On Campus - Stories November 19, 1999 - Vol.52, No. 25 First university fellow appointed Drake joins 'red-ribbon rally' near campus Lovell adds NAACP award to list of honors Faculty, students go to work on diabetes screening project Brooke advances to district finals for Rhodes Scholarships Collaboration concerts planned Tuba recital set for Sunday 'The Dining Room' opens Dec. 2

First university fellow appointed

Charles Link Jr., director of the Human Gene Therapy Research Institute at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, has been appointed Drake's first-ever university fellow by the Drake University Board of Governors.

"Dr. Link's appointment as a university fellow means that we have a nationally prominent scholar as a member of the faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences," said Ron Troyer, dean of the college. "The appointment stems from the connections the faculty in the biology department have fostered with an outstanding member of the community."

Link, who holds an M.D. and B.A. from Stanford University, has held various administrative positions in research laboratories at Iowa Methodist Medical Center and Iowa State University. He also has had more than 150 scientific publications and abstracts and given more than 85 invited presentations.

His work has been recognized with nine awards from organizations such as the National Cancer Institute, the U.S. Public Health Service, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American College of Physicians and the U.S. Navy. In addition to his work at the Human Gene Therapy Institute, Link is an adviser to pharmaceutical companies, a reviewer for numerous professional and scientific journals and a member of many hospital and institute committees and boards.

"He's done a remarkable job with the Human Gene Therapy Research Institute and he's been a great collaborator with our faculty," said Charisse Buising, associate professor of biology. "We're lucky to have a formal association with him."

Drake's Academic Charter states that nationally prominent scholars who contemplate a continuing relationship with Drake may be honored with the title of university fellow. A university fellow must have demonstrated specialized competence, which will enrich both students and faculty in the department of appointment; and should be available for intermittent residence on the campus, sharing research, teaching and consultative competence. To university fellows, the University provides a "home base" for research and study.

Professor Michael Myszewski, who chairs the biology department, said Link has been involved in cooperative activities with Drake for six years. He has given guest lectures, arranged for internships for undergraduate and graduate students at the Human Gene Therapy Research Institute and opened the institute's library to Drake faculty and students. He also has provided advice and information about the latest developments in human gene therapy to individual faculty members.
In return, two Drake faculty members, Myszewski and biology professor Dean Hoganson, serve on the Institutional Biosafety Committee at the Human Gene Therapy Research Institute.

Drake students have gained valuable experience as interns at the institute, Buising said. Barbara Breithaupt, for example, has joined the institute's research staff after completing her master's degree in biology at Drake. Allison Goeden, AS'98, completed an internship at the institute and went on to attend medical school at Loyola University. Another intern at the institute, Allison Fegley, AS'95, is completing her medical degree at Dartmouth.

"We've had a very positive professional interaction with some very bright Drake students, giving them the opportunity to become involved in cutting-edge professional science and cancer research," Link said. "I'm hoping my appointment as a university fellow will lead to improved and expanded collaborations with Drake faculty and students. I want to drive forward and develop more cancer research at the undergraduate and graduate levels."

Drake joins 'red-ribbon rally' near campus

Drake President David Maxwell participated in a "red-ribbon rally" Tuesday at the police traffic office near campus. The rally, jointly sponsored by Drake, Des Moines police and Mothers Against Drunk Driving, was designed to promote awareness of drunk driving during the holidays. Also participating in the event was Sarah Nicholson, president of BACCHUS, a Drake student organization that advocates responsible drinking.

Nicholson joined President Maxwell and Des Moines Police Chief William Moulder and Des Moines Mayor Preston Daniels in tying red ribbons on a police car and several Drake campus security cars. The red ribbons symbolize responsible driving.

"Drake University is delighted to be teaming up with Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Des Moines Police Department in this important public awareness campaign," President Maxwell said at the rally. "What should be a season marked by joy is too often marred by tragedy involving drinking and driving. By having as many Drake security and other vehicles as possible displaying red ribbons, we commit to reminding those on our campus and in the surrounding neighborhood to celebrate responsibly, to use designated sober drivers, and most important, to refuse to drink and drive, and to encourage others also to be responsible.

"Finally, we believe that the partnership among our three organizations gives the message of Project Red Ribbon in Des Moines much more reach and power than if any of us were acting independently. This is the potency of teamwork, and we look forward to future opportunities for this kind of collaboration."

'The Dining Room' opens Dec. 2

Drake University Theatre will close the fall season with a production of "The Dining Room" by A.R. Gurney. This richly humorous play portrays a wide variety of diverse characters focused on the central room of the American family.

The play is directed by Mike Barton, professor of theatre arts. Performances will start at 8 p.m. Dec. 2, 3, 4 and 5 in Studio 55 of the Harmon Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $4 for adults, $2 for senior citizens and non-Drake students and free with a Drake ID. Reservations are required due to limited seating. Call the Drake Fine Arts Box Office at x3841.