Drake University Blue Magazine - Fall 2023

DRAKE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI INSIDER

FALL 2023

The Ones Educating for a Digital World

GREETINGS FELLOW ALUMNI! The Ones: Drake’s Campaign for the Brave & Bold is a powerful force creating transformational change and leading Drake into its next great era.

From its inception, this campaign’s promise is to support fundraising priorities built on the strengths of the University while advancing Drake’s commitment to transforming lives and strengthening communities.

Since its public launch in October 2021, The Ones has reached more than $200 million of its $225 million campaign goal.

The partnerships and gifts from alumni and friends are creating life-changing opportunities for our students, faculty, staff, and neighboring communities.

The vision of The Ones is already being realized through the hundreds of new scholarships that are expanding access to a Drake education; the establishment of The Zimpleman College of Business and its mission to be a force for good in the world; The Ron and Jane Olson Center for Public Democracy—unveiled in October, making Drake the school of choice for politically-minded students everywhere; the revitalization of Morehouse Hall that will serve as a dynamic student center and give students a place to call their own; strategic community partnerships that offer unparalleled opportunities for students; and capital projects such as Mediacom Stadium that are transforming the landscape of campus. By multiple measures, our impact has grown and is evident in the lives we are enriching.

In this challenging time for higher education, we celebrate the collective and continued generosity of our alumni, friends, and all those who believe in the power and impact of a Drake education. Our future is bright thanks to your commitment and support.

Together, we will redefine expectations of what our great University can achieve in partnership with passionate donors who share its vision for a better world.

John Smith, AS’92, GR’00 Vice President, University Advancement

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S E VE N PRIOR ITIE S .

ON E VI S ION .

Creating Access to Opportunity UNIVERSITY FOR ALL

Transforming Every Day PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

Revitalizing Democracy THE RON AND JANE OLSON CENTER FOR PUBLIC DEMOCRACY

Leading With Purpose EVERY BULLDOG A CHANGEMAKER

Educating for a Digital World D I G ITAL PROFICIE NCY PL ATFOR M Strengthening the Heartland JAY N. DARLING INSTITUTE

Enhancing Student Experience STUDENT CENTER IN MOREHOUSE

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Digitalization is transforming society at a rate not experienced since the Industrial Revolution. Imbued with courage and conviction, Drake students are navigating this monumental change on their way to becoming tomorrow’s leaders. Drake University will support them on this journey by being the premier institution of higher education in integrating the liberal arts with analytics and technology.

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DRAKE UNIVERSITY

Inclusive Scholars of Digital Proficiency (ISDP) Program This century has witnessed an influx of rapid technological advancements, unlike any other since the Industrial Revolution. To best equip students with the tools to navigate such change, Drake unveiled its most inclusive and accessible Digital Proficiency Platform in October 2021.

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IT’S NOT JUST GETTING THEM IN THE DOOR. It’s also helping them work through the unique problems and experiences that people who are underrepresented in technology have.

The Digital Proficiency Platform aims to integrate students’ liberal arts education with analytics and technology instruction—making them well-rounded graduates able to meet the diverse demands of the 21st century. In addition, the platform addresses Drake’s commitment to diversify the industry, with a goal to have women and students of color make up at least half of all technology majors on campus.

To best support this aim, the Inclusive Scholars of Digital Proficiency (ISDP) program was created by professors Meredith Moore and Timothy Urness.

“The idea was to create a scholarship program and a community where getting a degree in technology is easy,” said Professor Urness. “I thought that was an opportunity that we could help create and could kind of change the world with respect to technology and who does technology.”

The early development of ISDP began in Fall 2020, when Drake alum Meredith Moore began teaching at the University. Initial plans for the program included a renewable scholarship aspect, but Moore was driven to expand it into something bigger to best support the students involved.

“It’s not just getting them in the door,” she said. “It’s also about helping them work through the unique problems and experiences that people who are underrepresented in technology have.”

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To further develop the program’s potential for community building, Moore looked to Crew Scholars—a program for incoming students of color dedicated to helping support their academic achievement and leadership development. She fully immersed herself by training to become a mentor and talking with former Crew Faculty Director and Associate Provost for Campus Equity and Inclusion, Jen Harvey.

Following the training with Crew, Moore recommended that ISDP expand to include bi-weekly individual meetings with the faculty advisor for the ISDP program, a peer and faculty mentorship element, and monthly cohort meetings. There was also a greater emphasis placed on professional development opportunities, and technology-based community service.

The first official cohort of ISDP students began in the fall of 2022.

Professors Moore and Urness both recounted early meetings being quiet, with students hesitant to share difficult situations they had encountered on campus. It wasn’t until a few meetings in and many pizzas later that the group experienced a breakthrough moment.

Participants eventually began to open up and connect with their peers by sharing personal experiences others in the cohort could relate to.

I would love to see Drake become one of the

MOST INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE places to get a technology degree.

“Those conversations then kind of came up more organically, so I felt like that was a real win, a real success for this to be a real community of students kind of struggling through this,” said Urness.

This year’s second cohort is comprised of nine students, with an additional six from last year returning as student mentors. The idea for student mentorship was drawn from Moore’s experience in Crew, where a family dynamic is integral to the community’s success.

“Once we selected the people who were going to receive an offer in the spring, we had the Cohort 1 students reach out to the Cohort 2 students and they were excited about it,” she said.

Moore said this helped the program hit the ground running in the fall, with both cohorts already familiar with one another. During their monthly meetings, returning students have taken it upon themselves to accelerate community building by sharing their insights with first-year students.

“I really enjoy it when we have a meeting with both cohorts and share what we’ve been doing,” said sophomore data analytics and computer science double major, Sophie Meronek. “It gives us all a space with people to lean on.”

Looking ahead, Moore and Urness are excited for the program to continue to grow. They are hoping to expand expand the program beyond first-year students, since many students gain an interest in technology majors through Drake’s Intro to Computer Science taught in the fall.

“A lot of students just don’t know that they want to be a technology major when they come in, so I would love to add some sort of support for students who add a major later who didn’t see the scholarship before they applied to Drake,” said Urness. “I would love to see Drake become one of the most inclusive and accessible places to get a technology degree.”

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UNLOCKING THE MAGIC OF DIGITAL STRATEGY AND AI TECHNOLOGY

As the sun sets behind the iconic Cinderella Castle, the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World comes alive with an incredible symphony of lights, music, and laughter. Behind the scenes, orchestrating the digital magic that enriches the visitor experience, stands a Drake University alumna, a technology and digital strategist extraordinaire.

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Courtney Broyles graduated from Drake in 2012, with a double major in magazine journalism and English Literature, alongside credits in sociology, economics, and web design.

A curious learner, Broyles reflects fondly on her time at Drake, attributing her continued ties to the University to the dedicated professors and staff who ignited her passion for learning.

Initially drawn to the social justice mission of journalism, Broyles instead found a path into the world of digital strategy. Her passion for ethical technology use led her to study AI for Growth at the Northwestern Kellogg School of Business in 2020, solidifying her role as an emerging technology expert.

SHARED VALUES For Broyles, it’s not just about what you do but also who you do it with. She was drawn to Disney’s values and culture, joining the iconic company three years ago to help shape the digital strategies that enchant visitors.

Broyles is a thought leader, subject matter expert, and people leader for Disney. She solves technical problems, guides strategic decision-making, and drives innovation to future-proof the business.

Her portfolio includes projects like launching new attractions, creative movie releases, and digital integrations that immerse customers in beloved franchises like Star Wars.

For those still understanding the technology, generative AI, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and GPT-4, creates text, images, and media by training on data and generating new content. OpenAI, founded in 2015 as a nonprofit with a mission to collaborate openly, received backing from Elon Musk before transitioning to a for-profit company in 2018. In January 2023, Microsoft pledged a $10 billion investment in OpenAI. The open-source culture has rapidly spread generative AI technology, with software providers like Canva and Adobe Photoshop incorporating it this year.

“Generative AI’s impact will be as transformative as the internet or email,” she said. “It already plays a large part in our daily lives from the machine learningdriven algorithms driving our Google searches to the deep learning data-made decisions of online advertisements.”

Her advice to students and alumni is to dive into AI basics, find real-life use cases, and innovate.

Generative AI, she believes, is accessible enough that anyone can seize opportunities to improve existing processes and enhance user experiences. It’s about making the impossible possible, she said, echoing Walt Disney’s spirit.

Prior to Disney, she led teams at Meredith Corporation (now known as Dotdash Meredith) and L’Oreal, and consulted for companies like Nestlé and Kraft-Heinz.

She’s also launched her own AI research and private consulting brand, Verite AI–the word “verité” means “the truth” in French, representing her passion for the ethical and responsible use of technologies.

NAVIGATING THE FUTURE As emerging technologies, including generative AI, continue to evolve, Broyles envisions a future where her role involves strategic AI integrations, consulting on scaling AI for business growth, and empowering teams with AI knowledge. She is part of the Disney Center of Excellence AI Executive Taskforce, paving the way for AI integration within Disney’s Parks, Experiences, and Products.

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-Facing the Tough QuestionsDrake Professor Wants You to Join the Conversation about Humanity’s Most Complex Technology

In her 25+ years of teaching at Drake University, Professor Jennifer McCrickerd has heard many deep and thought-provoking questions. After all, diving into the depths of human thought is par for the course when you’re a philosophy professor.

But this year, something remarkable is happening in her ethics classroom. This year’s students are asking questions that McCrickerd has never heard before.

Questions that challenge the very structure of our society. Questions about the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and how they’re reshaping work, communication, and the meaning of life.

McCrickerd recalls a recent conversation with a computer science student. The young man, a dedicated older brother, often created computer programs to help his younger siblings. But during that chat in her office, he asked a question that society needs to answer: “Why should I learn this when ChatGPT can do it for me?”

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ChatGPT is an AI chatbot that processes our natural human language to create a response when you ask it a question. It can also create written content, anything from an article to social media posts, essays, ads, programming code, emails, etc.

In a time marked by the explosive growth of AI innovations, the student asked excellent questions.

“What is the purpose of learning? What value remains in tasks that once relied on human intellect, labor, and care, but can now be done by machines in a matter of seconds? Does the act of learning still matter?”

McCrickerd doesn’t have all the answers to these complex questions—no one person could—but in her AI Ethics course, she guides students through an exploration of the potential ramifications of AI on our world.

AI Is Different Than Other Innovations AI, as McCrickerd explained, is a catch-all term for a wide range of innovations. It can encompass everything from ChatGPT and facial recognition technology to smart devices, Big Data, automation, and robots. Interestingly, the term “artificial intelligence” was coined in the 1950s during a seminar at Dartmouth University.

To put AI in context alongside other groundbreaking technological leaps in human history, McCrickerd compares it to the printing press, the automobile, and the Internet. Each of these innovations reshaped the world in ways no one could have foreseen at their creation.

Consider the printing press; it gave rise to the widespread dissemination of information, which eventually ignited conflicts and wars. The automobile and combustion engines transformed our landscape, creating suburban communities and fueling interstate trade. Then came the Internet, releasing an information flood that connected people and ideas in both positive and negative ways.

“The makers of the Internet never envisioned that college students would one day be walking around campuses or sitting in crowded classrooms with their eyes glued to handheld devices, not interacting with each other,” she said. She points out that many people today likely don’t grasp the profound changes that AI could bring and may be shocked to see the predictions of those who are thinking about it.

Predicting the AI-Shaped Future McCrickerd’s students read “AI 2041,” a book co-authored by Kai-Fu Lee, a former Google China president, and Chen Qiufan, president of the World Chinese Science Fiction Association. It offers a look into the AI-driven world of 2041, asking questions and making predictions about technologies already widely used across the world.

Here are a few examples of what McCrickerd and her students discuss: • AI already scans résumés and academic submissions for keywords, recommending the best candidates.

Some cities even use AI to assist judges in setting sentences and paroles. What’s next? Who benefits and who is at a disadvantage?

• How will facial recognition technology, predictive policing, and home surveillance systems continue to influence law enforcement?

• As virtual reality improves, how will it further affect human interactions and relationships? How will it affect mental health?

• To what extent will Big Data penetrate our lives? Imagine health insurers tracking grocery purchases, exercise routines, and other personal data for insurance rates.

In addition to these questions, society needs to address an even larger concern.

“One of the biggest worries,” McCrickerd said, “is that AI will eliminate jobs without adequate replacements.

Unlike the shift from horses to automobiles, AI might not create new industries and job opportunities; it could decimate employment.”

How do we begin to tackle a future where much of the population may be unemployed and without paychecks? How do we ensure those without traditional work and careers still have the means to lead fulfilling lives and contribute to society in meaningful ways?

The challenge goes beyond economics; it touches on the essence of human identity and purpose. In the United States, McCrickerd pointed out that the idea of work as a source of meaning runs very deep. How do you collectively change a nation’s mindset of what is important and meaningful?

Taking Charge of Tomorrow Despite the many unanswered questions, McCrickerd remains hopeful about the future and our ability to adapt and innovate with AI technology. She urges everyone to get involved in conversations and continue to learn and understand how these technologies are affecting culture now and in the future.

“At the end of the day,” she said, “there’s room for hope. I believe in people and our ability to make a difference, and I believe our young people want to do the right thing. If we have these conversations now and can be thoughtful as opposed to reactionary, I think there is hope. Definitely.”

• Can ChatGPT draft high-quality books, scripts, or news articles? Will we prefer human-generated content? (Hollywood is already worried.)

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The Ones Building DI G ITAL S K IL L S At Drake University, a number of undergraduate students complete a double major. Combinations of majors range from the more standard, like finance and economics, to unique pairings like chemistry and advertising. Senior Munachi Okuagu is the first in the University’s history to pair a law, politics, and society degree with artificial intelligence.

It was not until the second semester of Okuagu’s freshman year that her interest in AI was piqued.

While taking the class, Nature of Intelligence and Relationship to Artificial Intelligence, she gravitated towards the subject and connected with Professor Chris Porter about adding it as a second major.

Professor Porter now serves as Okuagu’s academic advisor and encouraged her to apply for the esteemed Intelligence, Data, Ethics and Society (IDEAS) summer program hosted by Northeastern University. He had learned of the application through X, formerly known as Twitter, and shared the opportunity during one of their regular conversations about AI ethics and philosophy.

Okuago was selected as a fellow, and made her way to Boston for the weeklong intensive training. Over the course 11

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of the program, she was able to fully immerse herself in STEM and learn about revolutionary advancements and applications. She also had the opportunity to hear from machine learning engineers at Google, project managers at NASA, and many more thought leaders from the field.

“Reality settled in, this is what I really want to do; this is for me,” Okuagu said.

Following graduation later this May, she will be working at Discover Financial Services in their Security and Intelligence Operations Center. Over the course of two years, Okuagu will have the chance to participate in three rotations on the machine learning track. This will include experience in data engineering, business intelligence, and cybersecurity.

“The fields don’t intersect as much now, but they definitely will in the future,” she said. “I feel very privileged in the sense that I can speak to both and converse with a wide range of people.”

Following graduation later this May, Okuagu will be working at Discover Financial Services in their Security and Intelligence Operations Center.

Reality settled in, this is what I really want to do; this is for me.

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Deans’ Updates Renae Chesnut COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH SCIENCES

The most visible sign of the vitality of a University can be seen by examining the success and achievements of its alumni. Can you celebrate some alumni from the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences who have recently made significant contributions to their alma mater, their profession, or their community?

This fall, the Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences will award its highest honor, the Lawrence C. and Delores M. Weaver Medal of Honor to Drake pharmacy alumna, Patty Kumbera, PH’89. The Weaver Medal of Honor recognizes an individual’s dedication to making a substantial impact on the profession of pharmacy and the advancement of human health. It is presented annually to a recipient who has fulfilled one of the following criteria: the individual’s efforts have advanced the education, research, or outreach mission of the college for the benefit of human health; the individual has made a substantial impact on the profession of pharmacy; or, the individual has provided to the college significant financial support that has funded strategic change and progress.

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What are the key areas of progress you most want to celebrate?

Our professional programs (doctor of pharmacy, occupational therapy doctorate, and master of athletic training) are all fully accredited, receiving the maximum amount of time allowed before the next site visit. They also average high pass rates on our board licensure exams along with high accomplishment rates. Our undergraduate health sciences program with our clinical and medical sciences, public health, or health care administration majors, is preparing students for their futures, whether it be going on to complete a master’s or doctorate level degree or entering the workforce. Our online graduate degree programs (master of science in health care informatics and analytics and master of science in clinical psychopharmacology) are also meeting needs within health care today.

I am especially proud of our faculty and staff who continue to fulfill our mission to prepare our students to be tomorrow’s health care leaders. They are creating engaging, rigorous, and supportive courses that prepare our students for not only their outstanding experiential learning opportunities (rotation, internships, residencies, and fellowships), but also their future careers.

Gesine Gerhard College of Arts and Sciences

The most visible sign of the vitality of a University Can be seen by examining the success and achievements of its alumni. Can you celebrate some alumni from the College of Arts and Sciences who are making significant contributions to their alma mater, their profession, or their community?

Alumni from the College of Arts and Sciences change lives and transform communities wherever they go after graduation. They also give back generously to their alma mater in support of student experiences and faculty excellence. This fall, Professor Jerry Honts started his term as the inaugural Marshall and Judith Flapan Professor of Biology, a professorship that was endowed by Biology graduate Marshall Flapan, LA’59.

Our Fine Arts alumni support Music, Theatre and Art & Design programming through their membership in the Friends of Drake Arts. Their funding priorities this year included classroom updates to create flexible and active learning environments in our busiest spaces in Harmon Fine Arts Center. Our alumni become leaders in their chosen professions, and the strong liberal arts education they receive has prepared them for careers in many fields. Here are just a few updates and achievements: Craig Erickson, AS’07, works as an AI Scientist to help “Amazon’s Alexa provide better answers to knowledge questions,” and Dustin Eubanks, AS’18, works at United Action for Youth as a Youth Advocate. We are incredibly proud of all our alumni and their contributions!

Digitalization is transforming society at a rate not experienced since the Industrial Revolution. How are College of Arts and Sciences students navigating this monumental change on their way to becoming tomorrow’s leaders?

Through our Digital Proficiency Scholarship program, we are supporting students in majors such as math, computer science, data analytics, and artificial intelligence to examine the opportunities and ramifications of digitalization that impacts our society in ways we don’t even know yet. Grounded in a strong liberal arts education, these students are prepared to become leaders who will navigate this monumental change. Our new artificial intelligence major, now in its third year, has taken off and already includes 50 students. We just started a minor in cybersecurity and see students flock to those classes. Students in any major greatly benefit from the critical examination of our digital world, and our Digital Proficiency Platform provides that learning opportunity to all of them.

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Alejandro Hernandez ZIMPLEMAN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

What are the key areas of progress you most want to celebrate?

The Zimpleman College of Business is entering the New Year with a sharp focus on our North Star: equipping students to do well by doing good. Indeed, it is the values expressed in our North Star—business as a force for good— that inspired distinguished alums Larry and Kathi Zimpleman to make a significant commitment of their financial, intellectual, and reputational capital to our college to move our work forward.

We were heartened by the fact that last year our students rated our college at a Level 4 Transforming Schools category in the Positive Impact Rating (PIR) survey of perceptions of business schools’ positive societal contributions.

This tells us we are headed in the right direction.

It is notable that we were one of only seven U.S. business schools to achieve a Level 4 rating (with none in the Level 5 category) and it placed Zimpleman in the second-highest tier of PIRrated schools worldwide.

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This input from nearly 200 Drake students, as well as in-depth interviews with other key stakeholders, have led us to the adoption of three societal impact focus areas: Propelling first-generation business student success—Attract, retain, and empower firstgeneration business students to promote social mobility through college degree attainment.

Supporting mission-driven businesses— Support for-profit enterprises created or improved to generate positive financial, social, and environmental results.

Accelerating access to financial inclusion— Build financial capability and improve access to mainstream banking to provide meaningful paths to economic advancement for all.

These focus areas play to our strengths, align with stakeholder interests, and offer us the opportunity to have meaningful societal impact this decade. We will address these selected areas through curriculum, research, and outreach initiatives that will be developed and implemented over the next five years.

This work builds on initial steps that Zimpleman has taken over the last three years in our journey to our North Star. These milestones include recently joining the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), a United Nations-supported initiative to raise the profile of sustainability at business schools around the world. As a PRME signatory, we join nearly 900 business programs worldwide in ensuring future business leaders have the skills needed to balance economic and sustainability goals.

Catherine Staub SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION

The most visible sign of the vitality of a University can be seen by examining the success and achievements of its alumni.

Which alumni from SJMC are making significant contributions to their alma mater, their profession, or their community?

SJMC alums are contributing to their communities and shaping the future of our industry through their work every day. A fun example: Paige Hulsey, JO’11, has written a children’s book, A Bad Day Fishing, to help children build independence and perseverance—key skills she learned during her time on campus as a broadcast news major and leader on the Rowing team. Whether it was 5 a.m. practice or working at KCCI-TV as an intern, Paige learned how to work hard and not give up. Her tenacity was rewarded with a variety of producing, multimedia journalism, and anchor roles. Currently, she anchors “Great Day for Kids” in St. Louis, which highlights fun or free activities for children to do with the adults in their lives. She also created KMOV-TV’s “Turn the Page with Paige” segment, where she interviews other children’s book authors and illustrators. A Bad Day Fishing is available at paigehulsey.com or your favorite bookstore.

A few other good-news items to share: • The SJMC hosted a Poynter Institute political reporting workshop in September. This is the fourth time we’ve hosted a journalism boot camp for reporters from around the country ahead of the Iowa Caucuses.

• SJMC student work received 14 awards— including feature magazine of the year and recognition for writing, illustration, and design— in the national College Media Association’s Pinnacle Awards.

• We added an online public relations major to our suite of on-campus and online undergraduate and graduate programs.

• The School is hosting a series of continuing education workshops for professionals, both in person and online, throughout the academic year on topics ranging from artificial intelligence to corporate strategy.

• Professor Chris Snider was recognized by the Iowa High School Press Association for outstanding achievement in journalism education.

What are the key areas of progress you most want to celebrate?

Faculty, staff, and students are very happy to be back home in a restored Meredith Hall. It’s fun to walk around the building and see students camped out in the new collaboration spaces and in the relandscaped atrium or playing ping-pong or Pac-Man in the new basement lounge area. Please save the date of Saturday, April 27 for the official Meredith Hall reopening celebration during Drake Relays 2024!

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Craig Owens JOHN DEE BRIGHT COLLEGE

What are the key areas of progress you most want to celebrate?

This has been a banner year for the John Dee Bright College, and it has been my honor to lead the exceptional team of faculty and staff dedicated to delivering on our promise of affordable access to innovative excellence. More than ever, I am convinced that the experience we provide to our learners represents the future of higher education in America as we reclaim and reenergize higher education’s potential as an engine of social mobility.

In May, we celebrated the graduation of our inaugural class. I’m thrilled to share that 60% of our graduates have opted to remain at Drake to complete their bachelor’s degrees in areas as diverse as Journalism, Artificial Intelligence, Business, Environmental Science,

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and Psychology. This associate-to-bachelor’s continuation rate is a testament to Bright College’s potential as a gateway to greater educational attainment. I am proud of what our graduates have accomplished and eager to witness what they bring to their next two years as Drake Bulldogs.

With our current and incoming cohorts, we continue to serve a geographically diverse population. While most of our students hail from Iowa, we boast students from nearby states and from as far away as Canada, Afghanistan, and The Bahamas. Geographical diversity is matched by ethnic and racial diversity; diversity of creed, culture, gender, and sexual identity; and diversity of ideology, academic interest, and professional aspiration.

Finally, Bright College, its namesake, and its students continue to garner public accolades for their accomplishments. The October 2022 release of The Bright Path: The Johnny Bright Story brought much-deserved national attention to Johnny Bright’s career as an athlete, coach, and educator. Recent graduate Abena Sankofa Imhotep JB’23 will be honored at this year’s Iowa Author Awards for her children’s book Omari’s Big Tree and the Mighty Djembe. Shir Ahga Safi, a member of the class of ’24, who continues to make headlines in serving the Afghan refugee community in Des Moines, was a featured speaker at The Des Moines Storyteller’s Project. And Bright College student senator Samra Aksamovic has made a name for herself as an advocate for student success and engagement at Drake.

Gillian Gremmels COWLES LIBRARY

What are the key areas of progress you most want to celebrate?

OER For the past several years Cowles Library has been actively involved in promoting the adoption and creation of Open Educational Resources (OER) by offering faculty grant programs. OER are free educational materials whose licensing permits their reuse and (in some cases) repurposing by others. OER can be used to replace commercial textbooks.

The chief benefit of OER to students is that they don’t have to pay for expensive textbooks, and they will have access to the materials from day one of their course. There are also benefits to faculty. Studies have shown that courses that utilize OER have a lower DFW rate (Drop, Fail, Withdraw), and that grades improve for all students, but especially Pell-eligible students. One example of a recent OER adoption is: Psychology Professors Meaghan Rowe-Johnson and Deb Cronin reviewed Psychology (2e) as part of the fall 2022 grant, and the Psychology Department has since adopted it for their fall 2023 Intro to Psychology course. In 2022 there were 215 students enrolled in this course, and the commercial textbook cost $230 used or $318 new. The OER text introduces a total savings for students of between $49,450 and $68,370.

eCampus (library involvement with textbook material selection) Cowles Library has leveraged its role and expertise as information provider for the University by partnering with the new Drake Bookstore Team, eCampus, to help implement the provision of course materials at Drake. This partnership has enabled the library to actively encourage faculty to consider using library-owned content or Open Educational Resources (OER) as course materials in lieu of commercial textbooks when it might make sense to do so. These efforts align with the library’s strategic objectives to be efficient stewards of collection funds and to promote lowercost textbook alternatives for students.

Sustained Faculty Development program on Teaching with Primary Sources Director of University Archives & Special Collections Hope Bibens will facilitate a Sustained Faculty Development program on teaching with primary sources in Spring 2024. A group of 10 faculty will meet with the goal of increasing collaboration and innovation to better integrate primary sources into the Drake curriculum. Faculty across all disciplines will explore materials in University Archives & Special Collections as well as library databases to build their own primary source lesson plans.

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Jerry Anderson DRAKE LAW SCHOOL

The most visible sign of the vitality of a University can be seen by examining the success and achievements of its alumni. Can you celebrate some alumni from the Drake Law School who are making significant contributions to their alma mater, their profession, or their community?

Jeff Rowe, LW’01 just took over as CEO of Syngenta Group, one of the world’s largest agricultural technology companies. Syngenta, headquartered in Switzerland, has more than 59,000 employees in more than 100 countries.

Another impactful alum is John J. Ray, III, LW’82, who was appointed CEO of cryptocurrency exchange FTX after its November 2022 collapse. In this high-profile role of crisis management and recovery, John has testified before Congress and appeared on the Freakonomics podcast! More locally, we applaud the service of Hon. Henry Hamilton, III, JO’88, LW’92, who recently completed his term as President of the Iowa State Bar Association and serves on our Board of Counselors. The immediate past-President of the ISBA, Anjela Shutts, LW’96, previously served as President of our Board.

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What are the key areas of progress you most want to celebrate?

This fall, PreLaw Magazine ranked Drake Law as the #9 Best Value private law school in the country. The ranking reflects our mission of producing excellent outcomes at a reasonable cost. For example, 95% of our graduates passed the July bar exam on their first attempt and 92% of our graduates obtained employment in JD required or preferred jobs.

Our students continue their tradition of excellence, as well. For example, Drake Law Review tied for 30th place in a field of more than 1,500 journals in the annual Washington & Lee (W&L) Law Journal Rankings. The ranking reflects the number of court decisions that have cited the Law Review during the five-year period from 2018-2022. Drake Law Review has ranked in the top 50 most-cited law reviews in all but two years since 2003.

Ryan Wise SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

What are the key areas of progress you most want to celebrate?

I would like to celebrate our partnership with Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS).

Currently, under the leadership of Drake faculty member Dr. Jill Johnson, nearly 150 DMPS teachers are earning their master’s degree in education at Drake through the Building Leaders in Urban Education (BLUE) Program, which has served the district for eight years. In addition, this summer we launched a new program in which 18 DMPS teachers and administrators are earning their doctorate in education. We’re also supporting several DMPS staff members through the innovative 3D partnership with Des Moines Area Community College, which allows these staff to earn their teaching credentials. Finally, we’re in the process of developing a new program for 100 DMPS teachers to earn their English Language Learners (ELL) teaching endorsement.

Our partnerships are not limited to just DMPS employees. Each summer we host more than 30 DMPS students on campus as part of the week-long Wanda Everage Learning Symposium, in which students from historically under-represented backgrounds develop skills that will help them succeed in and beyond high school.

Also, School of Education faculty member Dr. Tonia Land wrote a new math curriculum that is being incorporated into classes at Des Moines Central Campus.

Additionally, the School of Education, thanks to the generous support of alumni Andrew and Elaine Wright, is incorporating virtual reality simulations into several classes. These simulations provide cuttingedge training and learning opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students, which have ranged from leading a conference with an upset parent to demonstrating classroom management strategies in a room with disruptive students. This is just one example of our focus on incorporating technological changes into our classrooms.

FALL 2023 | BLUE

20

DRAKE FOOTBALL ALUMNI GATHERING

Earlier this fall Drake Football played in the third football game ever hosted at Target Field, the home of the Minnesota Twins. Bulldog alumni traveled from near and far to support our conference champions!

21

BLUE | FALL 2023

DRAKE UNIVERSITY UNVEILS

The Ron and Jane Olson Center for Public Democracy Earlier this fall, Drake University announced a $5 million gift from Ronald “Ron” Olson, BN’63, and his wife, Jane Olson, to support the continued growth of the University’s Center for Public Democracy. To honor this significant gift, Drake will officially name it The Ron and Jane Olson Center for Public Democracy.

Working at the intersection of theory and practical application, The Ron and Jane Olson Center for Public Democracy will enhance public participation, civility, and civic leadership through immersive learning experiences, scholarship programs, research, and an expanded set of events.

We believe in the power of engaged citizens and are honored to play a role in fostering the next generation of public servants through the immersive learning experiences the Center will offer.

“Jane and I are proud to support the continued growth of Drake and specifically the University’s mission to revitalize democracy and create a hub for democratic discourse, dialogue, and action focused on nurturing a healthy democracy,” said Ron. “We believe in the power of engaged citizens and are honored to play a role in fostering the next generation of public servants through the immersive learning experiences the Center will offer.”

The Olsons have supported many comprehensive campaigns and initiatives, with 41 years of consecutive giving and several million-dollar gifts prior to this most recent $5 million gift. The couple is serving as honorary co-chairs of The Ones campaign.

FALL 2023 | BLUE

22

In Memoriam

Gerald I. Williamson, LA’49, Sheldon, IA Ken Warner, BN’49, Denver, CO Byron J. Stover, BN’49, Newport Beach, CA Richard (Dick) Reynolds, ED’49, ED’50, Des Moines, IA

1930s Virginia York, ED’37, ED’47, Des Moines, IA Eleanor M. Norton, FA’39, Omaha, NE Hellen J. (Martin) Foss, FA’39, Latimer, IA

1940s Mary Kay Kidder, LA’40, Tracy, CA Marian G. Rozier, LA’40, Camden, SC Genevieve J. Lyon, ED’41, Des Moines, IA Dorotha (Dottie) Gibson, ED’41, Wilsonville, OR Dorothy Slonim, ED’41, Duluth, MN Barbara M. (Chamberlin) Blake, ED’42, Harlingen, TX Mary L Cochran, ED’42, Tempe, AZ Patricia M. Dearborn, FA’42, Twin Falls, ID Jean Swearingen, ED’42, ED’47, Humboldt, IA Jean E. Thomas, ED’42, ED’55, The Dalles, OR Mildred E. Hansen, ED’42, Yuba City, CA Ellen R. Jamieson, ED’42, Lodi, CA Mary Ann P. (Ruzicka) Cory, ED’42, Ankeny, IA Rowena F. Collins, ED’42, ED’59, Fort Dodge, IA Phyllis A. Miller, ED’43, Council Bluffs, IA Leroy (Lee) Harris, FA’43, Glenwood Springs, CO Helen H. Young, FA’43, GR’73, Des Moines, IA Alex Smotkin, LA’43, El Cajon, CA Mary A. Washler, LA’43, Cedar Rapids, IA Ruth C. Anderson, ED’43, ED’47, Toledo, IA

Evelyn Wielage, FA’44, Lincoln, NE

Harvey Masimore, ’49, Peoria, IL

Nicholas H. Knuth, LA’44, Des Moines, IA

Reverend Roy G. Ives, BN’49, DV’57, Des Moines, IA

Virginia L. Howe, PH’44, Tucson, AZ Dana (Shoemaker) Franck, BN’44, Kansas City, MO Mavis G. Klein, ED’45, Iowa Falls, IA James C. Selland, FA’45, GR’48, Ankeny, IA Anna L. Martin, BN’45, Redmond, WA Carrie L. Jonach, ED’45, Sugar City, CO Anetus I. Jones, ED’46, ED’66, Norwood, IA

George W. Bashaw, PH’50, JO’68, Paxton, MA Lee R. Wainscott, BN’50, Phoenix, AZ Schuyler D. Hales, BN’50, Carmel, IN Frank M. Gondela, BN’50, Chicago, IL

Anthony D. Damiani, LA’47, Elmhurst, IL

Harvey Breuscher, JO’50, Des Plaines, IL

Judge Theodore H. Miller, LW’47, Des Moines, IA Phyllis M. Rollinger, ED’47, Davenport, IA Beverly J. (Bode) Larson, ’47, Buffalo Center, IA Cecil Willis (Will) McIntyre, ED’47, GR’51, Gig Harbor, WA Malcom R. Giles Jr., BN’47, Evergreen, CO C. Howard Kast, BN’47, Westminster, CO

Rollie K. Cox, ED’50, Lander, WY George D. Angelos, BN’50, Plainfield, IL Howard D. Genrich, ED’50, Long Beach, CA Enice A. Craft, FA’50, Des Moines, IA Philip J. Dorweiler Jr., LW’50, West Des Moines, IA Leslie M. Bartlett, BN’50, McKinney, TX Marilyn O’Mara, ED’50, Grimes, IA John W. Byers, LA’51, Camden, SC

Ivan E. Bonta, BN’47, Urbandale, IA

Roger W. Capone, BN’51, Southboro, MA

Howard A. Paterson, BN’48, Palm Springs, CA

Francis L. Dolan, BN’51, Des Moines, IA

Donna M. Neely, LA’48, Seminole, FL

Ned C. Gillum, DV’51, Marion, IN Augustine J. Mascetta, BN’51, Rockville, MD

William F. McCrory, JO’48, Alexandria, VA Charles H. Enfield, BN’48, Cedar Rapids, IA Joan E. (Eisenberg) Mannheimer, ED’48, GR’66, Seattle, WA Duane A. Fuller, FA’48, GR’53, Mesa, AZ Alice I. Hood, LA’48, Lola, KS James W. Haritage, LA’49, Dakota Dunes, SD Kenneth L. Hays, BN’49, Bella Vista, AR Orville (Ozzie) Lane, ED’49, Venice, FL Kaz Oshiki, ED’49, Carlsbad, CA

Marjorie Hunzelman, JO’44, Storm Lake, IA

Robert J. Perkins, BN’49, GR’57, ‘66, Saint Paul, MN

Dr. Basil Karp, LA’44, Key West, FL

Lee Junior Roy, BN’49, Urbandale, IA

Barbara H. Reed, LA’44, Homewood, IL

VIrginia D. Warner, ED’49, Denver, CO

Kazue Iwatsubo, FA’44, Fresno, CA

Dorothy M Cullen, ED’49, Fallbrook, CA

Kathleen Jo Grove, ED’44, Ferndale, WA

Oren J. Garness, LW’49, Mason City, IA

BLUE | FALL 2023

1950s

Joan (Halverson) Hrachovina, FA’47, Sarasota, FL

Donald A. Wine, LA’44, Des Moines, IA

23

Alexis M. Hawkins, LA’49, LW’51, Dallas, TX

Calvin Eland, LA’49, GR’52, Green Valley, AZ

Glen H. Beaman, PH’51, Iowa Falls, IA Charlotte E. Schroeder, JO’51, Fort Atkinson, WI Arthur J. Elchek, LA’51, Tyler, TX Donald L. Cottingham, LA’51, Mason City, IA Emil S. Berzinski, ED’51, Fulton, IL Yoshimori Aka, LA’51, GR’52, Loveland, OH Doris M. Luckstead, ED’52, ED’57, Indianola, IA T.R. (Bob) Scarborough, BN’52, Des Moines, IA John Carty, LW’52, Mt Union, IA William P. Treloar, ED’52, GR’52, Richardson, TX Marvin W. Ingle, ED’52, ED’54, Prairie City, IA L. Gail Bailey, GR’53, Mason City, IA

Nancy W. Coates, ED’53, Corydon, IA Duane W. Foss, ’53, Hampton, IA John R. McGlynn, LA’53, LW’57, Marion, IA H. Milo (Mike) Hall, GR’53, Humboldt, IA Ewin J. Ekeland, BN’53, Parker, CO James E. Hanifen, Jr., LA’54, West Des Moines, IA Earldine (Robinson) Sampson, GR’54, Toledo, OH Gaylord R. Rhodes, PH’54, Palmyra, MO

Cynthia (Timm) Maeglin, ED’59, Muscatine, IA June L. Bork, ED’59, Minneapolis, MN Frederick C. (Fritz) James, BN’59, Des Moines, IA Colonel Richard Rudolph Boller (US Army RET.), LA’59, LW’61, Columbia, SC Dale C. Bennett, ED’59, New Smyrna Beach, FL Dorothy Mae Brolin, ED’59, Leon, IA Velma Wolf, ED’59, Scranton, IA

Robert A. Heggen, JO’54, Des Moines, IA

Alta (Hansen) Bollhoefer, ED’59, GR’69, Marshalltown, Iowa

Janet (Davies) Betts, ED’54, Des Moines, IA

Fern E Christensen, ED’59, Coppell, TX

Elsie Coleman, ED’54, ED’58, Oskaloosa, IA Marilyn J. (Bass) Smith, ED’54, Adel, IA Francis T. Miller, PH’55, Rockford, IL Barbara J (Slezak) Shelby, FA’55, FA’60, Bethany, MO Doris I. Benjamim, ED’55, Donnellson, IA Russell D. Wright, PH’55, Stuart, IA Reverend Mary E. Hoffman, ED’55, Davenport, IA JoAnn (Schlunz) Gaulke, LA’56, Urbandale, IA Carl (Dave) Ward, PH’56, Hollister, MO Rodney C. Letner, ED’56, Manhattan Beach, CA Donald A. Beneventi, BN’56, Granger, IA Ronald L. Sterrett, GR’56, GR’70, Mexico, MO John P. Crouch, LA’56, LW’69, Indianola, IA Donald J. Fiete, BN’56, Brentwood, TN Gary D. Leatherman, FA’56, Mission, TX Drucilla Edgar, ED’56, Sacramento, CA Jerry D. Douglas, FA’57, Manhattan, NY Janet A. (Grove) Best, ’57, Boulder, CO Margaret (Lila) Zrostlik, LA’57, Garner, IA John W. Fritz, ED’57, Mason City, IA Norma K. (Roose) Griewe, ED’58, Southern Pines, NC Vernon K. (Swede) Ferguson, LW’58, Dayton, OH Everett (Ev) Albers, LA’58, LW’60, Huxley, IA Helen M. Odgaard, ED’58, ED’60, Algona, IA Syliva C. Woods, ED’58, GR’63, Des Moines, IA Virgie M. Andre, ED’59, Fort Dodge, IA Virginia E. (Voigt) Sauer, ED’59, Nampa, ID

Barbara F. Stevens, ED’59, Venice, FL Robert H. Williams, GR’59, Atlantic, IA

1960s Kathleen (Thomas) Freed, ED’60, Redding, IA Mildred I. Clair, ED’60, Webster City, IA Grace (Lohmeier) Andresen, ED’60, GR’63, Manning, IA Floyd L. Wilkens, ED’60, GR’70, Pleasant Hill, IA Milderd Hook, ED’60, Chariton, IA Gary L. Newell, LA’60, Humboldt, IA Barbara J. Wood Cook, BN’60, Sumnerville, MI Reverend Dr. William H. Morehouse, DV’60, Mt. Pleasant, IA John C. Agnew, LA’60, Estero, FL Genevieve M. Howard, ED’60, Overland Park, KS Don K. Jones, LA’60, Flint, MI Clifford W. Rushton, ED’60, Des Moines, IA Wilma Watt Johnson, ED’61, ED’69, Red Oak, IA Birdean L. Seastrum, ED’61, Marshalltown, IA

Donnabelle John, ED’62, Harlan, IA Lois I. Cerka, ED’62, Colo, IA Mary M. (U’Ren) Reed, ED’62, Spirit Lake, IA Lawrence A. Donohoe, BN’63, Gordon, TX Bernice Larson, ED’63, Britt, IA John D. Challas, BN’63, Los Altos, CA Jerry Clapsaddle, FA’64, Amelia Island, FL Emerson G. Smith, LA’64, Centerview, MO Susan (Michaelson) Olson, FA’64, Iowa City, IA Michael L. McCloud, ED’64, Johnston, IA Robert P. Martin, DV’64, Fort Dodge, IA Eleanor Greiner, ED’64, Fairhope, AL Richard F.Boyer, GR’64, GR’66, Carroll, IA Irene L. Kleen, ED’64, Sun City, CA Enes Logli, FA’64, ED’72, Ankeny, IA Miles A. Browne, GR’64, Urbandale, IA Paul S. Kuhns, FA’64, FA’66, Newton, IA Olen D. Henson, LA’64, GR’70, Mount Vernon, IL Helen M. Flummer, ED’64, Leon, IA Eileen A. Taylor, ED’64, GR’76, Prairie City, IA Genevieve B. Miller, ED’65, GR’65, Humboldt, IA Eleanor J. Munson, ED’65, Sun Lakes, AZ Marcia K. (Tedrow) Pollock, ED’65, Madison, WI John H. Kragie, LA’65, Scottsdale, AZ Truman B. Carlson, LA’65, Morris, MN Harry (Mason) Fackert, LA’65, Concord, MA Kathleen Smith Irwin, LA’65, Madison, WI Dennis W. Ladd, BN’65, LW’69, Jefferson, IA Lois E. Akins, ED’65, GR’65, Altoona, IA Dorothy R. Johnson, ED’65, Indianola, IA

Kenneth J. Boelts, BN’61, Ozark, MO

Gerarld. R. Duffus, LA’66, Savannah, MO

Louise P. McDonald, ’61, West Des Moines, IA

William E. Kearney, PH’66, Kelseyville, CA

Doris M. (Donda) Swigart, ED’61, Leon, IA

Darle L. Pedersen, ED’66, Harlan, IA

Allan C. Sorensen, PH’61, Aiken, SC Karla J. (Klein) Hoffman, FA’61, Iowa Falls, IA Gerald (Jerry) Porter, BN’62, Elmhurst, IL Suzanne L. (Lamoureux) Redman, LA’62, Minneapolis, MN

Wilma K. Hagan, ED’66, Minneapolis, MN Richard G. Basham, GR’66, Lake Saint Louis, MO Sandra J. Wacha, FA’66, Des Moines, IA Ronald F. Fistler, ED’66, Clear Lake, IA Anna M. Rutt, ED’66, Alpharetta, GA Linda (Coulter) Burggraaff, LA’66, Bloomington, MN

Robert W. Lutz, LA’62, Des Moines, IA FALL 2023 | BLUE

24

In Memoriam (CONTINUED) Edward C. Jones, GR’66, Belpre, OH Donald L. Rivers, ED’66, Cedar Rapids, IA Norman P. Riggs, LA’66, GR’71, Shelburne, VT Edith E. Blomgren, ED’67, Lovilia, IA Douglas H. Hein, BN’67, West Des Moines, IA Myrtle M. Vandenber, ED’67, Orange City, IA

1970s James M. Collier, GR’70, Medford, OR Helen M. Haupt, ED’70, Belmond, IA Eleanor Hoffman, ED’70, Shannon City, IA Florence N. Hicks, ED’70, Lee’s Summit, MO Carol J. Sandholm, ED’70, Boone, IA

Elizabeth B. Craw, GR’72, Morris, IL Helen E. Armstrong, ED’73, Indianola, IA Scott E. Clemens, LW’73, Valparaiso, IN Marie A. Condon, JO’73, GR’75, LW’76, Marshalltown, IA Carola R. Malinowski, JO’73, Orange, CT Corinne Johnson Swaney, GR’74, San Antionio, TX

Dave Willman, BN’67, West Des Moines, IA

Phyllis P. Luhmann, ED’70, Dayton, IA

Justine Morton, LA’74, GR’91, West Des Moines, IA

Vernice L. Kingsbury, ED’67, GR’67, Indianola, IA

Alberta L. Kirchhoff, ED’70, Sumner, IA

Steven E. Mayer, LW’74, Clinton, IA

Joy L. (Shannon) Averill, ED’70, Indianola, IA

Phyllis Jean Bim, ED’74, Luverne, MN

Susan E. (May) Lindsley, ED’67, Oregon, WI Josephine A. Watson, DV’67, Des Moines, IA Velma D. (Sothman) Reimer, GR’67, Sun City, AZ Eleanor M. Lydon, ED’67, Savanna, IL Mildred J. Beary, ED’68, Knoxville, IA Opal (Jeffries) Cruz, GR’68, Albuquerque, NM

Edith E. Larsen, ED’70, Elk Horn, IA David L. Camp, LA’70, Carlisle IA James L. Jackson, BN’70, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Ruth V. Herbold, ED’70, Newton IA Lawrence J. Shore, ’70, Clarinda, IA Diane Galloway, FA’70, Tucson, AZ Madeline J. West, ED’70, Pella, IA

Evelyn L. Sipe, ED’74, Panora, IA Richard A. Gill, ’74, Clive, IA Vera Mae Jones, ED’74, Des Moines, IA Melinda M. Cochran, JO’75, Naples, FL Isabel T. Neibergall, BN’75, Johnston, IA Betty J. Trowbridge, JO’75, Grand Junction, CO John R. Kaloupek, BN’75, Alpharetta, GA

Joyce I. (Anderson) Griffith, ED’68, Clarion, IA

Hazel M. Christensen, ED’70, Decatur, IA

Williman (Bill) Stebbins, LA’75, Cumming, IA

Thomas C. Thoma, JO’71, Mason City, IA

Sue A. Kalantary, JO’75, Clive, IA

Alice P. Verdught, ED’68, Pella, IA

Jean Davis, ED’71, Jefferson, IA

John R. Kool, FA‘76, Lincoln, NE

Vera L. (Ray) Stream, ED’68, Shannon City, IA

Aileen DeHamer, GR’71, Cedar, IA

Myrna A. Brown, ‘76, Des Moines, IA

Alice M. Jones, ED’71, Ames, IA

Diane K. (Quigley) McLeran, ED’76, GR’83, Phoenix, AZ

Patricia A. Hill, GR’68, Fort Dodge, IA John C. Mendrys, BN’68, Johnston, IA Darlyne D. Hobson, GR’68, Macedonia, IA Opal DeHeer, ED’68, Knoxville, IA Loa I. Benton, ED’68, Guthrie Center, IA Clair E. (Barthelmes) Matthews-Rath, ED’68, Morris, IL Ronald (Ron) W. Braun, LW’68, Brodhead, WI Rose M. Hoffa, LA’68, GR’75, Urbandale, IA Jo A. Noe, ED’68, FA’68, Galena, IL Judith C. (Lomax) Thompson, ED’68, GR’88, Des Moines, IA Willie J. McCarter, ED’69, Jackson, MI Glenna R. McGinnis, ED’69, Boone, IA Annabelle M. Ferris, ED’69, Hanover, PA Robert (Bob) W. Montgomery, BN’69, Evanston, IL Harriette E. Kinsey, ED’69, Oceola, IA

Dean M. Powell, LA’71, GR’74, LW’74, Arlington, VA Theodore J. Nemmers II, ED’71, GR’73, GR’78, BN’01, Clive, IA Richard D. Woodruff, GR’71, Osage, IA Stanley W. Hoogeveen, GR’71, Pella, IA Bonnie M. (Willits) Thatcher, ED’71, Chariton, IA

Jerome E. Delucia, GR’76, Pikesville, MD Lois A. (Biden) Klingeman, GR’76, Paramus, NJ Jackson N. Baty, GR’76, Cedar Falls, IA James (Jim) B. Plavin, LA’76, Boynton Beach, FL

Sherryl S. (Kephart) McAvoy, ’72, Adel, IA

Diane M. Sokolik, GR’78, Des Moines, IA

Robert D. Matney, GR’72, Knoxville, IA

Sharon K. Malheiro, JO’78, LW’89, Des Moines, IA

Lois J. Higgins, ED’72, Urbandale, IA Mary A. (Skoog) Knopf, ED’72, Dayton, IA Bernice M. Barratt, GR’72, Irwin, IA Thomas Hiscocks, BN’73, West Des Moines, IA Virgene A. Mason, ED’73, Dell Rapids, SD Douglas A. Nichols, FA’73, Adel, IA Lucia L. Griffith, LA’72, Indianola, IA Charles, (Chuck) Folkers, LW’72, Overland Park, KS

Leslie G. Creech, BN’72, Clive, IA BLUE | FALL 2023

Robin L. Selvig, JO’76, Lakeville, MN

Roberta King, GR’71, Brooksville, FL

Richard C. Rastetter, Jr., LW’72, Columbus, OH

25

Jeffrey L. Poulson, LW‘76, Sioux City, IA

Norbert J. Bissonette Jr., LW’78, Brookfield, WI Lawrence (Larry) A. Crane, LA’78, Johnston, IA Mark S. Goodenow, GR’79, LW’80, Spirit Lake, IA Michael K. Elliott, BN’79, LW’82, Bel Air, MD Penny R. Heaberlin, BN’79, LW’93, GR’93, Ankeny, IA John B. Cashman, BN’79, Van Meter, IA Marvin C. Sandin, ED’79, GR’87, Radcliffe, IA

1980s

1990s

Mabeline Lovstad, ED’80, Burt, IA

Sandra L. Axness, GR’90, Des Moines, IA

Stephen E. Reno, LW’80, Altoona, IA

Vada K. Myli, GR’91, Kensett, IA

Phyllis M. Day, FA’82, Saint Paul, MN

Krista A. Harms, LW’91, Grain Valley, MO

Mona L. (Dass) Bengston, BN’82, BN’85, Aitkin/Palisade, MN

Timothy Curtis Coda, BN’92, Midvale, UT

Kenneth Baatz, LA’82, Perry, IA

Bernard L. Zylstra, ’93, West Des Moines, IA

Mary Lee Balko, BN’82, Des Moines, IA

Toni D. Friday, GR’94, Clive, IA

Santiago V. Crisostomo, Jr., LA’83, Boston, MA

William T. Purcell, ED’94, Des Moines, IA

Terry L. Crisman, LA’83, Des Moines, IA Charlotte (Bowers) Nelson, GR’83, Chicago, IL Martha A. (Ravreby) Sivi, LA’83, Des Moines, IA Meri D. (Laird) Jones, BN’84, Boyne City, MI Anthony A. Prieto, ’84. Portland, OR Norma J. Disney Chapman, LA’86, Johnston, IA Sally (Ginn) Hood, BN’86, Des Moines, IA Margaret A. Ohlson, GR’86, Storm Lake, IA Roger D. Peterson, BN’87, Doylestown, PA Ray Bryon Russell, GR’88, Norwalk, IA Nancy L. (Jaeger) Wilson, GR’88, GR’91, GR’94, Marshaltown, IA

Edwina J. (Dawson) O’Farrell, GR’94, Fort Dodge, IA Diane R. Babcock, GR’95, Newton, IA Katherine A. (Schaack) Olsen, PH’95, Clive, IA Ralph D. Smith, GR’95, Columbia, MO David E. Kindwall, AS’96, Knoxville, TN Robert J. Steingreaber, GR’97, Keosauqua, IA George Annoussis, AS’97, Windsor Heights, IA Lisa M. Brinkmeyer Van Deventer, JO’98, West Des Moines, IA

2010s Henry C. Schuerer, BN’10, GR’11, Johnston, IA Austin J. Schoeck, LW’19, Rock Island, IL

2020s William Centner, BN’21, West Des Moines, IA Anna E. Niedermeier, JO’22, Batavia, IL

FACULTY & STAFF Louis J. Wolter, Professor Emeritus, Johnston, IA Robert M. Kodama, Professor Emeritus, Des Moines, IA Phyllis J. Kingsbury, Professor Emeritus, Des Moines, IA

2000s Evelyn L. (Roberts) Varley, AS’00, Clive, IA Kristina L. (Selander) Galle, PH’08, Johnston, IA

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Madeleine “Maddy” Maxwell, the wife of President Emeritus David Maxwell. As the University’s first lady for 16 years, Maddy worked tirelessly to bring the campus and community together in as many ways as possible. For those who had the opportunity and privilege to meet Maddy, you’ll remember her innovative ideas and imagination, her humor and wit, and her commitment to helping others feel welcome.

She was a true servant-leader, and she lived a life devoted to transforming lives and strengthening communities. Maddy truly exemplified everything Drake stands for.

- Drake University President Marty Martin FALL 2023 | BLUE

26

This summer, a group of 26 individuals consisting of cancer survivors and Drake University alumni climbed to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Within this group were alumni Dr. Richard Deming (Honorary Degree, 2014), Jamie O’Brien, GR’09 (master of science in education, effective teaching) and spouse Sean O’Brien, Dr. Hijinio Carreon, AS’99 (biology), and Midhad Mrvoljak, PH’16 (health sciences: clinical & applied).

DRAKE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI

CLIMB MT. KILIMANJARO 27

BLUE | FALL 2023

DRAKE UNIVERSITY ALUMNA AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS RANGEL FELLOWSHIP

Drake alumna Morgan Coleman was awarded a 2023 Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship following a highly competitive nationwide contest. A distinguished panel selected Coleman out of almost 900 candidates. The Rangel Fellowship, funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by Howard University, supports extraordinary individuals who want to pursue careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State. The Rangel Fellowship will support Coleman through a two-year master’s degree in an area of relevance to the Foreign Service. It will also provide extensive professional development opportunities, including internships, mentors, and skills training.

Currently, Coleman is working for a Member of Congress on issues related to foreign affairs as part of the Rangel Program. In the summer of 2024, the U.S. Department of State will send her overseas to work in a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to get hands-on experience with U.S. foreign policy and the work of the Foreign Service. Upon successful completion of the program, Coleman will become a U.S. diplomat in summer 2025, embarking on one of the most challenging and rewarding careers of service to her country. She will work to promote peace, prosperity, and human dignity around the world.

Coleman graduated with honors from Drake University in 2022 with a bachelor’s in International Relations and a minor in Spanish and regional concentrations in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region. Coleman remained highly engaged throughout her undergraduate career at Drake University—including being the first Black woman to serve as the Student Body President (2021–2022) and having her research article, “The Arab Spring Uprisings: Transnational Change-Making,” published in Drake University’s Social Science Journal. While enrolled at Drake University, Coleman also took advantage of an opportunity to study abroad at a local university in Meknes, Morocco, in 2020; she completed nearly 100 hours of service learning as part of her experience in Morocco. She also thrived outside the classroom as a 2022 inductee of Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society, and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Coleman plans to focus her graduate studies on international affairs and human rights while continuing her Spanish and Arabic language studies.

FALL 2023 | BLUE

28

Achievements 1990s 1960s Bruce Swanson, ED’64, Downers Grove, IL, is the 2023 winner of the Montrew Dunham Award. This honor recognizes those whose significant service and contributions to the Village of Downers Grove.

1970s Michael J. Vavrus, LA’70, Olympia, WA, published a book titled Teaching Anti-Fascism, which examines how fascist ideology has taken hold among certain segments of American society and how this can be addressed in curriculum and instruction.

Arthur W. Hogling, LA’70, Evergreen, CO, authored The Colorado Mountain Club Hiking Safety Handbook.

Audrey (Surmacz-Johnson) Gale, BN’71, Los Angeles, CA, has written a Depression-era medical thriller titled The Human Trial to be released this fall.

Debra S. (Leonard) Klein, LA’73, Arlington Heights, IL, published her short story “Ghost of a Chance” in the anthology, Tales From The Golden State of Mind.

Mike Triggs, LA’75, West Des Moines, IA, authored You Can’t Make This $#!+ Up!.

Norwin Merens, JO’76, Glenview, IL, received the Jack F. Steele Award from the American Foundry Society (AFS) for his outstanding marketing and promotional achievements to the North American metal casting industry, spanning decades of service.

29

BLUE | FALL 2023

Kimberly Stamatelos, LA’78, LW’81, Phoenix, AZ recently published her book Compassionate Divorce. The book sets out steps to consider when embarking on a divorce based on legal fairness but also grounded in compassion for both spouses.

Timothy J. Adams, BN’79, Elkhorn, NE, authored a book titled Reuniting a Fractured Union. ]

1980s

Richard D. Hendricks, LA’80, Davenport, IA, has been named a One Iowa and DSM Magazine LGBTQ Legacy Leader for 2023. The award honors Iowa’s LGBTQ leaders whose contributions to equality and justice have helped ensure that gender and sexual orientation must not be stigmatized or marginalized in the culture of Iowa.

Karen L. McNaught, LA’82, LW’88, Chatham, IL, appointed as United States Magistrate Judge.

Paula Dierenfeld, LW’84, Johnston, IA, was recently inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame. Paula is Mayor of Johnston, Iowa, a position she has held since 2008, making her the longest serving female mayor in the state.

James O. Wright, GR’93, GR’99, Des Moines, IA, teaching professor in agricultural and biosystems engineering, was the recipient of the 2023 Faculty Award for Diversity Enhancement from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University.

Daniel Wolter, AS’93, Lakeville, MN, was appointed to the City Council of Lakeville, MN in January 2023. It’s the 9th largest city in MN. Barry J. Boline, LW’94, Jackson, WI, has been elected Chairperson of the Preliminary Review Committee of the Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulations.

Romonda Belcher, LW’95, Des Moines, IA, was recently inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame.

Brandon G. Stahl, JO’98, St. Louis Park, MN, was part of a team of television journalists presented with a Peabody Award for, “Its bold and persuasive reporting in addressing a specific problem and inspiring real change.”

The Gap: Failure to Treat, Failure to Protect, was a six-part series examining Minnesota state court cases where suspects were declared mentally ill but not mandated to receive mental health treatment and the sometimescatastrophic consequences of that failure.

Mary K. Gurney, PH’87, Peoria, AZ was named an APhA-APRS Fellow.

Marna D. Yandeau-Nelson, AS’98, Ames, IA, associate professor in the Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology at Iowa State University, was the recipient of the 2023 Rossmann Manatt Faculty Development Award.

Rick L. Christman, GR’87, Beaufort, SC, authored his third book and first novel, about murder, human trafficking, and transformation.

Ryan R. Johnson, JO’99, West Des Moines, IA received the 2023 PRSA Iowa Outstanding Public Relations Professional Award.

2000s Darnell L. Henderson, AS’00, LW’03, Baltimore, MD, has been appointed Chief Legal Counsel for Prince George County Public Schools, which is the second largest school district in the state of Maryland and the 18th largest school district in the United States.

Julia Muedeking, LW’03, Alexandria, VA, has been promoted to Counsel for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Elizabeth A. Robinson, AS’04, Aurora, SD, has released her debut album, Aviary (works for solo flute and flute quartet/quintet) on Aerocade Music.

Jill N. (Flaherty) Link, PH’05, LW’07, Columbia, MO, has been recognized as an IP (Intellectual Property) Star for Iowa by Managing IP. Keith Doniphan Elston, LW’05, Lexington, KY, was named the 2023 Leading Family Law Practitioner by the National LGBTQ+ Bar. This award recognizes lawyers whose work supports LGBTQ+ families.

Ellen Won Steil, JO’07, Urbandale, IA, authored debut novel, Fortune.

2010s Blair Nelson Marlin, JO’10, Denver, CO, winner of the Denver Business Journal’s 2023 Outstanding Woman in Business Awards.

Josh Strief, AS’10, LW’14, West Des Moines, IA, was awarded the 2023 Edward F. Seitzinger Award

by Iowa Defense Counsel Association at this year’s annual meeting. The award, which is considered the organization’s most prestigious honor, is presented annually to the member with the most significant contributions to the organization during the year.

Paige N. Hulsey, JO’11, Bourbon, MO, published her debut children’s book, A Bad Day Fishing. The adventurous tale follows a young boy and his pup who set off for a day of fishing but are met with an afternoon of trouble.

Ashley Beisch, AS’13, LW’16, Boone, IA, has been appointed new district associate judge in Judicial Election District 2B. Torey Cuellar, LW’14, Bondurant, IA, received the Remarkable Fundraiser Service Award from Girls on the Run of Central Iowa.

Diane Murphy, LW’07, Sioux City, IA, has joined The Heidman Law Firm as an associate attorney.

Derrick Langeneckert, AS’09, Saint Louis, MO, awarded the Community Innovator Award by the St. Louis Development Corp and St. Louis City Mayor.

Jordan E. Oster, AS’09, GR’15, Des Moines, IA, has been promoted to Energy Program Associate Director at the Iowa Environmental Council.

Tom Florian, BN’14, GR’16, West Des Moines, IA, 2022 ACCE National 40 Under 40 Award Recipient.

Kelly Nuckolls, LW’16, El Dorado, KS, Fort Hayes State University’s (FHSU) Young Alumni Award recipient. Less than a decade after graduating from FHSU, Nuckolls has built tremendous food and agricultural law expertise and has impacted federal policy. She uses the knowledge gained at FHSU and beyond to empower others to advocate for positive change in our food system policies nationwide.

Kelsey Sjoblom, LW’16, Altoona, IA, accepted into the Heart of America Fellows Institute of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), a nationwide invitation-only professional organization and the Heart of America Fellows created by ACTEC to develop the profession’s future leaders in trust and estate law through a series of in-depth educational presentations led by outstanding subject matter experts in each field.

Hunter Thorpe, LW’19, Ankeny, IA, appointed by Gov. Kim Reynolds as a district associate judge in Judicial Election District 2B. Sloan E. Nickel, AS’19, Des Moines, IA, selected to become a Washington Attorney General’s Office Honoree.

Cracking the Class Code Here’s the “code” for identifying your fellow Drake alumni: AS – Arts and Sciences BN – Business and Public Administration DV – Divinity ED – Education FA – Fine Arts GR – Graduate Studies

JB – John Dee Bright College JO – Journalism and Mass Communication LA – Liberal Arts LW – Law PH – Pharmacy and Health Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences evolved during the reorganization of Drake’s colleges and schools in 1987 when “Liberal Arts” and “Fine Arts” were combined. Thus, those pre-1987 alumni carry the acronym “LA” or “FA,” while those post-1986 alumni are labeled “AS.” FALL 2023 | BLUE

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Births Jennifer Marie FahVayhinger, JO’95, and Alex Scott Vayhinger, La Mirada, CA, welcomed baby Isabell Kathly Vayhinger.

Richard A. Vincent, Jr., JO’76, and Donna Vincent, Lee’s Summit, MO, have welcomed a granchild, Reese Elisabeth Vincent.

Weddings Rachel (Mohatt) Matthews, ED'19, and Isaiah Matthews-Mooers, BN'19, GR'22, Matthews, NC, held their wedding reception at Peggy’s this past summer.

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BLUE | FALL 2023

Learn more at alumni.drake.edu/bulldogborn

INTRODUCING Bulldog BORN! Drake’s new legacy program for the children and grandchildren of Drake alumni.

FALL FALL2023 2023 | | BLUE BLUE

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Exploratory topics from VOICES ON CAMPUS.

Introducing Everclass!

BY DRAKE UNIVERSITY

Learn more at ALUMNI.DRAKE.EDU/EVERCLASS

Everclass is a new series of virtual talks on interesting topics presented by alumni voices. Fuel your curiosity and creativity, spur connections— and maybe even career potential.