|
On Campus
- Stories
April
18, 2003 Vol. 55, No. 39
 |
| Robert H. Helmick |
Drake University
will dedicate four projects in Helmick Commons and honor the memory of Des Moines
attorney and Drake alumnus Robert H. Helmick on Saturday, April 26.
Hemick, who died early Tuesday at the age of 66, initiated the Helmick Commons
landscaping project in 2001 to beautify the west side of campus and make it an
inviting place for students and student activities.
"Whatever Bob did, he did with a passion and, fortunately, Drake was his
passion," said Drake President David Maxwell. "He was the catalyst for
transforming half the campus over the past couple of years. His vision, energy
and generosity in creating Helmick Commons will enrich the Drake community for
many years to come. More than anything, he was a friend and he was a supporter
and a mentor, and he infused us all with his own energy and love for Drake."
A memorial service for Helmick will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 25, at
Central Presbyterian Church. Memorial gifts may be made to the Drake University
Scholarship Fund or Campus Beautification Fund.
The dedication ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 26, will be held at the north
end of Helmick Commons, which extends from University Avenue to Forest Avenue
and from 28th Street through 31st Street.
"The dedication will be a time to acknowledge the remarkable impact Bob has
had on the University as a whole and on the quality of life of our students,"
President Maxwell said. "We certainly wish he could be there to bask in the
glow of everything he's done for us in the last few years."
Helmick, who served on Drake's governing board since 1985, had many ties to the
University. The son of a Drake physics professor and mathematics instructor, he
grew up in a house at 1306 28th St., now the site of Meredith Hall. He earned
his bachelor's degree from Drake in 1957 and was valedictorian of his Drake Law
School class in 1960. He also received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree
from Drake in 1986. His family collectively holds 14 Drake degrees.
One of the four projects to be dedicated April 26 is the Professor Paul and Dorothy
Helmick Courtyard at the southwest corner of Harvey Ingham Hall. The courtyard
serves as a memorial to Helmick's parents. His father, Paul, was a physics professor
at Drake from 1923 to 1964. His mother, Dorothy, earned her bachelor's degree
at Drake in 1927 and a master's degree in 1949, and was a mathematics instructor
at Drake for many years.
During his years at Drake, professor Helmick assisted in the design of Harvey
Ingham Hall, which housed the physics department. All four of his children (Ruth,
Lois, Bert and Bob) attended classes in Harvey Ingham Hall and spent many hours
relaxing and studying in the area now known as the Professor Paul and Dorothy
Helmick Commons. The courtyard, Bob Helmick wrote in preparation for the dedication
ceremony, "is designed to invite students to relax and enjoy the commons."
The other three projects to be dedicated April 26 are:
Branson Plaza, another component of Helmick Commons, was completed and dedicated last fall. Additional projects to be completed include Lane Plaza, Principal Plaza and Quad Creek.
 |
Presidential historian and author Michael Beschloss reinforces his comments with gestures as he delivers the Martin Bucksbaum Distinguished Lecture at the Drake Knapp Center. Approximately 1,600 people attended his Tuesday lecture on "Democracy in a Time of Crisis." Beschloss also visited a history class, had lunch with students and gave an informal talk in the Cowles Library Reading Room during his visit to Drake. |
 |
| Donald F. Davidson, second from left, receives congratulations from Interim Pharmacy Dean James Reynolds, President David Maxwell, Lawrence C. Weaver and Delores M. Weaver. |
Donald F. Davidson, PH'50, a retired pharmacist and sales director
with Abbott Laboratories Hospital Products Division, recently received the Lawrence
C. and Delores M. Weaver Medal of Honor - the highest award presented by Drake's
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
In presenting the award, Drake President David Maxwell told
Davidson, "We're all proud of what you've accomplished as an alumnus of the
University, but since I have become acquainted with you over the years, I have
to say I am most proud of who you are."
"I am so honored to have received this medal," Davidson said. "I
take it with a great deal of humbleness."
Davidson told of how he had a dream of going into community pharmacy, owning his
own store and building it into a chain someday. "Dreams are so important
in life, you want to reach for the moon," he said. "But," he added,
"it's important to have options." While he was working at a community
pharmacy in Florida, a casual conversation with a sales representative from Abbott
Laboratories launched his long and distinguished career with the company. He advised
current Drake pharmacy students to "Keep your options open."
Davidson began his 32-year career with Abbott Laboratories in 1955. He excelled
in sales and marketing. After several promotions, he was named director of field
sales for the Hospital Products Division. He retired from Abbott Laboratories
in 1987 as western area sales director and now lives in Laguna Niguel, Calif.
The Weaver Medal of Honor was established by Lawrence Weaver, PH'49, dean emeritus
of the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, and his wife, Delores.
During his remarks, Davidson recalled meeting Dr. Weaver when they were both involved
in Phi Delta Chi at Drake. The two saw one another occasionally throughout the
years until 1991, when Davidson received a phone call from Dr. Weaver inviting
him to join the effort to raise funds for the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Davidson didn't commit to the effort until he came to campus and saw what was
happening at the college. "If it wasn't for the gentle persuasiveness of
Larry Weaver, I wouldn't be as involved with the college as I am," he said.
Davidson serves on the Drake Board of Trustees and the National Advisory Board
for the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences as well as the President's Circle
Board. He also was a member of the Center for Science and Pharmacy Education Fundraising
Committee from 1991-1994 and he co-chaired the fundraising effort for his 50-year
class reunion. He is a major benefactor of the College of Pharmacy and Health
Sciences, which established the Donald F. Davidson Pharmacy Practice Laboratory
in his honor. Prof.
Rahul A. Parsa, professor of statistics at Drake, has been awarded
a Fulbright Scholar grant to lecture and conduct research at University of Natal,
South Africa, during the 2003-04 academic year, according to the United States
Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.
Parsa will conduct research in the area of data confidentiality/perturbation and
also study the methodologies used to collect public health data.
"I am honored to receive this award," Parsa said. "It provides
me an opportunity to do research, and teach in South Africa while gaining a deeper
understanding of the local culture and heritage. In addition, it provides me the
opportunity to represent Drake University and to interact with faculty and students
froma different country. I am thankful to Drake University for providing me the
opportunity to be a Fulbright Scholar."
Recipients of Fulbright Scholar awards are selected on the basis of academic or
professional achievement and because they have demonstrated extraordinary leadership
potential in their fields.
Parsa is one of approximately 800 U.S. faculty and professionals who will travel
abroad to some 140 countries for the 2003-04 academic year through the Fulbright
Scholar Program. Established in 1946, the program aims to build mutual understanding
between the people of the United States and other countries.
Drake University Theatre will present John Patrick Shanley's
"Savage in Limbo" at 8 p.m. April 24, 25 and 26 and at 2 p.m. Sunday,
April 27, in Studio 55 of the Harmon Fine Arts Center.
The play, directed by Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts Deena Conley, focuses
on five regulars who gather in a slightly seedy bar in the Bronx on a Monday night.
All are 32 and seek refuge from their drab and monotonous lives. Each person needs
a change to happen and needs it to happen this night. The action moves from comedy
to near tragedy as they all hope to conquer their fears about love and life. This
play is not recommended for young audiences.
Tickets are $4 for adults, $2 for students or senior citizens or free with a Drake
ID. Reservations are required due to limited seating. Call x3841 for tickets.
Four Drake senior Bachelor of Fine Arts students will have their work featured in an exhibition at the Anderson Gallery from Saturday, April 26, through May 9. The exhibition features graphic designers Tom Dahl, Katie Milbrandt and Jenny Timson and painter Rochelle Willsie. The opening reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 25, in the Anderson Gallery in the Harmon Fine Arts Center. The reception and the exhibition are free and open to the public. The gallery hours are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.