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On Campus - Stories
June 16, 2000 Vol. 53, No. 3


Cowles Library showcases Darling Collection

Christopher "Kip" Koss, grandson of Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Jay Norwood "Ding" Darling, has produced and donated to Cowles Library a searchable CD that contains approximately 6,800 Darling cartoons.
Koss, president of the J.N. "Ding" Darling Foundation, will discuss his grandfather's work and demonstrate the searchable CD at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 25, in the first-floor reading room of Cowles Library. A reception will follow. Both events are free and open to the public.

While in Des Moines, Koss also will conduct the annual meeting of the J.N. "Ding" Darling Foundation, a non-profit group comprised entirely of volunteers and specializing in conservation education.

Noted for his passion for conservation and politics, Darling chronicled such momentous events as two world wars, the Great Depression and Prohibition as a cartoonist for The Des Moines Register from 1906 to 1949. His cartoons were syndicated in 130 daily newspapers across the country. He was awarded Pulitzer Prizes in 1923 and 1942.

After Darling's death in 1962, Cowles Library received a collection of 6,800 printer's proofs of the Darling cartoons from John Henry, an editor at The Des Moines Register. The proofs, which are prints made from Darling's original drawings from 1915 to 1949, fill 12 file cabinet drawers in the library.

"They are truly a historical treasure, but they have been nearly unusable," Koss said. "Searching for a particular subject, person or event among 6,800 cartoons is a daunting task."

The new CD enables researchers to search the collection in general subject areas ranging from baseball to marriage to war. The CD also can be searched by keying in the names of specific people, places and events. One copy of the CD remains on reserve at the library while another copy can be checked out.

Koss, a retired airline pilot who lives in Key Biscayne, Fla., is creating a CD for the original Darling cartoons held in Special Collections at the University of Iowa Libraries.

Ph.D. pitcher having a ball at the I-Cubs game


President David Maxwell throws out the first pitch at
Friday night's Iowa Cubs game against the Omaha Golden Spikes.


Cowles Library receives 'Kids Count!' Award

Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson recently presented Cowles Library with the "Kids Count!" Award for Excellence in Service to Youth Researchers.

Rod Henshaw, dean of Cowles Library, accepted the award May 16 at Iowa's annual History Day program sponsored by the State Historical Society.

Cowles Library was among more than 25 libraries and museums nominated for the award, which recognizes institutions "that go above and beyond in making young people feel welcome as researchers."
The winning institution was selected by students and teachers. Runners-up for this year's award were the Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, the main library at the University of Iowa and the Davenport Public Library.

Cowles Library has been providing free tours, orientation sessions and research assistance to high school classes for more than 20 years, according to Liga Briedis, head of the reference department and assistant professor of librarianship. Most of the classes come from the Des Moines area, but Cowles
Library has hosted classes from as far away as Leon, Iowa, just north of the Missouri border.

"We're giving lots of these kids their first exposure to the world of books and learning on a big-time scale," Henshaw said. "Who knows how many of the kids may wind up here as Drake students one day."


Chemistry prof awarded grant

Mark Vitha, assistant professor of chemistry at Drake, has received a two-year grant from Research Corp. for $26,700 to be used to support three undergraduate research students and to purchase an autosampler for the departmental gas chromatograph.

The grant proposal was titled "The Measurement and Analysis of Chemically Distinct Solute Parameters for Use in Linear Solvation Energy Relationships." Vitha said the research is aimed at characterizing and measuring the different ways that molecules interact with one another. This information is important because it can lead to improved understanding of transport of chemicals through the environment and in waterways, and can also be used to investigate and predict the toxicity of chemicals.

Kali Mulville, a sophomore from Young America, Minn., and Josh Sandquist, a junior from Woodbine, Iowa, are helping with the research this summer. A third student will work on the project next year.

Plan to attend Summer Picnic

All Drake faculty and staff are invited to the University Summer Picnic on Thursday, June 22, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Plans call for the picnic to be held on the lawn between Medbury Hall and Jewett Residence Hall. In case of rain or very hot weather, the picnic will take place in the north foyer of Meredith Hall.

Enjoy Picnic on the Porch every Wednesday

At the Spring Faculty/Staff Recognition, Interim Provost Stephen Hoag announced that the following faculty members have been named Ellis and Nelle Levitt distinguished professors:


Faculty, staff honored for decades of service to Drake

The following faculty and staff members recently were honored at the Spring Faculty/Staff Recognition for 30 years of service to Drake:

Liga L. Briedis, assistant professor of librarianship and head of reference, Cowles Library.
Richard H. Hicks, associate professor of librarianship and head of technical services, Cowles Library.
A. Douglas Hillman, professor of accounting.
Tsung-Kuang Lin, professor of history.
John M. Manders, professor of business law.
John W. Rodda, HVAC foreman, Operations and Maintenance.
Joseph W. Schneider, professor of sociology.
Jon N. Torgerson, professor of philosophy.
W. Scott Wood, professor of psychology.
Thomas F. Worthen, associate professor of art.

The following faculty and staff members were recognized for 35 years of service:

Larry D. Dunlap, manager/plant engineer, Operations and Maintenance.
C. David Harris, professor of music history and harpsichord.
Guy S. Wuellner, associate professor of piano.

One faculty member was honored for 45 years of service:

Rodney A. Rogers, professor of biology.

Retiring faculty and staff members honored at the Spring Faculty/Staff Recognition were:

Reid Allen, business manager, Athletics.
Joann Anderson, dining services supervisor I, Hubbell Dining Hall.
Patricia A. Ebert, assistant to the dean, College of Arts and Sciences.
Bob Ehrhart, director of the Drake Relays, Intercollegiate Athletics
Jon Ericson, professor of rhetoric and communication studies.
Barry Foskit, professor of journalism and mass communication.
Richard H. Hicks, associate professor of librarianship and head of technical service, Cowles Library.
Barbara Hodgdon, professor of English.
Paul Johnson, assistant vice president, Physical Plant/Auxiliary Services.
The late Jules Kirschenbaum, professor of art.
George Lair, professor of education.
Wayne Newkirk, professor of economics.
Milan Randic, professor of mathematics and computer science.
Avis Shuck, assistant professor of pharmacy.
Hugh Winebrenner, the Thomas F. Sheehan distinguished professor of public administration.
Harry Wolk, professor of accounting.
Guy S. Wuellner, associate professor of piano.

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