What?

That’s where Ira Flatow, host of National Public Radio’s Science Friday program, comes in. For the past several years, he’s been making sense of these seemingly unintelligible reports and science issues for the average listener. He’s bringing science to the masses.

Flatow will be the keynote speaker at the Drake University Conference on Undergraduate Research in the Sciences (DUCURS) luncheon on April 11. The well-known personality is set to discuss the influence of science in everyday life and the importance of scientific literacy.

“Mr. Flatow’s passion for understanding and disseminating scientific findings is evident,” says Maria Valdovinos, associate professor of psychology. “Having a well-known guest as the keynote speaker at DUCURS promotes how valued the sciences are at Drake.”

In addition to hosting Science Friday, Flatow is the founder and president of the Science Friday Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to creating multimedia projects that make science user-friendly. He has been reporting on science-related issues for 35 years, including time as a science reporter for CBS This Morning and CNBC. His credits also feature six years as host and writer for the Emmy award-winning show Newton’s Apple on PBS.

Flatow’s work to promote scientific developments has earned him dozens of accolades. In 2012, he received the Isaac Asimov Science Award, which honors advocates who have increased the awareness and understanding of science and the scientific approach.

Flatow is one of the most prominent speakers to lecture at DUCURS. The conference provides a forum to showcase collaborative math and science research projects between students and faculty. DUCURS is part of Drake’s ongoing efforts to increase scientific literacy and provide opportunities to engage the larger community in science and math.

—Alyssa Cashman

Richard Black, FA’57; professor of art and printmaking 1960–1994; professor emeritus of art

From the rooms of Drake’s Studio Arts Hall to the rows of a grape vineyard, retirement has been a change of scenery but certainly not a rest for Richard Black, FA’57. When he left Drake in 1994 after 35 years of teaching in the art department Black saw a chance to expand his work into new horizons.

“I was looking forward to retirement, and now I feel pretty much the same way,” Black says. “It gave me the opportunity to do a lot of other things I was always looking to do.”

One of those new opportunities is the grape vineyard Black runs in Farnhamville, Iowa. Following a lifelong passion for gardening, Black began growing and selling grapes in 2000.

“Most people assume that because I raise grapes, I also make wine, but I don’t,” Black says. “Wine is too confining because there’s the exact recipe you have to follow. Art is the opposite, and it allows you to experiment.”

After grape harvest season is over, Black spends the rest of the year in the printmaking studio he built on his farm.

“I just see art as an opportunity to explore a lot of new ideas,” Black says. “Very seldom do you hear about artists who stop making pictures, because they just don’t retire.”

As a member of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers, Black participates in a show every fall in London. Last year, one of his entries was selected for a prize, and his work was published in a London printmaking magazine.

Despite the demands of balancing two careers, Black maintains his connection to Drake, especially Bulldogs basketball.

“I’ve had season tickets since probably 1954,” Black says. “Having played [basketball] myself, I appreciate the game. I even watched them play in the Final Four in the late ’60s.”

Hectic schedule and all, Black sees no signs of slowing down.

“I enjoy everything I do and get so much pleasure from it,” Black says.

—Abbey Barrow, Class of 2015

Visit Olson Larson Galleries to view more of Richard Black’s art.

Leslie Schrader Caraballo, JO’82: How is being a female undergrad today different from when you were in college?

Maxwell: I wasn’t a typical female undergrad inasmuch as I was studying at the Rhode Island School of Design being artsy, individual, discussing the meaning of the color yellow or protesting what was going on in the South, breaking down barriers, aiming for truth, helping humankind, and bucking the establishment. We were not as focused on career then. We were interested in learning how to think critically and innovatively and never sell out. We were finding our passions and learning how to be aware to make the world a better place—Drake students are doing this, too!

Sara Robby, LA’83: What is your favorite part about being in the Drake community?

Maxwell: Getting to know students as they follow their dreams, then hearing about them later on or visiting with them at reunions. It always seems as if they’ve skyrocketed into being successful adults.

Hope Rowold Johnson, JO’94, AS’94: What is your favorite color?

Maxwell: I’ve been an illustrator, a designer, and a creative director. It’s impossible for me to choose one color over another—it depends on the season or the setting. On an early spring day there is nothing more beautiful than the yellow of a daffodil against the snow and dark earth, or the orange flame of a blazing fire on a jet-black night, or the sky-blue-pink of a sunset. Black? White? I love those, too. Absence of color; fully saturated color—I could go on all day.

Stephanie Esker, Class of 2014: What about Drake has affected your personal life the most?

Maxwell: At Drake it’s not a what; it’s a who—and that is the people who comprise the Drake community. If it has to be a what, it would be the great work ethic.

Joey Gale, Class of 2015: What is the secret behind those delicious whoopie pies you bake?

Maxwell: Yummy ingredients that you won’t see in any health food store except for chocolate, which is now deemed good for you.

Buy work from art students Buy art from up-and-coming artists before they hit the big time. Skeens recommends checking out shows at your local university art department, such as the Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition at the Anderson Gallery.

Attend local arts events “The best way to add to your growing collection is to attend local gallery openings, and get to know local artists at arts events,” Skeens says. “If you see any pieces you’re dying to have, ask about pricing and possibly set up an installment plan.”

Get internet-art savvy “There is a great site, 20×200.com, for people who want to purchase work from popular contemporary artists but might not have the budget to purchase an original,” Skeens says. Ebay is also a resource for uncovering artistic gems. “Find an era or period of art you like, and search for ‘art,’ ‘decorative arts,’ or ‘photography’ to find something unique and fitting to your taste,” Skeens says.

Become friends with artists “Growing your personal art collection shouldn’t be your main intention when seeking out artist friends, but it can be a nice benefit,” Skeens says.

Scour auctions and estate sales Another’s trash can be your artistic treasure. “If you see something and fall in love with it, just buy it. Don’t worry about anything else,” Skeens says.

—Abbey Barrow, Class of 2015

Web Exclusive

Drake’s Lenore Metrick-Chen, associate professor of art history, discusses one of the University’s most notable works of art: Stuart Davis’ 1954 mural, Allée.

This support came first in the form of a presidential scholarship and next as a recipient of the Lou Ann Simpson Scholarship.

“As a student paying for my own college education, I can’t express what this kind of generosity means to me,” McGuire says. “It is because of the generous scholarships I have received that my Drake education has become much more affordable.”

McGuire says the Lou Ann Simpson Scholarship is particularly meaningful to her, because Simpson, professor of business law, is an important mentor and role model—a sentiment echoed by one of the scholarship’s past recipients, Derek Smith, a senior marketing and finance double major.

“It was an incredible honor to receive an award in her name,” Smith says. “Being a Lou Ann Simpson Scholarship recipient helped motivate me to strive to achieve the standard of excellence I know Lou Ann expects from each and every one of her students.”

A former student of Simpson’s started the scholarship fund in recognition of the education he received in her classes.

“I think that is one of the greatest honors you can have,” says Simpson, BN’66, LW’68. “It’s so nice when students say ‘thank you,’ but to have one do something that will provide opportunities for students in the future, I think that is as good as it gets.”

Simpson says she has felt a strong connection with the University since she arrived as a first-year student in 1962. That passion for Drake has only grown since she began teaching business law in 1973.

“For me, it’s very satisfying to see how students grow and mature and start to succeed and prepare themselves for their futures,” she says. “That is what I love about teaching. We attract good students here, and they are a joy to teach.”

Her love of teaching led Simpson to begin to contribute to the scholarship created in her honor, and as part of distinctlyDrake, she has left a significant portion of her estate to the scholarship fund—a planned gift that will magnify the impact of the Lou Ann Simpson Scholarship and make a Drake education affordable for students for generations to come. “I just have a warm feeling that I can help students succeed well into the future,” she says. “I wanted to provide students with educational opportunities, because when you see students succeed, that’s the best feeling in the world.”

Leaving a bequest is simple. It can be made by inserting a few sentences into a valid will or trust. A bequest also provides flexibility: You can give a specific amount or item or a percentage of your estate. You also have the option to make the gift contingent on certain events, and you can make changes to your gift at any time. (Consult your attorney about laws specific to your state.)

Visit www.alumni.drake.edu/give to learn more or contact Sarah Pritchard, director of planned giving, at 515-271-4069 or sarah.pritchard@drake.edu with questions about naming Drake University in your will or living trust.

“I was impressed by her passion,” Allen says. “I saw her intensity and her excitement that showed she loved the piano and music. She was thankful for the new piano, and I was thankful for her talent. Watching her play gave me faith in Drake’s music program.”

Through Keys to Excellence, a fundraising effort that is part of distinctlyDrake, the University plans to replace 68 of its 100 pianos and has already received the funding to purchase 11 new pianos. But the initiative is about more than replacing instruments that are beyond repair. Having high-quality pianos will enable Drake to attract high-caliber music students and faculty, and it will allow current students to pursue their passion for music with instruments that reflect the excellence of the University’s music programs.

The fundraising effort has a broad impact. Every music student, regardless of major, completes four semesters of piano instruction. Additionally, Drake hosts numerous performances throughout the year that are free and open to the community. New pianos will enhance these performances to the benefit of all.

Contact Doug Lampe, major gift officer, at 515-271-3055 or doug.lampe@drake.edu for more information on the Keys to Excellence fundraising effort.

The two-story facility connects the Cline Hall of Pharmacy and Health Sciences with Harvey Ingham Hall and contains space for faculty offices and the large Hy-Vee Student Learning Commons. The commons, on the first floor of the atrium, is technologically advanced and outfitted to enhance creativity, team building, and collaboration. It includes room for individual and group presentation preparation. The open area will also serve as a venue for CPHS and campuswide events.

The project was made possible by a number of gifts to distinctlyDrake, including a leadership-level gift of $3 million from Morgan E. Cline, ph’53; along with support from Hy-Vee, Inc.; and the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust.

The sciences are a top priority of distinctlyDrake. Contact John P. Smith, vice president for alumni and development, at 515-271-2969 or john.smith@drake.edu for information on transformational gifts to the sciences.

A nationally renowned education and a Division I football experience

Many high school athletes claim they want the complete package for their collegiate experience, but in the end, most don’t receive it. Whether it’s a lack of opportunity or real conviction, student-athletes often sacrifice either academics or athletics when choosing a school. At Drake, it’s different. Our football players have both earned and are in a position to take advantage of the opportunity to experience the best of both worlds.

Of the 24 conferences that comprise Division I football, the Pioneer Football League and the Ivy League are the only ones that do not award football scholarships. Some people perceive that the players in these leagues were not able to garner a football scholarship out of high school. The reality at Drake is that more than half of our players were offered football scholarships; however, they turned down this money because they did not want to compromise their education or their overall college experience.

Our guys get it. They know that the four years they spend at Drake are about the next 40 of their life. Would they like to receive scholarships to play football? Absolutely. But will they compromise the best for something less than the best? Absolutely not.

When you assemble more than 100 Division I college football players with this depth of understanding and set of priorities, you end up with a special group of young men. The quality of our guys is exceptionally high both on and off the field.

In the last two years, Drake football went 17–5 and won back-to-back conference championships for the first time in 81 years. Four players were visited by NFL scouts. We played the first-ever American football game on the continent of Africa, and together we summited Mount Kilimanjaro. Two players were selected for the American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team®, and in 2011, Drake football set a school record of 61 players on the Pioneer Football League Academic Honor Roll.

Unfortunately, many times an athletic scholarship becomes a business deal—the contract replaces the passion. But every morning at 5:15 in the off-season, when our players’ alarms go off, there is no business deal making them get up to work out. Only a pure drive to be their best and win a championship together. Then, after their workout, they head to class to earn an exceptional education. It truly is the best of both worlds.

—Chris Creighton, Head Football Coach

What are your aspirations for Drake University?
How does Drake’s reputation affect you and the value of your degree?

The answer to these questions is personal. However, when answered by more than 65,000 alumni they have a strong, collective, and defining impact.

Drake recently completed a strategic planning process, which outlines how we plan to accomplish our vision to serve as a model institution of higher education and innovatively address the challenges of the 21st century. While there are multiple indicators of our progress toward making our ambitions a reality, there are others that convey a more challenging path.

Without tiptoeing around the issue, Drake’s vision requires resources. It is my hope that we can engage in an honest exchange regarding Drake and the leadership role alumni play in providing financial and inspirational support.

One of the great privileges of my job is visiting with alumni, and during these visits, a high percentage share with me their affection and hopes for Drake, our faculty, and our students. Recent survey findings tell us that more than 80 percent of our alumni have favorable to very favorable feelings toward their Drake experience. For many of our alumni these sentiments develop into active volunteer engagement and transformational philanthropic support, and we are deeply appreciative of that.

However, our alumni’s passion for Drake does not always translate into annual giving. Approximately 12 percent of graduates make a gift to Drake during the fiscal year, which is below the level of giving at other Midwestern colleges and universities:

• Creighton University–19 percent
• Butler University–23 percent
• Northwestern University–29 percent
• DePauw University–31 percent
• Carlton College–58 percent

What do these alumni participation rates say about each institution? These colleges and universities are communities defined by a sense of shared ownership and collective responsibility. They reflect a culture where alumni are enthusiastic and proud to be part of something larger than themselves.

Drake is a remarkable community, which leads me to ask two questions: Why is there a significant gap between alumni giving participation and positive feelings toward the Drake experience? What will it take for Drake to develop a culture where financial participation is embraced as a meaningful opportunity to define Drake’s future?

These are big questions with answers that have significant impact on our shared aspirations. I welcome your ideas related to alumni engagement and participation or comments about why you give to Drake. Please let me know your thoughts by email at philanthropy@drake.edu.

In closing, I know that many of you love Drake University. As we move toward our vision for the University through distinctlyDrake, it is time to transform our shared affection into a culture where everyone feels a sense of ownership and commitment to Drake’s promising future. Drake can make real its vision when we all work toward common goals. Your participation matters. You matter.

Thank you for your engagement in the life of Drake and your constructive feedback.

—John Smith, AS’92, GR’00, Vice President for Alumni and Development