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January 24, 2003 Vol. 55, No. 29

Beschloss, Marsalis to give Bucksbaum Lectures
Michael Beschloss
Presidential historian Michael Beschloss and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and musician Wynton Marsalis will give the next two lectures in the Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture Series at Drake University.
Beschloss will give a lecture titled "Democracy in a Time of Crisis" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17, in the Drake Knapp Center. A reception and book signing will follow.
Wynton Marsalis
Marsalis will give a lecture titled "An Evening with Wynton Marsalis" at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22 in the Drake Knapp Center, then perform a concert with the Wynton Marsalis Septet at 9:30 p.m. on the Jordan Stage in Sheslow Auditorium in Old Main. Both lectures are free and open to the public. Concert tickets will go on sale in September at the Drake Fine Arts Box Office.

Described by Newsweek as "the nation's leading presidential historian," Beschloss is the author of seven books, a regular commentator on PBS's "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer" and a contributor to ABC News. His most recent book is the bestseller The Conquerors: Roosevelt, Truman and the Destruction of Hitler's Germany, 1941-1945. He also has written books about John F. Kennedy, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Lyndon B. Johnson. He won the Ambassador Book Prize for his book titled The Crisis Years: Kennedy and Khruschev, 1960-1963. Beschloss is now working on a history of Abraham Lincoln's last days and assassination. He is a trustee of the White House Historical Association, the National Archives Foundation and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation.

Marsalis, who has garnered nine Grammy Awards, is the first jazz musician to win the Pulitzer Prize in music, for his epic oratorio on the subject of slavery, "Blood in the Fields." He serves as artistic director of the internationally recognized Jazz at Lincoln Center Program, which includes the popular Marsalis' Jazz for Young People series.

Since his debut album was released in 1982, Marsalis' numerous jazz and classical recordings have sold nearly 5 million copies worldwide. He has taken his jazz groups to 30 countries on six continents and is the author of Sweet Swing Blues on the Road, an in-depth chronicle of his touring life. In 1996 Time magazine named Marsalis among America's 25 most influential people.

The Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture Series is made possible by a gift from Melva and the late Martin Bucksbaum, former chairman and president of General Growth Corp. and long-time member of Drake's governing board.
Drake student to perform in national music competion
Drake University student and organist Chris Krampe recently was selected to represent the West Central Division at the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) national convention March 15-19 in Salt Lake City. One student from each vocal/instrumental area in each of the MTNA's nine divisions is chosen to advance to the national level.

At the national competition, Krampe will perform "Prelude and Fugue in A Minor, BWV543," by J.S. Bach; " God Among Us," by Olivier Messiaen; "Drop, Drop Slow Tears," by Vincent Persichetti; and " Veni Creator" by Nicolas De Grigny.

Krampe, of Baxter, Iowa, is a senior majoring in music in organ and church music. He also won the state-level MTNA competition in Ames, Iowa, and the divisional competition in Sioux Falls, S.D. He has studied organ with Carl Staplin, professor of organ and church music, for seven years. From 1999 to 2001, Krampe was the organist at the Cottage Grove Presbyterian Church in Des Moines.

"I'm happy to have made it this far," Krampe said. "I just want to play the best I can and I'll be satisfied with whatever happens."

In addition to the national competition, Krampe also will compete in the American Guild of Organists regional competition in St. Paul on April 12.

"I took Chris as a younger student because I recognized the tremendous talent he possessed," Staplin said. "He is highly talented in both organ and composition and should look forward to an outstanding career in music."

Two other Drake students were selected as divisional alternates in their vocal/instrumental areas. They are Thomas McCargar, a junior majoring in vocal performance and music education, and Michael Hanson, a junior majoring in piano performance.

McCargar, a baritone from Pleasant Hill, Iowa, has studied with Leanne Freeman-Miller, assistant professor of voice, since he was 16. He also is a trumpet minor and pianist, and received grand prize in the 2002 Iowa State Fair Talent Competition. In addition, McCargar has been the Drake Choir baritone soloist in a variety of works.

Hanson, a native of Savage, Minn., studies piano with Chiu-Ling Lin, professor of piano and chair of the music department. His area of concentration is jazz. Hanson has competed in numerous competitions, including the Minnesota Music Teachers Association state competition, the MTNA national competition and the Des Moines Symphony Young Artist Competition.
Drake wins gold and silver CASE awards in regional contest
Drake recently received two top Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) awards at the district conference in Kansas City. The University won the Gold Award for Excellence in Alumni Special Events for "DU the Fair," and the Silver Award for Excellence in Educational Fundraising for the Branson Plaza project.

"DU the Fair," a day-long event held on the final Saturday of the Iowa State Fair, featured prizes, a 25-foot inflatable "Spike" mascot, a Bulldog Hot Shot contest, a digital photo booth in which fairgoers could have their picture taken in a "simulated" University setting, a drawing for Drake athletics tickets and many other activities facilitated by students and faculty from various departments at Drake.

Fair attendance on the day of "DU the Fair" exceeded 100,000; more than 900 digital photos with Drake backgrounds were distributed and more than 800 people registered for athletic tickets. In-state media coverage included eight radio interviews and three television interviews.

"Last year we took a much more strategic approach to our presence at the State Fair in sponsoring a full day of Drake-related activities," said Erin Downs, director of public relations. "Our focus was to reach out and connect more with our alumni and the community. It's great to be recognized among our peers at CASE for doing good work."

Branson Plaza, one area of focus in the Helmick Commons project, is a memorial that honors Robert Scott Branson, a Drake student who was killed in an incident near his fraternity house in May 2001. Branson's parents, Drake graduates Bob and Barb Branson, requested that memorials in Scott's name be given to the Helmick Commons project. Ric and Debbie Scripps, Drake alumni and friends of the Branson family, gave the lead gift of $125,000 and issued a challenge to a select group of friends to match their gift. This volunteer effort on behalf of dear friends was instrumental in securing the funds needed to complete the project.

A total of 165 gifts were donated to the project, including gifts from Branson's class of 2002, totaling $203,442. Remarkably, the first solicitation letter was sent April 25, 2002, and all funds were secured by the end of the next month. Scott Branson Plaza, just outside Hubbell Dining Hall, was dedicated last October.

"Although the project was initiated through tragedy, it has resonated with all of Drake's constituencies," said Diane Caldbeck, interim director of development and executive director of alumni and parent programs. "They came together with feelings of friendship and love. Those who loved Scott and Drake made a beautiful statement with this project."
31 teams join Resolution Solution competition
Joining President David Maxwell on Team Prez are Ron Troyer, Tom Willoughby, Linda Ryan and Madeleine Maxwell.
Thirty-one teams with a total of 159 faculty and staff members are competing for a $795 prize in the new Resolution Solution program.

The program, sponsored by the Wellness Center, is a 12-week competition that encourages participants to keep their New Year's resolutions to develop or maintain healthy activity and eating habits with the ultimate goal of losing weight.
Members of the Athletic Department have formed five teams, including the Starting Five: Tanya Bauer, Donna Freitag, Monica Lihs, Barb Franke, and Lisa Stone.
The $5 per person entrance fees are being combined in a "grand prize pot" that will be awarded to the team that accumulates the highest number of points. Although no points are awarded for clever names, many teams have devised creative and witty monikers such as Fit to Admit, Kinne Skinnes, Movers and Losers, Shrinking Assets and Team Go Lean.

"We expected the program to be popular, but not this popular," said Wellness Director Mollie Keitges. "We're glad to see so many people participating and fulfilling their New Year's resolutions on exercise and weight loss. It's a great morale booster. People are getting excited about it. Plus, with so many people participating, the grand prize is up to almost $800."

Teams earn points as members meet various challenges, lose weight and join in special "bonus point events" such as Lunch-n-Learns and Pack the Track.

Drake First Lady Madeleine Maxwell has joined her husband, David, on Team Prez, and has recruited many other participants as well. "I can only benefit from Resolution Solution," she said. "Being part of a group, I hope, will give me the impetus I need to get back in shape. Team Prez is not the easiest group of people to be able to make or take the time to exercise, eat right and relax. So far we all seem to have itty-bitty successes. We'll do better next week."
Forum on Iraq set for Tuesday
The Drake Community is invited to participate in a forum on Tuesday, Jan. 28, titled "The Iraq Crisis: Should the United States Go to War?" The event, sponsored by the Center for Global Citizenship, will start at 9 p.m. in Cool Beans, Hubbell North.
New season of student-produced "DrakeLINE" to begin Feb. 4
Drake University's TV news magazine "DrakeLINE" kicks off its sixth season Tuesday, Feb. 4. The program airs live at 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays on Mediacom Channel 16 and replays at 9 p.m.

"DrakeLINE" is the capstone activity for Drake's Broadcast News majors. The 15-minute public affairs shows target the Des Moines audience. Students will plan and produce stories from around the Des Moines metro area. Students are responsible for all aspects of the 24-program series, including studio production.

"DrakeLINE" gives its participants real-life experience in their chosen career field. This spring 28 students are involved.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication has offered this activity every other spring semester starting in 1993 when "Drake-LINE" won the regional student newscast EMMY.
Jewish Chautauqua Society underwrites course at Drake
Rabbi Berel Simpser, the founding dean of the Community Kollel of Des Moines and co-Judaic coordinator of the Des Moines Jewish Academcy, is teaching an Introduction to Judaism course during the spring semester at Drake. This class is one of 125 across the United States that will be underwritten this year by the Jewish Chautauqua Society.

Rabbi Simpser initiated, recruited and organized the Community Kollel, a study group of seven families with a long-term focus on community development. He works closely with all the local synagogues, Jewish schools and the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines.

More than 2 million students have attended JCS-sponsored seminars and lectures. JCS also has produced educational video programs and supports interfaith institutes. JCS is affiliated with the North American Federation of Temple Brotherhoods.
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