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On Campus - Stories
May 3, 2002 - Vol. 54, No. 39


Madelyn Levitt, center, congratulates Jody Swilky, left, and Darrel Bjornson, right.
Swilky, Bjornson receive Levitt Awards

Drake presented its top awards for teaching and mentoring to Jody Swilky, associate professor of English, and Darrel Bjornson, associate professor of pharmacy administration, at the Spring Faculty/Staff Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday.

Swilky received the 2002 Madelyn M. Levitt Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award and Bjornson received the 2002 Madelyn M. Levitt Outstanding Mentor of the Year Award. These awards were created in 1994 by Madelyn M. Levitt, national chair of Campaign Drake and a longtime member of the University's Board of Trustees.

In announcing the Levitt Award winners, Provost Ron Troyer shared comments from Drake students and faculty members who wrote letters of nomination and support for Swilky and Bjornson.

"Since coming to Drake in 1988, Jody Swilky has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to and talent for all aspects of teaching, from curriculum development and reform, to classroom performance," Troyer said, quoting from a letter written by professor Joe Lenz, chair of the English Department.

Troyer also quoted from a letter by one of Swilky's former students who wrote that "Professor Swilky had a talent for facilitating discussion that always led to productive, insightful and even fun dialogue. I looked forward to going to class and learning with an intensity and hunger I had not previously known."

In accepting the award, Swilky said, "The teaching of reading and writing is often defined as no more than helping students learn basic skills for decoding and encoding discourse. This, of course, is what teachers of English do at the simplest level of their work. But to teach close reading and critical writing is to encourage students to develop a critical aesthetic - a perspective on what is possible, powerful and persuasive."

Troyer presented the Madelyn M. Levitt Mentor of the Year Award to Bjornson, a practicing pharmacist for 25 years before he joined the Drake faculty in 1992. In making the presentation, he noted that Bjornson has described his philosophy of mentoring in these terms: "It's quite simple - set an example, be available and be caring."

Troyer then quoted from a letter by Chuck Phillips, associate professor of pharmacy administration, who wrote that "Professor Bjornson's mentoring ability goes beyond advising students. He is an 'equal opportunity mentor' - mentoring both students and colleagues. He has helped many young faculty members in our college begin their research careers. I believe Dr. Bjornson represents what Madelyn Levitt envisioned a mentor to be: a collaborator rather than a director; a resource rather than an authority; an adviser rather than a preacher; a peer rather than a superior; and, most importantly, a friend rather than someone 'just doing the job.' "

Bjornson also has earned the gratitude of many students. One student wrote that "Outside of the classroom, Dr. Bjornson can be found advising students on career opportunities, finding internships, working with them on research projects and listening to frustration and personal hardships. His sympathetic ear has gained him the resounding praises of countless students. He treats everyone he meets like a professional and can really make you feel like he is listening to you and helping you to the best of his ability. He never asks for anything in return, he merely smiles and laughs with you like a true friend."

In accepting the award, Bjornson said he values his relationships with students as much as he once valued his relationships with patients. Then he posed the question: "How am I likely to remember these students?"

He answered it this way: "Will I remember what I taught them? Unlikely. Will I remember the advice I gave them? I doubt it. Will I remember specific research topics that they worked on? Probably not. Will I remember the very special relationships that developed? Most certainly! Again, to the students whom I have had the pleasure to work with over the years and especially to the students and others who supported this nomination - thank you very much. You will remain vivid in my mind - I will not forget you!"
Retirement receptions set

The College of Arts and Sciences is holding a retirement reception for nine faculty members from 2 to 3:30 p.m. today (Friday, May 3) in the Olmsted Center conference rooms.

The retirees being honored are Dale Berry, professor of economics; Joanne Brown, associate professor of English; Bill Coleman, professor of theatre arts; Karen Conner, professor of sociology; David Foster, professor of English; David Harris, the Ellis and Nelle Levitt professor of music history and harpsichord; Jay Light, professor of wind instruments; Jim Lindberg, professor of chemistry; Bob Lutz, associate professor of physics; and Mike Myszewski, professor of biology.

The College of Business and Public Administration is holding a retirement reception for Mike Murray, professor of insurance, from 3 to 4 p.m. Monday, May 6, in the second floor hallway of Aliber Hall.
Workshop to be held today

The Drake Information Systems Association is sponsoring a Web development workshop for students, faculty and staff from 1 to 3 p.m. today (Friday, May 3) in room 6 of Aliber Hall.
New journal published online

The spring 2002 edition of the Drake Undergraduate Social Science Journal is now available on the Drake Web site at http://www.drake.edu/artsci/PolSci/ssjrnl/ssjournalhome.html.

This year's journal includes eight pieces of undergraduate research and writing in the social sciences.
Crew to compete Saturday

Members of the Drake Crew Team will take on Augustana in their last home competition of the season.

The competition will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at Birdland Marina and last approximately one and a half hours. There will also be a men's race between Iowa and Augustana after the women's competition.

To get to Birdland Marina, take I-235 to Pennsylvania Avenue and go north, crossing University Avenue and passing Iowa Lutheran Hospital (through 2 stop lights and one stop sign). Birdland Marina will be on your left. The big blue building is the Drake Boathouse.
Tenor to perform at Drake

Hazzan Alberto Mizrahi, a Greek-born tenor, will give a performance at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, in Sheslow Auditorium. The concert, which is open to the public, is in observance of Sefirat Ha-Omer and Yom Yerushalayim.

Mizrahi, who is often called the "Jewish Pavarotti," has performed recitals, symphony concerts and opera for audiences around the world. His repertoire, spanning nine languages, makes his performances unique in the field.

Mizrahi recently debuted with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He also has sung with New York Philharmonic, the New Jersey Symphony and many others. The Boston Globe described Mizrahi as a striking performer with a rich, powerful and vibrant voice.

Tickets are free and must be obtained in advance from the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines. Call 277-6321.

Lance Bass, left, sports a Drake T-shirt during *NSYNC's April 16 interview on "The Early Show" on CBS. An alert alumnus spotted the Drake shirt and reported it to the Office of Alumni and Parent Programs. Perhaps Bass picked up his Drake apparel when *NSYNC visited Des Moines earlier this spring.

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