A giant inflatable Spike welcomed RAGBRAI riders after a long, hot day on the road.

The Drake University Bulldogs invaded Hawkeye territory last month with a presence at the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) stop in Coralville.

In the evening, attendees were able to cheer Spike on as he competed in a RAGBRAI mascot challenge against The University of Iowa’s Herky the Hawk, Iowa State’s Cy, T.C. from the University of Northern Iowa and Upper Iowa University’s Pete the Peacock.

Drake University cycling jerseys, tech shirts and hats are currently available in the RAGBRAI shop.

The book challenges students to get involved and participate in traditions by highlighting activities that start as soon as they arrive on campus.

The Student Alumni Association (SAA) helped launch the traditions book by organizing a committee of student leaders to create a draft of traditions.

Senior education major Amelia Mieth and junior journalism major Ryan Price contributed to the vision and creation of the book, which will serve as a guidebook to a fulfilling Drake experience.

Students are encouraged to take pictures of themselves completing the traditions throughout the years and paste the photos in the book. Each time a student completes 10 traditions, he or she will be awarded a prize.

“It’s supposed to be something students will carry with them all four years,” Mieth says. “We want it to be like an interactive scrapbook.”

The full-color book highlights 51 traditions, including 45 current campus activities and six classic traditions. The Bulldog Book also features a timeline of significant University events since its founding in 1881 and everything from the history of the Drake mascot to information about campus life.

“The Bulldog Book helps define the ‘authentic’ traditions in which every student and future alumnus should take part,” says Blake Campbell, director of Alumni Relations. “The Office of Alumni Relations is dedicated to ensuring that our alumni have shared experiences that define our institution, its history and tradition. Our office is dedicated to being the keepers of that history and tradition.”

— Nicole Mittlebrun, Class of 2013



Scott Bush, founder and president of Templeton Rye Spirits, will deliver the first fall 2011 'Let's DU Lunch' lecture.

Drake University’s fall 2011 Let’s DU Lunch speaker lineup includes plenty of “the good stuff.” The series will kick off on Wednesday, September 7, with a presentation by Scott Bush, founder and president of Templeton Rye Spirits.

Bush’s presentation will focus on his family’s history of bootlegging entrepreneurialism and his personal background in venture capital investments and banking.

Prior to launching Templeton Rye Spirits, Bush spent six years as an analyst with JPMorgan Chase in Chicago and New York. He also worked for Boston-based CommonAngels, a business and technology investor network. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and his master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management.

The series will continue with the following presentations:

• Wednesday, October 5: Susan Moritz, president of the Iowa Public Television Foundation, will discuss the new realities of public media.
• Wednesday, November 2: Jean Groben will deliver a lecture on the challenges and rewards of operating and owning Jasper Winery, a Newton-based winery that utilizes Iowa-grown grapes.

The events, sponsored by Drake University and the Greater Des Moines Partnership, will be held at the Des Moines Club on the 34th floor of the Ruan Building, 666 Grand Ave. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m. Lunch and the presentation run from noon to 1 p.m.

Each luncheon costs $17; a ticket package to the entire series costs $42. There is a special young professional rate of $13 per luncheon for those aged 35 and under.

Registration is highly recommended due to limited seating. To RSVP, visit www.alumni.drake.edu/letsdulunch. For more information, contact the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations at 515-271-2500.

Rodney Rogers, biology professor emeritus, interacts with students.

Classroom scenes like this one were common in the 51 years Rodney Rogers taught at Drake. August marks the one-year anniversary since the passing of the beloved former biology professor emeritus and department chair, but Rogers’ legacy is not forgotten.

Dr. William M. Murphy, AS’63, recently helped to establish an endowed a scholarship in Dr. Rogers’ name. He views the gift as not only an opportunity to recognize the impact of his former histology professor but as a way to repay the University for helping him when, as a young scholar, he needed financial support.

“For many years I’ve been giving back what I could in little bits,” Dr. Murphy says. “I never gave less and always increased my contribution each year.” Eventually, Drake’s Office of Alumni & Development pointed out that Dr. Murphy could structure his gifts in a way that would make a truly lasting impact on future Drake students.

Dr. Murphy is among the many successful alumni who have come to recognize how instrumental Drake’s instructors were in preparing them for professional careers.

A Des Moines Roosevelt High School grad and National Merit Scholar, Dr. Murphy sampled religion, psychology, philosophy and chemistry courses before finally choosing to pursue his degree in biology. He graduated from Drake in three years and went on to Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Murphy, who is an internationally recognized expert in urological pathology and an emeritus professor of pathology at the University of Florida in Gainesville, says he will never forget the sometimes “original” teaching methods of his favorite Drake faculty. He remembers how he learned to identify human bones thanks to Professor Fae M. Shawhan, who used to have students close their eyes and feel skeletal pieces, and the way that Dr. Rogers emphasized the histological structure of the tissue pattern by giving students tests without staining the nuclei or cytoplasm of the component cells.

Dr. Murphy hopes other alumni who were encouraged by biology faculty will also be inspired to contribute to the Rogers endowment, which will help future generations of Drake students.

“I wanted to direct my gift to the biology department,” Dr. Murphy says. “I always had a great deal of respect for the people in that department. I got a great education at Drake.”

Drake Day at the Iowa State Fair took place on Saturday, Aug. 13, with free festivities at the Drake University tent on Rock Island Avenue just east of the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.

Fairgoers enjoyed posing with Beautiful Bulldog Lucy Brown

This year, the Drake tent carried a “Blue Ribbon U” theme, showcasing larger-than-life objects that highlight some of Drake’s impressive accomplishments, as well as a 25-foot-tall Spike the Bulldog. Guests were encouraged to have their photos taken with Drake accessories, alongside the giant models or steal a kiss from 2011 Beautiful Bulldog titleholder Lucy Brown, who posed regally, or Porterhouse. Drake tent giveaways included nylon bags, beads, drink koozies and frame magnets. A limited number of Drake hats and sunglasses were also available.

Find more than 400 photos from the Drake Day tent at the Iowa State Fair on Flickr.

See who stepped up to the green screen with Drake Athletics.

Drake student-athletes and coaches from the women’s volleyball and men’s soccer teams visited the tent at various times to sign free, limited-edition sports posters. Fans also had a chance to pick up vouchers for discounted tickets to various Drake athletic events.

Also at the fair, Drake pharmacy students conducted heartburn screenings for fairgoers. In true fair fashion, the screenings included free heartburn-prevention-on-a-stick for those suffering from acid indigestion after indulging in one too many turkey legs or corn dogs.

Drake representatives also participated in the “Battle of the Butter” carving competition. Each team received one 55-pound block of butter and had 30 minutes to sculpt. See the winning sculptures alongside the world famous Butter Cow in the Agriculture Building.

For those who missed Drake Day, the University has a display in the William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building throughout the fair, which runs through Aug. 21.

Drake University’s Keys to Excellence piano priority will provide an opportunity for arts supporters to hear accomplished musicians showcase Yamaha pianos. Three first-class Yamaha Artists in Education will perform a piano concert series at Drake in celebration of the University’s initiative to replace 68 well-used campus pianos.

Each event will provide an opportunity for Drake arts supporters to hear accomplished musicians as they showcase the Yamaha models the University hopes to acquire through distinctlyDrake.

A new piano series presented by Yamaha will be held November 4, 2011, February 3, 2012, and May 4, 2012.

The events will feature a 7:30 p.m. concert (by invitation), a 9 p.m. reception with the artist and a 10 p.m. informal encore performance.

All events are free and the 10 p.m. performance is open to the public. Each Yamaha Artist in Education will also conduct a Saturday morning master class for Drake and community music students.

Performers for series include:

November 4: Anthony Molinaro, assistant professor of music, Loyola University

Molinaro has won numerous awards, including the 1997 Naumburg International Piano Competition, the William C. Byrd International Piano Competition and the 1995 National Piano Fellowship from the American Pianist Association.

February 3: Lynne Arriale, assistant professor of jazz studies at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville

Arriale, winner of The Great American Jazz Piano Competition, performs internationally with her groups at major festivals, including the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center, Jazz At Lincoln Center, The Gilmore Piano Festival, Cannes MIDEM, Burghausen, Stuttgart and many more.

May 4: Per Danielsson, assistant professor in jazz piano at the University of Central Florida in Orlando

Stockholm, Sweden native Danielsson is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, writer and educator. His career has included performances with many leading jazz artists and entertainers, including Louis Bellson, Clark Terry, Rosemary Clooney and Bobby Shew.

More about Keys to Excellence

Pianos are essential for the development of Drake music students’ understanding and expression of music. Every music student, regardless of major, must complete four semesters of piano instruction. Additionally, pianos are vital to the music department’s fulfilling its role as a musical resource for the University and Des Moines community.

Although Drake’s Department of Music enjoys an outstanding reputation, the condition of our instruments does not reflect the excellence of our program. Fortunately, there is a solution — and Drake’s alumni and friends are the key.

The Range of Impact

Drake’s goal is to replace 68 of the University’s 100 pianos. Replacing these pianos will increase Drake’s ability to attract high-caliber music students and faculty and will provide current students with an exceptional learning environment in which to pursue their passion for music. Purchased in the 1950s and ’60s, these 68 pianos are beyond the point of repair and restoration is simply not cost effective — they must be replaced.

Making your gift

Show your passion for the fine arts by giving one or multiple Yamaha pianos to distinctlyDrake. Your gift will contribute to the culture of excellence inherent in music, the fine arts and all programs at Drake University. Piano prices range from $4,000 to $100,000, and each includes a permanent nameplate acknowledging the contributor.

For more information or to make your gift, contact Doug Lampe,
 major gift officer
 for the College of Arts and Sciences, at 
515-271-3055 
or doug.lampe@drake.edu.

With little more than a week to go, soon-to-be first year students exchanged a flurry of posts that shared excitement and asked last minute questions about everything from décor to immunizations to purchasing textbooks.

Social media have provided a convenient communication tool for the more than 800 new Bulldogs who join the pack this fall, contributing to a student body that hails from all 50 states and 50 countries. Many exceptional students continue to come to Drake from the Chicago, Kansas City and the Twin Cities metro areas, but here’s a look at two students who’ll be making an extra-long trip for move-in day:

Dorothy Krebill

Hometown: Seoul, South Korea

Major: International Relations

Dream Job: Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. State Department

Her background: My mom is Korean and my dad is American, so I grew up in a bicultural home. Korean was my first language, but because I attended an American school at the U.S. Army base in Seoul, my English is a little better than my Korean. My dad works for the Department of Defense, so he’s been deployed to Iraq twice — once when I was in middle school and the second time during my junior year of high school.

What attracted her to Drake: I’ve lived in Seoul basically my whole life, but my dad’s side of the family is from Iowa. In addition to location, I wanted to attend a school small enough to allow me to get to know my professors and a vast majority of my classmates.

Ricardo Fabian Martínez-Isais

Hometown: Guanajuato, Mexico

Major: International Business, International Relations

Dream job: Ambassador of Mexico in the U.S.

His background: I taught myself English and I was an exchange student last year in Davenport, Iowa with a full scholarship. I believe I’m very open-minded and I work hard on everything I do. My biggest accomplishment has been becoming a Bulldog and being able to study in a first-world country.

What attracted him to Drake: I am excited because I will be studying in the United States, one of my favorite countries ever. College in the U.S. will be totally different from college in Mexico. I love making new friends, so meeting people from all over the U.S. is what I’m most excited about. I am planning on putting a lot of effort into all of my classes, and I’m hoping I can do an internship with the United Nations and study abroad as part of my Drake education later on.

Karen Knowlton, retiring Cleveland International Piano Competition leader, departing on high note

Monday, July 25: Cleveland Plain-Dealer

Drake University alumna Karen Knowlton retires as executive director of the Cleveland International Piano Competition. Knowlton effected changes that radically enhanced the biennial event’s place in the global scheme of piano competition.

Kalispell dentist active in outreach

Monday, July 25: Daily Inter Lake

Drake University alumnus David Keim is profiled for his commitment to public health dentistry and community service in the Glacier National Park area.

At 19, he’s a mini-mogul in summer treats game

Saturday, July 23: Des Moines Register

Drake student Steven Laugerman is interviewed about owning and operating multiple Tropical Sno stands, a job he began as a 14-year-old, thanks to a loan from his parents.

Shaking and stirring her way to the top

Thursday, July 21: Boston Globe

Drake alumna Misty Kalkofen began bartending while attending Harvard Divinity School. She’s recognized as a leading force in researching and reviving vintage cocktails in Boston and has appeared in the pages of publications such as Bon Appetit and The Wall Street Journal.

Waukee’s newest couple is dedicated to education

Tuesday, July 19: Des Moines Register

Amy Johnson, who earned her master’s degree from Drake University, is the new Waukee Middle School principal. Her husband Kirk Johnson is the new Waukee High School principal.

With default looming, what investors should do now

Monday, July 18: Associated Press

Tom Root, associate professor of finance and business at Drake University, comments on how investors might prepare for a U.S. default on its debt.

Des Moines: From agriculture to youth culture

Monday, July 18: Des Moines Register

Several Drake University alumni are quoted in this article about initiatives that have helped Des Moines win national recognition for its youth culture. Forbes magazine recently named the metro area the best place in the nation for young professionals.

Lifetime Des Moines booster enjoys making his city better place

Saturday, July 9: Des Moines Register

Drake alumnus James O’Malley Boyt is profiled for his longtime work in the advertising and public relations industry and his impact on efforts to revitalize Des Moines’ East Village.

*Please note that some links from news outlets expire and may no longer be available.

Forty-three promising pre-law students attended the CLEO Institute at Drake.

The Drake Law School and Des Moines legal community partnered this summer to promote diversified equal access to the law profession.

Forty-three promising pre-law students from across the country attended the 2011 Council on Legal Education Opportunities (CLEO) Summer Regional Institute, held June 5 through July 15 at Drake.

The program provides minority and economically disadvantaged college graduates the opportunity to explore their interest in legal education and develop the skills needed to succeed in law school. Drake was one of only two law schools in the country selected to host the six-week institute.

According to Allan Vestal, dean of Drake Law School, Drake’s participation in the program is a reflection of the law school’s innovative curriculum and long-standing commitment to a diverse and inclusive community.

“Drake’s successful execution of the CLEO Institute reflects a number of the strengths of our full curriculum, including intensive writing and conferences, small group class experiences, innovative trial practicum and involvement with lawyers and judges,” Vestal says.

Theory and practice

Participants take notes during a course taught by a Drake Law School faculty member.

Participant Heather McKinney, who plans to attend law school at Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law in Dallas this fall, says that the program served as a valuable orientation to the law school experience.

“We were able to examine the Socratic method with amazing professors who treated us like real law students and challenged us,” McKinney says. “Des Moines is a very friendly place in general, and the community at Drake is very welcoming.”

Courses were taught by Drake faculty members, who were also available between and after classes to talk with institute participants.

“The Drake faculty took the program very seriously and made time to encourage us,” McKinney says. “They were professional and completely open, giving us the opportunity to ask questions not only about classwork but also about the study and practice of law in general.”

Albert Miller Jr., who plans to attend Yeshiva University’s Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law this fall, says that the opportunities provided by Drake to institute participants reflect the law school’s commitment to providing a well-rounded legal experience.

“We were able to network with practicing attorneys, judges and Drake students, and it was invaluable to meet with Drake professors one-on-one to develop better legal writing skills and discuss strategies for achieving life goals even beyond law school,” Miller says.

CLEO participants share a meal at the start of the summer institute.

During the program, participants toured the Iowa Supreme Court and Federal District Court. Polk County District Judge Odell McGhee, LW’77, hosted a dinner at his home, and the students attended an Iowa Cubs game with the members of the Polk County Bar Association.

Ellen Yee, professor of law at Drake, also invited the participants to attend a mini-trial practicum session in the Des Moines courthouse as part of a criminal law course.

“I had never been in a courtroom before,” McKinney says. “During recess, the judge, prosecutor and defense attorneys spoke with us. We asked questions about the case and their careers. It was an incredible experience.”

“Through this experience, participants were able to see how Drake Law School integrates theory and practice in teaching law,” Yee says. “Throughout their time at Drake, the students were enthusiastic and hard-working, and it was wonderful to see them progress.”

— Stella Hart, Class of 2011

July was a busy month for Drake’s education leaders. Both President David Maxwell and Drake School of Education Dean Jan McMahill participated in panel discussions at the Iowa Education Summit July 25–26. Drake’s School of Education also hosted higher education leaders for a Teacher Performance Assessment Consortium on campus the same week.

The Iowa Education Summit, which was organized by the Office of the Governor and held in Des Moines, was attended by more than 1,600 participants and featured a keynote address by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Duncan addressed topics such as teacher effectiveness, preparing students for college and post-secondary training and the kinds of skills needed in a globalized workforce.

“The powerful part is what happens next,” McMahill says. “It’s having the opportunity to talk with fellow deans and directors and, of course, students, and helping to contribute to those recommendations and implementations as loyally as you can.”

A new system

The July Teacher Performance Assessment Consortium continued training for education leaders.

Fresh on the heels of the Summit, the School of Education hosted a Teacher Performance Assessment Consortium (TPAC) workshop meant to continue training for education leaders from the University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa and Drake University about a national project that has emerged in response to the political and school-level pressure to connect teacher pay to the performance of their students.

Iowa is one of 21 states to become part of TPAC and was selected as part of the three-year pilot for a labor-intensive but worthy program developed by the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (AACTE) and Stanford University. Stanford instructors conducted the July training at the Drake School of Education.

The Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA) involves more than 100 teacher preparation programs. It will create a body of evidence of teaching competence, providing a vehicle for systematically examining the assessment data to improve teacher preparation programs, provide professional development to practicing teachers and inform decisions about tenure of individual teachers.

The states of Washington and Minnesota have incorporated aspects of TPAC in their requirements for licensure. It is a national goal that all states will use TPAC to strengthen their license requirements. McMahill, who won a $45,000 grant from the Iowa Department of Education for Drake to participate in the project, believes the power and magnitude of thousands of in-depth teacher performance assessments will result in new models for education policy.

“TPAC is one way for us to look at the art and science of teaching under a microscope instead of through a throw-away camera,” McMahill says.

Piloting the program

Michelle Krogulski, Drake’s new director of student teaching, says that determining how to measure teacher effectiveness is currently one of the key questions in education. Drake’s participation in the TPAC pilot is in keeping with the School of Education’s focus on educator effectiveness and facilitating successful student learning experiences.

“This fall, seven graduate students will participate in the process of documenting a series of their teaching decisions through the TPA format, in addition to fulfilling our traditional student teaching requirements,” Krogulski says. “The TPA provides an additional format for individual and program-level discussions about what is working well and what can be further strengthened to impact student learning. Supporting lifelong learning is one of our priorities. Faculty, students, mentor teachers, school administrators and University supervisors will have an opportunity to examine the ways that information gained through the TPA process can contribute to program renewal and to individual growth as educators.”