We NeeDU

Your gift to distinctlyDrake makes a significant difference in the lives of students and the future of the University. Your generosity—whether it comes in the form a one-time $25 donation or a $25,000 endowment—helps ensure the success of current students and allows the University to continue to evolve and confront new challenges in a changing world. Visit www.distinctly.drake.edu to make your contribution and to read about the people and projects that are making a difference.

Bulldog Family Advances distinctlyDrake

Since the public launch of distinctlyDrake two years ago, the University has raised $113.3 million—more than half of its $200 million goal. And while corporations and foundations have made significant contributions to advancing the vision for Drake University, distinctlyDrake is mostly driven by the thousands of members of the Bulldog family.

Strength in Numbers  

Nearly 90 percent of the gifts made to distinctlyDrake are from alumni, trustees, parents, and valued friends (see Source of Gifts chart, p.39). These are the people closest to Drake—the ones who have invested their hearts in the University and who have chosen to invest their dollars as well. They are also the ones who understand that even the smallest gifts make a difference. That a single $100 gift—combined with many other $100, $300, $500, and $1,000 gifts—can elevate the Drake experience to the highest level of excellence for every student, every day.

This is the collective strength of the Bulldog family: individuals coming together to create outstanding results.

The Momentum Builds 

As funds for distinctlyDrake accumulate, so do the opportunities to transform the campus landscape. In recent months, Drake has broken ground on the Morgan E. Cline Atrium and has completed the construction of Cowles Library After Hours, including Cowles Café, and the renovation of Bulldog Theater (see related articles, pgs. 35–37).

Other capital projects completed and funded through distinctlyDrake include Hubbell Dining Hall, Patty and Fred Turner Jazz Center, and several renovations in the science buildings.

As the momentum for distinctlyDrake continues, the focus for capital projects will include the construction of a new Center for Collaborative Learning building which will house the School of Education, renovations and expansions to Cartwright Hall and athletic facilities, additional renovations to Cowles Library, and new construction and renovations in the sciences.

Passion Spurs Opportunities

distinctlyDrake is turning the passion for academic excellence shared throughout the Drake community into extraordinary opportunities for faculty and students. These opportunities are being realized through the development of academic centers, endowed faculty positions, and scholarship funds.

Funded through generous gifts to distinctlyDrake, The Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship and the William M. and Jean M. Buchanan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership are already providing students with exceptional learning experiences designed to grow their interests and skills and prepare them for success in a rapidly changing world. More than 101 scholarship funds have been created—a huge step toward ensuring that a Drake education is affordable to all highly qualified students. And the six, newly endowed faculty positions will ensure Drake continues to attract and retain the very best faculty now and well into the future.

For the Good of the Pack

More than 20,000 members of the Bulldog family have contributed their time, talent, and financial resources to distinctlyDrake. Like you, they understand what’s at stake— keeping our promise to students: ensuring that every Drake student is provided with the opportunities that come with a stimulating, innovative, and truly exceptional learning experience from which they benefit for the rest of their lives.

You are already part of the promise—now you can help keep it. Give to distinctlyDrake and advance the University toward achieving its vision to be—and be recognized as—one of the best institutions of higher education in the nation.

Alumna Marks 30 Years of Consecutive Giving

Karen Branding, LA’82, has a motto that she likes to share with Drake University students and alumni: “Learn and return.” It means, simply, to learn all you can at Drake—and, once you’ve graduated, return that privilege to the next generation of students by giving a little back.

Branding attended Drake on scholarship, studied public administration, and spent three years as a Resident Assistant in Goodwin-Kirk Residence Hall. Since graduation, she’s created a legacy of 30 straight years of giving. She’s now a member of The Bonnie and Lewis McNurlen Consecutive Giving Society, a recognition program exclusively for Drake’s most loyal alumni donors.

But Branding’s legacy was almost a nonstarter; it took someone older and wiser than she to instill a spirit of philanthropy.

“I remember getting something in the mail right after graduation and telling my mom, ‘I can’t believe Drake is already asking me for money,’” Branding recalls. “My mom wisely said, ‘Karen, now is the time for you to start giving back so the next person can go to Drake on scholarship like you did.’ It changed the way I saw everything.”

Branding’s first gift to Drake was just a few dollars. She’s increased her contribution as she could over the years. In 2002, she created the Branding Resident Assistant Leadership Retreat, an annual retreat for students who serve as supervisors in Drake’s residence halls. She’s also given back to Drake as a member of the National Alumni Association Board of Directors.

“You go through college and you think it’s all about you,” Branding says. “But then you get out of college and realize, ‘I’m part of a larger world. I have to give back.’ It’s because of Drake that I am who I am and that I went on to have a very robust career. Learn and return.”

Visit www.distinctly.drake.edu to read more about the progress of distinctlyDrake.

Alumni connections help a student prepare for a future in physics

Instead of spending the summer shoveling rotten soybeans at the grain elevator near his family’s Haven Township, Minn. farm, a Drake alumni connection afforded Mike Meyers, a senior physics and mathematics double major, the opportunity to ponder plasma at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL).

“I get to drive a forklift and all that,” Meyers says of his hometown work option. “But I think as far as helping me become a professional, working in a national lab was a lot better and I enjoyed it a lot more. “

Mike Meyers, senior physics and mathematics double major from Haven Township, Minn.

Meyers’ internship experience as a research assistant at a premier national security research institution was hands-on, challenging and meaningful. Ultimately, the type of computer simulations of plasma that he helped design could be applied to develop a type of very compact particle accelerator for use in radiation therapy.

“I got to meet a lot of really smart people from around the country and I got to experience what the life of a professional physicist is like,” Meyers says.

The opportunity arose thanks to a connection with Brian Albright, AS’92, a scientist in the Computational Physics Division at LANL. Meyers took Albright up on an offer to connect him with a LANL internship the summer after his sophomore year and was asked back the summer after his junior year.

Last year, Albright returned to campus as the Life After Drake featured speaker.

“Several of my professors are still at Drake and I maintain my connections with them in order to get an ‘inside track’ on who their best students are, who I can invite to the Laboratory,” Albright says.

“Only by getting a glimpse into our world can students be in a position to make informed decisions about their careers. I know that I benefitted greatly as a student by working with one of my professors while at Drake University, Prof. Klaus Bartschat in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. I credit the successes I’ve had in my career to his mentorship and I am delighted that we could give back by providing Mike a similar experience.”

Meyers says the Drake faculty’s approach to physics instruction prepared him to do the original research required by his internship. He worked with Dr. Albright and Dr. Chengkun Huang on novel ways to model on the computer the dynamics of a plasma flowing at nearly the speed of light. This was a challenging problem involving complex physics (Einstein’s Theory of Relativity), difficult mathematics and the development of new computer algorithms.

Brian Albright, AS'92

“In order to do this work, Mike had to work very hard to master a lot of new material — and then go beyond, to help our team discover something new,” Albright says. “He showed great teamwork skills, integrating well into our group and contributing to what turned out to be a very hard problem. Though we didn’t solve the problem entirely, we made substantial progress and — I believe — are nearing a solution.”

Meyers says he thinks the curriculum at Drake prepares students to make a theoretical-based career.

“It helps you develop an analytic thinking process instead of just memorizing formulas. In science, you have to memorize a few things and then you must be able to do math and reason through to derive the rest of the theory. Those skills allowed me to have success at Los Alamos. “

Meyers says he first decided to pursue a physics degree at Drake after taking the Drake Physics Test in high school. Although he didn’t win the physics scholarship, Meyers said the test made him aware of opportunities at Drake, and when he earned other scholarships he decided to attend.

Exciting opportunities aren’t isolated to summer experiences, either. Meyers is currently carrying out other original research on campus with Athanasios Petridis, associate professor of physics and astronomy.

This fall, he flew to Salt Lake City, Utah to present a poster from his LANL project at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Physical Society Division of Plasma Physics. There he received the Outstanding Poster Award, which is presented to the best of the 76 undergraduate and high school participants in the meeting. Meyers beat out students from Princeton, MIT, Harvard, University of Chicago, University of Texas—Austin, Virginia Tech, University of Wisconsin, and UCLA, to name a few, for the award.

“This level of preparation and professionalism is a credit to Mike and his institution,” Albright says. “I am delighted that he was able to make it to our meeting and represent Los Alamos National Laboratory and Drake University in this fashion.”

For Meyers, the mentorships he received at Los Alamos and at Drake are preparing him for a future in pursuit of discoveries with plasma — the most abundant form of matter in the universe.

“My next step is to go to graduate school for theoretical plasma physics and then I someday would like to end up working for a national lab,” he says. “That would be the dream.”

Drake Management Review, a free Web-only journal, launched its first issue in October.

The journal, which also includes book reviews, will be published twice each year. Article topics include accounting, economics, entrepreneurship, human resources management, information systems, public administration, actuarial science, business law, electronic commerce, international business and strategic management.

“We’re trying to include as many types of useful information for business practitioners, academic researchers and other readers as we can,” says Troy Strader, professor of information systems and editor of the Drake Management Review. “For our alumni, the Review will offer information that is applicable in their professional lives. It will provide a strong connection to the work that’s going on in the College of Business and Public Administration and the research that our faculty members are doing. It truly will advance the college’s mission of bringing the world into the classroom, and bringing the classroom into the world.”

Contributors draw on contemporary case studies and industry expertise to keep readers informed of best practices and business strategies.

The first issue includes 13 articles on subjects ranging from convergence in the digital media industry, to a case study on improving employee performance and lowering turnover, to a study of whether the use of sex appeal in product advertising impacts consumer buying habits in China.

Journal contributor Delaney J. Kirk, who taught at Drake for 18 years before joining the faculty of the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee in 2007, examined social media use by designer shoe companies for insights into building brand loyalty on the web.

“These companies have learned that building a relationship with customers mean making personal connections, hiring raving fans as employees, identifying trust agents in the industry, being creative, and listening to what customers have to say,” Kirk writes. “However, at the same time they recognize that interactions on social networks must be professional….”

Drake Management Review has an open call for submissions. All papers are peer reviewed in a double-blind process modeled after reputable journals such as the MIT Sloan Management Review and Harvard Business Review.

Drake hosted a presidential debate during the 2008 election cycle as well.

Student opportunities abound during nationally televised debate

The Drake University community is preparing for a televised, prime-time debate December 10 that will bring with it top presidential candidates, hundreds of journalists, crowds of voters and — perhaps most important — a wealth of opportunities for undergraduate students.

The crew from ABC News/Yahoo, the Republican Party of Iowa, The Des Moines Register and ABC5/WOI-DT has selected 25 students and 10 alternates for paid internship opportunities during the week leading up to and the day of the debate.

“Drake’s location in Iowa, home of the first-in-the-nation caucuses, provides students a rich diversity of opportunities to view and experience the political process in all its forms, from campaigning to news reporting to civil protesting,” says Rachel Caufield, associate professor of politics and Drake’s director of caucus planning. “Working on a nationally televised debate with major, respected organizations will provide students a particularly active and meaningful role in the political and journalistic process.”

Student workers will be immersed in the enormous media and political production. In addition to a swarm of staff members from the sponsor organizations, coordinators expect the debate to draw at least 700 journalists from news agencies around the world.

“I’m sure that spending the week working with hundreds of other people in the media will get me excited for my future career,” says Sean Walsh, a senior public relations major. “It will be great to see Drake represented in such a noteworthy and positive way, and I’ll be able to say I was a part of that.”

Students will assist ABC News producers, technical staff and news personnel in preparing for this extremely complex event. Some will even find themselves transporting media personalities like debate anchors Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopolous to and from the airport.

For many eager undergraduate students, this opportunity will complement two, three or even four prior internships. Caitlin Angel, a junior pursuing a dual degree in advertising and graphic design, has held marketing-related internships with the Des Moines Buccaneers, New York and Company, and the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“Through those internships, I have learned a lot about organization and time management, taking direction, and conducting myself in a professional manner,” Angel says. “I think working for ABC will be an expansion of what I have learned in the classroom — that as journalists it is our responsibility to give people the information they need to make clear and conscious decisions about what’s going on around them.”

For students, the debate’s combination of big-name professional outlets and large-scale production can equal a major resume boost. In August 2007, students performed similar responsibilities during Republican and Democratic presidential debates on campus — and their work was highly praised.

“We were so impressed with the caliber of the Drake student volunteers who worked with us. They were an essential force in putting together the ABC News Republican debate at your fine University,” Kathy O’Hearn, executive producer of “This Week with George Stephanopolous” and executive producer of ABC News’ Iowa Debates, said in 2007. “All dedicated self-starters, each one of these knowledgeable, courteous students went the extra mile whenever and wherever they could. They helped make our debate a smashing success.”

Luke Braland, a junior electronic media major, worked last year as executive content producer for the Drake Relays — one of the nation’s largest student-run television productions. He trusts that experience, paired with this upcoming debate, will make him a top candidate for media jobs.

“Working with ABC is definitely one professional accomplishment that I will put at the top of my resume for a very long time,” he says. “It will be a memorable experience that improves my knowledge of the news industry.”

– Aaron Jaco, AS’07, JO’07

Drake University scholarship recipients and the benefactors who make those scholarships possible shared a hearty meal and warm conversation at the University’s third annual Celebrating Scholarships luncheon held November 11.

Amid the clinking of silverware and the warm buzz of conversation, the prepared words of thanks and the improvisational jazz performance, an engaged listener could discern a common refrain:

“Drake is the place where I got my start in the world.”

That’s how Mike Mason, LA’68, puts it. The former Sigma Alpha Epsilon member chose Drake for its best-in-conference basketball team and exceptional law school. He ended up in a lifelong and rewarding career in the commodities business.

Unlocking the future

Jessa Mordini, a sophomore pre-pharmacy student, is currently finding her way at Drake. But before she could get in the door, she needed financial assistance.

As the oldest of four children, she understands that tuition costs can put a financial strain on a family. She receives a Mason Family Scholarship from Mike Mason and his wife, Judy.

“The scholarship takes a lot of stress off of my parents,” Mordini says. “With your support, and with my hard work, Drake will help me to be who I want to be and achieve the change I want to see.”

That’s what Mike Mason likes to hear — especially from the student that he and his family are helping through college.

“We like giving back to help people live better, and to make our money work in the most direct way possible,” Mason said. “That’s what we found here at Drake.”

A commitment to access

This year’s scholarship luncheon came at a time when students are particularly hungry for financial aid. Without the support of scholarships and grants, students may find Drake’s transformative academic experience to be out of reach.

It’s a problem that keeps Drake University President David Maxwell awake at night, he says, despite the University’s presence on multiple “Best Value” lists in publications such as Kiplinger’s and U.S. News and World Report.

U.S. News and World Report ranks Drake at the top of the list for academic reputation among the 13 master’s or comprehensive universities with which we compete — and 12^th in that group for cost, due in large part to the generosity of donors.

The annual tuition increase at colleges and universities, averaging 6.3 percent nationwide, has held at 4.3 percent at Drake.

“This administration and this Board of Trustees is dedicated to ensuring that Drake is an accessible choice to students, both now and in the future,” Maxwell says. “Ninety-eight percent of Drake University students receive financial aid. And, thanks in large part to the generosity of our donors, the University awarded $48 million in financial aid this year.”

Paying it forward

Ward Reynoldson, former chief justice of Iowa, offers a personal explanation for giving.

“I had help, too,” he says.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Reynoldson attended University of Iowa’s law school under the GI Bill. He chose to make a meaningful contribution to fund a scholarship at Drake Law School in the name of his late first wife, Janet, who earned her J.D. in 1965 and served as a University trustee.

Laurie Heron, a third-year law student, is the current recipient of the Janet Reynoldson Memorial Scholarship. Though she never met Janet Reynoldson, Heron — a full time student and mother of five — feels that Janet would have been a kindred spirit. Janet Reynoldson was also raising children when she studied at the Law School.

“I would not have gone to law school if it hadn’t been for the Reynoldson scholarship,” Heron says. “Period. There’s no way I could have responsibly taken on the debt. Because of them, I’m able to pursue my dream. I’m managing editor of the Drake Law Review. It’s all happening because of their generosity.”

Find more information about endowing a scholarship at Drake online.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon, founded at Drake in 1921, moved to 1235 34th St. in 1934. The structure, built 101 years ago, has seen the wear and tear of both time and about 2,000 college men. Many “True Gentlemen” still call this place home and are enjoying the updates associated with $1.2 million restoration and addition project that began in February.

The first phase of the project began with the demolition of “The Barn,” and included the construction of a 23-bedroom apartment building in its place. Phase two will include the renovation and restoration of the main house, including converting bedrooms on the second floor to apartment-style living.

“A group of brothers burned the mortgage in 1955,” according to the website documenting the construction. “That was their legacy.”

Today, SAE brothers’ legacy will be a new home for future members. Contributions to the project spanned 72 pledge classes. Visit drakesae.com for more historic photos of the house, documentation of the construction progress and a list of donors.

Enjoy looking back? Visit Cowles Library’s Drake Heritage Collection for access to many more photos from Drake’s past.

Bulldog alumnae strengthened bonds this fall over brunches held in Chicago and Minneapolis. The gatherings, which featured speakers and social opportunities, marked the third Drake Women’s Connection event in the Windy City and introduced a new network in Minneapolis.

The Chicago crowd was treated to an appearance by Wanda Everage, vice provost for student affairs and academic excellence. Everage, who will retire this spring, led attendees in a discussion about finding their passion.

Wanda Everage connects with alumnae at the Chicago Drake Women's Connection brunch.

“I love the concept of empowerment and being inspirational and motivational,” Everage says. “I spent a little time talking about my journey at Drake and talking about ways in which alumnae can engage with the University. I told them to always be thinking about how are we giving back by sharing their skills, talents and abilities and how are we representing that Drake degree in everything we do.”

Everage especially appreciated the multigenerational aspect of the networking event and says she believes the brunches are a wonderful way of empowering women who have the Drake common experience, regardless of when they graduated.

“When they laid the nametags out before everyone arrived, it was like walking down memory lane,” Everage says. “It was just wonderful — hugging, reminiscing. I’ve been doing a lot of reflection, now that this is my last year at Drake.”

The Drake Alumni Association will present a spring Drake Women’s Connection brunch in Chicago focused on harnessing the entrepreneurial spirit.

Drake Trustee Cyndi Lesher, AS’70, addressed the audience in Minneapolis. She is the retired president and CEO of Northern States Power Co., and is involved with many civic groups and boards, and served on the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.

“The essence of my message was that women as individuals matter,” she says. “But as a group, we have impact. Women have tremendous power and influence through philanthropy and strategic giving.”

Lesher says she is proud of the return on investment (ROI) that her Drake University education provided and was inspired by the ROI experienced by multiple generations of women present at the brunch.

The Drake Women's Connection Brunch in Minneapolis

“The energy in the room was incredible,” Lesher says. “I think our Twin Cities Women’s Connection is clearly headed for success. I’ve gotten great feedback from the women about wanting more and staying connected to Drake and each other. In fact, I later had lunch with a young woman I met at the brunch.”

Drake Women’s Connection is hosting a happy hour and networking event for Twin Cities women in January. Wanda Everage is slated to speak at their brunch this spring.

Both cities boast enthusiastic alumnae committees working on the programming for the Women’s Connection and are committed to offering fall and spring brunches as well as smaller events in between for Drake women in their community.

Find more photos of the fall Drake Women’s Connection Brunches in Drake University Alumni Flickr galleries.

The annual Francis Marion Drake Society Dinner, held on Sept. 30, provided alumni, administrators, students and friends with the opportunity to celebrate “The Power of Love” with a superhero-themed event.

An especially exciting aspect of the evening came when John Smith, vice president for alumni and development, announced a significant achievement: distinctlyDrake has surpassed the $100 million mark.

“Your love for Drake has built incredible momentum for distinctlyDrake, a campaign that will bring transformative change to this institution,” Smith told attendees. He also noted that while the campaign’s financial accomplishment was significant, it is more important to note the tangible impact the gifts will have on Drake students.

The focus of the campaign includes increasing scholarships, endowing faculty positions, funding capital projects and developing interdisciplinary centers. The results of distinctlyDrake allow the University to pursue its aspiration to be — and be recognized as — one of the very best institutions of higher education in the nation. Thanks to contributions made by passionate alumni, friends, corporate partners and current students, distinctlyDrake is already making that impact.

The campaign’s development demonstrates that significant progress can be made when thousands of alumni apply their resources towards a common vision. More than 70 percent of the gifts pledged to distinctlyDrake have come in the form of either cash or short-term commitments.

Dinner attendees left the event feeling energized about the University and the steps it continually takes to strengthen its place in the community and the nation. As distincltyDrake charges ahead, alumni and friends are confident in the University’s vision and priorities in making it among the best in the nation.

View more photos from the event on the Drake University Alumni Association Flickr page.

Since 1996, Drake University has hosted lectures delivered by the world’s most inspirational and knowledgeable figures in the fields of literature, music, film, environmentalism, athletics, history, politics and journalism.

This tradition will continue on Tuesday, Oct. 25, when Garrison Keillor — best-selling author and host of the iconic radio program “A Prairie Home Companion” — delivers the 27th Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 7 p.m. in the Drake Knapp Center, 2525 Forest Ave. The center’s doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Read more about Keillor and his upcoming lecture.

The Bucksbaum Series provides an opportunity for the Drake and Des Moines communities to come together to listen to fascinating individuals with an array of backgrounds and experiences.

Erica Hartschen, assistant to the president for advancement at Drake, says that the series reflects the University’s strong commitment to reach out to local residents.

“The Bucksbaum Lectures provide the Drake and Des Moines communities with a wonderful opportunity to listen and engage with people of national and international stature,” says Hartschen, who earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Drake. “It is invaluable to hear speakers of this caliber share their views on relevant, interesting and contemporary topics.”

As a testament to the wide-appeal of the series, the average lecture attracts anywhere from 1,500 to 7,000 Drake students, faculty and staff, and members of the Des Moines community.

“I’ve seen several lectures in the Bucksbaum series, and I think they’re just incredible,” says Helen Pille, a Des Moines resident who is a member of the RaySociety at Drake. “These events introduce the community to a whole new world that we can’t experience anywhere else. Thankfully, Drake does an incredible job bringing these speakers to Des Moines.”

JoAnn Davis, who graduated from Drake’s College of Business and Public Administration in 1962, has attended several previous Bucksbaum events.

“Des Moines is very lucky to have access to these valuable lectures,” says Davis, who lives in West Des Moines. “The Bucksbaum lectures pair the Des Moines community with important and influential people with whom we wouldn’t normally have firsthand exposure.”

She adds that she is looking forward to Keillor’s presentation.

Prior to delivering his lecture, Keillor will also meet with Drake students to discuss his professional life and writings in a question and answer session.

The Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture Series is made possible by a substantial gift from Melva and the late Martin Bucksbaum. Martin Bucksbaum was a member of Drake’s governing board and a leader in the Des Moines community.

Twyla Tharp, Maya Angelou and Magic Johnson have delivered previous Bucksbaum lectures. A complete list of former presenters — as well as further information about the series — is available on the Bucksbaum webpage.

–Stella Hart, Class of 2011

Forbes was recognized for his commitment to his patients and community, as well as his involvement with Honor Flight.

It all comes back to community for Drake pharmacy alumnus John Forbes. The north central Iowa native chose to make his home in the Des Moines metro and purchased his first Medicap pharmacy in Urbandale (where he currently serves on city council) shortly after graduation. Past president of the Iowa Pharmacy Association, Forbes, PH’80, regularly returns to campus to speak to first-year student. He also continues to connect with patients on a personal level. In addition, Forbes was instrumental in organizing Central Iowa Honor Flight, which charters planes to bring WWII veterans to their Washington, D.C., memorial.

“As pharmacists, we’re in the business figuring out solutions to help people in their lives,” Forbes says. “I like to get involved in my community by volunteering for different organizations. The main focus of our profession — whether we’re doing it behind the prescription counter or out in the community — is helping people.”

Because the profession is geared toward service, countless pharmacists around the country have done extraordinary things to enhance their communities. But only one is honored each year with the prestigious Next-Generation Pharmacist Civic Leader of the Year. This fall, it was Forbes who was recognized for his service to his patients and the greater Des Moines community. The award was presented in Boston at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Pharmacy & Technology Conference.

“Drake gave me a good foundation to move me on to the next level,” Forbes says. “I’ve used skills and knowledge from Drake in my life and career and am happy to give back. I love making an impact and a positive change on people’s lives. The awards are nice, but I don’t do this for awards. It’s really coming from my heart.”

The Next Generation Pharmacist Award was also bestowed as a result of his continued efforts with Central Iowa Honor Flight, which he co-founded  in 2009.

The organization started with a goal to raise $500,000 to send 700 veterans from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. But with the help of major contributions from Hy-Vee, Casey’s General Stores and philanthropist Bill Knapp, the committee surpassed the target by more than double the amount. They were able to charter five flights on 747 aircraft and serve more than 1,800 veterans. A documentary film about the Central Iowa Honor Flight experience is in pre-screening, with possible broadcasts on the Discovery and History Channels in the works.

“You have to be really focused on your goals,” Forbes says. “We were very determined and had to work diligently because every day we are losing 1,000 of these men and women from the Greatest Generation.”

Forbes’ demonstrations of service, perseverance and a willingness to take on new challenges align perfectly with the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS) mission to graduate liberally educated professionals who are dedicated to serving their clients, patients, profession and community. He also works to instill these traits in current Drake pharmacy students through his role as a preceptor.

“John is an example of a graduate who truly lives our mission,” says Raylene Rospond, CPHS dean and deputy provost. “His story demonstrates his service to all of these constituents, and his work as a preceptor for our students provides a realism to our mission. He is the ultimate role model for the characteristics we are trying to develop in our graduates.”