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.

Thanks to a partnership between the Polk County judiciary and the Drake Legal Clinic, Drake Law School students now benefit from the mentorship of a senior judge with more than four decades of legal expertise.

Judge Joel Novak accepted active judge senior status in September after 32 years on the bench serving Polk County’s Fifth Judicial District. In October, he moved into his new office in Drake Law School’s Neal and Bea Smith Legal Clinic.

Judge Joel Novak

“My office at Drake has an open-door policy,” says Novak, who holds the new position of judge in residence at Drake Law School. “If I can help students as a mentor, I’m happy to do that. I’ve been invited by professors to visit classes and deliver lectures. I want to make myself available to do whatever Drake faculty members and students need of me.”

As an active judge with senior status, Novak is semi-retired but works part time and still hears cases. Because judges in the Fifth Judicial District are experiencing a profusion of caseloads, space is limited for a senior judge courtroom or court chambers.

With the need for additional space apparent, Allan Vestal, dean of the Drake Law School; Jerry Foxhoven, executive director of the Drake Legal Clinic; and Chief Judge Arthur Gamble collaborated with Novak to discuss a solution that would prove beneficial to both Drake and the Iowa judiciary.

Now Novak hears cases in the courtroom of the Drake Legal Clinic. Novak will also provide his expertise to Drake students and faculty while serving Iowa courts as a productive senior judge.

“Judge Novak will be available to meet with Drake law students to discuss our judicial system and share his knowledge of court procedure and ethics,” says Andrea Charlow, associate dean and professor of law at the Drake Law School. “He will regularly hold hearings and trials in the clinic courtroom, which will be open for observation to students as well as the University community and the public.”

“The plan is to bring cases to the Drake Legal Clinic so that Drake students can observe real trials with real lawyers, clients, witnesses, juries and outcomes,” Novak says. “The Clinic provides students with a hands-on experience. Training in legal thinking and critical analysis is very important, but Drake also provides students with access to practical court application, which is crucial.”

A legal career defined by professionalism, mentorship

When Drake law students seek Novak’s counsel, he can draw on experiences cultivated over the course of a long and successful legal career, as well as his years on the bench.

Novak, originally from Rock Island, IL, earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in 1962 and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1965.

He then moved to Des Moines to practice law with Herrick, Langdon, Sandblom and Belin, serving as a trial lawyer from 1969 to 1975.

In 1979, Iowa Gov. Robert D. Ray appointed Novak to be a district court trial judge in the Fifth Judicial District, a position he held until earlier this year.

Novak is the 2007 recipient of the Iowa Judges Association Award of Merit, an annual award recognizing mentorship and extraordinary contributions to the association.

“I am thrilled to be here at Drake, and I truly feel blessed and fortunate to have this opportunity,” says Novak. “The Drake Legal Clinic has become my second home, and the clinic staff members are my second family — they have been incredibly accommodating and helpful to me.”

- Stella Hart, Class of 2011

The Drake University College of Business and Public Administration, in partnership with the Des Moines Register, hosted Principles and Priorities, a budget-reduction exercise that gave community members a chance to learn about the policymaking issues involved in federal spending and try their hand at slicing through the national debt.

The program, which was presented by the Concord Coalition, drew nearly 200 participants who worked in 25 small groups, comprised of Drake undergraduate and graduate students, working professionals and retirees. Principles and Priorities is a program presented by the Concord Coalition in schools across the country. The coalition is a non-partisan organization that aims to educate the public about the causes and consequences of government budget deficits as well as potential solutions to the country’s economic problems.

“Since each attendee has a different view of how the proposed spending cuts and tax changes might impact them, it created an excellent forum for discussion,” says Tom Root, associate professor of finance.

During the event, participants considered federal spending priorities, tax policy and entitlement reform and made decisions about the best combination of program spending and tax policies.

“The discussion at our tables was very civil and respectful,” Root says. “Participants were willing to discuss and debate then understand that there is a need for compromise. I think most participants wondered why Congress is not able to also reach solutions where both sides are willing to compromise.”

Groups then created a package of recommended policies in line with their sense of the principles behind government budgets and the priorities that should be at the forefront of the government’s fiscal agenda.

For example, to help reduce federal spending, 84 percent of the groups supported eliminating some agriculture subsides.

According to a Concord Coalition blog post, the average amount of deficit reduction approved by the groups was $3.46 trillion. Here is a sample of some of the outcomes:

•    76 percent of the groups favored keeping the spending caps in the 2011 Budget Control Act, or even cutting discretionary spending back to 2008 levels and freezing it

•    100 percent of the groups wanted the budget baseline to be adjusted for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.  All of the groups supported a substantial reduction in war costs

•    12 percent of the groups favored repealing the Affordable Care Act

•    96 percent of the groups favored raising the Medicare Eligibility Age to 67

•    92 percent of the groups favored increasing the taxable earning cap for Social Security

•    80 percent of the groups favored either letting the tax cuts expire or engaging in comprehensive tax reform

•    85 percent of the groups in favor of comprehensive tax reform wanted to use it to raise additional revenues

•    80 percent of the groups favored eliminating oil and gas subsides

“The event provided the community with an opportunity to improve its understanding of the difficult choices that need to be made in relation to our country’s debt,” Root says. “It is widely understood that the country is borrowing at an unsustainable rate and tough choices need to be made to solve this problem. This exercise demonstrates that the only solution possible will need to address a wide range of programs as well as revenue. Participants learn quickly that the solutions require both adjustments to spending and to taxes.”

The Drake University School of Education offers graduate level programs including master’s, specialist and doctoral degrees in the areas of effective teaching, educational leadership, adult training and development, higher education and counseling. Visit www.drake.edu/soe/programs/ for more information.

1. The School of Education has structured its graduate programs to meet the needs of working professionals. “We strive to remove the barriers that prevent adults from continuing their education by offering evening and weekend courses. Our programs are geared towards the adult learner,” says Jared McCarty, graduate admissions coordinator.

2. Our curriculum is rigorous and faculty maintain high expectations, but we also provide students with a strong support system. “SOE educational leadership professors travel to locations throughout the state to bring learning opportunities to our students,” says Thomas Buckmiller, assistant professor of education. “Our students are competent, focused, excited about school leadership and extremely employable after graduation.”

3. The alumni network in the state is strong. More than 2,000 current Iowa teachers, counselors and administrators are graduates of Drake’s School of Education. Those alumni comprise more than 60 percent of Iowa’s school district staff. Drake alumni represent 32 percent of superintendents and 23 percent of principals in Iowa’s primary and secondary schools

4. Theory and practice both have a place in the curriculum. “Drake provided me with a strong background in both instructional leadership and school management,” says Joel Pedersen, superintendent for Cardinal Community School District. Pedersen earned a master’s degree and his doctorate from Drake’s School of Education; he was named the School Administrators of Iowa Middle Level Principal of the Year in 2010.  “My professional network was also built during my time at Drake. I still collaborate with former professors and classmates. The Drake school leadership programs are built around the Iowa Standards for School Leaders. This approach balances leadership theory and practical application perfectly. I felt prepared to tackle complex school issues early in my career as a result of my preparation at Drake.”

5. A graduate degree can prepare you for a new career. At Drake, a graduate student who earned his or her bachelor’s degree in a field other than education can earn an Iowa teaching certificate while pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching in secondary education or Master of Science in Teaching in elementary education.

“Our graduates have read, written and applied contemporary strategies that they can use in public or private schools, agencies or corporate training,” says Jan McMahill, dean of Drake’s School of Education. “Our professors and practitioners collaborate to help our graduate students realize the Drake difference.”

The Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship (PFGCGC) at Drake University is committed to integrating an international perspective into the Drake student experience. One of the most effective steps toward this goal has been hosting prominent world figures and experts in various fields; guest lecturers this fall presented an exciting array of worldviews.

“This series brings considerable visibility to global issues and their relevance to Drake and the broader Des Moines community,” said Christa Olson, vice provost of international programs. “It is just one of several strong programs which contribute to the Drake mission of preparing globally responsible citizens.”

Joaquim Chissano, former president of Mozambique, spoke on the Drake University Campus.

Joaquim Chissano, former president of Mozambique, visited Drake’s campus on Oct. 12 as part of the PFGCGC fall speaker and film series. In total, the center hosted 16 events this semester.

Chissano was Mozambique’s second president, serving from 1986 to 2005. In recent years, he has worked with the U.N. and other international organizations. He also chairs his own foundation and serves on the Forum of Former African Heads of State and Government.

“We were thrilled to host former President Joaquim Chissano,” said David Skidmore, the center’s director and professor of politics. “It was an honor to have someone so highly esteemed in Africa and beyond. He’s played an integral role in African development for decades now, and his message is important and especially relevant today.”

Chissano was not the only speaker, however, to discuss democracy and development in Africa. Roy Bennett, a Zimbabwean politician talked about his personal experience fighting for democracy, which often included jail time and eventually led to him fleeing the country.

In addition to lectures about Africa, the center also hosted a concert featuring the Striving for Eternal Life Choir (SFEL), made up entirely of young refugees from Burundi. Drake junior Vincent Niyokwizera founded the choir in 2009 to support refugee students that arrived in the U.S. in 2007 and 2008 and spoke little or no English.

“The Striving For Eternal Life Choir was one of the highlights of this fall,” Skidmore said. “Their stories of overcoming hardship were inspirational and their music was uplifting.”

Most of the choir’s members spent as many as 11 years of their youth in Tanzanian refugee camps. The choir’s strong faith is the inspiration for their music, which they perform around the Des Moines area and beyond.

Along with development and democracy in developing countries, many of the series’ speakers focused on U.S. security issues. International security expert Jim Walsh discussed nuclear weapons and Iran, and counterterrorism expert Brian Fishman spoke on combating terrorism and lessons learned in the past decade.

Some presentations featured an Iowa connection. Former U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Dennis McGinn — who helped compile some of the first reports to Congress that framed energy as a national security issue — discussed security and its role in Iowa’s energy future. The series concluded on Nov. 10 with a celebration of the relationship between Des Moines and Stavopol, Russia. Russian education delegates were on hand along with Des Moines Public Schools officials for a public Q&A and presentation about their sister-city partnership.

For more information on the Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship, visit http://www.drake.edu/international/cgc/ or contact David Skidmore at david.skidmore@drake.edu.

The fall issue of Blue Magazine is out this month, and with it comes a wide array of exclusive online content, including:

• Web-only feature: How the Middleton Center for Children’s Rights brings real-life training to law students while giving Iowa children a voice.
• Video: President Maxwell plays the blues
• An alumnus’ reflection on art, teaching and growing up on a farm.
• Snippets: More of your favorite places for peace and quiet on campus.
• Snapshots: Photos from best-selling author and “A Prairie Home Companion” host Garrison Keillor’s lecture on Oct. 25.

Cozy up with the print issue for Drake news, alumni updates, a brain teaser, Q&As, in-depth features and links to much more web-only content. The print issue is also available online.

Students gathered in Harvey Ingham 104 on a Friday afternoon as executives from some of the nations leading professional organizations shared stories of their (sometimes winding) career paths — and the pearls of wisdom they’ve discovered along the way:

Don’t settle for the status quo – make things happen.

If you really want to do something, prepare for it – there’s no such thing as over-preparation.

Don’t underestimate service and how rewarding it can be.

Surround yourself with movers and shakers.

Don’t just make a living – focus on making a difference.

For students, it can be easy to admire an executive’s achievements without understanding how he or she arrived in a position. This session highlighted the personal paths of four nationally recognized leaders in the pharmacy field.

Left to right: April Shaughnessy, Mindy Smith, Tom Menighan, Becky Snead.

Tom Menighan, executive vice president and CEO of the American Pharmacists Association, relayed his story of discovering pharmacy through a chemistry set as a child, then eventually growing his network from soda fountain worker to a leadership role in APhA, the first-established and largest national professional society of pharmacists.

By challenging himself to turn an adverse situation into a positive, Menighan shared that even a personal struggle can lead to career breakthroughs. His wife’s illness with cancer taught him about total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and helped him build a set of rules about home IV therapy.

Mindy Smith, executive director of the American Pharmacists Association Foundation, was also part of the professional panel.

“Don’t settle for the status quo,” Smith said. She shared that she had no idea when she began her career as a pharmacist that it would lead to a role lobbying in the state legislature. However, by being open to new opportunities, Smith has been able to make meaningful changes for patients and practitioners.

This openness to discovery in an ever-changing field was further reinforced by Rebecca Snead, executive vice president and CEO of the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations.

“Know that your journey is going to be a bunch of leaps,” Snead said. “You will take many divergent paths along the way. Pharmacy is the most fabulous career, because you’re able to do so many different things.”

April Shaughnessy, director of external relations for the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, concluded the session by extolling the virtues of mentorship — even among peers.

The panel urged Drake pharmacy students to take advantage of the depth and breadth — and friendliness — of expert practitioners in the state. The model of leadership and push for innovation in Iowa makes the Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences a prime incubator for top talent.

“You have so many of the most innovative practitioners in the world here, so take advantage of that,” Shaughnessy said. “Thanks to the universities in Iowa and the leadership in the state association, you’re going to rock it.”

The pearls of wisdom resonated with students.

“I liked the call to make a difference and not just a living,” said fourth-year pharmacy student Bethany Johnson. “I’m going to keep in mind that you’re always interviewing for a job, because it’s such a connected professional community.”

On campus: Drake’s cutting-edge lab excites pharmacy students

November 12, 2011:  Des Moines Register

A remodeled floor in Drake’s pharmacy building includes incubators, cells frozen in a liquid nitrogen tube used for DNA samples, genetic sequencers and computers that give students hands-on research capabilities.

Drake fund-raising campaign on track despite breaking the rules

November 10, 2011: Inside Higher Ed

A story about the strategy for the distinctlyDrake campaign positions the University as a potential thought leader. “Despite rejecting almost all of the conventional practices of a modern comprehensive fund-raising campaign, the university is in relatively good position.”

Iowa’s Recycling Winners

November 9, 2011: Talk of Iowa — Iowa Public Radio

Jonathan Rosenbloom, Drake University assistant professor of law and Blue is Green committee member, talks about Drake’s recycling program and the importance of sustainability initiatives.

Health professional profile: Dr. Steven Faux

November 9, 2011: Des Moines Register

Dr. Steven Faux, associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Drake University, says a neuroscience degree is an interdisciplinary one with applications to many areas, including biology, psychology, pharmacy, philosophy and linguistics.

New Drake University program helps grow community-based food systems

November 8, 2011: Des Moines Business Record

The Drake University Center for Professional Studies is offering a new program to teach local leaders how to develop and maintain effective community-based food systems. The program is five weekend sessions spaced between Dec. 9 and Feb. 24. Attendees are encouraged to enroll for the entire program but have the option to attend selected weekend sessions.

Bill Kelly: Split-second decisions

November 4, 2011: Des Moines Business Record

Drake Law alumnus and Des Moines attorney Bill Kelly calls his one-year deployment to Afghanistan “the most complex legal problem” he has ever handled.

Personalized Medicine on The Exchange

November 4, 2011: Iowa Public Radio

Pramod Mahajan, associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences, talks with Iowa Public Radio host Ben Kieffer about personalized medicine technology that allows doctors to use the right medicines for the right patients at the right time — and the ethical and cost considerations of unlocking the secrets that lie in our DNA.

Iowa’s strength in financial services

November 3, 2011: Nightly Business Report

The Nightly Business Report on PBS covers Iowa’s economy, including a brief interview with Drake University President David Maxwell. (Segment starts at 7:20)

Law Students Face Higher Consequences Online

November 3, 2011: U.S. News and World Report

An applicant’s online persona may have a greater impact on their admission to law school than in other disciplines. Caroline Bettis, a third-year law student at Drake, says that while she doesn’t blame prospective students for being wary about admission officials checking social media profiles, “it’s not practical to say admission counselors should divide your online personality from who you are in real life.”

Young leaders have stepped up in Dawson, “giving back” to the west central Iowa town

November 3, 2011: Family Living

Dawson, Iowa Mayor Colton Morman, a 20-year-old sophomore at Drake University, has decided not to seek re-election because his government duties are crowding his study time. When he was first elected, the 18-year-old high school student made international news.

School of Journalism and Mass Communications students left this month’s “Drake Journalism Days” events with business cards and boosted confidence. The weeklong series of professional development and networking sessions proved what an exciting time it is to pursue a career in communications.

“We had several goals for the week: to celebrate our accomplishments, to increase the profile of the school on campus, and to provide professional development opportunities to students,” says Kathleen Richardson, SJMC director.

“My goal for students, in their four years here, is to develop a tool kit of skills they can take and go out and use while doing whatever the world throws at them.”

Photo via Drake SJMC website

Professionals from across journalism disciplines spoke on personal branding, industry trends, advertising ethics, effective writing and more. The events provided advice for students who are looking forward to careers in media and connected them with numerous alumni and local professionals from outlets such as The Des Moines Register, Meredith Corporation, Principal Financial Group, Iowa Public Television, and more.

The week kicked off with “The Brand of You,” a presentation by social media guru Claire Celsi, AS’01. Celsi, who was recently named director of marketing and community partnerships at Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART), kept the crowd engaged while advocating contemporary strategies for students to build a positive, professional appearance in the media industry.

Wednesday’s “Cutting Edge” event featured a panel of media specialists involved in many aspects of the industry, including sports reporting, magazine and newspaper editing and marketing entrepreneurship. The discussion addressed exciting opportunities in the field, personal branding and the importance of internships. The student audience actively participated by tweeting their questions using the #drakejdays hashtag.

“The goal was to show students that there are great, creative, innovative things going on in the media world,” says panel moderator Chris Snider, instructor of practice in multimedia. “There was a good debate among the panelists. I think the students in attendance got value out of it, as their tweets seemed to show.”

On Thursday, students and local professionals participated in speed networking. The president of the Young Professionals Connection, Jason Wells, JO’04, encouraged students to take advantage of the networking events offered by the school.

“The speed networking night and the other events of Journalism Days are a great opportunity to show students how strongly Des Moines embraces Drake students,” Wells says.

Throughout the week, SJMC professors were encouraged to host professionals in their classes to address specific topics pertaining to each course. All Drake students were invited to sit in on classes with speakers, in hopes of fostering collaboration and understanding between majors.

Erin Hassanzadeh, a sophomore broadcast news major, attended every major event of the week. She was enthusiastic about her experience with Journalism Days, especially the speed networking event.

“I learned it’s a lot about who you know and showing initiative and interest in a company,” Hassanzadeh says. “It was an awesome experience to start practicing those conversations.”

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.