A quick rundown of Drake faculty, staff, alumni and students making an impact in the world this month.

Drake University will celebrate the awarding of 1,485 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees at its 2011 commencement ceremonies. A highlight of the undergraduate ceremony will be the presentation of honorary degrees to Des Moines philanthropists John and Mary Pappajohn.

Both President David Maxwell and his wife, Maddy, were invited to speak at the annual meeting of the American Council on Education (ACE) this spring in Washington, D.C.

The concept of “collective” is, in many ways, central to who and what we are as a University community. In recent years, Drake has emerged as a model for excellence, accountability and integrity in higher education, and it is clear that what we have done is indeed the consequence of collective strength.

The launch of distinctlyDrake provides an unprecedented opportunity to move the University toward its future.