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.

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

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.

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.

For three weeks in January, Drake’s classrooms stretched from Des Moines to the Bahamas, the Galapagos Islands, and Ghana, as well as to Poland, Austria, and London. These locations and many others were the destinations of Drake’s inaugural January Term (J-Term) offerings, in which students devoted three weeks to in-depth study of a single subject, often on location.

During J-Term, 25 students traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend the presidential inauguration under the guidance of Rachel Paine Caufield, associate professor of politics. They also worked with national leaders and scholars, conducted fieldwork assignments, met with professionals in their fields, blogged, and created a culminating documentary.

“Throughout our time in Washington, D.C., Drake alumni were all very willing to meet with us and explain what it is like to start a career and live in the nation’s capital,” writes Lucas Mueller, a junior actuarial science and finance double major, on the group’s blog. He noted that Drake alumnus Zachary Nunn, as’02, director of cybersecurity policy for the National Security Council, arranged for the class to go bowling in the White House’s Truman Bowling Alley.

“For me personally,” says Mueller, “this was an amazing experience that I will never forget.”

In another popular offering, students served as crew on the Liberty Clipper, a 125-foot schooner, while being mentored in leadership by Tom Westbrook, professor of education. The students spent two weeks in the classroom learning leadership attributes and the technical aspects of sailing, and then practiced what they learned while exploring the Bahamas Out Islands for six days.

For junior health sciences major Sarah Mooney and her watch team, a swiftly moving storm provided one of many tangible lessons in leadership. “The winds were blowing like crazy, waves were crashing up over the boat,” says Mooney. “We had to act fast and deal with the situation, because the storm wasn’t going anywhere. It was an incredibly pertinent leadership lesson because when you encounter an unexpected obstacle, it’s important that you react in a calm but efficient manner to transcend the obstacle, whatever it may be.”

Other J-Term courses took place closer to home—such as producing the musical Chicago, studying the biology of winter, and building and programming robots. But all offerings took advantage of the ability to accomplish much in a compressed, intensive time frame.

“With J-Term, there are a lot of things that you can try that you might not be able to do in the regular semester,” says Arthur Sanders, the Ellis and Nelle Levitt Professor of Politics and associate provost. “J-Term allows us the opportunity to offer those kinds of choices.”

—Jill Brimeyer

1. Snookies in the Beaverdale neighborhood is not just an ice cream shop; it’s a Des Moines institution. Residents camp out in the parking lot every year to be among the first in line on opening day. You don’t have to be first, but you should go.
2. The quirky gifts, local art, and handcrafted goods at Tandem Brick Gallery make this shop a must-see as you explore the many restaurants, storefronts, art galleries, clubs, and dives on Ingersoll Avenue. The street runs through the Woodland Heights, North of Grand, and Ingersoll Park neighborhoods.
3. Des Moines’ oldest neighborhood, Sherman Hill, is famous for its many “painted ladies”—spacious Victorian homes restored to their original splendor. Plus, Hoyt Sherman Place, the 1,400-seat theater originally built as a home for Major Hoyt Sherman in 1877, dazzles with its historic architecture.
4. If you’ve not had breakfast at Waveland Cafe in the Waveland Park neighborhood then you’ve never truly experienced Des Moines. Don’t let the long lines deter you; the friendly staff goes out of its way to get you in as quickly as possible.
5. Taller than you would ever think a child’s slide should be, and steeper by far, the rocket slide in Union Park, located in the Union Park neighborhood, is not for the faint of heart. Never fear, though—nearby is the much tamer (but equally cool) Heritage Carousel, one of the few wooden carousels built since the 1930s.

—Tim Schmitt, GR’08, ’10

Visit www.drake.edu/desmoines for an interactive look at some of the places Drake students love most in the capital city.

Drake students enjoy Drake Diner

Whether you’re in the mood for burgers, sushi, ribs, or even pancakes, the Drake neighborhood can accommodate your craving. Here are three of our favorite lunch spots:

Drake Diner welcomes guests with ‘50s decor and the aroma of burgers and fries. Feast on all-American breakfast, lunch, and dinner classics, including the famous milkshakes.

Guests at Jethro’s BBQ enjoy pulled pork, sweet potato fries, and even the occasional brisket quesadilla while cheering for their favorite sports teams across several flat-screen televisions.

Haiku is perfect for a calm and quiet lunch. Sit at the bar, which is illuminated in blue, while you enjoy exotic sushi rolls and, in our opinion, the best crab rangoon in Des Moines.

 —Emily Lee, Class of 2013

1. Oreon Scott Chapel While architecturally beautiful, the chapel’s compact circular design and the sunlit altar ringed by high- back chairs inspire more cases of the heebie-jeebies than perhaps any other spot on campus.

2. The old library stacks  A trip up the tight spiral staircase in the no-man’s-land of the stacks between the well-lit and more frequented areas of Cowles Library can definitely leave one feeling spooked—and eager to return to more populated areas.

3. Morehouse Observatory Though not located on campus, the observatory is a Drake building and home to the earthly remains of Daniel Morehouse and his wife. Both are rumored to haunt the building and occasionally make corrections in the observatory’s log.

4. Herriott Hall Reports of mysterious voices and showers that turn on and off by themselves prompted paranormal detectives to investigate the building in 2008. The team saw objects moving without assistance, witnessed apparitions, and heard disembodied noises throughout the night.

5. The bell ringer’s staircase in Old Main The ghosts of Drake past are obvious in the stairs worn thin and rickety from years of use before the bell went silent. The small room, though locked and no longer in use, is also home to the signatures of many visitors dating from the early 20th century to current times.

Do you know “The ‘D’ Song”? It’s one of the University’s oldest songs and has been played and sung at hundreds of sporting events since the early 20th century.

Its long history extends back to the World War I Army barracks, where an Army song leader, once a Drake Glee Club singer, was known to strike up “The ‘D’ Song” among the soldiers.

The song’s unknown author gave it the original title of “Here’s to the Man Who Wears the ‘D.’” However, the song’s title was simplified to “The ‘D’ Song” and the lyrics were changed from using “man” to “one” to make the song more politically correct.

In the midst of football season, now is the perfect time to learn the century-old lyrics.

Here’s to the one who wears the “D,”
Makes a good fight for varsity,
Here’s to those who’ve fought and won,
Made a good fight as a true Drake alum,
Here’s to the one who’s brave and bold,
Ready to battle like days of old,
Fights like a Bulldog for victory,
Oh, here’s to the one who wears the “D.”

—Erin Donegan, Class of 2014

Underground Fitness

Underground Fitness

Warm and wind-free, Underground Fitness is a new, students-only exercise facility in Olmsted Center.

Underground Fitness opened on the first day of the spring semester and is already wildly popular. Individual TV screens on each elliptical and treadmill are part of the reason, but convenience and quality may make this the best place to run a mile.

More of the Best Places to Run a Mile

Alan Webb finishes the 2011 Grand Blue Mile

The Grand Blue Mile

The Drake Relays attracts some of the very greatest athletes on Earth. For just one race, some of those athletes step off the blue oval and onto the streets of Des Moines — and anyone can run this race. Each year, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield partners with the Relays to present the Grand Blue Mile. This road race begins at Western Gateway Park (home to the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park) and ends just outside Wellmark’s Des Moines headquarters, a LEED Platinum certified building dedicated to health and wellness.

With race options from professional to recreational, the Grand Blue Mile gives runners the chance to test their times against world-class greats like Alan Webb (American record holder in the mile at 3:46.91) or enjoy a relaxing jog through a booming part of downtown Des Moines.

The Knapp Center Track

Knapp Center Track

An easy way to avoid the elements and the treadmill, this simple blue ring wraps around the 7,000-seat arena that the Bulldogs call home. With the bleachers swept back, the Knapp Center track opens up in front of you, sweeping gentle curves around the upper level stands.

Rafters and catwalks abound overhead, bedecked with banners boasting Drake’s best ballers, including Dolph Pulliam and Wanda Ford, in addition to the legendary 1969 Final Four team. Below the track, Ron Pearson Court echoes to the sounds of students shooting hoops and playing pickup volleyball. The spirit of Bulldog athletics envelopes you when you run a mile at the Knapp Center.