FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 21, 2001 CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 HY-VEE'S PEARSON TO LEAD OFF DRAKE LUNCH SERIES Drake University alumnus Ronald Pearson, CEO, chairman and president of Hy-Vee Inc., will discuss retail trends when he is the keynote speaker at the first Let's DU Lunch of the fall season on Wednesday, Sept. 5. The Let's DU Lunch series, which is open to the public, is sponsored by Drake University's Central Iowa Alumni Chapter and the Greater Des Moines Partnership. The luncheons are held the first Wednesday of the month at the Younkers Tea Room in downtown Des Moines. All of the luncheons start with networking at 11:30 a.m. followed by lunch and a keynote speaker from noon to 1 p.m. The series will continue on Wednesday, Oct. 3, when Greg Hanner, principal of CEG Development, discusses the revitalization of Court Avenue. On Wednesday, Nov. 7, Dave Vellinga, president and CEO of Mercy Medical Center, will address the future of health care. The cost is $36 per person for all three lunches or $15 for each lunch. For reservations, call the Drake Office of Alumni and Parent Programs at (515) 271-3848.