Dolson resigns as volleyball coach Drake University Athletics Director Dave Blank has announced that Head Volleyball Coach Randy Dolson has resigned. Dolson compiled a 26-93 record in four seasons as the Bulldog head coach. "Randy did a good job through some difficult challenges for us," said Blank. "We wish him the best of luck in the future." Drake finished with a 3-26 record this past season, including a tenth-place 1-17 mark in the Missouri Valley Conference. Dolson's best season came in 2003, when he led the Bulldogs to an 11-21 record, the most wins since the 1999 team was 10-20. Drake also won the Eastern Illinois Pepsi/Super 8 Invitational championship, while finishing second at the Tennessee-Chattanooga Tournament. Dolson's squad began the season with a 7-1 record, its best start in seven years. The Bulldogs also defeated Iowa, snapping a 13-game losing skid to the Hawkeyes, dating back to 1982. His 2002 squad recorded a 7-25 record, while Drake was 5-21 in his first season at the helm of the program. Drake University has received a grant of $15,000 from Humanities Iowa for "A Little Salsa on the Prairie: The Changing Character of Perry, Iowa." This funding will be matched by additional cash and in-kind contributions. Jody Swilky, professor of English, is project director. The project will build upon Swilky's fieldwork and interviews of citizens with contrasting perspectives on cultural change in Perry. He will be working with Kent Newman, a consultant and independent writer/producer at Full Spectrum Productions in Des Moines. This pilot project will focus on the challenges many American communities face in the 21st century, as they are transformed from racially homogenous towns into more multicultural communities. Humanities perspectives will be used to document the changes in the character of Perry and facilitate community-wide civic engagement and dialogue between diverse residents. The project will include two components: 1. A documentary film that incorporates humanities theory and approaches to summarize the history of Perry, particularly immigration and ethnicity over time. The film also will portray and investigate the changes in the economy, society and physical environment, focusing on the recent past and present. In addition, the film will document the process and outcomes of a community-wide dialog process focused on improving communication and collaboration between Latino and Anglo residents. 2. A community-wide dialog process sponsored by a planning committee in Perry that includes local government, faith community, business, schools, civic organizations, and humanities scholars/advisers. A representative sample of Perry residents (Anglo and Latino) will be recruited to participate in small group dialog with trained facilitators to discuss issues of immigration, diversity, and community, followed by a community forum to share outcomes. Groups will operate in English and Spanish, allowing residents to address positive attributes and shared values; problems and concerns; resources and services; and specific ideas and recommendations for improving communication, participation, and collaboration to build a shared vision of the future of Perry. The project will take place in 2005, and additional funds will be raised for completion of the documentary in the first half of 2006. For the second year the Drake Student Senate and Drake University sponsored a Christmas wish tree for families in need. Drake students, faculty and staff fulfilled all 109 wishes displayed on ornaments on the wish tree in the Olmsted coffee shop area, according to Dolph Pulliam, director of community outreach and development. About a dozen student senators and Drake staff members hosted a party for the families on Sunday, Dec. 5, on the lower level of Olmsted Center. Children at the party enjoyed meeting with Santa along with face painting and decorating cookies and ornaments. "It was a great way to provide outreach to the community and to bring community members to campus for a visit," said Student Body President Drew Gulley. "We brought a lot of smiles to a lot of faces." Joe Woods, former professor of chemistry at Drake University, died Saturday, Dec. 4, from complications of colon cancer. A memorial service was held Sunday, Dec. 12, at the First Baptist Church in Johnston. Woods joined the Drake faculty in 1952 and retired in 1985. He was well known for his lively demonstrations, positive spirit and great compassion for his students. During his years at Drake, Woods was active in numerous professional and honorary organizations. He was published on numerous occasions in both state and national chemistry journals. In 1967, Woods was awarded a Fulbright-Hays grant and spent a one-year appointment in the Philippines teaching general and inorganic chemistry. Paul Joslin, professor emeritus of education and a neighbor, colleague and friend of Woods, said he was an "enjoyable and funny guy." Both men shared an interest in sailing and Wood built his own 28-foot sailboat in his backyard. "The thing I admired most about Joe is that he rode his bike to work -- in the winter," Joslin said. "He was always upbeat, had a terrific smile and loved life." Before coming to Drake, Woods served in the Army Air Corps. He served in the Pacific region as a fighter pilot and was a World Ward II veteran. Woods is survived by his wife, Nadine; a daughter, Miriam Heuermann; a son, John Reed Woods; two sisters; a grandson and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial Contributions may be directed to Hospice of Central Iowa or First Baptist Church in Johnston. Scholarship funds may be given to Central College or Drake University. Edward West, former associate professor of theory at Drake University, died Tuesday, Dec. 7, after a short illness. Professor West had been living in Palm Desert, Calif. No services will be held at his request. West was known as a pleasant individual who worked well with students. He joined the Drake faculty in 1947 and retired in 1977. In addition to teaching, West held membership to a number of honorary and professional music organizations. Over the years he also sat on numerous campus and community boards and committees and attended conventions. West also entertained a variety of hobbies, including oil painting, sport fishing and airplane flying. “He was always liked by the students,” said Robert Shultz, professor emeritus of piano. “I also remember he enjoyed painting as a hobby.” West served 53 months in the United States Army before coming to Drake. He was a Chief Warrant Officer and bandleader during WWII. He was also the director of music at Camp Lee in Virginia for a portion of his service. West is survived by a son, Ron, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Ron West summed up his father's career this way: "He loved teaching." Memorial contributions may be directed to any hospice organization. Cutline: At a recent pep rally honoring the championship team, Coach Rob Ash and President David Maxwell pose with (from left) Chris McDonnell, Eric Papp, James Mickley and Jason Jones. Senior offensive guard Grant Knowles (Lee's Summit, Mo.), senior tight end James Mickley (Geneseo, Ill./Dannall) and freshman running back Scott Phaydavong (Des Moines East) were named the co-offensive players of the year for the Drake football team at the 107th annual Channing Smith Football Banquet Saturday at the Drake Olmsted Center. Senior strongside linebacker Eric Papp (Cedar Lake, Ind./Marian Catholic) and senior tackle Brant Parriott (Newton) were named the co-defensive players of the year. The Bulldogs, under coach Rob Ash, posted a 10-2 record en route to winning the Pioneer Football League championship with a 20-17 victory at Morehead State Nov. 20. Senior offensive guard Chris McDonnell (Midlothian, Ill.) was named recipient of the Gene Schultz Award, which annually honors an upperclassman who displays the highest standards of leadership, citizenship and personal conduct on the field, and in academic and campus activities. Sophomore Brett Burmeister (St. Louis, Mo./Desmet Jesuit), junior James Adams (Kansas City, Mo./Park Hill), senior Curtis Martindale (Ottumwa) and sophomore Phillip Williams (St. Louis, Mo./Lutheran) were named co-special teams players of the year. Knowles, who was a three-year starter on the offensive line, recently was named to the Sports Network Mid-Major All-American team along with Mickley and Phaydavong. Drake tied the school record for victories in a season, while setting a school record for single-season winning streak by winning the last nine games of the season. "It was a fantastic year," said Ash, who was named the North Division Coach of the Year. T. "We stayed healthy, won close games and got on a roll. It was a dream come true." President David Maxwell celebrated his birthday on Dec. 2 by spending most of the day as "a student for a day," thanks to arrangements made by Student Senate leaders and Linda Ryan, senior assistant to the president and secretary of the University. He attended a voice class taught by Clive Elliott, a political theory class taught by Dennis Goldford and a physics lab taught by Klaus Bartschat. He had lunch at Hubbell Dining Hall, where he shared his giant birthday cake with his wife, Madelaine, as well as students, faculty and staff. After his last class, President Maxwell spent two hours at the Bell Center, where he watched the men’s basketball team practice and – after some persuading – played racquet ball for the first time. “I think he had fun,” Student Body President Drew Gulley told The Times-Delphic. “I think, unfortunately, President Maxwell very often has to deal with the administrative side of campus. I think that it was good for him to get into the classroom, to get into the rec center and to see what our students are doing. And I think it’s just really good for him to get out of the office.” In an interview with the Times-Delphic, Maxwell summed up the day this way: “It was a wonderful day, and it was very thoughtful and gracious of Linda and the students to do it for me." |
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