie of the year are better than those on Smarty Jones.

“At every stage of pro golf he’s made it to the top level,” says Ken Schall, Johnson’s coach his senior season. “It’s astounding that in his rookie year he’s ranked among the top players. Within a couple of years you’ll see him on the U.S. Ryder Cup team,” Schall adds, referring to the sport’s top international competition.

Much of the green the Cedar Rapids, IA, native collected on the greens came from winning the BellSouth Classic April 4 in suburban Atlanta. He added the rest with 14 of 17 in-the-money finishes that began with a 20th place in January’s Bob Hope Chrysler Classic at La Quinta, CA. Schall predicts that sponsors will flock to the aw-shucks Johnson, who makes time to visit his family, friends and early financial supporters in Cedar Rapids and contributed memorabilia to a recent Drake alumni golf outing in Chicago. But the former Bulldog has certainly adapted to his new status. Johnson and his wife of six years, Kim, travel to Tour events in a sleek, half-milliondollar Travel Supreme Select motor home. With enough space for a fireplace and a king-size bed, the 45-foot condo on wheels has to be bigger than his dorm room.

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alumni update SJMC GRADS HONOR WOODWARD Journalism alumni from around the country gathered last May to celebrate professor Robert Woodward’s retirement after 32 years of teaching in the Drake School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

More than 125 alumni, journalism staff members and current and former faculty partied until midnight at the Cub Club at Des Moines’ Sec Taylor Stadium. Many had traveled from as far as California, New Mexico, New York and North Carolina.

“It was a wonderful party,” said Kathleen Richardson, assistant professor of journalism and a 1976 graduate of the school who, with other alumni, organized the event. “The fact that so many people made such an effort to attend is a testament to the great spirit of the J-School alums and the affec-

tion that they have for the school, as well as to the love and loyalty that professor Woodward has inspired in all of us.”

Journalism alumni have also created the Robert D. Woodward Fund, which will finance annual awards for exceptional reporting by journalism students and an annual visit by a distinguished journalism professional who will give a public lecture and teach classes. Donations may be made in care of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Meredith Hall, Drake University, Des Moines, IA 50311.

COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU The new city outreach program launched by the Office of Alumni and Parent Programs last fall is picking up momentum as it brings Drake grads together to network and socialize. The program, which focuses on strategic geographical areas of

alumni concentration to allow Drake to reach out to a larger number of cities than the previous chapter system, has included a young alumni cocktail event in Chicago, a family picnic in Denver and a baseball game in Phoenix. Fall events include a reception featuring Don

Fletcher, BN’67, president of Hallmark North America in Kansas City; Hollywood Bowl fireworks and a picnic in Los Angeles; and a dinner & cabaret theatre event in Chicago.

For more information on alumni events, visit us online at www.drakealumni.net.

SPRING YIELDS A BEVY OF ALUMNI HONORS

tion for “Iowa Press” on Iowa Public Television. For 37 years, Newell has freelanced radio and television play-by-play and reported sports for such outlets as WHO-AM, KRNT, IPT, KWKY and KXTK in Central Iowa. He has called play-by-play for University of Iowa women’s basketball, Iowa State University men’s basketball, Drake men’s and women’s basketball and the Iowa Oaks/Iowa Cubs triple-A baseball teams. Newell’s SJMC involvement didn’t end at graduation: He once served as the School’s internship coordinator and has taught undergraduate courses as an adjunct.

firm of Hansen, McClintock & Riley, Brown was named Law School Alumni of the Year at the 67th Annual Supreme Court Celebration.

During the weeklong Supreme Court Celebration Mark, Smith, LW’73, received the Law School Alumni Service Award for his generosity and dedication to the Drake Law School Moot Court program.

GR’82, superintendent, Waukee Community Schools; Troyce Fisher, GR’94, ’95, executive director, School Administrators of Iowa; and James Pilkington, ED’54, retired, Central Missouri State University.

FROM LAWYERS TO PHARMACISTS, alumni of all stripes were honored this spring. If you couldn’t make it to the plethora of alumni awards presentations produced by the individual colleges and schools this spring, think of this as your red-carpet wrap-up. (And look for news of the College of Business and Public Administration’s retooled alumni celebration next fall.)

SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION As part of its Journalism Day celebration this spring, the SJMC presented its annual alumni award to Michael C. Newell, JO’67. As a senior public affairs producer, Newell conducts research, writes scripts, hires reporters, secures guests and supervises the produc-

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LAW SCHOOL Drake Law School alumnus David L. Brown is proof that nice guys can finish first. A 1975 graduate of Drake Law School who currently serves as a partner with the law

DRAKE HONORED ITS BEST at the 2004 Alumni Awards Dinner held during commencement weekend. (Seated) Drake President David Maxwell and Madeleine Maxwell. (Standing from left) former Director of Alumni and Parent Programs Julia Helm; Alumni Achievement Award winner Anel E. Beliz, JO’50; Young Alumni Achievement Award winner Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., GR’91, LW’92; Distinguished Service Award winner Dean P. Baarda, BN’62; Drake Trustee, Doug Lang, BN’69; Alumni Achievement Award winner Don Fletcher, BN’67; Alumni Loyalty Award winner Bill, Lienemann, ED’54, GR’59; Young Alumni Loyalty Award winner Jeremy Glenn, BN’94; and Alumni Loyalty Award winner Ann Lienemann, LA’56.

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION At this year’s annual alumni dinner, Dr. Karen Manheim Teel of Holy Names College in Oakland, CA, presented a discussion titled “Toward Closing the Achievement Gap: Focusing on the Impact of Racial and Cultural Differences in Schools.”

During the event the School honored three individuals for their outstanding contributions to education: Veronica Bell Stalker,

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COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH SCIENCES Retired president, CEO and chairman of Walgreen Co. Dan Jorndt, PH’63, received the Lawrence C. and Delores M. Weaver Medal of Honor — the highest award given by the CPHS. At the awards ceremony in April, Jorndt reflected on his experiences as the leader of one of the nation’s largest chains of drugstores. He predicted that “the industry will continue to become more professional, better educated and better trained than they are now. And these folks here at Drake will be heading that change.”

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spotlight

The brews brothers

FOR GRANT AND SCOTT CARLSON, SIBLING RIVALRY TAKES ON THE SMOOTH FLAVOR OF A FINELY CRAFTED MICROBREW AS BEER AMBASSADOR for Wisconsin’s Tyranena Brewing Company, Grant Carlson, AS’91, travels throughout the state marketing the Lake Mills brewery, while his brother Scott Carlson, BN’93, co-owns Court Avenue Brewing Company in downtown Des Moines.

Family gatherings are rumored to be a lot of fun.

CREATING A BUZZ: They both say it was a coin-

cidence they ended up as microbrewers, but there were some clues along the way, including Grant’s collection of 1,200 beer cans from around the world and their bartending

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stint at the West End Lounge during college.

Though they experience the beer industry from different perspectives, the gregarious duo say it’s all about the quest to make people happy.

“It’s a cool thing as brothers to be in a business that’s all about crafting a product enjoyed in celebration,” Grant says.

HISTORY BUFFS: Both Carlsons embrace the past through their beers. Grant, who was a history major at Drake, is heavily involved with his local historical society, and the names of all Tyranena’s brews, such as Bitter Woman IBA and Stone Teepee Pale Ale, are

references to Lake Mills history. He even lives in an old restored church.

SCOTT SHARES THAT APPRECIATION: Court

Avenue Brewing Company is decorated in local “brewiana;” about 80 percent of the decorations come from Iowa breweries that went out of business during Prohibition.

Scott says his respect for local history is an extension of his community involvement.

“This area is the birthplace of Des Moines.

We want to make sure we’re not turning our backs on the community that supports us.”

—Michelle Rubin

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calendar

alumni update

CAPT. JASON SEPANIC, AS’95, recently returned home after spending a year commanding a For ward Suppor t Medical Company in the 4th Infantr y Division based 40 miles nor theast of Baghdad. While preparing to return home, Sepanic spent time at Camp Camden Yards in Kuwait where some streets are named after universities.

RING RETURNED Nearly two decades ago, Kurt Kropp, AS’85, was spending a leisurely day of fishing along the Illinois River when, while cleaning his catch, his Drake class ring slipped off and was washed down the river. Fortunately for Kropp, the ring was inscribed with his name, making it easy for the Miller family of DeKalb, IL, to identify the ring’s owner when they found it near the water 18 years later. The family contacted Drake, and the ring, now cleaned and resized, is now back on its owner’s finger.

DRAKE GRADS MENTOR SCHOLARSHIP HOPEFULS A total of 311 high school students and 39 alumni visited campus last February during Drake’s National Alumni Scholarship

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competition. Each year Drake awards six full-ride National Alumni Scholarships and 10 fulltuition George A. Carpenter Scholarships. While on campus, the students participated in a timed essay test and were interviewed by selection committee members — one faculty member and one alumna or alumnus.

SINGING BULLDOGS PERFORM Thirty-five Drake choir alumni joined the Drake Choir onstage to perform “Os justi meditabitur sapientiam” by Anton Bruckner and the Drake Choir signature piece “Shenandoah,” an American folksong arranged by James Erb, during a reunion for young alumni choir members.

The February reunion included an alumni brunch, a reception and an evening concert in support of the choir’s 2004 European tour.

October

March

SATURDAY, OCT. 2 Drake vs. Jacksonville football game and pre-game event Jacksonville, FL

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2 Let’s DU Lunch • Des Moines

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 6 Let’s DU Lunch • Des Moines

FRIDAY, MARCH 4 THROUGH SUNDAY, MARCH 6 Men’s MVC basketball tournament • St. Louis, MO

FRIDAY, OCT. 8 THROUGH SATURDAY, OCT. 9 Homecoming/Parents & Family Weekend • Des Moines

THURSDAY, MARCH 10 THROUGH SATURDAY, MARCH 12 Supreme Court Days Des Moines

Law Reunion Weekend for Classes 1999, 1994, 1984, 1979, 1974, 1964 & 1954 Des Moines

THURSDAY, MARCH 10 THROUGH SATURDAY, MARCH 12 Women’s MVC basketball tournament • Bloomington, IL

November

April

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 3 Let’s DU Lunch • Des Moines

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6 Let’s DU Lunch • Des Moines

December

MONDAY, APRIL 25 Beautiful Bulldog Contest Des Moines

DECEMBER-JANUARY Bulldog Bash Parties begin THURSDAY, DEC. 16 Orange County City Outreach Event • Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade & Holiday Buffet Corona Del Mar, CA

February WEDNESDAY, FEB. 2 Let’s DU Lunch • Des Moines FRIDAY, FEB. 18 School of Education Alumni Awards Dinner • Des Moines SATURDAY, FEB. 12, AND SATURDAY, FEB. 26 National Alumni Scholarship Interviews • Des Moines

THURSDAY, APRIL 28 THROUGH SATURDAY, APRIL 30 Relays Weekend • Des Moines SATURDAY, APRIL 30 30-year Cluster Reunion for Classes 1976, 1975, 1974 Des Moines

May FRIDAY, MAY 13 THROUGH SUNDAY, MAY 14 Reunion Weekend for Classes 1935, 1945 & 1955 Des Moines SATURDAY, MAY 14 Alumni Awards Dinner Des Moines SATURDAY, MAY 14 124th Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony Des Moines

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

www.drake.edu/newsevents/calendar

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THE DRAKE UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

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DRAKE GRADUATES REPRESENTING NO LESS THAN SEVEN DECADES

converged upon campus to reunite and reminisce during their class reunion last spring. Pictures 1: Drake first lady Madeleine Maxwell welcomes happy young alumni to the five-year cluster reunion.

Picture 2: President David Maxwell visits with members of the class of 1964 at their 40-year reunion. Picture 3: Graduates from Drake’s class of 1994 celebrated their 10-year reunion. Picture 4: The fiveyear cluster reunion brought together graduates from 1998, 1999 and 2000. Picture 5: Alumni from 1983, 1984 and 1985 gathered for a 20-year cluster reunion.

THE DRAKE UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

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alumni update

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ALUMNI AND FRIENDS SHARED THE DRAKE SPIRIT ON CAMPUS AND AROUND THE GLOBE at numerous Drake-sponsored events last season.

Picture 1: Bill and Susan Knapp opened their Sarasota, FL, home last winter for a Drake alumni event. Picture 2: Alumni and friends

enjoyed a beautiful day on the green during the annual Drake alumni golf outing in Chicago. Picture 3: Former Iowa Gov. Robert Ray, BN’52, LW’54, and Billie Ray, ED’50 with Don Byers, LW’51, at Drake’s Supreme Court Banquet. Picture 4: Grads shared casual conversation at the Drake City Outreach event in Denver.

Picture 5: Drake graduates from the classes of 1934, 1944 and 1954 visited Drake for the 50-Year Club dinner. Picture 6: Alumni enjoyed art and conversation at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art during a dinner hosted by Drake’s Board of Trustees.

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THE DRAKE UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

As you contemplate a future gift to Drake, I suggest that you consider

a gift

annuity...

...which benefits the University and also offers you a generous lifetime income.

It is my pleasure

to write for Blue about one of my favorite subjects. This time it’s not music; the topic is charitable gift annuities. My husband and I first availed ourselves of this unique opportunity at the time of the 1992 Drake capital campaign and have continued to add additional gift annuities because we became enthusiastic believers in the concept.

Charitable gift annuities offer significant federal and state income tax advantages combined with a surprisingly high rate of annuity income guaranteed to death.

Like wine and cheese, the annuity rate improves with age. When Robert Browning wrote the familiar words “Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be . . .” he must have known about charitable gift annuities.

At Drake, the minimum gift amount is $10,000, but much larger amounts often are chosen. Whatever the size of principal, the donor is allowed approximately half the amount as a charitable deduction in the tax year the gift is made. In addition, for the initial and succeeding years, well over half the annuity income is tax-free. One does not need to be an accountant to realize another benefit of the annuity might be moving to a lower tax bracket.

Discussing your annuity with the Gift Planning Office can be a rewarding experience. Most Drake alumni and friends have special interests that often align with the needs and goals of the University. Also, sharing of your vision keeps you in touch with your alma mater through the years.

Everything I have learned about charitable gift annuities has come from personal experience. As a result, I feel at least minimally qualified to suggest, as you contemplate a future gift to Drake, that you consider a gift annuity, which benefits the University and also offers you a generous lifetime income. Nancy L. Stefani, CFRE, Drake’s director of gift planning, will be pleased to welcome you for an appointment. I am confident you will not regret it.

Alice Jordan, FA’38, is pictured in Sheslow Auditorium on the Jordan Stage, named in honor of the late Dr. Frank B. Jordan, dean of the College of Fine Arts, 1942-1963, professor of organ & church music, dean and professor emeritus 1972.

For more information, contact Drake's Office of Planned Giving at 1-800-44-DRAKE, x 3171 or surf: www.drakealumni.net and click on "Support Drake."

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It’s better in blue OLMSTED CENTER GETS A STUDENT UNION ELECTRIC BLUE WALLS WITH CHROME ACCENTS

are the first visible signs of its transformation. Thanks to a lead gift from former Drake trustee Marvin Pomerantz, CEO of Mid-America Group Ltd. and his wife, Rose Lee, Drake students are now lounging and learning in the Marvin and Rose Lee Pomerantz Student Union. The $2.2 million first floor project is wired for fun and functionality with features including a bank of computers, pool tables, electric dart boards and plenty of comfy couches.

Nonprofit Organization

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