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On Campus - Stories
October 11, 2002 Vol. 55, No. 17

President Maxwell stands with two of the biggest donors: Maddie Levitt and Dwight Opperman.
Drake celebrates success of $190 million fundraising effort

The University celebrated the successful completion of Campaign Drake with two days of festivities last weekend. The fundraising campaign, led by national chair Maddie Levitt, exceeded its $190 million goal on May 31, raising $190,214,631 for endowment, special projects and facilities improvement.

Levitt, a member of the Board of Trustees who has chaired two campaigns for Drake, was recognized at a dinner for top donors. Ben Ullem, LA'66, LW'69, chair of the Board of Trustees, announced that the board has designated May 31 as Maddie Levitt Day at Drake. He also announced that the sidewalk near Old Main where Levitt often parks her yellow Volkswagen has been named Maddie Levitt Lane. President David Maxwell then presented Levitt with a double-wide airplane seat to commemorate the 550,000 miles she has flown on behalf of Drake. Also honored at the dinner was Dwight D. Opperman, LW'51, who jump-started Campaign Drake with a $50 million gift.

"Where's the snacks?" asks Maddie Levitt as she
and Dr. Maxwell try out her airplane seats.

Under Spike's watchful gaze, the Drake community
enjoys food and fun Saturday at the Knapp Center.

Ben Ullem, chair of the Board of Trustees,
leads a cheer for Campaign Drake.

Newsboys trumpet the success of the campaign.


Nobel Peace Prize recipient to speak at Drake Tuesday

Norman Borlaug, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his work in developing new high yield strains of wheat that led to the "Green Revolution," will give a lecture titled "Food and Hunger in Africa" at Drake University on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

The lecture, which is free and open to the public, will start at 12:30 p.m. in Bulldog Theater. The event is sponsored by the Drake Center for Global Citizenship and the World Food Prize Institute.

The agricultural techniques pioneered by Borlaug, a native of Cresco, Iowa, have been widely credited with ending the periodic famines that previously led to death and despair in India and Pakistan. In 1986, he established the annual World Food Prize, an award given by the Des Moines-based World Food Prize Institute that recognizes individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world.

In 2002, the Iowa Legislature declared Oct. 16 of each year to be "Norman Borlaug World Food Prize Day." Also, he recently was given the 2002 Rotary International Award for World Understanding and Peace. According to an article in The Atlantic Monthly, "Borlaug has already saved more lives than any other person who ever lived."
Plaza dedicated in memory of Scott Branson

Robert H. Helmick, LA'57, LW'60, who has spearheaded the development of Helmick Commons, was the first speaker at Saturday's dedication of Scott Branson Plaza. He described the plaza as a welcome addition to Helmick Commons and "a living memory of a fine student." A family friend read a statement from Scott's parents, Bob and Barb Branson, that said, "Every time you walk by Branson Plaza, take a moment not only to remember Scott but to reflect on the great friendships formed at Drake." The plaza was made possible by a lead gift from Ric Scripps, ED'70, and his wife, Debbie, ED'72. Branson died in 2001 while trying to break up a fight near campus.

Robert Helmick says Branson Plaza is "one of the living memories of people who have made Drake great." Bob Branson, left, gets a hug from Ric Scripps. A large crowd gathers for the dedication.

Insurance exec to give lecture

Bruce G. Kelley, president and chief executive officer of EMC Insurance Companies, will discuss "Property and Casualty Insurance after 9/11: The View From the Midwest" in a lecture at Drake on Thursday, Oct. 17. The 16th annual Financial Executives International/Drake School of Accounting Lecture, which is free and open to the public, will start at 7:15 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium.

Kelley, an attorney, has an extensive background in both insurance and law. He has held numerous positions at EMC and was named president and chief executive officer in 1992.
Exhibit explores language, communication in visual terms

The Anderson Gallery's exhibition of paintings by Wade Carter and William Potter transposes issues of language and communication into the realm of the visual. "Syntagm :: Paradigm" will be on view at the Anderson Gallery from Saturday, Oct. 12, through Nov. 7. The opening reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today (Friday, Oct. 11). The artists will give a gallery talk at 5:30 p.m.

For Potter, language is primarily a matter of structures in which syntax is given full play. He is interested in the shifting language of form, combining sculpture and painting to explore the malleability and pictorial grammar of the two media. His three-dimensional paintings investigate the intriguing relationship between the work and the installation space. Potter teaches foundations at the Herron School of Art at

Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis. His constructed paintings have been featured in numerous exhibitions and reviewed in publications such as Artweek.

Carter also is interested in language, but he emphasizes the metaphor. His paintings reflect an ongoing investigation and manipulation of surface in an effort to elicit content "drawn from personal and collective experience." Combining collage with traditional and experimental methods of painting and drawing, Carter creates internally complex works in the making of which direct interaction with materials plays a significant role. His work has been exhibited at the Dallas Museum of Art and the Museum of East Texas, as well as in numerous solo and group exhibitions.

The Anderon Gallery is open from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday in the Harmon Fine Arts Center.
Top designer to speak Thursday

Marc English, owner and creator of Marc English: Design in Austin, Texas, will give a lecture at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, in Levitt Hall. In his lecture, English will use Iowa's agricultural-based economy as a metaphor for design and creative inspiration. A reception will precede the lecture at 5:30 p.m.

The lecture, which is sponsored by the Drake Department of Art and Design, is open to the public. Admission is $20 with online registration or free with a Drake ID or membership in the American Institute of Graphic Arts.
Choirs to perform Sunday

The Drake Choir, Chamber Choir and Drake Chorale will present a concert titled "Celebrations" at 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13, on the Jordan Stage in Sheslow Auditorium. Featuring Bach's Wedding Cantata, to be performed with chamber orchestra, as well as works by Persichetti, Part, Brahms and faure, the concert will focus on various life events and their celebrations. Admission is free.
Taylor to read from her book

Catherine Taylor, assistant professor of English at Drake and author of Giving Birth: A Journey Into the World of Mothers and Midwives, will read from her work at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14, in the Medbury Honors Lounge. The event is part of the Drake Writers and Critics Series.

Taylor is a doula, or birth assistant, and a mother of two. A recent review in Publishers Weekly states that "Taylor's book is essential reading for prospective parents and anyone interested in maternity care or the politics of contemporary healthcare systems."

Taylor, who holds a Ph.D. in English from Duke University, is the founder of a literary magazine. She also co-founded and produced the Human Rights Watch Film Festival in New York City. In addition, she has served as a producer, writer and researcher on a number of PBS projects in New York City, including the Emmy Award-winning film "The Exiles."

Celebrating the dedication of the Wright Garden in front of Howard Hall
are Ron Troyer, Dean Wright, Sue Wright, Phil Olson and David Maxwell.
The garden honors the Wrights for their service to the Midwest Sociological Society.

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