FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 23, 2001 CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 DRAKE TO CONDUCT FORUM ON THE ROLE OF THE UNIVERSITY IN TIMES OF NATIONAL CRISIS Drake University will host "The Role of the University in Times of National Crisis," a forum discussing higher education and the importance it plays in times of national crisis on Monday, Oct. 29. The event will start at 7 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium in Old Main, 25th Street and University Avenue. The forum, which is open to the public, will feature prominent Iowa figures such as Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, University of Iowa President Mary Sue Coleman, retired Meredith Corp. Chairman Jack Rehm, Des Moines Register President and Publisher Mary Stier, Drake University President David Maxwell and Robert Hariman, the Ellis and Nelle Levitt professor of rhetoric and communication studies at Drake. The forum will be moderated by Michael Gartner, former president of NBC News and principal owner of the Iowa Cubs. Gartner said he plans to raise the following issues: How the university should go about educating its students and its community and fostering robust debate between and among people. How the university can provide a safe haven --- physically, emotionally and intellectually --- for its students and faculty and town. How the university can serve as society's conscience as well as society's healer. How the university and the community deal with student demonstrations. How the university and the community deal with censorship and academic freedom. In addition to these issues, the panelists will talk about the role of the university in the various crises of the past 60 years including World War II, Korea, Vietnam, assassinations, AIDS and today's terrorism. The participants will be: Michael Gartner - Moderator Michael Gartner is a nationally acclaimed journalist and the chairman and principal owner of the Iowa Cubs, the triple-A farm team of the Chicago Cubs. Over the years, he had been page one editor of The Wall Street Journal, editor and president of The Des Moines Register, editor of the Louisville Courier-Journal, general news executive of Gannett Co. and USA Today, and president of NBC News. In 1997 he won the Pulitzer Prize for the editorials he wrote for The Tribune of Ames, Iowa, where he then was the editor and co-owner. He received an honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from Drake last May. Mary Sue Coleman, Ph.D. Mary Sue Coleman is president of the University of Iowa, Iowa City. President Coleman holds academic appointments as professor of biochemistry in the College of Medicine and professor of biological sciences in the College of Liberal Arts. As president, Coleman has focused on strategic planning, articulating core values, and developing objective measures for advancing the University's position among the nation's leading public universities. Robert Hariman, Ph.D. Robert Hariman is the Ellis and Nelle Levitt distinguished professor of rhetoric at Drake. His teaching at Drake has twice been recognized with Teacher of the Year awards. His scholarly publications include "Popular Trials: Rhetoric, Mass Media, and the Law," "Post-Realism: The Rhetorical Turn in International Relations," and "Political Style: The Artistry of Power." Hariman was selected the Professor of the Year in 1990 by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. He recently was named associate provost for interdisciplinary programs at Drake and will begin his new duties at the start of the spring semester. David Maxwell, Ph.D. David Maxwell became Drake University’s twelfth president on May 15, 1999. Upon his arrival, he immediately began work with faculty, staff and students to clearly define the mission, values, vision and goals of Drake, and embarking on a two-year process of developing a long-term strategic plan for the University. At the same time, he took the reins of Campaign Drake, a $190 million fundraising effort to be completed in 2002. Before joining Drake, Maxwell was director of the National Foreign Language Center from 1993 to 1999. Jack Rehm Jack Rehm is retired chairman and current board member of Meredith Corp. He joined Meredith in 1962, serving in numerous positions throughout his tenure. Rehm is a former member and chair of the Drake University Board of Trustees. Mary Stier Mary Stier is president and publisher of The Des Moines Register and senior group president of the Gannett Midwest Newspaper Group. Stier has been with Gannett since 1982. Prior to joining the Des Moines Register, Stier held positions at the Iowa City Press-Citizen, the Rockford Register Star and numerous positions within Gannett. The Honorable Thomas J. Vilsack The Honorable Thomas J. Vilsack was elected governor of Iowa in 1998. Before becoming governor, he practiced law for more than 20 years, was elected mayor of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, in 1987 and was elected to the Iowa State Senate in 1993.