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August 22, 2003 Vol. 56, No. 9

'DU the Fair! II' proves to be a sizzling-hot summer hit

"DU the Fair! II," a Drake summer sequel, was a hot hit! Several hundred Drake supporters braved the 97-degree heatwave on Saturday, Aug. 16, to enjoy Drake Day @ the Iowa State Fair, which included free prizes, digital photos, a chemistry magic show, storytelling, musical performances by Drake students and alumni and a Basketball Shootout.

"Thanks to more than 50 volunteers and participants for making Drake Day @ the Iowa State Fair a success," said Kris Fettkether, who organized the day-long event for the Office of Marketing and Communications. "Drake alumni, faculty, staff and friends turned out in full force on Aug. 16 at the Iowa State Fair wearing Drake apparel to show their support."

Drake officials took part in several celebrity contests at the fair. President David Maxwell spooned chocolate pie into the mouth of Relays Director Mark Kostek to win the Celebrity Pie Eatin' Pairs contest. They each will receive a free pie from Perkins every month for the next year. Natasha Kaiser-Brown, head women's track coach and head women's cross country coach, placed fourth in the Celebrity Draft Horse Competition. To see more "DU the Fair! II" photos, visit www.drake.edu/events/fair.

Kathy Van Elsen, Mike Harris show checmistry is fun.
A youngster takes aim in the Basketball Shootout. David Maxwell, Mark Kostek prepare for pie contest. Spike watches Vernon Hansen tell a children's story.
Hock remembered for his positive attitude, teaching ability
Raymond A. Hock

Raymond A. Hock, professor emeritus of philosophy and education, died of respiratory failure Aug. 14 in Riverside, Calif., at the age of 79.

A native of New York City, Hock earned his bachelor's degree from Santa Clara University and his Ph.D. from Stanford University, as well as a secondary teaching certificate from San Jose State College. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving as a combat engineer from 1943-46.

Hock joined the Drake faculty as an associate professor in 1960 after working as a mechanical engineer, a high school teacher and a counselor. He taught in the School of Education as well as the Department of Philosophy and Religion, earning tenure in five years.
Besides frequently serving on many committees, Hock led peaceful protests on campus during the Vietnam War and once headed a campaign to reduce the University's spending on the football program, suggesting the money could be better used on academic scholarships and women's athletics. Before retiring in 1989, he was named the Ellis and Nelle Levitt professor of education and philosophy.


" He was one of the top professors in the School of Education," said Don Adams, executive assistant to the president for community and alumni affairs. "He was usually on the Faculty Senate and he was very active with the war protests, human relations issues and racial discussions. He was highly respected by students for his teaching ability."
Alfred Schwartz, dean and professor emeritus of education, said Hock was "a longtime friend" who was well respected and had a tremendous number of friends in the community. He noted that Hock was a "casual guy" who would often wear shorts and T-shirts to work in the summer, and frequently participated in RAGBRAI, just two of many down-to-earth qualities that made students want to work with him.
" He was always a positive kind of guy," Schwartz said. "Even if he didn't like something, he tried to figure ways to work things out. Whenever problems arose with students, Ray and I could always get together and work things through. He deserves a lot of credit for the role he played in developing relationships with students."

Survivors include Hock's daughters: Barbara, Carolyn and Mary Ann. Services were held Tuesday at Plymouth Tower Retirement Homes in Riverside.

Young sleuths learn about forensic science, careers at Drake

Two dozen middle school students from the "I Have A Dream" Foundation's 1997 Oakridge Neighborhood Project, spent Aug. 11-15 at Drake's Dreamer College Camp, learning about forensic science and various careers in crime scene investigation. They even solved a hypothetical case - a dognapping of Spike.

" The case was a fun and relevant way for the students to see firsthand the things they studied and learned during the week simulated as an actual career," said James C. Work, executive director of the "I Have A Dream" Foundation. The foundation is sponsored by Drake alumni Lyle and Joan Middleton and Dick Jacobson. Support for Dreamer College Camp was provided by Kemin Industries and The Principal Financial Group Foundation.
Grad student Marcia Roth helps Temica Stigler, Shawnal Rogers and Huong Nguyen study DNA.
Former journalism professor drowns while kayaking in Idaho
Michael K. Perkins
Michael K. Perkins, former associate dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, died Aug. 14 in a kayaking accident on Idaho's Salmon River. He was 45.

" Mike had become an expert on journalism ethics and was in demand as a professor and conference speaker," said John Lytle, associate dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. "His students enjoyed his engaging manner, quick mind, expanding knowledge and sense of humor."

Perkins, a native of Jefferson City, Mo., attended Ricks College and received a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University, as well as a degree in law from the University of Utah.

He came to Drake in 1989, where he was an associate professor of journalism and associate dean of SJMC before leaving in 1999 to become chairman of the communications department at BYU. He recently had been appointed head of the media law division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Communication.

" No one that I have known shared the qualities of optimism, enthusiasm, insight, substance, humor and understanding that Mike regularly displayed in his friendships, in the classroom, in his research and in his service and community life," said Herb Strentz, professor of journalism.

" He was not a complex person. He was blessed in that all pieces of the puzzle fit together well for him. His missionary work for the Mormon church as a youth, for example, helped lay the foundation for his scholarship and research on the Latin American press, and he was establishing himself as the premier scholar - Anglo or Hispanic - on South American journalism. He truly was one of the most outstanding faculty the journalism school at Drake ever had, or ever will have."

Perkins is survived by his wife, Donnette, and two children, Nathaniel and Caitlin; his mother, Kathryn Perkins; a brother and two sisters.

Funeral services were held Wednesday in Provo, Utah. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Michael K. Perkins Memorial Fund, c/o Brigham Young University, Department of Communications, E509 Harris Fine Arts Center, Provo, UT, 84601.
Ragner remembered as a devoted mother, excellent worker
Jean Ragner

Jean Ragner, a facility maintainer who worked at Drake from 1988 through April 2002, died on July 21 at the age of 36 after a long battle with breast cancer.

On Wednesday, her husband, Chris, scattered her ashes during the dedication of a new gymnasium at Chow's Gymnastics and Dance Institute, where their daughter, Alyssa, 8, is a member of the competitive team and their two oldest sons, Ethan, 5, and Caleb, 4, enjoy tumbling. Their youngest son, Grant, 2, plans to start lessons at the West Des Moines facility this fall.

Ragner's passion was her children. She encouraged them to participate in educational and athletic activities, even if it meant she had to take a second or third job to support their endeavors.

" Jean believed in getting the kids involved in Kindermusik, piano and art classes as well as gymnastics," said Chris Ragner, who was a graphic technician at Drake from 1991 to 1999. "She was committed to giving our kids the opportunities they need to be well-rounded. I'm doing my best carry on her efforts and keep the kids active."

Ragner, who studied accounting and early childhood education at Drake for three years, had a special interest in gymnastics and took great pride in Alyssa's successes, which included winning three gold medals in the state meet last year. As a member of the booster club at Chow's Gymnastics, Ragner volunteered for committees and worked the concession stands.

Ragner's devotion to her children was apparent to faculty and staff who encountered her as she worked in various buildings across campus, including Old Main, Cartwright Hall and the School of Education.

" The people in every building Jean worked in just loved her," said Sue Kline, her former supervisor at Drake. "She was an excellent housekeeper who was very dependable. I could call her at 2 in the morning to report a problem, and she'd jump out of bed and come in and take care of it. Most important, she was a fabulous friend and a terrific mother."

In addition to her husband and children, Ragner is survived by her mother, Joan Molyneux, and three brothers and three sisters. Memorial contributions may be made in Ragner's name to an organization of the donor's choice.
Community Chorus seeks singers

On Tuesday, Aug. 26, the Drake University/Community Chorus, which is open to all interested singers without audition, will begin rehearsing for its Nov. 16 performance of "Carmina Burana" by Carl Orff. The choir, under the direction of Aimee Beckmann-Collier, director of choral studies, rehearses from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. Tuesdays in Monroe Recital Hall in the Harmon Fine Arts Center. For more informtion, call x2841.

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