The Drake community will observe the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance today for the victims of Tuesday's terrorist attacks.
The University will suspend normal operations (with the exception of specified essential services) between the hours of 11:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. to allow all members of our community to participate in this national observance.
A non-denominational
Gathering of Remembrance and Reflection, led by professor Dan Spencer, will
be held at noon in Sheslow Auditorium in Old Main. "All members of the
Drake community are invited to participate as we seek meaning, support and healing,"
President David Maxwell said.
Some students, faculty and staff may who wish to attend services or other commemorative
events at their own houses of worship during this time. Supervisors are asked
to allow all employees who wish to attend services or commemorative events off-campus
ample time in which to do so (beyond the University's official suspension of
operations if necessary).
A candlelight vigil, organized by the Student Senate and Student Life Center, will be held at 9:30 tonight in front of Old Main.
"There is no question that this is a time when we feel overwhelmed by emotions such as fear, sadness, and anger at this devastating loss of life and attack on the cherished freedom we often take for granted as members of a free and democratic society," Dr. Maxwell said. "Let us use this opportunity to come together to seek comfort, meaning, hope, support and healing in this very difficult time."The football game between Drake University and Davidson College, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 15, in Davidson, N.C., has been postponed in light of the recent national tragedy.
"This is the right thing to do," said Drake athletic director Dave Blank. "The whole travel situation across the United States is tenuous. There is a concern about getting to North Carolina and getting back without any delays or problems and we don't have any guarantees.
"We have the full support of Davidson. We will look at rescheduling but there are no plans right now."
Saturday's game would have marked the first football game between Drake and Davidson. The Bulldogs will resume action in a nonconference home game against Quincy Sept. 22.The Drake men's soccer team has canceled a scheduled trip to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Tournament.
Drake was originally scheduled to play Illinois-Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 15, followed by a Sunday, Sept. 16, match with host Wisconsin-Green Bay. Drake will open its home schedule this Wednesday, Sept. 19, playing host Missouri-Kansas City at 7 p.m. at the Hidden Valley Soccer Complex in West Des Moines.
"With the uncertainty that exists in America we felt this was a time to be with family and friends," said fourth-year Drake soccer coach Sean Holmes. "Hopefully, sports can be part of the healing process eventually."
Meanwhile, the Drake men's cross country team will compete in the Woody Greeno Invitational this Saturday, Sept. 15, at 10:45 p.m. in Lincoln, Neb.In celebration of Constitution Day, the Constitutional Law Center at Drake Law School will co-host a lecture "The Magic Constitution," presented by Judge Loren A. Smith on Monday, Sept. 17, at 4 p.m. in room 213 of Cartwright Hall. A reception will follow.
Smith is senior judge for the United States Court of Federal Claims. He formerly served as chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States; chief counsel for the Reagan for President campaigns in 1976 and 1980; assistant to the special counsel to the president, 1973-74; and general attorney for the Federal Communications Commission. Smith also taught law at Delaware Law School.
"Judge Smith is a noted-jurist and an entertaining speaker," said Thomas E. Baker, director of the Constitutional Law Center. "His theme emphasizes the profound impact the Constitution continues to have on Americans and it is altogether fitting and proper for the commemoration of the signing of the our nation's great charter."
Other sponsors of the event include the Federal Practice Committee of the Iowa State Bar Association and the Historical Society of the U.S. Courts in the 8th Circuit, Southern District of Iowa. Both the lecture and reception are free and open to the public.All faculty and staff are encouraged to learn more about Drake's budget by attending one of two town meetings scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 20. The meetings will be held at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. in Olmsted's Bulldog Theater.
Vicky Payseur, vice president of Business and Finance, will review the results of the fiscal year that ended May 31 and discuss plans for future budget years.
"Budget is a subject that affects all of us," Payseur said. "The more we understand about the budget, the more effectively we will be able to work together through strategic planning and other issues affecting the entire campus."Escalante's students -- underprivileged and Hispanic -- have set standards in mathematics all but unequaled in American education. Escalante will give his speech, also titled "Stand and Deliver," at 2 p.m. in Parents Hall North in Olmsted Center.
The movie "Stand and Deliver," starring James Edward Olmos, will be shown at 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, in Bulldog Theater in Olmsted Center. Both the movie and speech are free and open to the public.
An immigrant from Bolivia, Escalante is the subject of the book "Escalante: The Best Teacher in America." In 1999 he was officially inducted into the Teachers Hall of Fame.
"I'm just a math teacher," Escalante says. "I'm just helping my students achieve their highest degree of personal development.
But his persistent, challenging and inspiring teaching methods have made his school - plagued by poor funding, violence and poor working conditions - the seventh-ranked school in this country in calculus.
"I do not believe in the gifted," Escalante says. "If they have ganas (Spanish for desire) I can make them do it." He motivates his students at Garfield High School in Sacramento, Calif., to perform through a combination of factors such as strict study requirements and discussions about career possibilities.
Escalante taught math and physics in Bolivia for 11 years until 1964, when he immigrated to the United States. After receiving an AA degree in electronics, he worked for Burroughs Corp. for many years. He took a cut in pay to become a math teacher at Garfield in 1974.
The Donald V. Adams Leadership Institute at Drake sponsors Escalante's speech. The institute honors Donald V. Adams, who has worked for more than 30 years at Drake, where he is now executive assistant to the president for community and alumni affairs. The institute creates opportunities for high school and college students to develop leadership skills.
For more information about the institute and its "Stand and Deliver" programs, call x2835.
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