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April 13, 2001 - Vol. 53, No. 38


Law School's Clinical Program ranked in top 20

The Clinical Program at Drake Law School is listed in a recent U.S. News & World Report study as being among the top 20 in the nation. This is the first time Drake Law School has been ranked among the top 20 clinical programs by U.S. News & World Report.

ìOur long history of commitment to clinical education is consistent with our mission of preparing our students for entry into the legal profession,î said C. Peter Goplerud III, dean of Drake Law School. ìIt is obviously pleasing to be recognized for this commitment. We have long believed that we have one of the strongest clinical programs in the country and intend to continue efforts to make it even stronger.î

Suzanne Levitt, director of the Drake Legal Clinic, said she believes the ranking reflects growing recognition of Drakeís successful Trial Practicum, the establishment of the Joan and Lyle Middleton Center for Childrenís Rights and the strength of Drakeís clinical programs in criminal and civil law and elder law.

Drake is the only law school in the country that holds a Trial Practicum. During it, Drake Law School cancels a full week of classes for first-year students so that they can observe ñ from start to finish ñ an actual criminal or civil trial. During this Trial Practicum, students join professors, judges and veteran attorneys in discussion sessions that focus on evidence, litigation practice, professionalism and procedure ñ as well as the law involved in the case. At the conclusion of the case, they also get the opportunity to debrief participating attorneys as well as jurors and the judge who tried the case.

Last summer Joan and Lyle Middleton, who hold a combined total of four Drake degrees, made a $1 million gift to endow the Center for Childrenís Rights at the Drake Legal Clinic. The center, which will open next fall, also has received $50,000 in seed money from the Iowa Court Improvement Project.

Ten law students already have registered for the year-long Childrenís Rights Clinic, Levitt said. Under faculty supervision, they will represent children and, occasionally parents, in cases of child abuse and neglect. The program will be a multidisciplinary one, involving sociology and social work students, in addition to graduate students from the School of Education. The center also will provide resources as well as train lawyers, social workers and others in various aspects of childrenís rights law.
Jazz Ensemble to perform tonight

The award-winning Drake Jazz Ensemble I will perform the classics of Duke Ellington and Count Basie as well as contemporary works by Maria Schneider in a concert at 8 p.m. today (Friday, April 13) in the Hall of Performing Arts, Harmon Fine Arts Center. Admission is free.

Seven members of the ensemble, directed by professor Andrew Classen, recently were selected for the Iowa College All-Star Big Band. They are Kade Calder, trumpet; Tony Corson, trombone; Steve Gilbertson, piano; Ryan Leatherman, saxophone; Spencer McGinnis, drums; Laura Solyntjes, trombone; and Chris Strohmaier, trumpet.

The ensembleís latest CD, ìRush Hour,î received high praise from reviewer Jack Bowers in a recent issue of Cadence magazine. ìDirector Andrew Classen has clearly worked hard to sculpt his underclassmen into a single-minded unit, and the effort has paid handsome dividends,î Bowers wrote.

The ensemble will travel to Europe in July to perform at the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands as well as jazz festivals in England and Scotland.
Pan American Program planned

The Pan American Committee, Drake University and Hispanic Educational Resources will present a Pan American Program and Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. Thursday, April 19, at Olmsted Center. The luncheon will feature musical performances by Drake students and a panel discussion with community leaders on ìEducation: The Master Key for the 21st Century.î Tickets are $10 and reservations are due by Monday, April 16. For reservations, call the Student Life Center at x3711.
Honors Convocation scheduled

The College of Arts and Sciences invites the entire Drake Community to attend the annual Honors Convocation at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, in Parents Hall at Olmsted Center. A reception will follow.

Judith Allen, associate professor of psychology, will deliver the keynote address. Interim Dean Susan Wright will announce the student awards. The Outstanding Teacher Award, the 2001 Stalnaker Lecturer and the E.A. Sheslow Prize also will be presented.
From left: Jennifer Rissman, Thomas McCargar, Erica Braymen and Rob Woodin Jr. rehearse a scene from ìThe Marriage of Figaro,î written by Mozart and directed by assistant professor James Taylor. The set is on loan from the Des Moines Metro Opera, and costumes are being provided by Spencer Community Theater. Performances start at 8 p.m. Friday, April 27, and Saturday, April 28, in the Hall of Performing Arts, Harmon Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for students. Call x3841.
515 magazine wins another award

The 2000 issue of 515 magazine has been selected as a National Magazine Pacemaker winner by the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP). This is the ACPís most prestigious award and it was given to only eight other magazines throughout the country. The magazine previously earned an All American rating from the ACP.

515 magazine is produced by senior magazine majors as part of the capstone class in the magazine sequence. It, and its predecessors, Des Moines Health and Fitness, Des Moines Brides, Des Moines Magazine and DM, have won most of the top national magazine awards at one time or another.

ìThis is the first time we have won the Pacemaker, however. Itís one of four top national awards,î said Patricia Prijatel, the E. T. Meredith distinguished professor of journalism. ìThis magazine was created by a group of students who were off the charts in terms of creativity and drive,î she added. ìThey were also highly competitive, and were determined to create a better magazine than the classes before them ñ which was a tall order. That motivated them to create another top winner.î
Laduke to give speech Tuesday

Drakeís Womenís Studies program will welcome Winona LaDuke, a Native environmental activist, to speak at Drake on Tuesday, April 17. Her speech, which is free and open to the public, will start at 8 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium in Old Main. She will address issues of the intersection of gender, race and ecology.

LaDuke had been scheduled to speak at Drake earlier in the academic year, but was unable to do so because of inclement weather.

She has twice run for vice president as Ralph Naderís running mate in the Green Party (1996 and 2000). She is now program director for the Honor the Earth Fund and is also the founding director of the White Earth Land Recovery Project as well as co-chair of the Indigenous Womenís Network.

LaDuke has received numerous national awards. She has written two books: All Our Relations: Native Struggles for Land and Life and Last Standing Woman. Her speech at Drake is co-sponsored by the Presidentís Office, Provostís Office, Honors Program, Cultural Studies Program and the Center for the Humanities.
This group of 19 enthusiastic Drake volunteers hit the phones for a good cause during Iowa Public Televisionís Festival fundraiser March 16. The volunteers that night helped take 266 pledges totaling $34,025. Overall, IPTVís Festival, March 3-18, set a record with more than $1.5 million pledged.
J-School plans alumni dinner

The 2001 School of Journalism and Mass Communication Alumni Dinner will salute professor H. Henry Milam as well as alumni and students on Friday, April 27, in Parents Hall in Olmsted Center. Milam intends to retire in Texas after devoting 22 years to Drake.

The festivities will begin with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for Drake journalism students. For reservations, please call x3194 by Friday, April 20.
Faculty/Staff Recognition set for Tuesday, April 24

The Spring Faculty/Staff Recognition will start at 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, in Sheslow Auditorium in Old Main. A reception will follow at 4 p.m. in Levitt Hall.

Honorees will include faculty and staff who have completed 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years with the University as well as the recipients of the Madelyn M. Levitt Mentor of the Year Award and the Madelyn M. Levitt Teacher of the Year Award.
From left: Tommy Rinkoski, Sarah Reever, Stacie OíConnor, Christine Wells and Steve Archer star in Drakeís production of Noel Cowardís ìBlithe Spirit.î The comedy focuses on Charles Condomine, a British writer researching a new book on the supernatural. He enlists the aid of Madame Arcati to hold a seance. The result is a hilarious love triangle between Charles, his present wife, Ruth, and the ghost of his former wife, Elvira. Performances start at 7 p.m. April 26-29 in Studio 55 of the Harmon Fine Arts Center. Tickets: $4 for adults, $2 for students and senior citizens and free with a Drake ID. Reservations are required due to limited seating. Call x3841.


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