FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 12, 2001 CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 MARTY TO RECEIVE DON ADAMS SPIRIT OF DRAKE AWARD Myron "Mike" Marty, who teaches courses in American history at Drake University, has been named the second recipient of the Donald V. Adams Spirit of Drake Award that is presented annually to the Drake faculty or staff member who best exemplifies the spirit of Drake as reflected in its mission statement and in the daily life of the University. Marty will be recognized during halftime of tonight's Drake-Southern Illinois men's basketball game, which starts at 7:05 p.m. at the Drake Knapp Center. "I can't think of a better person for this award than Mike Marty, as I have come to know him as an individual who sincerely cares about Drake University and the students that legitimize the University," said Dave Blank, director of athletics at Drake. "In addition to his role as a professor here at Drake, Mike has shown a special commitment to the athletic department, and his support and involvement in both areas make him the ideal recipient of the Don Adams Award." Blank said the recipient of the annual Don Adams Spirit of Drake Award recognizes that Drake students are the top priority and fosters an environment of lifelong learning, an appreciation for humankind and the development of Drake students to fulfill their goals for personal growth, career aspirations and citizenship responsibilities. The award, established by the Drake Athletic Department, is named in honor of Don Adams, who has been an administrator at Drake since 1969. He served as vice president of student life from 1969 to 1985 and then was named vice president of enrollment management from 1985 to 1995. Adams' current role is secretary of the University, executive assistant to the president and director of government relations. Marty, who has headed the Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture program at Drake, joined the Drake faculty in 1984 as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He continued as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 1986 to 1994, when he was named the Ann G. and Sigurd E. Anderson university professor and professor of history. He served as chairman for the search committee for a new athletic director at the school last summer. Marty began his career as an elementary school teacher in Fort Wayne, Ind., before moving to St. Louis, where he taught high school for eight years and also served as head football coach for four years. After receiving both a master's degree and Ph. D. from Saint Louis University, he began a 14-year stint at Florissant Valley Community College in St. Louis, where he also was chairman of the social sciences division. In 1980 he became deputy director in the Division of Education programs at the National Endowment for the Humanities. He is the author of numerous books, including "Daily Life in the United States, 1960-1990: Decades of Discord" and "Lutherans and Roman Catholicism: The Changing Conflict, 1917-1963." He and his wife, Shirley, collaborated to produce "Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin Fellowship." He joined David Kyvig, a professor of history at Northern Illinois University, in writing "Your Family History" and "Nearby History: Exploring the Past Around You."