FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 25, 2003 CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 BAKARI NAMED DEAN OF STUDENTS AT DRAKE UNIVERSITY Ronald S. Bakari, assistant dean of first-year programs at Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y., has been appointed dean of students at Drake University, Drake Provost Ron Troyer announced today. In making the announcement, Dr. Troyer said, “Dr. Bakari’s background in leadership program development, experience in working with students and faculty members, his contagious enthusiasm and strong commitment to collaboration among various constituencies all combine to make him a valuable addition to the Drake leadership team. He will be a strong advocate for students while also helping students and others think in new ways. I am confident that he has the ideas and energy needed to help the University achieve its goals.” Dr. Bakari, who will start his new position Sept. 1, earned his Ph.D. in college student personnel administration from the University of Northern Colorado. He also holds a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. In addition, he completed a program in international studies at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, where he also played and coached basketball with the Copenhagen Basketball Association. “Studying in Denmark was an incredible learning experience for me,” said Dr. Bakari, a 46-year-old native of Milwaukee. “I always encourage students to travel abroad to gain the experience of living in another country and communicating with people who are different from themselves. It’s a great way to learn to appreciate diversity.” Before joining Hartwick College in 2000, Dr. Barkari was director of the Office of Multicultural Student Services and Center at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He also has served as a residence hall director at the State University of New York at Oswego and assistant director of admissions at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. As dean of students at Drake, Dr. Bakari will supervise all student life programs and coordinate the personnel services and programs related to the University’s student development efforts. These include Residential Life, Student Activities, Counseling Services, Greek Life, Campus Ministry, Student Government, Health Services and Leadership Development. “I’m excited about the opportunity to shape the future and direction of student services at Drake by building on what’s already in place,” Dr. Bakari said. “Our goal will be to complement the academic mission of the institution and to provide quality services that offer meaning to students. Everyone on campus plays a role in influencing students. My job will be to create a collaborative atmosphere. Success will be determined by our ability to develop good relationships. You don’t get far working in isolation.” Dr. Bakari is married to Dr. Rosenna Bakari, a faculty member at the State University of New York at Oneonta and author of “Self Love,” a book about self-esteem for African American women. She plans to teach at SUNY during the fall semester, then move to the Des Moines area with the couple’s two children: Sentwali, 11, and Nailah, 9.