FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 17, 2004

CONTACT:
Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu

DRAKE AWARDS MEDALS OF SERVICE TO WRIGHT AND STRENTZ

Drake University recently presented its distinguished Medal of Service to two professors as part of its Fall Faculty and Staff Convocation at Sheslow Auditorium in Old Main.

Professors R. Dean Wright and Herb Strentz received the awards in recognition of their sustained service to the Drake community, and for their personal commitment to the university’s heritage and aspirations.

Wright, Ellis and Nelle Levitt professor of sociology, retired in May after more than 30 years at Drake. A graduate of Pittsburgh State University and the University of Missouri at Columbia, Wright came to Drake in 1971 as assistant professor of sociology. He later served as chairman of the sociology department and director of the criminal justice program.

Wright has earned a number of honors through his years of service, including the Stalnaker Lecture – the highest honor a College of Arts & Sciences faculty member can be awarded – and the Paul Morrison Lecture. He has received the Madelyn M. Levitt Award for Outstanding Community Service and numerous faculty member of the year awards. One of his most significant contributions to Drake came when he served as grand marshal of the university, and many alumni remember Wright's work as master of ceremonies at commencement.

Wright has been equally active in public service, working extensively in issues of homelessness, racial disparity and juvenile justice. He has served on a number of local and statewide committees, councils and boards of directors, and is an active participant in local initiatives dealing with key social issues. He has been inducted into the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame, the Midwest Sociological Society Award for Distinguished Service and President’s Special Award, and the Iowa Corrections Association Public Service Award.

Before retiring in May, Herbert Strentz, professor of journalism and mass communication, served Drake in a variety of roles at the highest levels. He came to Drake in 1975 as dean of the School of Journalism and associate professor of journalism. Throughout his career, Strentz taught undergraduate courses in news reporting, communication law and ethics, and graduate seminars in social responsibility, information policy and research and writing.

Strentz's commitment to the First Amendment transcends the classroom, and he is highly respected in local, state and national freedom of information circles for his legal knowledge and vigilance. Strentz was executive secretary of the Iowa Freedom of Information for 24 years.

He regularly contributes essays and opinion pieces to newspapers and magazines and writes a column on First Amendment issues for the Iowa Newspaper Association. Strentz also is the author of News Reporters and News Sources, published by the Iowa State University Press, and served on the committee that wrote Iowa's Expanded Media Coverage ("Camera in the Court") guidelines.

Strentz is the only person to receive the Distinguished Service Award from the Iowa Newspaper Association and Hall of Fame recognition from the Iowa Broadcasters Association.

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